Developing modified equipment and work practices to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from conservation treatment

Conservation treatments often involve the use of awkward static postures and intensive periods of fine detail work, which can lead to injury. Conservators at Artlab Australia have worked collaboratively with an Occupational Health Physiotherapist/Ergonomist, over the past 10 years and have systematically considered a range of injury risk factors, including movements and postures, load, work organisation, working environment and personal factors. These factors were then evaluated according to a risk-rating matrix that is embedded in the risk assessment process. Using this matrix, the risk rating for musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper back, shoulders, elbows and wrists was identified as high. Various innovative engineering solutions were developed that involved redesigning standard equipment including electric, height-adjustable, multi-component tables and adjustable sloped work surfaces for carrying out conservation treatments. This example of a multi-faceted, participative ergonomics approach, combining innovative engineering controls, with changes to the work practices and improved awareness of risk for injury has been highly successful in reducing the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from conservation treatments at Artlab Australia.