Musculoskeletal disorders: OWAS review
Marta Gómez-Galán1, José Pérez-Alonso1, Ángel-Jesús Callejón-Ferre1,2
1Department of Engineering, University of Almería, Spain.
Industrial Health
|May 10, 2017
Summary
The Occupational Weight Assessment and Analysis (OWAS) method is frequently used in manufacturing and healthcare to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Research indicates a need to refine OWAS evaluation parameters, as it may overestimate risks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Ergonomics
- Public Health
Background:
- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) pose a significant global challenge, attracting interest from governments and industries.
- Effective prevention strategies are crucial for workforce well-being and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive literature review on the applications of the OWAS method across various sectors and countries.
- To analyze the historical usage patterns of the OWAS method from its inception to March 2017.
Main Methods:
- Literature search conducted using the Web of Science database, focusing on the term "OWAS".
- Time period for the search spanned from 1900 to 2017.
- Identified 166 relevant publications, including conference papers and journal articles.
Main Results:
- The OWAS method has been predominantly applied in "Manufacturing industries" and "Healthcare and Social assistance activities".
- Analysis revealed consistent detection of musculoskeletal disorder risks when OWAS was employed, individually or in combination with other methods.
Conclusions:
- The OWAS method is a valuable tool but requires complementary use with other direct or indirect assessment methods.
- Findings suggest a potential for overestimation of risk by OWAS, necessitating a review of its evaluation parameters.
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