Understanding the characteristics and measurement properties of the observational methods for biomechanical exposure analysis contributes to choosing and planning workplace ergonomic interventions. This systematic review search was performed in the four databases. In 99 studies, 75 observational methods were identified. Posture/movement, force and repetitiveness were the most evaluated risk factors for the upper limbs, trunk and head. EAWS, OCRA, the expanded PATH and QEC evaluate more biomechanical risk factors. EAWS, PATH, QEC, CADEP, ROSA, REBA, modified REBA, RULA, all body segments. Criterion validity, reliability and agreement are REBA and ROSA's most tested measurement properties. The quality of evidence ranged from moderate to high for 23 methods. ALLA, HAL, OFFERA, simplified PATH and the expanded PATH stand out with high-quality evidence. The expanded PATH and QEC are the most complete in evaluating several occupational tasks, respectively, with high- and moderate-quality evidence.
Keywords: Ergonomics; measurement property; occupational health; risk assessment; workload.
Workers’ exposure analysis is the first step to defining better ergonomics intervention strategies to reduce risk factors at the workplace. This study updates the observational methods existing to evaluate biomechanical exposure workers.