Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Tubular Inspection Activities Using REBA and Nordic Body Map

Abstract

Tubular inspection activities expose workers to ergonomic hazards due to awkward working postures, repetitive movements, and prolonged manual handling, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aimed to assess work posture risks using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, identify musculoskeletal complaints using the Nordic Body Map (NBM), and examine the relationship between postural risk and workers’ musculoskeletal symptoms. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed involving ten tubular inspection workers. Data were collected through direct workplace observations and NBM questionnaires. Three major inspection activities were evaluated, including pre-cleaning of the pipe outside diameter, pre-cleaning of the pipe inside diameter, and full-body magnetic particle inspection (MPI). REBA was applied to evaluate ergonomic risk levels, while NBM was used to identify the prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal complaints. The REBA assessment produced scores of 5, 6, and 5 for the three activities, respectively, indicating moderate ergonomic risk that requires corrective action. The average NBM score was 45.4, corresponding to a low level of musculoskeletal complaints. However, the most frequently reported discomfort occurred in the upper neck, lower neck, back, and lower back. The findings indicate that body regions exposed to higher postural loads according to the REBA assessment corresponded to the areas with the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints. These results suggest that ergonomic interventions, including improvements in workstation design and working posture, are necessary to minimize the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among tubular inspection workers.