The role of the industrial medical doctor in planning and implementing ergonomic measures at workplaces

Abstract 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. Relevance to industry This study is related to developing practical methods for ergonomic improvements in the workplace.