Quantifying ergonomic risk factors with Rapid office strain assessment in computer users of Ahmedabad city

Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit people who use them. Factors that make a user prone to developing work related musculoskeletal discomforts, are called Ergonomic risk factors (repetitive movements, doing work in prolonged, awkward and static postures). Work related Musculoskeletal discomforts (WRMSD) are injuries that affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, or spinal disc.

To evaluate ergonomic related risk factors among computer users and their work environment.

Study was conducted on 74 computer users in Ahmedabad city who had job experience >1 year, working time >4 hours/day. Data for assessing ergonomic risk factors were collected by the Rapid office strain assessment (ROSA). Using ROSA, Posture and work environment were checked, including sitting on chair, monitor and telephone used, mouse and keyboard used with time spent on it respectively. It helped to evaluate ergonomic risk factors and level of risk to developing WRMSd.

56% of computer users were at medium risk level, and 46% were at high risk for development of musculoskeletal discomforts. There is weak positive correlation between duration of computer use and ROSA final score (r = 0.68, p>0.05), which is statistically not significant but clinically significant (according to ROSA score). This result further serves as notification to improve the work environment, posture and help advice for work ergonomics.

This study concluded that most of the computer users were exposed to a medium to high ergonomics risk for MSDs development, but there was no statistically significant correlation found between number of hours and ROSA score. For prevention of MSDs, there should be ergonomics training for users to be aware of ergonomics factors for computer use.