The effects of an office ergonomics training and chair intervention on worker knowledge, behavior and musculoskeletal risk

A large-scale field intervention study was undertaken to examine the effects of office ergonomics training coupled with a highly adjustable chair on office workers’ knowledge and musculoskeletal risks. Office workers were assigned to one of three study groups: a group receiving the training and adju...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied ergonomics 2009, Vol.40 (1), p.124-135
Main Authors: Robertson, Michelle, Amick, Benjamin C., DeRango, Kelly, Rooney, Ted, Bazzani, Lianna, Harrist, Ron, Moore, Anne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Applied physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Chairs
Ergonomics
Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology
Female
Health Behavior
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Promotion
Human factors research
Human mechanics
Human performance
Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology
Humans
Interior Design and Furnishings
Intervention
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Musculoskeletal Diseases - etiology
Musculoskeletal Diseases - prevention & control
Musculoskeletal risk
Musculoskeletal System
Occupational Health
Office ergonomics intervention
Offices
Posture
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Training
Workplace
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Summary:A large-scale field intervention study was undertaken to examine the effects of office ergonomics training coupled with a highly adjustable chair on office workers’ knowledge and musculoskeletal risks. Office workers were assigned to one of three study groups: a group receiving the training and adjustable chair ( n=96), a training-only group ( n=63), and a control group ( n=57). The office ergonomics training program was created using an instructional systems design model. A pre/post-training knowledge test was administered to all those who attended the training. Body postures and workstation set-ups were observed before and after the intervention. Perceived control over the physical work environment was higher for both intervention groups as compared to workers in the control group. A significant increase in overall ergonomic knowledge was observed for the intervention groups. Both intervention groups exhibited higher level behavioral translation and had lower musculoskeletal risk than the control group.
ISSN:0003-6870
1872-9126
DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2007.12.009