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Measuring low back injury risk factors in challenging work environments: An evaluation of cost and feasibility
Author(s) -
Trask Catherine,
Teschke Kay,
Village Judy,
Chow Yat,
Johnson Peter,
Luong Nancy,
Koehoorn Mieke
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20497
Subject(s) - medicine , accelerometer , work (physics) , data collection , occupational safety and health , occupational medicine , occupational exposure , risk analysis (engineering) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , environmental health , operations management , computer science , engineering , pathology , statistics , mechanical engineering , mathematics , operating system
Background Measuring low back injury risk factors in field research presents challenges not encountered in laboratory environments. Methods We compared the practical application of five measurement methods (observations, interviews, electromyography (EMG), inclinometry, and vibration monitoring) for 223 worker days in 50 heavy‐industry worksites in western Canada. Data collection successes, challenges, costs, and data detail were documented for each method. Results Measurement success rates varied from 42.2% (seatpan accelerometer) to 99.6% (post‐shift interview) of worker days assessed. Missed days for direct monitoring equipment were primarily due to explosive environments, workplace conditions likely to damage the equipment, and malfunctions. Costs per successful measurement day were lowest for interviews (∼$23), about 10‐fold higher for observations and inclinometry, and more than 20‐fold higher for EMG and vibration monitoring. Conclusions Costs and successful field performance need to be weighed against the added data detail gained from monitoring equipment when making choices about exposure assessment techniques for epidemiological studies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:687–696, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.