Ergonomic risk factors analysis in remote workplace

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to synthesise ergonomic risk factors and their consequences on the well-being of employees working from the remote workplace. A comprehensive search was conducted in 15 databases ranging from June 1996 until January 2022. All qualitative and mixed method was explored related to ergonomic risk factors in remote workplace. Two independent reviewers were selected for inclusion and assessed each study quality. A systematic review and meta-synthesis guidelines were used to synthesise the findings of the included articles. The finding indicated that 26 articles met the inclusion and quality criteria. Nine key ergonomic risk factors were identified in the remote workplace. Moreover, back pain, pain in the neck, depression and vocal disorder were the identified musculoskeletal disorder in the remote workplace. Finally, a hypothetical model, and wellness wheel, which show the relationship among the nine ergonomic risk factors, workplace wellness and musculoskeletal-disorder were proposed. Hence, awkward posture, poor working environment, psychosocial risk factors, poor work-spaces design and work overload are the most dominantly studied ergonomic risk factors. Lower and upper back pain, pain in the neck and depression are also the most studied musculoskeletal disorders that affect the well-being of employees in the remote workplace.