Citation

Laitinen H, Saari J, Kivisto M, Rasa PL. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1998; 21(1): 35-45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A development process lasting nearly 3 years in an engineering plant employing 300 people was evaluated for psychosocial effects by using a before-after design. In the beginning, the plant had a high absenteeism rate, mostly due to musculoskeletal injuries. The plant required several procedural and technical improvements which were inhibited by adversarial industrial relations. A participatory process focusing on tools and materials was carried out in all departments. As a result, numerous technical and procedural improvements were achieved. The effects were assessed with questionnaire studies conducted before the process and after it. Even though the changes were mostly technical, several positive effects on the psychosocial work environment were observed. Absenteeism fell by 25% and the positive effects on musculoskeletal loading were obvious. Technical improvements were therefore a concrete way of achieving a favorable psychosocial impact. Relevance to industryThe study describes an application of a participatory ergonomics process. The methodology worked well in a situation in which the management and workers were unable to initiate a development process. The study presents a model for an ergonomics implementation process which had clear positive effects on ergonomic and psychosocial factors.