ABSTRACT
Several methods have been proposed and widely used for the assessment of the risk of developing work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) focusing on work-related physical exposure. These include, but are not limited to, OWAS (Karhu et al. 1977), RULA (McAtamney & Corlett 1993), PLIBEL (Kemmlert 1995), OCRA (Occhipinti 1998), REBA (Hignett & McAtamney 2000), LUBA (Kee & Karwowski 2001), and MAC (Monnington et al. 2003). Additionally, the role of mental stress and work organization on reinforcing and aggravating the musculoskeletal outcomes caused by physical demands and loads has been recognized (Sauter and Swanson 1996, Wahlström 2005). Psychosocial work characteristics have been recognized as important risk factors for the etiology of WRMSDs (Bongers et al. 2006). As a consequence, interventions conducted by ergonomics and occupational health practitioners should focus on more than one factor. Interventions should comprise optimization of the workplace layout in combination with a feedback survey of the psychosocial work environment and individual training focusing on working technique (Wahlström 2005).
