Pilot Study: Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Healthcare Office Workers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Work related musculoskeletal injuries (WMSIs) represent a significant occupational health concern, particularly among office-based workers in healthcare settings. In Saudi Arabia, the increasing prevalence of these injuries among healthcare office workers drawn attention due to their impact on worker productivity, well-being, and the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. The nature of office work, often involving prolonged sitting, repetitive tasks, and inadequate workstation ergonomics, contributes to the development of WMSIs, especially in the lower back, neck, and upper limbs. Office workers, who are frequently engaged in tasks such as data entry, administrative duties, and patient coordination, face unique ergonomic challenges that may predispose them to such injuries. This study aims to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors contributing to WMSIs among healthcare office workers Saudi Arabia. By identifying and assessing these risk factors, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the specific ergonomic challenges faced by this workforce.The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was used in this study to assess ergonomic risks associated with WMSIs among healthcare office workers in Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. ROSA is a widely recognized tool designed to assess ergonomic risks in office environments by evaluating factors such as workstation setup, posture, repetitive tasks, and environmental conditions. A sample of 20 healthcare office workers was selected from a major hospital in eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Each participant's workstation was observed and assessed using ROSA, focusing on key ergonomic risk factors including chair and desk height, screen positioning, keyboard setup, and the frequency of repetitive motions. During the ROSA assessment, participants were asked about their experience with musculoskeletal discomfort and injury, as well as their perceived ergonomic practices. The data collected were analyzed to identify common risk factors associated with WMSIs and to determine the areas requiring ergonomic intervention.The ROSA assessment revealed several critical ergonomic risk factors contributing to WMSIs among healthcare office workers. A significant portion of participants (25%) were found to have poorly adjusted workstation setups, with desk and chair heights not properly configured to support optimal posture. Furthermore, 35% reported performing frequent repetitive tasks, such as typing and extended mouse usage, without sufficient breaks, exacerbating the risk of upper limb strain. The overall ergonomic risk levels for most workers were classified as moderate (65%) to high (10%), highlighting the urgent need for ergonomic improvements.The ROSA assessment findings specifically emphasize major ergonomic risks contributing to WMSIs among healthcare office workers in Saudi Arabia. Key factors such as lack of ergonomic awareness, insufficient break times, and repetitive tasks were identified as primary contributors to discomfort and injury. These results strongly indicate the necessity of targeted ergonomic awareness training within healthcare environments. This training should focus on proper workstation adjustments, posture improvement techniques, and the encouragement of regular breaks to mitigate strain. Addressing these ergonomic challenges is critical to improving worker well-being, reducing the prevalence of WMSIs, and enhancing overall productivity in healthcare settings. To further refine these interventions, additional follow-up study is recommended to assess their effectiveness in mitigating ergonomic risks.

Keywords: Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), ROSA, Healthcare office workers

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006594

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