Development and evaluation of an observational Back-Exposure Sampling Tool (Back-EST) for work-related back injury risk factors.

We developed and evaluated an observational Back-Exposure Sampling Tool. A literature review suggested 53 exposure variables; these were reduced to 20 following field trials. Kappas for agreement beyond chance between six observers assessing exposures in 72 photos ranged from 0.21 to 1.0, with the highest values for posture type, trunk angle, manual materials handling, hands on item, and load weight. Intraclass correlations for agreement between pairs observing 17 workers once per minute for a full-shift were >0.74 for most postural, trunk angle, and manual materials handling variables. In validity testing, the proportions of shifts in flexion/extension and lateral bending observed for 169 full-shifts were compared to inclinometer measurements. Pearson correlations were 0.42 for 45–60° flexion and 0.9 for >60° flexion, but only 0.11–0.19 for lateral bending and trunk flexion less than 45°. When lower flexion angles were collapsed to include trunk extension, correlations increased to >0.5.