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Occupational Medicine 2005 55(2):121-127; doi:10.1093/occmed/kqi029
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Occupational Medicine, Vol. 55 No. 2 © Society of Occupational Medicine 2005; all rights reserved

Musculoskeletal disorders and visual strain in intensive data processing workers

Valerie Woods

Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7TE, UK

Background This study was conducted for a UK Trade Union in response to increasing numbers of health complaints among intensive computer workers in a data processing environment.

Aim To estimate prevalence of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and visual strain symptoms among data processing workers and to explore associations with work factors.

Methods A self-report questionnaire was distributed to data processors (n=175) and a control group (n=129) in the same organization.

Results Eighty-six per cent of data processors reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort in the previous year, with the highest prevalence rate found for the neck (58%). The 12 month reported prevalence for visual strain symptoms was 47%, tired eyes (41%) was the most commonly reported symptom. In the last week, 56% reported pain/discomfort and 25% visual strain symptoms. Data processors reporting pain in the previous year were more likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs (P<0.01), to report a lack of choice in deciding what they did at work (P<0.02), to have insufficient time to complete work (P<0.05) or to receive help from others when time was limited (P<0.03).

Conclusion The prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and visual strain symptoms was high among data processors. A systematic approach to risk reduction addressing organizational, psychosocial and physical work factors is required. This study has implications for reorganization of this and other intensive computer work, given the increasing requirement for intensive computing work in many industrial sectors. More research is needed to investigate interactions between job demands and support systems for these workers.

Keywords      Data processing; musculoskeletal pain/discomfort; performance targets; sedentary work; vigilance; visual strain

Correspondence to: Valerie Woods, Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7TE, UK. Tel: +1483 686738; fax: +1483 689395; Email: v.woods{at}surrey.ac.uk


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