Documents Buckle, Peter W. 13 results

"This paper presents a conceptual model for the pathogenesis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The model contains sets of cascading exposure, dose, capacity, and response variables, such that response at one level can act as dose at the next. Response to one or more doses can diminish or increase the capacity for responding to successive doses. The model is used as a framework for discussing the development of work-related muscle, tendon, and nerve disorders. It is intended as a beginning, to be modified to explain new findings as they become available. In research, it can help to identify areas needing additional data for the development and expression of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Researchers can use it to design laboratory and field studies. In practice, it demonstrates the relationship between common exposure factors and different responses. This information can be used to evaluate and design jobs for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders."

"This study suggests that an interaction between physical and psychosocial risk factors at work may exist to increase the risk of self reported back disorders. Ergonomic prevention strategies that aim to minimise the risks of symptoms of work related back disorders should not only focus on physical but also on psychosocial risk factors at work. The greatest benefits are likely to be realised when both physical and psychosocial factors are put right."

"OBJECTIVES:
To investigate potential interactions between physical and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace that may be associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal disorder of the neck and upper limb.
METHODS:
891 of 1514 manual handlers, delivery drivers, technicians, customer services computer operators, and general office staff reported on physical and psychosocial working conditions and symptoms of neck and upper limb disorders using a self administered questionnaire (59% return rate). Of the 869 valid questionnaire respondents, 564 workers were classified in to one of four exposure groups: high physical and high psychosocial, high physical and low psychosocial, low physical and high psychosocial, and low physical and low psychosocial. Low physical and low psychosocial was used as an internal reference group. The exposure criteria were derived from the existing epidemiological literature and models for physical and psychosocial work factors. The frequency and amplitude of lifting and the duration spent sitting while experiencing vibration were used as physical exposure criteria. Ordinal values of mental demands, job control, and social support with managers and coworkers were used as psychosocial exposure criteria.
RESULTS:
In the multivariate analyses, the highest and significant increase in risk was found in the high physical and high psychosocial exposure group for symptoms of hand or wrist and upper limb disorders after adjusting for years at the job, age, and sex. A potential interaction effect was found for the symptoms of the hand or wrist and upper limb disorders but not for the neck symptoms.
CONCLUSION:
This study showed that workers highly exposed to both physical and psychosocial workplace risk factors were more likely to report symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders than workers highly exposed to one or the other. The results suggest an interaction between physical and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace that increased the risk of reporting symptoms in the upper limbs. Psychosocial risk factors at work were more important when exposure to physical risk factors at work were high than when physical exposure was low. Ergonomic intervention strategies that aim to minimise the risks of work related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb should not only focus on physical work factors but also psychosocial work factors."

"This study showed that workers highly exposed to both physical and psychosocial workplace risk factors were more likely to report symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders than workers highly exposed to one or the other. The results suggest an interaction between physical and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace that increased the risk of reporting symptoms in the upper limbs. Psychosocial risk factors at work were more important when exposure to physical risk factors at work were high than when physical exposure was low. Ergonomic intervention strategies that aim to minimise the risks of work related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb should not only focus on physical work factors but also psychosocial work factors."

"Musculoskeletal disorders continue to be a major source of disability and lost work time. Understanding their causes, and especially those that are work-related, remains the key to primary prevention. This set of in-depth reviews considers the problem from a number of systems needs and viewpoints. Assessing the exposure of workers to known risk factors is essential and appropriate methods are reviewed. Similarly, a consideration of psychosocial factors thought to contribute indirectly to the problem has also been explored. Contemporary ergonomics stresses the importance of a participatory approach to prevention and solution finding, and evidence in support of this is presented. The final review considers the application of ergonomics knowledge to understanding musculoskeletal disorders amongst those using computer technology. "(Author's abstract)

Physical exposure to risks for potential work-related musculoskeletal injuries has been assessed using a variety of methods, including pen and paper based observation methods, videotaping and computer-aided analysis, direct or instrumental techniques, and various approaches to self-report assessment. These methods are critically reviewed in this paper. The applications of these techniques in ergonomic and epidemiologic studies are considered, and their advantages and shortcomings are highlighted. Finally, a strategy that considers both the ergonomics experts' view and the practitioners' needs for developing a practical exposure assessment tool is then discussed.

"This study, which is the largest ever conducted in the UK on the relationship between work-related stress and MSD, took over three years to complete and involved 8000 workers in 20 companies across 11 industrial sectors nationwide.
Contrary to the popular belief held by some managers, the study showed that factors such as age, gender, neuroticism or a negative mood had little or no part to play in the development of MSD. However, the study did show that both physical and psychological aspects of work were directly involved in the development of these disorders.
The main new revelation is that work-related stress plays a role in the onset of these disorders. Both work-related stress and MSD are signs of an imbalance between people and processes in work organisations. Cultural change is needed in organisations to avoid stressors in the workplace brought about by this imbalance. This requires communication, organisational trust and employee participation in strategic management decisions and operations."

"Presents the findings from a two-year study investigating health problems associated with the use of non-keyboard input devices (NKID). The research used a combination of methods to determine the extent to which different NKID are currently in use, how they are used and problems that result. Evidence was collected through a literature review; questionnaire survey of 128 IT and health and safety managers; workplace assessments involving interviews and observation with 45 users across 9 different companies; a questionnaire survey of 848 users (3500 questionnaires issued, 24% response rate); and laboratory work including an expert assessment of different devices, a laboratory trial comparing traditional and L- shaped desks with three different arm support conditions, and a case study investigating touch screen use. Stresses the importance of an ergonomics approach in risk reduction, a method that looks at the user-computer interaction as a whole, the aim being to fit the work to the person, rather than the person to the work. Recommends a systematic risk assessment for NKID with the following considerations: nature of the task, including software design; NKID design and operation; workstation configuration; working environment; work organisation; training; cleaning and maintenance; procedures for musculoskeletal health monitoring; specific needs of individual users (e.g. those with existing health problems)."