University of Gothenburg
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  4. Jörgen Winkel

Jörgen Winkel

Professor Emeritus

Department of Sociology and Work
Science
Telephone
+46 706-57 58 34
Mail
jorgen.winkel@gu.se
Visiting address
Skanstorget 18
41122 Göteborg
Room number
G111
Postal address
Box 720
40530 Göteborg

About Jörgen Winkel

Background

Jörgen Winkel (ORCID-ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7993-396X ) is Professor Emeritus of Applied Work Physiology/Production Ergonomics; from 1989 to 2007 at the Karolinska Institute and the National Institute for Working Life, Sweden and thereafter at the Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Year 2008-10 also affiliated to the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark and year 2012-18 to DTU Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and more than 350 other publications within the field of production ergonomics including ergonomic intervention research, ergonomic epidemiology, quantification and prediction of mechanical exposure as well as physiological issues related to prolonged occupational work while sitting, standing and walking. He has received several international research awards.

Research Medical conditions diagnosed as musculoskeletal or mental disorders are still a major cause of sick leave. This threatens the welfare of individuals and the economics of companies and the society.

Unfortunately, the ergonomic intervention research seem to have limited health effects in a long range perspective. This lack of positive effects is now explained by adverse health effects caused by rationalization (Westgaard & Winkel 2011). It has therefore been suggested to change the focus of ergonomic intervention research towards organizational sustainability, i.e. the joint consideration of both competitive performance and working conditions in a long term perspective.

Another key problem is that the ergonomic intervention research is mostly retrospective, i.e. aimed at reducing the problems that already exist. The intervention research should rather be prospective, i.e. investigate how to integrate ergonomics into management systems.

On this background, organizational sustainability and prospective approaches have guided our intervention research during recent decades. Present research projects are shown under the heading “Working Life Research”. Examples of research publications are given below.

Reviews (examples)

  • Winkel J, Schiller B, Dellve L, Edwards K, Neumann W P, Öhrling T, Westgaard R H. Scientific evidence suggests a changed approach in ergonomic intervention research. The Nordic Ergonomics and Human Factors Society (NES), Lund, 20-23 August 2017, Conference Proceedings,”Joy at Work”, Eds.: A-L Osvalder, M Blomé & H Bodnar, pp 430-36. ISBN 978-91-7753-152-4, 2017
  • Westgaard R H, Winkel J. Occupational musculoskeletal and mental health: significance of rationalization and opportunities to create sustainable production systems – a systematic review. Applied Ergonomics, 42, 261-296, 2011
  • Takala E-P, Pehkonen I, Forsman M, Hansson G-Å, Mathiassen S E, Neumann W P, Sjøgaard G, Veiersted K B, Westgaard R, Winkel J. Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work. Scand J Work Environ Health; 36(1):3–24, 2010
  • Westgaard R H, Winkel J. Ergonomic intervention research for improved musculoskeletal health: A critical review. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 20, 463-500, 1997
  • Wells R, Mathiassen S E, Medbo L, Winkel J. Time - a key issue for musculoskeletal health and manufacturing. Applied Ergonomics, vol 38, 733-744, 2007
  • Winkel J, Westgaard R H. A model for solving work related musculoskeletal problems in a profitable way. Applied Ergonomics, 27, 71-77, 1996
  • Winkel J, Westgaard R. "Occupational and individual risk factors for shoulder-neck complaints: Part II - The scientific basis (literature review) for the guide". Int J Ind Ergonomics, 10, 85-104, 1992

Methods (examples)

  • Edwards K, Winkel J. A method for Effect Modifier Assessment (EMA) in ergonomic intervention research. Applied Ergonomics, 72, 113-120, 2018
  • Jarebrant C, Johansson Hanse, Ulin K, Winkel J, Edwards K, Birgisdóttir B Dröfn, Gunnarsdóttir S. Ergonomic Value Stream Mapping (ErgoVSM). Tool and User Guide. Nordic Council of Ministers, ANP 2016:731, 36 pp., ISBN 978-92-893-4572-9 (PRINT), ISBN 978-92-893-4573-6 (PDF), 2016
  • Jarebrant C, Winkel J, Johansson Hanse J, Mathiassen S E, and Öjmertz B. ErgoVSM: A Tool for Integrating Value Stream Mapping and Ergonomics in Manufacturing. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries 26 (2) 191–204, 2016 (doi: 10.1002/hfm.20622)
  • Attebrant M, Mathiassen S E, Winkel J. Normalizing upper trapezius EMG amplitude: comparison of ramp and constant force procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, vol 5(4), 245-250, 1995
  • Fransson-Hall C, Gloria R, Kilbom Å, Winkel J, Karlqvist L, Wiktorin C, Stockholm MUSIC 1 Study Group. A portable ergonomic observation method (PEO) for computerised on-line recording of postures and manual handling. Applied Ergonomics, 26 (2), 93-100, 1995
  • Mathiassen S E, Winkel J. "Quantifying variation in musculoskeletal load using exposure-vs-time data. Methodological considerations and presentation of a new method". Ergonomics, 34, 1455-1468, 1991. (Partly a review)
  • Winkel J. An accurate plethysmograph for measurement of changes in the volume of the human foot. Ergonomics, 29, 801-805, 1986
  • Winkel J, Bendix T. A method for electromyographic analysis of muscular contraction frequencies. Eur J Appl Physiol, 53, 112-117, 1984
  • Winkel J. Swelling of the lower leg in sedentary work - a pilot study. J Hum Ergol (Tokyo), 10, 139-149, 1981

Ergonomic Epidemiology (examples)

  • Johansson Hanse J and Winkel J. Work organisation constructs and ergonomic outcomes among European forest machine operators. Ergonomics, vol 51 (7), 968–981, 2008
  • Östergren P-O, Hansson B S,Balogh I, Ektor-Andersen J, Isacsson A, Orbæk P, Winkel J, Isacsson S-O. Incidence of shoulder and neck pain in a working population - effect modification between mechanical and psychosocial exposures at work? Results from a one-year follow-up study of the Malmö Shoulder Neck Study cohort. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 59 (9): 721-728, 2005
  • Balogh I, Ørbæk P, Ohlsson K, Nordander C, Unge Byström J, Winkel J, Hansson G-Å, & the Malmö Shoulder-Neck Study. Self-assessed and direct measured physical activities - influence of musculoskeletal complaints. Applied Ergonomics, vol. 35, no. 1, 49-56, 2004
  • Balogh I, Ørbæk P, Winkel J, Nordander C, Ohlsson K, Ektor-Andersen J, & the Malmö Shoulder-Neck Study. Questionnaire based mechanical exposure indices for large population studies - Reliability, internal consistency and predictive validity. Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health, vol. 27, no. 1, 41-48, 2001
  • Torgén M, Winkel, J, Alfredsson L, Kilbom Å, Stockholm MUSIC 1 Study Group. Evaluation of questionnaire-based information on previous physical workloads. Scand J Work, Environ & Health, 25, 246-254, 1999
  • Bao S, Winkel J, Shahanvaz H. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders at workplaces in the People’s Republic of China. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, vol. 6, no. 4, 557-574, 2000.Winkel J, Mathiassen S E. Assessment of physical work load in epidemiologic studies - concepts, issues and operational considerations. Ergonomics, 37(6), 979-988, 1994
  • Wigaeus Hjelm E, Winkel J, Nygård C-H, Wiktorin C, Karlqvist L, Stockholm MUSIC I Study Group. Can cardiovascular load in ergonomic epidemiology be estimated by self-report? Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 37 (10), 1210-1217, 1995
  • Wiktorin C, Wigaeus Hjelm E, Winkel J, Köster M, and Stockholm MUSIC 1 study group. Reproducibility of a questionnaire for assessment of physical load during work and leisure time. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 38(2), 190-201, 1996

Manufacturing industry (examples)

  • Neumann P W, Winkel J, Forsman M, Palmerud G. Innovation and employee injury risk in automotive disassembly operations. (International Journal of Production Research. (doi: 10.1080/00207543/2018.1432910). 2018
  • Palmerud G, Forsman M, Neumann P W, Winkel J. Mechanical exposure implications of rationalization: a comparison of two flow strategies in a Swedish manufacturing plant. Applied Ergonomics, 43, 1110-1121, 2012
  • Brännmark M, Langstrand J, Johansson S, Halvarsson A, Abrahamsson L, Winkel J. Researching Lean: Methodological implications of loose definitions. Journal: Quality Innovation Prosperity, XVI/2, pp 35-48, 2012. ISSN: 1335-1745 (print); ISSN: 1338-984X (online), 2012
  • Neumann W P, Ekman M, Winkel J. Integrating ergonomics into production system development - The Volvo Powertrain Case. Applied Ergonomics, 40(3): 527-537, 2009
  • Kazmierczak K, Neumann W P, Winkel J. A case study of serial-flow car disassembly: ergonomics, productivity and potential system performance. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, vol 17 (4), 331-351, 2007
  • Neumann, W.P., Winkel, J., Medbo, L., Magneberg, R Mathiassen S.E. Production System Design Elements Influencing Productivity and Ergonomics - A Case Study of Parallel and Serial Flow Strategies. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 26(8): 904-923, 2006
  • Kazmierczak K, Mathiassen S E, Forsman M, Winkel J. An integrated analysis of ergonomics and time consumption in Swedish ‘craft-type’ car disassembly. Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 36, 263-273, 2005
  • Kazmierczak K, Winkel J, Westgaard R H. Car disassembly and ergonomics in Sweden: Current situation and future perspectives in light of new environmental legislation. International Journal of Production Research, vol 42 no. 6, 1305-1324, 2004

Forestry (examples)

  • Gellerstedt S, Almqvist R, Attebrant M, Myhrman D, Wikström B-O, Winkel J. Ergonomic guidelines for forest machines. Swedish National Institute for Working Life, the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. 85 pages, 1999Østensvik T, Veiersted K B, Nilsen P, Cuchet E, Johansson Hanse J, Carlzon C and Winkel J. A search for risk factors of upper extremity disorders among forest machine operators in France and Norway. Int. J. Ind. Erg. 38, 1017-1027, 2008
  • Johansson Hanse J and Winkel J. Work organisation constructs and ergonomic outcomes among European forest machine operators. Ergonomics, vol 51 (7), 968–981, 2008
  • Østensvik T, Veiersted K B, Nilsen P, Cuchet E, Johansson Hanse J, Carlzon C and Winkel J. A search for risk factors of upper extremity disorders among forest machine operators in France and Norway. Int. J. Ind. Erg. 38, 1017-1027, 2008
  • Attebrant M, Winkel J, Mathiassen S E, Kjellberg A. Shoulder-arm muscle load and performance during control operation in forest machines. Effects of changing to a new arm rest, lever and boom control . Applied Ergonomics, 28(2), 85-97, 1997

Healthcare (examples)

  • Jarebrant C, Johansson Hanse, Ulin K, Winkel J, Edwards K, Birgisdóttir B Dröfn, Gunnarsdóttir S. Ergonomic Value Stream Mapping (ErgoVSM). Tool and User Guide. Nordic Council of Ministers, ANP 2016:731, 36 pp., ISBN 978-92-893-4572-9 (PRINT), ISBN 978-92-893-4573-6 (PDF), 2016
  • Winkel J., Edwards K, Birgisdóttir Dröfn B, Gunnarsdóttir S. Facilitating and inhibiting factors in change processes based on the lean tool ‘value stream mapping’: an exploratory case study at hospital wards. International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics. Int. J. Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 3, Nos. 3/4, 291-302, 2015
  • Jonker D, Rolander B, Balogh I, Sandsjö L, Ekberg K, Winkel J. Rationalisation in public dental care – impact on clinical work tasks and mechanical exposure for dentists – a prospective study. Ergonomics, 56(2), 303-313, 2013
  • Rolander B, Jonker D, Winkel J, Sandsjö L, Balogh I, Svensson E, Ekberg K. Working conditions, health and productivity among dentists – a prospective study during a 5-year period of rationalization in public dental care. Ergonomics, Vol. 56(9), 1376–1386, 2013
  • Jonker D, Rolander B, Balogh I, Sandsjö L, Ekberg K, Winkel J. Mechanical exposure among general practice dentists in Sweden and possible implications of rationalization. Ergonomics, 54, 953-60, 2011
  • Jonker D, Rolander B, Balogh I, Sandsjö L, Ekberg K, Winkel J. Mechanical exposure among general practice dentists in Sweden and possible implications of rationalization. Ergonomics, 54, 953-60, 2011

Key words: Production ergonomics, intervention research, change management, occupational health, risk factors, musculoskeletal, physical health, mental health, sustainable production system, ergonomic epidemiology

Teaching: Occasional lectures at Masters and PhD level. Supervisor.

A complete list of publications is obtained by clicking on the document under the heading "CV - Curriculum vitae" (below the photo).

The list of publications below includes publications affiliated to the University of Gothenburg.