Skip to main content

Ergonomic Evaluation of Home Workspaces During the Coronavirus Pandemic

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021) (IEA 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 222))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

This study describes a methodology used to measure the working conditions experienced by people who normally work in an office, but who have worked from their home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey and two photographs showing the participant in their principal work location were used. Photo instructions supplied requested a sagittal view and a second perpendicular view of the participant in their usual working posture to allow full analysis applying the Rapid Office Strain Assessment using Kinovea software. Despite the ease of an on-line questionnaire, subsequent reception of photos has been problematic, and recruitment efforts via emails have had limited success. While the current participant population is limited (15), the methodology has been proved operational. This methodology can include participants from various employers to provide a general understanding of how working at home conditions compare with those previously experienced in-office. Photos are not always sent with the questionnaire which precludes ROSA use, but allows other complementary analyses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dey, M., Frazis, H., Loewenstein, M.A., Sun, H.: Ability to work from home: evidence from two surveys and implications for the labor market in the COVID-19 pandemic. Mon Labor Rev US Bur Labor Stat [Internet]. USA; Jun [cited 7 Feb 2021] (2020). https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2020/article/ability-to-work-from-home.htm

  2. Marcus, M., Gerr, F., Monteilh, C., Ortiz, D.J., Gentry, E., Cohen, S., et al.: A prospective study of computer users: II. Postural risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41, 236–49 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Davis, K.G., Kotowski, S.E., Daniel, D., Gerding, T., Naylor, J., Syck, M.: The Home Office: Ergonomic Lessons From the “New Normal.” Ergon Des. SAGE Publications Inc; 1064804620937907 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sonne, M., Villalta, D.L., Andrews, D.M.: Development and evaluation of an office ergonomic risk checklist: ROSA – rapid office strain assessment. Appl. Ergon. 43, 98–108 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. OHCOW. Ergonomic Tips for Temporary Home Workstations…3 Months Later [Internet]. [cited 8 Feb 2021]. https://www.ohcow.on.ca/news/ergonomic-tips-for-temporary-home-workstations3-months-later.html

  6. Government of Canada CC for OH and S. Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) - Risk Factors : OSH Answers [Internet]. [cited 10 Feb 2021] (2021). https://www.ccohs.ca/

  7. Occupational Safety and Health Administration – US Department of Labor, Computer Workstations eTool, Workstation Components – Chairs – Armrest, [cited 20 Apr 2021]. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/components_chair.html

  8. Liebregts, J., Sonne, M., Potvin, J.R.: Photograph-based ergonomic evaluations using the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA). Appl. Ergon. 52, 317–24 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

Funding for this project was provided through a Mitacs Research Training Award (2020).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nancy L. Black .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

St-Onge, S., Black, N.L. (2021). Ergonomic Evaluation of Home Workspaces During the Coronavirus Pandemic. In: Black, N.L., Neumann, W.P., Noy, I. (eds) Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021). IEA 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 222. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74611-7_115

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74611-7_115

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-74610-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-74611-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics