You Are Not Alone
The suprising results of the ergonomic survey are in
By Deborah Quilter
First published November 3, 1998

A few months ago we asked you to answer a questionnaire about the ergonomics of your workplace. The results were both surprising and predictable, and your questions and comments will help steer column topics for the coming year. I’ve already addressed many issues you raised in recent col umns. I’ll note the relevant columns be low. A big thanks to everyone who replied.

This was not a scientific survey. The participants were clearly people keenly interested in ergonomics, so the results do not necessarily reflect the population at large. Nonetheless, our sample provides a fascinating glimpse into the modern workplace.

Survey Says ...

A total of 171 people responded: 56 percent men, 44 percent women. Thirty-three percent were aged 26 to 35, 31 percent were 36 to 45, and 19 percent were 46 to 55. Most respondents characterized themselves as employees, 14 percent as managers, and 19 percent as self-employed. The size of the companies represented ranged from sole proprietorships to companies with several thousand employees.

Fifty-four percent of those surveyed said their workstations were comfortable. Although 77 percent reported having adjustable chairs, only 32 percent had adjustable keyboard trays, 26 percent had ergonomically designed keyboards, and a mere 22 percent had telephone headsets. Three-quarters said their employers paid for this equipment. Only about 25 percent of respondents worked for com panies with ergonomics programs, and the vast majority of those people did not consider those programs to be effective.

Though nearly 75 percent of respondents said they were allowed to work at their own pace, fewer than 10 percent took breaks at the recommended frequency. (If you are not injured, it is best to take a short break every 8 to 10 minutes; the longest you should go at the keyboard without a break is 20 minutes.)

A whopping 75 percent surveyed had warning signs of injury, but only 22 percent had actually been diagnosed with repetitive strain injury (RSI). Some of those diagnosed with RSI had not filed a workers' compensation claim, because they feared getting fired (5 percent), or they were afraid of losing a promotion (2 percent), or their doctor said the injury was not work-related (1 percent).

Some of the results were quite puzzling. If 75 percent of the survey respondents had experienced warning signs of RSI, why are only 25 percent getting a diagnosis? One man said, "I didn't really think about [going to the doctor]. I still work at this point.” Whether through ignorance of the warning signs or fear of job loss, by choosing not to seek medical advice many people are risking further injury.

Here's another paradox. Although 54 percent claimed to have comfortable workstations, 75 percent had experienced some kind of pain or discomfort. This may well illustrate that even with the best workstation in the world, if you do not take adequate breaks, or if you simply do too much computing, you can still develop an injury.

There were a few horror stories, too. "I work in a converted closet; imagine a typical walk-in closet you would find at home," reported one woman who worked in a three-person office. One man appeared to be using his bed as his workstation.

Though many surveyed felt uncomfortable in their workstations, few complained outright. One person wanted to know how to request an ergonomics assessment from her employer without being viewed as a troublemaker. Even readers suffering from work-related injuries were a remarkably stoical, stiff-upper-lipped group. This attitude can make matters worse, especially if it prevents you from getting to the doctor in time to prevent chronic problems.

Learning From the Past

As I mentioned at the beginning of this column, Computer Currents has al ready published the answers to many of your questions. All of those columns are at www.rsihelp.com/article.shtml.

A lot of you wanted to know the basics of good workstation design, cubicle layout, or adapting to a home office. Cost was a consideration for several readers who asked about purchasing workstations and other ergonomic equipment from discount houses. Another asked, "How do you get your employers to provide an ergonomic working environment if they're cheap?" Cost-conscious employers and the budget-strapped self-employed should read my May 5, 1998, column, "Scroogergonomics."

Many respondents asked about keyboard, mouse, and monitor placement, as well as hand and body positioning. "Exactly how does one sit up straight?" asked an employee for a large university. One reader was concerned about proper positioning for her children. Posture is a key concern, and one I addressed in my June, 1998, column, "Slouching Off to Injury."

Others wanted advice about seating: recommendations for a good, cheap chair, the pros and cons of armrests, or where to find chairs for large or small people. A good chair is absolutely essential. Buy the best one you can afford and then spend as little time as possible sitting in it. I wrote about chairs in my August 19, 1997, column, "Finding the Just-Right Chair."

Many readers had questions about medical treatment. They asked about the effectiveness of chiropractic and massage treatments. One person asked if taking medication for RSI could cause reactions with other drugs, foods, or beverages. Some also wanted to know about the advisability of weight-training exercises. A good starting point for many of these questions would be my April 17, 1998, column, "Exercise for Computer Athletes."

Other readers wanted to know how to convince management to buy into ergonomics. I addressed this topic in my June 17, 1997, column, "What Price Hands" Several people wanted help with workers' compensation or information about OSHA's proposed ergo nomic requirements and other laws and regulations. For matters of jurisprudence, check my November 11, 1997, column, "There Oughta Be a Law."

Ergonomically You

Good equipment and good habits make for a healthy work style. Below are the responses to two key questions in our recent ergonomics survey.

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