Abstract: Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders have been devoted high percentage of occupational injuries and it is one of the leading causes of absence from work and disability. In this study we aimed to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and their risk factors and to evaluate exposure of musculoskeletal disorders risk factors by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Technique in a porclean manufacturing factory in south Khorasan province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 selected female workers from the decoration unit of the porclean manufacturing factory. Data were collected using demographical and Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) and RULA form. Statistical analyses were performed by chi-square and t tests and using SPSS, version 16. The level of significance was set at <5%. Results: The mean of age and job tenure in subjects were 28.6±14.09 and 2.53±1.63 years, respectively. Prevalence rate of MSDs was 81.0%. 38.0% of individuals were at risk level 2 and also 62.0% at risk level 3 of RULA. Conclusion: Despite that means of age and job tenure were low, but prevalence of MSDs was high among workers. Assessment of MSDs and RULA risk level relationship indicated that MSDs risk level in exposed subjects were higher than non-exposed individuals.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), RULA, Musculoskeletal disorders risk, porclean manufacturing factory

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