Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

The Comprehensive Exposure Index (CEI) Model for the Assessment of Exposure to Risk Factors of UEMSD


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Occupational Health, School of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti of Medical University (SBMU), Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The UEMSDs is a significant problem to ill health and associated costs; therefore, in order to protect workers from disorders produced by risk factors, there is a need to introduce a model for the assessment of risk factors featuring work-related UEMSDs. The CEI model is utilized by taking into consideration ten variables for repetitive tasks. Single and total percentage agreement for any item was obtained higher than 60% and all kappa factors for strength of agreements were gained rather than 0.20. Emphasizing on percentage agreement, most items were either close to or above 60%. All kappa factors for all assessment items gained higher than 0.60 and the test-retest agreements were all statistically significant. In laboratory study, for all tasks and assessment items, the percentage agreements were reached close to and above 60%. In field study, for all assessment items, the percentage agreements were obtained higher than 70%. The Kappa factors for all action levels were above 0.60 and percentage agreements for all action levels were reached to higher than 75%. Interobserver and intra-observer reliabilities and validity tests' agreement levels were obtained "acceptable" according to Landis and Koch and Baty et al. classifications. By increasing work experience and submitting training about assessment items, both Cohen's Kappa analysis factors and percentage agreement were enhanced. The model is found to be sensitive for assessing the interventions and changes in exposure and assessment items before and after ergonomic interventions. The model is also indicated to be highly reliable, valid and applicable for a vast range of tasks and jobs include e.g. weaving and textile industries, manufacturing industries, carpentry, steel industry, post offices, service industry, electronic industry, shopping and marketing, agriculture and farming industry, tailoring&sewing, barberry, bakery, bricklaying, etc. Assessment reliabilities, validities and exposure index applicability's will be improved with enhancing training and guiding to use the CEI model and elevating experience in making assessment process.

Keywords

Comprehensive Exposure Index, CEI, UEMSDS, Repetitive Tasks, Ergonomic Risk Factors Assessment
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Nordin M, Andersson G (1997). Musculoskeletal Disorders in the workplace: Principles and practice. Mosbyyear Book Inc.

  • Buckle P, Devereux J (2002). The nature of work related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Applied ergonomics, 33(3):207-17.

  • Bernard BP (1997). Musculoskeletal disorders & workplace factors: A critical review of epidemiological evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back pain. 1st ed. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) NIOSH Press, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, pp.: 183-97.

  • Putz-Anderson V(1994). Cumulative trauma,a manual for musculoskeletal disprders of the upper limb. Taylor & Francis Publishing. London. UK.

  • Hagberg M, Silverstein B,Wells R, et al. (1995). Identification, measurement and evaluation of risk. In: work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders. A Reference Book for Prevention. Eds, I Kuorinka and L Foreier. Taylor & Francis Publishing. 1st Ed. London and Philadelphia. UK.

  • Drury CG (1987). A biomechanical evaluation of the repetitive motion injury potential of industrial jobs, Seminars on Occupational Medicine. 2: 41-49.

  • Silverstein BA, Fine LJ, Armstrong TJ (1986). Handwrist cumulative trauma disorders in industry. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 43: 779-784.

  • Tanaka J, Mcglothin JD (1993). A conceptual quantitative model for prevention of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 11: 181-193.

  • Dempsey P G ( 1993).A critical review of biomechanical, epidemiological, physiological and psychological criteria for designing manual materials handling tasks. Ergonomics, 41: 73-88.

  • Occhipinti E (1998). OCRA: a concise index for the assessment of exposure to repetitive movements of the upper limbs. Ergonomics, 41: 1290-1311.

  • Keyserling WM, Stetson DS, Silverstein B, et al.(1993).A check list for evaluating ergonomic risk factor associated with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Ergonomics, 36: 807-831.

  • Moore JS, Garg A (1995). The strain index: a proposed method to analyze jobs for risk of distal upper extremity disorders. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 56: 443-458.

  • Li G, Buckle P (1999). Evaluating change in exposure to risk for musculoskeletal disorders-a practical tool. HSE Books CRR 251/1999.

  • Waters TR, Putz-Anderson V, Garg A, et al. (1993). Revised NIOSH equation for the design and evaluation of manual lifting tasks. Ergonomics, 36: 749-776.

  • CEN (1993). Safety of machinery. Human physical performance. Part 3: Recommended force limits for machinery operation. Draft PR EN 1005-3,CEN.

  • Kilbom A (1994a). Repetitive work of the upper extremities. Part 1:Guidelines for the practitioner.Part 2:The scientific basic (knowledge base) for the guide. International journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 14:51-86.

  • Armstrong TJ, Buckle P, Fine LJ, et al. (1993). A conceptual Model For Work-Related Neck And Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders, Scandinavian Journal Of Work, Environment And Health, 19:73-84.

  • Karwowski W, Marras WS (1999). The occupational Ergonomics Handbook. CRC Press LCC. 1st Ed.

  • HSE (1998). Manual handling: Guide on regulations. 2nd Ed. HSE Books. London, UK.

  • Worksafe WA (2000). Code of practice: Manual handling. Worksafe Western Australia. 1st Ed.Queensland, Australia.

  • Mital A, Nicholson AS, Ayoub MM (1997). A guide to Manual Material Handling. Taylor & Francis Ltd. 2nd Ed. pp. 13.

  • EC Council Directive L156,160, C77 (1994). Official Journal of the European Communities. pp. 9-13, 39.

  • Aresini GA (2000). Regulatory issues in occupational ergonomics. In: Occupational ergonomics: work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb and neck. Eds, F Violante, T Armstrong, A Kilbom. Taylor & Francis Publishing. 1st Ed. London & New York. UK & US. pp.210-216.

  • Van der Beek AJ, Frings-Dresen MHW (1998). Assessment of mechanical exposure in ergonomic epidemiology. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 55: 291-99.

  • Stok SH (1991). Workplace ergonomic factors and the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs: a meta- analysis. Am J Ind Med, 19:87- 107.

  • Hoogendoorn WE, Van Poppel MN, Bongers PM, et al. (2000). Systematic review of psychosocial factors at work and private life as risk factors for back pain. Spine. 25: 2114-2125.

  • Bongers P, Kremer AM, Ter laak J (2002). Are psychosocial factors, risk factors for symptoms and signs of the shoulder, elbow or hand/wrist?: a review of the epidemiological literature. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 41: 315-342.

  • Simoneau S, St.-Vincent M, Chicoine D (2003). Workrelated musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs): a better understanding for more effective prevention. Technical guide RG126-ang. IRSST.Que bec.

  • Winkel J, Mathiassen SE (1994). Assessment of physical workload in epidemiologic studies: concepts, issues and operational considerations. Ergonomics, 37: 979-988.

  • Bongers P, De winter C, Kompier M, et al. (1993). Psychosocial factors at work and musculoskeletal disease. Scandinavian Journalof Work , Environmental & Health, 19: 297-312.

  • Winkel J, Westgaard R (1992). Occupational and individual risk factors for shoulderneck complaint. Part II. The scientific basis ( literature review) for the guide. International journal of industrial ergonomics, 10: 85- 104.

  • Devereux JJ, Rydstedt L, Kellym V, et al. (2004). The role of stress and psychosocial work factors upon the development of musculoskeletal disorders.Health & Safety Executive Research Report 273.

  • Armstrong TJ, Buckle P, Fine LJ, et al. (1993). A conceptual model for work-related neck and upperlimb musculoskeletal disorders. Scandinavian Journal of work, Environment & Health, 19:73-84.

  • Li G, Buckle P (1999a). Current techniques for assessing physicai exposure to work-related musculoskeletal risks, with emphasis on posture-Based methods. Ergonomics, 42(5):674-695.

  • Landis R, Koch G (1977). The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics, 33: 159-174.

  • Baty D, Buckle PW, Stubbs DA (1986). Posture recording by direct observation, questionnaire assessment and instrumentation: a comparison based on a recent field study. In: The Ergonomic of Working Postures. EdS, EN Corlett, I Manenica, JR Wilson. Taylor & Francis Publishing. 1st Ed. London. UK.

  • Ketola R, Toivonen R, Viikari-Juntura E (2001). Interobserver repeatability and validity of an observation method to assess physical loads imposed on the upper extremities. Ergonomics, 44(2):119-31.

  • Hindle RJ, Pearcy MJ, Cross AT, et al. (1990). Three dimensional kinematics of the human back. Clinical Biomechanics, 5: 218-228.

  • Rodgers MM, Tummarakota S, Lieh J (1998). Threedimensional dynamic analysis of wheelchair propulsion. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 14:80-92.

  • Pearcy MJ, Gill JM, Hindle RJ, et al. (1987). Measurement of human back movements in three dimensions by opto-electronic devices. Clinical Biomechanics, 2: 199-204.


Abstract Views: 348

PDF Views: 0




  • The Comprehensive Exposure Index (CEI) Model for the Assessment of Exposure to Risk Factors of UEMSD

Abstract Views: 348  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

S. A. Moussavi-Najarkola
Dept. of Occupational Health, School of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti of Medical University (SBMU), Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of

Abstract


The UEMSDs is a significant problem to ill health and associated costs; therefore, in order to protect workers from disorders produced by risk factors, there is a need to introduce a model for the assessment of risk factors featuring work-related UEMSDs. The CEI model is utilized by taking into consideration ten variables for repetitive tasks. Single and total percentage agreement for any item was obtained higher than 60% and all kappa factors for strength of agreements were gained rather than 0.20. Emphasizing on percentage agreement, most items were either close to or above 60%. All kappa factors for all assessment items gained higher than 0.60 and the test-retest agreements were all statistically significant. In laboratory study, for all tasks and assessment items, the percentage agreements were reached close to and above 60%. In field study, for all assessment items, the percentage agreements were obtained higher than 70%. The Kappa factors for all action levels were above 0.60 and percentage agreements for all action levels were reached to higher than 75%. Interobserver and intra-observer reliabilities and validity tests' agreement levels were obtained "acceptable" according to Landis and Koch and Baty et al. classifications. By increasing work experience and submitting training about assessment items, both Cohen's Kappa analysis factors and percentage agreement were enhanced. The model is found to be sensitive for assessing the interventions and changes in exposure and assessment items before and after ergonomic interventions. The model is also indicated to be highly reliable, valid and applicable for a vast range of tasks and jobs include e.g. weaving and textile industries, manufacturing industries, carpentry, steel industry, post offices, service industry, electronic industry, shopping and marketing, agriculture and farming industry, tailoring&sewing, barberry, bakery, bricklaying, etc. Assessment reliabilities, validities and exposure index applicability's will be improved with enhancing training and guiding to use the CEI model and elevating experience in making assessment process.

Keywords


Comprehensive Exposure Index, CEI, UEMSDS, Repetitive Tasks, Ergonomic Risk Factors Assessment

References