ERGONOMIC PRACTICE AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSDs) : OPENNESS TO INTERDISCIPLINARITY

MSDs represent a complex phenomenon, and interdisciplinarity seems desirable not only in research but also in the intervention. First, a model is proposed for understanding work situations that result in the development of MSDs for the purpose of integrating several types of learning based on a systemic approach and of identifying the significance of different terms. An interdisciplinary study is then used as the springboard for dealing with three main issues. In fact, the results obtained prompted reflection on the questions often used to describe the decisional latitude, while questions directly describing the activity provided more conclusive results. Epidemiological studies are very important in recognizing MSDs, and help ergonomists be persuasive, but how can they best promote the formulation of questions and what difficulties can be encountered? Furthermore, since musculoskeletal load represents a major aspect of MSD-related activity, ergonomists seem to need a sufficient understanding of the different aspects of this component of the activity. One example of collaboration between ergonomics and biomechanics demonstrates the advantage of this association for better understanding the procedures and for identifying the determinants of the activity. Finally, in-company training on workstations represents a major issue in MSD prevention, and ergonomists are increasingly concerned about questions of versatility. The development of collaboration with professional training specialists therefore seems necessary. The conclusion discusses the importance of ergonomists contributing their viewpoint of the activity and promoting collaboration between several disciplines for the purpose of MSD prevention.