Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorder in Banking Industry

Abstract

This study assessed the musculoskeletal disorder in banking industry due to poor ergonomic design. The objectives of this study were to determine the computer workstation ergonomic of bankers in the banking industry, to assess the area of discomfort experienced by computer operators in the banking industry, to evaluate the anthropometric design of the computer user workstations (chair and desk) dimensions and to compare the results obtained from this study with recommended standard of ergonomic design. For this to be accomplished primary data acquisition were used. The data were analyzed and presented using appropriate statistical table and percentage format. A total number of 60 respondents were sampled from four banks XA, XB, XC and XD in Effurun, Warri, Delta State. Results showed that four types of designs of chairs and tables were identified in the four banks sampled (XA, XB, XC, XD). The furniture in banks classified as Type A, shows dimensions of the seat height as 102 cm, Type B shows seat heights average of 82 cm, Type C shows seat height of 86 cm and Type D shows seat height of 56 cm. The chairs in Type A have seat depth of 53 cm and width 39 cm and Type B, C D have an average of 43.5 cm, 41 cm and 51.2 cm for both seat depth and width respectively. The seat upper and lower backrest height for Type A is 42.1 cm and 20 cm, Type B are 25 cm and 15 cm while for Type C and Type D is 0cm because they have no upper and lower backrest. The seat to desk clearance in Type A, B, C and D workstation have an average of 16 cm, 19 cm, 15 cm and 11 cm respectively. The sitting shoulder height is considered for the design of the upper and lower backrest height. It was observed that the highest prevalence pain complaints were from shoulder (87% from XD), followed by eye (73% from XB), lower legs (53% from XC), nape (40% from XB), fingers (73% from XA) and the wrists (67% from XA). This is an indication that their workstations were ergonomically poorly designed. It is highly recommended that Operators are advised to make use of adjustable chair that can adjust its height, armrest, upper and lower backrest.