RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effectiveness of job rotation for preventing work-related musculoskeletal diseases: a cluster randomised controlled trial JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 543 OP 544 DO 10.1136/oemed-2016-104077 VO 74 IS 8 A1 Maria Luiza Caires Comper A1 Jack Tigh Dennerlein A1 Gabriela dos Santos Evangelista A1 Patricia Rodrigues da Silva A1 Rosimeire Simprini Padula YR 2017 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/74/8/543.1.abstract AB Objective Job rotation is an organisational strategy widely used on assembly lines in manufacturing industries to mitigate workers' exposure so as to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of job rotation for reducing working hours lost due to sick leave resulting from musculoskeletal diseases.Methods The design consisted of a 1-year cluster randomised controlled trial with a blinded assessor. Production sectors of the textile industry were randomised to intervention and control groups. Both groups received ergonomic training. The intervention group performed a job rotation programme. The primary outcome measure was number of working hours lost due to sick leave as a result of musculoskeletal disease (ICD-10). The secondary outcome measures were musculoskeletal symptoms (Yes/No), risk factors for musculoskeletal diseases (0–10), psychosocial factors and fatigue (0–100), general health (0–100), and productivity (0–10). All secondary outcomes were measured at baseline and 12-month follow-up.Results At the 12-month follow-up, both groups showed an increase in the number of working hours lost due to sick leave for musculoskeletal disease. There was no significant difference between the job rotation intervention group (mean deviation −5.6 hours, 95% CI −25.0 to 13.8) at the 12-month follow-up and the control group. There were no significant differences between groups for the secondary outcomes (p>0.05).Conclusions The job rotation programme was not effective in reducing the number of working hours lost due to sick leave, decreasing the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, or improving perception of musculoskeletal pain and workplace risk factors, psychosocial risk factors and productivity.Trial registration number NCT01979731.