Instrument-based ergonomic assessment: A perspective on the current state of art and future trends

The majority of occupational disorders result from Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs). Consequently, through the years, a substantial level of effort has been placed on developing new tools for ergonomic assessment, and nowadays, three major methods can be identified: self-reports, observational methods, and instrument-based. The present paper presents a brief review of the current methodologies for ergonomic-risk assessment, focusing on the instrument-based tools already developed. Additionally, an analysis is conducted on the potentials and future prospects of wearables in the industry 4.0, where the symbiosis between humans and machines is the heart of the concept.