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

Abstract

In spite of increased production and productivity, there are different adverse effects of technology expansion such as psychological stresses, increased incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, inactivity and fatigue. Several approaches and strategies have been introduced to deal with occupational burnout and reduce musculoskeletal disorders, including setting up training programmes, ergonomic principles for working, job rotation, relaxing and sharing information on occupational burnout and musculoskeletal disorders among employees. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and occupational burnout in the computer users in Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The present descriptive-analytic study was performed on all computer users in Zabol University of Medical Sciences. Participants (n = 70) were selected by census method. Data collection tools were physical posture assessment checklist using Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) and Geldard Burnout Inventory (GBI). The opinions of the respective experts were used to confirm the validity of the questionnaires. Then, the questionnaires were distributed among computer users.Finally, collected data were analyzed by SPSS 19 software and P <0.05 was considered as significance level. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a direct and significant statistical relationship between the occupational burnout and the musculoskeletal disorders and indicated that the occupational burnout level was elevated among employees by increasing the musculoskeletal disorders. Given the obvious relationship between the occupational burnout and the musculoskeletal disorders, the managers of organizations are required to plan programmes to improve work conditions, reduce stress, modify working instrument and train ergonomic principles for working.

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

“…The use of computers has increased significantly over the past 20 years and can be found in almost all workplaces (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019). Although it can increase production and productivity, there are bad effects from the computer such as psychological pressure, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and fatigue (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019). MSDs caused by computer use has become the most common ergonomic problems (Matos and Arezes, 2015;Sartang and Habibi, 2015;Talab et al, 2017).…”

“…This problem arises because of static work, inappropriate posture, or repetitive movements of the upper limbs (Chaiklieng and Krusun, 2015;Poochada and Chaiklieng, 2015) In more detail, workers usually perform their functions in a sitting position and work with * email: ester.lisnati@hotmail.com office equipment such as computers (monitors, keyboards and mouse), telephones and documents (Matos and Arezes, 2015). This condition has a high-risk factor for ergonomics in the long run (Sartang and Habibi, 2015;Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019). The risks experienced can be in the form of financial losses, loss of life (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019) and work motivation issues (Tannady, Erlyana and Nurprihatin, 2019).…”

“…This condition has a high-risk factor for ergonomics in the long run (Sartang and Habibi, 2015;Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019). The risks experienced can be in the form of financial losses, loss of life (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019) and work motivation issues (Tannady, Erlyana and Nurprihatin, 2019). Therefore, efforts are needed to prevent the occurrence of ergonomic risks so as not to cause large losses (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019).…”

“…Several approaches and strategies have been introduced to overcome work fatigue and reduce MSDs, including preparing training programs on ergonomic principles, job rotation and relaxing time arrangements among employees (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019). In terms of ergonomic principles, posture assessment techniques are very effective in identifying potential fatigue (Talab et al, 2017).…”

“…Previous research tested the performance of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and ROSA to predicted MSDs risk using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficient, and chi-square test (Talab et al, 2017). Other studies showed that the measurement of MSDs in ROSA and workrelated fatigue in the Geldard Burnout Inventory (GBI) correlate directly and significantly (Bagheri and GHaljahi, 2019).…”