RISK FACTORS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS BOTTLING PLANT – A CASE STUDY
Author: A. Zamil, M.I. Yaacob, M.H.I. Zulkapli, M. R. Shaari, R.N. Damiri, B.M. Deros, D.D.I. Daruis and M. I. N. Ma’arof
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for operators at a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant in Malaysia. The operators are involved in manual material handling such as lifting LPG cylinders from conveyer, rolling LPG cylinders onto platform, lifting and stacking the cylinders. Adapted Nordic Questionnaire were distributed to six subjects to determine the affected body part as perceived by them. They were also observed and assessed using pen and paper tool for entire body, REBA. The findings show that the majority of the subjects perceived that they experienced discomfort if not pain at almost every part of their body. The discomforts and pains have led them to be absent from work at any time during the past 12 month. From REBA it was found out that the loading and stacking activity gave the highest risk factor to MSDs (score 11) as compared to the rolling activity (score 7). The risk factors identified were awkward posture, repetitive movement and prolonged static posture.
Keywords: LPG Bottling Plant; Musculoskeletal Disorders; LPG cylinder; Nordic Questionnaire; Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)