Physical Discomfort Caused by the Computer Workstation

Accessories

Zuraini Jusoh

, Wan Maziah Wan Ab Razak

, Nur Athirah Amizan

, Zainuddin Zakaria

, Kartini Mat

Rashid

, Hayati Adilin Mohd Abd Majid

, and Noorazlin Ramli

Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (Trengganu), Malaysia

Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism, Universiti Teknologi MARA (Trengganu), Malaysia

Keywords: Physical Discomfort, Computer Workstation Accessories, Chair Design, Keyboard and Mouse, Work Surface,

Break Time, Support Accessories

Abstract: In nature of office environment, most of workers are suffering Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) such as neck

pain, carpal pain and slip disc. The purpose of this study is to identify the computer workstation accessories,

which can affect the physical discomfort. This study was conducted at one of social security agency in Kuala

Lumpur, Malaysia. Data was obtained by distributed an adopted questionnaire. The total number of population

is 290 workers and the sample size are 165 workers. The result was analysed by using reliability analysis,

frequency analysis and multiple regression analysis. Result shows the value of R2 is 65.5% means the

variance in physical discomfort can be predicted from the variables of chair design, keyboard and mouse,

work surface, breaks time and support accessories. The F-value is 60.432 and its significant is (Sig. = 0.000).

It indicates that computer workstation accessories have a moderate association with the physical discomfort

of workers. The result also at significant (Sig.=0.00) for keyboard and mouse, break and support accessories

as compared to other variable. It indicate these accessories affecting physical discomfort. For the

recommendation, guideline or good practice of using computer workstation accessories and enough

accessories should be provided in order to avoid a physical discomfort. The employees also can be trained in

ergonomic practice as to comfortable use of keyboard and mouse. The body part discomfort levels also could

be attributed to rest breaks. For future research, others computer workstation accessories desk and laptop also

can be used for the future research.

1 INTRODUCTION

Ergonomics aims at designing the workplace so that

it will fit the needs and physical capabilities of

employees, instead of physically forcing the worker’s

body to fit the job (Ikonne, 2014). The efficiency of

human–computer interaction, comfort, health, and the

user’s safety can be improved by applying ergonomic

principles. Moreover, ergonomics covers all aspects

of a job or tasks. Wrong ergonomics may create

physical stresses on joints, muscles, nerves, tendons

and bones to the environmental factors, which can

affect hearing, vision, and general comfort and health.

When there is a mismatch between the physical

requirements of the job and the physical capacity of

the worker, work- related musculoskeletal disorders

(WMSDs) can result. This mismatch is also known as

ergonomic hazard.

An ergonomic hazard is a physical factor within

the environment that harms the musculoskeletal

system. An ergonomic hazard includes forceful

exertions, repetitive movement and awkward posture.

One method of solving an ergonomic problem or

complaint is to adjust the employee’s workstation.

The employees always have to deal with computer

everyday to complete their task from time to time, as

well as having to plan to shown condusive working

posture. Good ergonomic may influence job

satisfaction, which may derive from a wide range of

issues in the workplace. If the physical work

environment is poorly designed, it could hinder or

slow down the employee's performance in the

workspace, and this could eventually lead to

frustration, which, in turn, affects physical

discomfort.

This study was conducted at one of social security

agency office in Kuala Lumpur. The workers spend

338

Jusoh, Z., Ab. Razak, W., Amizan, N., Zakaria, Z., Rashid, K., Abd. Majid, H. and Ramli, N.

Physical Discomfort Caused by the Computer Workstation Accessories.

DOI: 10.5220/0009203303380344

In Proceedings of the 2nd Economics and Business International Conference (EBIC 2019) - Economics and Business in Industrial Revolution 4.0, pages 338-344

ISBN: 978-989-758-498-5

most of the day by sitting behind a computer in

performing their job. There is several current

practices of good ergonomic that help the workers to

avoid many physical discomfort specifically at the

computer workstation. These practices may include

providing relevant education, adhering to ergonomics

standard, providing adequate tool and equipment,

proper ventilation and humidity.

However, based on cases reported, most of the

workers are suffering on neck pain, slip disk and

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) pain. This is due to

poor body posture that affected physical discomfort.

Most workers who suffering the pain has to undergo

physiotherapy which take longer time to recover. This

may cause their work will be affected in term of

productivity, quality and performance of workers.

The objective of this study is to determine the

which computer workstation accessories can caused a

physical discomfort. The computer workstation

accessories involved were chair design, keyboard and

mouse, work surface, break and support accessories.

By designing a job to allow for good posture, less

exertion, fewer motions and better heights and

reaches, the workstation becomes more efficient. The

workers will be more perform with the particular task

and job without feel occupational illness. Healthy

employees are most valuable asset, creating and

fostering the safety and health culture. The company

also will lead to better human performance for the

organization.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Physical Discomfort

Discomfort is a feeling of being uncomfortable

physically or mentally. According to Karakolis &

Callaghan (2014) discomfort is seen as an unpleasant

state of the human body in reaction to its physical

environment. Many ergonomic problems associated

with computer workstations occur in the shoulder,

elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Continuous working

on the computer may expose soft tissues in these areas

to repetition, awkward postures, and forceful

exertions, especially if the workstation is not set up

properly. On a longer term, the use of hand tools can

also cause musculoskeletal disorders (Kuijt-Evers et.,

2004). The past researchers found that physical

aspects such as ache, circulation legs cut off,

cramped, fatigue, pressing, stiff, unsupported, etc.

underlie discomfort, while comfort was related to

relaxation and well-being with underlying descriptors

such as: at ease, calm, content, luxurious, pleasant,

supported and warm (Kuijt-Evers, et al., 2004).

A working position of the workstation was a

combination of positions of each part, namely seat,

backrest, footrest and monitor post. Working position

at workplace must enough provided by organization.

The division of labour in sectors and the consequent

“obligation” of the worker to perform a task

repetitively during the work day or stay for long

periods of time in a posture causes pain, physical

discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders (Moreira-

Silva et al., 2016).

2.2 Chair Design

A higher physical effort is required in standing and

working as opposed to sitting, but sitting postures put

a lot more stress on the lumbar area than standing or

working (CCOHS, 2005). Therefore, effort should be

made to support this region of the body whenever

sitting for an extended period of time.

An office chair design or desk chair is a type of

chair that is designed for use at a desk in an office. It

is usually a swivel chair, with a set of wheels for

mobility and adjustable height (Odo, 2012). An

ergonomic chair should allow for change in supported

postures, should be easily adjustable and be capable

of supporting the user in neutral posture among

others. A correctly adjusted chair has been shown to

significantly reduce neck pain in seated workers

(Rempel et al., 2006). This is because adjustability

chair can be used for every worker that have different

type of body size. A prospective study of computer

user's postural risk factors for Musculoskeletal

Symptoms and Disorders (MSSD) showed that

MSSD may be reduced by encouraging specific

seated postures (Jefferelli et al., 2016).

2.3 Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard and mouse is one the factors that can

contribute physical discomfort among workers.

According to Gerr, Monteilh & Marcus, (2006)

repetitive keyboard and mouse use places workers at

risk of muscle, tendon, and nerve damage. Repetitive

work and computer station were risk factors for

musculoskeletal pain. Individual working techniques

and workstation layout, such as the keyboard placed

too highly and increased neck flexion, were found to

be an important consideration in the causality of

tension neck syndrome (Saggu, 2015).

From research by Van Vledder (2015), found that

poor placement of the keyboard can increase the neck

pain. Keyboard placement should be lower than

Physical Discomfort Caused by the Computer Workstation Accessories

339

elbow level to prevent to increase neck pain. A well-

designed mouse should not cause undue pressure on

the wrist and forearm muscles. A large bulky mouse

may keep the wrist continuously bent at an

uncomfortable angle.

2.4 Work Surface

Work surface refers to the L-shaped work surface

angles across the corner, making a seating area and a

space deep enough for the computer keyboard and

monitor. Work surface also play important role to

prevent physical discomfort among worker at

organization. It can cause a neck pain and back pain.

Computer workstations are designed to be

attractive and to provide an ergonomic interface with

the computer operator for maintaining optimum

proficiency over prolonged intervals of time without

fatigue or physical discomfort. The workstation

typically includes a monitor positioned on a shelf

within an open console for viewing above, at or below

the operator's eye level, and a keyboard located in

front of the monitor on a separate shelf.

2.5 Breaks

A breaks at work is a period of time during a shift in

which an employee is allowed to take time off from

his or her job. Workers must take a break within 8

hours per day in order to maintain quality and

performance of work. This obviously contributed to

health problems as employees continued to be in a

fixed posture for prolonged periods. According to

Rahman, Awalludin, Masood, Hassan (2017), regular

rest breaks reduced the neck, shoulder and low back

discomfort among computer workers.

2.6 Support Accessories

Support accessories can be classified as document

ramp, headphone, speakerphone and others.

Accessories must be placed within a comfortable

reach of both hands so that there is no unnecessary

twisting of any part of the body (Yuanbo, 2004). A

document holder can relieve an employee from

unnecessary neck movement and poor posture.

Document holders that are important for minimizing

back and neck bending, especially for those who

spend a lot of time on data entry (Shikdar & Al-Kindi,

2007).

Placement of telephone must be closed to

computer on side of dominant hand to avoid repeated

reaching. This is because keep the telephone cord out

of working areas can avoid create a tripping hazard.

Based on the discussion of the literature review,

we have constructed a conceptual framework as

shown in Figure 1. The diagram in Figure 1 depicted

five (5) computer “Workstation Accessories” as the

independent variable such as chair design, keyboard

and mouse, work surface, break-time and support

accessories. Physical discomfort is considered as the

dependent variable.

Based on review of the literature, the following

theoretical framework is created as shown in Figure

Figure 1: Theoretical Framework

The following hypothesis is developed as stated

below:

H1: There is a significant influence between chair

design and physical discomfort.

H2: There is a significant influence between keyboard

and mouse and physical discomfort.

H3: There is a significant influence between work

surface and physical discomfort.

H4: There is a significant influence between breaks

and physical discomfort.

H5: There is a significant influence between support

accessories and physical discomfort.

3 METHODOLOGY

The population of this study is 290 workers. Based

from the Krejcie and Morgan (1970), the sample size

of this study is 165 respondents. The sampling

technique was convenience sampling because

convenient accessibility. This sampling design is

simplicity of sampling and the ease of research.

Questionnaire was used as a way to collect the

primary data. The questionnaire was adopted from

Guideline for Preventing Muscoloskeletal Injuries,

Worksafe BC (2010). The data study was gathered

EBIC 2019 - Economics and Business International Conference 2019

340

only for once over a period in data collection. The

type of question used in questionnaire is closed-ended

questionnaires. The category scale used was a

nominal scale and a five-point Likert Scale. Collected

data from questionnaire was analyzed by using

Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version

23 for Windows.

4 DATA FINDINGS AND

ANALYSIS

4.1 Frequency Analysis

The demographic profile of the respondents consists

of gender, age, education level, marital status, current

position, working experience and tenure of particular

job/task. The summary of the demographic profile is

shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Respondents demographic profile

Items Description Frequenc

Percentag

e (%)

Gender

Male 90 54.5

Female 75 45.5

Age

Below 20

ears 5 3.0

–

ears 84 50.9

–

40 years 37 22.4

–

50 years 31 18.8

–

ears 8 4.8

Education

Level

Secondary

school

18 10.9

Diploma/STP

53 32.1

Bachelo

67 40.6

Maste

25 5.2

PHD 2 1.2

Marital

Status

Sin

le 72 43.6

Marrie

80 48.5

Divorce 13 7.9

Current

Position

Executive 52 31.5

Non Executive 111 67.3

Working

Experienc

Below 5

ears 35 21.2

–

ears 69 41.8

–

ears 30 18.2

–

20 years 17 10.3

Above 20

ears

14 8.5

Number of

months

working

Below 6

months

13 7.9

–

12 months 61 37.0

–

18 months 36 21.8

–

24 months 21 12.7

Above 24

months

34 20.6

Based on Table 1 shows the majority of the

respondent is male with 54.5%. The remaining 45.5%

respondents are female. For the age category, the

majority of the respondents is 21 to 30 years old with

the highest percentage of 50.9%. This is followed by

the respondents whose age are between 31 to 40 years

old with the percentage of 22.4%. The minority of the

respondents is 51 – 60 years old and below 20 years

old with only one respondent which recorded the

percentage of 4.8% and 3.0%.

For educational qualification, the majority of the

respondents chooses bachelor with a record of 40.6%.

Others consist of respondents who have educational

qualification which is lower than diploma such as

skills certificate and SPM or they also have better

education such as PHD. Then this is followed by the

respondents who have diploma and master which

recorded a total number of 32.1% and 15.2%

respondents respectively.

From the table, it also shows that of the

respondent was married as it recorded the highest

percentage with 48.5%. This is followed by the

respondents who are single and divorced who

recorded 43.6% and 7.9% respondents respectively.

Besides that, as for current position the majority

of the respondent chooses non executive with 67.3%

respondents as compared to executive position which

is lower than non executive with 31.5% of

respondent. As for the amount of years of working,

the majority of the respondents has years from 6 to 12

years of working experience with 41.8%. The

minority of the respondents is those who have above

than 20 years of working experience. The minority

had the percentage of 8.5%. As for the number of

months have been working in the particular task, the

majority of the respondents that the highest

percentage with 37.0%. The minority had the

percentage of 7.9%.

4.1.1 Reliability Analysis

The reliability analysis indicates how well the items

in the set are correlated to one another. From a pilot

study, 31 respondents were picked in gathering the

information. The result showed closed to the actual

result. Table 1 showed the result of the reliability test.

All of the five (5) variables have good internal

consistency.

Physical Discomfort Caused by the Computer Workstation Accessories

341

Table 2: Table of Cronbach Alpha for actual result

Variable Cronbach

Alpha

N of

Items

Physical

Discomfort

0.926 11

Chai

Desi

n 0.892 5

Keyboard and

mouse

0.863 5

Work Surface 0.837 5

Breaks 0.894 2

Support

Accessories

0.715 2

All items of dependent variable and independent

variable does not discard because the value of

Cronbach Alpha for all variable are above than 0.06

and are consider reliable for all item.

4.1.2 Multiple Regression Analysis

Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the

computer workstation accessories affecting the

physical discomfort or workers. Table 3 shows the

result of the multiple regression analysis.

Table 3: Summary of Multiple Regression Analysis

Summary

Summary ANOV

.809

.655

60.432

Sig

.000

Dimen

sions

Unstanda

rdized

Coefficien

Toler

ance

Colline

arity

Statisti

VIF

Chair

Design

-.095 -

1.1

.178 5.621

Keyboa

and

Mouse

.384 4.1

.191 5.244

Work

Surface

.104 1.2

.242 4.126

Breaks .156 3.7

.551 1.817

Support

Access

ories

.210 3.9

.487 2.055

Note:

Predictors (constant), Chair, Keyboard and

Mouse, Work Surface, Breaks, Accessories

is the proportion of variance in the dependent

variable (physical discomfort) which can be predicted

from the independent variables (chair design,

keyboard and mouse, work surface, breaks and

support accessories). This value indicates that 65.5%

of the variance in physical discomfort can be

predicted from the variables of chair design, keyboard

and mouse, work surface, breaks and accessories. The

remaining 34.5% of the model will be explained by

other factors. R

is also called the coefficient of

determination. The R-value in the table is the multiple

correlation coefficients between all of the predictor

variables and the dependent variable.

Table 4: ANOVA

Model

Sum

Square

Df Mean

Squar

F Sig

Regressio

61.484 5 12.29

60.43

.000

Residual 32.354 15

.203

Total 93.837 16

a. Dependent Variable: Physical Discomfort

b. Independent Variable: Chair, Keyboard and Mouse,

Work Surface, Breaks and Accessories

The F-value in the Table 4 is 60.432 and its

marginal significant is (Sig. V = 0.000). That means

model is valid and the result of relationship not by

chance. These values are used to answer the research

objective, which was to identify the computer

workstation accessories affecting physical discomfort

of workers. If the sig-value is greater than 0.05, it

showed that the independent variables can be predict

by the dependent variable.

Further analysis through regression, produces

standardizes measures (Beta Weights) of the strength

of each dimension’s association with physical

discomfort. β is the values for the regression equation

for predicting the dependent variable from the

independent variable. The result of the four

independent variables is chair design (β -0.095,

p<0.000), keyboard and mouse (β 0.384, p<0.00),

work surface (β 0.104, p<0.00, breaks (β 0.156,

p<0.000) and support accessories (β 0.210, p<0.000).

This result indicates that keyboard and mouse has a

higher Beta value that provides a strong evidence of

being the factor that influences the physical

discomfort.

The results also shows that the collinearity

statistic for dependent variable and independent

variable. It consists of tolerance value and VIF value.

The tolerance value of more than 0.2 means that there

is no duplication for each variable in which the

respondents did not feel confused between the

EBIC 2019 - Economics and Business International Conference 2019

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variable. There is no similarity between the variable

which enable the respondent to clearly distinguish

them. A tolerance value under 0.2 usually means that

the variable ha correlated with their independent

variable and should not be included. It can be

concluded that the variable has correlated with their

independent variable and should not be included. The

tolerance value of this study is more than 0.2 with the

value of chair design is 0.179. keyboard and mouse is

0.191, work surface is 0.242 while the value of break

is 0.551 and support accessories is 0.487. That means

the highest tolerance value is breaks which is 0.551

and consider more than 0.2 as compared to other

independent variable.

5 CONCLUSION AND

RECCOMENDATION

From the result, it indicates keyboard and mouse,

break, and support accessories are significant with

0.00 as compared to other variable namely chair

design is 0.249 and work surface is 0.227. It means

keyboard and mouse, break and support accessories

are affecting physical discomfort.

Thus, an organization can provide a guideline or

good practice of using computer workstation

accessories in order to improve the level of computer

workstation accessories. Ergonomic should be used in

organization when designing any workstation in order

to increases efficiency of the worker. An organization

needs to provide their employees guidelines for

comfortable use of a keyboard and a mouse (shikdar

& al-kindi, 2007). The optimal posture of the wrist is

to keep the wrist straight and free from extension as

to minimize stress. The employees must be trained in

ergonomic practice as to comfortable use of keyboard

and mouse.

In order to encourage ergonomic practice among

employee, the organization should provide enough

accessories such as document ramp, headset,

speakerphone and footrest in designed computer

workstation to better maintain and follow ergonomic

standards (kearney, 2008). Accessories must be

placed within a comfortable reach of both hands so

that there is no unnecessary twisting of any part of the

body.

For breaks, computer users should take a

minimum 15 minute break from working after 2 hour

of continuous computer work. It found that at least

some improvement in body part discomfort levels

could be attributed to rest breaks (Barredo & Mahon,

2007).

As a recommendation for future research, work

environmental factors such as facilities design and

lighting can be selected to be one of the variables to

determine the physical discomfort. Thus, for other

computer workstation accessories desk and laptop

also can be used for future research.

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