RAMP – A Comprehensive MSD Risk Management Tool

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe the development, dissemination and preliminary effects of the use of a new musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk management tool for manual handling, RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling Proactively). RAMP is research based and developed in close collaboration between researchers and practitioners with a participative iterative methodology. A broad strategy is used for the dissemination, including the use of professional networks, conferences, a specially developed homepage, and Massive Open Online Courses which also provide training on the tool use. The tool has been spread widely to about 45 countries since the release 2017. E.g. Scania CV uses RAMP as its global standard method for managing MSD risks at logistics and machining departments. Among the preliminary effects results show that at one department risk reduction measures had been taken for more than 2/3 of the work stations with assessments signalling elevated risk levels after 1.5 years. Further studies on RAMP are discussed. It is concluded that the development and the dissemination of RAMP can be seen as successful. Preliminary reports on the tool use effects indicate that the RAMP tool supports the MSD risk management process in the work to reduce MDS risks at workplaces.