ABSTRACT: With constant changes at work, industries demands workers to perform small movements

with high frequencies. The repetitive movements are frequently present in metalworking industry and con-
stitute an important Work-Related Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) risk factor. The
main goals of this study were: (i) assess the risk of developing WRMSD, by applying the method Rapid
Upper Limbs Assessment (RULA); (ii) suggest possible preventive measures; (iii) with RULA action level
results. rank priorities for implementing these measures; (iv) explore if the implemented rotation schcmc
decreases risk of developing WRMSD; (v) examine association of pain, discomfort and nuisance reported
by workers, with presence of WRMSD risk factors in the workplace, through Nordic Musculoskeletal
Questionnaire and Ergonomic Workplace Analysis application. RULA' results showed that these workers
are exposed to a high risk of WRMSD development, being in agreement with reported symptoms pointed
out by the questionnaire applied. Additionally, the obtained results demonstrated that the task rotation
scheme seems to be insufficient relatively to the WRMSD prevention. Therefore, a more complete study is
needed in order to achieve better ergonomic interventions on workplaces of metalworking industry.
1 INTRODUCTION The present work was developed in a metalwork-
ing industry. The production process consists in
The incidence of WRMSD in Europe is grow- stamping, welding and assembly of metal compo-
ing and making them one of the most important nents. The assessment risk of developing WRMSD
causes of absenteeism due to long-term illness was done in workplaces included in the component
(Esteves, 2013). Currently, with constant changes assembly line. In this sector, complaints of pain on
and developments on work, industries are using the upper limbs are related to the work carried
cutting edge technology and sequential work that OW in a "Riveting machine", with history of work
requires workers to perform small movements at accidents associated with WRMSD. Essentially,
high frequencies, which can produce an overreac- there are three tasks performed with this machine:
tion on upper limbs muscles recruited and a static mounting components, screw driving, riveting
overload on the shoulders and spine. This situation components, and finally verifying the quality of
leads to the development of WRMSD which are the assembled parts.
getting even more often and raising more concern This study aims to: (i) determine the risk of
(Fernandes. Moreira, & Tavares, 2011). WRMSD development, by applying the method
The main risk factors for the development of these RULA in 3 different tasks; (ii) suggest possible
injuries are: 6) activities executed mainly by actions prevention and/or correction measures; (iii) with
that involve the adoption of extreme postures; (ii) RULA action level results, rank priorities to imple-
excessive physical efforts; and (iii) high repeatabil- ment these measures; (iv)explore if the implemented
ity of movements. The diagnosis of WRMSD' risk rotation scheme at the 3 assessed tasks decreases the
situations is the first step in any strategy to improve risk of developing WRMSD; and (v) examine the
working conditions, from the perspective of occu- association of the pain. discomfort and nuisance
pational ergonomics, health and safety (Serra reported by workers. through Nordic Musculoskel-
nheira & Uva, 2006). There are multiple methods for etal Questionnaire application, with the presence of
identification of factors and risk assessment WRMSD risk factors in the workplace.
procedures, from simple checklists, through the
observational methods of integrated assessment, to
the use of analytical methods of assessment 2 METIIODOLOGY
(Aguiar. 2012).
Initially. an exhaustive characterization of tasks
associated with the "Riveting machine" was per-
formed, as well as a characterization of its workers.