miolo sho2009_indices v8 - Departamento de Produção e Sistemas ...

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANERGONOMICS INTERVENTION IN RAISINGAWARENESS OF MUSCULO-SKELETAL DISORDERSMartina Kelly, Cathal DuffyCentre for Occupational Health & Safety Engineering and Ergonomics / Department of IndustrialEngineering / Nun’s Island / National University of Ireland, Galway / Galway / Irelandmartina.kelly@nuigalway.ieSho2009ABSTRACTMusculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), due to poor ergonomic conditions, are one of the greatesthealth & safety risks facing workers today. Whilst being a health burden, the financial burden isalso substantial, leading to staff shortages and higher staff turnover, increased absenteeismand training costs, loss of production and a decrease in the quality of work. The use of VisualDisplay Units (VDUs), which is becoming increasingly widespread, is linked with the prevalenceof MSDs. This study investigates the effectiveness of an ergonomics intervention in raisingawareness of MSDs in workers habitually using Visual Display Units (VDUs) as part of theirdaily work activity.Sixty Visual Display Unit workers with no previous VDU ergonomics training were provided witha comprehensive VDU ergonomics intervention training programme. The intervention includedan explanation of the important principles of VDU ergonomics, a demonstration of correct sittingand typing postures, as well as a demonstration of recommended exercises. Workers werereassessed after six weeks to investigate the benefits of the intervention with respect to users’knowledge and understanding of VDU ergonomic issues and their attitudes to training. Resultspost-intervention showed that while VDU users’ knowledge increased, their inclination toincorporate this knowledge into their daily work activity was less than satisfactory.Keywords: Visual Display Unit, Ergonomics, Musculo-skeletal Disorders, Intervention.Colóquio internacional sobre segurança e higiene ocupacionaisINTRODUCTIONErgonomics (or human factors) is a science concerned with the relationship between humanbeings, the machines and systems they use, and the working environment. The aim ofergonomics is to optimise human well-being and system performance (IEA). According to theEuropean Commission, Msculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), due to poor ergonomic conditions, arethe greatest safety and health problem facing workers in Europe, affecting over 40 million workersin all industries in the European Union (EU) and accounting for up to 50 percent of all work-relatedhealth problems in European countries (Croasmun, J., 2004). These high rates of MSDs lead tostaff shortages and higher staff turnover, increased absenteeism and training costs, loss ofproduction and a decrease in the quality of work, eventually leading to an erosion ofcompetitiveness. Figures available from the United States indicate that as well as MSDs being ahealth burden to employees the financial burden is also substantial to industries, with conservativeestimates of the economic burden imposed (as measured by compensation costs, lost wages, andlost productivity), between $45 and $54 billion annually (Institute of Medicine, 2001).The use of Visual Display Units (VDUs) is linked with the prevalence of MSDs. Whilst thepredicted ‘paperless office’ has not yet materalised, office work has become more screen-basedto the extent that the office workstation that does not have a visual display unit is now a rarity.The risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders associated with this rise in usage is also on the increase.Fogleman and Lewis (2002) carried out a study to identify risk factors associated with selfreportedmusuloskeletal discomfort in a population of visual display unit operators. Respondentswere asked to report on symptoms for six body regions which included the head and eyes, neckand upper back, lower back, shoulders, elbows and forearms, and hands and wrists. The resultsindicated a statistically significant increased risk of discomfort on each of the body regions asthe number of hours of keyboard use increases. Improper monitor and keyboard position were233