This study compares the ergonomic risk-factor assessments of workers with and without musculoskeletal
pain. A questionnaire on the musculoskeletal pain experienced in various body regions during
the 12 months and seven days preceding the data collection was administered to 473 workers from three
industrial sectors. The Ergonomic Workplace Analysis method, developed by the Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health (FIOH), was then used by the workers and an ergonomics expert to assess the
workstations. The ergonomic quality of the workstations and the need for change were also assessed by
the expert and the workers at the workstation, using visual analog scales (VAS). Results show that the
workers in this study were exposed to significant musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors, according
to the FIOH assessment and the high percentages of reported pain. The results also show that those who
reported pain in the seven days prior to the assessment evaluated their workstations more negatively
than subjects who reported no pain, while the expert found no difference between the two groups'
exposure to MSD risk factors.