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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Human engineering

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    An exploration of environmental ergonomics : the case of restaurant kitchens in Durban
    (2021) Gangiah, Sasi; Naidoo, Krishna Murthi
    Several studies have raised concern that indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of commercial kitchens is not conducive to the well-being of kitchen workers as heat illness may be unreported in that industry. To comprehend the magnitude and severity of the threats to the workers in the industry it was necessary to evaluate the indoor environmental quality parameters-heat, ventilation and humidity, noise and lighting in kitchens, cognisant that with different kitchen loads offer different cuisines. A mixed method design was chosen for this exploratory case study. Questionnaire, interview schedule and structured observation instruments were developed for method triangulation using a purposive sampling technique. Humans have an immense capacity to adapt physically, physiologically and psychologically to a broad range of environmental states. Human response to kitchen heat, indoor air quality, humidity, noise and lighting is influenced by a range of interactions such as worker demographics, context, environmental interactions and cognition. Variations in thermal tolerance are further intensified by ethnicity and cultural differences. Not withstanding, among the goals of occupational safety are health intervention for worker comfort to enhanced work performance. The study accordingly scrutinised theory in respect of relationship between individual differences and contextual components and factored these into controlled heat in work environment as well as other IEQ parameters. This exploration will add to knowledge of IEQ among restaurant owners and improve workers adaptation to kitchen environment which is beneficial to theories of productivity, worker satisfaction and overall well-being of workers. It is anticipated that this study will help to raise attention to the implementation of appropriate intervention program to benefit foodservice workers, chefs, bakers, ergonomists, academicians and management
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    Work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among computer programmers in a selected software company in the eThekweni Municipality
    (2018) Coetzee, Roxanne Jane; Van der Meulen, Anthony G.; Venketsamy, Yomika
    Background: Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) are a significant and common occupational health concern, impacting work attendance and performance. A high prevalence rate of UEMSDs has been reported among computer users yet limited research has been conducted on computer programmers’ specifically. Certain studies have linked these higher prevalence rates to typical daily computing tasks including prolonged sitting, incorrect ergonomics, awkward/abnormal postures and repetitive movements, but limited research has been conducted on this population specifically. Objectives: To determine the point and lifetime prevalence of UEMSDs of the sample population of computer programmers in a selected software company in the eThekwini Municipality; to determine the injury profile of the population and compare to international studies; to identify selected risk factors of the population (demographic, ergonomic and physical risk factors); and to determine any associations between prevalence and selected risk factors of injury in the population. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive, questionnaire-based survey conducted to assess selected associated risks factors for UEMSDs in computer programmers in a selected software company. Participants who met the inclusion criteria (N = 155) were invited to complete self-administered questionnaires. The study population consisted of computer programmers in a selected eThekweni software company, over the age of 18 years, who worked full-time for 8 hours or more per day, that were symptomatic or asymptomatic concerning UEMSDs. The scores for each sub-group were expressed as percentages and summarised using mean, standard deviation and range, with 95% confidence intervals. Bivariate associations from categorical variables were conducted using a Pearson’s chi-square test or Fischer’s exact test as appropriate. Cross tabulations were conducted using contingency tables to determine whether there was an association between variables. Graphical representation of scores by groups were conducted using various types of tables and graphs such as bar graphs, tables, and pie charts. Factors were entered individually into the model to evaluate their Pearson’s chi-square values and partial Eta scores. A p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant for the Pearson’s chi-squared test; a partial Eta score greater than 0.14 was considered as highly significant. Results: Of the 155 completed questionnaires, the lifetime prevalence of work-related UEMSDs in the sample population was 41.3% and the point prevalence of 21.9% in the upper limb. The lifetime prevalence of the three most common anatomical areas affected were the right shoulder at 25.8%, the right wrist at 23.9% and the right hand at 17.4%. The point prevalence of the three most common anatomical areas affected were the right shoulder at 9%, right wrist at 7.7% and right hand and left shoulder both at 4.5%. There was a large effect size with increasing age and severity in lifetime prevalence (ƞp2 = 0.200) and a medium effect size in point prevalence (ƞp2 = 0.084). There was a large effect size in increasing age and duration of injury in both lifetime (ƞp2 = 0.244) and point prevalence (ƞp2 = 0.282). Fourteen point seven percent of the participants took sick leave and 85.3% of the affected sample population have some degree of productivity loss in point prevalence. Incorrect workstation setup and type of injury was a high-risk factor in work-related injury in both point and lifetime prevalence in this study. Ethnicity and gender were not risk factors in this study. Increasing age, a history of sports injury, increased work experience (p = 0.021), increased working hours per week (p = 0.012), increased hours on the computer per week (p = 0.001) and overtime (p = 0.018) were shown to have a statistically significant association with UEMSDs. Participants who worked > 40 hours on the computer per week were prone to injury 16.769 (O.R.) times more often than participants who worked 20 to 30 hours on the computer per week (p = 0.037) and 3.563 (O.R.) times more often than a programmer who worked 31 to 34 hours per week (p = 0.013). Cofounding risk factors to injury were sick leave (p = 0.000) and productivity loss/work interference (p = 0.000). Conclusion: This is the first South African study, to our knowledge, that highlights point and lifetime prevalence rates for work-related UEMSDs among computer programmers as well as significant DASH findings. This draws attention to the need for implementation of intervention programmes to prevent and/or reduce the development of work-related UEMSDs.
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    The relationship between ergonomics of the office workstation and related musculoskeletal disorders in library administrative staff at the Durban University of Technology
    (2018) Levy, Cherise Danielle; Orton, Penelope Margaret
    Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common health complaints in the working population and the advancement in technology is a big contributor. Many offices and work spaces have been revolutionised with technological advances, most notably through computer usage, which has become an integral part of life. Intensive use of computers has shown to result in MSDs. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of MSDs in a library setting at a University of Technology with the objectives of: determining the prevalence of MSDs in the library staff, to describe the workstations of the staff, and to describe any associations between the workstations and MSDs. This was a cross sectional study at two libraries at a University of Technology with a sample of 59 library staff. The study involved a two part process in which an observational assessment of the library staff was conducted by the researcher with each staff member individually, followed by a questionnaire completed by each participant. The observational checklist was used as a means to assess the ergonomic environment of the library staff. The questionnaire included demographic information, pain-related questions, psychosocial questions, and perception-based questions regarding the participants’ work environment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 24), including descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistics included frequencies, measures of central tendency, and variance and measures of association for example chi-square, Cronbach’s alpha and correlation statistics. The study indicated a prevalence of 96% for some kind of MSD. One out of every two participants had reported that the MSDs or pain interferes with their work. Certain risk factors were evident from the study, namely: inappropriate desk height, reaching for items in the work place, noise, inappropriate chairs and inadequate leg room. The most commonly reported MSDs related to neck (55.9%), shoulders/upper arm (55.9%), head (49.2%), and knees/legs (49.2%). The significant associations that were present included head and neck MSDs with noise and upper arm positioning in worker posture and hand pain. Significant rates of MSDs were reported by the participants with half of them reporting that pain caused interference with their work and only a small portion of participants seeking treatment for these conditions. It would be beneficial for the library staff to become more aware of MSDs and their ergonomic environments both at work and privately and to take corrective action to better equip themselves to mitigate MSDs and seek treatment when needed.