Improving office work: a participatory ergonomic experiment in a naturalistic setting

In a Department of Salary Records where VDU tasks were performed at a high work rate, a participative ergonomic study was undertaken. First, the 'old' workplace was investigated for all 45 employees. Work stations appeared to be of poor ergonomic quality. Second, 12 employees participated in an experiment at the actual workplace. Objective and subjective effects were recorded under three conditions: the 'old' workplace, the recommended ('ideal') workplace, and the self-chosen workplace. Based on this data 'ergonomic' furniture and additional accessories were ordered and all 45 employees received tailor-made instructions and training with respect to their ideal workplace. After 5 months data for their 'objective' workplaces and subjective reports about the workplace were recorded. The study focuses on the comparison of the three conditions and of the two groups of employees: 33 who received thorough instruction and training only, and 12 who also participated in the experiment. Both objective and subjective improvements are demonstrated in the recommended situation when compared to the original situation. Although some employees deliberately chose to deviate from the recommended situation--owing to task and individual characteristics--self chosen workplaces still constituted a much better workplace in comparison to the old workplace. The 12 employees who participated in the experiment chose a better self-preferred workplace when compared to their 33 colleagues. It is concluded that experimental measurements in a naturalistic setting may contribute significantly to workplace improvements (1) by presenting adequate and 'objective' information for workplace improvement and ergonomic redesign, and (2) as a change agent itself, that is as an 'intensified treatment'.