Telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

Telework has become considerably more common during the ongoing pandemic. Although working remotely may have numerous advantages, negative impacts on workers’ health and safety should also be considered. Telework is a major contributor to the development or aggravation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders where unsuited workstation ergonomics, sedentary behavior, as well as psychosocial and organizational factors play a role. This paper aims to identify telework-related risks and their impact on musculoskeletal health as well as provide recommendations that may be useful in constructing future preventive measures. A comprehensive literature search regarding the topic has been performed. Teleworkers experience musculoskeletal pain and discomfort mostly in low back area, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Poor ergonomic solutions when it comes to workstation design resulting in prolonged sitting in non-neutral positions contribute to the development and aggravation of musculoskeletal disorders in teleworkers. Working with inadequately placed screens and laptops and sitting in maladjusted seats without usual functionalities and ergonomic support is associated with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. Extended working hours with fewer rest periods to meet increased work demands, social isolation, and lack of support from work colleagues and superiors as well as blurred work-home boundaries and omnipresence of work are commonly stated psychosocial and organizational factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Environmental factors such as poor lighting and glare, inadequate room temperature, and ventilation or noise, are frequently overlooked remote workstation risk factors. For a certain part of workers, telework will remain a common way of work in the post-pandemic period. Therefore, it is essential to identify telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and address them with timely preventive measures tailored to each remote workstation’s risks and individual workers’ needs.

Prevalencia de los trastornos musculoesqueléticos en docentes que ejercen bajo la modalidad de teletrabajo

“…10 11 12 El teletrabajo del personal docente universitario se ha mantenido desde marzo del 2020 continuando en la actualidad esta modalidad a diferencia del retorno progresivo a clases que se ha suscitado en el ámbito de educación primaria con retorno progresivo a clases; por lo que conocer la prevalencia de trastornos musculoesqueléticos en este grupo etario resulta muy importante. 13 En esta nueva era tecnológica los constantes cambios y adaptaciones a los puestos de trabajo se han presentado desde actividades laborales en forma presencial hasta actividades que demandan un gran esfuerzo físico y en efecto por la pandemia global de SARS-CoV-2 los profesionales de la educación tanto maestros de educación…”

Ergonomics and organization of remote work – health aspect and recommendations for home office organization

“…Zaburzenia układu mięśniowo-szkieletowego związane z wykonywaną pracą (work-related musculoskeletal disorder -WRMSD) są wywołane lub nasilone przede wszystkim w wyniku pracy lub wpływu bezpośredniego otoczenia, w którym praca jest wykonywana. Praca z wykorzystaniem urządzeń wyposażonych w monitory ekranowe jest wskazywana w badaniach epidemiologicznych jako czynnik ryzyka wystąpienia i nasilenia WRMSD [24][25][26]. W tym przypadku WRMSD są konsekwencją dużego obciążenia statycznego oraz wykonywania powtarzających się ruchów monotypowych (obsługa klawiatury i myszy).…”

“…Najważniejszymi czynnikami wpływającymi na obciążenie układu mięśniowo-szkieletowego podczas pracy z urządzeniami wyposażonymi w monitory ekranowe są czynniki związane z organizacją stanowiska pracy (nieergonomiczne stanowisko pracy) i wielogodzinną, nieprzerwaną pracą w pozycji siedzącej (nieprzestrzeganie wytycznych dotyczących czasu pracy i przerw w pracy). W publikacjach wskazuje się, że MSD dotyczą >60% osób pracujących przy monitorach ekranowych i najczęściej występują zespoły bólowe kręgosłupa w odcinku szyjnym i lędźwiowo-krzyżowym (low back pain − LBP) oraz trudności w wykonywaniu ruchów manipulacyjnych z powodu dysfunkcji/parestezji dystalnych części kończyn górnych [24][25][26].…”

The Impact of Digital Technology on the Physical Health of Older Workers: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

“…Considering both of these trends, it becomes vital to comprehensively examine how the digitalization of workplaces (such as working from home, blended work, teleworking, and the use of digital apps) is impacting the health of older workers, who are often suspected to be more affected [5]. On the one hand, digital tools offer flexible arrangements such as working from home and diminishing reliance on physically demanding tasks, thereby reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, but only if workstations are ergonomically prepared and regular breaks are taken [6]. However, counterbalancing any potential benefits, the digitalization of work also introduces a spectrum of challenges that can adversely affect the physical health of older workers, including prolonged screen exposure leading to eye strain and headaches, and stress induced by the expectation of constant connectivity, which might lead to spinal, postural and other type of muscular disorders [6,7].…”

“…On the one hand, digital tools offer flexible arrangements such as working from home and diminishing reliance on physically demanding tasks, thereby reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, but only if workstations are ergonomically prepared and regular breaks are taken [6]. However, counterbalancing any potential benefits, the digitalization of work also introduces a spectrum of challenges that can adversely affect the physical health of older workers, including prolonged screen exposure leading to eye strain and headaches, and stress induced by the expectation of constant connectivity, which might lead to spinal, postural and other type of muscular disorders [6,7]. Despite some emerging research and reviews in the recent years, especially focusing on understanding the psychological consequences of digitalization of workplaces in terms of techno-stress [8,9], burnout and mental strain [10][11][12], there is a strong need for a comprehensive synthesis of current research, especially focusing on understanding the physical health effects of digitalization of the work environment on older workers.…”