Overview
Keywords: Office Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Risk Assessment; Ergonomic Tool
Timeline: 2009 - 2010
Researchers: David Andrews (Principal Investigator, University of Windsor), Dino Villalta (Lead Ergonomics). Student researcher: Michael Sonne (University of Windsor)
Funder: Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)
Project type: Seed Grant
Sector/Workplace type: Office sector
Theme:
Theme
3
Risk
assessment
and
hazard
identification
Background/rationale
The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was designed to quickly quantify risks associated with computer work and to establish an action level for change based on reports of worker discomfort.
Research question/objectives/methods
Computer use risk factors were identified in previous research and standards on office design for the chair, monitor, telephone, keyboard and mouse. The risk factors were diagrammed and coded as increasing scores from 1-3. ROSA final scores ranged in magnitude from 1 to 10, with each successive score representing an increased presence of risk factors.
Key findings
Mean discomfort increased with increasing ROSA scores. A ROSA final score of 5 might therefore be useful as an action level indicating when immediate change is necessary.
Implications for the prevention of MSDs
ROSA proved to be an effective and reliable method for identifying computer use risk factors related to discomfort.
Knowledge dissemination
Sonne and, M., & Andrews, D. M. (2011). The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA): Validity of online worker self-assessments and the relationship to worker discomfort. Occupational Ergonomics, 10(3), 83-101.