Evaluation of upper limb musculoskeletal loads due to posture, repetition, and force by rapid upper limb assessment in a textile factory

In the last 15 or 20 years, upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders have been recognized as a cause of major medical problems among industrial workers. The aim of this study was conducted to assess risk factors for upper limb musculoskeletal disorders on workers performing various tasks in a textile factory. Ergonomic interventions and solutions may be developed on the basis of the assessment results. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA] was used to evaluate upper limb musculoskeletal loads, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire [NMQ] was used to measure the prevalence of upper limb disorders in workers at the Qaem Shahr textile factory. A target population sample included 566 subjects [404 males [71.4%] aged 23-51 years, mean age 32.9 [SD = 6.3 years]; 161 females [28.6%] aged 21-37 years, mean age 25.6 [SD = 8.6 years]]. Prevalence data on disorders to the upper arms, lower arms, wrists, neck, trunk, and legs were obtained in 497 [87.8%], 255 [45.1%], 318 [56.2%], 383 [67.7%], 436 [77%], and 163 [28.8%] workers, respectively. Recommended action as a result of the assessment varied according to prevalence and severity of the disorders. Tasks involving spinning, direct wrapping, pirn wrapping, Gard machine operating, yarn combing, weaving, and fold counting were revealed to be the most hazardous. The results of the NMQ confirmed the results of the RULA. Preventive measures at the structural, organizational, and personnel levels must be taken for the safety of industrial workers performing tasks categorized as action levels 2-4 in this study. RULA is a useful and practical tool for evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders resulting from working in a textile factory

[Study of noise effects on rabbit's hearing status using distortion product otoacoustic emissions]

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common problem in industrial areas. This study aimed to determine effects of excessive noise exposure on measurable characteristics of distortion product otoacoustic emissions [DPOAEs] in rabbits. The study was carried out on 12 adult male New Zealand White rabbits including case group - exposed to 500-8000 Hz broadband white noise with 100 dBA SPL for 8 hours per day in 5 consecutive days - and control group. After three days period of acclimatization to the experimental condition, rabbits' hearing status in each group were measured by distortion product otoacoustic emissions on days zero means before the study was initiated as a baseline, eight, one hour after the latest exposure to noise, and ten. The recorded results were analyzed using SPSS software. Highest mean distortion product otoacoustic emissions amplitudes in case group were allocated to frequencies of 5888.50 Hz, 8166.50 Hz, 9855.00 Hz, 3956.00 Hz, and 3098.50 Hz, respectively. However, the lowest mean distortion product otoacoustic emissions amplitude was related to frequency of 588.00 Hz [p=0.001]. This study revealed that distortion product otoacoustic emissions amplitude shifts due to noise occur first in high and then in middle frequencies. Additionally, exposure to noise can decrease distortion product otoacoustic emissions amplitudes. We conclude that distortion product otoacoustic emissions can be a reliable test for estimating personal susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss