Postural assessment in pen-and-paper-based observational methods and their associated health effects: a review. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sukadarin, Ezrin Hani; Deros, Baba Md; Ghani, Jaharah A.; Mohd Nawi, Nur Syazwani; Ismail, Ahmad Rasdan
• Is Part Of: International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics. Volume 22:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: posture -- observational method -- risk factors -- health effects; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Human Engineering -- Periodicals; Occupational Health -- Periodicals; Ergonomie -- Périodiques; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Human engineering; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 620.8
• DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2016.1156924
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1080-3548

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction . This review describes standardized ergonomics assessment based on pen-and-paper observational methods for assessing ergonomics risk factors. Objective . The three main objectives are to analyze published pen-and-paper observational methods, to extract and understand the risk levels of each method and to identify their associated health effects. Methodology . The authors searched scientific databases and the Internet for materials from 1970 to 2013 using the following keywords: ergo, posture, method, observational, postural angle, health effects, pain and diseases. Postural assessments of upper arms, lower arms, wrists, neck, back and legs in six pen-and-paper-based observational methods are highlighted, extracted in groups and linked with associated adverse health effects. Results . The literature reviewed showed strengths and limitations of published pen-and-paper-based observational methods in determining the work activities, risk levels and related postural angles to adverse health effects. This provided a better understanding of unsafe work postures and how to improve these postures. Conclusion . Many pen-and-paper-based observational methods have been developed. However, there are still many limitations of these methods. There is, therefore, a need to develop a new pen-and-paper-based observational method for assessing postural problems.