An assessment of ergonomic issues in the home offices of university employees sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Telework
human-computer interface
musculoskeletal disorder
Journal
Work (Reading, Mass.)
ISSN: 1875-9270
Titre abrégé: Work
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 9204382
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
pubmed:
20
4
2021
medline:
23
6
2021
entrez:
19
4
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
As millions of workers have shifted to telework, special accommodations for workers with respect to ergonomics may be required to ensure the workforce remains healthy. A survey about home office ergonomics and discomfort was sent to faculty, staff, and administrators by email and was completed by 843 individuals. Over 40%of the participants reported moderate to severe discomfort (severe low/middle back pain, moderate discomfort in eyes/neck/head, and discomfort in the upper back/shoulders). Laptops (always and often) were widely used (85%) with most using the laptop monitor (55%) of all respondents. Further, less than 45%of the seating conditions were reported as having adjustable arm rests. As teleworking in makeshift offices becomes more common, the risk of significant discomfort and potentially more serious musculoskeletal disorders may result from poor static postures. Companies may need to accommodate workers by allowing them to take home office chairs, external monitors, keyboards, and mice as laptops are insufficient, ergonomically.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
As millions of workers have shifted to telework, special accommodations for workers with respect to ergonomics may be required to ensure the workforce remains healthy.
METHODS
METHODS
A survey about home office ergonomics and discomfort was sent to faculty, staff, and administrators by email and was completed by 843 individuals.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Over 40%of the participants reported moderate to severe discomfort (severe low/middle back pain, moderate discomfort in eyes/neck/head, and discomfort in the upper back/shoulders). Laptops (always and often) were widely used (85%) with most using the laptop monitor (55%) of all respondents. Further, less than 45%of the seating conditions were reported as having adjustable arm rests.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
As teleworking in makeshift offices becomes more common, the risk of significant discomfort and potentially more serious musculoskeletal disorders may result from poor static postures. Companies may need to accommodate workers by allowing them to take home office chairs, external monitors, keyboards, and mice as laptops are insufficient, ergonomically.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33867366
pii: WOR205294
doi: 10.3233/WOR-205294
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
981-992Subventions
Organisme : NIOSH CDC HHS
ID : T42 OH008432
Pays : United States