A model for occupational injury risk assessment of musculoskeletal discomfort and their frequencies in computer users

Occupational injuries pose a major problem in workplaces where computers are widely used. Intensive, repetitive and long period computer use results in costly health problems (direct cost), and lost productivity (indirect cost). Yet, the effect of musculoskeletal discomfort and their frequencies associated with the use of computers have not received considerable attention. This paper presents the findings of a risk assessment model through a scientific research to determine the effect of discomfort factors that contribute to musculoskeletal disorders resulting from intensive use of computers in the workplaces. In this context a questionnaire was given to 130 intensive computer users working in the university sector. A list of significant predictor variables for musculoskeletal disorders was developed to assess and analyze workplace ergonomics, worker attitudes and experiences on computer keyboard and mouse. The main focus of the current research is to seek and provide evidence that symptoms of musculoskeletal discomfort and the frequency of these symptoms are significant in the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). This study provides the evidence that, ache and pain are the most common types of discomforts in all body regions. The discomforts were more pronounced at neck, shoulder, upper back, hand/wrist, and lower back regions. The risk factors determined by the risk assessment model were validated through ANOVA of the sEMG records for the control and test groups. The findings indicated that for each test group respondent, the mean musculoskeletal strain experienced differs in time, but the same is not true for the control group.