Common musculoskeletal problem experienced by fishing industry workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Public Health

Background:

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a global health concern and a leading cause of workplace disability.
• Awkward working postures are identified as a primary risk factor for WMSDs.
• The fishing industry in India employs millions, with fishermen facing significant vulnerability to musculoskeletal problems due to job demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers in the Indian fishing industry.
• To establish a baseline for planning and implementing targeted ergonomic interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 110 randomly selected fishing industry workers in Mumbai, India.
• Anonymous questionnaires were utilized to assess WMSDs prevalence.
• The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was employed to quantify pain intensity.

Main Results:

• The study revealed a high occurrence of WMSDs among the surveyed fishermen.
• The most prevalent sites for WMSDs were the low back (92.4%), followed by the shoulder (64.8%), knee (31%), and hand (25%).

Conclusions:

• A significant majority of fishermen suffer from musculoskeletal problems, with the low back being the most commonly affected joint.
• Repetitive actions like net pulling/throwing and forward bending for heavy load handling were identified as key ergonomic risk factors.