Background
Methods
Aim and study design
Setting of the study and characteristics of participants
General description and application of the KIM-MHO
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The KIM-MHO serves to assess work activities predominantly involving exposure to the finger-hand-arm area when working on physical objects (manual jobs). Typical indicators of these work activities are frequent repetitions of identical or similar manual operations and requirements regarding dexterity or the recognition of small details.
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Activities involving the manual handling of loads (transport of loads with weights in excess of 5 kg). For these activities, the use of the two other Key Indicator Methods (KIM-LHC and KIM-PP) is recommended.
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Activities involving high energy requirements due to whole-body work and high exertion of action forces (e.g. rising, climbing, machine assembly).
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Activities involving long-duration forced postures (e.g. kneeling, bending, and lying).
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Risk category 1 (<10 points, “green”): low exposure situation where physical overload due to MHO is unlikely to occur,
-
Risk category 2 (10 – 24 points, “greenish yellow”): increased exposure situation, physical overload due to MHO is possible for particular groups of employees. Redesign of the workplace might be helpful especially for this group,
-
Risk category 3 (25 – 49 points, “yellow”): highly increased exposure situation, physical overload due to MHO quite possible. Redesign of the workplace is recommended,
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Risk category 4 (≥ 50 points, “red”): high exposure situation, physical overload due to MHO is likely to occur. Redesign of the workplace is necessary.
Application of the KIM in this study
Exposure variable
Outcome variables
Power calculation
Statistical methods
Results
Descriptive data
Parameter* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO | All employees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
N = 306 |
N = 75 |
N = 59 |
N = 73 |
N = 513 |
age [years] | 38.7 (10.1) | 37.7 (8.9) | 42.2 (9.1) | 44.8 (9.9) | 39.9 (10.0) |
body height [cm] | 167.6 (6.3) | 169.2 (6.8) | 164.7 (6.0) | 164.7 (5.5) | 167.1 (6.4) |
body mass index | 23.7 (3.6) | 23.9 (4.3) | 25.6 (4.7) | 26.2 (4.9) | 24.3 (4.2) |
working hours per week [hours] | 38.7 (6.6) | 36.7 (5.6) | 34.9 (3.1) | 36.7 (3.1) | 37.7 (5.9) |
Men |
N = 498 |
N = 173 |
N = 23 |
N = 239 |
N = 933 |
age [years] | 41.5 (9.0) | 38.5 (9.4) | 39.7 (11.2) | 36.6 (8.5) | 39.7 (9.2) |
body height [cm] | 181.1 (6.8) | 181.0 (6.9) | 178.6 (6.3) | 178.4 (6.8) | 180.3 (6.9) |
body mass index | 26.1 (3.2) | 26.2 (3.6) | 25.5 (2.9) | 26.8 (4.1) | 26.3 (3.6) |
working hours per week [hours] | 43.3 (6.3) | 40.0 (5.2) | 38.5 (2.4) | 37.7 (2.3) | 41.1 (5.8) |
Outcome data
Body region by gender* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO | All employees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
N = 306 |
N = 75 |
N = 59 |
N = 73 |
N = 513 |
neck/ cervical spine | 90/304 (29.6%) | 17/75 (22.7%) | 27/59 (45.8%) | 40/73 (54.8%) | 174/511 (34.1%) |
shoulder/ upper arm | 58/304 (19.1%) | 14/75 (18.7%) | 23/59 (39.0%) | 32/73 (43.8%) | 127/511 (24.9%) |
elbow/ forearm | 13/304 (4.3%) | 2/75 (2.7%) | 11/59 (18.6%) | 22/73 (30.1%) | 48/511 (9.4%) |
hand/ wrist | 26/304 (8.6%) | 4/75 (5.3%) | 17/59 (28.8%) | 34/73 (46.6%) | 81/511 (15.9%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 42/303 (13.9%) | 8/75 (10.7%) | 22/59 (37.3%) | 24/73 (32.9%) | 96/510 (18.8%) |
Men |
N = 498 |
N = 173 |
N = 23 |
N = 239 |
N = 933 |
neck/ cervical spine | 86/498 (17.3%) | 22/173 (12.7%) | 4/23 (17.4%) | 48/236 (20.3%) | 160/930 (17.2%) |
shoulder/ upper arm | 70/498 (14.1%) | 17/173 (9.8%) | 7/23 (30.4%) | 52/236 (22.0%) | 146/930 (15.7%) |
elbow/ forearm | 28/498 (5.6%) | 8/173 (4.6%) | 3/23 (13.0%) | 40/232 (17.2%) | 79/926 (8.5%) |
hand/ wrist | 28/498 (5.6%) | 11/173 (6.4%) | 7/23 (30.4%) | 72/234 (30.8%) | 118/928 (12.7%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 34/498 (6.8%) | 19/171 (11.1%) | 8/23 (34.8%) | 85/238 (35.7%) | 146/930 (15.7%) |
Body regions by gender* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO | All employees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
n = 306 |
n = 75 |
n = 59 |
n = 73 |
n = 513 |
neck/cervical spine | 29.7% (24.9% – 35.4%) | 23.9% (15.9% – 36.0%) | 43.4% (32.4% – 58.1%) | 52.0% (41.3% – 65.5%) | 35.6% (30.7% – 41.2%) |
shoulder/upper arm | 19.9% (15.8% – 25.1%) | 19.5% (12.4% – 30.9%) | 35.6% (25.3% – 50.2%) | 38.0% (28.4% – 50.8%) | 27.0% (22.6% – 32.1%) |
elbow/forearm | 4.3% (2.5% – 7.4%) | 2.7% (0.7% – 10.8%) | 14.1% (7.9% – 25.0%) | 19.3% (12.4% – 29.9%) | 7.5% (5.0% – 11.3%) |
hand/wrist | 8.0% (5.4% – 11.8%) | 4.2% (1.4% – 12.5%) | 23.8% (15.5% – 36.7%) | 33.7% (24.1% – 47.1%) | 12.8% (9.3% – 17.7%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 13.8% (10.4% – 18.4%) | 11.3% (5.9% – 21.8%) | 35.1% (24.6% – 50.2%) | 30.6% (21.5% – 43.6%) | 20.2% (16.2% – 25.2%) |
Men |
n = 498 |
n = 173 |
n = 23 |
n = 239 |
n = 933 |
neck/ cervical spine | 16.5% (13.5% – 20.2%) | 12.9% (8.7% – 19.0%) | 16.7% (6.8% – 40.9%) | 20.2% (15.5% – 26.4%) | 16.4% (12.6% – 21.2%) |
shoulder/upper arm | 12.6% (9.9% – 15.9%) | 9.8% (6.3% – 15.3%) | 28.6% (15.5% – 53.0%) | 23.6% (18.5% – 30.2%) | 17.0% (13.8% – 21.0%) |
elbow/forearm | 5.1% (3.6% – 7.4%) | 4.6% (2.4% – 8.8%) | 12.1% (4.1% – 36.1%) | 17.1% (12.5% – 23.4%) | 8.3% (5.9% – 11.8%) |
hand/wrist | 5.5% (3.8% – 8.0%) | 6.4% (3.6% – 11.3%) | 30.8% (16.8% – 56.3%) | 30.4% (24.6% – 37.7%) | 13.5% (10.7% – 17.0%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 6.8% (4.9% – 9.5%) | 10.9% (7.1% – 16.6%) | 33.4% (19.0% – 58.6%) | 32.2% (26.2% – 39.7%) | 16.8% (13.7% – 20.6%) |
Body region by gender* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO | All employees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
n = 306 |
n = 75 |
n = 59 |
n = 73 |
n = 513 |
neck/cervical spine | 201/304 (66.1%) | 51/75 (68.0%) | 50/59 (84.7%) | 58/73 (79.5%) | 360/511 (70.5%) |
shoulder/upper arm | 64/306 (20.9%) | 13/75 (17.3%) | 16/59 (27.1%) | 24/73 (32.9%) | 117/513 (22.8%) |
elbow/forearm | 42/306 (13.7%) | 17/75 (22.7%) | 18/59 (30.5%) | 38/73 (52.1%) | 115/513 (22.4%) |
hand/wrist | 78/306 (25.5%) | 17/75 (22.7%) | 29/59 (49.2%) | 53/73 (72.6%) | 177/513 (34.5%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 107/303 (35.3%) | 20/75 (26.7%) | 42/59 (71.2%) | 51/73 (69.9%) | 220/510 (43.1%) |
Men |
n = 498 |
n = 173 |
n = 23 |
n = 239 |
n = 930 |
neck/cervical spine | 244/498 (49.0%) | 80/173 (46.2%) | 18/23 (78.3%) | 124/236 (52.5%) | 466/930 (50.1%) |
shoulder/upper arm | 60/498 (12.0%) | 29/173 (16.8%) | 6/23 (26.1%) | 54/236 (22.9%) | 149/930 (16.0%) |
elbow/forearm | 72/498 (14.5%) | 26/173 (15.0%) | 4/23 (17.4%) | 85/232 (36.6%) | 187/926 (20.2%) |
hand/wrist | 91/498 (18.3%) | 36/173 (20.8%) | 11/23 (47.8%) | 137/235 (58.3%) | 275/929 (29.6%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 117/498 (23.5%) | 47/171 (27.5%) | 15/22 (68.2%) | 172/239 (72.0%) | 351/930 (37.7%) |
Body regions by gender* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO | All employees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
n = 306 |
n = 75 |
n = 59 |
n = 73 |
n = 513 |
neck/cervical spine | 66.3% (61.1% – 71.9%) | 68.1% (58.0% – 80.0%) | 84.2% (75.5% – 93.8%) | 78.7% (69.3% – 89.4%) | 74.0% (69.6% – 78.6%) |
shoulder/upper arm | 45.6% (40.3% – 51.7%) | 53.2% (42.5% – 66.5%) | 62.3% (51.4% – 75.5%) | 57.1% (47.3% – 69.1%) | 54.2% (49.3% – 59.6%) |
elbow/forearm | 13.5% (10.1% – 18.1%) | 21.2% (13.4% – 33.5%) | 26.0% (17.9% – 37.9%) | 39.7% (30.3% – 52.0%) | 23.3% (19.3% – 28.1%) |
hand/wrist | 25.0% (20.5% – 30.5%) | 21.3% (13.7% – 33.3%) | 46.1% (35.0% – 60.6%) | 67.7% (57.0% – 80.5%) | 35.9% (30.9% – 41.7%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 34.3% (29.3% – 40.2%) | 26.4% (18.1% – 38.6%) | 69.3% (58.1% – 82.6%) | 69.9% (59.3% – 82.3%) | 45.7% (40.6% – 51.5%) |
Men |
n = 498 |
n = 173 |
n = 23 |
n = 239 |
n = 933 |
neck/ cervical spine | 48.7% (44.5% – 53.4%) | 46.7% (39.8% – 54.8%) | 77.7% (62.7% – 96.5%) | 52.2% (46.0% – 59.3%) | 55.1% (51.0% – 59.6%) |
shoulder/upper arm | 32.2% (28.3% – 36.6%) | 31.5% (25.4% – 39.2%) | 65.1% (48.8% – 86.9%) | 52.6% (46.2% – 59.9%) | 43.2% (39.0% – 47.8%) |
elbow/forearm | 14.0% (11.2% – 17.3%) | 15.2% (10.6% – 21.7%) | 17.3% (6.9% – 43.3%) | 37.1% (31.0% – 44.4%) | 19.2% (14.9% – 24.8%) |
hand/wrist | 17.9% (14.8% – 21.7%) | 20.7% (15.4% – 27.9%) | 49.2% (32.2% – 75.0%) | 58.1% (51.6% – 65.4%) | 32.1% (27.9% – 36.9%) |
lower back/lumbar spine | 23.6% (20.1% – 27.7%) | 27.4% (21.6% – 34.9%) | 66.9% (50.0% – 89.4%) | 68.6% (62.5% – 75.3%) | 41.5% (37.4% – 46.1%) |
Body regions by gender* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO |
---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
n = 306 |
n = 75 |
n = 59 |
n = 73 |
neck/cervical spine | 1 (ref.) | 0.8 (0.5 – 1.3) |
1.5 (1.0 – 2.1)
|
1.8 (1.3 – 2.3)
|
shoulder/upper arm | 1 (ref.) | 1.0 (0.6 – 1.6) |
1.8 (1.2 – 2.7)
|
1.9 (1.3 – 2.8)
|
elbow/forearm | 1 (ref.) | 0.6 (0.1 – 2.8) |
3.3 (1.5 – 7.2)
|
4.5 (2.3 – 8.7)
|
hand/wrist | 1 (ref.) | 0.5 (0.2 – 1.7) |
3.0 (1.7 – 5.3)
|
4.2 (2.6 – 6.9)
|
lower back/lumbar spine | 1 (ref.) | 0.8 (0.4 – 1.7) |
2.5 (1.6 – 4.0)
|
2.2 (1.4 – 3.5)
|
Men |
n = 498 |
n = 173 |
n = 23 |
n = 239 |
neck/cervical spine | 1 (ref.) | 0.8 (0.5 – 1.2) | 1.0 (0.4 – 2.5) | 1.2 (0.9 – 1.7) |
shoulder/upper arm | 1 (ref.) | 0.8 (0.5 – 1.3) |
2.3 (1.2 – 4.4)
|
1.9 (1.3 – 2.7)
|
elbow/forearm | 1 (ref.) | 0.9 (0.4 – 1.9) | 2.4 (0.8 – 7.3) |
3.3 (2.1 – 5.4)
|
hand/wrist | 1 (ref.) | 1.2 (0.6 – 2.3) |
5.5 (2.7 – 11.3)
|
5.5 (3.5 – 8.5)
|
lower back/lumbar spine | 1 (ref.) | 1.6 (0.9 – 2.7) |
4.9 (2.5 – 9.4)
|
4.7 (3.1 – 7.1)
|
Body regions by gender* | Risk category 1 (Reference) Employees in jobs with low MHO, < 10 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 2 Employees in jobs with MHO, 10 – 24 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 3 Employees in jobs with MHO, 25 – 49 points KIM-MHO | Risk category 4 Employees in jobs with MHO, ≥ 50 points KIM-MHO |
---|---|---|---|---|
Women |
n = 306 |
n = 75 |
n = 59 |
n = 73 |
neck/cervical spine | 1 (ref.) | 1.0 (0.9 – 1.2) |
1.3 (1.1 – 1.5)
|
1.2 (1.0 – 1.4)
|
shoulder/upper arm | 1 (ref.) | 1.2 (0.9 – 1.5) |
1.4 (1.1 – 1.7)
|
1.3 (1.0 – 1.6)
|
elbow/forearm | 1 (ref.) | 1.6 (0.9 – 2.7) |
1.9 (1.2 – 3.1)
|
2.9 (2.0 – 4.3)
|
hand/wrist | 1 (ref.) | 0.9 (0.5 – 1.4) |
1.8 (1.3 – 2.6)
|
2.7 (2.1 – 3.5)
|
lower back/lumbar spine | 1 (ref.) | 0.8 (0.5 – 1.2) |
2.0 (1.6 – 2.6)
|
2.0 (1.6 – 2.6)
|
Men |
n = 498 |
n = 173 |
n = 23 |
n = 239 |
neck/cervical spine | 1 (ref.) | 1.0 (0.8 – 1.2) |
1.6 (1.3 – 2.0)
| 1.1 (0.9 – 1.3) |
shoulder/upper arm | 1 (ref.) | 1.0 (0.8 – 1.3) |
2.0 (1.5 – 2.8)
|
1.6 (1.4 – 2.0)
|
elbow/forearm | 1 (ref.) | 1.1 (0.7 – 1.6) | 1.2 (0.5 – 3.2) |
2.7 (2.0 – 3.5)
|
hand/wrist | 1 (ref.) | 1.2 (0.8 – 1.6) |
2.7 (1.7 – 4.4)
|
3.2 (2.6 – 4.1)
|
lower back/lumbar spine | 1 (ref.) | 1.2 (0.9 – 1.6) |
2.8 (2.0 – 4.0)
|
2.9 (2.4 – 3.5)
|