BACKGROUND One of the preventive strategies for chronic low back pain among operating room nurses is instructing proper body mechanics and postural behavior, for which the use of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) has been recommended. METHODS Eighty two nurses who were in the contemplation and preparation stages for adopting correct body posture were randomly selected (control group = 40, inte...

A participative ergonomics approach to reducing injuries associated with manual tasks is widely promoted; however only limited evidence from uncontrolled trials has been available to support the efficacy of such an approach. This paper reports on a randomized and controlled trial of PErforM, a participative ergonomics intervention designed to reduce the risks of injury associated with manual ta...

This paper revisits three reports on ergonomic aspects of development initiatives taking place in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs). These include a macro-ergonomics intervention in a habitation community in Cape Verde (aimed at designing solutions contributing to sustainable development), the evolution of poultry growers' control strategies as an integrative broiler operation is introdu...

We evaluated a participatory ergonomic intervention process applied in 59 municipal kitchens. In groups of three to five kitchens, the workers participated in eight workshops, and generated and evaluated solutions to optimize musculoskeletal load in their work. An ergonomist initiated and supported the process. By the end, 402 changes were implemented. Evaluative data were collected using resea...

Ergonomics is a key concern of garment suppliers to improve their workers’ well-being and efficiency. However, suppliers’ isolated initiatives are not sufficient ergonomics conditions. Thus, buyers’ cooperation collaboration with necessary make the ergonomic successful sustainable. The purpose this study investigate impact buyer-assisted intervention on performance role assistance for improving...

Background: Ergonomic interventions and ergonomic redesign are researched upon today in the realms of 'Prevention through Design' towards addressing the occupational health and safety concerns of the industry. Objective: To review the developments over the past ten years relating to computer aided ergonomic design, and propose an ergonomic intervention framework for manufacturing systems. Metho...

BACKGROUND A high prevalence of low back pain has persisted over the years despite extensive primary prevention initiatives among nurses' aides. Many single-faceted interventions addressing just one aspect of low back pain have been carried out at workplaces, but with low success rate. This may be due to the multi-factorial origin of low back pain. Participatory ergonomics, cognitive behavioral...

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the effects of participatory workplace improvement (PWI) -based provision of ergonomic training and ergonomic action checklists (ACLs) to on-site managers on workplace improvement activities for low back pain (LBP). METHODS A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at a manufacturing company in Japan. Teams entered in the study were randomly as...