Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea (대한인간공학회지)

Ergonomics Society of Korea (대한인간공학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Office Environment and Musculoskeletal Complaints of Office Workers

  • Park, Myoung Hwan (Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University) ;
  • Lee, Sangbok (Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University) ;
  • Jeong, Byung Yong (Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University)
  • Received : 2015.11.20
  • Accepted : 2015.11.26
  • Published : 2015.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the correlation between office and work environment satisfaction levels and workers' musculoskeletal symptoms by conducting surveys asking office workers to state their musculoskeletal symptoms and office and work environment satisfaction levels. Background: The increased number of office workers and their indoor work hours using computers have led to new understandings of the importance of office environment including its temperature, humidity, noise levels, lighting and quality of air, and work environment including monitor arrangement, space arrangement and the functions of desks and chairs. Method: Specific details on office work, office environment satisfaction levels, work environment satisfaction levels, musculoskeletal symptoms, absence from work and treatment due to musculoskeletal related symptoms were analyzed based on the survey answers given by 397 office workers who were the subjects of this research. Results: Office workers showed different characteristics of musculoskeletal symptoms depending on their gender, age, work experience, office hours, break time and time spent on computers. Also, differences in symptoms were found for workers'with different satisfaction levels for office environment (temperature, humidity, noise levels, quality of air, lighting) and work environment (location of monitors, area and display of office space, chairs and desks). ANOVA shows the differences between groups of subjects classified by the experience of work-absences and treatments or pain complaints. Conclusion and Application: Relationship between workers' satisfaction levels with the office and work environment and their musculoskeletal symptoms is expected to be served as essential data for systematic management of the workplace.

Keywords

References

  1. Bachmann, M.O. and Myers, J.E., Influences on sick building syndrome symptoms in three buildings, Social Science & Medicine, 40(2), 245-251, 1995. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(94)E0068-4
  2. Burge, P.S., Sick building syndrome. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(2), 185-190, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2003.008813
  3. Burge, S., Hedge, A., Wilson, S., Bass, J.H. and Robertson, A., Sick building syndrome: a study of 4373 office workers, Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 31(4A), 493-504, 1987. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/31.4A.493
  4. Jaakkola, M.S. and Jaakkola, J.J., Office equipment and supplies: A modern occupational health concern?, American Journal of Epidemiology, 150(11), 1223-1228, 1999. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009949
  5. Jeong, B.Y., Shin, D.S. & Park, M.H., A Study on Office Environment Satisfaction and Worker" s Subjective Symptoms, Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, 34(3), 223-234, 2015. https://doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2015.34.3.223
  6. Jeong, B.Y. and Yoon, A., Ergonomics of Office Seating and Postures, Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, 33(2), 167-174, 2014. https://doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2014.33.2.167
  7. Jeong, S., Lee, S.Y., Eu, S.M. Kim D.H. & Lee, E.H., Study on the Environmental Factors and Symptoms of VDT Syndrome, Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society, 14(4), 65-69, 2009.
  8. Kubo, T., Mizoue, T., Ide, R., Tokui, N., Fujino, Y., Minh, P.T., Shirane, K., Matsumoto, T. & Yoshimura, T., Visual display terminal work and sick building syndrome-the role of psychosocial distress in the relationship. Journal of Occupational Health, 48, 107-112, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.48.107
  9. Kwon, K.W. and Park, J.S., Cost Benefit Analysis of Improved Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings, Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea, 23(10), 203-212, 2007.
  10. Lee, J. and Koo, J., Occupational Diseases Among Office Workers and Prevention Strategies, J Ergon Soc Korea, 34(2): 125-134, 2015. https://doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2015.34.2.125
  11. Li, D.W. and Yang, C.S., Fungal contamination as a major contributor to sick building syndrome, Advances in Applied Microbiology, 55, 31-112, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2164(04)55002-5
  12. Magnavita, N., Elovainio, M., De Nardis, I., Heponiemi. T. and Bergamaschi, A., Environmental discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders, Occupational Medicine, 61, 196-201, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqr024
  13. Nelson, N.A. and Silverstein, B.A., Workplace Changes Associated with a Reduction in Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Office Workers, Human Factors, 40(2), 337-350, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1518/001872098779480398
  14. Passarelli, G.R., Sick building syndrome: An overview to raise awareness, Journal of Building Appraisal, 5, 55-66, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1057/jba.2009.20
  15. Sim, M.J. and Lee, Y,S., A study on the VDT syndrome and relating work factors of office workers, Journal of Korean Society for Health Education and Promotion, 25(3), 95-109, 2008.
  16. Tint, P., Traumann, A., Pille, V., Tuulik-Leisi, V.R. & Tuulik, V., Computer users' health risks caused by the simultaneous influence of inadequate indoor climate and monotonous work. Agronomy Research, 10, 261-268, 2012.
  17. Yoon, A., A study of work environment factor of influencing officer satisfaction, Unpublished master's thesis, Hansung University, Seoul, 2014.