Evaluation of objectivity, reliability and criterion validity of the key indicator method for manual handling operations (KIM-MHO), draft 2007.
Upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders are common in the working population. The economic and social impact of such disorders is considerable. Long-time, dynamic repetitive exposure of the hand-arm system during manual handling operations (MHO) alone or in combination with static and postural effort are recognised as causes of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. The assessment of these manual work tasks is crucial to estimate health risks of exposed employees. For these work tasks, a new method for the assessment of the working conditions was developed and a validation study was performed. The results suggest satisfying criterion validity and moderate objectivity of the KIM-MHO draft 2007. The method was modified and evaluated again. It is planned to release a new version of KIM-MHO in spring 2012.
Institute of Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics, ASER, Corneliusstrasse 31, D-42329 Wuppertal, Germany. klussmann@institut-aser.de
André
A
Klußmann
Hansjürgen
H
Gebhardt
Monika
M
Rieger
Falk
F
Liebers
Ulf
U
Steinberg
D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009333:Neck; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity