Identification of high-risk groups among maintenance workers in a steel company with respect to musculoskeletal symptoms and workload.

To determine priorities for ergonomic improvements in five maintenance departments of a steel company, a study was carried out to identify groups with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems or a high exposure to unfavourable musculoskeletal workload. All workers were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal workload. Response rate in the five departments varied between 60 and 80% (n = 436). Symptoms of low back and neck-shoulder (12-month prevalence rates of 53% and 36%, respectively) were most common, but not higher in comparison with a reference group of 396 non-sedentary workers. Self-reported exposure rates to physical and psychosocial loads as well as poor climatic conditions were comparable with the reference group; only exposure to vibration was higher. Significant differences were seen between the five departments as well as between task groups with the departments. Several task groups with relatively high symptom rates and high exposure levels could be identified. It is concluded that a questionnaire survey can constitute a valuable contribution to the selection of high-risk task groups that need ergonomic intervention.