Systematic risk management with RAMP for riskassessment and adapted changes - an implementation study

• RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling – Proactively), is arisk management tool focusing on manual handling work. Since 2017 RAMP has beenspread to over 105 countries. More than other methods, RAMP supports the entire riskmanagement process. RAMP is based on risk factors documented in scientific literature,and it has been evaluated regarding usability and reliability. It is now used for MSDrisk management in many organisations. The feedback from RAMP users is positive,and there are indications of reductions in sick absence.The purpose of the ongoing project is to investigate a selection of effects thatimplementation entails and to examine the implementation of RAMP from a leadershipand system perspective. Specific questions are: What happens when a companyimplements RAMP? Are the risk factors reduced? What affects the change? Whatstrategies do companies use when implementing RAMP? Are the effects of whichstrategies companies apply when implementing affected? What are the facilitators andbarriers to the implementation of this risk management method?The project is carried out as an implementation study based on mixed methods incollaboration between researchers and four production companies and two FHV actors.The effects and implementation of RAMP will be evaluated by comparing risk levels,qualitative interviews, document analyses, questionnaires and structured observationsof work processes. For changes in risk factors, RAMP risk assessments, which includeobservations and objectivemeasurements of push-pull forces, carried out at baseline andat follow-up will be compared. If possible, in addition to the above data collection, thecompany's own data on sick leave, productivity and quality (eg quality deficiency data)will be included and monitored over time.Implementations and effects of RAMP will be summarized in so-called logicalmodels. These models will identify inputs (e.g. time and resources set aside forimplementation), activities (e.g. training and measures implemented), intermediate(short-term) outcomes (e.g. the extent to which RAMP is used in the systematic workenvironment work and in the entire process for risk management, how much of the highrisks have been reduced, what type of measures have been taken and how the riskawareness has developed among employees), long-term outcomes (e.g. employees'perception of the workload, perceived health and perceived problems), and possiblylong-term outcomes (e.g. changes in sick absence, quality and productivity as well assharing good examples within the organisation).157At this point in the project, the questionnaire has been designed, companies havebeen contacted, and data collection at the first company, that now has assigned animplementation strategy, is about to start.The project is expected to show what effects on the work environment (possibly alsohealth, quality and productivity) that systematic application of the RAMP method canhave, aswell aswhich of the studied factors affect the implementation and to what extentthey do so. The results are expected to lead to new knowledge in the area of systematicrisk management and implementation strategies.

Nyckelord

Ergonomics

Risk assessment

Risk management

Implementation

Intervention

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