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- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-
(författare)
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Ergonomists’ risk assessments : From guesstimates to strategic approaches
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most prevalent causes of work-related ill-health, consequently risk assessments of hazardous factors related to these disorders are important for prevention. Occupational Health Services (OHS) providers are independent experts, supporting employers regarding work environment issues and rehabilitation. Ergonomists represents one of the professions within OHS, and risk assessment regarding musculoskeletal disorders is within the scope of their work tasks. The overall objective was to explore Swedish ergonomists’ practices and approaches with risk assessments, in order to contribute new knowledge about how ergonomists’ work methods can be further developed to improve prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Paper I explored the process of risk assessment assignments and the ergonomists’ use of observation-based risk-assessment tools. The result showed a lack of systematic approaches regarding risk assessment assignments and limited use and knowledge of observation-based risk-assessment tools. In Paper II inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of risk assessments, without the use of an explicit observational method were assessed. The results showed a non-acceptable reliability. Paper III explored ergonomists experiences of an e-learning concept for knowledge translation in the OHS context. The e-learning concept was considered as feasible. The knowledge translation inspired increased use of risk-assessment tools, changes in the risk assessment procedures, e.g. selection of tools, and employing a participatory approach. Paper IV described the development of a process model for occupational health surveillance for workers exposed to hand-intensive work (HIW-model), and the studies that will explore the model. Paper V explored company representatives’ experiences of the HIW-model, and factors which facilitated the execution of the model. The model contributed to increased risk awareness and understanding of how individual workers’ musculoskeletal ill-health relates to exposures in work. Facilitating factors were: a joint start-up meeting in which the process was planned, clear communication, and clarity regarding the ownership of the process. In conclusion, the findings showed that ergonomists’ expertise is needed in the entire risk management process and not only in the risk assessment phase. In this process, the ergonomists need to be active and take the expert role (which includes a stocked toolbox) and support the employer through the whole risk management process from initiation to evaluation of risk controlling measures.
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- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Factors influencing ergonomists' use of observation-based risk-assessment tools
- 2019
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Ingår i: Work. - : IOS PRESS. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 64:1, s. 93-106
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Several observation-based risk-assessment tools have been developed in recent decades. Studies reporting their use often focus only on the user, the ergonomist. The influence of context and the attributes of the tools may also affect the use but are factors that are seldom considered. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore the process of risk-assessment assignments and to identify factors influencing the use of research-based observation-based risk-assessment tools among Swedish ergonomists, with a background as reg. physiotherapists, employed in Occupational Health Services (OHS). METHODS: A web-based questionnaire (n = 70) was combined with semi-structured interviews (n = 12). RESULTS: There was limited use of several observation-based risk-assessment tools. Furthermore, the results showed that ergonomics risk-assessment assignments are most commonly initiated reactively and that interventions were seldom evaluated. Factors that influence use are related both to the ergonomist and to the attributes of the tools as well as to contextual factors assigned to authorities, and internal organisations both within occupational health service companies and client companies. CONCLUSION: There was a lack of systematic approaches in ergonomics risks assessment and low use and knowledge of risk-assessment tools. This indicates that there is a need to support OHS companies in implementing systematic tools in their practice.
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- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-
(författare)
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Företagshälsovårdens arbete med förebyggande arbetsmiljöåtgärder inom fysisk arbetsmiljö : Arbetssätt, metoder och effekter
- 2014
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- En av företagshälsovårdens viktigaste uppgifter är att arbeta med primärpreventiva tjänster för att förebygga arbetsrelaterade ohälsa hos sina kundföretag. Det finns generellt sett lite internationell forskning om företagshälsovård och dess förebyggande arbetsmiljöarbete. Denna litteraturstudie syftar till att undersöka hur företagshälsovården arbetar som utförare av arbetsmiljöinterventioner hos olika kundföretag med inriktning på primärprevention gällande fysisk arbetsmiljö. Sju artiklar inkluderades i studien. Resultatet visar att det finns få studier där det tydligt framgår att företagshälsovården är utförare av interventionen. De inkluderade studierna visar att när ett multidisciplinärt team varit involverat samt när interventioner har skett på flera nivåer, det vill säga på organisations-, grupp- och individnivå så har effekten varit positiv. Framgångsrika arbetssätt som testats av företagshälsovården för ett primärpreventivt arbete inom fysisk arbetsmiljö har bland annat inneburit systematiska riskbedömningar och teamarbete tillsammans med kundföretaget.
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- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Inter - and intra - observer reliability of risk assessment of repetitive work without an explicit method
- 2017
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 62, s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A common way to conduct practical risk assessments is to observe a job and report the observed long term risks for musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of ergonomists' risk assessments without the support of an explicit risk assessment method. Twenty-one experienced ergonomists assessed the risk level (low, moderate, high risk) of eight upper body regions, as well as the global risk of 10 video recorded work tasks. Intra-observer reliability was assessed by having nine of the ergonomists repeat the procedure at least three weeks after the first assessment. The ergonomists made their risk assessment based on his/her experience and knowledge. The statistical parameters of reliability included proportional agreement, kappa, linearly weighted kappa, intraclass correlation and Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The average inter-observer proportional agreement of the global risk was 53% and the corresponding weighted kappa was 0.32, indicating fair reliability. The intra-observer agreement was 61% and 0.41. This study indicates that risk assessments of the upper body, without the use of an explicit observational method, have non-acceptable reliability. It is therefore recommended to use systematic risk assessment methods to a higher degree.
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| 6. |
- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-
(författare)
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Occupational health services in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders : Processes, tools and organizational aspects
- 2017
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are associated with high costs and it is essential to prevent them. Occupational Health Services(OHS) provide expert services regarding work environment, health and rehabilitation of work related disorders. Risk assessments of the work environment can be an initial step for preventive measures, and ergonomists can be assigned by clients to assess exposures in the work environment. For such assignments different tools can be used. The aim of this thesis was to explore prerequisites, processes and practices of OHS consultants in Sweden within the domain of primary prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This was explored through the work of ergonomists in their role of assessing ergonomics risks. The research methodology was both quantitative and qualitative. Data collection includes a web questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and inter- and intra-observer reliability tests. The results shows that ergonomics risk assessments were most commonly initiated reactively and a systematic work methodology for the risk assessment process was often lacking. Swedish ergonomists used only a few standardized tools for risk assessment. The Ergonomics provision from the Swedish Work Environment Authority, AFS-98, was widely used, but other observation-based tools were used far less often. Ergonomics risks were often assessed solely by means of observation, based on ergonomists’ knowledge and experience. The results also pointed to that that the reliability was not acceptable when risk assessment was performed without any standardized tool. Furthermore, the results point to that support from the OHS organizations is an important prerequisite for ergonomists to work with primary prevention. Further, opportunities for specialization within a specific industry sector seem to facilitate ergonomic interventions. It is also important to have close relationships with clients and to make them aware about ergonomists competence. Conclusively, this thesis identifies a numbers of areas in which OHS must develop to improve primary preventive services regarding work environment.
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- Rolfö, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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An activity-based flex office : Planning processes and outcomes
- 2017
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Ingår i: 48th Annual Conference of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists. - Banff, Alberta, Canada. ; , s. 330-338
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This longitudinal case study addresses activities used in the planning process of a new activity based flex office (A-FO), and addresses results after the relocation. The results show that several activities were used to involve employees in the planning process. Employee satisfaction and perceived performance were rated in more positive terms after the relocation than before. The company’s process can be considered as a good example of planning and design processes.
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