[Ergonomic risk assessment: aspects applicable in the light of current standards]

The Italian decree law 81/2008 mentions the application of ergonomic principles as a basic tool for the prevention. In this regulation we can not find the definition either of Ergonomics nor of the competences required for its correct application. The Authors consider that occupational physicians have a suitable competence and knowledge on the matter, thanks to their highly specialized training. Actually, the ergonomic doctrine shows up in the daily practice of occupational physicians, who regularly base their activity on the evaluation of the binomial "worker-task": in the management of fitness to work judgements they try to combine operating conditions with worker's psychophysical state, not confining themselves to a simple expression ofa medico-legal certificate. However, the legislative references to specific regulations raise difficulties to occupational physicians in dealing with aspects such as gender, age, reference values and methodological choices. The Authors debate these difficulties in the application of rules.