Process and implementation of participatory ergonomic interventions: a systematic review

Abstract

Participatory ergonomic (PE) interventions may vary in implementation. A systematic review was done to determine the evidence regarding context, barriers and facilitators to the implementation of participatory ergonomic interventions in workplaces. In total, 17 electronic databases were searched. Data on PE process and implementation were extracted from documents meeting content and quality criteria and synthesised. The search yielded 2151 references. Of these, 190 documents were relevant and 52 met content and quality criteria. Different ergonomic teams were described in the documents as were the type, duration and content of ergonomic training. PE interventions tended to focus on physical and work process changes and report positive impacts. Resources, programme support, ergonomic training, organisational training and communication were the most often noted facilitators or barriers. Successful PE interventions require the right people to be involved, appropriate ergonomic training and clear responsibilities. Addressing key facilitators and barriers such as programme support, resources, and communication is paramount. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: A recent systematic review has suggested that PE has some effect on reducing symptoms, lost days of work and claims. Systematic reviews of effectiveness provide practitioners with the desire to implement but do not provide clear information about how. This article reviews the literature on process and implementation of PE.

Reducing work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) through design: Views of ergonomics and design practitioners

“…For instance, studies show the potential in helping to manage design information to reduce workplace risk factors for developing MSDs [21,22]. This is further accentuated by the findings of a review [15] where program support, organizational knowledge and communication are discussed as key facilitators and barriers for participatory ergonomics interventions.…”

“…For instance, a review [15] reports that participatory ergonomics interventions show positive impacts, and focuses more on physical and work process changes. It also mentions that these interventions need the right practitioners to be involved, appropriate ergonomics training and clear responsibilities.…”

Sustaining Management Commitment to Workplace Health Programs:

“…Two main considerations were identified: (1) bringing together participants with different knowledge and skills appropriate for making ergonomic changes such as hourly workers, management representatives and technical specialists such as health and safety, human resources, and skilled trades personnel (Haines et al, 2002;St. Vincent et al, 2006;Van Eerd et al, 2008); and (2) the notion of a "representative participation," model of participatory ergonomics (PE) (Haines et al, 2002: 311-312) wherein personnel on a change team represent their work areas and are directly involved in the change making process.…”

Integrating ergonomics knowledge into business-driven design projects: The shaping of resource constraints in engineering consultancy

“…With regard to participatory ergonomics (PE), Eerd et al [4] conducted a literature review that concluded that resources were one of the most frequent reported factors influencing success in PE initiatives. Studies of ergonomic interventions also identify resource allocation to be a barrier for the implementation of ergonomic activities [5,6].…”