RR211 - Further development of the usability and validity of the Quick Exposure Check (QEC)

Quick Exposure Check (QEC)

Reference Guide

Contents

Introduction 2

Getting started and using QEC effectively 4

Establishing priorities 5

Completing an exposure assessment 7

Interpreting QEC questions 8

Scoring the assessment 11

Interpreting the scores 12

Interventions & re-assessment 13

Appendix 14

QEC Forms 16

Work related musculoskeletal disorders

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a

common health problem throughout the industrialised

world and a major cause of disability. WMSDs are

conditions of the nerves, tendons, muscles, and

supporting structures of the musculoskeletal system that

can result in fatigue, discomfort, pain, local swelling, or

numbness and tingling. WMSDs usually develop from

cumulative damage resulting from months or years of

exposure to excessive levels of physical and psychosocial

stressors at work.

Scientific evidence has shown that physical and

psychosocial factors are critical in the development

of WMSDs.

The major risk factors for WMSDs in the workplace

include:

•

heavy manual handling

•

repetitive and forceful actions

•

vibration

•

awkward static postures that arise from badly designed

workstations, tools, equipment, working methods

•

poor work organisation.

Exposure to such factors produces effects within the

worker’s body (e.g. decreased blood flow or local muscle

fatigue). If adequate recovery does not take place, it can

lead to the development of WMSDs.

The ergonomics approach

The ergonomics approach to reducing musculoskeletal

disorders requires the holistic assessment of all elements

of the work system so that optimal solutions can be

achieved (see diagram below). This requires the full range

of generic issues to be considered, such as task design,

worker/equipment interface, individual variation (including

motivation) and organisational culture, training needs, work

organisation and legal requirements. This approach ensures

that the needs of all relevant user groups within the

organisation are addressed.

The Quick Exposure Check fits within this approach at the

level of the individual(s) in the work system and enables

their exposure to a range of risk factors for WMSD to be

assessed. It is important that the issues depicted in the

outer levels of the diagram are also addressed using

appropriate ergonomic techniques and that interventions

should be considered at all levels.

Introduction

Societal and cultural pressures

Legal and regulatory rules

Organisational and management behaviour

Team and group behaviour

Individual behaviour

Physical

Devices

Physical ergonomics

(after Moray, 2000)

Quick Exposure Check (QEC)

QEC assesses the exposure of the four body areas

at greatest risk to the most important risk factors

for WMSDs. QEC has been developed for use by

Occupational Safety and Health practitioners, safety

representatives or those responsible for health and safety

in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to:

•

assess the change in exposure to musculoskeletal risk

factors before and after an ergonomic intervention

•

involve both the practitioner (observer) and the workers

(who have direct experience of performing the job) in

conducting the assessment and identifying possibilities

for change

•

encourage improvement of workplaces and allow

consideration of the comparative impact and potential

cost benefits of a number of alternative interventions

•

increase awareness among managers, engineers,

designers, health and safety practitioners and workers

about musculoskeletal risk factors in the workplace

•

compare exposures between two or more people

performing the same task, or between people

performing different tasks.

The QEC assessment encourages consideration

of changes to workstations, tools, equipment and

working methods to eliminate, or at least minimise,

levels of exposure. This should be done in discussion

with the worker(s). Those who have regular involvement

in performing the task may have good suggestions for

improvement. Consultation at this stage will assist with

the introduction of change in the workplace.

When a change has been made, exposure should be

re-assessed to confirm the efficacy of the intervention in

reducing the risk factors for WMSDs. This can be done

immediately following the change rather than waiting for

changes in the prevalence of reported WMSDs to become

evident which may take many months.

Getting started and using QEC effectively

Role of this guide

QEC allows physical work activities to be assessed in

collaboration with the worker. It has been designed to

be quick, easy to use and not require extensive training

before use.

A one-page assessment sheet includes questions for

both the practitioner (observer) and the worker to quantify

exposure to risk for WMSDs. The exposure levels for four

main areas of the body can be scored and these can form

a basis for intervention and re-assessment. See sample

QEC Assessment Form at the end of this Guide.

The guide aims to:

•

provide background to QEC

•

present information on how to prioritise tasks for

assessment and conduct basic task analysis

•

explain each question and describe the range of answers

•

show how to score assessments

•

encourage a systems approach to making interventions.

Interpret and prioritise

(Interpreting the scores pg 12)

Re-assess the change

(Interventions and re-assessment pg 13)

Score

(Scoring the assessment pg 11)

Conduct the assessment

(Completing an exposure assessment pg 7

and Interpreting QEC questions pg 8)

Decide on task to be assessed

(Establishing priorities pg 5)

(b) Organise a representative group of workers to review

the work performed and identify five tasks with the

highest priority.

talking with workers individually and asking them to

describe what they do.

•

Ask the worker to describe the organisation of their day

by hours with breaks.

•

Ask them to list the tasks performed and map them onto

a plan. Record the task duration.

•

Define repetitive and non-repetitive activities within each

task.

•

Identify actions performed in each task.

•

Define cycles and the frequency of repetitive tasks.

•

Confirm the information with more than one worker and

ask about:

- a typical day and variations from the norm

- downtime and stoppages

- non scheduled breaks

- any additional/unusual tasks performed at different

times in the month/year.

•

Carry out assessments for tasks identified.

See over for example >

Initially, it is necessary to set priorities for assessment.

You may be asked by a worker, a supervisor or a manager

to carry out an assessment because of the problems

reported by or to them about pain, sickness absence or

low productivity for one specific operation. Alternatively,

you may be required to carry out assessments as part of

your responsibilities to survey a range of jobs and tasks

conducted by workers at different locations within your

organisation.

If you are directed to a specific task, then begin there and

carry out assessments of additional tasks within that job if

time allows. If a more general survey has been requested

then it may be difficult to decide where and how to start. It

is important to set priorities and use resources effectively

and the following approaches are suggested:

(a) It may be possible to conduct a workplace survey

about

pain and discomfort, and focus on those

situations where the prevalence of problems is highest

(you could use checklists and body maps for this,

for example go to the following websites:

ergo.human.cornell.edu/ or

hazards.org/tools/index.htm

Establishing priorities

Example of tasks performed daily by a laboratory technician

For each job ask them to describe the organisation of their day by hours with breaks:

Then look at tasks in more detail:

Time duration Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3 Hour 4 Hour 5 Hour 6 Hour 7 Hour 8

Task admin. pipetting pipetting rest Sample pipetting pipetting Lunch pipetting admin Rest Clean Media prep and

delivery equipment administration

as delivery

delay

Tasks Repetitive (R) Equipment Actions Cycle length Frequency of Total duration Other

or not (NR)? performed cycle (seconds) throughout

in task day (mins)

Pipetting R Pipette - Place tip in fluid 3 20 per min 240 Delay in sample delivery

- Depress plunger caused interruption to

- Withdraw sample pipetting task and

- Transfer/expel sample equipment cleaning

to well task substituted

Admin R Computer - data entry 10 6 90

Sample delivery recording NR Date stamp - record delivery 30

- unpack samples

- record classification no.

6. If you do not have a clear view of the worker, change

your position or ask the worker to demonstrate the

posture. If the person is crouching or kneeling this may

pose additional risks and may need to be investigated

in a supplementary assessment.

7. For the Worker’s Assessment, ask the worker to

answer the questions and then place a tick in the

appropriate box. The graduation in shading for each

question indicates an increase of exposure to risk.

8. The worker’s answer may differ from the actual answer

and the observer may want to carry out some

measures to inform any intervention that may be

introduced e.g. by measuring the weight of the load.

However, this measure should be used to supplement

the exposure assessment and not to replace the

worker’s assessment of the load, as workers’ opinions

are very important.

9. In three questions on the Worker’s Assessment

(L, P, Q), you should ask the worker for more detail

if appropriate as a basis for identifying the nature of the

problem and opening a dialogue to seek solutions. This

information can be recorded in the box at the bottom

of the page. This area can also be used to record other

observations made during the assessment.

10. Providing immediate feedback to workers after you

have assessed the task can be useful in terms of

credibility and also to encourage suggestions for

improvements. These could be incorporated into the

Action Required section on the front of QEC. The

graduation in shading for each question indicates an

increase of possible risk and this can helpful in telling

the worker where particular problems lie.

11. Score assessment (Page 11).

12. Enter Actions Required on the front of the form.

13. After an intervention has been made, another exposure

assessment should be conducted to assess the

change in exposure to risk factors for WMSDs (see

pages 12 and 13).

In order to conduct an exposure assessment, it is

necessary to decide what task or part of task you will

assess (see page 5). If you observe one repetitive task,

it is suggested that you observe the task for 20/30 cycles

before completing the form. It should take approximately

10 minutes to make the assessment. Where daily patterns

of work and job demands vary, observe workers more

than once. For group work, ensure a sufficiently

representative number of individual workers are assessed.

Re-observation may be necessary to confirm judgements

made.

1. Introduce yourself and explain the aims of the exposure

assessment.

2. Enter the details on the front sheet: worker’s name, job

title, task, assessor’s name, date and time of

assessment in the space provided. Leave ‘Action

required’ blank until you have completed the exposure

assessment.

3. Answer each question with respect to the task you

have selected to assess.

4. For each question in the Observer’s Assessment

place a tick in the most appropriate shaded box for

questions A-G based on your observation of posture

and movement of the back, shoulder/arm, wrist/hand

and neck. The graduation in shading for each question

indicates an increase of exposure to risk.

5. Assess the ‘worst case’ for each body area. For example:

•

the assessment for back posture should be made at

the moment when the back is most heavily loaded,

i.e. when the person leans or reaches forward to

pick up the load.

•

the assessment of frequency of motion should be

recorded when a production line is at full speed.

Completing an exposure assessment

Observer’s assessment

If in doubt when conducting the assessment, opt for the

higher exposure category.

Assessment of the back

Almost neutral (A1)

•

The back is defined as almost neutral (A1) if it is in less

than 20 of flexion/extension, twisting, or side bending.

Interpreting QEC questions

Moderately flexed/twisted side bent (A2)

•

The back is defined as moderately flexed or twisted or

side bent (A2) if it is in more than 20 but less than 60

of flexion/extension, twisting or side bending.

Excessively flexed/twisted side bent (A3)

•

The back is defined as excessively flexed or twisted or

side bent (A3) if it is in more than 60 of flexion, twisting

or side bending.

Back movement (B1-B5)

Select ONLY one of the two task options:

•

If you are assessing a standing or seated stationary task

(e.g. sedentary work, repetitive tasks), assess B1-B2

and ignore B3-B5. If the back is static for most of the

time, select B2.

•

If you are assessing a lifting, pushing/pulling or carrying

task (i.e. moving a load by moving the back), assess

B3-B5 and ignore B1-B2. This question refers to how

often the person needs to bend or rotate the back when

performing these types of manual handling tasks. For

example, when unloading boxes from a pallet, count the

number of times per minute the individual’s back moves

to lift and lower the load. Then select the most

appropriate category B3-B5.

Back posture (A1-A3)

The assessment for back posture should be made at

the moment when the back is most heavily loaded.

For example, when lifting a box the back is under highest

loading when the person leans or reaches forward, or

bends down to pick up the load.

Assessment of the shoulder/arm

Shoulder/arm position (C1-C3)

The assessment should be based upon the position of the

hands when the shoulder/arms are most heavily loaded

during work.

This may not necessarily be at the same time as when the

exposure of the back is assessed. For example, the load

on the shoulder may not be at the highest level when the

person bends down to pick up a box from the floor, but

may become greater subsequently when the box is placed

at a higher level.

Shoulder/arm movement (D1-D3)

The movement of the shoulder/arm is defined as:

•

Infrequent (D1) if there is some intermittent movement.

•

Frequent (D2) if there is a regular movement with some pauses.

•

Very frequent (D3) if there is almost continuous movement.

Assessment of the wrist/hand

Wrist/hand posture (E1-E2)

This posture is assessed during the task when the most

awkward wrist posture is adopted. This may be wrist

flexion/extension, side bending (ulnar/radial deviation).

The wrist is regarded as almost straight (E1) if the

movement is limited within a small angular range (e.g. less

of the neutral wrist posture. Otherwise, if an obvious

wrist angle can be observed during the performance of the

task, the wrist is considered to be deviated or bent (E2).

Wrist/hand movement (F1-F3)

This refers to the movement of the wrist/hand and forearm,

excluding the movement of the fingers. One motion is

counted every time the same or similar motion pattern is

repeated over a set period of time (e.g. 1 minute).

Assessment of the neck (G)

The neck posture is defined as excessively bent or twisted

if the angle is greater than 20˚ relative to the torso. If this

angle is exceeded select either G2 or G3 dependent upon

the duration. Otherwise select G1.

Hands at or below

waist height (C1)

Hands at or above

shoulder height (C3)

The wrist is deviated or bent (E2)

Neck excessively bent (G)

Hands at about chest

height (C2)

The worker’s responses are an integral part of the

assessment and it is important that they answer each

question based on their experience of doing the work.

Explain the meaning of the questions and list the

response categories. If the worker is in doubt, opt

for the higher exposure category.

Maximum weight handled (H1-H4)

This question refers to the weight borne by the worker,

and not the maximum weight handled in the task or the

load handled with the use of equipment.

The worker’s perception of the load weight may differ from

the actual weight category, e.g. a light load may seem

heavy if held at full reach. The actual weight of the load

can be measured by the observer if required, to inform any

intervention that may be introduced. However, this

measure should be used to supplement the exposure

assessment and not to replace the worker’s assessment of

the load.

Time spent on task (J1-J3)

This question examines the amount of time per day the

worker spends conducting the task being assessed.

Maximum force level (K1-K3)

This question refers to the maximum force level exerted by

one hand when performing the task. Even if the task is

performed with two hands, ask the worker about the force

for one hand only.

Measures of the forces involved can be made by

the observer to inform any intervention that may be

introduced. However, this measure should be used to

supplement the exposure assessment and not to replace

the worker’s perception of the force required to perform

the task.

Visual demand (L1-L2)

Ask the worker to specify if the level of visual demand of

the task is ‘low’ (almost no need to view fine details) or

‘high’ (need to view some fine details). If the requirement

is ‘high’, ask for more information about this aspect of the

task. Record this in the space at the bottom of the page.

Driving (M1-M3)

This question investigates whole-body vibration that may

result from driving a vehicle at work. The worker is asked

to estimate total time spent driving a vehicle during the

working day. If the worker does not drive, do not leave the

answer blank, place a tick in M1 ‘Less than one hour per

day or Never’. This question only refers to driving at work,

do not include driving to and from work.

Vibration (N1-N3)

This question enquires about the hand-arm vibration that

may arise from using vibrating tools at work. The worker is

asked to estimate the total time spent using vibrating tools

during the working day. If the worker does not use

vibrating tools, do not leave the answer blank, place a tick

in N1 ‘Less than one hour per day or Never’.

Work pace (P1-P3)

This question asks about the difficulties that workers may

have keeping up with their work. If the answer is ‘often’,

ask for more information about this aspect of the work.

Record this in the space at the bottom of the page.

Stress (Q1-Q4)

This question asks how stressful the worker finds their job.

If the answer is ‘moderately’ or ‘very’, ask for more

information about this aspect of the job. Record this in the

space at the bottom of the page.

Worker’s assessment of the same task

The QEC Exposure Scores are based on combinations

of risk factors identified by the observer for each body

area and by the worker’s subjective responses. These

scores represent a hypothetical relationship between the

increased level of exposure and potential health outcomes.

Current epidemiological evidence is not sufficient to define

the actual relationship for different working situations.

Nevertheless the existing scoring system provides a basis

for comparing the level of exposure before and after an

intervention. In addition, increasing levels of exposure are

signified by darker shading in the boxes on both the

assessment and the scoring sheets.

The assessment scores should be used to:

•

determine the comparative levels of exposure for each

body area

•

identify where exposures are highest, and consequently,

prioritise the issues that interventions should address.

The aim of an intervention is to reduce exposure scores.

When changes to a task are planned, an assessment

should be done based upon the improvements proposed.

This will indicate the potential benefits of the intervention

and reveal if the exposure to risk factors for any other

body area is increased inadvertently. Re-assessment

should always be done following the implementation of

any intervention.

To score the exposure assessment

1. Use the Exposure Scores sheet to determine the scores

for each body area. For example, at the top left hand

corner of the sheet for the Back:

•

The first table shows the scores for combinations

Posture (A1-3) and Weight (H1-4). Identify the

corresponding exposure combination, e.g. the

combination A2 and H2 would score 6, for A3 and

H3 score 10. Enter this in the ‘Score 1’ box at the

bottom right-hand corner.

•

Do this for the correct combination of factors for

the back, i.e. by calculating either scores 1 to 5 OR

scores 1 to 3 plus score 6.

•

Then sum the total scores for the back.

2. Repeat this procedure for each body area and other

factors (i.e. driving, vibration etc).

3. Do this following both the initial assessment and any

intervention.

Scoring the assessment

Exposure scores for body areas

The total score for each body area is determined from the

interactions between the exposure levels for the relevant

risk factors (see table below), and their subsequent

addition.

It is important to take note of which interactions contribute

most to the overall score for each body area.

The exposure scores for the back, shoulder/arm,

wrist/hand and neck have been categorised into 4

exposure categories: Low, Moderate, High or Very High.

Even if the exposure score is Low, it is important to note

that one or two interactions may be contributing

disproportionately to the score (i.e. a score of 8 or more).

For Moderate, High and Very High scores, there are likely

to be several interactions that should be identified and

reduced. It is also possible that one or two interactions are

at the highest levels (i.e. 10 or 12) of exposure. These

should be addressed urgently to reduce the level of

exposure for these factors.

These interactions should be monitored and reviewed as

injury to the body could occur if exposure continues.

Exposure scores for other factors

The exposure scores for driving, vibration and work pace

have been categorised into three exposure categories:

Low, Moderate, High. Stress has a fourth category: Very

High. Where scores are Moderate or High, or Very High,

the level of exposure should be reduced.

Interpreting the scores

Important risk factors

Back Wrist/hand

•

load weight

•

force

•

duration

•

duration

•

frequency of movement

•

frequency of movement

•

posture

•

posture

Shoulder/arm Neck

•

load weight

•

duration

•

duration

•

posture

•

task height

•

visual demand

•

frequency of movement

Exposure level

Score Low Moderate High Very High

Back (static) 8-15 16-22 23-29 29-40

Back (moving) 10-20 21-30 31-40 41-56

Shoulder/arm 10-20 21-30 31-40 41-56

Wrist/hand 10-20 21-30 31-40 41-46

Neck 4-6 8-10 12-14 16-18

Exposure level

Score Low Moderate High Very High

Driving 1 4 9 -

Vibration 1 4 9 -

Work pace 1 4 9 -

Stress 1 4 9 16

Interventions

When seeking to make changes to reduce the exposure of

workers to known risk factors for WMSDs, it is essential to

consider all aspects of the work system so that optimal

solutions can be achieved (see diagram below).

The ergonomics approach seeks to re-design the work

system by considering the full range of relevant issues,

including:

•

Tasks undertaken

•

Job demands

•

Equipment or work space

•

Interactions between sets of equipment and groups

of people

•

Work organisation

•

Environmental factors

•

Overall system goals

QEC is helpful in addressing some aspects of the

work system but it will be necessary to collect and use

additional information. Appropriate methodologies can

be found in a number of reference sources or advice

can be sought from professional bodies (see appendix).

The information for the QEC assessment is provided

by both the practitioner (observer) and the worker who

has direct experience of performing the task. Workers

may have good suggestions for improvement and their

participation will assist with the introduction of change.

This initial co-operation should be encouraged and should

be continued during the design and implementation of

any changes that are made to the task, equipment and

workplace.

Interventions that focus solely on the worker (e.g. training,

selection) have been found of limited value in reducing or

preventing WMSDs. The ergonomics redesign approach

is therefore preferable.

Re-assessment of exposure

Re-assessment should be undertaken following:

•

changes in work processes,

•

changes in output levels e.g. due to seasonal demands,

•

any workplace intervention.

Exposure assessment is an on-going process.

Assessments records should be maintained to allow

comparisons over time for various work tasks. Additionally

exposure records for individual workers can be compiled.

Over the long-term, exposure data for different jobs should

be generated and compared to other health indictors

recorded at work (e.g. reported complaints or sickness

absence).

The data from the exposure assessment/re-assessments

can inform discussions with management on the priorities

for change and the comparative effectiveness of different

solutions to reduce WMSDs.

Interventions & re-assessment

Societal and cultural pressures

Legal and regulatory rules

Organisational and management behaviour

Team and group behaviour

Individual behaviour

Physical

Devices

Physical ergonomics

(after Moray, 2000)

Development of QEC

The Quick Exposure Check [QEC] was designed at the

Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics to meet

practitioners requirements for a practical method of

assessing exposure to WMSD risk factors in the

workplace.

It was developed using a participatory ergonomics

approach, with 200 practitioners involved throughout the

process. It was developed, tested, modified and validated

based upon both simulated and real work tasks. The tasks

covered a wide range of work activities, such as manual

handling, repetitive tasks, static or dynamic tasks, seated

or standing tasks, and tasks with low or high visual

demands.

Studies have shown that QEC has good sensitivity and

usability, ‘acceptable’ or ‘moderate levels of agreement’ for

its inter-observer reliability, and a good intra-observer

reliability. Field studies have indicated that it is reliable in a

practical context and suitable for a wide range of jobs.

Cost benefits

An approach to determine cost benefits of health and

safety interventions has been developed by European

Safety and Health. Details of these can be found at:

europe.osha.eu.int/good_practice/risks/msd/.

Legal requirements to prevent musculoskeletal

disorders

The European Directives that provide protection for

workers against developing Musculoskeletal Disorders are:

•

Directive 89/391 - a general framework for risk

identification and prevention.

•

Directive 90/269 - identification and prevention of

manual handling risks.

•

Directive 90/270 - identification and prevention of risks

from work with display screen equipment, including

minimum requirements for equipment, work environment

and computer interface.

•

Directive 89/654 - minimum standards for workplaces,

including seating, lighting, temperature and work station

layout.

•

Directive 89/655 - suitability of work equipment.

•

Directive 89/656 - suitability of personal protective

equipment.

•

Directive 98/37 - machinery (replaced Directive 89/392).

•

Directive 93/104 - organisation of working time.

etails of these can be found at:

europe.osha.eu.int/legislation/directives/

These are supplemented by further Regulations and

Guidance within specific member states, e.g. Manual

Handling Operations (L23) and Upper Limb Disorders in

the workplace (HSG60) in the UK.

Appendix

Professional societies and organisations

- The Ergonomics Society http://

www.ergonomics.org.uk

- Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

http://www.iosh.co.uk

- Health and Safety Executive http://www.hse.gov.uk

- Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics

eihms.surrey.ac.uk/robens/erg/

Journals, books and reports

Upper limb disorders

- Li G. and Buckle P. 1999, Evaluating Change in Exposure

to Risk for Musculoskeletal Disorders - a Practical Tool.

Suffolk, HSE Books CRR251

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_pdf/1999/crr99251.pdf

- Moray N. 2000, Culture, politics and ergonomics,

Ergonomics, 43, 7, 858-868.

- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

1997, Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace

Factors: a Critical Review of Epidemiological Evidence

for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the

Neck, Upper Extremity and Low Back. Ed. BP Bernard.

Cincinnatti, OH: NIOSH.

- Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace. HSG60. HSE

Books, 2002. ISBN 0717619788

- Europe Under Strain: A Report on Trade Union

Initiatives to Combat Workplace Musculoskeletal

Disorders. Brussels: TUTB, 1999. ISBN 2-930003-29-4

etuc.org/tutb/uk/

Vibration

- In the Driving Seat. IND(G)242L. HSE Books, 1997.

ISBN 0717613143.

- Health Risks from Hand-Arm Vibration - Advice for

Employers. G175(rev1). HSE Books, 1998.

Power tools: How to Reduce Vibration Health Risks.

INDG338. HSE Books, 2001.

- Mechanical Vibration: Measurement and Evaluation of

Human Exposure to Hand-Transmitted Vibration, Part

1: General Requirements. ISO 5349-1:2001.

- Mechanical Vibration and Shock: Evaluation of Human

Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration, Part 1: General

Requirements. ISO 2631-1:1997.

Stress

- Organisational Interventions for Work Stress - A Risk

Management Approach. CRR 286/2000. HSE, 2000.

ISBN 0717618382. http://www.hse.gov.uk/research

/crr_pdf/2000/crr00286a.pdf

- Work-Related Stress: A Short Guide. INDG281rev1.

HSE, 2001. ISBN 071762112X.

hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg281.pdf

- Tackling Work-Related Stress: A Managers’ Guide to

Improving and Maintaining Employee Health and

Well-being. HSG 218. HSE Books, 2001. ISBN

0717620506.

Quick Exposure Check (QEC)

QEC has been designed to:

assess the changes in exposure to musculoskeletal risk factors of the back, shoulders

and arms, hands and wrists, and neck before and after an ergonomic intervention

involve the practitioner (i.e. the observer) who conducts the assessment,

and the worker who has direct experience of the task

indicate change in exposure scores following an intervention

The QEC Guide gives more detailed information about each question and the background to QEC.

Worker’s name:

Worker’s job title:

Task:

Assessment conducted by:

Date: Time:

Action(s) required:

Observer’s Assessment Worker’s Assessment

Workers

H Is the maximum weight handled

MANUALLY BY YOU in this task?

H1 Light (5 kg or less)

H2 Moderate (6 to 10 kg)

H3 Heavy (11 to 20kg)

H4 Very heavy (more than 20 kg)

J On average, how much time do you spend

per day on this task?

J1 Less than 2 hours

J2 2 to 4 hours

J3 More than 4 hours

K When performing this task, is the maximum force

level exerted by one hand?

K1 Low (e.g. less than 1 kg)

K2 Medium (e.g. 1 to 4 kg)

K3 High (e.g. more than 4 kg)

L Is the visual demand of this task

L1 Low (almost no need to view fine details)?

L2 High (need to view some fine details)?

If High, please give details in the box below

M At work do you drive a vehicle for

M1 Less than one hour per day or Never?

M2 Between 1 and 4 hours per day?

M3 More than 4 hours per day?

N At work do you use vibrating tools for

N1 Less than one hour per day or Never?

N2 Between 1 and 4 hours per day?

N3 More than 4 hours per day?

P Do you have difficulty keeping up with this work?

P1 Never

P2 Sometimes

P3 Often

If Often, please give details in the box below

Q In general, how do you find this job

Q1 Not at all stressful?

Q2 Mildly stressful?

Q3 Moderately stressful?

Q4 Very stressful?

If Moderately or Very, please give details in the box below

Additional details for L, P and Q if appropriate

Worker’s name Date

Back

A When performing the task, is the back

(select worse case situation)

A1 Almost neutral?

A2 Moderately flexed or twisted or side bent?

A3 Excessively flexed or twisted or side bent?

B Select ONLY ONE of the two following task options:

EITHER

For seated or standing stationary tasks. Does the

back remain in a static

position most of the time?

B1 No

B2 Yes

For lifting, pushing/pulling and carrying tasks

(i.e. moving a load).

Is the movement of the back

B3 Infrequent (around 3 times per minute or less)?

B4 Frequent (around 8 times per minute)?

B5 Very frequent (around 12 times per minute or more)?

Shoulder/Arm

C When the task is performed, are the hands

(select worse case situation)

C1 At or below waist height?

C2 At about chest height?

C3 At or above shoulder height?

D Is the shoulder/arm movement

D1 Infrequent (some intermittent movement)?

D2 Frequent (regular movement with some pauses)?

D3 Very frequent (almost continuous movement)?

Wrist/Hand

E Is the task performed with

(select worse case situation)

E1 An almost straight wrist?

E2 A deviated or bent wrist?

F Are similar motion patterns repeated

F1 10 times per minute or less?

F2 11 to 20 times per minute?

F3 More than 20 times per minute?

Neck

G When performing the task, is the head/neck

bent or twisted?

G1 No

G2 Yes, occasionally

G3 Yes, continuously

Workers

Assessment

Score 1

Back Posture (A) & Weight (H)

Total score for Shoulder/Arm

Sum of Scores 1 to 5

Total score for Wrist/Hand

Sum of Scores 1 to 5

Total score for Neck

Sum of Scores 1 to 2

Back

Exposure Scores

Worker’s name Date

Shoulder/Arm

Wrist/Hand

Driving

Neck

Stress

Work pace

Vibration

Driving

A1 A2 A3

H1 246

H2 468

H3 6810

H4 8 10 12

Score 5

Frequency (B) & Weight (H)

B3 B4 B5

H1 246

H2 468

H3 6810

H4 8 10 12

Score 3

Duration (J) & Weight (H)

J1 J2 J3

246

H2 468

H3 6810

H4 8 10 12

Score 2

Back Posture (A) & Duration (J)

A1 A2 A3

J1 246

J2 468

J3 6810

Score 6

Frequency (B) & Duration (J)

B3 B4 B5

J1 246

J2 468

J3 6810

Score 4

Static Posture (B) & Duration (J)

B1 B2

J2 46

J3 68

Score 1

Repeated Motion (F) & Force (K)

F1 F2 F3

246

K2 468

K3 6810

Score 1

Neck Posture (G) & Duration (J)

G1 G2 G3

246

J2 468

J3 6810

Score 3

Duration (J) & Force (K)

J1 J2 J3

246

K2 468

K3 6810

Score 2

Repeated Motion (F) & Duration (J)

F1 F2 F3

246

J2 468

J3 6810

Score 4

Wrist Posture (E) & Force (K)

E1 E2

K2 46

K3 68

Score 2

Visual Demand (L) & Duration (J)

L1 L2

J2 46

J3 68

Score 5

Wrist Posture (E) & Duration (J)

E1 E2

J2 46

J3 68

Score 1

Height (C) & Weight (H)

C1 C2 C3

246

H2 468

H3 6810

H4 8 10 12

Score 4

Frequency (D) & Weight (H)

D1 D2 D3

246

H2 468

H3 6810

H4 8 10 12

Score 3

Duration (J) & Weight (H)

J1 J2 J3

246

H2 468

H3 6810

H4 8 10 12

Score 2

Height (C) & Duration (J)

C1 C2 C3

246

J2 468

J3 6810

Score 5

Frequency (D) & Duration (J)

D1 D2 D3

246

J2 468

J3 6810

N1 N2 N3

149

M1 M2 M3

149

P1 P2 P3

149

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

14916

Total for Stress

Total for Work pace

Total for Vibration

Total for Driving

Total score for Back

Sum of scores 1 to 4 OR

Scores 1 to 3 plus 5 and 6

Now do ONLY 4 if static

OR 5 and 6 if manual handling

NOTES