5505 Hana Rd.
Edison, NJ 08817

October 12, 2000

Ms Margaret Gilroy
The Rutgers Needs You Foundation
321 Olde Queens Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08902

RE: AN ERGONOMIC APPROACH FOR IMPROVING COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS AT MSLC COMPUTER LAB (ALLISON ROAD CLASSROOM BUILDING)

Dear Ms Gilroy:

This letter is a follow-up to my earlier letter advising you of my interest in developing a proposal to address problems at computer workstations at the MSLC Computer Lab. Results of a questionnaire show that there are existing potential ergonomic health problems regarding workstation equipment. Based on the research that I have done, it is my opinion that the current problems at the workstations could be rectified through the purchase and installation of some inexpensive ergonomic equipment. I hope you agree that my proposal conforms to the foundation's mission to improve the quality of student life at Rutgers University.

The Problem

Computer workstations at the MSLC Computer Lab are in need of improvement. Some of these improvements have to do with the current equipment at the workstation. Thirty-three students responded to a questionnaire about the lab. It was found that 48% (see Table 1 below) of the users are dissatisfied with the equipment at the lab. That is almost half of the current computer workstation users.

TABLE 1

The number one complaint is the inadequate space (see table 2 below) at the workstation for users to perform their tasks. The next most frequent complaint concerns the chairs at the lab, showing a 69% rate of dissatisfaction. If not seated properly, users tend to flex their wrists in such an awkward position that it can increase the internal pressure in the carpal tunnel (Nanthavanij, 1994). The other complaints have to do with the table height (62% dissatisfied) and computer monitor glare (56% dissatisfied).

TABLE 2: ERGONOMIC PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT EQUIPMENT

Those users who are dissatisfied with the equipment also report physical discomfort (see Table 3 below). Of those dissatisfied, 70% report both back pain and hand pain. Some studies have identified constrained and awkward wrist and forearm postures as contributors to hand and arm pain during keyboard-like activities (Serina et al, 1999). Another major physical discomfort is tired eyes, which accounts for 50% of dissatisfied users. A 1991 study by Sheedy found that optometrists reported more than one out of seven patient visits in the United States -- 10 million per year -- were due to vision problems related to computer use (Gaboury, 1999). This study shows the harmful effects of tired eyes, even though it is a general study and not one that is concentrated within Rutgers University.

TABLE 3: % OF USERS WITH PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT

A Review of Pertinent Literature

Ergonomic factors are often overlooked when designing or purchasing workstation equipment. Such a mistake could lead to many ergonomic health issues known as CTD's (Cumulative Trauma Disorders). Prolonged computer use, repetitive keying, awkward postures and psychosocial issues have been associated with injuries described as cumulative trauma disorders (CTD's), says Hochanadel (1995). In his case study, over 3300 people at a large industrial complex participated in a program to improve workstations by completing a computer questionnaire. Of 3300 respondents, 1615 reported pain/symptoms associated with computer use. These symptoms consisted of a range of pain from back to eye pain. Three of the factors that contributed to these symptoms were height problems (table height), mechanical problems (inadequate work area), and lighting (images or glare reflected from screen).

Research by Bergerman and Stahl (1999) at Carnegie Mellon agrees with Hochandel's (1995) case study. Several people at the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department had been suffering from workplace related injuries, notably repetitive stress injuries (RSI), from long hours of typing at a computer workstation (Bergerman & Stahl, 1999). These injuries are RSI, which is another name for CTD. The CTD's found at the ECE department mostly consisted of tenosynovitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and adverse mechanical syndrome. When extended typing is done, there is never a chance for the blood to get back where it belongs because the muscles never relax enough to let the blood through (Bergerman & Stahl, 1999). The central issue of the Carnegie Mellon research and Hochanadel (1995) case study is that poor ergonomics can lead to physical disorders known as Cads.

Ergonomic Equipment Method

There are many types of ergonomic equipment that help redesign workstations and prevent disorders like Cad's. The main issue is to determine which type of workstation is suitable for everyone. A study consisting of six population groups suggests a fully-adjustable workstation to be the most effective using IntelAd (an Intelligent Computer Workstation Adjustment System) (Nanthavanij, 1994). Fully-adjustable workstations are the ideal units where computer users are able to independently adjust key components such as chair seat and keyboard tray to their desired positions.

Types of Ergonomic Equipment

Correct seating posture is very important in the design of a fully-adjustable workstation. While there are several factors that contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps the most frequently cited one is an incorrect seating posture of computer users (Nanthavanij, 1994). An easily adjustable ergonomic chair could be a good solution to correcting seating posture and preventing health hazards. Thomas (1999) states that adjustable ergonomic chairs can prevent neck and shoulder injuries.

Downward-Tilting (DT) keyboard trays are very beneficial and cost-effective for a fully-adjustable workstation. In a case study of thirty-eight professional workers, over 80% typed better with the DT system than with keyboard-on-desk arrangement. Within 3 weeks of using the DT system, there were significant improvements in ratings of shoulder and lower back discomfort and a trend for reductions in discomfort for other upper body areas (Hedge et al, 1999). A mouse pad that can be adjusted with the keyboard tray is also a favorable idea. Awkward postures were not seen for subjects with the DT system because they had positioned their adjustable mouse pad to allow their right shoulder to remain close to the body during mouse use (Hedge et al, 1999). This system of keyboard tray with mouse pad attachment will provide the workstation with sufficient space for users to perform tasks.

Convenient computer mice are essential to a fully-adjustable workstation. One study found that strenuous wrist and shoulder postures are maintained for a greater percentage of time while using the mouse than using the keyboard (Keir et al, 1999). Therefore, the design of mice is also significant to the prevention of Cad's. Cordless mice are the best ergonomic alternative because they eliminate the constraint of placing it within a certain distance of the computer. Also, the cordless mouse reduces wrist extension and unnecessary cord-pulling to adjust the position of the mouse. This correlates with Keir, et al's recommendation that efforts be made by manufacturers to reduce the wrist extension associated with mouse use (1999).

Fully-adjustable workstations should also be able to reduce computer monitor glare. Specifically, the reflections from a computer monitor can adversely affect the ability of millions of computer users to read and comprehend information (IIE Solutions, 1999). In a study of eye fixations during visual tasks, subjects complained of eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, irritated eyes, neck and backaches (Yagi et al, 1998). Some of these discomforts can be prevented with the use of a mesh screen for computer monitors. Users also reported less glare when using displays that had a vacuum deposit coating (Gaboury, 1999).

Proposed Solution

Based on the research of ergonomic workstation equipment, fully-adjustable workstations clearly appear to be the best solution for the prevention of physical discomforts in computer workstation use. According to a man-machine interface model, adjustable workstations provide users with more comfort and reliability than fixed workstations (Keir et al, 1994). To implement fully-adjustable workstations, the MSLC computer lab will need to purchase all the types of ergonomic equipment discussed. These ergonomic workstation equipment changes include adjustable ergonomic chairs, DT keyboard trays, cordless mice and mesh screens for the computer monitors. This recommendation will provide workstation users with more workspace, less computer screen glare, and improved overall comfort. The proposal is very cost-effective and reduce future health problems related to workstation equipment.

Conclusion

I hope you see that the current computer workstation is ergonomically inadequate and that my solutions are viable and necessary. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to a oral presentation regarding this issue during the week of November 13, 2000. At that time I will detail my plan and show the cost. If you have any questions,please contact me at (732) 555-1554. Attached is a list of references that I have used throughout my research to show the authoritative background for my plan. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Writer's Name

References

Bergerman, M. & Stahl, M. (1999). EGO's Ergonomic Manual. Ergonomic Committee. (October 7, 2000)

Gaboury, J. (August 1999). Monitor Glare Reduces Office Productivity. IIE Solutions 17, 6.

Hedge, A., Morimoto, S., & McCrobie D. (1999). Effects of keyboard tray geometry on upper
body posture and comfort. Ergonomics 42, 1333 - 1349.

Hochanadel, C. (1995). Computer workstation adjustment: a novel process and large sample study. Applied Ergonomics 26, 315 - 326.

Kee, D., Jung, E. S., & Chang, C. R. (1994). A Man-Machine Interface Model for Ergonomic Design. Computers and Industrial Engineering 27, 365 - 368.

Keir, P., Bach, J., & Rempel, D. (1998). Fingertip Loading and Carpal Tunnel Pressure: Differences between a Pinching and a Pressing Task. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 16, 112 - 115.

Keir, P., Bach, J., & Rempel, D. (1999). Effects of computer mouse design and task on carpal tunnel pressure. Ergonomics 42, 1350 - 1360.

Nanthavanij, S. (1994). An Ergonomic Assessment of Fixed-Height, Partially Adjustable, and Fully Adjustable VDT Workstations by IntelAd. Computers and Industrial Engineering 27,
361 - 364.

Serina, E., Tal, R., & Rempel, D. (1999). Wrist and Forearm postures and motions during typing. Ergonomics 42, 938 - 951.

Thomas, M. (1999). Ergonomic Chairs. OSHA (October 10, 2000)

Yagi, A., Shigenori, I., Hiroyuki, K., Yukio, A., & Kanaya, S. (1998). Brain potentials associated with eye fixations during visual tasks under different lighting systems. Ergonomics 41, 670 - 677.