Effect of an ergonomics intervention on workstations of microscope workers

Amy R. Darragh, Heather Harrison, Sabrina Kenny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated the effect of an occupational therapy ergonomics intervention on the workstation design and body positioning of microscope workers at a fiber optics facility. METHOD. The study was quasi-experimental. Fifty-one microscope workers were assigned to one of three groups: control, education only, and education training. Their workstation design and body positioning were assessed before and after intervention. RESULTS. Workers who participated in a client-centered, participatory, and onsite ergonomics program demonstrated improved workstation design and improved body positioning compared with both a control group (p=.000) and an education-only group (p = .001). These results were supported through analysis of covariance and effect size calculations. Workers who received only educational handouts also demonstrated improved body positioning and workstation design when compared with the control group (p=.001). CONCLUSION. Researchers concluded that participation, client-centered training, context, and feedback represented critical components of ergonomics training.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-69
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume62
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Ergonomics
  • Microscope
  • Occupational therapy
  • Work

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