Abstract

Five literature reviews have been published since 2007 on the effectiveness of material handling training. These reviews suggest that material handling training is relatively ineffective in preventing musculoskeletal disorders (TMS).
These reviews report on considerations related to the training provided but seldom address the quality of the interventions being evaluated, although the objective is to show their effectiveness.

The researchers hypothesize that the rigour of the “evaluation” component and the quality of the training interventions investigated are inversely related.

The main purpose of this study is to verify this hypothesis. A secondary objective is to describe such training in detail to estimate its quality and verify the effects, a key condition for validating the researchers’ hypothesis. They will attempt to group the training under similar profiles.

The study will provide a more accurate overview of the potential expected effects of material handling training, and define training characteristics that must be implemented in order to achieve realistic prevention goals meeting expressed workplace expectations.