Comparison of Ergonomic Risk Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dismantler and Burners of Electronic Waste in Agbogbloshie, Accra Ghana

Details

• Personal Author:
  Acquah AA ; Arko-Mensah J ; Basu N ; D'Souza C ; Fobil JN ; Martin, Bernard J. ; Quakyi IA ; Robins TG
• Description:
  Rudimentary methods for electronic waste (e-waste) recycling employed in developing countries are a source of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). A summarized comparison of WRMSDs and preliminary exposure assessment among e-waste dismantlers (D) and burners (B) in Agbogbloshie, Ghana is presented. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate WRMSDs and associated risk factors using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and a newly developed ergonomic assessment tool. Results indicated higher WRMSDs prevalence in the lower back (68% D vs. 52% B; p = 0.172), shoulder (41% D vs. 29% B; p = 0.279) and upper arm (33% D vs 5% B; p = 0.010). Moderate to severe trunk flexion, high force exertion, repetition and vibration were prevalent risk factors among workers and were significantly higher in dismantlers than burners (p = 0.001). Detailed ergonomic studies investigating the relationship between physical exposures and WRMSDs are needed to provide a deeper understanding of WRMSD causation in e-waste workers and more particularly in unstructured, unregulated work. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Electrical Equipment And Supplies Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Recycling Safety Vibration
• Keywords:
  Cross Sectional Studies Electronic Equipment MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Repetitive Work Vibration Exposure Waste Disposal
• ISSN:
  1071-1813
• Publisher:
  Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  65
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064591
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 65th Annual Meeting, October 25-27, 2021, virtual event. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2021 Sep; 65(1):715-719
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 65th Annual Meeting, October 25-27, 2021, virtual event
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:95ef16f294f3aa255acc6244928a96f6cba7bbf427d93f1a0e84333378e56aa47ed968faea0bafe36156cca0f8e5de0beab998f0ce1e0204a8fd267a9cbed7d6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223026/cdc_223026_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 949.90 KB ]