The primary goal of this study was to identify successful and cost-effective exposure measurement techniques that health researchers can use to study the causes of back disorders.

To accomplish this goal, researchers measured the exposures of 126 workers employed in five major heavy industries in B.C., using five different exposure assessment methods. Three of these methods used instruments that took direct measurements of some of the most important risk factors for back disorders: posture and bending; muscle activity due to both posture and materials handling; and vibration of the body due to operating a vehicle. The other two methods gathered less detailed yet wider-ranging information about risk factors through once per minute observation of work, and through end-of-shift interviews with workers.