The effect of improved workplace design on the development of work-related musculo-skeletal illnesses

An earlier paper (Westgaard and Aaras, 1984) described the work environment and the health situation of production workers at a small Norwegian factory, prior to an extensive ergonomics effort which primarily aimed to reduce static muscle strain by constructing new workplaces. It was concluded that the old work situation significantly contributed to a high level it musculo-skeletal disorders, most likely because the old work situation made it necessary to work with high level of muscle load for long periods of the working day. This second paper concerns the other important query which initiated Have the extensive ergonomics and environmental efforts at this factory had any effect in terms of improved health of the workers? The factory, the old workplaces and the ergonomics adaptations were described in the preceding paper, and are therefore not included here.