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

• Published in: Applied ergonomics Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 124 - 135
• Main Authors: Robertson, Michelle, Amick, Benjamin C., DeRango, Kelly, Rooney, Ted, Bazzani, Lianna, Harrist, Ron, Moore, Anne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• 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; Training; Musculoskeletal risk; Office ergonomics intervention; Office; Human; Workplace layout; Work place; Chair; Clerical personnel; Adjustable; Striated muscle disease; Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal disorder; Risk factor; Field study
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2007.12.009

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.