Benefits and Costs of Ergonomic Change
| Principal Investigator(s): | Richard P. Wells
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| Co-Investigator(s): | Larry Brawley, Mardon Frazer, Robert Norman, Nancy Theberge, Robert Kerton (University of Waterloo); Donald Cole, Mickey Kerr, Harry Shannon (Institute for Work & Health)
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| Sponsoring Institution: | University of Waterloo |
Objective
The objectives of the project were:
- to implement ergonomic interventions in Ontario workplaces using participatory processes
- to develop methods for assessing both the outcomes and the process of ergonomic intervention
- to assess the ergonomic changes made and their effects
- evaluate the process of ergonomic change.
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Method
Two companies were recruited in addition to three ongoing intervention sites. "Ergonomics Change Teams" (ECT) were formed. Baseline measures were made in both intervention and comparison plants. The process of ergonomic changes was evaluated using field notes and semi-structured interviews. Measurement of leading and lagging outcomes were repeated nine to eighteen months later upon withdrawal of the university facilitation.
Results
The interviews revealed many positive features of the participatory process noted the many structural obstacles to workplace change present in their organizations. With few exceptions, workers reported that the changes made their jobs better and less risky. Measured exposures were also reduced. Reductions in perceived effort, pain and discomfort were less frequent, perhaps because of the limited intensity of the interventions made and the longer time course required for reversal of symptoms
Conclusions
Using their training and the evidence from workplace evaluations, the Ergonomics Change Teams implemented ergonomic changes in all intervention workplaces. Based upon a formal quantitative and qualitative evaluation, the performance of the intervention process, and the interventions themselves, were identified as being effective by plant management and labour representatives.
Publications
Koppelaar, E., and Wells, R. (2005). "Comparison of measurement methods for quantifying hand force." Ergonomics 48(8):983-1007.
Laing, A.C., Frazer, M.B., Cole, D.C., Kerr, M.S., Wells, R.P., and Norman, R.W. (2005). "Study of the Effectiveness of a Participatory Ergonomics Intervention in Reducing Worker Pain Severity through Physical Exposure Pathways." Ergonomics 48(2):150-170.
For more information:
wells@healthy.uwaterloo.ca
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