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Musculoskeletal pain among offshore wind industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To assess whether there are differences in musculoskeletal pain among different types of occupations offshore and their relationship to ergonomic demands. METHODS:We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among workers from offshore wind energy companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. We selected workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n?=?268). Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Subjective Health Complaints inventory (SHC), which considers the past month. RESULTS:Of the 268 male participants eligible for analysis, 54% reported back pain 50.4% neck pain, 40.3% lower back pain, 35.5% shoulder, 23.3% arm and 22.1% leg pain, all of them during the past month. Compared to other offshore occupations, technicians reported more frequently arm (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.58-6.19), back (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.15-3.39), shoulder (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11-3.40) and neck pain (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.11-3.22). After adjusting for age and nationality, lifting and carrying heavy loads were associated with all types of pain except leg pain. Overhead work, work in awkward postures, and the use of personal protection equipment and heavy tools was associated with shoulder, back and arm pain. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that occupational health counselling, health promotion and preventive interventions of offshore wind energy workers needs to consider the specific tasks of the employee and be particularly tailored to the ergonomic needs of technicians.

SUBMITTER: Velasco Garrido M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7452945 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Musculoskeletal pain among offshore wind industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

Velasco Garrido Marcial M Mette Janika J Mache Stefanie S Harth Volker V Preisser Alexandra M AM

International archives of occupational and environmental health 20200427 7

<h4>Objective</h4>To assess whether there are differences in musculoskeletal pain among different types of occupations offshore and their relationship to ergonomic demands.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among workers from offshore wind energy companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. We selected workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n = 268). Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the ...[more]

PMID: 32338301

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Project description:OBJECTIVES:To assess the physical strains of employees in the German offshore wind industry, according to job type and phase of the wind farm (under construction or operation). DESIGN:Web-based cross-sectional survey. SETTING:Offshore wind farm companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. PARTICIPANTS:Male workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n=268). OUTCOME MEASURES:Physical strains (eg, climbing, noise, working overhead, with twisted upper body or in confined spaces, vibration, heavy lifting, humidity, odours). RESULTS:The most frequently mentioned physical strain was 'climbing' with 63.8% of the respondents reporting to be always or frequently confronted with climbing and ascending stairs during offshore work. Work as a technician was associated with a greater exposition to noise, vibrations, humidity, cold, heat, chemical substances, lifting/carrying heavy loads, transport of equipment, working in non-ergonomic positions and in cramped spaces, as well as climbing.Indeed, statistical analyses showed that, after adjusting for phase of the wind farm, age, nationality, offshore experience, work schedule and type of shift, compared with non-technicians, working as a technician was associated with more frequently lifting/carrying of heavy loads (OR 2.58, 95%?CI 1.58 to 4.23), transport of equipment (OR 2.06 95%?CI 1.27 to 3.33), working with a twisted upper body (OR 2.85 95%?CI 1.74 to 4.69), working overhead (OR 2.77 95%?CI 1.67 to 4.58) and climbing (OR 2.30 95%?CI 1.40 to 3.77). Working in wind farms under construction was strongly associated with increased and decreased exposure to humidity (OR 2.32 95%?CI 1.38 to 3.92) and poor air quality (OR 0.58 95%?CI 0.35 to 0.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Workers on offshore wind farms constitute a heterogeneous group, including a wide variety of occupations. The degree of exposure to detrimental physical strains varies depending on the type of job. Technicians are more exposed to ergonomic challenges than other offshore workers.

Project description:IntroductionMaintaining good health with advancing age is increasingly important as most European countries experience an increase in retirement age. In order to decrease the risk of premature departure from the workforce, identifying groups at increased risk of musculoskeletal pain and psychosocial stress is essential in designing workplace policies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational groups differing in terms of physical demands and skill requirement, and the outcomes of stress and pain.MethodsThis cross-sectional study reports associations of nine different occupational groups with stress and pain among 11 474 senior workers; stratified by occupational group and based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO). A large-scale questionnaire survey was dispatched to Danish workers; drawn as a probability sample and merged with national registers. Representative estimates were produced using logistic regression controlling for various confounders, combined with model-assisted weights.ResultsThe prevalence of daily pain and high stress among occupational groups ranged between 20.0%-50.5% and 3.9%-10.0%, respectively. Compared with occupations characterised by being mostly sedentary (ISCO group 1-4), those with primarily physical demanding work (ISCO group 5-9) had higher odds of daily pain (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70) and a tendency towards higher stress scores (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.46). Lastly, female workers experience increased odds of daily pain (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.66) and high stress (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.89) compared with male workers.ConclusionsOccupational settings characterised by mainly physical work and low skill requirements are more likely to experience daily pain compared with those entailing mainly sedentary work. Likewise, in this sample of senior workers, women are more likely to experience pain and stress. These results highlights the need for improving occupation-specific and sex-specific guidelines in the prevention of musculoskeletal pain and psychological stress in workplaces.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials identifier: NCT03634410.

Project description:BackgroundGood physical health and capacity is a requirement for offshore wind service technicians (WTs) who have substantial physical work demands and are exposed to numerous health hazards. Workplace physical exercise has shown promise for improving physical health and work ability among various occupational groups. Therefore, we aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training (IPET) among WTs in the offshore wind industry.MethodsA within-subject design was used to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of IPET (one hour/week individualized exercise during working hours). The intervention period was 12 weeks, with the first eight weeks performed on site as supervised or partly supervised exercise during work hours and the last four weeks planned as home-administered exercise after the seasonal offshore service period. Three assessments, T1 (six months prior to intervention start), T2 (start of intervention) and T3 (end of intervention), of physical health and capacity (self-reported and objective measurements) were conducted and the period between T1 and T2 served as a within-subject control period. Primary outcome was feasibility measured as compliance, adherence, adverse events, and participant acceptability. Descriptive statistics were used to present feasibility outcomes. Preliminary efficacy was reported as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for health and physical capacity outcomes between T1 and T2, between T2 and T3 and between T1 and T3.ResultsAll WTs at the included wind farm (n=24, age: 40 years (SD±8)) participated in the study. No serious adverse events were reported. Compliance and adherence of 95 and 80% respectively, were reached in the eight-week supervised part, but were lower when exercise was home-administered (<20%). Acceptability was high for the supervised part, with 83% indicating that the exercise program worked well and 100% that exercise should be implemented as an integrated part of the working structure. Changes in physical capacity and health indicators, such as VO2max (ml O2/kg/min) at T1 (38.6 (SD±7.2)), T2 (44.1 (SD±9)) and T3 (45.8 (SD±6.5)), may indicate seasonal fluctuations as well as improvements from the intervention.ConclusionOn-site Intelligent Physical Exercise Training during working hours was feasible and well received among WTs in the offshore wind industry. The proceeding of larger-scale evaluation and implementation is therefore recommended.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04995718 ). Retrospectively registered on August 6, 2021.

Project description:ObjectivesMusculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a major reason for consultation in primary care and is becoming increasingly prevalent among medical students. There is little research on the current situation of MSP among Chinese medical and dental students. Data on the analysis of risk factors related to MSP are also limited. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of MSP among Chinese medical and dental students and to explore the risk factors for MSP and students' intent to seek medical treatment.MethodsAn anonymous, internet-based, cross-sectional, open survey was distributed to medical and dental students at Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China. Data on the demographic information and characteristics of MSP were collected and analyzed. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression was used to analyze significant risk factors contributing to MSP.ResultsA total of 1,178 students responded to the survey (response rate = 79.6%), including 722 medical students and 456 dental students. The age ranged from 16 to 24. There were 553 male students and 625 female students. A total of 523 students reported neck pain (NP, 44.4%), 361 students reported low back pain (LBP, 30.6%), and 182 students reported joint pain (JP, 15.4%). Sixty-six students (5.6%) simultaneously suffered from NP, LBP, and JP. The prevalence of NP (49.1 vs. 41.4%, P = 0.01), LBP (34.6 vs. 28.1%, P = 0.02), and JP (20.2 vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in dental students than in medical students. The prevalence of MSP was significantly different among the academic years for NP and LBP (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that female sex, PSS-10 score, and major of stomatology were risk factors for MSP. Medical and dental students' intention to seek treatment for MSP was low and was significantly associated with the severity of pain.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MSP in Chinese medical and dental students is high, especially for NP and LBP, and is significantly higher in dental students than in medical students. The prevalence of NP and LBP were significantly different among academic grades. Female sex, PSS-10 score, and major of stomatology were risk factors for MSP. Students' intent to seek treatment for MSP was very low and was determined by the severity of pain.

Dataset Information

Musculoskeletal pain among offshore wind industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

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Musculoskeletal pain among offshore wind industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

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