In this study, we developed a new shoulder-specific musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) assessment tool designed to address a critical gap in traditional ergonomic evaluations. It systematically captures both personal and physical risk factors associated with shoulder-related MSDs. The tool development was completed in the Fall 2025 semester. This Spring 2026, it will be tested in actual workplace settings from February to March. We partnered with safety professionals from manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and construction companies around New England. Following training, the tool will be applied during routine job evaluations, and data will be collected across multiple tasks, job roles, and work environments. Quantitative analyses will be performed to examine inter-rater reliability, margin of error, and potential sources of bias.
