A checklist for evaluating ergonomic risk factors resulting from awkward postures of the legs, trunk and neck

A one-page checklist for determining the presence of ergonomic risk factors associated with awkward postures of the lower extremities, trunk and neck was developed and evaluated as part of a joint labor-management ergonomics intervention program. This checklist was used by plant personnel at four work sites to assess the postural requirements on 335 cyclical (i.e., work-cycle duration less than five minutes) manufacturing and warehouse jobs. In addition, results generated by the checklist were compared to the results of ergonomic analyses performed by persons with advanced training in occupational ergonomics. Workers were observed using awkward postures for most of the jobs in the survey. Awkward postures of the lower extremities were relatively uncommon, occurring in 25 percent or less of the jobs. Awkward postures of the trunk and neck were common, occurring in more than 70 percent of the jobs. Results generated by the checklist were generally in agreement with results generated by the experienced ergonomists; however, the checklist was found to be more sensitive in identifying the presence of awkward postures. The checklist was found to be an effective rapid-screening instrument for identifying cyclical jobs that expose workers to potentially harmful postures. However, the checklist methodology did not include sufficient documentation of work methods to identify the specific job attributes associated with these exposures. Furthermore, the checklist was not used to evaluate non-cyclical jobs (e.g., maintenance and skilled trades). Relevance to industry Awkward postures used in the work place may lead to worker pain and injury. The checklist presented here is a quick and sensitive screening tool for identifying jobs with exposures to postural stresses. It was effectively used by shop floor employees to analyze a variety of manufacturing and warehouse jobs.