The impact of ergonomic risks on musculoskeletal disorders and quality of working life: The case of the health sector

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the ergonomic risks of laboratory workers employed at a university hospital and to examine the effects of these risks on the quality of working life through musculoskeletal disorders. Material and Method: This study is descriptive in nature. The study was conducted in 13 laboratory units affiliated with Harran University Faculty of Medicine Hospital (participation rate 90.9%). Exposure scores obtained as a result of ergonomic risk assessment (neck, wrist/hand, shoulder/arm, waist, stress and work pace exposures) and the job classification (patient treatment/care-related jobs, mostly desk-based jobs, jobs requiring prolonged standing, and jobs involving mechanical strain) were used to develop a research model to assess their direct effects on work life quality and their indirect effects based on the number of painful areas in the body over the past 7 days. A questionnaire form consisting of four sections was used in this study: Sociodemographic characteristics form, Rapid exposure assessment scale, Scandinavian musculoskeletal system questionnaire, and Healthcare personnel work life quality scale. Results: 86% of participants reported experiencing pain in at least one part of their body in the last 12 months, and 72% reported experiencing pain in at least one part of their body in the last 7 days. The most common areas of pain were found to be the lower back, neck and upper back. 100% of participants had high/very high risk levels of exposure to neck pain, 77% to stress, 37.3% to wrist/hand pain, 31.3% to shoulder/arm pain, 20.7% to lower back pain, and 13.3% to work pace. It was determined that shoulder/arm, lower back, and stress exposure scores, as well as frequently standing and mechanically demanding work, had a significant negative indirect effect on the work life quality scale score. It was determined that exposure scores for the lower back, stress, and work pace, as well as desk-based and standing jobs, have a significant negative direct effect on the work life quality scale score. When considering the total effect, it was determined that exposure scores for the lower back, stress, and work pace, as well as desk-based and standing jobs, have a significant negative total effect on work life quality. Conclusion: The levels of explanation of the total variance obtained from the indirect, direct and total effects of the model created were determined as [R²:0,29; p<0,05], [R²:0,22; p<0,05] and [R²:0,23; p<0,05], respectively. Key Words: Quick exposure check, Ergonomic risks, Musculoskeletal disorders, Quality of working life