Participatory ergonomics as a return-to-work intervention: a future challenge?
BACKGROUND
Participatory ergonomics (PE) are often applied for prevention of low back pain (LBP). In this pilot-study, a PE-program is applied to the disability management of workers sick listed due to LBP.


METHODS
The process, implementation, satisfaction, and barriers for implementation concerning the PE-program were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively for 35 workers sick listed 2-6 weeks due to LBP and their ergonomists.


RESULTS
Two-hundred-and-seventy ergonomic solutions were proposed to the employer. They were targeted more at work design and organization of work (58.9%) than at workplace and equipment design (38.9%). They were planned mostly on a short-term basis (74.8%). Almost half (48.9%) of the solutions for work adjustment were completely or partially implemented within 3 months after the first day of absenteeism. Most workers were satisfied about the PE-program (median score 7.8 on a 10-point scale) and reported a stimulating effect on return-to-work (66.7%). Main obstacles to implementation were technical or organizational difficulties (50.0%) and physical disabilities of the worker (44.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that compliance, acceptance, and satisfaction related to the PE-program were good for all participants. Almost half of the proposed solutions were implemented.
Anema
J R
JR
TNO Work and Employment, PO Box 718, 2130 AS Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. h.anema@arbeid.tno.nl
Steenstra
I A
IA
Urlings
I J M
IJ
Bongers
P M
PM
de Vroome
E M M
EM
van Mechelen
W
W
D000328:Adult; D003187:Compliance; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires