title: The effect of an ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal, psychosocial, and visual strain of VDT data entry work: the Polish part of the international study.
abstract: A group of routine data entry operators (female) was included in the Polish MEPS (musculoskeletal--eyestrain--psychosocial--stress) study. Before the intervention, ergonomic assessment revealed improper working conditions such as inadequate lighting, uncomfortable chairs, and lack of forearm and wrist support while medical examination revealed that trapezius muscle load along with upper arm, head and back angles were higher than advisable. Subjects complained about neck and shoulder pain, visual problems, and psychosocial conditions. The ergonomic intervention included installation of new luminaires and Venetian blinds, new chairs, repair of ventilators, and optometric corrections. The results after the intervention showed mainly improvement in chair comfort, lighting conditions, visual strain, and sitting posture. However, financial limitations did not allow satisfactory completion of the intervention leading to a mixed interpretation of the results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ergonomics, Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland. makon@ciop.pl
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konarska
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolska
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Widerszal-Bazyl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bugajska
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roman-Liu
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aarås
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016288:Computer Terminals; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010808:Physical Examination; D011044:Poland; D011187:Posture; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace