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Does Expertise Matter? A Study of Chile’s Ergonomic Risk Assessment Tool
Journal
Ergonomics in Design: The Quarterly of Human Factors Applications
Date Issued
2025-08-05
Author(s)
Héctor Ignacio Castellucci
Carlos Viviani
Paulina Hernandez
Gonzalo Bravo
Marta Martínez
Jaime Ibacache
Abstract
<jats:p>
This article explores how effectively practitioners use Chile’s official tool to assess upper limbs injuries at work. We compared trained experts and non-experts using real-world exercises. Both groups had trouble identifying work tasks and rated risks differently. Experts achieved moderately higher overall performance scores (4.6 ± 0.7 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5,
<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>
< .05), but showed no significant difference in critical decision-making agreement with expert consensus (Mann–Whitney test,
<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>
> .05). These results suggest the problem may lie in the tool itself, not just in how people are trained. We recommend enhanced tool design, clearer instructions, and more practical examples to help users apply the tool consistently. Improving the tool’s structural design could make risk assessments more accurate and reliable in real workplaces.
</jats:p>
This article explores how effectively practitioners use Chile’s official tool to assess upper limbs injuries at work. We compared trained experts and non-experts using real-world exercises. Both groups had trouble identifying work tasks and rated risks differently. Experts achieved moderately higher overall performance scores (4.6 ± 0.7 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5,
<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>
< .05), but showed no significant difference in critical decision-making agreement with expert consensus (Mann–Whitney test,
<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>
> .05). These results suggest the problem may lie in the tool itself, not just in how people are trained. We recommend enhanced tool design, clearer instructions, and more practical examples to help users apply the tool consistently. Improving the tool’s structural design could make risk assessments more accurate and reliable in real workplaces.
</jats:p>