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

Sho2009also significantly associated with head/eye and shoulder/back discomfort, respectively. Thestudy emphasised the importance of workstation ergonomics and the need to limit the numberof uninterrupted hours at the keyboard to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms. A study byChester et al (2002) determined that prolonged sitting increased swelling of the lowerextremities which causes discomfort and poor circulaiton as veins in the thigh and hip areas arecompressed by the forces of the body in the seat pan. Blatter and Bongers (2002) examined theassociation between MSDs and duration of computer and mouse use and concluded that 4hours of more of self-reported computer use per day is associated with MSDs in women andthat 6 hours or more of computer use is associated with symptoms in men. The EuropeanDirective 90/270/EEC on the “Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for work with VisualDisplay Screen equipment” outlines general guidance for meeting ergonomic requirements forall display equipment in terms of the equipment used (monitor/display screen; keyboard andmouse; work desk or work surface; work chair), the environment (space requirements; lighting;reflections and glare; radiation; noise; heat and humidity) and also the employee/computerinterface. Under this legislation, employers are required to perform an analysis of VDUworkstations and provide training to employees in the use of such workstations.METHODOLOGYColóquio internacional sobre segurança e higiene ocupacionaisThis study investigates the effectiveness of an ergonomics intervention in raising awareness ofMSDs in workers habitually using Visual Display Units (VDUs) as part of their daily work activity.Barrett et al. (2005) use the term intervention to refer to alterations or changes to equipment,task requirements, work environments or organisational structure. The study was conducted onsixty workers (thirty men and thirty women) who habitually use VDUs as part of their daily workactivity. The study was conducted within the offices of a manufacturing facility, during normalworking hours and under normal working conditions. Data were obtained pre-intervention andpost-intervention. Pre-intervention data were obtained by means of a checklist, completed incollaboration with the worker. This sought information on the work equipment and workenvironment. This checklist was supplemented by a general questionnaire, again completed incollaboration with the worker on a one-to-one basis, to determine activities external to work life,which may have implications for MSDs. Post-intervention data were obtained using self-reportedquestionnaires.The intervention included a one hour consultation at the VDU worker’s workstation. During thisperiod, the results of the pre-intervention questionnaire were used to increase the workers levelof understanding and awareness of ergonomics issues concerning VDU workstations. Thisincluded guidance on workstation layout, adequate environment, and correct posture whilesitting at a VDU. At all times the worker was free to ask questions or give feedback. Anexplanation and demonstration of stretching exercises, aimed to counteract the stresses ofstatic VDU work, was then given and the worker was informed of the negative effects of poorworkstation set-up and incorrect posture.Post-intervention reassessment was carried out six weeks after the initial consultation by meansof a self-reported questionnaire.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONTable 1 below illustrates the age brackets and work grade of respondents.Table 6 – Age and Employement Level Distribution of VDU WorkersAge/Grade 40 TotalManager 1 7 8 (13.3%)Supervisor 8 9 17 (28.3%)Administrator 21 14 35 (58.3%)Total 30 (100%) 30 (100%) 60 (100%)234