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Investigation of Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Ergonomic Risk Factors among Practicing Tattoo Artists

Keester, Dana Lani
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1420285830

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Industrial and Systems Engineering.
INTRODUCTION. Tattoo artists as a population of workers may suffer from a high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort. Despite this finding, no detailed analyses of the work processes required in tattooing have been published in peer reviewed literature to date. The information gathered in the course of this study provides a base of knowledge for future research and intervention with this population of workers. METHODS. In Phase 1, a survey was conducted on worker and work characteristics and musculoskeletal discomfort, involving 34 professional tattoo artists. In Phase 2, workplace observations were conducted in order to gather data to perform postural analyses and assess muscle activation while performing typical tattooing tasks; 10 professional tattoo artists participated in this phase of the study. RESULTS. The findings in the current study concerning musculoskeletal discomfort in tattoo artists are consistent with the work of Grieshaber et al. (2012). Both studies support the conclusion that musculoskeletal discomfort is highly prevalent in several regions of the body in these workers. 12-month prevalence for musculoskeletal discomfort in the 8 regions of the body included in the questionnaire ranged from 38% for the legs/feet to 94% for the lower back, while the observation and muscle activity recording portions of the study show that the occupation is marked by prolonged awkward postures (just under 50% of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA, McAtamney & Corlett, 1993) scores were between 5 and 6 which corresponds to action level 3 and indicates that investigation and changes are required soon) and high levels of static muscle activity (all 10 Phase 2 participants displayed 10th percentile muscle activity levels that exceeded 2-5% MVE limit recommended by Jonsson (1978) in at least one muscle or muscle group, particularly in the right and left upper trapezius muscles in which activity ranged from 3.4% to16% MVE). CONCLUSIONS. The present study found that tattoo artists experience high levels of discomfort in the neck, shoulders, elbows, hands/wrists, upper back, lower back, legs/feet, and eyes, and in many cases reported that their discomfort was made worse by performing their work tasks, primarily tattooing. Some tattoo artists may have to leave their chosen profession due to the extent of their discomfort, while many work in pain. In their experience of work-related musculoskeletal discomfort and its effects, this profession is similar to others, such as sonographers, surgeons, dentists, and dental hygienists, which have been recognized as needing attention from the ergonomics community and have begun to benefit from interventions that result in improvements to work area layout, furniture, and design of work tools.
Carolyn Sommerich (Advisor)
Blaine Lilly (Committee Member)
115 p.
Engineering
ergonomics; musculoskeletal discomfort; MSD; tattoo; electromyography; EMG; rapid upper limb assessment; RULA; nordic questionnaire; WRMSD; tattoo artist;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Keester, D. L. (2015). Investigation of Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Ergonomic Risk Factors among Practicing Tattoo Artists [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1420285830

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Keester, Dana. Investigation of Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Ergonomic Risk Factors among Practicing Tattoo Artists. 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1420285830.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Keester, Dana. "Investigation of Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Ergonomic Risk Factors among Practicing Tattoo Artists." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1420285830

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1420285830
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.