PREVENTION OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSDs) AT WORK: EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE USING A PARTICIPATIVE APPROACH AND SOFTWARE TOOLS Wells, R.P. (1), Frazer, M..F. (1), Cole, D. (2), Kerr, M.S. (2), Brawley, L. (1), Theberge, N. (1), Laing, A. (1), Kerton, R. (1), Granzow, K (1). (1) Departments of Kinesiology, Sociology and Economics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, and (2) Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, ON Other Contributors Beech-Hawley, L., Ferrier, S., Greco, L., Moore, A. Neumann, P.,, Polanyi, M., Goals: The amount of knowledge about work related physical and psychosocial risk factors and patho-physiology of the range of conditions known as MSD’s has increased dramatically over the past decade. The challenge remains to synthesize the knowledge in convenient forms, create tools with which workplaces can be assessed and develop approaches that enable organizations to minimize MSD risks. To use best-evidence from recent research to change workplaces to prevent development of MSDs Users Exchange and Transfer Vehicles To maximise the likelihood and extent of workplace change in the industrial sector we have chosen a participatory approach. The targets of knowledge transfer are participants in this process; they include workers, management, organized labour, engineers, maintenance, and health and safety personnel. For workers, management and organized labour we chose a process oriented approach with tools and checklists This is based upon a general problem solving approach including problem identification, evaluation and solution building with specific tools for evaluating and improving the ergonomic quality of jobs. For engineers and health and safety personnel we supplemented this approach with a suite of software tools (ErgoWatch, which could be used both reactively and proactively in design. The major part of this tool is based on our laboratory and epidemiological work. These vehicles were based upon best available evidence and created to be useful within the participatory process. 1. Challenge: Changing Workplaces Through a Participatory Change Process WSIB/HEALNet Epidemiological Studies in Industrial and Office Workplaces IWH/UW/CAW/GM/ SONG/STAR Implementation of Participatory Change Processes UW/ IWH /CAW/TWG/ WSIB/HEALNet Research Base on Work and Musculoskeletal Disorders Impact Manufacturing: Plant 1 Clarify and Operationalize the Research Base Evaluations WSIB/HEALNet Knowledge Transfer And Exchange: Tools + Techniques Funding and participating groups Impact Manufacturing: Plant 2 Impact Manufacturing: Plant 3 Impact Courier

Impact Evaluation A range of knowledge transfer tools have been used within a participatory change process to transfer best current knowledge to prevent MSDs. Based upon our first participatory change project, and its successful evaluation, we have extended our efforts to other plants to further refine the approach and to test its generality. Conclusions Participative Change Process Three studies were performed in a Canadian company which supplies the automotive industry which has multiple similar plants in Canada and internationally. Evaluations are performed using a variety of measures: Measures of exposures using video, observation and technical means such as electromyography Measures of efforts, pain and discomfort, and perceptions of the work environments, (psychosocial factors) Assessment of the process of change using qualitative methods; semi-structured interviews with formal analysis Study #1 Participative Change Team A participatory change process in a manufacturing plant was performed using the tools described above. An ergonomics change team comprising workers management engineering, human resources, maintenance, and organized labour was formed and trained. During the first nine months a total of 21 changes were made. These were assessed using questionnaires, rating scales and, where possible, direct measures of forces, postures and muscle activity. Changes were found to reduce exposure to MSD risk factors. Interviews showed good support for the process and changes from all levels of the plant. An 18month follow up is currently underway. Study #2 Participative Change Team Replication A participatory change process in a sister manufacturing plant is currently being performed. A “control” plant was identified. Study #3 Engineering Change to a Production Process Based upon the risk factors determined in study #1 we participated in a design process by corporate engineering to minimize these risk factors using the “proactive process” shown above. The new design was mocked-up using CAD drawings and digital human mannequins and the repercussions of design variants documented. A physical mock-up was created and a user trial with current workers of different heights was conducted. These data were used in the final engineering design. The new design was installed in April 2001 in one plant alongside the current design. We are evaluating the new and old designs using questionnaires, observational and instrumented measures Study #4 Participative Change Team Replication in another Multi-Site Company A participatory change process in a courier company is in its initial stages. A “control” plant will be used.