Abating Biomechanical Risks: A Comparative Review of Ergonomic Assessment Tools

Abstract

Ergonomic assessment tools are crucial for evaluation of biomechanical risk factors at workplaces to understand the contributing factors and reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which have negative implications on employees’ health and productivity. This review examines a range of methods and ergonomic assessment tools. It shows ergonomic assessment tools, particularly postural analysis to comprise self-reports from workers, observation methods, direct measurement method and advanced techniques for assessment of postural change in executing highly dynamic activities. These tools have been designed for different work activities consisting typically of manual handing, repetitive tasks and static loading. Some of the tools target at specific body parts while others at multiple body parts. The tools have the strengths particularly in the assessment of recurring tasks in standing or sitting postures involving specific or multiple body parts. However, the tools also have obvious limitations in terms of not considering vibration, contact stress and trauma to other body parts for tools assessing specific body parts, and undifferentiated weight of different ergonomic risks for whole-body tools. These strengths and shortcomings prompt a user to consider the job nature and tasks to be assessed prior to selecting the tools. This review advocates an integrated approach in ergonomic assessment using a combination of general and specific methods with direct measurements if permissible. It contributes to the accurate selection of the postural analysis tools through systematically presenting their features and limitations besides highlighting improvement of methods and approaches in ergonomic assessment.