Objective: To describe work conditions and work practices and to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders between high and low workload periods among para-rubber planters in Tambon Nakleua, Kantang District, Trang Province.
Material and Methods: One hundred and eighty five para-rubber planters at low workload periods and 154 planters at high workload periods were included. In-depth interviews and observations based upon the job safety analysis method were performed on 10 subjects.
Results: Low back pain had the highest prevalence of 55.8% at high workload periods and 55.1% at low workload periods; hand and wrist pain of 29.9% at high workload periods and 23.8% at low workload periods; and leg pain of 13.6% at high workload periods and 10.3% at low workload periods. Prevalence of hand, wrist and elbow pain were significantly increased at high workload periods (22.4% at high workload periods and 14.9% at low workload periods). The severity of pain showed no difference between the two periods, whereas the frequency of shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist pain increased at high workload periods.
Conclusion: Para-rubber planters are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to inappropriate working conditions such as confined and untidy working areas, repeated overflexion or overextension posture at work; inappropriate design of working tools; ground-level working areas and night work. Most of the planters were poor, in debt, and felt dissatisfied with their work.