title: Measurement consistency among observational job analysis methods during an intervention study.
abstract: Several observational methods are available for ergonomists to evaluate the exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors associated with work. Those methods can be used to evaluate the impact of modifications done at a workstation on the exposure to risk factors. Three methods (QEC, OCRA and 4D Watbak) were used to assess the exposure to MSD risk factors before and after the implementation of changes at a saw and block opening workstation. The results from those 3 methods served to compare the methods and evaluate their consistency. Comparisons among the methods showed positive association between QEC and OCRA indices, and between the QEC back index and 4D Watbak.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260-2050, USA. cjoseph2@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Imbeau
authors.forename: Iuliana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nastasia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis