Title: Implementation and evaluation of an ergonomic training program and stretch exercises among welders in the informal sector in three urban centres in Zimbabwe

Authors: Elvis Chiboyiwa; France Ncube; Patience Erick

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, Private Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Lupane State University, P.O. Box 170, Lupane, Zimbabwe ' Department of Environmental Health, University of Botswana, Botswana, Private Bag 00712, Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract: This study assessed the effects of ergonomic training on postural risk and the effects of combined ergonomic training and stretch exercises on pain severity reported by welders in the informal sector of Zimbabwe. Supervised training and exercise sessions were conducted for a period of 11 weeks. Out of a total of 260 welders that were purposively selected and randomly assigned to four groups, 189 completed the intervention program. There was significant reduction of risk in the shoulder/arm, hand/wrist and neck (p = 0.001) after the administration of ergonomic training. Non-significant reduction of risk was observed in the back (p = 0.061). In the combined ergonomic training and stretch exercise group, there was a significant reduction in the severity of the reported pain in most body regions (p = 0.001). There is need to implement a combination of intervention measures in order to substantially reduce the severity of pain among welders.

Keywords: administration; ergonomic; informal sector; intervention; pain severity; postural risk; program; training; stretch exercises; welders; Zimbabwe.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2023.131574

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2023 Vol.44 No.2, pp.186 - 204

Received: 28 Jan 2021
Accepted: 07 Jul 2021
Published online: 19 Jun 2023 *

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