Postural Ergonomic Risk and Biomechanical Determinants in Fish Processing Tasks: A REBA-Based Multivariate Analysis

Risco-Ojeda R.A.; Moreno-Rojo C.; Figueroa-León R.A.; Chuqui-Diestra S.R.; Ponce-Ramirez J.C.; Villacresis-Huashuayo A.G.; Saavedra-Vera J.V.; Segura-Terrones L.A.; Palacios-Guarniz S.J.; Bedoya-Justo E.V.; Rodríguez-Yparraguirre A.J.; Rodríguez-Yparraguirre C.D. · Safety (2026) · DOI: 10.3390/safety12030074

Resumen

Musculoskeletal disorders represent one of the most frequent occupational health problems in labour-intensive industries, particularly in fish processing, where repetitive tasks and prolonged postures are common. The objective was to determine the level of ergonomic risk by applying the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method and based on the results, to formulate recommendations aimed at preventing musculoskeletal disorders and improving preventive management within the organization. The assessment included 30 workers distributed across three operational workstations, where the overall average REBA score was 8.60 ± 1.65 (range: 6–12), indicating a predominantly high level of ergonomic risk. In categorical terms, 60.0% of the workers were classified as high risk, 13.3% as very high risk, and 26.7% as medium risk, while none reached negligible or low risk levels. Significant differences were observed between workstations (Kruskal–Wallis H = 16.72, p < 0.001, ε2 = 0.545), with the nobbing stage exhibiting the highest biomechanical load (mean REBA = 10.38 ± 1.06). It is concluded that ergonomic risk is structurally integrated into the operational design of the evaluated production system; therefore, ergonomic interventions focused on redesigning workstations, adjusting height, and configuring tasks are recommended to reduce biomechanical exposure and strengthen the organization’s preventive occupational safety framework.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; Universidad Tecnológica del Perú; Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga; Universidad Nacional de Moquegua; Universidad Nacional del Santa; Universidad César Vallejo