Abstract
An evaluation of the musculoskeletal problems associated with seated workstations was undertaken for employees of the Human Sciences Research Council. A sample of 37 workers was studied for 14 days to determine which symptoms were due to chronic disorders and which were linked to postural stress or constrained posture as a result of workstation and task design. Techniques used included two subjective comfort ratings, clinical examinations by physiotherapists, anthropometric and workstation measurement, and video recordings of subjects’ posture over time. Subjects were selected from four occupations characterised by different levels of constraint in their work posture; data-entry typists, typists, programmers and researchers.Examinations revealed that 68% of the presenting symptoms were not related to any known previous trauma or pathology. Of these problems 86% were reported to be occupationally aggravated or related. The findings confirmed the hypothesis that postural constraint is accompanied by an increased likelihood of developing chronic musculoskeletal disorders.* The concepts of postural stress and postural constraint and their relationship to the development of muscle strain are discussed in Part 1: Background to occupational syndromes.
Highlights
A preliminary survey on a sample of 70 employees o f the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) showed that furniture was generally inappropriate for the tasks performed and that health complaints were a cause for concern
An aim of the present study was to determine whether constrained work postures result in more musculoskeletal problems
To answer this question it was necessary to differentiate between workers suffering from chronic disorders as a result of pathology or trauma and complaints with “un known” causes
Summary
A preliminary survey on a sample of 70 employees o f the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) showed that furniture was generally inappropriate for the tasks performed and that health complaints were a cause for concern. Headache was experienced at least once a week by 38% of employees, backache by 37%, neckache by 40% and shoulderache by 31%. In view of these findings it was decided to investigate in greater depth using a smaller sample of 37 people. An aim of the present study was to determine whether constrained work postures result in more musculoskeletal problems. To answer this question it was necessary to differentiate between workers suffering from chronic disorders as a result of pathology or trauma and complaints with “un known” causes. The results, whilst not strictly generalisable, still provide indications of what Findings might be expccted in a large-scale investigation
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