Possibilities and constraints of application of the WERA method for risk assessment associated with VDT work

Abstract

The WERA is a relatively new method, which has been used for assessment of risk factors, associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The method was tested previously at the plasterer workplace by the authors of this method. Since there are no published data about the application of the WERA method on tasks where is dominant the static work, the authors of this paper consider that is of importance to examine the sensitivity of this method in occupations where is prevalent the static working activity, such as it is in the case of VDT work. VDT work is one of the activities that is performed in sitting position, which does not require special tools, and for which is characteristic certain static stress of large musculo - skeletal regions. Possibilities and constraints of the WERA method are examined in this preliminary study, which was performed on a relatively small group of VDT users.