This article aims to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and also assess the risk factors among tea pluckers at the Tarapur tea estate in Sylhet. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 183 workers using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire to record symptoms in nine body regions associated with sociodemographic factors, including age, height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), experience, and work fatigue. Pearson's chi-square tests have been used to unveil the relationships between sociodemographic factors and body parts. A sample size of 183 was calculated using the Slovin formula with a confidence interval (CI) of 95 percent. The results showed that the effect of musculoskeletal risk (MSDs) occurred mainly in the lower back, shoulders, and hands. However, age, height, weight, BMI, and fatigue at work demonstrated a strong correlation with musculoskeletal symptoms in several regions of the body. This article helps tea workers who have involved in high repetitive tasks by designing an ergonomic tool that can mitigate health-related issues and thus reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Published in: 8th IEOM Bangladesh International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Publisher: IEOM Society International
Date of Conference: December 20
-21
, 2025
ISBN: 979-8-3507-4441-5
ISSN/E-ISSN: 2169-8767