Discomfort, fatigue and work-related musculoskeletal disorders associated with prolonged standing among Malaysian manufacturing workers: A mini review

Abstract

Prolonged standing is one of the crucial occupational risk factors that contributes to discomfort, fatigue, and in the long-term can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers. The objective of this article is to disseminate information about the effect of prolonged standing, which can cause muscle discomfort, fatigue, and WMSDs. Prolonged standing without sufficient rest can lead to muscle discomfort, and eventually to fatigue, especially in the back and lower extremities of a worker’s body. Prolonged standing without any form of intervention could lead to musculoskeletal disorders among workers. This review shows that the level of body comfort among workers in Malaysia is inadequate due to several factors of which prolonged standing is one. Therefore, ergonomic interventions are crucial to ensure the safety, welfare, and health of workers in the workplace.

Keywords

• WMSDs
• prolonged standing
• ergonomics
• discomfort
• fatigue