Research Plus

Ergonomic interventions need theoretical basis

All workplace ergonomics programmes rely on the notion of ‘change’, for example, that increased risk awareness will lead to behavioural change, which in turn will lead to fewer musculoskeletal disorders. However, more than half of the 30 studies in this systematic review were not based on any established theory or model about the change process. Thirteen were based on an explicit change model, for example: that workers are experts in their own job and should be included in the change process (participatory ergonomics); that change requires communication and interaction (in behavioural safety); or that personal factors, learned behaviour and environmental determinants interact in the change process (social cognitive theory).

Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health 2011; online first: doi 10.5271/sjweh.3159.

Tags ergonomic evidence based practice msd - musculoskeletal disorder

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2011 (vol. 08/1) pp41