Including the ergonomist's voice in integrating MSD prevention and psychological health and safety: Challenges, tools, and considerations

The purpose of this study was to gather ergonomists’ perspectives and experiences, describing current challenges and contextual considerations in risk assessment, exploring how ergonomists are currently integrating the multiple domains of ergonomics for MSD and/or psychological health and safety and highlighting key considerations in the design and format of future tools.

In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty Canadian ergonomists to explore risk assessment tool use, favoured characteristics and format of tools, commonly addressed risk factors in their practice, and tools relating to both MSD prevention and psychological health and safety. The range of practitioner years of experience highlighted differing needs and approaches to the use and formatting of risk assessment tools. Practitioners reported using quantitative outcomes (levels of risk, values) from traditional physical tools complemented by a general observation of psychosocial or organizational factors. Though many respondents had not yet encountered the need for psychological injury assessment in their sectors it was identified as a quickly emerging area citing a need for valid and reliable tools. Practitioners noted a lack of available tools that integrated cognitive and psychosocial items presenting a future challenge for integrated tools that covered multiple ergonomic domains. Along with recommendations for future tool development, the authors reflect on the process of qualitative inquiry as an essential step in the risk assessment process. Future studies will be needed to develop and evaluate measurement properties of integrating psychosocial factors and their respective tools in traditional MSD assessment.