Overview
Keywords: Posture, risk assessment, ergonomics
Timeline: 2011-2012
Researchers: David Andrews (University of Windsor), Patricia Weir (University of Windsor), Brian Lowe (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH))
Funder: Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)
Project type: Position paper
Sector/Workplace type: All
Theme:
Theme
3
Risk
assessment
and
Hazard
identification
Background/rationale
Observation-based posture assessment methods are widely used for quantifying risk factors during work to help inform job design decisions and establish safe work limits. However, there are many posture assessment methods and they are not standardized in terms of categories used to quantify working postures, or in how these postures are recorded.
Research question/objectives/methods
The purposes of the position paper were to:
- Review key concepts, terminology, and practices related to the use of observation-based posture assessment methods for the analysis of work
- Recommend standardized posture categories that minimize observer error
- Assist practitioners to optimize observation-based posture recording and analysis practices
Key findings
The findings are intended to provide workplace stakeholders with a practical guide related to the use and development of observation-based posture assessment tools and related practices.
Implications for the prevention of MSDs
This position paper will provide practitioners with a means by which they can develop tools and evaluate tools that they use in practice for documenting postural demands.
Knowledge dissemination
NIOSH [2014]. Observation-based posture assessment: review of current practice and recommendations for improvement. By Lowe BD, Weir PL, Andrews DM. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–131.