Developing solutions promoting designing computer workstations in accordance with ergonomics principles

The task consisted in developing a questionnaire for assessing the knowledge and awareness of people working at computer workstations regarding the requirements of ergonomics, and a questionnaire for subjective assessment of workstations. The Nordic questionnaire with an additional VAS scale was adapted for subjective assessment of musculoskeletal disorders for people working at computer workstations. Then preliminary questionnaires were administered to 150 persons. The group was divided into four subgroups. Depending on the subgroup, training in ergonomics of computer workstations took place and/or ergonomic interventions directly at selected workstations. After a month and after a year since the intervention, the questionnaire was again administered. Guidelines and basic principles of preventing musculoskeletal disorders were developed for people working at computer workstations. Those guidelines covered equipment at the workstation, work organization and workersʼ behaviour. Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders for people beginning to work at computers, especially children and young people, and gradual repeating and reinforcing of positive behaviour to eradicate bad habits were suggested.