Risk factors of repetitive strain injuries among workers of the stone sculpture industry, Chonburi province.

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytic study aimed to investigate risk factors of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
among workers of the stone sculpture industry, Chonburi province. Data were collected by the interviews using
the structural questionnaire, hand grip strength measurement and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Risk
factors were identifi ed by multiple logistic regression analysis and p-value <0.05 identifi ed the signifi cant risk factor. The results showed that among 82 stone sculpture workers, the hand grip strength measurement showed

mostly at not good level (57.32%) followed by very good level (42.68%). RULA identifi ed high ergonomic risk
(level 4) and needed improvement immediately (59.76%). Most workers lifted the stone at an average weight >10
kg/day (41.46%). The six-month prevalence of RSIs was 36.59 (95% CI = 25.94 – 47.23). Multivariate analysis
identifi ed that the worker who lifted the stone >10 times per day had 25.89 times the higher risk of the development
of RSIs than the workers who lifted the stone ≤10 times per day (p-value=0.018, 95% CI = 1.76-397.86).
These fi ndings suggest that, there should be the improvement of worksite ergonomics, providing instruments or the
methods to reduce the frequency for lifting the heavy rock stone to avoid the repetitive overuse of the upper limbs.
Moreover, workers have to learn of the right posture of working and lifting the heavy stone for RSIs protection.