Ergonomic Risk Factors in Operational and Administrative Tasks: A Cross-sectional Study in Local Governments of Imbabura
摘要
Musculoskeletal disorders remain one of the leading causes of absenteeism and decreased quality of life in the workplace. Ergonomics identifies risk factors associated with awkward postures, repetitive movements, and physical exertion. The aim of this study was to determine the ergonomic factors contributing to occupational musculoskeletal disorders among operational and administrative workers. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive design was employed. The sample consisted of 103 employees from eight decentralized autonomous governments, who were assessed using the REBA scale. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used for comparative analysis by sex and workload. Findings revealed that 72.9% of workers were classified in high or very high-risk categories. Operational roles, particularly in public work and maintenance, showed substantially higher ergonomic risk scores. Significant differences by sex were observed in both risk levels and task assignments. Compared to other roles, field workers are more likely to experience excessive postural loads. These results highlight the urgent need for tailored ergonomic interventions in public sector workplaces.