Reflecting on a program of participatory ergonomics interventions: a multiple case study.

Evaluations of participative ergonomics (PE) interventions have reported mixed results, potentially due to both program and theory deficits. In a multiple case study of four worksites in different companies using a quasi-experimental approach, we examined process, implementation, and effects. The process evaluation was based upon fieldwork and interviews with approximately 90 persons. Implemented changes were documented by PE teams and intensity judged by the research team. The effect evaluation was performed using questionnaire-based measures (physical effort, influence, pain and potential confounders) among cohorts present both before and after the changes (N=258). Ergonomic change teams (ECTs) faced challenges securing employees' time, varying management commitment and significant production pressures. Nevertheless they actively introduced between 10 and 21 changes over 10-20 months of activity. Limited intensity of exposure reduction was observed, resulting in no discernible effects on physical effort or pain among the employees. Potential reasons that may account for limited effects and lessons for workplace parties, practitioners, and intervention researchers are discussed.

[1]  L. Wolf,et al.  Implementing participatory ergonomics teams among health care workers. , 1997, American journal of industrial medicine.

[2]  G Toulouse,et al.  Participatory ergonomic processes to reduce musculoskeletal disorders: summary of a Québec experience. , 2006, Work.

[3]  T. Kristensen.  Intervention studies in occupational epidemiology , 2005, Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

[4]  Richard P Wells,et al.  Evaluation of a participatory ergonomic intervention aimed at improving musculoskeletal health. , 2006, American journal of industrial medicine.

[5]  Svend Erik Mathiassen,et al.  A case study evaluating the ergonomic and productivity impacts of partial automation strategies in the electronics industry , 2002 .

[6]  G. Borg.  Psychophysical scaling with applications in physical work and the perception of exertion. , 1990, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health.

[8]  P. Carayon,et al.  Theory and practice for the implementation of 'in-house', continuous improvement participatory ergonomic programs. , 1998, Applied ergonomics.

[9]  Randall B. Dunham,et al.  Personal Control at Work: Its Conceptualization and Measurement. , 1981 .

[10]  H Shahnavaz,et al.  Evaluation of an ergonomics intervention programme in VDT workplaces. , 1995, Applied ergonomics.

[11]  Geneviève Baril-Gingras,et al.  The contribution of qualitative analyses of occupational health and safety interventions: An example through a study of external advisory interventions , 2006 .

[12]  Bjørn Gustavsen,et al.  Beyond Theory: Changing organizations through participation , 1996 .

[13]  B. L. Miles,et al.  Design for Manufacture and Assembly , 1998 .

[14]  K. Nielsen,et al.  Success or failure? Interpreting and understanding the impact of interventions in four similar worksites , 2006 .

[15]  P Vink,et al.  Validating a framework for participatory ergonomics (the PEF) , 2002, Ergonomics.

[16]  D C Cole,et al.  Effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics intervention in improving communication and psychosocial exposures , 2007, Ergonomics.

[17]  R. Haslam.  Targeting ergonomics interventions--learning from health promotion. , 2002, Applied ergonomics.

[18]  Svend Erik Mathiassen,et al.  Production system design elements influencing productivity and ergonomics - A case study of parallel and serial flow strategies , 2006 .

[19]  Ben-Tzion Karsh,et al.  Theories of work-related musculoskeletal disorders: Implications for ergonomic interventions , 2006 .

[20]  L J Fine,et al.  Design and conduct of occupational injury intervention studies: a review of evaluation strategies. , 1997, American journal of industrial medicine.

[21]  C. Heckler.  A Step-by-Step Approach to Using the SAS™ System for Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling , 1996 .

[22]  Andrew C Laing,et al.  Study of the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics intervention in reducing worker pain severity through physical exposure pathways , 2005, Ergonomics.

[23]  Monique H W Frings-Dresen,et al.  Does a rolling floor reduce the physical work demands and workload, and increase the productivity of truck drivers handling packed goods? , 2005, Applied ergonomics.

[24]  Mitsuo Nagamachi,et al.  Requisites and practices of participatory ergonomics , 1995 .

[25]  Powertrain.  Who is Responsible for Human Factors in Engineering Design ? The Case of Volvo , 2006 .

[26]  Monique Lortie,et al.  Participatory Ergonomics Training in the Manufacturing Sector and Ergonomic Analysis Tools , 2001 .

[27]  P Vink,et al.  Towards successful physical stress reducing products: an evaluation of seven cases. , 2001, Applied ergonomics.

[28]  C. Haslam,et al.  Implementing Health and Safety Interventions in the Workplace: An Exploratory Study , 2006 .

[29]  J Winkel,et al.  A model for solving work related musculoskeletal problems in a profitable way. , 1996, Applied ergonomics.

[30]  Nancy Theberge,et al.  Negotiating participation: understanding the "how" in an ergonomic change team. , 2006, Applied ergonomics.

[31]  N. Kawakami,et al.  The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ): an instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. , 1998, Journal of occupational health psychology.

[32]  F. Lötters,et al.  Are changes in mechanical exposure and musculoskeletal health good performance indicators for primary interventions? , 2002, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[33]  Can Management Control Health and Safety at Work? , 1990 .

[34]  Marie Bellemare,et al.  Démarches d’ergonomie participative pour réduire les risques de troubles musculo-squelettiques : bilan et réflexions , 2000 .

[35]  Emma Irvin,et al.  Effectiveness of participatory ergonomic interventions: a systematic review , 2005 .

[36]  Jan Dul,et al.  A participatory ergonomics approach to reduce mental and physical workload , 1995 .

[37]  Andrew C Laing,et al.  Methodological issues in evaluating workplace interventions to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders through mechanical exposure reduction. , 2003, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health.