Assessment of Employees' Ergonomic Issues in The Workplace in Terms of Occupational Health and Safety Practices: A Meta-Analysis Study

Öz

Purpose: This study is a meta-analysis aimed at evaluating ergonomic issues in workplaces in terms of occupational health and safety practices. Materials and Methods: This study is of a meta-analytic nature. Data used in the meta-analysis were obtained through searches on databases such as Google Scholar, YÖK Thesis, EBSCO, and Web Of Science without any time restrictions between January and March 2024. A total of 15 research studies were included in the search results. The data obtained were synthesized using narrative synthesis and meta-analysis methods. The total sample size of the studies used in this study is 65,160. Results: In this meta-analysis study, it was found that the practices implemented for addressing ergonomic issues faced by employees in the workplace were effective (SMD: 0.367, 95% CI: 0.055-0.679; Z = 2.305, p = 0.021, I2 = 97.761%, Q = 625.169). The variance among studies is statistically significant according to the analysis results (p < 0.05). It is believed that challenges related to the structure of work in workplaces lead to various discomforts in employees, and therefore, ergonomic practices can minimize physical strains on employees, contribute to work efficiency, and enhance employee health and safety.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ergonomic risk factors
• Quasi-experimental studies
• Meta-analysis

Çalışanların İşyerindeki Ergonomik Sorunlarının İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Uygulamaları Açısından Değerlendirilmesi: Bir Meta-Analiz Çalışması

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, işyerlerinde ergonomik konuların iş sağlığı ve güvenliği uygulamaları açısından değerlendirilmesini amaçlayan bir meta-analizdir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışma meta-analitik niteliktedir. Meta-analizde kullanılan veriler Ocak-Mart 2024 tarihleri arasında herhangi bir zaman kısıtlaması olmaksızın Google Akademik, YÖK Tez, EBSCO ve Web Of Science gibi veri tabanlarında yapılan taramalarla elde edilmiştir. Arama sonuçlarına toplam 15 araştırma dahil edilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler anlatı sentezi ve meta-analiz yöntemleri kullanılarak sentezlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada kullanılan çalışmaların toplam örneklem büyüklüğü 65.160'tır. Sonuçlar: Bu meta-analiz çalışmasında, çalışanların işyerinde karşılaştıkları ergonomik sorunları ele almak için yapılan uygulamaların etkili olduğu bulunmuştur (SMD: 0.367, %95 GA: 0.055-0.679; Z = 2.305, p = 0.021, I2 = %97.761, Q = 625.169). Analiz sonuçlarına göre çalışmalar arasındaki varyans istatistiksel olarak anlamlıdır (p < 0.05). İşyerlerinde işin yapısıyla ilgili zorlukların çalışanlarda çeşitli rahatsızlıklara yol açtığı ve bu nedenle ergonomik uygulamaların çalışanlar üzerindeki fiziksel zorlanmaları en aza indirebileceği, iş verimliliğine katkıda bulunabileceği ve çalışan sağlığı ve güvenliğini artırabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ergonomik risk faktörleri
• Yarı deneysel çalışmalar
• Meta-analiz

Kaynakça

1. A. C. Laing, D. C. Cole, N. Theberge, R. P. Wells, M. S. Kerr & M. B. Frazer. (2007). Effectiveness Of A Participatory Ergonomics Intervention in Improving Communication and Psychosocial Exposures, Ergonomics, 50(7), 1092-1109, DOI: 10.1080/00140130701308708.
2. Ayub Y., Shah Z.A. (2018). Evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders related to functionality in the manufacturing industry. J. Egronomic, 8(3):3–7.
3. Bazazan A, Dianat I, Feizollahi N, Mombeini Z, Shirazi AM, Castellucci HI. (2019). Effect of a posture correction-based intervention on musculoskeletal symptoms and fatigue among control room operators. Appl Ergon. (76), 12-19. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.11.008. Epub 2018 Nov 30. PMID: 30642516.
4. Choobineh A., Motamedzade, M., Kazemi, M. Moghimbeigi, Pahlavian, A.H. (2011). The impact of ergonomics intervention on psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics (41), 671-676.
5. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.tr/
6. Cooklin, A., Joss, N., Husser, E., & Oldenburg, B. (2017). Integrated Approaches To Occupational Health And Safety: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Health Promotion, 31(5), 401-412.
7. Coskun Beyan A, Dilek B, Demiral Y. (2020). The Effects of Multifaceted Ergonomic Interventions on Musculoskeletal Complaints in Intensive Care Units. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 25;17(10):3719. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103719.
8. Egger, M., Smith, G. D., Schneider, M., Minder, C. (1997). Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. British Medical Journal, 315(7109), 629.

9. Ekpenyong C.E., Inyang U.C. (2014). Relationships between worker characteristics, workplace factors, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A cross-sectional study of male construction workers in Nigeria. Int. J. Occupation. Lecturer Erg., 20(3):447–462.
10. Esmaeili R, Shakerian M, Esmaeili SV, Jalali M, Pouya AB, Karimi A. (2023). A multicomponent quasi-experimental ergonomic interventional study: long-term parallel four-groups interventions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 24(1), 107. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06220-4.
11. Grissom, R. J., & Kim, J. J. (2005). Effect sizes for research: A broad practical approach. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
12. Hasheminejad N, Choobineh A, Mostafavi R, Tahernejad S, Rostami M. (2021). Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics risk assessment and implementation of participatory ergonomics program for pistachio farm workers. Med Lav. 112(4):292-305. doi: 10.23749/mdl.v112i4.11343.
13. Haslam, C., Kazi, A., Duncan, M., Clemes S. & Twumasi R. (2019). Walking Works Wonders: A Tailored Workplace İntervention Evaluated Over 24 Months, Ergonomics, 62:1, 31-41, DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1489982.
14. Hong, X., Lee, Y. (2023). Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Construction Workers. In: Long, S., Dhillon, B.S. (eds) Man-Machine-Environment System Engineering. MMESE 2022. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 941. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4786-5_20.
15. J.Y. Chau, W. Sukala, K. Fedel, A. Do, L. Engelen, M. Kingham, A. Sainsbury, A.E. Bauman. (2016). More standing and just as productive: Effects of a sit-stand desk intervention on call center workers' sitting, standing, and productivity at work in the Opt to Stand pilot study Preventive Medicine Reports, (3), 68-74. 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.12.003.
16. Khoshakhlagh, A. H., Saeid Yazdanirad, Saleh Al Sulaie, Abdollah Mohammadian-Hafshejani & Robin Marc O. (2024) The Global Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Firefighters: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, International Journal Of Occupational Safety And Ergonomics, 30(1), 272-291, DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2023.2294627
17. Kurnaz, D., & Karaçam, Z. (2023). Effects of Maternal Obesity on Mother-Baby Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal, 7(2), 305-330. https://doi.org/10.46237/amusbfd.1224641.
18. Laing AC, Frazer MB, Cole DC, Kerr MS, Wells RP, Norman RW. (2005). Study Of The Effectiveness Of A Participatory Ergonomics İntervention İn Reducing Worker Pain Severity Through Physical Exposure Pathways. Ergonomics, 48(2):150-70. doi: 10.1080/00140130512331325727.
19. Michelle M. Robertson & Michael J. O’Neill. (2003). Reducing Musculoskeletal Discomfort: Effects of an Office Ergonomics Workplace and Training Intervention, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 9(4), 491-502.
20. Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., andAltman, D.G., (2009). PRISMA Group, 2009. Reprint—preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewsand Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA statement. PhysicalTherapy, 89, 873-880.
21. Nguyen TT, Nguyen TH, Hoang DL, Hoang TG, Pham MK. (2022). Effectiveness of Interventions to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders among District Hospital Nurses in Vietnam. Biomed Res Int, (10), 1539063. doi: 10.1155/2022/1539063.
22. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace. Access Adrs. https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics.
23. Rahman M.S., Khan A.H., Rahman M.S., Biswas B. (2019). Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Case Study of Sawmill Workers in Bangladesh. Lecturer world environment, 14(2), 336–345.
24. Robertson M.M., Huang YH, O'Neill MJ, Schleifer LM. (2008). Flexible workspace design and ergonomics training: impacts on the psychosocial work environment, musculoskeletal health, and work effectiveness among knowledge workers. Appl Ergon.39(4):482-94. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2008.02.022.
25. Roghieh Aliakbari, Mohammad Vahedian-Shahroodi, Aida Abusalehi, Alireza Jafari & Hadi Tehrani (2020) A digital-based education to improve occupational health and ergonomic conditions of dentists: an application of theory of planned behavior, International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 58:5, 268-281, DOI: 10.1080/14635240.2019.1687316.
26. Shikdar AA, Sawaqed NM. (2004). Ergonomics, And Occupational Health And Safety ın The Oil İndustry: A Managers' Response. Comput Ind Eng. 47:223-232. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2004.07.004.
27. Sina T. Tolera, Nega Assefa & Tesfaye G. (2024). Global prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sanitary workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 30(1), 238-251, DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2023.2293390
28. Soylemez GK, Uzun S. (2023).The effect of nonpharmacological interventions applied by nurses to intensive care patients on the duration of delirium: a meta-analysis study. Ir J Med Sci. 193(2), 865-873. doi: 10.1007/s11845-023-03504-5.
29. Suleka, M. & Rajnarayan, R. T. (2024). Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life assessment among garment workers in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 30(1), 146-152. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2023.2278939.
30. Tajvar Abdolhamid, Daneshmandi H, Seif M, Parsaei H, Choobineh A. (2022). Developing a Decision Aid Tool for selecting pen-paper observational ergonomics techniques: a quasi-experimental study. Med Lav. 113(5):e2022042. doi: 10.23749/mdl.v113i5.13361.
31. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools Foruse in IBI Systematic Reviews. http://joannabriggs.org/research/critical-appraisal-tools.html(25.03.2024).
32. Tiainen,S., Ropponen, A. & Louhevaara, V. (2014). A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Effects of the Erggi Action Model of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and VDU Working Conditions Among University Staff, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 20(4), 617-626.
33. Tufanaru, C., Munn, Z., Aromataris, E., Campbell, J., and Hopp, L. (2017). Chapter 3: Systematic Reviews of Effectiveness. In: Aromataris E, Munn Z (Editors). Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's Manual. The Joanna Briggs Institute.