Computer-related musculoskeletal disorders among clerical workers: Do we still have a problem?

Twenty years after AFSCME Local 3090 and Los Angeles City negotiated a Health and Safety Committee to examine working conditions associated with the proliferation of computerized work, the Local has successfully introduced ergonomically designed equipment. However, the high rate of lost workdays and workers' compensation claims highlight the persistence of computer-related musculoskeletal problems among public sector clerical workers. Through a partnership with UCLA-LOSH, the Local developed an ergonomics education program for 3,200 clerical workers, created a worker survey, and initiated plans for a network of peer health advisors to identify areas in need of improvement. This paper summarizes the results of the questionnaire survey completed by 2,310 workers. More than half reported work-related musculoskeletal pain in their neck/shoulders region, upper extremities, lower extremities and back. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), defined as a worker who reported pain and sought treatment for that pain in the past 12 months, ranged from 18% in the lower extremities to 37.2% in the neck/shoulder region. A multivariate model contained presumed risk factors for MSDs – age, gender, BMI, years in current position, computer use, job classification, work schedule, workstation adjustability and ergonomic training. Hours of computer use and workstation adjustability emerged as important risk factors along with knowledge about how to adjust workstations, age, gender and obesity. These results highlight the importance of a comprehensive worker health program that holistically addresses the impact of workstation design and work organization while simultaneously integrating health promotion activities to reduce the sedentary nature of the job.