Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors affecting musculoskeletal pain (back pain, upper limb pain, or lower limb pain) by comprehensively considering the characteristics of production workers and exposure to hazards in the metal and mechanical equipment manufacturing industry.
Background: The metal and machinery manufacturing industry has the highest incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among manufacturing industries.
Method: This study utilized data from the 6th Korea Workers’ Compensation Survey (KWCS). Out of the raw data comprising 50,538 workers, information relevant to the metal manufacturing industry, the metal processing product manufacturing industry, and the other machinery and equipment manufacturing industry was filtered to select a total of 434 workers as research subjects.
Results: Factors affecting back pain were age group (p=0.019), noise (p=0.023), and fumes and dust (p=0.018). When workers are 60 years of age or older, the likelihood of complaining of back pain is 2.286 times higher than when workers are under 40. When exposed to fumes and dust for more than 4 hours, the likelihood of complaining of back pain is 2.228 times higher than when exposed for less than 2 hours. Factors affecting upper limb pain included gender (p＜0.001), vibration (p = 0.034), handling heavy objects (p＜0.001), and repetitive motions (p=0.016). Women were 4.152 times more likely to complain of upper limb pain than men. Workers exposed to heavy object handling tasks for 2 to 4 hours were 3.118 times more likely to complain of upper limb pain than when exposed for less than 2 hours. In addition, when exposed for 4 hours or more, the likelihood was 2.244 times higher than when exposed for less than 2 hours. Factors affecting lower limb pain include gender (p=0.003), age (p=0.010), and high temperatures (p=0.015). Women are 3.013 times more likely to report lower limb pain than men. Workers over 60 years are 4.622 times more likely to report lower limb pain than those under 40 years.
Conclusion: Factors affecting back and lower limb pain include, in addition to gender and age, biochemical hazards such as noise, fumes/dust, as well as vibration and high temperatures. Upper limb pain is affected by gender, ergonomic hazards, and vibration.
Application: The results can serve as foundational data for improving working conditions and addressing musculoskeletal pain issues in the metal and mechanical equipment manufacturing industry.