Implementation of a participatory ergonomic program to reduce musculoskeletal pains among micro-enterprise workers: social network as data transformative pathway

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics program to reduce musculoskeletal pain among car repair technicians in small workshops (<5 employees) in Iran. Thirty-six participants assessed ergonomic risks and interventions before and after implementation using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and ergonomic checkpoints. WhatsApp was used to facilitate communication and feedback due to geographical dispersion. Five key ergonomic interventions were implemented across 36 micro-enterprises, with 31 participants (86 %) completing all stages of the program. In total, 44 ergonomic improvements were carried out across four major risk domains: manual material handling, workstation design, hand tools, and lighting. Six months after implementation, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain decreased significantly-by 73 % in the neck, 80 % in the shoulders, 86 % in the elbows, 50 % in the wrists/hands, and 47 % in the knees (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that participatory, low-cost interventions supported by social networking tools can effectively improve ergonomic risk factors in micro-enterprises.

Keywords: Ergonomic intervention; Participatory ergonomic; Small enterprises; Social network.