Abstract
The use of computer keyboard and the associated work posture have been reported as major risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in computer work, but their specific interactions have not been clearly identified. In this study, insurance bill processing workers at a state agency were monitored using a time-lapse camera and software to track their computer activity during a full workday. Then overall task distributions, postures, and keying performances were measured and analyzed. Observations indicated that compared to other types of tasks, typing constitutes the longest daily duty among these workers, occupying 41% of their time. While workers are typing, their posture deviates least frequently from a predetermined set of neutral angles; the peripheral joints, which include the wrists and neck, deviate more frequently from neutral than the central joints including the back and shoulders. Overall the results indicate that typing tasks are less significantly associated with awkward posture than other types of office work.
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