Assessment of Video Display Workstation Set Up on Risk Factors Associated with the Development of Low Back and Neck Discomfort

Details

• Personal Author:
  Babski-Reeves K ; Hughes L ; Stanfield J
• Description:
  Approximately 33% of visual display terminal (VDT) operators report back and neck pain annually. As a result, a number of "ergonomic" chairs have been developed ranging the price spectrum. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the effects of monitor height and chair type on low back and neck muscle activity, perceived level of discomfort (PLD), and posture shifts; and (2) determine if chairs at opposing ends of their price spectrum differ in the physiological benefits. Two levels of monitor height and chair type were assessed. The findings of this research indicate that the interaction of monitor height and chair type significantly affects the loads placed on the human body. Task demands also play an important role in the loads placed on the body, posture fixity, and level of discomfort reported. Therefore, the location of VDT equipment and chair selection should be based on task demands to minimize static loading and discomfort. In general, no gross physiological differences were identified between high and low cost chairs, again supporting the recommendation that chair selection be based on task demands. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety
• Keywords:
  Back-injuries Injuries Musculoskeletal-system-disorders Neck-injuries Office-equipment Office-furniture Office-workers Physiological-factors Posture Risk-analysis Risk-factors Video-display-terminals Worker-health Workers

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• ISSN:
  0169-8141
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  35
• Issue:
  7
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20031232
• Citation:
  Int J Ind Ergon 2005 Jul; 35(7):593-604
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2005
• Performing Organization:
  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010701
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:806a6dc45079897001e6b10489a1f6fce33acc40426712abaf3b9011d96285867c07a8c415920edf319483e7972ddd6f21f042acbb8d0f7ed0f2cbdd259a72c8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/191542/cdc_191542_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 385.38 KB ]