Daniela  Colombini Author of Evaluating Organization Development
FEATURED AUTHOR

Daniela Colombini

Director of EPM International Ergonomics School
Free lance

MD in occupational medicine and statistics President of EPM IES 40 years work on risk assessment methods for biomechanical overload Coauthor of OCRA method, VLI NIOSH ML, TACOs posture Occupational Medicine professor at University of Milan, Florence and Bogotà for many years Since 20 years in CEN and ISO Coordinator of sub-group MSDs in IEA Chair of WG: ISO TR 23476 (agriculture) Author of more than 20 books and 200 papers

Biography

Daniela Colombini holds a MD in occupational medicine and health statistics. She is a certified European Ergonomist and has been working for 40 years as researcher in developing methods of risk evaluation of occupational biomechanical overload.  She is the coauthor of the OCRA method (EN 1005-5 standard and ISO 11228-3), new VLI in NIOSH manual lifting (ISO 11228-1) and TACOs for working posture. She was Professor in Occupational Medicine school, in University of Milan, Florence and Bogotà for many years (15). She is President and director of the EPM IES Association (Ergonomics of postures and Movements International Ergonomics School- www.epmresearch.org). She has been working for 20 years in Ergonomics Committee in CEN and ISO. She is coordinator of a sub-group MSDs in IEA.  
Daniela Colombini is chair of a new working ISO group: ISO/NP TR 23476 Ergonomics — Application document for International Standards (ISO 11228-1, ISO 11228-2 and ISO 11228-3), static working postures (ISO 11226) and ISO/NP TR 23476 in the agricultural sector. The group has prepared an ISO TR (Technical Report) on the study of biomechanical overload in agriculture.
To date she has produced 20 entire volumes and manuals and at least 200 scientific articles always dedicated to the prevention of the risk of professional biomechanical overload.

Education

    Degree in Medicine and Surgery,
    Specialization in Occupational Medicine
    Specialization in Epidemiology and Sanitay Statistic

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

    -Development of risk assessment methods for occupational biomechanical overload evaluation ( OCRA, CLI/VLI by NIOSH manual lifting, ERGOCHECK for risk pre-mapping, TACOS for working postures evaluation.

    -Criteria and  systems for the ergonomic (re)design of work activity, working paces, tools in use in the living environment and working conditions.

    -Criteria and methods for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal  work related;

    -Criteria and methods for proper integration of people with reduced or altered motor function;

    -Development of simple tools ( software in EXCEL free download) for an easy application of criteria and methods specifically developed for biomechanical overload evaluation and gestion: http://www.epmresearch.org/a57_free-software-in-english.html

    -Development of courses on biomechanical overload evaluation and gestion
    http://www.epmresearch.org/a37_courses-gen-structure.html

    -Development of e-learning courses in English on biomechanical overload evaluation and gestion
    https://danielacolombini-corsionline-epmies.thinkific.com

Websites

Books

Featured Title
 Featured Title - Manual Lifting: Guide to Study of Simple & Complx Lifting - 1st Edition book cover

Articles

MANY SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

MORE THAN 200 PUBBLICATIONS AN EVALUATION AND GESTION OF OCCUPATIONAL BIOMECHANICAL OVERLOAD


Published: Nov 17, 2020 by MANY SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Authors: D. COLOMBINI, E. OCCHIPINTI
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety, Statistics

MORE THAN 200 PUBBLICATIONS AN EVALUATION AND GESTION OF OCCUPATIONAL BIOMECHANICAL OVERLOAD : OcCRA methods, NIOSH manual lifting of loads (CLI, VLI), TACOs strategy for posture evaluation, ERGOCHECK for premapping

Scand J Work Environ Health – online first. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3746- 2018;44(3):255-334

Scientific basis of the OCRA method for risk assessment of biomechanical overload of upper limb, as preferred method in ISO standards on biomechanical risk factors


Published: Nov 12, 2018 by Scand J Work Environ Health – online first. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3746- 2018;44(3):255-334
Authors: Daniela Colombini, PhD,1 Enrico Occhipinti, PhD 1 1 Scientific Association “Ergonomics of Posture and Movements Internat
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety

Key terms: biomechanical overload; biomechanical risk factor; ISO standard; Letter to the Editor; OCRA method; risk assessment

ERGONOMICS, 50; 11; 1727–1739; 2007.

Updating reference values and predictive models of the OCRA method in the risk assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs.


Published: Nov 17, 2007 by ERGONOMICS, 50; 11; 1727–1739; 2007.
Authors: E. OCCHIPINTI, D. COLOMBINI
Subjects: Occupational Health & Safety, Statistics

Updating reference values and predictive models of the OCRA method in the risk assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs

APPLIED ERGONOMICS, 37; 4; 441-450; 2006

Preventing upper limb work related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs): new approaches in job (re)design and current trends in standardization.


Published: Nov 17, 2007 by APPLIED ERGONOMICS, 37; 4; 441-450; 2006
Authors: D. COLOMBINI, E. OCCHIPINTI
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety, Statistics

Preventing upper limb work related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs): new approaches in job (re)design and current trends in standardization

 La Medicina del Lavoro, 95;4;305–319- 2004

Metodo OCRA: aggiornamento dei valori di riferimento e dei modelli di previsione dell’occorrenza di UL-WMSDs nelle popolazioni lavorative esposte a movimenti e sforzi ripetuti degli arti superiori.


Published: Nov 17, 2004 by La Medicina del Lavoro, 95;4;305–319- 2004
Authors: E. OCCHIPINTI, D. COLOMBINI,
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety, Statistics

Metodo OCRA: aggiornamento dei valori di riferimento e dei modelli di previsione dell’occorrenza di UL-WMSDs nelle popolazioni lavorative esposte a movimenti e sforzi ripetuti degli arti superiori

INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF ERGONOMICS AND HUMAN FACTORS, TAYLOR&FRANCIS 2001.

Exposure assessment of upper limb repetitive movements: a consensus document


Published: Nov 17, 1998 by INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF ERGONOMICS AND HUMAN FACTORS, TAYLOR&FRANCIS 2001.
Authors: D. COLOMBINI, E. OCCHIPINTI, D. DELLEMAN, N. FALLENTIN, A. KILBOM, A. GRIECO
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety, Statistics

A consensus document on how to evaluate risk exposure to upper limbs biomechanical overload (IEA, ICOH, EPM, ISO members)

ERGONOMICS, vol. 41, n. 9, 1998

Occupational musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs due to mechanical overload:Whole special issue devoted to the OCRA method and epidemiological studies


Published: Nov 17, 1998 by ERGONOMICS, vol. 41, n. 9, 1998
Authors: D. COLOMBINI, A. GRIECO, E. OCCHIPINTI
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety, Statistics

Whole ERGONOMICS special issue devoted to the OCRA method and epidemiological studies

Photos

News

E-LEARNING COURSE: MANUAL LIFTING EVALUATION: a guide for simple and complex lifting tasks evaluation( by update NIOSH M

By: Daniela Colombini
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors

AIM OF THE COURSE

This course aims to offer a useful guidance and tools (spreadsheets in Excel free download)  to analyze and evaluate complex  lifting activities  for preventing injury during their execution. 

The course  will teach how to apply both the international standards ISO [ISO 11228-1, 2003] and the RNLE (Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation) 

For over 10 years now EPM has worked with researchers at NIOSH, primarily with Thomas Waters, the principal author of the RNLE, to develop theoretical models and application tools for the update the criteria to evaluate and manage  complex manual lifting tasks (variable and/or sequential, manual lifting situations commonly present in all warehouses, supermarkets, construction, agricultural works, etc.). The methodology, latest evolution of the original RNLE [WATERS, 2003], have become the reference method for international standards.

IN FEATURES

Presents applications of RNLE for all types of lifting tasks

Explains procedures and applications with examples

Defines different types of lifting tasks, with instructions on how to analyse each

PROFESSIONAL FIGURES TO WHOM THE COURSE IS DEDICATED.

All those involved in workplace ergonomics, protection and prevention

WHAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE COURSE

Download the specific spreadsheets  from the site:

http://www.epmresearch.org/a57_free-software-in-english.html

E-LEARNING COURSE: ERGOCHECK for e preliminary mapping of risk at work. Tools, guidelines and application

By: Daniela Colombini
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors

AIM OF THE COURSE

The aim of the course is to teach  a methodology  for evaluating various potential risk factors to undertake a preliminary mapping of discomfort/danger in the workplaces and to assess consequent priorities for prevention, especially (but not only) in small and very small businesses)

The methodology is the “first step” to rapidly but accurately identify the presence of possible sources of risk (e.g.  physical, chemical, biological, occupational stress and others)

The evaluation is facilitated by a comprehensive simple tool (spreadsheet in excel downloadable for free from http://www.epmresearch.org/)

It is primarily designed to be used by employers, OSH operators, trade union representatives, occupational medical staff supervisory bodies (labour inspectors) conducting inspections in the workplace needing to rapidly detect potentially dangerous situations requiring specific preventive interventions.

MAIN CRITERIA

In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2010), three main criteria underpin the methodology:

globalitya global approach towards assessing the worker's discomfort, due to either the task or the workplace;

simplicity: the methodology consists in an easy to use model for collecting data. 

priority-setting: the results obtained automatically via dedicated software and depicted clearly in bar graphs will not only help to identify problems but also offer a scale of priorities for subsequent interventions and assessments.

Many application experiences are analysed in the course

PROFESSIONAL FIGURES TO WHOM THE COURSE IS DEDICATED

The tool is primarily designed to be used by employers, OSH operators, trade union representatives, but it may also be useful for occupational medical staff conducting periodical inspections and drafting health surveillance protocols, and for supervisory bodies (labour inspectors) conducting inspections in the workplace needing to rapidly detect potentially dangerous situations requiring specific preventive interventions.

WHAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE COURSE

 Download the specific spreadsheets from the site :

http://www.epmresearch.org/a57_free-software-in-english.html:

E-LEARNING COURSE: OCRA checklist for evaluation of upper limbs biomechanical overload

By: Daniela Colombini
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors

AIM OF THE COURSE

This course represents the basic path for the prevention and management of the biomechanical overload risks for upper limbs (OCRA checklist)  that is the first professional risk in the world and that is consequently the cause of the most numerous work-related diseases.

THE MAIN AIM OF THE COURSE IS TO TRANSMIT THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE:

to apply the up to date European (CEN) and international (ISO) standards concerned;

to determine quickly what proportion of tasks can be classified as green (no risk), yellow (significant or borderline risk), red (medium risk) or purple (high risk);

to produce an initial map of the risk related to work;

to determine priorities for ergonomic improvement;

to reintegrate workers with musculoskeletal diseases;

to discuss the presence or absence of causal links between the level of risk exposure and musculoskeletal disorders for occupational diseases reporting;

to predict the probability of getting musculoskeletal occupational diseases 

application examples are presented making use of spreadsheets in Excel, prepared by EPMIES, which can be downloaded for free by the EPMIES web site (www.epmresearch.org).

PROFESSIONAL FIGURES TO WHOM THE COURSE IS DEDICATED

In practice, this basic path allows the management of occupational biomechanical overload , in compliance with international standards to different professional figures (also not expert in ergonomics) like company technicians, occupational medical doctors, occupational physiotherapist, security technicians, etc.

WHAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE COURSE

Download the following spreadsheets indicated below from the site: 

http://www.epmresearch.org/a57_free-software-in-english.html

E-LEARNING NEW ORIGINAL COURSES IN ERGONOMICS

By: Daniela Colombini
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors

THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BIOMECHANICAL OVERLOAD RISK FOR UPPER LIMBS AND SPINE

E-Learning Courses prepared by Daniela Colombini-President of EPMIES

A formative basic training on biomechanical overload-This preliminary basic training  path ( in English) is dedicated to the study of the work related biomechanical overload that represents the first  occupational risk in the world. The evaluation of exposure risk    is made  according  to the most recent  ISO Standards and Technical  Reports.

Content of the  Basic training: 3 courses-This formative path has  3 courses on the study of exposure assessment :1) for upper limbs (OCRA checklist); 2) for spine (NIOSH- RNLE lifting index); 3) for pre-mapping all  the major occupational discomforts with  indications  on the intervention priorities: ERGOCHECK,

Courses structure-The courses are all structured with  50%  theoretical and  50% application  part (exercises). The courses include  many videos  illustrating  working realities,  taken as a basis for risk assessment. The  risk evaluation is  performed  by means of  free  downloadable spreadsheet in excel specifically prepared. The  courses conform with the didactic criteria of EPMIES  association(Ergonomics of Postures and Movement, International Ergonomics School)

goals and users

The  main goal is to transfer knowledge and skill for  management of occupational biomechanical overload risk, in compliance with international Standards.  It is dedicated to different professional figures (also not expert in ergonomics) like company technicians, occupational medical doctors, occupational physiotherapist, security technicians, etc.

 

EPM INTERNATIONAL ERGONOMICS SCHOOL presentation

By: Daniela Colombini
Subjects: Ergonomics & Human Factors, Occupational Health & Safety

EPM INTERNATIONAL ERGONOMICS SCHOOL

 is a cultural no profit association

DANIELA COLOMBINI: President and Director

The Epm International School Scientific Association (EPM IES) has the primary purpose of spreading throughout the world the most advanced knowledge of ergonomics, coordinating the efforts of agencies, companies and professionals (doctors and engineers) active in several countries, in the general field of protection of health and prevention in the living and work environment, but with particular reference to the ergonomics of posture and movement in terms of prevention and management of risks due to biomechanical overload.

In 2013 the Epm International Ergonomics School, Scientific Association originated as an evolution of EPM Research Unit, founded in 1985 by Antonio Grieco, for interdisciplinary research on ergonomics of posture and movement, as well as on the patophysiology and clinical diseases of the musculoskeletal system in order to prevent damage and injuries related to work .