A participatory ergonomics approach to reduce mental and physical workload
article
A step-by-step approach to better work, aimed at reducing mental and physical workload in office work, is evaluated. This approach is based on a strong commitment of the management in the enterprise, and on as much direct worker participation as possible. After every step the workers proposed how to continue and a steering group led by the management decided on this proposal. The workers identified the problems, developed ideas for improvement, tested improvements and chose them. As a result, most workplaces were adjusted and more than half of the subjects took organizational measures. The approach was considered worthwhile, despite the fact that it is time consuming because it took about one year to arrive at better working conditions. Relevance to industry. Reduction of physical and mental workload is often pursued in industry. In this paper an approach is described which has been successful in implementing improvements aimed at reduction of mental and physical workload. A step-by-step approach to better work, aimed at reducing mental and physical workload in office work, is evaluated. This approach is based on a strong commitment of the management in the enterprise, and on as much direct worker participation as possible. After every step the workers proposed how to continue and a steering group led by the management decided on this proposal. The workers identified the problems, developed ideas for improvement, tested improvements and chose them. As a result, most workplaces were adjusted and more than half of the subjects took organizational measures. The approach was considered worthwhile, despite the fact that it is time consuming because it took about one year to arrive at better working conditions.
Topics
ImplementationMental workloadMusculoskeletal DiscomfortParticipatory ergonomicsStatic workWorkers participationIndustrial applicationsJob analysisManagementMotivationPersonnelMental workloadMuscoskeletal discomfortParticipatory ergonomicsPhysical workloadWorkers participationErgonomicsNederlandFysieke arbeidsbelastingErgonomieKantoorarbeidKantoorwerkzaamhedenMedezeggenschapPsychische arbeidsbelasting
TNO Identifier
232978
ISSN
01698141
Source
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 15(5), pp. 389-396.
Pages
389-396
Files
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