MUSCULOSKELETAL AND VISUAL PROBLEMS FACED BY FEMALE VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL (VDT) USERS
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PAU
Abstract
The present study was conducted on “Musculoskeletal and Visual problems faced by female
Video Display Terminal (VDT) users”, with objectives; to evaluate the work station design of
video display terminal users on the basis of ergonomic parameters; to assess the work related
musculoskeletal and visual problems faced by female VDT users and to formulate a guide as a
preventive intervention in reducing the musculoskeletal and visual problems of VDT users.
Study was conducted in two phases i.e. field survey and field experiment. Field survey was
conducted on 120 female employees working on Video Display Terminals (VDT) in different
banks of Ludhiana District. A pre-structured interview schedule was used to ergonomically
evaluate the work station design of female VDT users. The musculoskeletal problems of
respondents were assessed by using subjective scales i.e. Postural Discomfort Scale (Corlett
and Bishop 1976) and Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ). A total of
20 female employees from the sample of field survey having the permissible limits of
physiological parameters were selected for the field experiment to assess the work related
musculoskeletal problems by using two objective assessment scales i.e. Rapid Upper Limb
Assessment Method (RULA) and Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC).Results revealed that
respondents felt musculoskeletal and visual problems like pain in neck, lower back, legs and
eyes strain due to inadequate dimensions of workstation, improper placement of computer
screen, poor lighting and glare. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and QEC (Quick
Exposure Checklist) showed that postures like forward bending, cervical flexion, bent wrist
and unsupported feet were putting them under high risk and for these postures corrective
measures are required as soon as possible. A guide was formulated as an ergonomic
intervention to reduce the work-related musculoskeletal and visual problems of VDT users
Description
Keywords
manpower, biological phenomena