Evaluating the Effectiveness of Workstation Ergonomics Program on Office Workers' Musculoskeletal Health

Thesis Abstract

The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers has become an increasing occupational health concern, largely attributed to poorly designed workstations and inadequate ergonomic practices, leading to reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured workstation ergonomics program in mitigating musculoskeletal health issues among office workers within a corporate organization in metropolitan regions. The specific objectives include assessing baseline musculoskeletal complaints, implementing a targeted ergonomic intervention, and measuring subsequent changes in workers’ musculoskeletal health status over a six-month period. This research adopts a mixed-methods quasi-experimental design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches to ensure comprehensive analysis. The study population comprises 200 office employees from a multinational corporation with predominantly desk-based roles. A stratified random sampling technique is employed to select 150 participants for the intervention group and 50 for the control group, ensuring proportional representation across departments. Data collection instruments include the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) for assessing musculoskeletal complaints, direct observational checklists for workstation assessment, and semi-structured interviews to explore workers’ perceptions of ergonomic practices. The validity and reliability of the instruments are ensured through pilot testing, expert validation, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.85 for the questionnaire components. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics to depict the prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal complaints at baseline, followed by paired sample t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA to compare pre- and post-intervention scores within and between groups. Additionally, multiple regression analysis is utilized to identify predictors of musculoskeletal health outcomes, while thematic analysis is employed to interpret qualitative interview data. The theoretical framework underpinning the study incorporates the Social Cognitive Theory, emphasizing self-efficacy and environmental influences on ergonomic behavior, and the Job Demands-Resources Model, linking ergonomic interventions to occupational health and well-being. Anticipated findings are that the ergonomics program will significantly reduce the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal complaints among participants, with improvements sustained over the follow-up period. The program is expected to enhance workers’ awareness, self-efficacy, and adherence to ergonomic practices, consequently fostering healthier work environments. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in corporate settings, highlighting the role of organizational support and employee engagement in behavioral change processes. In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of systematic ergonomic program implementation as a strategic measure to improve musculoskeletal health among office workers. Recommendations include integrating ergonomics training into employee onboarding processes, routine workstation assessments, and the development of customized ergonomic adjustment protocols. The findings advocate for organizational policies that prioritize ergonomic principles, and for future research exploring long-term health and productivity outcomes. Overall, this study provides a replicable framework for similar organizations seeking to reduce occupational musculoskeletal disorders and promote employee well-being through ergonomic best practices.