Musculoskeletal pain among heavy machinery operators

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major concern among workers in developing countries, with 16% affecting the lower extremities, 45% involving the neck and upper extremities, and 39% impacting the back. In Mongolia, 23.1% of labor disabilities rank second due to neurological and nerve-related conditions, but the prevalence of occupational diseases caused by vibration remains unknown. Aim: This study aims to assess the association between whole-body vibration exposure and musculoskeletal pain among heavy machinery operators in the mining sector. Materials and Methods: A total of 122 open-pit mining workers participated in this study. Data were collected using questionnaires to assess general information, machinery type, and musculoskeletal pain. Vibration acceleration was measured for each machinery type, and the data were analyzed using STATA 15.0. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.6±7.04 years, with an average of 15.4±7.9 years of exposure to vibration. Vibration accelerations were recorded as follows: 2.05 m/s² for hooklift truck operators, 1.94 m/s² for autograder operators, 2.67 m/s² for bulldozer operators, 2.05 m/s² for crane operators, and 1.67 m/s² for other machinery operators. These values are 1.9 to 3.1 times higher than the acceptable threshold limit (0.86 m/s²) and were statistically significant (p<0.05). When comparing vibration exposure against the health impact threshold limit (21 m/s¹.⁷⁵), bulldozer operators exhibited the highest levels, which were also statistically significant (p<0.05). The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain over the past six months was highest in the lumbar spine (76.23%), with 62.3% of participants reporting pain in the last seven days. Conclusion: The high levels of whole-body vibration exposure measured among heavy machinery operators may contribute significantly to the high prevalence of lower back pain observed in this group.