Rapid Office Strain Assessment Research Articles

Ergonomic Evaluation of Office Staff by Rapid Office Strain Assessment Method and Its Relationship with the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Ergonomic Evaluation of Office Staff by Rapid Office Strain Assessment Method and Its Relationship with the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Evaluation of Office Ergonomic Risk Using Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA)

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) caused by computer use have become the most common ergonomic risks. The risk experienced can be in the form of financial losses or even lives. Therefore, efforts are needed to prevent the occurrence of ergonomic risks so as not to cause large losses. The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) has been designed to identify ergonomic risk factors and is reliable for the assessment of office workers' MSDs. This study evaluates the potential risk of ergonomics in female office workers because a previous study found that MSDs were more common in women. From the two workers observed, it was found that workers 1 and 2 received different scores on several assessment components. The different things are the length of the seat holder, armrests, spine brace, and keyboard. This difference is caused by body posture and different types of chairs. The length of the chair and the spinal brace is influenced by the different postures of the two workers. Worker 1 has a shorter upper leg length than worker 2, so she cannot use the backbone section of the chair. Although there are differences in scores on some components of the assessment, both workers have the same final ROSA score, which is 5. This indicates that further posture assessment needs to be done using tools other than ROSA to detect the specific cause of MSDs levels.

Validity and Reliability of the Modified RULA (mRULA) among Public and Private Office Workers

The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) is a valid and reliable simple observational tool specifically for computer workers however it does not include muscle/force loads as compared to the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), which is the most commonly used tool regardless of occupations. A modified Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (mRULA) has been developed specifically for computer use among office workers, however, its validity and reliability has weak evidence from only a small pool of currently available studies. This study primarily aims to determine the validity and reliability - namely the external validity, internal consistency, and inter- and intra- rater reliability - of the mRULA in the assessment of ergonomic risk factors among public and private office workers. Secondarily, this study aims to compare the ergonomic risk between office workers in public and private companies. This study is a quantitative psychometric study. Data were obtained through video method of participants from the selected public and private companies in their respective office workstations. Two assessors used both ROSA and mRULA tools for two trials. Results determined the external validity thru Pearson Correlation Test based on ROSA, internal consistency thru Cronbach alpha, inter-rater reliability thru Wilcoxon Signed Test, and intrarater reliability thru the Intra-Class Coefficient of mRULA and compared public and private companies thru Mann Whitney U Test. significant difference, either in the public company (Z = -6.218, p value = .000) or in the private company (Z = -2.211, p value = .027), was found between ROSA and mRULA while approaching moderate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.536) was found.

Using of the ROSA method to assess the musculoskeletal load on computer workstations

The aim of the study was to compare the musculoskeletal system load assessed using the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) methods in computer operators, and to determine the correlation of the obtained results with the occurrence and intensity of musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) in these individuals. In a group of 72 persons (38 women and 34 men) working with a computer for > 4 h/day, the ROSA and RULA methods were used to assess the load, while a questionnaire modeled on the Standardized Nordic Questionnary was used to assess the frequency and severity of MSCs. Musculoskeletal complaints occurred in about 66% of the investigated women and 62% of the investigated men within the previous year. The results of the ROSA and RULA methods were not convergent. The final result of the ROSA method (scale 1-10 pts) was 2-6 pts (M = 3.51±1.09), while the final result of the RULA method (scale 1-7 pts) ranged 2-4 pts (3.00±0.17). The values of partial and final scores in the ROSA method were correlated with the number of concurrent ailments and intensity of complaints in various regions of the musculoskeletal system. The assessment of the position of particular parts of the body during work, performed using the RULA method, in people with or without MSCs was almost identical. The use of the ROSA method has shown that it is a useful and easy-to-use tool for assessing computer workstations and can be successfully disseminated. Med Pr. 2019;70(6):675-99.

Pengukuran Risiko Kerja dan Lingkungan Fisik pada Departemen IT dengan Menggunakan Metode Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA)

The use of computers in PT X, especially in the IT department (Information and Technology) has reached 98% of work activities. In the results of the questionnaire using the Nordic Body Map and interviews with employees, it is known that employees experience back pain by 100%, neck 90%, waist 80%, and eye disorders caused by the physical environment. This study used the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method as a measurement tool. ROSA is a quick analysis to measure work risks associated with computer use and determine the level of change in cases of worker discomfort. The measurement results show the final ROSA score is above 7. This means that IT work facilities are not in accordance with the standards of ergonomics, ROSA, and the Ministry of Health No. 48 of 2016 which is a very risky condition and can reduce work productivity. Proposed improvements to minimize workplace risks and increase productivity include improvements to working facilities such as chairs, document holders and tables, location and position of facilities, improvement of the physical work environment such as temperatures to 18 °C, lighting 350 lux, bright color walls of the room and improving employee work postures.

Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Network Staff using Rapid Office Strain Assessment (2019)

Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Network Staff using Rapid Office Strain Assessment (2019)

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work-Station Evaluation in Bank Employees

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the computer workstation settings and the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) related problems in computer users of bank. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among100 computer users of State Bank of Pakistan, Faisalabad and National Bank of Pakistan, Faisalabad from March to December 2017. Inclusion criteria of the study were male and female bank workers, age between 25–60 years who use desktop computers for at least 3 h a day and had at least 6 months working experience. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) was used to determine prevalence of MSK problems while Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) tool was used to evaluate Computer Work-Station (CWS) ergonomic parameters. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and variant correlation using SPSS version 20. Results The mean CMDQ was higher (43.0 ±33.6) in female than male (16.9±20.8) and there was significant association between gender and total discomfort (P=0.001). The discomfort was higher among females then males. The body parts reported to have the most significant levels of discomfort was the neck and head (mean 3.595±7.49), lower back (2.75±5.39) and right shoulder (mean 2.15±4.32).About 40% subjects suffered from neck pain while the remaining body parts having discomfort were right shoulder (39%), left shoulder (37%), and low back (36%).Almost 90% of the participants had ROSA score greater than 5 that shows that most individuals were at higher risk of ergonomics hazardous. Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrated that MSK discomfort is common among computer users of bank employees and neck, shoulder and lower back region were at greater risk. MSK discomfort was higher in females. Workers are exposed to ergonomic hazards and need immediate improvement.

Ergonomic Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders with Rapid Office Strain Assessment and Its Association with Occupational Burnout among Computer Users at Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2017

Ergonomic Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders with Rapid Office Strain Assessment and Its Association with Occupational Burnout among Computer Users at Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2017

The Description of Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Workstation Design Compliance, and Work Posture among Computer Users at Head Office Jakarta Year 2018

Some previous studies showed that the number of musculoskeletal symptoms among the office workers who use computers was quite high. The musculoskeletal symptoms can be caused by the workstation design and work posture. Thus, this research aims to get the description of workstation design compliance against the OSHA guidelines, work posture, and brief description about musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users. This research utilizes descriptive method and cross sectional as design study. The workstation design (chair, desk, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and telephone) compliance against the OSHA guidelines was measured by using workstation design compliance checklist, work posture assessment and level of work posture risk were conducted by using ROSA (Rapid Office Strain Assessment) method. The brief description of musculoskeletal symptoms was conducted by interviewing the 83 respondents and completing CMDQ (Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire). The finding shows that bad postures among the office workers can lead to musculoskeletal disorders symptoms.

Work-related musculoskeletal problems and associated factors among office workers

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated factors among Iranian office personnel. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, 359 Iranian office workers were included. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, the numeric rating scale, rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and the NASA task load index (NASA-TLX). Results. Our findings showed that the highest prevalence rate of MSDs within the last 12 months and the highest pain/discomfort severity were related to the participants’ necks. The mean performance, mental demand and effort subscale scores of the NASA-TLX were higher than other subscales (physical demand, temporal demand and frustration level). ROSA scores showed that 53.8% of the participants were in action level 1 (low MSD risk) and the rest (46.2%) were in action level 2 (high MSD risk). The pain/discomfort severity in the shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, thighs and ankles/feet was correlated to the final ROSA score. Age, gender, body mass index and some NASA-TLX subscales (effort, mental demand and performance) were associated with symptoms of MSDs in different body regions. Conclusions. Improving workplace conditions (both mentally and physically) is suggested for reducing and eliminating musculoskeletal problems among office workers.

Rapid office strain assessment (ROSA): Cross cultural validity, reliability and structural validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version

Forty-three occupational health professionals (observers) and 90 workers were enrolled in this study to perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the Rapid Office Strain Assessment into Brazilian Portuguese (ROSA-Br) and evaluate its psychometric properties. After cross-cultural adaptation, the measurement properties were checked in three stages: study 1: pre-testing (27 observers rated 15 office worker videos), study 2: intra- and inter-observer reliability (26 observers rated 15 office worker videos), and study 3: validity and accuracy of ROSA-Br final scores (90 office workers). For the ROSA scores, acceptable intraclass correlation coefficients were found for 75% and 86% of the intra-observer reliability comparisons for non-trained and trained observers, respectively, and for 100% of the inter-observer reliability comparisons (0.43–0.86). For construct validity, moderate correlations were observed for 70% of the comparisons between ROSA final scores and other ergonomic instruments. Moderate accuracy was observed for a ROSA-Br final score of 6 (AUC [area under the curve] = 0.72, 0.89). Taken together, these results support the use of the ROSA-Br for ergonomic field assessments and research.

A Comparison of the Effects of Ergonomic, Organization, and Education Interventions on Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Office Workers

Background: One of the most important and the most common health problems among office workers and computer users is the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating risk factors of MSDs and determining the effectiveness of the ergonomic, organization, education interventions on reducing MSDs in the office workers of university offices of Tehran, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 221 employees during spring 2015 to summer 2016. Participants were categorized to four groups by simple random sampling: control group (n = 55), recipients of education interventions (n = 57), recipients of organization interventions including job enrichment, job enlargement and job rotation (n = 54), and recipients of ergonomics interventions (n = 55). Rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaires (CMDQ) were used for data gathering. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired-samples t-test using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: After the intervention, a significant difference was revealed in the final mean score for ROSA in the two groups of recipients of education and ergonomic interventions (P < 0.05). Also, data revealed a significant difference in MSDs, including neck, shoulders, and hand/wrist, among ergonomics and education groups. Conclusions: Educational and ergonomic interventions may reduce ergonomics risk factors of MSDs and prevalence of discomfort. However, according to the results, organizational interventions alone may not be more effective in reducing risk factors of MSDs and their discomforts. The effectiveness of multilayered interventions should be investigated in the future.

The effectiveness of a model-based health education intervention to improve ergonomic posture in office computer workers: a randomized controlled trial.

Lack of knowledge about computer ergonomics predisposes users to musculoskeletal and visual disorders. The present study examined the effect of a trans-theoretical model (TTM)-based educational program on work-related posture in office computer users. This experimental study examined 102 hospital personnel whose primary job involved working at a computer. Participants were randomized to intervention and control groups. An educational intervention based on TTM was conducted over five sessions. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data including stages of change, processes of change, pros and cons of change, and self-efficacy. A pen-paper-based observational method (i.e., Rapid Office Strain Assessment or ROSA) was used for assessing work posture. A visual analogue scale assessed pain intensity. Data were collected at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Significant differences were found on TTM's constructs and ROSA score between intervention and control groups at follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean ROSA score decreased from 5.65 (SD 1.03) to 3.95 (SD 0.83) in the intervention group, while no significant change was found in the control group. Pain intensity also decreased significantly among those in the intervention vs. control group (p < 0.001). An educational intervention based on TTM was effective in improving ergonomic posture in computer workers. Further research is needed to determine if these results can be generalized to computer workers in other settings.

Evaluation of Working Posture on Bus Traffic Controllers

This study aimed to evaluate the working posture of bus traffic controllers. The Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) prevalence and the exposure to the ergonomic risks factors (ERFs) among bus traffic controllers were determined. There were 26 respondents (16 male and 10 female) who were bus traffic controllers (BTC) at a prominent bus service provider were selected as the subjects. Data for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) prevalence among the bus traffic controllers were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and direct observation and assessment of ergonomic risks factors were conducted via Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). By using ROSA, the BTCs working posture and work environment were checked and measured in order to quantify the risks to ERFs. According to the assessment, more than half (15/26 respondents) of the bus traffic controllers were found to have an extreme posture with the ergonomic risk level was high (more than 4) (action level 3) which required a further investigation and changes of work habits soon. The research showed that most of the bus traffic controllers (BTC) were exposed to high ergonomics risk for MSDs development. To avoid MSDs, the personal working behaviours and the design of the computer-based workstations must be improved based on ergonomic principles.

Ergonomics Risk Assessment among support staff in Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Awareness of ergonomic risk assessment among workers are getting intense in many industries nowadays. It is essential since most of the workers spend 7 to 8 hours of their time in the workplaces. Previous study shown that spending too much time with static posture in sitting at workplace leads to the problem of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The implications are not only harmful to human body but also effect the productivity. Currently, there are no scientific study conducted to assess the conditions of workers in Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). Therefore, the problem of MSDs could not be justified clearly and the top management did not acknowledge this issue. This study aims to present current scenario of ergonomic risk level at UMP by using structured model. It focuses on operational staff from faculties and Human Resources Department (HRD). Initially, three types of assessments are executed based on general working condition, Cornell Muscokeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). Based on the findings, 90% of the respondents felt discomfort at workplace but prefer to rectify the issues by themselves. Almost 50% of them evaluated themselves in level 4-5 of discomfort level. The CMDQ result shown the discomfort area at faculties and HRD. The workplace at faculties and HRD had been assessed through ROSA and the overall result shown the risk level is medium level respectively. Therefore, further investigation is requires and improvement of workplace need to be proposed to establish good working condition.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Iranian Office Workers: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomic risks for Kerman University of Medical Sciences’ office workers.Methods: The study sample comprised all office workers in the University and the sample included 129 women and 121 men. Data on MSDs were derived from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, while ergonomic data were collected through two direct observations via the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) method.Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence rates of MSDs were in the lower back (72.4%) and neck (55.2). Results of the postural assessment revealed that 68.8% of the participants’ require “further investigation in order to modify their posture” and 27.6% need to “modify their posture soon.” From the workstation analysis, the majority of the office workers were at a medium (55.2%) and high-risk level (27.6%). Results also revealed a significant association between some of MSDs in the lower back and neck with the RULA and ROSA score.Conclusions: Based on the results, for the prevention of MSDs, there should be ergonomics workshops for workers to be aware of ergonomics factors in the office. The ergonomics training must also be used in offices; the design of workstations should be improved.

The Influence of Ergonomic and Psychosocial Risk Factors on the Stress of Computer Operators in an Office

The objective of this research is to study (1) the levels of stress, risk factors of ergonomics and psychosocial factors. The researcher also studies (2) the relationships among the risk factors of ergonomics, the psychosocial factors and the stress among computer operators in an office, (3) predictive equation for the stress among computer operators in an office with the risk factors of ergonomics and the psychosocial factors as predictors. The sample consisted of 325 operators on computers at the Headquarters of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited. The research tool was a quadripartite questionnaire. The research revealed the findings that 1) the computer operators at the Headquarters of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited evinced stress at a low level; 81.90 percent of the computer operators in the office who were not satisfied with the ergonomic risk assessment with the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method and the psychosocial risk factors at a moderate level. 2) The ergonomic and the psychosocial risk factors were found to be positively correlated with the stress of the operators on computers in an office at the statistically significant level of.01 with correlation coefficient at.25 and.44 respectively. 3) The researcher determined that the ergonomic risk factor of ROSA section A(chair), ROSA section B (monitor and telephone) and the psychosocial risk factor of job demands, social interactions and interaction between work and private life were predictive of the stress of the operators on computers in an office at 50.40 percent at the statistically significant level of.01. The ergonomic risk factor of ROSA section A (chair) regressively exerted effects on the stress at the highest level.

The association between musculoskeletal disorders with mental workload and occupational fatigue in the office staff of a communication service company in Tehran, Iran, in 2017

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common work-related illnesses, which lead to high costs and a reduction in labor productivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MSDs with mental workload (MWL) and occupational fatigue among the office staff of a communication service in Tehran, Iran, in 2017. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 94 staff of a communication service company in June 2017. The data collection tools included Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire and Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI). Data analysis conducted using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA test in SPSS software. Results: 73 of the participants were women with mean age of 28.25 ± 3.40 years and the remaining participants were men with mean age of 26.91 ± 4.60 years. According to the results of the Nordic questionnaire, the highest pain was observed in the neck (65.94) during the last year. According to the results of the ROSA, 71 of the participants were at the warning risk level and the need for ergonomic interventions. In addition, the relationship between occupational fatigue and its subscales with MSDs was significant in all cases (P < 0.001). Finally According to the results, the participants’ MWL was high. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that high workload and occupational fatigue cause MSDs, and intervention is necessary in these individuals.

Evaluation and Correlation of the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Rapid Office Strain Assessment Methods for Predicting the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: During the last two decades, the scale of computer use has been surprisingly increased. In 2000, 80% of workers stated that they use computer in their daily activities. The tendency to use computer is accompanied with healthy risk and the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders between 10 to 60 percent of computer users. Aims to study, risk assessment by RULA and ROSA methods, surveying the correlation of these methods, and evaluating the prediction ability of these methods in the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers.Methods: This analytic-descriptive study performed at Behbahan University of Medical Sciences and Imam Khomeini port office in 2016. The sample consists of 236 office workers through simple random sampling method. Body map questionnaire as well as RULA and ROSA checklists were used for data collection. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS software, version 22, and statistical tests including one way ANOVA, Pearson, and Chi-square.Results: The results demonstrated that most of the musculoskeletal disorders are related to trunk, neck and back regions by 40.4%, 39.7%, and 35.4% respectively. The furthest risk distribution in ROSA method is at warning level (67.2%) and at high and very high levels in RULA method (62%). Pearson Test showed a positive significant correlation between these methods (P&lt;0.05). Chi-square Test revealed a significant correlation between musculoskeletal disorders in upper and lower limb with RULA method (P&lt;0.05), but there was no significant relationship with ROSA method (p&gt;0.05). One way ANOVA statistical test divulged a significant relationship between risk of musculoskeletal disorders and gender (P&lt;0.05), but did not find a significant relationship with job experience and education (p&gt;0.05).Conclusion: Due of the weak correlation between RULA and ROSA, it can't be surely stated that one may be used as an alternative to the other; however, RULA is better than ROSA to predict the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Differences in ergonomic and workstation factors between computer office workers with and without reported musculoskeletal pain.

Some studies have suggested a causal relationship between computer work and the development of musculoskeletal disorders. However, studies considering the use of specific tools to assess workplace ergonomics and psychosocial factors in computer office workers with and without reported musculoskeletal pain are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial factors in computer office workers with and without reported musculoskeletal pain (MSP). Thirty-five computer office workers (aged 18-55 years) participated in the study. The following evaluations were completed: Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), and Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire revised Brazilian Portuguese version (MUEQ-Br revised). Student t-tests were used to make comparisons between groups. The computer office workers were divided into two groups: workers with reported MSP (WMSP, n = 17) and workers without positive report (WOMSP, n = 18). Those in the WMSP group showed significantly greater mean values in the total ROSA score (WMSP: 6.71 [CI95% :6.20-7.21] and WOMSP: 5.88 [CI95% :5.37-6.39], p = 0.01). The WMSP group also showed higher scores in the chair section of the ROSA, workstation of MUEQ-Br revised, and in the upper limb RULA score. The chair height and armrest sections from ROSA showed the higher mean values in workers WMSP compared to workers WOMSP. A positive moderate correlation was observed between ROSA and RULA total scores (R = 0.63, p < 0.001). Our results demonstrated that computer office workers who reported MSP had worse ergonomics indexes for chair workstation and worse physical risk related to upper limb (RULA upper limb section) than workers without pain. However, there were no observed differences in workers with and without MSP regarding work-related psychosocial factors. The results suggest that inadequate workstation conditions, specifically the chair height, arm and back rest, are linked to improper upper limb postures and that these factors are contributing to MSP in computer office workers.