Organizational Risks Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Youth Welders in Informal Metalworking Setting

Background Welding, within the metalworking industry is physically demanding job, commonly found in the informal sectors where there is limited occupational health and safety services. Young workers in these setups face greater risk of WMSDs because they are highly exposed to occupational risks factors. This study assessed organisational risk factors specifically; use of personal protective equipment (PPEs), safety training attendance and rest break and their influence on WMSD prevalence among youth welders aged 18–35years in Eldoret Town. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted where 220 welders were sampled using a stratified and simple random sampling techniques in informal ‘Jua Kali’ workshops. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analyses at 95% confidence interval and significance level (p < 0.05) were performed with help of IBM SPSS. Results Of the 193 (87.7%) participants, 85% reported that they had experienced at least one WMSD within past one year. The lower back (83.9), upper back (80.8), hands/wrists (78.8) and knees (78.2) were mostly affected. Use of PPEs (p < 0.001, χ ²  = 41.242) and rest breaks (p < 0.001, χ ²  = 22.077) showed a significant association with overall WMSD prevalence and significantly reduced pain in different parts. Frequent use of PPE lowered MSD pain in the shoulders (OR = 0.240: 95% CI 0.056, 1.020), and hands/wrists (OR = 0.813: 95% CI 0.151, 4.373), while consistent use of PPEs significantly lowered pain in the elbows (OR = 0.103: 95% CI 0.013, 0.826). Rest breaks lowered the risk of pain in the neck (OR = 0.307:95% CI 0.147, 0.642), shoulders (OR = 0.410: 95% CI 0.207, 0.810), upper back (OR = 0.445: 95% CI 0.147, 0.642), and lower back (OR = 0.138: 95% CI 0.050, 0.382). Conclusion The current study exposed high prevalence of WMSD in youth welders and highlights the protective value of both the use of PPE and formal safety training and rest breaks. It recommends comprehensive and compulsory safety training programs, provision of appropriate and subsidised PPEs, structured rest breaks and a strengthened regulatory framework.