Comparison of concepts in easy-to-use methods for MSD risk assessment

• A comparative analysis of easy-to-use methods assessing risk for developing MSDs.
• Actions that easy-to-use methods share to make an assessment.
• Differences at each stage of the assessment in easy-to-use methods.
• Guidelines for developing a method for assessing all work tasks and all body parts.

This article presents a comparative analysis of easy-to-use methods for assessing musculoskeletal load and the risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders. In all such methods, assessment of load consists in defining input data, the procedure and the system of assessment. This article shows what assessment steps the methods have in common; it also shows how those methods differ in each step. In addition, the methods are grouped according to their characteristic features. The conclusion is that the concepts of assessing risk in different methods can be used to develop solutions leading to a comprehensive method appropriate for all work tasks and all parts of the body. However, studies are necessary to verify the accepted premises and to introduce some standardization that would make consolidation possible.