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Manual Handling in Fish Port: An Ergonomic Assessment on the Porters

“Kargadors” in Navotas Fishing Port Complex

Chapter · January 2019

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-94484-5_12

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 Manual Handling in Fish Port: An Ergonomic
Assessment on the Porters “Kargadors”
in Navotas Fishing Port Complex

Angelica Asuncion, Francine Gail de Guzman, Fatima Mae Luto(&),

and Keneth Sedilla

Department of Engineering, University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig City,

Philippines
{angelica.asuncion,francinegail.deguzman,
fatimamae.luto,keneth.sedilla}@uap.asia,
luto.fatima@gmail.com

Abstract. In the Philippines, fishing industry is one of the most important

sectors, considering it as one of the top fishing producing countries. In fish ports,
workers are involved in carrying different weights of loads that may lead to
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). This study aims to estab-
lish a basis for WMSDs on porters in fish ports and intends to examine the
prevalence, severity, and significant factors that may cause their existence. The
body regions with high prevalence of self-reported symptoms were the
ankle/feet, hips/buttocks, and shoulder body regions. The Binary Logistic
Regression models showed that there is a relationship between prevalence of
symptoms of WMSDs and the significant factors. The factors found to be sig-
nificant were ‘cigarette smoking’, ‘number of banyeras carried’, ‘assistance from
coworkers’, ‘weight of load’, ‘workspace’, and ‘conflicts at work’. Based on the
results of the study, recommendations were developed to reduce the prevalence
of WMSDs among the porters.

Keywords: Fish ports
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Porters
Human factors

1 Introduction

Due to globalization, it has been easier for countries to connect and for economies to
become more interconnected. Nowadays, one of the prominent modes of transportation
of goods is the maritime or the use of ports. It is said that 90% of the world trade by
weight and 80% by value are carried by ship and ports [1].
In the Philippines, fish port is one of the prominent modes of transportation of
goods, mainly because Philippines is an archipelago. The country considers fishing as
one of its most important sectors, employing about 1.6 million people [2]. Philippines
is also considered one of the top fish producing countries. In 2010, it was ranked as the
5th fish producing country in the world with a total production of 5.16 million metric
tons of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, seaweed, etc. The production of the country con-
tributes 3.06% of the total world production [3].

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2019

R. S. Goonetilleke and W. Karwowski (Eds.): AHFE 2018, AISC 789, pp. 111–119, 2019.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94484-5_12
112 A. Asuncion et al.

The first and biggest fish port in the Philippines is the Navotas Fishing Port
Complex located in Navotas City, which operated in 1977 [4]. Its total area is estimated
to be 47.60 Ha which is four times bigger than the smallest regional fish port, General
Santos Fishing Port Complex. Navotas City is considered to be the fishing capital of the
Philippines. Fishing and other fish works related are the primary living of people in the
city [5]. The common workers in Navotas Fishing Port Complex are called porters or
kargadors. These are people who carry or pull the banyera (container) full of fishes
from one place to another. In average, the weight of the banyera is 50 kg [6].
Work-related health problems can be experienced by workers across all types of
jobs and work sectors. However, some types of work groups seem to be particularly at
higher risk of these problems. The group of porters kargadors is one of those that have
high risks because porters are said to perform monotonous and demanding activities for
long hours that can cause physical pain or injuries. Hence, that may lead muscu-
loskeletal disorders if not corrected immediately. The job of a fish porter is to transfer
heavy loads of banyera with fish to a market, where it is to be sold at a retail price. The
transferring of the banyeras involves constant and repeated forward bending from
standing position and overhead load lifting. The porters do their tasks for a long period
of time in a day. These kinds of jobs require them to use their shoulders, elbows, and
wrists in order to pull, push, and lift the heavy load. This could lead to development of
various musculoskeletal disorders, such as pain in the back, shoulder, knee, hand, and
head [7].
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can be further subdivided into
more specific body regions of the body, including back, upper limbs and lower limb
disorders. These can affect muscles, joints and tendons in all parts of the body. Most of
these disorders can be developed over time, and can progress from mild to severe.
Moreover, these can either be episodic or chronic in duration, yet these can also result
from work-related unnecessary incidents which cause injuries to individuals. These
may not be considered critical in general; however, these usually affect a large pro-
portion of the adult population, especially those involved in intensive jobs. Generally,
WMSDs can be developed in an occupational setting, in which individuals perform
their normal work activities. These are often associated with work patterns such as
fixed or constrained body positions, continual repetition of movements, force con-
centrated on small parts of the body, and a pace of work that does not allow sufficient
recovery between movements. Furthermore, psychosocial factors particularly organi-
zational culture, health and safety, climate and other human factors may create con-
ditions for WMSDs to occur. These WMSDs often occur as a result of combination of
these factors [8].

2 Methods
2.1 Data Collection
This study was conducted in Navotas Fishing Port Complex, the first and biggest fish
port in the Philippines located in Navotas City [4]. The surveillance for the symptoms
of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) among the porters or kargadors
 Manual Handling in Fish Port: An Ergonomic Assessment 113

was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. This method is widely used in

assessing various risk factors that may contribute in their WMSDs. Moreover, it helps
in creating baseline data on MSDs, since these serve as a basis for comparison with the
acquired data.
Data collection was conducted through interviews, survey questionnaires and direct
observations of the work performed by the porters or kargadors. The questionnaire
includes two parts, the first part consists of items concerning individual attributes such
as age, sex, marital status, body mass index, height and many more. The second part
pertains to identified work-related factors, namely work characteristics and psy-
chosocial factors and those determining the frequency and intensity of the symptoms.
Moreover, the porters or kargadors identified the symptoms for each body region,
which include pain, tingling sensation and such, that they had experienced or felt
during the past three months and were asked to mark these symptoms on the body
discomfort chart. Consequently, the frequency and severity of the WMSD symptoms
per body region were ascertained by means of a Likert scale.

2.2 Statistical Analysis

Binary logistic regression was utilized for predictive modeling, since the dependent
variables are binary in nature. Binary variables, or dichotomous variables, are defined
as variables which only take two values, such as true or false, yes or no, male or female
and such. Binary logistic regression models for the body regions were made use to
determine the significant risk factors associated with the prevalence of WMSD
symptoms. IBM SPSS statistics software (version 20) was used, where in all the
individual and work-related factors were involved in the regression models. There are
10 individual factors and 11 work-related factors linked to the prevalence of symptoms
of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

3 Results and Discussions

3.1 Sample Demographics

Thirty porters participated in the study, wherein all the respondents were male, aged 20
to 67 years old. The porters’ average height and weight are 159.6 cm and 56.37 kg
respectively. The average years of work experience by the porters in Navotas Fishing
Port Complex is 11.01 years. A majority of the porters are married (73%) and fifty-
three (53%) of the porters are high school graduates. Moreover, seventy-six (76%) of
the porters do not exercise regularly and/or only do light physical activities intermit-
tently. The average weekly consumption of alcoholic drinks is 3.654 alcoholic units.
Furthermore, the average number of cigarettes sticks consumed daily by the porters is
2.833 sticks.
The porters work on an average of 8 (SD 1.414) hours per day. Moreover, the
average days per week of the porters is 6.93 days and the average weight of load that
the porters carry is 42.58 kg. A majority of the porters use auxiliary tools (93%) and
asked for assistance from coworkers (73%) when carrying the load. Furthermore,
114 A. Asuncion et al.

majority of the porters (90%) take breaks in between their work. More than half (57%)
of the porters slightly disagree with the workspace of the fishing port. Almost half
(40%) of the porters agree that the flooring of the place is slippery. Moreover, majority
(57%) of the porters strongly agree that noise is inevitable in the fish port and that there
are numerous workers in the workplace.
In relation to psychosocial factors, most (73.3%) of the workers are very satisfied
with their work while only 10% of the porters are slightly dissatisfied. Almost half
(43.3%) of the respondents stated that they had low level of perceived job security.
Furthermore, majority (76.7%) never experience conflicts at work. With regards to
receiving support from coworkers, 30% of the respondents receive no support, on the
other hand, there’s also 30% of the porters who stated that they receive very adequate
support from coworkers. Almost half (40%) of the respondents stated that they receive
little support from the management. Moreover, 24 (80%) of the respondents stated that
the work demand is very high while 13 out of 30 (43.3%) respondents do not expe-
rience work stress.

3.2 Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among

Porters
The breakdown of the prevalence of WMSD symptoms on various body regions among
porters is presented in Table 7. The body regions with the highest prevalence rate, with
at least fifty percent of the porters, of self-reported WMSD symptoms are the fol-
lowing: ankle/feet (57%), hips/buttocks (53%), and shoulder (50%). While other body
regions’ prevalence rate ranges from 20%–37% (Table 1).

Table 1. Prevalence of symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders per body region.

Body region No. of porter (Percent)
Neck 9 (30.00%)
Shoulder 15 (50.00%)
Upper back 9 (30.00%)
Lower back 6 (20.00%)
Forearm 7 (23.33%)
Hands/Wrists 6 (20.00%)
Hips/Buttocks 16 (53.33%)
Thigh 7 (23.33%)
Lower leg 11 (36.67%)
Ankle/Feet 17 (56.67%)

3.3 Severity of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Porters

Table 2 presents the summary of the severity level of WMSD symptoms per body
regions. The body region with the highest percentage of high severity is upper back.
Moreover, most of the body region have high percentage of low severity. Moreover,
 Manual Handling in Fish Port: An Ergonomic Assessment 115

body regions with highest percentage of medium severity are those with the highest
prevalence rate of WMSD symptoms.

Table 2. Severity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders per body region.

Body region Low Medium High
1 Neck 13 (43.33%) 5 (16.67%) 0 (0.00%)
2 Shoulder 11 (36.67%) 8 (26.67%) 0 (0.00%)
3 Upper back 10 (33.33%) 2 (6.67%) 2 (6.67%)
4 Lower back 8 (26.67%) 2 (6.67%) 0 (0.00%)
5 Forearm 10 (33.33%) 1 (3.33%) 0 (0.00%)
6 Hand/Wrist 11 (36.67%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)
7 Hip/Buttocks 11 (36.67%) 3 (10.00%) 0 (0.00%)
8 Thigh 10 (33.33%) 2 (6.67%) 0 (0.00%)
9 Lower leg 16 (53.33%) 1 (3.33%) 0 (0.00%)
10 Ankle/Foot 7 (23.33%) 5 (16.67%) 0 (0.00%)
11 Others (Head) 1 (3.33%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)

3.4 Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (Shoulder)

Among the individual factors, cigarette smoking is considered as a significant factor of
shoulder WMSD. The binary logistic regression model implies that number of cigarette
sticks consumed daily by the porters have positive association with the prevalence of
work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. The odds ratio (OR) indicates that for a unit
increase in the porter’s cigarette stick consumption daily, there is 0.140 times higher
chance of experiencing WMSD symptoms.
Moreover, for the work-related factors, binary logistic regression model indicates
that weight of the load carried by the porters has a positive relation with the prevalence
of shoulder WMSD. The binary logistic regression model indicates that there is 0.228
higher odds of having work-related musculoskeletal symptoms for every one-unit
increase in the weight of the load carried by the porters (Table 3).

Table 3. Binary logistic regression model for risk factors associated with the prevalence of
musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder region (only significant factors are shown below)
Factors Coefficient P value Odds ratio (95% CI)
Cigarette smoking −1.963 0.040* 0.140 (0.022–0.916)
Weight of load −1.476 0.035* 0.228 (0.058–0.905)

3.5 Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (Upper

Back)
Table 4 shows the result of the binary logistic regression model for the porters’ upper
back region. Among the work-related factors, the number of banyera carried by the
porters daily is associated with the prevalence of WMSD symptoms in upper back
116 A. Asuncion et al.

region. The odds ratio (OR) for the risk factor indicates that porters who carry more
banyera daily are 0.532 times more likely to experience WMSD symptoms in the upper
back region that those who carry less banyera in a day.

Table 4. Binary logistic regression model for risk factors associated with the prevalence of
musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper back region (only significant factors are shown below)
Factors Coefficient P value Odds ratio (95% CI)
No. of banyeras −0.632 0.049* 0.532 (0.284–0.996)

3.6 Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (Forearm)

The parameter estimates of the binary logistic regression for forearm region is shown in
Table 5. Based on the results, work space is a significant factor of the prevalence of
WMSD symptoms for the forearm region. The binary logistic model implies that the
more the porters perceived their workplace being crowded, there is a 10.031 times
higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder.

Table 5. Binary logistic regression model for risk factors associated with the prevalence of
musculoskeletal symptoms in the forearm region (only significant factors are shown below)
Factors Coefficient P value Odds ratio (95% CI)
Work space 2.306 0.024* 10.031 (1.354–74.339)
Job security 1.969 0.039* 7.161 (1.103–46.500)

Furthermore, among the psychosocial factors, job security has a positive associa-
tion with the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. The results show
that porters who have no assurance of keeping their job in the fish port for a period of
time have 7.161 higher probability of having work-related musculoskeletal symptoms.

3.7 Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (Thigh)

The results of the binary logistic regression model for the respondents’ thigh region
shows that assistance from coworkers is a significant risk factor. The model specifies
that there is 0.053 higher odds of having work-related musculoskeletal symptoms for
porters who experience less assistance from coworkers (Table 6).

Table 6. Binary logistic regression model for risk factors associated with the prevalence of
musculoskeletal symptoms in the thigh region (only significant factors are shown below)
Factors Coefficient P value Odds ratio (95% CI)
Assistance from co-workers −2.938 0.035* 0.053 (0.003–0.811)
 Manual Handling in Fish Port: An Ergonomic Assessment 117

4 Discussion

The summary of the significant predictors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders

per body region is shown in Table 7. The results show that among the individual
factors, only cigarette smoking is found to be significant, specifically in the shoulder
region. Furthermore, among the work-related factors, number of banyeras carried,
assistance from coworkers, weight of load, and work space are the significant pre-
dictors for upper back, thigh, shoulder, and forearm region, respectively. Moreover, for
the forearm region, job security is considered a significant psychosocial factor.

Table 7. Summary of significant risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (only

body regions with significant factors are shown below)
Significant factors Shoulder Upper back Forearm Thigh
Cigarette smoking ✓
No. of banyera ✓
Assistance from co-workers ✓
Weight of load ✓
Work space ✓
Job security ✓

The presence of these symptoms in these certain body regions may correspond with
the porters’ manual handling activities during the loading and unloading of the
banyeras loaded with various kinds of fish. A work environment that requires material
handling may cause potential hazards in the workers. Low back disorders (LBD) is one
of the hazards that can be obtained by workers who carry heavy loads [9]. Some of the
significant work-related factors found in this study can be associated with one another.
These factors are the number of banyeras and weight of load carried by the porters,
which implies that for every unit increase in these factors, there is higher odds of
porters that experience symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Further-
more, assistance from coworkers is found to be a risk factor. The results showed that
porters who experience less assistance from coworkers have higher chance to experi-
ence symptoms of WMSD. Lifting or carrying banyeras alone is more physically
demanding compared when having assistance from coworkers. Moreover, it was found
out that porters who feel that their workplace is crowded, have higher odds of expe-
riencing WMSD symptoms.
Considering that cigarette smoking is the largest cause of deaths in the world. It is
also one of the significant factors for prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal
disorders. According to Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal, some of the negative
consequences of smoking include the loss of bone mineral content and increased
occurrence of fractures [10]. Moreover, it aggravates the progression of rheumatoid
arthritis and back pain, which are critical for the porters. It is even associated to other
complications and higher resource consumption. The risk of having fractures is higher
in men as compared to women. Studies show that smoking increases the lifetime risk of
developing fractures - 32% in men and 13% in women for vertebral fracture while 40%
118 A. Asuncion et al.

and 31% for hip fracture respectively [10]. According to an observation, people with
chronic back pain are smoking because they think that it will help them to cope with
pain and emotional distress. However, studies convey that this association is also
evident after controlling for the presence of anxiety and mood disorders. Furthermore,
smoking is associated with shoulder pain and biceps tendon rupture. In comparison
with nonsmokers, smokers have a higher risk of developing this by 7.5 times.
The results of this study show that job security is a significant factor, thus, supporting
various literatures that imply that psychosocial factors play a vital role in experiencing
symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, it was found out that
porters who felt that they have less assurance of keeping their job are more likely to
experience symptoms of WMSD. Low job security results to increased stress and negative
emotion that impact the work performance of the employees [11, 12]. In addition, low job
security results in decreased safety motivation and compliance, in which can be related to
higher occurrence of workplace injuries and accidents [13].

5 Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, the researchers have proven that Work-related
Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent among the porters or kargadors in
the fish port. It was determined that cigarette smoking, number of banyeras, assistance
from coworkers, weight of load, workspace, and job security are the significant pre-
dictors among the risk factors included in the study. The following factors convey that
the origin of WMSDs consists of different and connected aspects.
In addition to the existing studies and literatures, this study provides further
knowledge on the prevalence and severity of factors on work-related musculoskeletal
disorders. It is based on the policies and intervention programs in a port industry,
specifically on the operations in a fish port industry. However, supplementary research
may be done in order to determine other possible risk factors that are associated with
the occurrences of MSDs among the porters.

Acknowledgements. The authors would like to acknowledge Mrs. Ellen Ang of Philippine
Fisheries Development Authority and Mr. Proculo Alciso Jr. of Navotas Fish Port Complex.
Special thanks to the families of the authors for their contribution in the data collection.

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