ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN THE DESIGN OF WORK SPACE FOR COMPUTER OPERATORS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA (original) (raw)
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Direct Research Journal of Engineering and Information Technology, 2022
This study was carried out to evaluate the workstations of Petroleum Training Institute computer village users (operators) by randomly selecting thirty shops with sixty-five operators. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the operator's anthropometric data, which was collected by measuring various body dimensions. The existing furniture measurements in the randomly selected 30 businesses were also measured using measuring tape, and the design was evaluated using an assessment checklist. Questionnaires were employed to assess the participant's body locations of discomfort. This investigation discovered a misalignment between existing store furniture design and operator anthropometric data. Also, operators in this computer village of the study experienced musculoskeletal disorders with the highest prevalence of shoulder (3.02±0.779), followed by eye (3.00±0.832), lower legs (2.98±0.828), nape (2.91±0.766), fingers (2.85±0.662) and the wrists (2.56±0.998). The study hypothesis was tested with Chi-square statistics at 5% level of significance with P-value of 246.22 which falls within the acceptance region, hence accepting the Ho and rejecting the Ha. These results show that the existing furniture was planned or acquired without taking into account the user's anthropometric data, which is why the participant developed musculoskeletal disorder. Therefore, additional research should be conducted for the development of shop furniture in accordance to the anthropometry data of the user community.
Ergonomic Challenges of Employees Using Computers at Work in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
Objective: Ergonomically designed workstations have direct bearing on the comfort and safety of office computer users. Tremendous usage of computers in most offices of emerging economies have however, not seen accompanying applications of ergonomics in the design of computer workstations despite the numerous benefits. Injuries and discomforts therefore have higher propensity to occur since most offices formally designed for paper-based work now accommodate computer workstations, without corresponding redesigning. The study therefore sought to assess computer workstation designs in administrative offices at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, with the aim of creating awareness of ergonomics and its application among administrative office computer users. Method: A total of 150 office employees purposively sampled participated in this study. Respondents selected included secretaries, research assistants and data and account processors. This cross-sectional study consisted of a checklist (computer workstation components, visual complaints and ergonomics knowledge), work posture observations and measurements of workstation linear distances and monitor tilt angle. Descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Almost half (50%) of respondents had monitors facing windows without appropriate blinds, 42% with monitor tilt angle less than 10 degrees and majority (76%) observed monitors either at or above horizontal eye level. Most (70%) of the workers acknowledged not having knowledge of ergonomics whiles 100% noted that they did not have any ergonomic assessment of their workstations. Neck, back and shoulder pains were reported by 85% of respondents while 73% complained of eyestrain. Conclusion: The study revealed lack of information and skills in ergonomics contributing to poor ergonomic conditions and consequent visual discomforts among computer users in the work place.
Ergonomics in the Office Environment: A Review
2009
The evolution of "office ergonomics" has been largely due to rapid growth of information technology. Nowadays most of the offices are based on the concept of non-territorial or free address offices in which a given desk, office or workstation is intended to be used by different people at different times. Ergonomics in the office environment ranges from business process analysis to workplace design including furniture, equipment, computer systems and environmental factors. Recently in the office, there has been a significant increase in the number of injuries due to overexertion and repetitive strain. In this paper an attempt has been made to give deep insight of office environment ergonomics and workstation design issues applicable to flexible office work. With the passage of time flexible office design, has improved to eliminate as far as possible the undesirable effects without compromising the benefits and furthermore, to extend the range of potential benefits afforded by the presence of flexibility in the office. The paper gives the readers a broad overview of the different aspects of ergonomic issues applicable to office work and discuses worker health and safety relating to work performed using a computer as a workstation. However, most requirements are applicable to any office environment, which is considered prudent practice for the avoidance of ergonomic related injuries and losses. These advances will create a new era of office ergonomics that will provide considerable health and cost benefits to computer users. Ergonomics work design is best done by assisting users in making informed decisions to enhance efficiency at work, safety, health, physical and psychological well being of people at work or using facilities or equipment. Intensive use of computer and information technology for long periods of time in the office workplace calls for an examination of employee performance and possible work-related health and stress problems. It also provides an overview of a systems analysis tool using a macroergonomic approach to understand and identify problems and probable casual factors related to such office environments. Flexible office also provides a process for developing strategic and systematic solutions for solving problems arising in a computer intensive office environment. Reductions in weight and size of computer display equipment, along with advances in lift technology will allow creation of optimized office computer work environments that are substantially lower in cost and easier to set up in the future. The paper contains useful information for workplace practices and may be referred to by inspectors with the Ministry of Labor in performing their duties in enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Effect of Office Ergonomics on Office Workers’ Productivity in the Polytechnics, Nigeria
Journal of Education and Practice, 2021
The study was anchored on the ergonomic theory of production and design that stress the importance of office workstation as imperative for workers enhanced productivity. Quasi-experimental design was used to determine the relative performance of office workers with ergonomically fitted furniture, equipment and environment on their keyboarding tasks performance. The study lasted for three months with the post-test results indicating better performance from the experimental group. This implies that office workers with ergonomically fitted furniture, equipment and environment in the tertiary institutions in Nigeria are likely to have enhanced work output. Therefore, the institutions should be provided with well-furnished office with appropriate technological devices and environment.
Ergonomic Assessment of Workstation among Computer Users of Karachi
Objective: To assess the ergonomics of workstation among computer users of Karachi. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study. Randomly selection of computer users from different organization of Karachi. The data collected from January 2012 to June 2012. We selected computer users from both gender between 17 to 41 years of age by convenient sampling. Those selected, were subjected had a work experience of about one year using computer for at least two hours. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the ergonomics of workstation. Results: Results showed that 63% participants do not use proper back rest so the chances of developing lower back pain is also too high. And also, their seat width and depth is not comfortable and ergonomically suit them. Most of the participants responded that they have arm rest in their chairs and they usually support their forearms on the arm rest. Conclusions: The symptoms increases with the increase contact time with the VDT. Most of the computer users are not working in ergonomically designed workstations. So the complaints of musculoskeletal pain among computer users of Karachi are much higher as compared to the other countries. It is recommended that organizations should follow the guidelines provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and be encouraged to purchase adjustable equipment for accommodation of the users.
Journal of human ergology, 2008
Factors which are likely to affect recommended workstation and notebook computer (NBC) adjustments to obtain ergonomic work posture during NBC operation are investigated. They are: (1) body height, (2) NBC size, and (3) workstation height (i.e., seat and work surface heights). Six recommended adjustments which are evaluated include: (1) footrest height, (2) seat support height, (3) NBC base support height, (4) distance between the user's body and NBC (or user-NBC distance), (5) tilt angle of NBC base, and (6) screen angle. It is found that body height has a significant effect on footrest height and user-NBC distance while NBC size has a significant effect on user-NBC distance, tilt angle of NBC base, and screen angle. Workstation height, on the other hand, does not show any effect on the six recommended adjustments. However, the results suggest that there are interactions between body height and NBC size, and between body height and workstation height when evaluating their effec...
An Ergonomic Evaluation of an Industrial Workstation: A Review
2015
This paper presents the review of the studies carried out on the ergonomic design of industrial workstations. For most of the small scale industries in India the ergonomics principles are not considered at the time of designing industrial workstation. So there is a necessity to consider ergonomic principals at the time of designing industrial workstation to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and prevent injuries to the industrial operators. The objective of this paper is to give an overall literature review on the work done related to ergonomic evaluation of industrial workstations and suggested ergonomic improvements. Ergonomic problems are major issues faced by the foundry industry. The ergonomics principals play very vital role in operators' productivity. The two factors, namely workstation layout and work design are important for operators' or workers' efficiency. Therefore, it is very much essential to review on the scientific studies whose aim is to achieve the ergonomic design of industrial workstations. Now a days manufactures found that improvements in ergonomics of workstation are more beneficial in terms of cost saving instead of investing cost in man, machine, material and method.