Couriers’ work-related musculoskeletal disorders and psychological distress: Insights for work errors and traffic safety

Human physiological and psychological states may influence work performance and safety. This study explored the relationships between couriers' work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), psychological distress, work errors and traffic safety. A total of 252 food delivery and 239 package delivery couriers were surveyed. The work-related MSDs and psychological distress were self-reported using an MSD Likert questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Companies provided records of work errors and traffic accidents. Compared with the package delivery couriers, the food delivery couriers had significantly higher MSD levels in the legs, feet and ankles, higher anxiety, more work errors, and more traffic accidents. The couriers with more severe MSDs showed significantly higher psychological distress. For food delivery couriers, higher psychological distress correlated with more work errors and traffic accidents. These findings highlight the importance of MSD prevention and psychological distress management, particularly among food delivery couriers, to improve occupational health, work performance, and traffic safety.