Work Improvement of Employees in Mahasarakham Provincial Public Health Office, Using Ergonomic Risk Assessment.

Abstract

This action research aimed to study the process of improvement in working conditions by applying ergonomic principles for the staff of Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office. The samples were the staff of Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office.  A total of 30. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, mean, percentage, standard deviation (SD), and inferential statistic such as Paired t-test, while content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The results of the study showed that the context of computer-related office work was likely to be harmful due to ergonomic risks. Before implementing the interventions, 50% of the participants experienced high risk of Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), the mean satisfaction score of ergonomic working conditions was at a low level of 2.57, and the mean participation score in improvement in working conditions by applying ergonomic principles was at a moderate level of 2.24. During a participatory workshop to establish an action plan, the participants examined problems of working conditions.The participants proposed solutions for the problems and arranged activities for improving working conditions. The activities included: 1) educating about improving in working conditions by applying ergonomic principles, 2) improving in working conditions and practicing in performing right postures during working with a computer and documents, 3) educating about exercise and body stretches for workers, 4) educating about safety guidelines for computer and paper-related jobs. The participants significantly payed attention on the activities, provided opinions, and asked questions over the period of training. After the interventions, ergonomic risks stayed at a low level, the mean satisfaction score in ergonomic working conditions was at the highest level of 4.42. Besides, the mean satisfaction score in ergonomic working conditions between before and after the intervention was significantly different at 0.05 level. Also, the mean participation score in improvement in working conditions using ergonomic principles was 2.58, represented as a high level. When distributing the Paired T-Test frequency, there was a significant difference in the mean participation score in improving in working conditions based on ergonomic concepts between before and after the intervention at 0.05 level. Considering each dimension, there was a significant difference in the mean participation score regarding the operations and receiving benefits between before and after the intervention at 0.05 level. The lesson learned, and knowledge sharing conference contributed a guideline for improvement in working conditions adhering ergonomic principles. Factors for success included: 1) the risk assessment information on ergonomics in office work was used for exploring ergonomic-related problems at work, 2) the action plan was produced from the participation of the participants in raising the issues, analyzed problems, proposed the solutions, and decided on selecting solution strategies, 3) the participants were a part of working condition improvement following the action plan with efficient communication and good relationship among the numbers of the participants’ division, 4) the participants adhered the safety guidelines for computer and document-related work, and 5) the operations were monitored, evaluated, and performed the lesson learned in working condition improvement based on ergonomic principles. In sum, improvement in working conditions adhering ergonomic principle lowered the risks of ergonomics at workstations, increased satisfaction of ergonomic working conditions, and increased participation in the operations on improvement in working condition using ergonomic principles.