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Background: Musculoskeletal strains are some of the most common work-related injuries world over. Literature suggests that
employees & employers alike experience significant loss in work time and earnings/costs associated. Early identification &
prevention through training of personnel at risk has proved to be the most effective way to decrease the strains. Between June 2016
& June 2017, 35% of patients managed at Ropheka Physiotherapy in Kampala Uganda were employees of 2 specific flower farm.
The study sought to identify the musculoskeletal strains among flower farm workers at these farms and assess the risks therein
Purpose: 1. To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal strains among the semi-skilled flower farm workers in the 2 farms
2. To describe risk factors for musculoskeletal strains among the semi-skilled flower farm workers
Methods: An unpiloted descriptive survey designed by the researchers was used to answer the objectives of the study. Semi-skilled
workers on 2 farms in Uganda were purposively sampled because their employees had the highest number of patients receiving
care for musculoskeletal strains at Ropheka Physiotherapy. Structured observation involving a walk through the various
departments and an observation check list were used. A questionnaire was also used to collect data on age, number of years spent
on the job, areas of body pain, association between work and pain & pain interference with different activities. The data was
analysed using basic statistics.
At the farms, random workers were selected during working hours, from different green houses to be interviewed Of the 162
interviewed, 77% were females. Eighty four (84%) were Harvesters, 9.5% team leaders and 3% sprayers. The mean age of
participants was 28yrs.
Results: Workers spent up to 3 minutes in a stooped posture to varying degree while hand cutting the harvest; depending on height
of flower plants at harvest with a stand/walking break of under 1 minute spent walking to the harvest deposit boxes. Other activities
observed to be performed by the workers in the line of duty include lifting and carrying repetitively weights of up to 800grams to be
stacked overhead.
Of the 192 workers out of 679 semi-skilled workers in the farms, 69% had a musculoskeletal strains; 18% had no pain & the 13%
suffered non- musculoskeletal pains. Up to 50% of those with a musculoskeletal strain reported interference with work and relief of
pain when at rest. 53% took days off work because of pain
Conclusion(s): The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries workers at the 2 farms is high. The major causative factor being manner
of execution of duties.
Further studies using well designed ergonomic assessment techniques to measure musculoskeletal risks using reliable and valid
methods is recommended.
Implications: The study clearly brings out ergonomic issues existent in the flower farms; sustained awkward postures that are
repeated several times during the work hours, manual handling of work and plant materials, poor work place, job and task designs