Researchers of work-related musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly asked about the evidentiary base for mechanical exposure reductions. Mixed messages may arise from the different disciplinary cultures of evidence which make different sets of findings incomensurate. Interventions also operate at different levels within workplaces and result in different intensities of mechanical exposure reduction. Heterogeneity in reporting on intervention processes and in measuring relevant outcomes make synthesis of research reports difficult.

To synthesize current understanding of measures, we describe a set of intervention and observations nodes for which relevant workplace indicators prior to, during and after mechanical exposure reduction can provide useful information. Based on this path of exposure reduction impacts, we describe an approach to the evaluation of multi-level ergonomic interventions which can assist fellow researchers in producing evidence relevant to the challenges faced by workplace parties and policy makers.

Cole, D, Wells, R, Kerr, M., Laing, A. & the Ergonomic Intervention Evaluation Research Group (2003), Methodological Issues In Evaluating Workplace Interventions To Reduce Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Through Mechanical Exposure Reduction, Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 29(5):396-405.