E-worker postural comfort in the third-workplace: An ergonomic design assessment

Biomechanical simulation is an important tool in human-centred design, allowing for the assessment of comfort interactions between user, product and space, to optimize design features from an ergonomics perspective.

The aim of this study was to develop a biomechanical model for the evaluation of postural comfort levels.

The study used the scenario-based method to focus on the electronic-worker (e-worker) sedentary tablet tasks at public workplace (third-workplace) configurations. An empirical method determined work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) risk levels. The experimental method was based on a motion-capture marker-based laboratory protocol and biomechanical model. Body postures were analysed to determine the WMSDs risk to the joints, and were compared to subjective questionnaires.

Posture was affected by the tablet target location and workplace setting. The findings confirmed our hypothesis, that neutral-position cost functions govern human motion. Almost half of the time, the e-workers' joints tended to remain in the neutral position range; of the three third-workplaces, high-risk variability was less significant between the 'restaurant' and 'lounge' settings, compared to the 'anywhere' configuration.

This evaluation model can contribute to optimizing comfort level in design for third-workplace settings and other sedentary work activities; it can be used to develop guidelines for minimizing work-related strain and health hazards.