This systematic review evaluated the research to determine what the different ergonomic interventions accomplish in a workplace.
1635 articles were screened for inclusion, with 22 studies focusing on workplace interventions meeting the criteria.
Most of the ergonomic interventions were ergonomic training programs, participatory ergonomics & workstation design.
Results:
The majority of outcome measures in results were body discomfort, musculoskeletal pain, discomfort or strain, workplace assessment, psychosocial & physical workload, absenteeism or limitation from work, lower back pain, general health, posture assessment, workability & productivity.
Only 2 studies reported a significant effect of intervention on all outputs measured. 4 studies showed no significant effect of interventions & 12 studies suggested that interventions had a significant impact on some outputs while others did not influence outcomes.
Results indicated that feedback, participatory ergonomics in short-term follow-up, job rotation & ergonomic guidelines didn’t significantly influence psychosocial risk factors. Workplace improvements & job rotations with ergonomic guidance also wasn’t shown to significantly improve productivity.
Significant reduction in upper limb musculoskeletal disorders was linked to workplace improvements, but job rotations didn’t influence it.
No clear relationship b.t. participants from blue, white or pink collar participants on the outcomes was found.
Favourable findings were found for ergonomic training programs & participatory ergonomics – with both being identified as the least cost consuming interventions also.
Participatory ergonomics interventions showed moderate evidence on positively impacting musculoskeletal disorder symptoms but no strong evidence on permanent significant impact on ergonomic outputs was found.
In 1 study, only half of the interventions at the organisational level had significant effects on employee health.
More mixed results were found. Only 3 studies looking at workstation design with ergonomics training showed positive results. In another study, musculoskeletal disorder symptoms were significantly reduced via training & ergonomic devices. Workstation design & training was found to be effective in another study.
In 2 studies using ergonomic training intervention, 1 study with training only and another study using job rotation, no significant effects on musculoskeletal symptoms was reported.
Overall it was found that there “was no specific study method or intervention approach found to influence ergonomic outcomes” (p3).
Unsurprisingly, a multicomponent intervention program may be necessary to assist employee health & productivity and based on this evidence “seems necessary to include workstation design and ergonomics training in this extensive comprehensive program” (p.9).
Here, simultaneous use of participatory ergonomics with long-term follow-up & modification of equipment & workplace improvements can improve the chances of ergonomic acceptance & success.
I found the findings around training fairly interesting, as other research has thrown doubt about the effectiveness of training in this area.
SafetyInsights.org 