Workstation Components Research Articles

How to promote teleworkers’ job satisfaction? the Telework Quality Model and its application in small, medium, and large companies

ABSTRACT With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, telework became widely used to ensure work activities and protect employee health. However, its rapid implementation has led to little attention to its quality and increased inequalities between companies and employees. The widespread adoption of telework has also challenged HRD departments in helping employees to be satisfied with their ‘new way of working’. From the post-pandemic perspective, challenges related to high-quality telework implementation and employee’s satisfaction should be addressed. This study investigates how the Telework Quality Model core resources are related to teleworkers’ job satisfaction, involving 1192 teleworkers from large companies (LCs) and small-medium enterprises (SMEs). A multi-group structural equation model was used to test the association between TQM core resources and teleworkers’ job satisfaction. The results showed that the four core components of TQM were correlated with employee job satisfaction. Three of the four TQM resources were significantly associated with job satisfaction among both LCs and SMEs, while the functional remote workstation component was not associated with job satisfaction among SMEs. The TQM proves to be a valuable tool for HRD professionals, especially in the post-pandemic phase, when there is a need to overcome implementation limitations and develop high-quality teleworking.

Association between pain intensity in the neck and components of a workstation: A cross-sectional study on Japanese office workers

This study aimed to investigate the association between inappropriate workstation components and neck pain intensity. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 309 Japanese office workers. Workstation questionnaires were developed based on previous studies and consisted of 11 items that assessed the armrest, monitor screen, desk, and keyboard. For each of the 11 items, we defined whether the item was “inadequate” based on previous studies. Neck pain experienced was measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0–10, and the NRS scores were categorized into three (0: “no pain,” 1–3: “low pain intensity,” and 4–10: “high pain intensity”). Crude and adjusted ordered logistic regressions were used to determine the association between the inadequate workstation and neck pain intensity. In the first analysis model, each item of the workstation questionnaire was used as an explanatory variable. Then, in the second analysis model, the number of inadequate workstation components was used as the explanatory variable. Ordered logistic regression analyses showed that the distance of the eye to the monitor was significantly associated with neck pain intensity (crude, OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.41–3.19; adjusted, OR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.08–2.50). The number of inadequate workstation components had a significant positive association with neck pain intensity (crude, OR: 1.19, 95%CI: 1.04–1.34; adjusted, OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00–1.32). The results of this study suggest that the distance between the eye and the monitor might be the most important workstation factor contributing to neck pain, and workstation components should be assessed collectively.

Система маркирования документов для проведения расследований при их утечке

This paper presents a confidential text documents leakage investigation system, focused on leak channels by documents printing and screen photographing. Internal intruders may print confidential document, take paper copy out of protected perimeter, make document image by scanner and perform anonymous leak. Also, intruders may take a photo of printed confidential document or displayed on workstation screen using personal mobile phone. Described leakage channels are weakly covered by traditional DLP systems that are usually used by enterprises for confidential information leak protection. Digital watermark (DWM) embedding is chosen as a document protection mechanism by implying changing of document image visual representation. In case of confidential document anonymous leak embedded DWM would enable the employee to determine what leak intentionally or by security protocol violation. System architecture consists of different type components. Employees’ workstation components provide DWM embedding into documents, which are sent for printing or displayed on screen. Information about watermark embedding is sent to a remote server that aggregates marking facts and provides it to security officer during investigation. Text document marking algorithms are developed, which embed DWM into printed and displayed on screen documents. Screen watermark is embedded into interline space interval, information is encoded by sequence of lightened and darkened spaces. DWM embedding into printed documents is implemented by three algorithms: horizontal and vertical shift based, font fragments brightness changing based. Algorithms testing methodology is developed in view of the production environment, that helped to evaluate the application area of algorithms. Besides, intruder model was formulated, system security was evaluated and determined possible attack vectors.

Innovative Approach to Moderating Risk of Nosocomial Infection During Anesthesia

Infection control concerns abound in the surgical anesthesia workstation placing patients and providers at significant, documented risk as a result of many factors including provider hand hygiene lapses, equipment design and complexity, and challenging disinfection. We performed a trial to mitigate cross-contamination involving 30 general anesthesia surgical cases matched 1:1 as control (no intervention) or intervention group (condom-like barriers to four anesthesia workstation components that are frequently touched and contaminated, and very difficult to disinfect). Wraps were removed at case end, then replaced with fresh ones before the start of the subsequent case. Baseline culture samples were obtained prior to the first surgical case of the day in each room, then performed on cases that followed in each room over a 3-day period. Baseline colony formation units density was equivalent in both conditions with total density significantly lower in the covered/wrapped (Mean Rank = 5.81) vs uncovered condition (Mean Rank = 11.19) at p

Influence of the wearable posture correction sensor on head and neck posture: Sitting and standing workstations.

Flexed head and neck postures are associated with the development of neck pain in the office environment. There is little evidence regarding whether awearable posture sensor would improve the head and neck postures of office workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the wearable posture sensor on the posture and physical demands on the head and neck during office work. Nineteen participants performed atyping task with and without the wearable sensor in the sitting and standing positions. They were allowed to adjust their workstation during the experiment based on apsychophysical method. The flexion angles of the head and neck, the gravitational moment on the neck, and the positions of the workstation components were measured. On average, participants with the wearable sensor had 8% lower neck flexion angles and 14% lower gravitational moments on the neck than those of participants without the wearable sensor. The effect of the wearable sensor on reducing postural stress of the neck was more significant when using the standing workstation compared to the sitting workstation. The wearable posture sensor could be an effective tool to alleviate the postural stress of the neck in the office setting.

A Psychophysical Protocol to Develop Ergonomic Recommendations for Sitting and Standing Workstations.

The aim of this study was to determine user self-selected setup for both sitting and standing computer workstations and identify major differences. No current ergonomic setup guideline for standing computer workstations is available. Twenty adult participants completed four 45-min sessions of simulated office computer work with an adjustable sit-stand computer workstation. Placement and relative position of all workstation components, including a cordless mouse, a cordless keyboard, a height-adjustable desk, and a 22-inch monitor mounted on a mechanical-assisted arm were recorded during the four sessions, which alternated between sitting and standing for each session. Participants were interrupted four times within each session, and the workstation was "reset" to extreme locations. Participants were instructed to adjust the location to achieve the most comfortable arrangement and to make as many adjustments during the session to achieve this goal. Overall, users placed the keyboard closer to their body (sternum), set desk height lower than their elbow, and set the monitor lower relative to their eyes with a greater upward tilt while standing compared to sitting. During the 45-min sessions, the number of adjustments participants made became smaller and over the four sessions was consistent, suggesting the psychophysical protocol was effective and consistent. Users preferred different workstation setups for sitting and standing computer workstations. Therefore, future setup guidelines and principles for standing computer workstations may not be simply translated from those for sitting. These results can serve as the first step toward making recommendations to establish ergonomic guidelines for standing computer workstation arrangement.

Ergonomic Challenges of Employees Using Computers at Work in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana

Objective: Ergonomically designed workstations have direct bearing on the comfort and safety of office computer users. Tremendous usage of computers in most offices of emerging economies have however, not seen accompanying applications of ergonomics in the design of computer workstations despite the numerous benefits. Injuries and discomforts therefore have higher propensity to occur since most offices formally designed for paperbased work now accommodate computer workstations, without corresponding redesigning. The study therefore sought to assess computer workstation designs in administrative offices at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, with the aim of creating awareness of ergonomics and its application among administrative office computer users. Method: A total of 150 office employees purposively sampled participated in this study. Respondents selected included secretaries, research assistants and data and account processors. This cross-sectional study consisted of a checklist (computer workstation components, visual complaints and ergonomics knowledge), work posture observations and measurements of workstation linear distances and monitor tilt angle. Descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Almost half (50%) of respondents had monitors facing windows without appropriate blinds, 42% with monitor tilt angle less than 10 degrees and majority (76%) observed monitors either at or above horizontal eye level. Most (70%) of the workers acknowledged not having knowledge of ergonomics whiles 100% noted that they did not have any ergonomic assessment of their workstations. Neck, back and shoulder pains were reported by 85% of respondents while 73% complained of eyestrain. Conclusion: The study revealed lack of information and skills in ergonomics contributing to poor ergonomic conditions and consequent visual discomforts among computer users in the work place.

SPREADSHEET-BASED PROGRAM FOR ERGONOMIC ADJUSTMENT OF NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND WORKSTATION SETTINGS.

This paper discusses a computer program, ErgoNBC, which provides suggestions regarding the ergonomic settings of a notebook computer (NBC), workstation components, and selected accessories in order to help computer users to assume an appropriate work posture during the NBC work. From the users' body height, NBC and workstation component data, ErgoNBC computes the recommended tilt angle of NBC base unit, NBC screen angle, distance between the user and NBC, seat height and work surface height. If necessary, the NBC base support, seat cushion and footrest, including their settings, are recommended. An experiment involving twenty-four university students was conducted to evaluate the recommendations provided by ErgoNBC. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique was used to analyze their work postures both before and after implementing the Ergo NBC's recommendations. The results clearly showed that ErgoNBC could significantly help to improve the subjects' work postures.

The impact of ergonomics intervention on psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers

Musculoskeletal disorders have a multi factorial etiology that includes not only physical risk factors but also psychosocial factors. This study aimed to investigate psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers of an Iranian oil refinery and also to examine the subsequent effects of ergonomics intervention on musculoskeletal discomfort and psychosocial risk factors. In this study, 73 office workers as a case group and 61 office workers as a control group from an Iranian oil refinery plant were randomly selected and examined. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and the Persian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (P-JCQ) were used as collecting data tools before and after the interventional program. Low back problem (28.8%) was found to be the most common problem among the office workers. Significant differences found between prevalence rates of reported musculoskeletal in upper back, lower back and feet/ankle regions before and after intervention. Our findings showed that psychosocial variables were not affected by the intervention. The only variables on the P-JCQ that were significantly different pre/post intervention are the physical variables: physical job demands, physical exertion and physical isometric load. None of the other psychosocial variables were found to be significant. With the top management support, improvements in all office workstation components were made successfully. Relevance to industry Recently, changes in the nature of work draw increased attention to the relation between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal disorders. The results of the current study indicate that a well conducted implementation of an interventional program can lead to a decrease in musculoskeletal symptoms and to some extent in the psychosocial factors at work.

User-preferred position of computer displays of different sizes and configurations

User-preferred position of the computer display and the keyboard were quantified to determine how the size and/or the number of computer displays (19″, 24″, 27.5″, and dual 19″ LCDs) influence the positioning of the computer workstation components. Nineteen subjects performed a data entry task for 20 minutes with periodic repositioning of the display and the keyboard to their most comfortable setting. Subjects placed displays significantly ( p<0.05) further as the size of display changed from 19″ to 27.5″ while maintaining the viewing angle to the top and center of display at or near eye height. Preferred position of the keyboard was not influenced by the display size. Results of this study indicate that the dimensions or adjustability of a computer workstation should be determined with consideration of the display size to accommodate both the keyboard and the display at their most preferred positions.

Integration of virtual reality and haptics to carry out ergonomic tests on virtual control boards

This work presents the results of a research project that evaluated the possibility to carry out ergonomic analyses on virtual prototypes that permitted tactile interaction. We propose an approach based on Virtual Reality (VR) and haptics: the former to improve visual rendering of a digital model, the latter to permit tactile interaction. The products considered were control boards. Atomic components such as knobs, sliders and buttons are employed. The paper presents the architecture of an ergonomic workstation and its first implementation based on commercial systems and ad hoc haptic devices specifically developed for the purpose. Major problems related to a VR environment, such as visualisation and human body tracking, are discussed; the architecture of haptic devices and technical solutions to achieve a satisfactory haptic rendering are presented. Finally, the paper proposes a test procedure and presents the results of tests on the behaviour of ergonomic workstation components. Work in progress and future developments conclude the paper.

Human–Machine Interface for Robotic Surgery and Stereotaxy

While considerable technology has been integrated into the operating room, until recently, the actual performance of surgery has seen relatively few changes, relying mainly on hand-eye coordination. This paper outlines the development and composition as well as the requirements and reasoning that lead to the human-machine interface on neuroArm, a telerobotic surgical system. A critical component of the system was the workstation, where information was provided to and received from the operator. The surgeon controls the robotic system using two force-feedback hand controllers based on visual information from a stereoscopic viewing device and two liquid crystal displays. Two touch screens allow the user to monitor and control the settings of the robot and to view and manipulate 3-D MR images. Audio feedback from the surgical site and the operating room staff is also provided by a wireless communication system. The workstation components were chosen not only to recreate the sight, sound, and touch of surgery but also to facilitate the integration of surgeons with advanced imaging and robotic technologies.

The Info Commons Concept

The University of Florida Libraries took the opportunity of remodeling its Humanities and Social Sciences library to conceptualize the design of an info commons area for the new building. An Info Commons Concept Team was formed and charged with this task. The team used site visits, surveys, focus groups, and interviews to determine the needs of today's library users. This paper describes the informationgathering process and categorizes the data gathered into several areas of need, including service, workstation components, laptop support, and space and environment.

Operator Performance and Satisfaction in an Ergonomically Designed Assembly Workstation

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects on operator performance and satisfaction of an ergonomically designed workstation for performing a repetitive industrial assembly task. Experiments were conducted in a company with industrial workers using existing and newly developed workstations. Operator performance on the ergonomically designed workstation was 27% higher compared to the existing non-ergonomically designed workstation. Worker satisfaction score was also improved by 41% in the ergonomically designed workstation condition. The new workstation for a repetitive assembly task had highly significant positive effect on worker performance and satisfaction. Special features of the ergonomically designed assembly workstation were an adjustable and adequate worktable, an adjustable and ergonomically designed chair, ergonomically designed hand tools and a systematic layout of the workstation components.

User-oriented method for selecting workstation components

The increasing level of competition and technological development in industrial and service companies has motivated new developments in workstation design. When designing workstations, analysts are frequently asked to list components to be included in the project and choose for each component the best alternative from a set of candidates. Leaving aside the esthetical value, the best choice is the one satisfying ergonomic (e.g., anthropometric and biomechanical characteristics) and commercial (e.g., warranty length and service level provided by manufacturers) criteria. The ranking of alternatives according to such criteria usually requires a scoring procedure that simultaneously handles their quantitative and qualitative nature. In this paper we propose a method for ranking workstation component alternatives regarding predefined criteria. The method we propose combines quantitative (objectively measured) and qualitative (expert opinion based) evaluations performed on alternatives in search of a best choice. Our method also enables analysts to prioritize workstation components based on their impact on users’ demands, optimizing resource allocation. To illustrate the method steps, we present a case study where the objective is to determine the best work seat for a tollbooth. Relevance to industry This paper provides a structured procedure to address a major problem in industrial workstation design: how to provide workers an ergonomically consistent workstation yet customized to their personal needs. The method proposed does not require any statistical or mathematical training from practitioners and its calculations may be carried out using a spreadsheet software. Finally, all method steps are illustrated in a case example, which should improve its chances of actual application.

Virtual microscopy: High resolution digital photomicrography as a tool for light microscopy simulation

Recent advances in microcomputers and high resolution digital video cameras provide pathologists the opportunity to combine precision optics with digital imaging technology and develop new educational and research tools. We review recent advances in virtual microscopy and describe techniques for viewing digital images using a microcomputer-based workstation to simulate light microscopic examination, including scanning at low power to select features of interest and zooming to increase magnification. Hardware and software components necessary to acquire digital images of histological and cytological slides, and closely simulate their examination under a light microscope are discussed. The workstation is composed of a MicroLumina digital scanning camera (Leaf Systems, Southborough, MA), light microscope (Olympus Optical Co., Lake Success, NY), Pentium (Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA) 166 MHz microcomputer configured with 64 megabytes of random access memory (RAM), a MGA Millenium Powerdesk graphics card (Matrox Graphics, Inc., Montreal, Canada) and Photoshop software (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA) running in a Windows 95 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) environment. Images with spatial resolutions of up to 2700 × 3400 pixels in 36-bit color, can be displayed simultaneously as distinct images in a montage, or merged into a single composite image file to highlight significant features of a histological or cytological slide. These image files are saved in Joint Photographers Experts Group (JPEG) format using compression ratios of up to 80:1 without detectable visual degradation. The advantages and technical limitations of various workstation components are addressed and applications of this technology for pathology education, proficiency testing, telepathology, and database development are discussed.

Statistical quality assurance in cytology. Use of the Pathfinder to continuously assess screener process control in real time.

To evaluate the suitability of the Pathfinder (CompuCyte Corp., Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.), an innovative instrument for monitoring the mechanical aspects of cytology screening, as a training aid and workstation component for cytotechnologists for daily work flow in a large cytology laboratory. The impact of the implementation of the Pathfinder was assessed by comparing the performance of a group of senior cytotechnologists with the Pathfinder features enabled (displayed) and disabled (not displayed). When enabled, statistical parameters, including the percentage of screenable slide surface viewed, the amount of time spent viewing the slide and the percentage of overlap of the fields of view, were continuously displayed to the cytotechnologist on a small, dedicated video display terminal. Areas of the slide requiring additional review by the pathologist were indicated by a series of electronic icons placed by the cytotechnologists. The Pathfinder was found to provide critical insight into the variability that exists among cytotechnologists in their approach to screening. By establishing laboratory performance criteria for the aforementioned parameters, variability in performance could be reduced immediately. The continuous feedback provided by the Pathfinder to the cytotechnologist during the actual screening process could help to diminish false negative cervical cytologic smear evaluations due to correctable unsuspected errors in the practice of screening.

Computer-aided human modelling programs for workstation design.

In designing a workstation, computer-aided human modelling programs can be used advantageously to analyse human-fit to the workstation components. The analysis is performed within a three-dimensional computer graphics environment. To illustrate the current state of development, six representative programs were selected: CYBERMAN, COMBIMAN, CREW CHIEF, JACK, SAMMIE, and MANNEQUIN. The programs differ considerably in terms of system requirement, operating characteristics, applicability and the various ergonomic evaluation functions available in the human modelling programs. The comparative analysis of the programs will aid the user to select the appropriate program for a particular workstation design.

Functionally Partitioned Scheduling System Equipped with Two-Stage Scheduling Algorithm in Steel Sheet Manufacturing

A new functionally partitioned scheduling system has been developed to improve efficiency for cast-to-roll scheduling in steel sheet manufacturing. It is equipped with a two-stage algorithm, namely a, macro-scheduling and a micro-scheduling algorithm, which can solve a multiobjective assigning and sequencing problem in several tens of seconds. To achieve better efficiency of scheduling operation, it was divided into a human component and a computer component. The latter of which was further divided into a workstation component and a host computer component. This functionally partitioned but strategically integrated system, which can create a rather reasonable schedule, has helped operators a great deal and has contributed to drastic reduction of planning time.

An ergonomic assessment of fixed-height, partially adjustable, and fully adjustable VDT workstations by IntelAd

Three types of VDT workstations, namely, fixed-height, partially adjustable, and fully adjustable, are ergonomically evaluated by IntelAd (an Intelligent Computer Workstation Adjustment System). The objective is to investigate how the degree of adjustability of workstation components affects selected groups of computer users in reference to their seated posture. Six population groups (combinations of two sex groups and three population percentiles) are hypothetically tested in this study. The results are then summarized to determine how vulnerable to CTS individual user groups are.