OCRA inter-and intra-ergonomist reliability in ten video recorded work tasks

• In occupational health services (OHS) observation-based risk assessment methods are generally accepted as an objective mean for evaluation of exposure. The assessments are normally performed by well-trained ergonomists and based on real time observations or observing video recordings. According to a review of 30 assessment methods (Takala et al. 2010), several methods were insufficient tested for validity and reliability. Furthermore, OHS have called for systematic and scientifically based methods that are user friendly and cost effective (Andersson et al. 2006). The OCRA (Occupational Repetitive Actions) method is included as a reference method in ISO (ISO 11228-3) and CEN (1005-5) standards regarding risk assessment of upper limb repetitive actions. It includes time-based exposure variables such as recovery and frequency, and is more comprehensive than most other methods. Moreover, the final risk score, that predict the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, is based on epidemiological research (Colombini 1998, Occhipinti 1998). In the present paper, the OCRA checklist (Occhipinti and Colombini 2006) is used, which is a simplified version of the more comprehensive OCRA index. The method may be a seen as a suitable alternative for OHS-ergonomists. However, the method is not commonly used in Sweden and it has not until now been translated to Swedish. Moreover, validity and reliability studies are limited. The purpose of the present study was to examine the reliability of the OCRA checklist assessed by experienced ergonomist in a broad range of occupational situations. The objectives were to, with respect to exposure variables and the calculated risk level, estimate the consistency of 1) assessments performed by different ergonomists (inter-rater reliability) and 2) repeated assessments performed by one and the same ergonomist (intra-rater reliability) of the OCRA checklist.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsmedicin och miljömedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Health and Environmental Health (hsv//eng)

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