Evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in manual loading laborers in poplar forestry using an occupational ergonomics approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2025.389096.1328

Abstract

Traditional, labor-intensive methods still form the foundation of forestry operations in some countries. Manual loading of logs by workers—an activity that poses high health and safety risks and contributes to elevated mortality rates—is responsible for the most severe work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among all forestry occupations. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of WMSDs in manual loading workers engaged in forest harvesting operations in Series 1 and 2 of poplar plantations in the Tanian area, a suburb of Soumeh-Sara County in Guilan Province, northern Iran. The study population consisted of 40 workers involved in manually loading poplar logs during harvesting operations. The tasks performed by these workers included approaching the logs, lifting, carrying them to the truck, and manually loading them in nine distinct loading cycles. To measure the prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, demographic data, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the medical visual analog scale (VAS) method were used. The findings showed that in the past year, 46.38% of workers experienced severe musculoskeletal pain (pain score of 7–9), with the highest rates of prevalence and incidence observed in the lower back, spine, and wrists. Ergonomic risks and occupational health problems among manual laborers in poplar plantations of northern Iran represent a serious and under-recognized issue.

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References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 37-49

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