Risk Factors and their Interactions in VDT Workstation Systems

Abstract

This study examined important risk factors and their interactions associated with physical symptoms reported by VDT users. A research model was developed. A survey was designed and conducted among 88 computer users. The results show that risk factors associated with various physical symptoms are different. Screen glare, awkward working posture, and fatigue are important factors related to physical symptoms. Psychosocial factors significantly interact with other variables, such as demographics variables, and contribute to awkward work posture and psychological stress. Workstation design variables significantly affect working postures.

Office Ergonomics: Deficiencies in Computer Workstation Design

“…The study found that screen glare, fatigue, and awkward posture were the most important factors contributing to ocular, general musculoskeletal, upper body, and physical symptoms. Workstation designs significantly affect working posture, which in turn, contributes to physical symptoms [3]. Another model of a work system with components, technology, organization, person, task and environment shows that the objective of work system design is to optimize the whole system rather than maximize just one component [1].…”

Ergonomic Challenges of Employees Using Computers at Work in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana

“…Workstation designs significantly affect working posture, which in turn, contributes to physical symptoms experienced by Visual Display Unit (VDU) operators [5,6]. The adverse health consequences of this discrepancy mostly include musculoskeletal disorders and visual discomforts.…”