Applied Ergonomics 40 (2009) 115–123 Evaluation of a participatory ergonomic intervention process in kitchen work Irmeli Pehkonen a,Ã , Esa-Pekka Takala a , Ritva Ketola a , Eira Viikari-Juntura a , Pa¨ivi Leino-Arjas a , Leila Hopsu a , Tuija Virtanen a , Eija Haukka a , Merja Holtari-Leino b , Elina Nykyri a , Hilkka Riihima¨ki a a Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland b Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate of Turku and Pori, Eerikinkatu 40-42, FIN-20100 Turku, Finland Received 16 February 2007; accepted 4 January 2008 Abstract We evaluated a participatory ergonomic intervention process applied in 59 municipal kitchens. In groups of three to five kitchens, the workers participated in eight workshops, and generated and evaluated solutions to optimize musculoskeletal load in their work. An ergonomist initiated and supported the process. By the end, 402 changes were implemented. Evaluative data were collected using research diaries, questionnaires, and focus group interviews. The intervention model proved feasible and the participatory approach was mostly experienced as motivating. The workers’ knowledge and awareness of ergonomics increased, which improved their ability to tackle ergonomic problems by themselves. The changes in ergonomics were perceived to decrease physical load and improve musculoskeletal health. As hindering factors for implementation, lack of time and motivation, and insufficient financial resources were mentioned. In addition, the workers expressed a wish for more support from the management, technical staff, and ergonomists. r 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Participatory approach; Intervention process; Musculoskeletal load 1. Introduction Both physical load and psychosocial factors at work have been shown to play a role in the aetiology of musculoskeletal disorders (Ariens et al., 2001; Hoogen- doorn et al., 1999, 2000; National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2001; Riihima¨ ki and Viikari-Juntura, 1999). We can therefore hypothesize that musculoskeletal problems can be reduced by optimizing the biomechanical and psychosocial load at work. The participatory approach has been successfully used in several studies to reduce physical work demands and to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (Hignett et al., 2005; van der Molen et al., 2005a; Vink et al., 2006). In this approach, workers play an active role in the analysis of work and the planning of improvements (Haines and Wilson, 1998). Its benefits have been the utilization of workers’ experience and knowledge, learning of partici- pants, and their commitment and better acceptance of changes (Wilson, 1995). Intervention programmes have seldom been documented and evaluated adequately (Lincoln et al., 2000; van Poppel et al., 1997; Westgaard and Winkel, 1997). Among the most obvious objects of evaluation are the incidence of disorders, work satisfaction, and productivity. However, even the process of intervention deserves to be assessed, e.g., the number of changes implemented, participants’ satisfaction with their involvement (Wilson and Haines, 2001), as well as their awareness and knowledge of ergonomics. Kitchen work includes many physical and psychosocial load factors and the employees have plenty of musculos- keletal problems (Arbetsmiljo¨verket and Statistiska cen- tralbyra˚n, 2004; Huang et al., 1988; Ono et al., 1998; Pekkarinen and Anttonen, 1988; Perkio¨ -Ma¨kela¨ et al., ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.com/locate/apergo 0003-6870/$ - see front matter r 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2008.01.006 Ã Corresponding author. Tel.: +358 304742415; fax: +358 304742006. E-mail address: irmeli.pehkonen@ttl.fi (I. Pehkonen).