Prevention of MSDs and psychological stress at computer-equipped workplaces / Prevención de trastornos musculo-esqueléticos y estrés psicológico en los lugares de trabajo equipados con computadores

Introduction: The human body responds to stress-factors through four systems - central nervous, autonomic nervous, endocrine and immune - which are constantly interacting as a complex network. The main stress-factor at the computer-equipped workplaces is a poorly designed workplace, specifically the positioning of equipment on and around the workstation. The number of occupational diseases among office workers is the specific indicator of influencing of existing hazards and risk factors on the worker in the work environment. Objective: To find out the health disturbances and to make the suggestions for health promotion for computer workers. Methods: Over 400 computer workers' working conditions were measured with subsequent measuring equipment; the fatigue of muscles was measured with myometer; the investigation of the workers' opinion on working conditions based on Nordic, Work ability index (WAI) and Kiva questionnaire was carried out. The workers were divided into different groups by the age (A: under 40 years and B: over 40 years). This paper investigates the satisfaction of computer workers with their working conditions. Results: According to the results of Nordic and WAI questionnaires, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were observed by 53.6%; the cardiovascular disturbances by 20.4% and visual disturbances by 16.7% of the respondents in group A (under 40 years). In group B, MSDs were observed by 50.1%; cardiovascular disorders by 45.7% and visual disturbances by 23.2% of the respondents (over 40 years). Muscle and joint complaints were reported only by 19.7% of workers. The majority of the respondents declared the existence of two or more local pain points. Neck, shoulder, wrist and back pain were registered as the main complaints. Conclusions: The results of measurements of physical workplaces revealed that in some offices there are deficiencies in lighting, problems with stuffy air (high CO2 value) and low relative humidity value on cold season. As muscle strain is often coming from the static posture, it may be influenced also by the psycho-emotional stress at workplace. The questionnaires, objective methods and environmental measurements are useful to plan prevention and early rehabilitation before the disability appears.

Introducción: El cuerpo humano responde a los factores estresantes a través de cuatro sistemas - nervioso central, autónomo, endocrino e inmune- los cuales están constantemente interactuando como una red compleja. Los factores estresantes principales en los lugares de trabajo equipados con computadores son lugares de trabajo pobremente diseñados, específicamente el posicionamiento de los equipos en y alrededor de los puestos de trabajo. El número de enfermedades ocupacionales en los trabajadores de oficina es el indicador específico de la influencia de los peligros existentes y factores de riesgo sobre trabajador en el ambiente de trabajo. Objetivo: Encontrar los problemas en salud y realizar sugerencias para la promoción en salud para trabajadores con computadores. Materiales y métodos: Más de 400 condiciones en trabajadores con computadores fueron medidas con el equipo de medición pertinente; la fatiga muscular fue medida con el miometro, la opinión de los trabajadores sobre las condiciones de trabajo fueron registradas por medio de Nordic, el índice de habilidad de trabajo (WAI por sus siglas en ingles) y el cuestionario Kiva. Los trabajadores fueron divididos en diferentes grupos por edad (A: menores de 40 años y B: mayores de 40 años). En este artículo se investiga la satisfacción de los trabajadores de computadores con su condición de trabajo. Resultados: De acuerdo con los resultado de los cuestionarios Nordic y WAI, los trastornos musculo-esqueléticos (TME) fueron observadas en el 53.6%; los problemas cardiovasculares en un 20.4% y los problemas visuales en un 16.7% de los encuestados del grupo A (menores de 40 años). En grupo B, los TME fueron observados en un 50.1%; los problemas cardiovasculares en un 45.7% y los problemas visuales en un 23.2% de los encuestados (mayores de 40 años). Las quejas musculares y articulares fueron reportados solo en el 19.7% de los trabajadores. La mayoría de los encuestados reportaron la existencia de dos o más puntos locales de dolor. Los dolores de cuello, hombros, muñeca y espalda fueron registrados como las principales quejas. Conclusiones: Los resultados de las mediciones de los lugares de trabajo físicos revelaron que en algunas oficinas hay deficiencias en la iluminación, problemas con la contaminación del aire (altos niveles de CO²) y el bajo valor de la humedad relativa en la estación fría. La tensión muscular es a menudo a causa de la postura estática, esta puede estar influenciada también por el estrés psico-emocional en lugar de trabajo. Los cuestionarios, métodos objetivos y mediciones ambientales son útiles para planificar la prevención y la rehabilitación temprana antes de que aparezca la discapacidad.

Risk observatory-a tool for improving safety and health at the workplace.

The main problems in occupational health and safety (OHS) system in Estonia (a postcommunist new European Union Member State) are analyzed and the implementation of a simple, flexible risk assessment method is presented. The study aimed to assess the working environment, the employers' possibilities and willingness to carry out risk assessment, ways to manage risks and the steps being taken towards progressive improvement in OHS. The role of the Estonian Labour Inspectorate in the risk observatory is that of the main key authority in data collection and information dissemination in OHS.

A simple and flexible risk assessment method in the work environment.

The existing risk assessment models in the work environment (on the basis of Standard No. BS 8800:1996; British Standards Institution, 1996) contain the need to determine the probability of the occurrence and the severity of consequences of the influence of hazardous factors on the worker. The determination of the probabilities of the influence of hazards (noise, vibration, chemicals, etc.) is complicated. The authors of this article have developed a simple risk assessment method that does not contain the probabilities. The method is based on a 2-step model that could be enlarged into a 6-step model. The implementation possibilities of the model are presented. The existing norms in the work environment in Estonia were analysed and the safety level of a wood-processing factory was determined.

Risk Assessment in the Working Environment in Estonia.

The first step to chart hazards in the working environment in Estonia (labour force: 0.65 million) was taken by the National Board of Health Protection in the beginning of 1996. The existing chemical, physical, and biological agents in the working environment were investigated with the help of local health inspectors in all counties. An identification of hazards and workers at risk was carried out. The results of the analysis showed that 16% of Estonian industrial workers are exposed to different hazards: 20,000 persons are exposed to noise, 11,000 are working in the conditions of vibration, 10,000 are affected by unsatisfactory microclimate, 6,000 complain about long-lasting work in a compulsory posture, the overexertion of eyes is suffered by 5,500 persons, and physical overload by 3,500 workers. In the group of chemical hazards the greatest numbers of workers are exposed to organic dust (6,500) and welding aerosols (5,400), followed by petroleum products (2,700), and oil-shale dust (4,300). The measurements of working conditions showed that an average of 30.3% of the results are above the standards. Proposals for the improvement of the situation in occupational safety and health are presented.