Evaluating the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions at AGS Movers Zimbabwe

Author

Hukuimwe, Amanda V.

Title

Evaluating the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions at AGS Movers Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions existing at AGS Movers Zimbabwe on how well ergonomic interventions —pre-task stretching and manual handling training— improved musculoskeletal occurrences in moving and storage enterprises. The study aimed to investigate what the main cause for relatively high costs of work related injuries at the workplace where given the existence of an ergonomics intervention program. The first step was to measure (identify) awareness of the ergonomics intervention program by the employees (to determine if they knew what it was and other relevant details). Data was collected through face to face interviews to measure the level of awareness of interventions by the employees (ability to state them and, as well as to obtain their perception on the factors influencing intervention effectiveness. The results indicated that high awareness of interventions existing in a workplace by the employees is crucial to ascertain the efficacy of the ergonomic interventions. Secondly, there are a number of factors which influence the effectiveness of ergonomic intervention effectiveness lack of employee empowerment to ergonomic intervention practice and incorrect application of interventions during tasks were the factors that had the greatest impact on intervention effectiveness. Thirdly, REBA scores were used as an effective way of assessing ergonomic intervention effectiveness as the reduction in the scores means a reduction in the risk level to development of MSDs. In accordance to the research, ergonomic adjustments can effectively lower the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in a workplace however ability of employees to correctly practice these ergonomic interventions and their empowerment to practice them along with other factors influence the extent of the effectiveness of the ergonomic interventions. However, additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore other potential interventions. This research adds to the body of literature on ergonomic interventions present in movers and storage companies by providing insight into the potential benefits and extent of effectiveness of ergonomic interventions at AGS Zimbabwe.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Ergonomic

Interventions

AGS Movers

Supervisor

Mr Dzvene