Comparison of ergonomist, supervisor, and worker assessments of work-related musculoskeletal risk factors

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Lori L WinnemullerJoel Kaufman

Abstract

In primary prevention efforts to reduce the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disease (MSD), many employers will use supervisor or worker assessments for initial evaluation of MSD risk factors. This cross-sectional study examined the ability of supervisors and workers to accurately assess the presence of MSD risk factors at four work sites in four different industries, examining five jobs that represented six primary categories of risk factors: posture, force, repetition, impact, lifting, and vibration. Thirty-seven supervisors and 55 workers assessed the jobs they oversee or perform through the use of a 14-item questionnaire. Their assessments were compared with detailed ergonomist job analyses to determine their accuracy in identifying the presence or absence of MSD risk factors. In assessing the absence or presence of all risk factors, agreement with the ergonomist was found 81% of the time for supervisors and 77% of the time for workers. Overall, supervisors and workers overestimated the presence of risk in assessing the jobs. Supervisors and worker assessments appear promising in recognizing risk in initial ergonomic assessments.

References

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Citations

Apr 15, 2011·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·R L NeitzelN S Seixas
Jun 30, 2009·Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health·Lope H BarreroJack T Dennerlein
May 23, 2015·Workplace Health & Safety·David A HurtadoGlorian Sorensen
Mar 7, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Kristina EliassonTeresia Nyman

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