Occupational health and safety advocates have identified the critical role that pollution prevention(P2) can play in improving worker health and safety; and, conversely, the potential for risk shifting from the environment to workers when process and product changes are made. Process mapping models, developed from the engineering sciences, are recommended to evaluate the impact of P2 changes. However, these models are not likely to capture potential ergonomic risks. Methods that integrate process evaluation with ergonomic assessment are needed.
Objectives: (1) To discuss the conceptual challenge of exposure analysis designed to characterize ergonomic risk shifting in P2 initiatives, and (2) to introduce a new tool designed to evaluate the ergonomic impact of P2 interventions in hospitals.
Methods: A literature review was conducted of ergonomics checklists, P2 surveys for the healthcare industry and tools designed to identify the occupational health/safety impact of P2 changes. A tool was developed to detect ergonomic risk shifting. This tool was utilized in concert with a larger Industrial hygiene/safety assessment tool in several hospital departments undergoing P2 changes.
Results and Conclusions: Ergonomic hazards, including biomechanical and psychosocial stressors, should and can be eliminated or reduced when jobs are redesigned during P2 interventions. Previously developed tools designed to study the impact of P2 changes did not adequately capture ergonomic risk factors. An assessment tool was developed and applied in hospitals that can (1) record ergonomic risk factors at an appropriate level of detail, and (2) detect more serious ergonomic risk factors that may require more detailed analysis.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Ergonomics, Occupational Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.