Influence of Weekly Working Hours on Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Associated with Biomechanical Factors

Background Epidemiological studies suggest that high levels of exposure to biomechanical factors may increase the risk of MSDs, especially when combined. Several methods have been proposed for hazard exposure and risk assessment, yet a general gold standard does not exist. Prior studies on work-related MSDs were conducted primarily in standardized industrial environments in which workers were involved in repetitive tasks. However, with the rise of automation and new employment practices, there has been a shift toward more flexible working models. Purpose We wanted to investigate and analyze the biomechanical risk modifications introduced by variability in the content and duration of tasks. Methods To determine the potential impact of work duration, specifically how part-time jobs could impact the risk of MSDs because of biomechanical factors, we performed a preliminary literature search from already published data on biomechanical risk/pathologies/injuries when involving part-time activities, compared to the full-time ones. Results By pooling the few studies reporting part-time vs full-time biomechanical risk assessment/evaluation, we noticed an increasing trend of the risk of developing MSDs when working more hours, highlighting the lower risk of part-time jobs compared to full-time jobs. Conclusion Because existing data are limited and heterogeneous, further research is required to robustly assess and quantify potential benefits of part-time jobs.