Analysis of the return on preventive measures in musculoskeletal disorders through the benefit–cost ratio: A case study in a hospital |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Technology School, Barcelos, Portugal;2. Algoritmi Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal;1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan;2. Department of Industrial Engineering, Hashemite University, Amman, Jordan;3. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA;1. Department of Economics, Management and Industrial Engineering (DEGEI), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;2. Department of Physics (DFIS), Research Center in Teaching and Technology in Training of Trainers (CIDTFF), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;3. Department of Economics, Management and Industrial Engineering (DEGEI), Institute of Electronics and Telematics Engineering of Aveiro (IEETA), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;1. ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;2. School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;1. Division of Pathway Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor''s Building, 49, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB and AP Consultants, 22, Walworth Enterprise Centre, Duke Close, Andover, SP10 5AP, United Kingdom;2. Environmental Research Group Oxford (ERGO), Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, United Kingdom;4. Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA and Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom;6. Livestock Systems and Environment, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya |
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| Abstract: | Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the most costly health problems that society is facing today. Prevention involves investments and it is important for organizations to make a cost–benefit analysis of ergonomic projects. Return on prevention is a recent concern in the domain of occupational safety and health (OSH). There are many studies concerning the return on the prevention of WMSDs, in terms of the benefits for the organization in which the preventive measures are implemented. However, it is also important to perform an analysis of the impact of each measure on society (externalities). A model to perform a financial and economic cost–benefit analysis related to OSH projects was developed and it was applied in the case of the prevention of WMSDs in a Portuguese hospital. An analysis of the accidents and corresponding costs has been made in six of the services of the hospital. Financial and an economic cost–benefit analysis have been made and the benefit–cost ratio (B/C) has been calculated. While the B/C financial ratio, considering only the benefits to the hospital, is around 2, the economic B/C ratio, taking into account all the external benefits that have been quantified, is higher than 14.Relevance to industryBoth the economic and the financial B/C ratio are important support tools for decision makers in public and private organizations, helping them to define which preventive measures should be implemented, taking into account the costs involved and the resulting quantified benefits, for the organization, for the workers and for the society. |
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| Keywords: | Occupational safety and health (OSH) Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) Preventive measures Return on preventive measures Cost–benefit analysis Benefit–cost ratio Externalities Hospital |
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