Causative and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among mine workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) are very much prevalent with nearly 1.71 billion people having musculoskeletal disorders all around the world. Many factors contribute to the development of WRMSDs specially in the labour-intensive mining industry. Ergonomics-based studies have not been able to thoroughly address or delineate the causative factors of WRMSDs. Purpose: Aim of this study is to present an overview of WRMSDs in the mining sector, with emphasis on causative and associative factors which have been illustrated through published research. We also sought out to identify the cardinal research gaps and propose a way to put forward context-specific solutions. Methods: Relevant research publications were identified from electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Web of science and Google Scholar), using appropriate search terms applicable to the mining sector and WRMSDs. The search was restricted to journal papers, conference proceedings, books, reports, and relevant websites in the English language published between 1991 and 2021(July). We then systematically assessed the results of these previously published research to derive specific conclusions. Results: After various stages of screening, a total of 51 studies were finally included and considered for the review. Exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) was cited as a causative factor of WRMSDs in 23 studies (with eight strong, five moderate, nine weak associations), 15 studies reported awkward or long-period of postures (four strong, two moderate, eight weak associations), seven studies reported repetitive movement, demographic factors like age, 11 studies, BMI seven studies, gender three studies and smoking two studies. Four studies reported psychological factors and 26 studies reported other factors leading to development of WRMSDs. Conclusions: There is clear evidence of weak, moderate to strong strength of association, between the risk factors and WRMSDs among mine workers. Whole body vibration study of modern underground mine machinery operators and the combined effect of dynamic posture with WBV exposure are not clearly known. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among underground machine operators should be studied on a large scale and more attention should be paid towards alleviating specific causative factors of WRMSDs.

Automated summary

This study provides an overview of WRMSDs in the mining sector and highlights the causative and associative factors that have been identified through published research. However, there are still research gaps that need to be addressed.