THE USE OF THE NORDIC QUESTIONNAIRE IN AN INDUSTRIAL-SETTING - A CASE-STUDY

The aims of this study were to identify: (1) whether patterns of repor ted injury are differentially affected by the structure of the intervi ew and qualifications of the interviewer; and (2) whether the Nordic Q uestionnaire is sensitive enough to identify different patterns of rep orted injuries across two different workstations. To accomplish this t he Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered by both a physio therapist and an ergonomist to two similar but separate workstations o f a manufacturing plant. Analysis of the injury-reporting frequencies produced results indicating increased reporting to the ergonomist in t wo of five upper limb and trunk body regions considered at one worksta tion and in one region at the other. Differences in reporting frequenc ies between workstations were also found. Physical demands analyses pe rformed in each area confirmed that differing job requirements existed in the two workstations under consideration. Early identification of potential job-specific injuries by an in-house ergonomist can initiate appropriate intervention strategies prior to the onset of chronic inj uries.