Co-ordinated strategy of prevention and control of the biomechanical factors associated with the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To propose a cost-effective set of methods (strategy) to improve biomechanical working conditions and prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders.


METHODS
The strategy was developed according to the philosophy already used for other aspects of working conditions. It was then tested in ten industrial situations with various characteristics, to check its understanding, its usability, and its efficiency.


RESULTS
The strategy includes a five-page leaflet ( screening) aimed at motivating the operators to check the problems and bring about immediate solutions if possible. A stage-2 observation checklist is then proposed to guide the discussions during a meeting of the protagonists (workers and management). The assistance of an occupational health practitioner might become indispensable at stage 3 to deepen the analysis of the remaining problems, while experts are requested only in exceptional cases (stage 4, expertise). This strategy was positively judged by the users and proved to be effective in motivating and co-ordinating the protagonists.


CONCLUSIONS
The strategy proved to consider effectively all biomechanical aspects that might contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It proved also to be participatory, placing the operators and their management at the centre of the intervention as the main actors, and organising when to turn to an occupational health practitioner or an expert for assistance.
Malchaire
J B
JB
Unité Hygiène et Physiologie du Travail, Université catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30-38, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. malchaire@hytr.ucl.ac.be
Piette
A
A
D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors