Ergonomic design and evaluation of a new VDT workstation chair with keyboard–mouse support

Abstract

A new-concept VDT workstation chair with an adjustable keyboard/mouse support was proposed to minimize the physical discomfort and the risk of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) at work sites. A three-dimensional human modeling tool (SAFEWORK ®) was used to design the new chair which satisfies the anthropometric specifications of the Korean population. Based upon the result of 3-D graphical simulations, a mock-up chair was constructed with an adjustable keyboard/mouse support directly attached to the chair body. An experiment was conducted to compare the new workstation chair to a conventional computer chair without a keyboard–mouse support by measuring muscle fatigue and subjective discomfort. Six volunteer subjects participated in six 1-hour word-processing sessions with two different chairs and three different work postures. Statistical results indicated that the new-concept VDT chair generally improved subjective comfort level and reduced fatigue in the finger flexor/extensor and the low back muscles. Implications of the new design and suggestions for further development are addressed. Relevance to industry The proposed VDT chair in this study can be used by certain VDT users such as telephone operators who are potentially exposed to CTDs. Since the number of computer users has greatly increased, the market share of better-designed VDT chairs is expected to increase rapidly. Moreover, the new VDT chair can impact design and manufacturing industries that make new products and accessories which support the new VDT environment.