Two user-friendly digital tools for multidimensional risk assessment among workers with display screen equipment

Delaruelle, Dirk; Pollentier, Gerrit; Acke, Sofie; De Leeuw, Tine; Goddet, Cindy; Knops, Kristel; Eerdekens, Karine; Schmickler, Marie-Noëlle

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-96077-7_48

Title

Two user-friendly digital tools for multidimensional risk assessment among workers with display screen equipment

Author

Delaruelle, Dirk

Pollentier, Gerrit

Acke, Sofie

De Leeuw, Tine

Goddet, Cindy

Knops, Kristel

Eerdekens, Karine

Schmickler, Marie-Noëlle

Abstract

Introduction: Workers using Visual Display Units (VDUs) face multiple risks, including upper limb discomfort and pain, mental stress, and visual fatigue. Since 2016, the Belgian Welfare Law has obliged companies to conduct risk analyses at least every five years to assess employees according to three dimensions: physical strain, mental stress, and visual load. To perform these assessments, researchers from Mensura Occupational Health Services developed two tools: (1) an online questionnaire (E-survey) and (2) a self-assessment tool (E-coach). Methods: Both tools were developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including one European-registered ergonomist; one occupational physician; one occupational nurse; two prevention advisers, one of which specialised in ergonomics; and one epidemiologist. Validation: After Dutch-to-French and Dutch-to-English translation and back-translation were performed, the questionnaire was validated in a two-stage Delphi process by a panel of 20 experts. Subsequently, a pilot test was conducted using all Mensura computer office workers. Written feedback was collected and used to develop the final version of the tool. Results: From October 2016 to August 2017, 17 companies implemented the questionnaire and 203 companies implemented the self-assessment tool. This resulted in 2,088 completed questionnaires and 875 completed self-assessments. Conclusion: Both tools were easy to use and effectively assessed risks across multidimensional levels, enabling organisations to map priorities and target actions to increase employees’ well-being. Furthermore, they provided employers with an extensive database for self-monitoring and continuous benchmarking.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

Source (book)

Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018), August 26-30, 2018, Florence, Italy

Publication

Cham : Springer , 2018

ISBN

978-3-319-96076-0

DOI

10.1007/978-3-319-96077-7_48