Sedentary behavior as a public health issue: Ergonomics as a useful tool (original) (raw)
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Ergonomic risk factors associated with musculokeletal disorders in computer workstation
2017
Ergonomics Risk Factors (ERFs) at computer works are commonly related to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as repetitive movements, doing work in awkward postures and static postures while prolonged seating at works. The main objective of this study was to investigate the ergonomic risk factors associated with MSDs among employees in computer workstation. In this study, the data were obtained by structured interview using self-reported questionnaire and direct observation. The results show that there is significant association between neck and stress score with musculoskeletal symptoms and among office workers. As a conclusion, by assessing ERFs at workplace, the effectiveness of workplace interventions can be evaluated without waiting for changes in the prevalence of MSDs.
Office work: ergonomic and medical aspects
A special attention must be given to office work in order to increase efficiency of the corporation and to preserve the health of the workforce. Physical work is easier to plan and to measure because the tasks are predictable and repeatable in a high volume. Office work includes various activities with difficulties in estimating time- and resource need. Physical and mental flexibility of people bridges the challenges of continuous working but there are many long term adverse effects. The paper looks the impacts of office work environment on the muscular-skeletal system of ergonomic perspective. People spend several hours every day sitting in front of the computer during work and non-work activities. Although technologically the development of computer technology is dynamic, people may criticize the results from the ergonomic point of view. Economic aspects and lack of knowledge together may lead to the development of a work environment, which discourages effective work. The most common problems come from the bad sitting posture, the wrong positioning of the mouse or the keyboard on the table and the improper selection of tools and gadgets in the direct work environment. These lead to mutation of human muscular-skeletal system. Next to this the static muscle load results short term problems as well. The experiences of our empiric research shows that factors of individual satisfaction may differ from the professional viewpoint of ergonomics and medical sciences. This is why exploring the possibilities of convergence is important, including knowledge dissemination or promotion of prevention exercises.
Purpose: To determine the musculoskeletal complaints associated with using computer and its ergonomic risks for office workers of a medical sciences university in Tehran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a background questionnaire was used to determine individuals and computer use habits’ characteristics. A total number of 164 office workers of AJA University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. Musculoskeletal complaints were assessed using standardized Nordic questionnaire, and ergonomic risk assessment was done using rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) checklist. All data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17. Results: A number of 123 participants filled the questionnaires. The average age of participants was 33.40 ± 6.51 years old. The most frequently reported musculoskeletal complaints were related to neck (58.53%) and lower back (58.53%) for men and knee (66.66%), lower back (64.61%) and neck (61.53...
Ergonomic Risk Factors associated with Muscuslokeletal Disorders in Computer Workstation
Ergonomics Risk Factors (ERFs) at computer works are commonly related to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as repetitive movements, doing work in awkward postures and static postures while prolonged seating at works. The main objective of this study was to investigate the ergonomic risk factors associated with MSDs among employees in computer workstation. In this study, the data were obtained by structured interview using self-reported questionnaire and direct observation. The results show that there is significant association between neck and stress score with musculoskeletal symptoms and among office workers. As a conclusion, by assessing ERFs at workplace, the effectiveness of workplace interventions can be evaluated without waiting for changes in the prevalence of MSDs.
Musculoskeletal Discomforts in Body Posture of Computer Users: A Quantitative Analysis
Industrial Engineering Letters, 2014
In recent times, computer has become a common tool that is being used by almost every individual from various field of human endeavor. This is due to the fact that computer offer a lot of different services and facilities to help the users to perform and complete the task s more efficient and effective. A variety of sectors including banks, government offices, private entities, autonomous institutions etc. Have computerized their data systems for smooth and faster flow of information. Injuries due to the usage of computer system have been recognized worldwide and several actions that involved repetitive or forceful movements and the maintenance of constrained or awkward postures have also been associated with musculoskeletal visor der. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been found to be associated with numerous occupational risk fact ores including physical work load factors such as force, posture, movement and vibration , psychosocial stressors and individual factors. This study illustrates the idea of understanding how demographic structure (gender, age, height, and weight) physical and psychosocial job characteristics, computer usage , office ergonomics, symptoms of Work-related musculoskeletal disorders , perceived musculoskeletal discomfort types and their frequencies may affect formation of musculoskeletal disorders in the computer users. This study was conducted on a survey of questionnaires among computer users and applied a rigorous research methodology to treat the survey data. From an extensive re view of the literature in the field of computer users and their musculoskeletal disorder & body posture, 16 musculoskeletal disorders and 6 major outcomes were identified. A questionnaire survey instrument was developed, reliability of the questionnaire were tested using data from 3000 participants. The data was analysed using Reliability analysis, Pearson's correlation. It was concluded finally that the instrument presented in this paper was reliable and valid. Researchers will be able to use this for body posture analysis and gait analysis.
Ergonomics Assessment of Office Desk Workers Working in Corporate Offices
https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR\_Vol.9\_Issue.8\_Aug2019/IJHSR\_Abstract.051.html, 2019
Background: Organizations today face multiple challenges to maintain the health and performance of employees while attempting to integrate new technologies and support a widening range of work styles. [1] The paradigm shift in the lifestyle of office employees from active to sedentary style can be clearly seen in the modern offices. Office computer workers use computers on an average 6-12 hours/day in a static working posture. [2] This has impacted greatly the health of the employees. The study was undertaken to provide an insight to the various health-related problems of the office employees due to the workplace design and environmental conditions in the modern offices. Methodology: 80 desk workers from various corporate offices in the city of Mumbai were interviewed. A structured questionnaire for interview purpose was developed to elicit data pertaining to the work environment, workplace furniture, office equipment, and musculoskeletal disorders. The respondents were office workers who were professionals, managers and administrative workers. Result: The results revealed that 80% of the respondents suffered from atleast one musculoskeletal problem at their workplace. Majority of the respondents reported of suffering from lower back pain (68.5%) followed by neck pain (64.2%), upper back pain (45.7%) and shoulder pain (44.2%) respectively. 81.3% of desk workers did not get any type of ergonomics training on usage of office furniture"s and computer related accessories. About 40% and above felt chair and table to be comfortable; but storage and printer placement was not satisfactory. 31.5% of the respondents reported the environment to be noisy and disturbing; leading to mental fatigue. Conclusion: Sustained prolonged static posture, awkward posture, chair design, placement of keyboard and mouse and non-availability of footrest were stated as the most common causes for the musculoskeletal issues. Majority of the employees reported internal physical environment to be good; but they suffered from lack of concentration and stress respectively.
Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders and computer work
Occupational Medicine, 2005
This review summarizes the knowledge regarding ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders and the association with computer work. A model of musculoskeletal disorders and computer work is proposed and the evidence and implications of the model together with issues for future research is discussed. The model emphasizes the associations between work organization, psychosocial factors and mental stress on the one hand and physical demands and physical load on the other. It is hypothesized that perceived muscular tension is an early sign of musculoskeletal disorder, which arises as a result of work organizational and psychosocial factors as well as from physical load and individual factors. It is further hypothesized that perceptions of exertion and comfort are other possible early signs of musculoskeletal disorders in computer work. Interventions aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders due to computer work should be directed at both physical/ergonomic factors and work organizational and psychosocial factors. Interventions should be carried out with management support and active involvement of the individual workers.
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.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
Purpose. This study investigated the effect of different sit-stand workstations on lumbar spine kinematics, lumbar muscle activity and musculoskeletal pain. Methods. Thirty-two office workers were randomized to one of three sit-stand workstations (Group 1, ratio of minutes spent sitting to standing each hour at work 40:20, n = 8; Group 2, 30:30, n = 6; Group 3, 20:40, n = 7) and a control group (usual sitting, n = 11). Intervention groups (Groups 1, 2 and 3) were collapsed into one group for analysis (n = 21). Data on lumbar kinematics and muscle activity were only collected for 25 participants due to equipment availability. Results. Participants in the intervention group had lower overall lumbar spine flexion angles during the workday compared to the control group (mean difference 10.6°; 95% confidence interval [−18.1, −3.2]; p = 0.008; Cohen's d = 1.5). There were no between-group differences for the remaining kinematic measures (i.e., mean flexion angle in standing and sitting, mean side flexion angle in standing and sitting, and percentage of time in upright sitting), muscle activity or presence of musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions. Sit-stand workstations reduced overall lumbar spine flexion angles over the course of a workday but had no effect on other kinematic measures, lumbar spine muscle activity or musculoskeletal pain. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12615001018505..
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018
Objective: Identify the most used evaluation tools in work situations that involve biomechanical and postural load. Through the literature review, it seeks to answer the following questions, which is the influence of the work or occupational ergonomics in the industry? What are the ergonomic evaluation tools most used in labor situation similar to surgical support? and What is the relation between working conditions and the appearance of symptoms associated with pain and occupational diseases?. Method: Were defined keywords related to main areas: Ergonomics, productivity and risk factors, with which it was subsequently made a literature review on these databases: PubMed, Springer, and ScienceDirect. Likewise, it is included in the review, documents related to OMS, OIT, Fasecolda, among others. The documents founded were classified taking into account the inclusion criteria like language (Spanish, English, and French) and the relation with interest topics. Finally, it has been made the analysis of content with Nvivo Software. Results: It has been identified that the most recurrent evaluation tools for studies, related to labor activities that involve biomechanical and postural load, were LEST, REBA and VAS methods. Likewise, it was identified the relation between biomechanical risk factors with labors activities that involve load lifting and handling. Conclusions: Similar Investigations on the surgical support in companies were reviewed, show that exist a tendency toward the appearance and development of MSDs of occupational origin, especially injuries at the lumbar level due to biomechanical demand of these activities.