Comparing different ergonomic interventions to influence shelving practices in libraries

Abstract: Since 2003, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been the second highest burden of disease in Australia. Considering that library duties often involve manual handling and repetitive tasks, in this study, ergonomic interventions were tested to improve shelving tasks in three public libraries in Queensland, Australia. An engineering intervention of raising the shelf heights was installed at one library, compared to an awareness presentation about MSDs at another. The third library implemented both interventions. The initial conditions were assessed and any changes in shelving task load and MSD-related issues through pre- and post-implementation cross-sectional surveys. After implementing the MSD risk controls, 36 observations were conducted 12 per library at three different time-points by using the Rapid Entire Body Assessments (REBA). The results revealed a significant improvement in the REBA scores two weeks after controls were implemented. However, seven weeks after the implementation, there was a lapse towards the pre-implementation baseline measurements for the library receiving only the awareness presentation, which is classified as an administrative risk control. The two libraries with the engineering intervention maintained their post-control implementation results. The findings from the surveys suggested there were no statistically different changes pre- and post-implementation. In conclusion, while all the interventions had a positive effect in the short term, the libraries that implemented engineering risk control measures experienced more long-lasting improvements.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, public libraries, shelving, human factors, ergonomics

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005171

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