Participative approach to the in hospital management of muscoloskeletal disorders
Magnavita, N.; Castorina, S.; Ciavarella, M.; Ciufoli, A.M.; Saffioti, C.
Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro Ed Ergonomia 29(3 Suppl): 561-563
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1592-7830 PMID: 18409832 Document Number: 608993
Health care workers are exposed to a wide range of musculo-skeletal hazards: manual loading (nurses, ancillary personnel, blue-collars), body posture (technicians, physicians, nurses, blue-collars), repetitive motions (clerks, blue-collars, technicians). An integrated management approach to tackle musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was proposed in three health care organizations. An action programme, including participatory modification of tasks and jobs, and early identification and treatment of MSDs cases has been implemented, following a proper assessment of the hazards and risks. Participatory ergonomics programs proved to be effective in reducing absence rate and prevalence of workers with reduced work capacity, and in increasing workers' job satisfaction.