Preventing musculoskeletal discomforts for a healthy workplace

Lin, Ro-Ting
(Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Hsinchu, Taiwan)

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Musculoskeletal diseases are on top, accounting for 73%, of the ranking of compensated occupational diseases in 2010 in Taiwan. Previously reported musculoskeletal discomforts among fabrication room (fab) workers were owing to frequent manual wafer pod handling or operating manufacturing equipments with improper anthropometric data for users in different countries. In addition, sufferers of work-related tendinitis are entitled to compensation since 2010 under the new list of occupational diseases in Taiwan, leading to an anticipated soar of work-related musculoskeletal diseases compensation due to long hours of use or repetitive typing among computer users. Providing an ergonomic working interface for a company with hundreds of thousands workers is a challenge to balance the purchase specification and cost. Under the changing working interface from on-site process equipment operation to remote computer monitoring, the report aims to provide an overview of prevalent trends, regulatory standards, and challenges of musculoskeletal disease among different countries. The report demonstrates our systematic approach for reducing workers’ awkward postures and musculoskeletal complaints through ergonomically redesigned fab/office workstations. In addition to statistical data, the report also includes an introduction of health care programs on solving musculoskeletal discomforts, such as massage and traditional Chinese medicine lectures. Information on the effectiveness of ergonomic programs has been computerized and integrated into e-ESH system. Our case studies and experience sharing may be of use in both policy and practice for reducing ergonomics-related occupational diseases and promoting a healthier workplace.

Back to SESHA 33rd Annual Symposium/SIA IHTESH Joint Meeting (2011)