Ergonomics at work : an analysis of the office environment in drafting and design

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify and analyse musculoskeletal symptoms emerging due to ergonomic deficiencies in a large drafting and design office in Malta. A non experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative methodology was adopted by the researcher in order to obtain a general overview of the research population. The physical environment was measured and a structured closed-ended questionnaire was utilised to study fifty five workstations within a single company. The physical environment factor found to have greatest negative influence on workers was noise (66%) with 43% of these workers finding the office too quiet. Temperature affected 45% of workers negatively although standards were met. The chair was the object found to have greatest negative influence on workers (81%), especially because a large amount of them (75%) did not provide any lower back support. Computer mouse use (Repetitive clicking) was reported to affect 41% of the users negatively; the main symptom was fingers discomfort (49%). The long term usage of a laptop was also associated with neck discomfort among 38% of the workers. All the elderly aged office workers reported more discomforts than younger aged workers although they seemed to take more care to themselves as they reported to have periodical eye testing. Micro breaks (short work pauses) and other work activities away from the computer including physical exercise were associated with less musculoskeletal symptoms. Only two respondents (4%) from the total population had some kind of health and safety training. Strategies to eliminate or reduce ergonomic deficiencies were suggested such as a health promotion initiative in order to improve the ergonomic lifestyle of the workers inside and outside the work place therefore leading to an increase in production and job satisfaction.