A comparative study of electronic and pen-paper safety inspections: A mixed method study design for assessing ergonomic parameters

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ghasemi, Fakhradin^{a; d} | Pourbakhshi, Yasaman^b | Mosaferchi, Saeedeh^c | Yahyaei, Elham^b | Heidarimoghadam, Rashid^d | Ghaffari, Mohammad-Ebrahim^e | Rahmanipoor, Sajjad^b | Nabati, Azar^f | Babamiri, Mohammad^g | Mortezapour, Alireza^{d; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran | [b] Health and Environment Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran | [c] Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy | [d] Department of Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran | [e] Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran | [f] Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran | [g] Department of Ergonomics, Research Center for Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Alireza Mortezapour, Department of Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Workplace inspections are applied to facilitate the adherence to the occupational health and safety regulations. The Iranian Ministry of Health introduced a new software system for tablets to inspect workplaces. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to take measurements of the usability, mental workload, and mood of inspectors. METHODS:Inspectors used both pen-and-paper and tablet methods to inspect the automotive industry in a mixed-method procedure. The NASA-TLX score, QUIS score, I-PANAS (SF) situation, inspection time, and number of errors were collected throughout the procedure. The differences were investigated using a paired sample and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS:In terms of efficacy, using the tablet resulted in lower error rates, but it took longer to complete the inspection task (P < 0.001). Participants perceived a lower workload when inspecting with a tablet rather than the traditional method. (Mental Demand: p < 0.002, Performance: p < 0.009, Effort: p < 0.012, TLX: p < 0.002 based on various subcomponents of NASA-TLX). The newly introduced system’s usability was insufficient. CONCLUSION:Although the use of tablets has improved safety inspections, ergonomic redesign of the system and consideration of a user-centered approach, as well as inspector training, can make the system more likely to succeed.

Keywords: Safety inspection, usability, mental workload, human computer interaction, positive and negative mood

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210035

Journal: Work, vol. 75, no. 3, pp. 849-857, 2023