Affiliations: Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University,
Kalamazoo, MI, USA | Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan
University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Nicole Gravina, MA, Western Michigan
University, Department of Psychology, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA. Tel.: +1 269
352 5012; Fax: +1 269 387 4550; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness
of an ergonomic and behavioral safety intervention for improving participants'
safe typing postures in a library office setting. A single-subject multiple
baseline design across five participants was employed to evaluate the effects
of the four independent variables (workstation adjustment, equipment trial
(rollermouse mouse alternative), peer observations, and graphic feedback). Six
participant postures were observed repeatedly while participants worked at
their workstations throughout the study. Each of the interventions resulted in
improvements in safety for more than one posture compared to the previous
phase. Results of the study indicate that a comprehensive ergonomic program
that includes a workstation adjustment and a behavioral safety approach may be
helpful to produce maximum improvements in employees' safe ergonomic
postures.
Keywords: Office ergonomics, behavior based safety, collaborative team approach
