Ergonomic risk assessment among staff of Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University using Abnormal Index (AI)

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate ergonomic risk assessment among staff at the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, in 2017 using secondary data obtained from the Abnormal Index (AI) questionnaire, and to identify ergonomic risk factors and risky working posture. Of 517 participants, 10.8% of ergonomic risk personnel were classified as high and very high-risk with average AI scores of 3.3±0.2 and 4.8±0.1, respectively. Ergonomic risk personnel were classified as: 19.0% of the specific professionals, 12.0% of the academics and executives , 6.2% of the practitioner officers, and 6.4% of the operational technicians (p<0.001). Sex (p=0.046) and body mass index (p<0.001) were associated with ergonomic risk. At risk personnel were found in specific professions with prolonged sitting and staring, repetitive movement and forceful exertion characteristics. Academics and executives were exposed to consistent ergonomic risk factors due to long durations of computer screen time, reading and thought. Operational technicians were exposed to repetitive movement and constant movement, heavy lifting activity and awkward working posture, and are at risk of injuries and accidents.