A model for solving work related musculoskeletal problems in a profitable way

Interventions against occupational musculoskeletal disorders are usually performed by ergonomists. An overview of the literature shows that ergonomists often are unsuccessful; musculoskeletal disorders may be prevalent at workplaces where large ergonomic resources have been put in, thus illustrating the significance of other factors in addition to those against which the intervention is applied. It is claimed that some modern rationalization strategies may offer a potential for 'good' ergonomics. Thus, prevailing management approaches often now focus on team building, flat organizations, training of multiple skills and so on. The main scope of the present issue of Applied Ergonomics is to throw light on this possibility of 'achieving ergonomics impact through management intervention'. This present paper presents a historical overview of occupational physical work load as a function of ergonomics, as well as rationalizations and concludes with a more elaborate discussion of the present intervention concept for solving work related musculoskeletal problems in a profitable way. Rationalization and guidelines for physical work load are the basic parameters in the present intervention concept. Due to this the present special issue also presents historical overviews of the development of these parameters (Westgaard and Winkel; Bjorkman). 'Achieving ergonomics impact through management intervention' is illustrated through two case studies (Kadefors et al and Bao et al). They demonstrate an obvious ergonomic potential offered by the presented intervention concept. However, the two case studies also describe several practical obstacles which need to be further investigated in future intervention research.