نقش دکتر پزشکی صنعتی در برنامه ریزی و اجرای سنجش های ارگونومیک در محل های کار

An ergonomic measure can be effective in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders such as low back pain and cervicobrachial disorders. However, they have not yet been developed or implemented to their full potential at workplaces. One reason for this is that workers are rarely given the opportunity to be trained for ergonomic methods of improvement or to put these methods into practice in the work environment. An industrial medical doctor (industrial doctor), whose duties include planning and implementing ergonomic measures, as is the case in Japan, can play an important role in encouraging such improvements in the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to outline the role of the industrial doctor in planning and implementing ergonomic measures for reducing low back pain, and in fostering worker participation in the improvement process. A case study involving the maintenance division of a steel mill is used to illustrate the role of the industrial doctor. The role is summarized as follows: (1) Educate workers on the main causes of musculo-skeletal disorders in the workplace. (2) Propose to workers practical ergonomic principles to be implemented. (3) Propose participatory improvement methods to workers. (4) Propose to workers practical, simple and low-cost measures including supports. (5) Continuously restate and reinforce the goal of the ergonomic measures to workers. (6) Advise managers to cooperate in the process and budgeting.

An ergonomic measure can be effective in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders such as low back pain and cervicobrachial disorders. However, they have not yet been fully implemented in workplaces. An effective solution to this type of problem is for an ergonomist to train workers to participate in implementing ergonomic measures in the workplace (Kawakami, 1999). In Japan, the industrial medical doctor (industrial doctor) employs ergonomic measures as well as other types of medical treatments for treating work-related health problems, as shown in Table 1. (Udo, 1999; Udo et al., 1998). Ergonomics is one of the main measures used by the industrial doctor for preventing musculo-skeletal disorders, along with hygienic engineering, work administration and supports. Therefore, the role of the industrial doctor in developing ergonomic measures in the workplace is an important one. The purpose of this study is to outline the role of the industrial doctor in planning and implementing ergonomic measures for reducing low back pain, and in fostering worker participation in the improvement process. This is illustrated using a case study of the maintenance division of a steel mill in which such ergonomic measures were implemented.

The role of the industrial doctor in planning and implementing ergonomic measures in the workplace is to propose practical ergonomic principles to be implemented, and to help workers put these principles into action by themselves.