Background This review provides an overview of the range of methods that have been developed for the assessment
of exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
............................................................................................................................................................
Methods Relevant publications and material on exposure assessment techniques have been gathered for
inclusion in this review.
............................................................................................................................................................
Results The methods have been categorized under three main headings: (1) self-reports from workers can be
used to collect data on workplace exposure to both physical and psychosocial factors by using methods
that include worker diaries, interviews and questionnaires; (2) observational methods that may be
further subdivided between (a) simpler techniques developed for systematically recording workplace
exposure that enable an observer to assess and record data on a number of factors using specifically
designed pro-forma sheets for establishing priorities for workplace intervention; and (b) advanced
techniques developed for the assessment of postural variation for highly dynamic activities that record
data either on videotape or are computer analysed using dedicated software; (3) direct measurements
using monitoring instruments that rely on sensors attached directly to the subject for the measurement
of exposure variables at work.
............................................................................................................................................................
Conclusions The choice between the methods available will depend upon the application concerned and the
objectives of the study. General, observation-based assessments appear to provide the levels of costs,
capacity, versatility, generality and exactness best matched to the needs of occupational safety and
health practitioners (or those from related professions) who have limited time and resources at their
disposal and need a basis for establishing priorities for intervention.
............................................................................................................................................................
Key words Ergonomics; exposure assessment; measurement; musculoskeletal disorders; observation; review; risk
factors; self-reports.
............................................................................................................................................................