Browsing by Author "Kemmlert, K"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

On the Identification and Prevention of Ergonomic Risk Factors, with Special Regard to Reported Occupational Injuries of the Musculo-skeletal System
(Arbetslivsinstitutet, 1997) Kemmlert, K
A checklist for the screening of ergonomic risks was designed, evaluated and applied at work place assessments. Training for measurements for the NIOSH lifting equation was described and the inter-observer reliability discussed. With a view to prevention and with an age perspective, 1 600 textual descriptions of slip trip and fall accidents were studied. Older people reported accidents of this kind more often than younger, but as regards contributing factors for the accidents there were no age differences in the studied material. Reports (n=195) on occupational musculo-skeletal injury (accidents and diseases) from men and women with different occupations were collected consecutively. The purpose was to investigate the effect on ergonomic conditions by Labour Inspectorate intervention at work places and to follow health and employment among occupationally injured. Fifteen Labour Inspectors volunteered to investigate half of the reports by work place visits within three months. The other half was kept for control. The inspectors were trained in ergonomics and also received complementary training in ergonomic work place assessment by means of the mentioned checklist. Eighteen months after the reports, all work places were visited by ergonomists to evaluate possible improvements in ergonomic conditions. Due to turnover and prolonged sick-leaves, evaluations were performed for only 92 of the injured. At 160 work places there were co-workers, who at the time of the injury report had performed similar tasks as the injured. Evaluations were performed also for these groups. As regards preventive measures, there were no differences between the injured in the study and control groups. The inspectors had delivered eleven inspection notices to the employers demanding improvements for the injured people and fourteen notices regarding the conditions of co-workers. For this latter group there was a significant association between delivered notices and improved ergonomic conditions. The cost benefit of the ergonomic improvements was investigated in case studies from four companies. Poor workplace ergonomics and related musculo-skeletal problems had been known previous to the injury reports. The ergonomic situation had caused repeated sick-leave periods, but only the report triggered the preventive measures. Expenses associated with the preventive measures were accounted for and financial effects estimated, based on interviews with representatives at the companies. When costs were compared to gains, the improvements appeared to be highly profitable. Three years after the time of the reports a postal questionnaire on health, psychological well-being and employment was distributed to the injured. The response rate was high. There was a significantly higher prevalence of musculo-skeletal and psychological symptoms in the study group, compared to data from other populations. Activities in daily life were more restricted in the study group. After three years 109 people were in active employment. The association between reduced physical work load and active employment, and both individual and work related characteristics was analysed. The odds for improved ergonomic conditions were increased where the employer had given an informative injury description in the injury report, probably indicating that an understanding of the mechanisms of injury is a prerequisite for effective prevention. Sick-leaves for more than six months during the year following the report had a significant negative association with active employment, whereas male sex and higher education than elementary school had a positive association. Identification of ergonomic risk factors seemed to have a positive influence on the process of prevention.