HARBO, a simple computer-aided observation method for recording work postures

Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work

“…Observations have been moderately correlated with direct technical measurements of arm and trunk postures. The inter-observer repeatability has been good (38). No reports on associations with MSD were found.…”

“…The position of the hands is regarded as a proxy for postural demands on the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Observations are made and registered in real time with a hand-held computer using the software originally developed for the PEO method (38). Observations have been moderately correlated with direct technical measurements of arm and trunk postures.…”

Reliability of assessing upper limb postures among workers performing manufacturing tasks

“…Due to their low cost and ability to capture individual exposures for large populations, observational methods have been commonly used to assess awkward postures in occupational settings. Observational tools range from simple checklists and diagrams to computer-based programs (Priel, 1974;Karhu et al, 1977;Keyserling, 1986;Van der Beek et al, 1992;McAtamney and Corlett, 1993;Fransson-Hall et al, 1995;Wiktorin et al, 1995;Hignett and McAtamney, 2000). Based on research investigating the utility of self-report, video observation, and direct measurements, Spielholz et al (2001) concluded that video analysis is the most reasonable choice for large epidemiological studies.…”

“…Exposure assessment tools have ranged from indirect methods that provide qualitative estimates to direct methods that yield quantification of physiologic responses. Awkward postures have been assessed by analyzing the frequency of extreme joint motion, duration in a specific posture, and magnitude of joint angle (Karhu et al, 1997;Keyserling, 1986;Van der Beek et al, 1992;McAtamney and Corlett, 1993;Wiktorin et al, 1995;Fransson-Hall et al, 1995;Ergonomics Analysis and Design Research Consortium, 2003). Due to their low cost and ability to capture individual exposures for large populations, observational methods have been commonly used to assess awkward postures in occupational settings.…”

Interview versus questionnaire for assessing physical loads in the population-based MUSIC-Norrt�lje study

“…Beek et al, 1994;Viikari-Juntura et al, 1996]. The posture ''hands below knuckle level'' is similar to the posture ''trunk flexed forward Ͼ 40°'' [Wiktorin et al, 1995], which was the posture validated in the above-mentioned studies. The high accuracy of self-reported time spent in the three work postures could be due to the fact that they were directly related to familiar work tasks, they were mutually exclusive, and the responder received a time frame, i.e., the sum of the estimated times should exactly correspond with the time of a working day.…”