Table 4.
The five most frequently (>25%) used observational risk-assessment tools (OBRATs) among Swedish ergonomists. Results based on the survey questions: ‘Have you used the observational tool in question?’ and ‘Why do you use the method?’ respectively. Number of respondents and percentages (%)
| SWEA-AFS | KIM I | KIM II | QEC | VIDAR | |
| Have you used this tool? | |||||
| Yes | 70 (100) | 36 (51) | 25 (36) | 19 (27) | 19 (27) |
| No | 0 (0) | 16 (23) | 28 (40) | 23 (33) | 44 (63) |
| Not familiar with the tool | 0 (0) | 18 (26) | 17 (24) | 28 (40) | 7 (10) |
| If yes, why do you use this tool? | |||||
| Easy to use | 53 (76) | 26 (72) | 15 (60) | 10 (53) | 4 (21) |
| Easy to communicate to the client | 45 (64) | 21 (58) | 16 (64) | 10 (53) | 7 (37) |
| Quick | 35 (50) | 15 (42) | 10 (40) | 10 (53) | 0 (0) |
| Most suitable for my assignments | 15 (21) | 12 (33) | 11 (44) | 5 (26) | 8 (42) |
| Easy to interpret the results | 18 (26) | 16 (44) | 11 (44) | 9 (47) | 6 (32) |
| No technical equipment is required | 36 (51) | 10 (28) | 6 (24) | 6 (32) | 0 (0) |
| Easy to adapt | 31 (44) | 11 (31) | 8 (32) | 6 (32) | 4 (21) |
| The method that I know best | 44 (63) | 6 (17) | 5 (20) | 4 (21) | 3 (16) |
SWEA-AFS: Physical Ergonomics: Provisions of the Swedish Work Environment Authority [14, 15], KIM I: (Key Item Method – Pulling, Pushing [16]. KIM II: Key Item Method – Lifting, Holding, Carrying [16]. QEC: Quick Exposure Check [17]. VIDAR: Video- och databaserad arbetsanalys [a video- and computer-based method for ergonomic assessment] [18].