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Exposure assessment in different occupational groups at a hospital using Quick Exposure Check (QEC) – A pilot study

Issue title: IEA 2012: 18th World congress on Ergonomics - Designing a sustainable future

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ericsson, Pernilla | Björklund, Martin; | Wahlström, Jens

Affiliations: Work and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University Hospital, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden | Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, SE-801 76 Gävle, Sweden | Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden | Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Keywords: exposure assessment, risk assessment, observations

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0929-5718

Journal: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5718-5720, 2012

Published: 2012
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Abstract

In order to test the feasibility and sensitivity of the ergonomic exposure assessment tool Quick Exposure Check (QEC), a pilot-study was conducted. The aim was to test QEC in different occupational groups to compare the exposure in the most common work task with the exposure in the work task perceived as the most strenuous for the neck/shoulder region, and to test intra-observer reliability. One experienced ergonomist observed 23 workers. The mean observation time was 45 minutes, waiting time and time for complementary questions included. The exposure scores varied between the different occupational groups as well as between workers within the occupational groups. Eighteen workers rated their most common work task as also being the most strenuous for the neck/shoulder region. For the remaining five workers, the mean exposure score were higher both for the neck and shoulder/arm in the most common work task. Intra-observer reliability shows agreement in 86% of the exposure interactions in the neck and in 71% in the shoulder/arm. QEC seems to fulfill the expectations of being a quick, sensible and practical exposure assessment tool that covers physical risk factors in the neck, upper extremities and low back.

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