WERA: an observational tool develop to investigate the physical risk factor associated with WMSDs

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Public Health

Background:

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) pose significant health and economic burdens.
• Existing assessment tools may lack comprehensive evaluation of physical risk factors.
• There is a need for a validated, reliable, and user-friendly tool for ergonomic risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) tool.
• To investigate the validity and reliability of the WERA tool in assessing ergonomic risks.
• To determine the usability and practicality of the WERA tool in diverse workplace settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of a WERA prototype through a comprehensive literature review.
• Evaluation of psychometric properties, including validity, reliability, and usability trials.
• Statistical analysis of WERA scores against reported pain and discomfort in specific body regions.

Main Results:

• WERA scores showed a statistically significant relationship with pain/discomfort in the wrist, shoulder, and back regions.
• Inter-observer reliability indicated moderate agreement among assessors.
• Participants found the WERA tool easy, quick, valuable, and applicable to various jobs without prior training.

Conclusions:

• The WERA tool is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing ergonomic risks associated with WMSDs.
• WERA is user-friendly, requiring no specialized training or equipment, making it practical for workplace implementation.
• The WERA assessment can be readily integrated into occupational health and safety programs to mitigate WMSD risks.