Implementation of a participatory ergonomics program in the rehabilitationof workers suffering from subacute back pain

This paper describes a participatory ergonomics program aimed at early retu rn to regular work of workers suffering from subacute occupational back pai n and assesses the perceptions of the participants on the implementation of ergonomic solutions in the workplace. The participatory ergonomics program was used in the rehabilitation of workers suffering from subacute back pai n for more than 6 weeks, a program that was associated with an increased ra te of return to work. The perceptions of the participatory ergonomics parti cipants were assessed 6 months after completion of the ergonomic interventi on through a questionnaire sent to employer representatives, union represen tatives and injured workers of participating workplaces. About half of the ergonomic solutions were implemented according to the perception of the par ticipants, with a substantial agreement between respondents. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.