Evaluation of the ergonomics of the office work environment using two specific and general evaluation techniques

Abstract

Background: Due to the increasing spread of musculoskeletal problems (MSDs), it is necessary to examine and compare the ergonomic risk factors of the workplace with general and specific methods. The present study was conducted to evaluate the ergonomics of the office work environment using two specific and general evaluation techniques in two universities of medical sciences in the country. Methods: The prevalence of MSDs was evaluated using the Nordic standard questionnaire and the ergonomic assessment of employees in the workplace using ROSA's quick assessment of administrative stress and REBA's quick assessment of the whole body. Descriptive statistics and chi-score, independent t-tests, and logistic regression tests were used to describe and analyze the data. Results: The difference in mean ROSA score and mean monitor height between two groups of employees who have experienced MSDs during the last 12 months and the group who have not experienced them is significant. For one unit increase in ROSA score and one centimeter of monitor height, considering other intervening variables, the chance of MSDs increases by 45% and 13%, respectively. Conclusion: The ROSA tool is a more reliable method to evaluate the ergonomics of the office work environment than REBA. The overall score of the ROSA method and workstation parameters such as monitor height can be used in office jobs to design interventions to reduce MSDs. More studies on the reliability of ROSA are needed to increase the validity of ergonomic interventions based on this method.

Keywords

• working environments
• physical ergonomics
• risk assessments