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Ergonomics: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. Every Method Has Both Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects There is No Clear Distinction Between Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches Professional Judgment is Required With Any Methodology. Methods. Walk-Through and Observation Checklists
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Ergonomics: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods • Every Method Has Both Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects • There is No Clear Distinction Between Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches • Professional Judgment is Required With Any Methodology
Methods • Walk-Through and Observation • Checklists • Video Analysis (Slow Motion Reviews, etc.) • Interviews and Discussions • Symptoms Surveys (Discomfort Surveys, etc.) • NIOSH Lifting Evaluations • Psychophysical Evaluations • Biomechanical Evaluations • ETC.
Symptoms Surveys • Can Sample or Census Workers Within a Facility • Generally Use a Bi-Polar Scale to Estimate Symptoms from Little or No Pain / Discomfort / Fatigue to Worst Possible Pain / Discomfort / Fatigue • Can Also Estimate Frequency of Occurrence • Surveys Can be Performed So That Workers Are Anonymous Except for Job Title • Anonymity Encourages Honesty in Reporting and Reduces Over-Reporting and Under-Reporting
Symptoms Surveys • One Purpose is to Provide a Baseline Against Which to Compare Changes • Another Purpose is to Identify the Most Troublesome Jobs or Tasks • Symptoms Surveys Can Be a Leading Indicator of Injuries • Claims are a Lagging Indicator of Injuries • HR Personnel Generally Insist That the Employer Be Prepared to Both Share Results With Workers and Also Respond to Identified Problems
Administering Symptoms Surveys • If a Sample (Rather than Census) Is To Be Taken, Operators Should Be Chosen at Random • Sample Size Should Be Based On Desired Margin of Error • A Census of Workers Should Be Taken Where Possible • Instructions Should Be Provided • Workers Should Be Allowed To Complete Without The Analyst “Standing Over Their Shoulder” • Forms Should Be Completed Quickly, Not Taken Home Over Night or Otherwise Belabored
Symptoms Surveys • Manually Scoring Symptoms Surveys and Compiling Results Is Tedious and Difficult Work • A Computerized System for Scoring and Compiling Results Would Be Desirable • Results May Indicate the Most Stressful Jobs Within a Facility