Reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders when using portable computers

The task consisted in conducting a questionnaire survey in 300 workers, who used portable computers in their occupational work, and carrying out an expert assessment of the working conditions at 52 workstations equipped with portable equipment. On the basis of the results of the questionnaire survey it was shown that portable computers were an indispensable tool in occupational work. It was also shown that working conditions when a portable computer was used did not comply with the working conditions defined in an annex to the regulation of the minister of labour and social policy of December 1, 1998. Laboratory tests were also conducted. Their aim was to assess musculoskeletal load when using a portable computer. The tests included an objective assessment of musculoskeletal load and a subjective assessment of the comfort of working with a portable computer on the basis of a developed questionnaire. The influence of the duration of load on the values of the parameters of the EMG signal was also measured. The results of the subjective assessment of the working condition related to using a portable computer were in step with the results of the measurements of the posture angles and the EMG signal. The respondents considered work with a separate, additional keyboard and a docking station (DO) most comfortable, whereas work with a desktop workstation (the ZL variant) was least comfortable. Recommendations regarding prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in operators of portable computers have been developed.