Prevalence and its risk factors for low back pain among operation and maintenance personnel in wind farms

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016 Jul 26:17:314. doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1180-y.

Abstract

Background: With the increasingly severe energy shortage and climate change problems, developing wind power has become a key energy development strategy and an inevitable choice to protect the ecological environment worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and analyze its risk factors among operation and maintenance personnel in wind farms (OMPWF).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 151 OMPWF was performed, and a comprehensive questionnaire, which was modified and combined from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ), Washington State Ergonomics Tool (WSET) and Syndrome Checklist-90(SCL-90) was used to assess the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among OMPWF.

Results: The prevalence of LBP was 88.74 % (134/151) among OMPWF. The multivariable model highlighted four related factors: backrest, somatization, squatting and lifting objects weighing more than 10 lb more than twice per minute.

Conclusions: The prevalence of LBP among OMPWF appears to be high and highlights a major occupational health concern.

Keywords: Ergonomic; Low back pain; Risk factors; Wind farms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ergonomics
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Low Back Pain / epidemiology*
  • Low Back Pain / prevention & control
  • Low Back Pain / psychology
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
  • Occupational Diseases / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wind