Ergonomic intervention among fishermen in Untia
Reducing musculoskeletal risks through education and workstation design
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/sociality.v5i2.71711Keywords:
anthropometry, ergonomics, fishermen, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational healthAbstract
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain common among fishing communities, yet integrated interventions combining ergonomic risk assessment, worker education, and anthropometry-based assistive equipment are still limited. This community service program aimed to assess musculoskeletal disorder risks, improve fishermen’s knowledge and skills regarding ergonomic work practices, and develop an ergonomic lifting-and-carrying aid in Untia Village, Makassar. The program involved 30 fishermen. Musculoskeletal complaints and postural risks were assessed using the Nordic Body Map and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), while ergonomics and occupational safety and health education was delivered through lectures, discussions, and question-and-answer sessions. Knowledge and skills were evaluated using pre-test and post-test assessments. An ergonomic transport trolley was developed using the Need, Idea, Decision, Action (NIDA) approach based on fishermen’s anthropometric data. The assessment identified high-risk working postures related to manual lifting, awkward trunk positions, and repetitive movements. Mean knowledge and skill scores increased from 42.1 before the intervention to 74.4 after the intervention, representing a 76.8% improvement. These findings indicate that combining ergonomic education with anthropometrically designed assistive equipment can strengthen occupational health awareness and support the reduction of manual handling risks among fishermen. Continued post-implementation monitoring is needed to evaluate sustained effects on working posture and musculoskeletal risk.
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