115 Vol. 2 No. 2, Issue 1, May 2016 Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in Workers in Selected Metalworking Micro-Enterprises (MMEs) in South-Western Nigeria Ajayeoba A. O., *Onawumi, A.S., Adebiyi K. A., Olagunju T. O. & Oyediran D.D. Department of Mechanical Engineering Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: asonawumi@lautech.edu.ng ABSTRACT In Metalworking Micro-Enterprises (MMEs), MSDs are some of the major injuries that occur in workers due to the nature of the work they subjected their body to. The epidemiological data of the workers were collected using the general Nordic questionnaire of musculoskeletal symptoms and were used for the identification of MSDs causes. Workers postures were noted in their working positions, which also assisted in evaluating the risk level of MSDs for each of the workers using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool. The causes of MSDs in MMEs were as results of the use of vibrating tools, working postures and heavy loads. During the last 12 months of this study, it was seen that 86.40% of the workers complained of discomfort in one or more of the considered regions of the body and 63.60% also complained during the last 7 days. Furthermore, 5 of the respondents had MSDs related illnesses in the last 12 months. REBA results showed that no workers falls into the negligible and low risk levels, while 12%, 48% and 9% of all the workers were at medium, high and very high risk levels, respectively. High percentage of the workers complained of pains in their lower back being the region with the highest discomfort.The results obtained revealed that levels of MSDs in workers at the selected MMEs were high, and necessary steps should be taken to reduce the effects. Thus, the results will enable the employers to evaluate and draw favourable working hours for their employees. Keywords: Awkward working posture; discomfort; disorders; musculoskeletal disorders; metalworking micro-enterprises; rapid entire body assessment Aims Research Journal Reference Format: Ajayeoba A. O., *Onawumi, A.S., Adebiyi K. A., Olagunju T. O. and Oyediran D. D. (2016): Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in Workers in Selected Metalworking Micro-Enterprises (MMEs) in South-Western. Advances in Multidisciplinary Research Journal. Vol. 2. No. 2 Issue 1, Pp115-126. 1. INTRODUCTION The industries today are alert on the rise of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) among their workers (Emily and Ling, 2010). They have also begun to take heed and understand the factors in the job and workplace that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. Emily and Ling (2010) stated that Ergonomists around the world has realize the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the various MMEs hence providing numerous published findings to educate and propose improvements that can be done to reduce such impairments. MSDs are some of the problem faced by workers in MMEs, which arise as a result or the nature of work they subjected themselves to. The relationship between MSDs and work – related factors remains the subject of considerable debate (Ksenia et al., 2012; Bernard, 1997 and Burdorf, 1992). Symptoms may include pain, discomfort, numbness and tingling in the affected area and can differ in severity from mild and periodic to severe, chronic and debilitating conditions. MSDs can be sub divided into more specific and recognized regions of the back, upper limbs and lower limbs etc. These sub categories, when combined, form the overall grouping values presented for the general classification of MSD illness type.