Body maps: an indicator of physical pain for worker-oriented ergonomic interventions

Should studies of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders be stratified by gender? Lessons from the 1998 Québec Health and Social Survey

“…In particular, gender differences in the reporting of pain (40), including the reporting of work-related pain on body maps (41), have been found with variable interpretations of the differences (42).…”

Using body mapping as part of the risk assessment process – a case study

“… Fortnightly collection of refuse in 140 l wheeled bins,  Fortnightly collection of glass, paper, cans and plastic in 240l wheeled bins,  Weekly food waste collection in 20l 'mini bins',  A paid for fortnightly garden waste service using 240l wheeled bins 1 . Messing et al (2008) suggests that there is flexibility on obtaining data (group or individual) and identified that there is no evidence of the benefits of either noting that choice was usually determined by practical rather than scientific investigations.…”

“…The method of data collection chosen was through a group format allowing for workforce engagement (MacLeod and Clarke 2008) and providing opportunity for anecdotal information from the crews to be collated with the support of both local management and Health and Safety representatives (HSE 2008).These participatory methods have been identified by (Keith and Brophy 2004, Messing et al 2008, Mason and Williams 2006 as valid methods of data collection. Groups were facilitated to prevent bias and coercion by other group members, as identified by Gill (2008).…”

“…Dawson et al (2009), Health and Safety Executive (HSE 2007), & (Society of Radiographers (SoR 2007) all suggest how body mapping can be used as a participatory research tool. Messing et al (2008) state that the process is "most useful for groups of workers to report pain associated with similar situations". Body mapping exercises involve asking groups of workers to identify where they collectively feel pain or discomfort, recording the results through use of a chart and/ or a questionnaire, based on the original Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (Kuorinka et al 1987).…”

“…Bodymapping is less evasive, non-expert and quicker and involves all employees within a work group whether they have had absences or not. It allows for intervention by the employer, with the employees consulted throughout the process (Messing et al 2008) in a noncomplex, pictorial way, before pain leads to absence from work.…”