The sugar plant studied has used old technology to produce sugar for over 50 years. The production process is very labor intensive and workers are exposed to WMSD risk factors. According to the workers’ medical records in this plant 22.75% of all occupational illnesses were related to the musculoskeletal system.As far as these authors know, no ergonomics
study has been conducted in the Iranian sugar-producing industry to determine the prevalence of WMSDs and to assess physical exposure to work-related musculoskeletal risks. Therefore, the present study was carried out with the
objectives of (a) determining WMSD prevalence rate among workers in a sugar-producing factory and (b) to assess the level of those workers’ exposure to WMSD risks. The results of this study should be an appropriate basis for planning
and implementing an interventional ergonomics program in the workplace and for improving workers’ health in the sugar-producing industry.