Musculoskeletal complaints in lock assemblers, testers and inspectors

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in a population of lock assemblers in the West Midlands; to follow one group over 12 months and to explore the relationship between survey data, sickness absence information and claims experience. An adapted Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine annual and weekly prevalence and annual disability rates for musculoskeletal complaints. There was no statistically significant difference in complaints between the six companies, apart from an increased reporting of neck (p < 0.001), upper back (p < 0.001) and hip (p < 0.05) symptoms at one company (Site 4) during the week prior to the study. When the study was repeated at Site 4 one year later, new employees had significantly fewer complaints of neck and elbow discomfort over the previous year and week, but no difference in wrist complaints was reported. This survey of lock assemblers has highlighted high levels of self-reported upper limb complaints when compared to other referent groups of workers.