Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in computer users is high. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ergonomic assessment musculoskeletal disorders risk in computer users determine the effect of an eight-week corrective exercises program on reduction of musculoskeletal pain.

Material and Methods: In the first phase of the study, RULA technique and Nordic questionnaires were used to evaluate postures and musculoskeletal disorders of 84 computer users of Tuyserkan administrations. In the next phase, 30 individuals for participating in a corrective exercises program intervention divided into two groups namely, experimental (n=15) and the controls (n=15). Subjects were re-evaluated after period of eight weeks. Data was analyzed using independent and dependent t-tests.

Results: The overall prevalence of pain was seen in neck, lumbar, shoulders, back, carpal and hand, elbow respectively. In posture analysis, 61.3 and 53.6 percent of subjects were in action level of 2 in left and right limbs respectively, 32.2 and 44.1 percent of subjects were in action level of 3 and 2.4 percent in level of 4 in right side. After the corrective exercise intervention, there was 38.3% significantly reduction pain for upper limbs (p=0.001) and 38.7% for lower limbs (p=0.006).

Conclusion: This study showed that frequency of musculoskeletal problems in neck, lumbar, shoulders, back, wrist was generally high among our subjects, and selected corrective exercises could reduce the risk level and pain.

Introduction: Work-related fatigue is a source of concern, even in most industrialized countries. One of the most important factors influencing an employee’s physical and mental condition is the degree to which employees are able to recover from fatigue and stress after work. Factors such as workload can cause fatigue in workers. The aim of this study was using the need for recovery scale to assess workload in mine workers and its relationship with demographics.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 workers of a mine were surveyed. The data gathering tools used in this study were demographic characteristics questionnaire and the need for recovery scale. The scale assesses the workers workload with 11 two-optioned phrases. Mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient and ANOVA tests were used in order for data analysis.

Results: Mean (SD) score of the need for recovery scale was 55.22 (23.93), indicating moderately high workload in the workers. A total of 58.7% of workers experienced high levels of workload. Among the demographics, only body weight had a significant relationship with the need for recovery score (P value = 0.043).

Conclusions: Due to the relatively high need for recovery in the study population, solutions should be employed, such as reducing the workload, use of work-rest schedules, performing heavy tasks within teams, and providing conditions for proper and enough recovery after work, which can increase health conditions of workers.