Work-related injuries and musculoskeletal disorders among factory workers in a major city of China

This study describes the frequency of occurrence of work-related injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among factory workers in Shenzhen, China, and examines the determinants of injuries and MSDs.A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 3479 frontline workers in 60 factories during 2008–2009. We calculated the annual incidence rates of work-related injuries and the prevalence rates of MSD (based on the Nordic Standard Form) for the factory workers. Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the associations between potential risk factors and occupational injury and MSD.Among all participating workers, 8.3% reported acute traumatic injuries in the previous 12 months. The event-based incidence rate was 119.6 per 1000 person-years. About half of the frontline workers reported suffering from MSDs during the previous 12 months. The injury risk was reduced for female workers (Odds ratio, OR: 0.48; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.36–0.66) and those with higher educational levels, but increased in workers with over 55 work hours/week (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.21–2.22), high mental stress at work (OR: 3.50; 95% CI: 1.70–7.19) and previous injury history (OR: 3.94; 95% CI: 2.78–5.58). The MSD risk was increased among female workers (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.34–1.87), and those with over 55 work hours/week (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.28–1.90), high mental stress at work (OR: 3.16; 95% CI: 2.04–4.89) and a past injury history (OR: 3.04; 95% CI: 2.14–4.32).High proportions of frontline workers were affected by work injuries and MSDs in these factories in China. Long work hours, high mental stress at work and previous injury history were important risk factors for work-related injury and MSD.