Ergoscore is a quick and easy tool for ergonomics risk analysis. It traces bottlenecks and provides an impetus for action. You calculate an Ergoscore for each task.
The ergonomics risk assessment with the Ergoscore always goes through four steps:
- Describe task
- Identify ergonomic risks
- Evaluate ergonomic risk factors
- Take measures
Ergoscore guides you through the ergonomic risk assessment with measures and an automatic report. The ergonomics risk analysis is best done participatively with the employees and hierarchy. They are the experts of the task.
Validity
To test the validity of the Ergoscore, the relation between the risk scores and the Nordic Questionnaire scores was examined. An Ergoscore was calculated for nine ergonomic risks for 186 tasks. The 4,322 employees with a permanent contract completed the Nordic Questionnaire, answering questions about where they experienced physical complaints regularly over the past 12 months.
For the risks of lifting, pulling and pushing, repetitive work and kneeling, the relation was examined with physical complaints affecting the back, shoulders, wrists and knees, respectively. For standing and sitting work, the risk was always combined with repetitive work to investigate the relationship with back complaints. The relative risk of physical complaints was then calculated for each risk in relation to the Ergoscore.
For each risk, the number of employees who reported physical complaints during the past year was examined for each risk category. The risk categories are a risk score of 0-49, 50-74, 75-99 and 100 and above. Across all risks, the average relative risk was 1, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.2 respectively. A risk score of 75 points or more significantly increases the likelihood of physical complaints. The highest relative risks were associated with lifting, repetitive work and kneeling.
Belgian legislation
Ergoscore implements Codex VIII Ergonomics and Prevention of MSD. This refers to a risk assessment with risks and risk factors. Ergonomic risks encompass musculoskeletal risks and other health risks such as cardiovascular risks. The ergonomic risk factors are four general groups of risk factors that include biomechanical, organizational, psychosocial and environmental risk factors. These also cover the biomechanical factors listed in codex VIII.1 and the risk factors in codex VIII.3 and codex VIII.4. By working with a qualitative description, it is possible to add risk factors yourself if necessary.
In total, Ergoscore takes more than 40 work-related risk factors into account. The biomechanical risk factors of repetition and duration fall under “time”, posture and movement under “posture”, force under “intensity” and contact under “circumstances”. Ergoscore also takes “other risk factors” into account. Organisational risk factors include for example speed, breaks, recovery and duration. Psychosocial risk factors that are considered include control, pace, work pressure and focus. The environmental risk factors within Ergoscore are vibration, lighting, noise and temperature. Codex I and V also require a separate risk analysis for the psychosocial aspects and physical agents respectively.