The health of workers in a metal autoparts factory in Eastern Thailand

Abstract

One hundred and seventy-two male employees working in the pressing and store sections of a metal autoparts factory in eastern Thailand participated in the study. The aim of this study was to survey the health and well-being condition of Thai workers prior to corporation initiatives in applied ergonomics with the workers of the company. A retrospective study of official accident information, and questionnaires regarding general information, health, muscular discomfort, accidents, posture disorders, and subjective feelings of fatigue or discomfort were filled out for the survey. The results of the study provided 48 categories of important information on the health and wellness of the employees in their workplace. Regression analysis revealed that, based on the working history of the employees, the small and large pressing sections of the workplace had a greater impact on the muscular discomfort of the employees (0.322) (p = 0.001). Based on the health information, the independent factors influencing the employee's muscular discomfort were frequency of muscular discomfort (0.240) (p = 0.004), no disease of muscle and bone (0.165) (p = 0.025), and finally, regularly taking medicine for muscular pain (0.163) (p = 0.024). The factors influencing accidents in the employees were working where they could be cut by sharp material or metal (0.257) (p = 0.008), muscular discomfort (0.169) (p = 0.059), and not using protective equipment (0.146) (p = 0.076). Thus the applied ergonomics intervention program for preventing worker injuries in the sections studied should be implemented, in order to promote the health and well-being of the employees.