Guidance of construction companies for the implementation of ergonomic measures
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN73075751 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN73075751 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 50-51400-98-100 |
- Submission date
- 23/07/2013
- Registration date
- 30/07/2013
- Last edited
- 24/01/2019
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
More than seven out of ten Dutch construction workers describe their work as physically demanding. This can be reduced when ergonomic measures that provide maximum comfort are used. To help construction companies with the introduction of ergonomic measures, participatory ergonomic (PE) intervention can be used. We will look at how well two guidance strategies for a PE intervention work in terms of increase in the use of ergonomic measures, work ability and physical functioning and a decrease in limitations due to physical problems.
Who can participate?
This study will recruit 12 small and medium enterprises within the Dutch construction industry. These construction companies must be employing a physically demanding occupation and must have a potential to improve the use of ergonomic measures.
What does the study involve?
Construction companies will be guided by a trained ergonomics consultant through a six-step PE intervention to introduce ergonomic measures to their employees. This guidance will be given through two strategies: either four face-to-face meetings or 13 emails. A protocol for both guidance strategies is made by two ergonomics consultants. The duration of both guidance strategies is six months. The construction companies will be randomly allocated to one of the guidance strategies. At the end of the study, we will compare how well the strategies worked to improve the use of ergonomic measures. A cost-benefit analysis will be performed.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits for the participating construction companies are decreasing physical work demands of their employees and possible work-related disorders. If the protocol of one or both guidance strategies is successful, the protocol can be introduced to occupational health services in the Netherlands to help other construction companies with the introduction of ergonomic measures. There are no (financial) risks for the participating construction companies and their employees. The guidance of the ergonomics consultants is of no cost for the participating construction companies and they are free in the choice of the ergonomic measure they want to introduce.
Where is the study run from?
This study has been set up by the Coronel Institute of Occupation Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Originally, the recruitment started in spring 2012. However, the recruitment of construction companies has been prolonged to July 2013. The study will end in December 2013.
Who is funding the study?
The funding has been provided by ZonMw (The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development).
Who is the main contact?
1. Henk F. van der Molen, PhD
h.f.vandermolen@amc.uva.nl
2. Steven Visser, MSc
steven.visser@amc.uva.nl
Contact information
Scientific
Coronel Institute of Occupational Health
Academic Medical Center
University of Amsterdam
P.O. Box 22660
Amsterdam
1100 DD
Netherlands
| m.frings@amc.uva.nl |
Study information
| Study design | Six-months randomised pre-post parallel intervention study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Quality of life |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Two guidance strategies for a participatory ergonomic intervention to increase the use of ergonomic measures of construction workers |
| Study objectives | Participatory ergonomics (PE) intervention can be used to facilitate behavioural changes. It is hypothesised that a face-to-face guidance of a PE intervention will increase the use of ergonomic measures, work ability, physical functioning and decrease limitations due to physical problems more compared to an e-guidance strategy. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the outcome measures (use of ergonomic measures, work ability, physical functioning and limitations due to physical problems) between the two guidance strategies. |
| Ethics approval(s) | N/A |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Use of ergonomic measures |
| Intervention | The intervention consists of a six-step participatory ergonomics intervention which is guided by trained ergonomics consultants. The guidance of this intervention consists of four face-to-face meetings or by 13 email contacts. A protocol is made for both guidance strategies. The duration of the intervention is six months. Measurements will be done at baseline and after the six months. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | The use of ergonomic measures by individual employees of the construction companies at the start of the study and after six months. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Work ability of individual employees of the construction companies at the start of the study and after six months using the work ability index (WAI) 2. Physical functioning of the RAND-36 health survey of individual employees at the start of the study and after six months 3. Limitations due to physical problems of the RAND-36 health survey of individual employees at the start of the study and after six months |
| Overall study start date | 01/09/2012 |
| Completion date | 31/12/2013 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 12 construction companies with on average 25 employees. |
| Key inclusion criteria | Construction companies with: 1. Less than 50 employees (small and medium enterprises within the Dutch construction industry 2. Employing a physically demanding occupation 3. Having the potential to improve the use of ergonomic measures among their workers to reduce work demands/risks for work-related musculoskeletal disorders |
| Key exclusion criteria | Does not meet inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/07/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Netherlands
Study participating centre
1100 DD
Netherlands
Sponsor information
University/education
Academic Medical Center
Coronel Institute of Occupational Health
P.O. Box 22660
Amsterdam
1100 DD
Netherlands
| Website | http://www.amc.nl/web/Research/Departments/Overview/Coronel-Institute-of-Occupational-Health/Coronel-Institute-of-Occupational-Health/Department.htm |
|---|
Industry
P.O.Box 213
Harderwijk
3840
Netherlands
| Phone | +31 341 466 200 |
|---|---|
| info@arbouw.nl |
Not defined
| Website | http://www.uva.nl/en/home |
|---|---|
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/04dkp9463 |
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
- Alternative name(s)
- Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
- Location
- Netherlands
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | protocol | 17/04/2014 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | results of the evaluation of the effects of two alternative participatory ergonomics intervention strategies for construction companies. | 01/01/2019 | 24/01/2019 | Yes | No |
| Results article | results of the process evaluation of two alternative participatory ergonomics intervention strategies for construction companies. | 01/09/2018 | 24/01/2019 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
24/01/2019: Publication reference added
