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Evidence-based exposure criteria for workrelated musculoskeletal disorders as a tool to assess physical job demands

Issue title: IEA 2012: 18th World congress on Ergonomics - Designing a sustainable future

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kuijer, P. Paul F.M. | Van der Molen, Henk F.; | Frings-Dresen, Monique H.W.

Affiliations: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, the Netherlands | Arbouw, Ceintuurbaan 2, 3847 LG Harderwijk, the Netherlands

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: p.p.kuijer@amc.nl, Tel no.: +31-20-566-5339

Keywords: Prevention, Occupational disease, Threshold limit, Low back pain, Osteoarthritis

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0001-3795

Journal: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 3795-3797, 2012

Published: 2012
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Abstract

Despite worldwide attention, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain a substantial concern at work. To support ergonomists to assess the work-related risk factors for MSDs, several instruments are available. Unfortunately, many of these instruments are not supported by evidence-based exposure criteria for particular MSDs. For effective prevention of MSDs, it is important to know to what extent work-related risk factors are present in the work situation. The Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases (NCOD) develops evidence-based criteria documents for the assessment of work-related MSDs. The exposure criteria of these documents can be used on a group level to support ergonomists in their assessment of the physical job demands that are associated with workrelated MSDs. At the moment the NCOD has exposure criteria for the assessment of 22 work-related MSDs, for instance on the work-relatedness of upper extremity disorders, non-specific low back pain or patellar tendinopathy. The use of these exposure criteria enables ergonomist to better assess the work-related risks of MSDs as a starting point for effective prevention.

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