Office Pain and Discomfort: Over 26,000 Employees Tell You Their - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Office Pain and Discomfort: Over 26,000 Employees Tell You Their Story

OF5

Presented by: Tony Silva, CPE

Objectives

• Examine the relationship between discomfort:
• Demographics
• Products
• Attitude and knowledge
• Discuss how these findings should impact the

approach taken to complete office ergonomic assessments

Procedure

• 26,469 participants
• Subset of clients served by Atlas over 9-year period

(2009-2017)

• Variety of sectors including financial, petroleum,

pharmaceutical, healthcare, and insurance

• All participants at a computer workstation
• Combination of both office and home

Procedure

• Data collection was completed using Atlas’ web-based
• ffice ergonomics assessment software AtlasOffice™
• Initiation of survey a combination of:
• Proactive program deployment
• Reactive (responding to an individual’s need)
• Each question within the survey is designed to assess

different elements of office ergonomic risk and is based on current research and standards

Procedure

• Demographics
• Gender, age, height, weight and hand size
• Discomfort:
• Participant is asked if he/she is experiencing discomfort
• If yes, asked to identify the location of the discomfort
• Discomfort is then assessed in each area using a 5-

point scale for frequency and severity of symptoms

Procedure

Procedure

• Discomfort Prevalence: Percentage of employees that are experiencing

discomfort

• Body Part Discomfort Scores: Frequency and severity scores are multiplied

together to provide a measure of the discomfort for a single body part

• Total Discomfort: Adding all body part discomfort scores provides a total

discomfort score

• Average Total Discomfort: to compare differences between groups the

average of the discomfort scores across all participants in the group were

• calculated. For example, the average total discomfort for employees who are

<5’1” is 33.01.

Procedure

• Productivity: Participants were asked the frequency

with which discomfort affects productivity using a 5- point

BMI Distribution

BMI Distribution

• This data demonstrates similar percentages in the general

population as collected by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

• The CDC found an incidence of obesity in the US at

37.9% as compared to the study’s finding of 35%.

• Also, the CDC found 70.7% of people either overweight or
• bese in comparison to the study’s finding of 66%.

Height Distribution

Age Distribution

Gender Distribution

Job Tenure Distribution

Daily Computer Use

Hand Size Distribution

Demographics vs. Discomfort

• Higher BMI is associated with progressively greater

discomfort and productivity loss.

• At the highest obesity classification, the levels of

discomfort and productivity loss compared to normal BMI are striking.

• 32 % greater total body discomfort, 531% greater knee discomfort,

43% greater low back discomfort, and 15% greater wrist/hand discomfort.

• Productivity loss reaches 64% for the same Obese Class III workers.

Demographics vs. Discomfort

• Shorter stature is associated with progressively

greater discomfort and productivity loss.

• Individuals under 5’3” have the highest overall levels
• f discomfort, and those 5’6” and under have the

highest levels of productivity loss compared to taller participants.

Demographics vs. Discomfort

• There is not a significant difference in overall

discomfort when comparing participants’ ages.

• Productivity loss is higher in younger participants.

Demographics vs. Discomfort

• When computer time increases over 4 hours per day,

including time at work and home, the likelihood of discomfort in the head/neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, and low back are significantly greater.

• This extends into productivity loss as well.

Demographics vs. Discomfort

• Employees with small hand size have higher average

upper extremity discomfort, especially noted in the elbow, wrist and hand.

• Lower incidence of productivity loss in individuals

with larger-sized hands.

Demographics vs. Discomfort

• Although there is an increase in average discomfort when

comparing women to men, the data does not point to gender as the contributing factor as much as the characteristics of women.

• Females generally have a shorter stature, higher BMI and

smaller hand size.

• Each of these demographic characteristics lend to the

higher rate of discomfort and loss of productivity.

Impact on Approach

• Continue/expand ergonomic and wellness programs for obese

workers to address discomfort and potential productivity loss.

• Be cautious of deploying standing workstations for all of the

work population.

• Emphasis should be placed on ergonomic modifications for

individuals 5’3” and under, as well as those over 6’3”.

• Emphasis should be placed on ergonomic modifications and

training for younger employees, targeting programs on reinforcing good work habits.

Impact on Approach

• Emphasis should not be placed on the employee’s job
• tenure. There is no link to increased discomfort or

loss of productivity.

• Emphasis should be placed on ergonomics programs

for workers that spend greater than 4 hours of time on the computer daily.

• Emphasis should be placed on ergonomics

interventions for workers with smaller sized hands.

Impact on Approach

• Emphasis should not be placed on gender.
• Instead, modifications and programs should be placed

for employees with smaller-sized hands, those of shorter stature, and in Class II and III Obesity.

Products vs. Discomfort

• Products studied:
• Chair adjustability
• Type of computer (desktop vs. laptop vs. tablet)
• Keyboard/mouse position (tabletop vs. tray)
• Monitor position
• Work surface adjustability

Products vs. Discomfort

Seat Height Adjustability

• 90% of employees have seat height adjustability
• Only 60% report having proper position of their thighs and legs

(approximate right angles and hips and knees)

• Only 75% report having their feet flat on the floor or a footrest.
• Significant more discomfort for individuals who have the feature

but do it is not adjusted properly when compared to those who simply do not have the feature

Products vs. Discomfort

Seat Depth Adjustability

• 41% of employees have this feature
• For those without this feature, only significant difference in

discomfort is in the hip/thighs

• Again, significant more discomfort for individuals who have the

feature but it is not adjusted properly when compared to those who simply do not have the feature

• Specifically in the hips and ankles/feet

Products vs. Discomfort

Lumbar Support Adjustment

• 46% of employees have this feature
• For those without this feature, significant difference in

discomfort in the low and upper back

• Again, significant more discomfort for individuals who have the

feature but it is not adjusted properly when compared to those who simply do not have the feature

• Specifically in the low back, upper back and neck

Products vs. Discomfort

Tilt Lock

• 58% of employees have this feature
• For those without this feature, significant difference in

discomfort is in the upper back

• We could not evaluate use of this feature, it is not part of our

survey questions

Products vs. Discomfort

Arm Rest Height

• 77% of employees have this feature
• For those without this feature, no difference in discomfort
• Significant more discomfort for individuals who have the feature

but do not have it adjusted properly when compared to those who simply do not have the feature

• All body parts, especially the elbows

Products vs. Discomfort

Arm Rest Width

• Only 28% of employees have this feature
• For those without this feature, no difference in discomfort
• Significant more discomfort for individuals who have the feature

but do not have it adjusted properly when compared to those who simply do not have the feature

• All body parts, especially the elbows

Products vs. Discomfort

Productivity

• Having the chair features alone did not demonstrate a

significant increase in productivity

• For those with the chair features but not adjusted properly,

productivity loss is highest and significant

Products vs. Discomfort

Products vs. Discomfort Summary

• Lack of proper adjustment and chair use is associated with

greater discomfort and productivity loss.

• The availability of most chair adjustments alone does not

significantly decrease discomfort or affect productivity.

• The highest increase in productivity loss and level of discomfort

are seen with employees who do not have proper lumbar support.

Products vs. Discomfort

Type of Computer

• Majority (74%) use a desktop
• 26% use a laptop; of these 92% use an external monitor, 90% use an external

mouse, and 89% use an external keypad

• < 1 % reported using a tablet
• When external devices are used, it allows the laptop to work essentially as a

desktop computer.

• This leaves less than 3% of the population of this data set using laptop

computers or tablets. There is therefore insufficient data to make comparisons within the data set for discomfort or productivity.

Products vs. Discomfort

Keyboard and Mouse Location

• Only 19% of employees use a keyboard tray vs. the desktop
• No significant difference in discomfort or productivity with a

keyboard tray vs. desktop

• There is a significant increase in overall discomfort when

employees do not have the keyboard and mouse adjusted properly (correct height, distance and angle)

• Mainly in elbows and wrists/hands

Products vs. Discomfort

Monitors

• Only 10% of the employees in this data set report screen glare

as an issue

• There is a 195% increase in intensity of eyestrain when there is

reported glare on the monitor

• Only a 9% increase in eye strain and 16% increase in neck

discomfort in employees wearing trifocal lenses and an even smaller insignificant change in those wearing bifocal lenses

Products vs. Discomfort

• There is a significant increase in eye strain and

discomfort in the neck and upper back when the monitor(s) is not properly positioned.

• Improper monitor height, centering, and distance from

the employee significantly contribute to this.

• As well as negatively affect productivity in

approximately 50% of the employees.

Products vs. Discomfort

Adjustable Height Work Surface

• 20% of employees use adjustable height work surfaces
• 24% decrease in low back discomfort in employees who

use an adjustable work surface.

• No significant increase in ankle and foot discomfort
• Twice as many employees with a fixed height work

surface report frequent to continuous productivity loss.

Products vs. Discomfort

• Lumbar support has the greatest effect on overall discomfort
• This data demonstrates a less than desired effect than one would hope when

providing employees with products to help decrease their discomfort level.

Products vs. Discomfort

• The overall effect on decreasing discomfort through

proper workstation adjustment is significantly higher (p<.05) than through the products and their adjustability features alone.

• The average reduction for the products is 11%

whereas in the proper setup we see an average of 51%.

Products vs. Discomfort

Body Part Product Solution Decrease in Discomfort Training Solution Decrease in Discomfort Eyes NA NA Decrease Glare 67% Head/Neck Lumbar Support 15% Proper Monitor Height 31% Upper Back Lumbar Support 24% Proper Lumbar Support 48% Shoulders Adj Height Arm Rest 6% No Reaching for Keyboard/Mouse 35% Elbows Adj Height Arm Rest 8% No Reaching for Keyboard/Mouse 54% Wrists/Hands Adj Height Arm Rest 5% Forearms and Wrists Straight 55% Low Back Lumbar Support 22% Proper Lumbar Support 52% Hips/Thighs Seat Depth 15% Feet Supported Flat on Ground/Foot Stool 28% Knees Seat Depth 13% Proper Clearance Behind Knees 42% Ankles/Feet Seat Height 33% Feet Supported Flat on Ground/Foot Stool 56%

Products vs. Discomfort

• Key Impacts on Approach:
• Products should be accompanied with the training and

education on how to properly use and set up to allow the greatest effect on decreasing discomfort and reducing productivity loss.

• Lumbar support is a significant factor in discomfort and

productivity.

• Priority should be placed on supplying this to employees and

providing training for proper setup.

Products vs. Discomfort

• The position of the keyboard and mouse is more important

than the product used to achieve this position.

• There is a decrease in low back discomfort and responding

increase in productivity with employees using an adjustable height feature.

• It was expected to see an increase in ankle/foot discomfort

with the increased amount of standing. However, this was not the case.

Attitude vs. Knowledge

Attitude Toward Ergonomics

• Majority of the employees respond that a properly fitted

workstation plays a significant (42%) or critical role (37%)

• n their discomfort and productivity
• Data suggests that as the employee’s discomfort

increases and productivity decreases, their attitude toward the effect of ergonomic solutions becomes more positive.

Attitude vs. Knowledge

• It would therefore follow that employees with demographic

characteristics that correlated to a higher level of discomfort/productivity loss should have a more positive attitude towards ergonomics.

• Surprisingly, demographic-driven data suggests this is not

always true.

• The anticipated relationship exists with height, computer

use, and job tenure but does not exist with BMI and hand size.

Attitude vs. Knowledge

• While our first paper found no correlation between age and

discomfort, it did find that younger employers reported a higher level of productivity loss.

• Therefore, it was surprising to find younger employees

demonstrate a less favorable attitude toward ergonomics than their older counterparts.

• This may be due to a feeling of “invincibility” at a younger

age, or lack of job tenure and therefore less wear and tear

• n the body.

Attitude vs. Knowledge

Impact on Approach:

• Employees that have a positive attitude toward ergonomics are most
• ften those who need assistance.
• Younger and obese employees do not follow this relationship and an

adjustment in training content and approach could be considered.

• Involving other employees with a positive attitude toward ergonomics

in the training may help younger and obese employees realize the benefits of ergonomics from a first-hand account.

Attitude vs. Knowledge

Knowledge of Ergonomic Features

• Employees with a better understanding of ergonomic

features have a decrease in overall discomfort.

• Employees that were in the highest risk groups for

discomfort (obese, short or tall) did not demonstrate statistically different knowledge of ergonomic features.

• This suggests that all of the work population should be

targeted when providing training on ergonomics.

• Changing behavior has 3 important steps:
• 1. Focus - there needs to be a focus on the few behaviors that can prevent the

most incidents.

• 2. Observe - regular observations need to take place so there are significant

contacts.

How to Coach Change

Focus Observe Feedback

How to Coach Change

• 3. Feedback - Coaches need to constantly remind workers through on-the-job
• feedback. If workers are doing the behaviors, coaches need to encourage

them to continue. If they are not, coaches need to remind and refocus.

Focus Observe Feedback

How to Coach Change

• Sometimes workers are not doing the behaviors because other

factors interfere or influence them.

• Coaches need to identify these factors and barriers and work to

remove or reduce them to make it easier and more logical for workers to do the targeted behaviors.

Focus Observe Feedback

Attitude vs. Knowledge

Recommendations:

• Developing a workplace culture of safety and overall wellness is

integral for decreasing discomfort and loss of productivity.

• The knowledge and attitude of the employees toward ergonomics

plays a significant role in the development of this culture.

• The more knowledge an employee has regarding proper

ergonomic setup, the less likely they are to have discomfort and lost productivity.

Attitude vs. Knowledge

Recommendations:

• Employees that experience discomfort and loss of

productivity demonstrate a more positive attitude toward ergonomic changes.

• Involving these employees in an ergonomics program

can help establish a positive culture in the workplace.

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