Affiliations: Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | LeadErgonomics Consulting Services, Windsor, Ontario,
Canada | Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Michael Sonne, Department of
Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S
4L8, Canada. Tel.: +1 519 996 3746; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if office workers were
capable of using an online version of the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA)
tool to accurately assess musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in their own
offices, and see if online training can reduce worker-reported discomfort.
Fifty-five participants completed a four week program where they assessed their
own office simultaneously with a trained observer, and either received or did
not receive feedback on their performance. Significant differences were found
between worker- and observer-reported ROSA final scores, and for the mouse and
keyboard section, with workers underestimating these risk factors on average,
compared to the trained observer. Worker and observer assessments of the chair,
monitor and telephone were not significantly different but were significantly
correlated (R values of 0.60 and 0.48). There were a greater
number of significant correlations between worker-reported ROSA final scores
and total body discomfort (3 instances) compared to observer-reported
relationships (1 instance). Feedback appeared to have a detrimental effect on
worker-assessment accuracy, and the relationship between discomfort and ROSA
scores. Mean discomfort decreased across the four weeks of the study (up to a
51.6% decrease), as did ROSA final scores (3.9 to 3.5). Additional work is
required to improve the validity of worker-reported scores in all sections of
ROSA, but self-assessments of office workstations using the current ROSA online
application do show promise in terms of assisting workers to decrease risk
factors related to musculoskeletal disorders, and decrease discomfort levels.
