Three years of the OCRA methodology in Brazil: critical analysis and results

Abstract

The Authors make a detailed analysis of the introduction of the OCRA Methodology in Brazil that started in August 2008 with the launching of the “OCRA Book” translated to Portuguese. They evaluate the importance of the assessment of the exposure of the upper limbs to the risk due to repetitive movements and efforts, according to the national and international legislation, demonstrating the interconnection of the OCRA Methodology with the Regulating Norms of the Ministry of Labor and Work (NRs – MTE), especially with the NR-17 and its Application Manual. They discuss the new paradigms of the OCRA Method in relation to the classic paradigms of the ergonomic knowledge. They indicate the OCRA Method as the tool to be used for the confirmation or not of the New Previdentiary Epidemiologic Nexus NTEP/FAP. The Authors present their conclusions based on the practical results the “participants certified by the OCRA Methodology” achieved in the application on different laboral activities in diverse economic segments, showing the risk reduction and the productivity of the companies.