Effectiveness of Ergonomic Evaluations of Computer Workstations Carol A. Giles, MPH, CIH ESH-IH & Safety Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, IL 60439.

Effectiveness of Ergonomic Effectiveness of Ergonomic Evaluations of Computer Evaluations of Computer WorkstationsWorkstations

Carol A. Giles, MPH, CIH

ESH-IH & Safety

Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne, IL [email protected]

The submitted manuscript has been created bythe University of Chicago as Operator ofArgonne National Laboratory (“Argonne”) underContract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 with the U.S.Department of Energy. The U.S. Governmentretains for itself, and others acting on its behalf, apaid-up, nonexclusive, irrevocable worldwidelicense in said article to reproduce, preparederivative works, distribute copies to the public,and perform publicly and display publicly, by oron behalf of the Government.

OverviewOverview

GoalsComputer Workstation ConditionsQuestionnaire & Results

GoalsGoals

Effectiveness SatisfactionNeeds Assessment/PrioritizationCost EstimateJustification of Program

Description of ConditionsDescription of Conditions

Most employees use computersWork stations not designed for this Increased use of mouseVariety of equipment, furniture,

interestOptional Computer User Ergo course

How Are Evaluations How Are Evaluations Requested?Requested?

Referrals from Medical Dept.Direct call to ESH-IHSCall to/from their division safety rep.

Nature of the EvaluationsNature of the Evaluations

Most complained of painOver 100 evaluations per yearIncreasing #’s over 7 yearsPhotographs…..

Survey HistorySurvey History

Initial study at ANL by summer intern ‘97-98Intern surveyed 50, found 23 w/problemsIncentive for formal study

Survey ProcedureSurvey Procedure

Survey 2000– Test group of 10– Questionnaire refined

Programming

Survey ProcedureSurvey Procedure

Web-based survey HTMLE-mail notices to previous 3 yrs’

customers, batchesData returned & categorized via

web site

Survey ProcedureSurvey Procedure

Reminder sent to non-respondentsSeveral returns by mail (recovery

mechanism)Several returned after deadline

Survey DataSurvey Data

Addressees: 238Duplicates: 13Total: 225 individual

namesRespondents:135Survey Response rate = 60%

1a. Did you follow the ergonomic 1a. Did you follow the ergonomic recommendations provided recommendations provided (either verbally or in a written report)?(either verbally or in a written report)?

Total answers: 135Yes answers = 134 (99%)

Yes, all (38.5%) 52

Yes, some (60.7%) 82

No, none (0.74%) 1

ESH (133) Your Division (27) Other: Medical or Internet (5)

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cen

tag

e o

f R

esp

on

den

ts1b. Who provided the recommendations to you? 1b. Who provided the recommendations to you?

(Check all that apply)(Check all that apply)

Total answers: 135

98.5%

20.0% 3.7%

2.2. If you implemented the ergonomic recommendations, If you implemented the ergonomic recommendations, did the recommendations help you and how much? did the recommendations help you and how much?

Total answers: 135

Completely (15.5%) 21

Mostly (43%) 58

Somewhat (27.4%) 37

Minimally (4.44%) 6Not at all (2.2%) 3No response (7.4%) 10

3.3. If the recommendations were to purchase or If the recommendations were to purchase or have something moved, did you feel your have something moved, did you feel your division supported these recommendations?division supported these recommendations?

Total answers: 135

Completely (51.1%) 69

Mostly (20%) 27

Somewhat (11.85%) 16

Minimally (3.7%) 5Not at all (3.7%) 5No response (9.63%) 13

4a.4a. What were the recommendations? What were the recommendations? 4b.4b. What changes were actually made? What changes were actually made?

(Check all that apply)(Check all that apply)

Move mousecloser

Keepwrists

up

Raisechair orlower table

Obtainbetter

armrests

Obtainergochair

Obtainphonecradle

Obtainnew

mouse

Obtainmousewrist rest

Obtaincombo

keyboard/mouse

platform

01020

304050

60708090

100

Nu

mb

er o

f R

esp

onse

s

4338

5244

94

74

2920

4033

8 7

2420

38

28 3024

Recommended

Implemented

4a.4a. What were the recommendations? What were the recommendations? 4b.4b. What changes were actually made? What changes were actually made?

(Check all that apply) (Cont)(Check all that apply) (Cont)

Move arm rests

Change lighting

Take short

breaks

Exercises Stress reduction techiques

Attend Computer

User Ergonomics

Course

0102030405060708090

100

Nu

mb

er o

f R

esp

onse

s

34 32

15 15

4941 39

30

1913

34 32

Recommended

Implemented

4c. Can you estimate the cost of the 4c. Can you estimate the cost of the changes made?changes made?

Total Costs: $25,910

38 (29%)

13 (10%)

11 (8%)18 (14%)

24 (18%)

10 (8%)

19 (14%)

$0-25 ($950)

$26-50 ($650)

$51-100 ($1,100)

$101-250 ($4,500)

$251-550 ($13,200)

$551+ ($5,510)

No response

5.5. What tasks or work do you do? What tasks or work do you do? (Check all that apply)(Check all that apply)

Computer Other office Lab Fabrication/industrial

Repair or maintenance

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Num

ber

of R

espo

nses 128

81

193 4

6. What is your average total exposure to 6. What is your average total exposure to computer work in hours per day computer work in hours per day (at work and home)?(at work and home)?

Total answers: 135

1%19%

31%34%

12% 2%1%0.1 to 2 (1%)

2 to 4 (19%)

4.1 to 6 (31%)

6.1 to 8 (34%)

8.1 to 10 (12%)

>10 hrs. (2%)

No response (1%)

7.7. How many hours per week on average, How many hours per week on average, including overtime, do you spend on all including overtime, do you spend on all work-related tasks (at work and home)?work-related tasks (at work and home)?

Total answers: 135

5%7%

10%

26%36%

9%3% 4%

1 to 18 hrs. (5%)

19 to 24 (7%)

25 to 39 (10%)

40 (26%)

41 to 50 (36%)

50.1 to 60 (9%)

60+ hrs. (3%)

No response (4%)

8. What body parts were affected? 8. What body parts were affected? (Check all that apply)(Check all that apply)

Hand Finger Wrist ShoulderElbow Upper back

Head/eyes

Upper arm

Other0

1020304050607080

Num

ber

of R

espo

nses

50

39

7863

23

67

34

18

0

9.9. What were your symptoms? What were your symptoms? (Check all that apply)(Check all that apply)

Pain/Ache Tingling Numbness Weakness Swelling Other0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Num

ber

of R

espo

nses 102 (45%)

47 (21%) 43 (19%)

24 (11%)9 (4%)

10.10. What seemed to be the nature(s) of the What seemed to be the nature(s) of the problem(s)? (Check all that apply)problem(s)? (Check all that apply)

Tab

le

too

high

Lac

k of

fo

rear

m

supp

ort

Lac

k of

lu

mba

r su

ppor

t

Mon

itor

hi

gh

Mou

se

use

Key

boar

d us

e

Tel

epho

ne

use

0102030405060708090

100

Num

ber

of R

espo

nses

51 (21%)43 (18%)

22 (9%) 20 (8%)

67 (27%)

36 (15%)

5 (2%)

11.11. How long did you have the earliest How long did you have the earliest symptoms prior to the evaluation?symptoms prior to the evaluation?

Total answers: 135

Couple of weeks (23.9%)

Couple of months (23.9%)Six months-one year (17.9%)

Over a year (19.4%)

No response (14.9%)

12.Were you satisfied with your ergonomic 12.Were you satisfied with your ergonomic consultation?consultation?

Total answers: 135

44.4%

41.5%

9.6%2.2%0.7%1.5%

Completely (44.4%)

Mostly (41.5%)

Somewhat (9.6%)

Minimally (2.2%)

Not at all (0.7%)

No response (1.5%)

13.13. Do you need to schedule a follow-up visit?Do you need to schedule a follow-up visit?

Total answers: 135

Yes (10.4%)

No (71.1%)

Maybe (14.8%)

No response (3.7%)

ConclusionsConclusions

Effectiveness 86-90%Satisfaction 96-98%Costs of corrections $26,000/3 yrs

=$8,667/yr = $64/respondent

Conclusions--continuedConclusions--continued

Ergonomic evaluations are justifiedPrevention would likely yield more

benefits with less cost

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Eve Yates & Lisa Reyes, ESH, & Wm. Nowicki--Computer Support

Glarycelis Pabon-Jimenez, former intern

Lori Meisinger, IPD Graphic Arts

Survey participants--ANL employeesNsima ObotESH Division

Computer ResourcesComputer Resources

Software--– Allaire Homesite for HTML– Visual Basic 6– IIS Webserver on NT machine– MS Access with a recovery mechanism