The TACOs (time-based assessment computerized strategy) approach to evaluating occupational working postures

Many investigations of biomechanical overload concentrate on upper limbs and manual handling: certain jobs require an evaluation on spinal and lower limb postures. While existing methodologies adequately describe postures, they often poorly consider the organisation. This shortcoming prompted the development of TACOs for spinal and lower limb postures, using organisational factors to adjust the risk indexes. The TACOs is set out in steps: task identification, posture assessment, duration, and a final evaluation also for complex cycles. Given the complexity, tools have been devised, free downloadable, to facilitate evaluation. Studies on the TACOs reliability indicate excellent intra-observer and moderate interobserver agreement. TACOs, defining the task as a measurement unit, offers the advantage of assessing postures more easily and, considering duration, provides precise evaluation of the final risk. While the method does not demonstrate predictive validity regarding related diseases, it nonetheless enables the classification of exposure levels, even in complex multitask scenarios. The development of TACOs strategy for posture analysis stems from the need to modulate the intensity of posture risk factors in relation with duration. It estimates final exposure scores in real work through detailed preliminary organisational studies. This involves identifying tasks, assessing postures for type and duration in work period.