Abstract

ERGONOMIC RISK ASSESSMENT AMONG MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS IN HOSPITAL IN EASTERN PROVINCE OF SRI LANKA

Dr. Shaikila R. Issadeen*, Dr. Issadeen Aboobucker, R. K. A. R. Kariapper and Ikrima R.

ABSTRACT

Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) are exposed to several type of risk factors and develop Work Related Musculo Skeletal Disorders (WMSD). But the individual effect of these risk factors on MLT is unknown. The aim of this study was to measure the ergonomic risk related to personal and workstations and its individual contribution for WMSDs among MLTs working in hospitals in Eastern province of Sri Lanka. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 92 MLTs using self-administered questionnaire and postural assessment using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) check list. Data outcomes displayed that 69.9% of workstation had some sort of ergonomic issues and 63% of MLTs affected with WMSD. Neck was the commonest (41.3%) body part affected. In 81.52 % of working stations MLT cannot view the eye piece of microscope with neutral neck. Age (p=0.005), service (p=0.014) and working hours per day (p=0.006) were found to be the important contributory factors for WMSD. High RULA score (p=0.006) indicating static & repetitive working postures and poor ergonomic station score (p=0.031) were significantly related to WMSD. It was concluded that the management of the hospitals need to apply ergonomic modifications and engineering control in a laboratory environment. Ergonomic awareness among MLTs can significantly minimize ergonomic hazards. MLTs were strongly encouraged to adopt preventive measures toward personal and workstation-related risk factors before symptoms of WMSDs develop.

Keywords: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Ergonomic risk factors, Medical Laboratory Technologist.