Problem Statement
Data is important to manufacturing companies like Marion Enterprise. It is necessary in critical areas of the business such as human resource, production and the organization’s inventory. Data is useless without consistent updates.
The research problem is to investigate office ergonomics of the data entry center in this organization. The other issues that will be examined are the establishment of an anthropometric database and possible hazards employees overlook in the data entry center. The study will however major on the first issue.
Justification
Ergonomics is the science that examines how capable people are taking into account their physical and mental limits in relation to the tools, machines and equipment used in the course of their work. Office ergonomic is a specialty that focuses on the environment of the office worker.
There has been an increase in interest by people towards the specialty because of an upsurge in the use of computers and disorders associated with them (Wisha Services Division (WSD), 2002). The specialty is critical since some of the signs associated with poor ergonomics such as fatigue and pain reduces the productivity of workers (CBS, n.d).
Treatment of disorders occasioned by poor ergonomics in an office environment is costly in terms of finance and time lost whenever an employee takes leave (Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 2013). The worst part is a reduction in the normal pace of work in a department where an employee is based. For this organization, the entry of data will be slowed which may affect the ability of the organization to get real-time data.
Topics for investigation
The workstation
Data entry operators spend many hours during the working days in their workstation. The workstation will be the first area to be investigated for any ergonomic flaws. It consists of the office furniture such as the chairs, tables and computers that the data entry operators use directly as they carry out their work. All these aspects will be examined (Workers Compensation Board (WCB), (2007).
The computers used by the data entry operators
Computers are the key equipment used by data entry operators (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc, 2008). They will be investigated to ascertain how ergonomic they are to their users. In the investigation, computer parts such as mouse, keyboard and the monitor will be assessed on ergonomic adjustability.
Anthropometric data
The research will also determine the feasibility of establishing a database for anthropometric data. The data will be useful for management when purchasing equipment for the data entry operators after recruitment. Problems related to ergonomics in computer equipment will reduce significantly in the data entry center that will be expanded (National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, 1991).
Hazards with sharp edges
All the furniture in the data entry center will be examined to establish whether they have any sharp edges that the employees often lean. This action by the data entry operators only appears harmless initially but leads to certain disorders such as slow blood circulation and damaged nerves (Texas Department of Insurance, n.d).
Repetitive motions
The operational nature of data entry operators will be looked at to assess the possible effect they have on the workers developing disorders. All repetitive motions will be noted so that a possible intervention can be formulated.
The intervention will be a scientific one, and its impact in improving the office ergonomics of the data center has to be monitored after periods specified to ensure effectiveness Health and Safety Authority (HSE), n.d).
Working space
The available working space in the data entry center as compared to the staff who works there will be examined. The examination will seek to reveal the sufficiency of the available space. Appropriate recommendations will then be made (Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), n.d).
Preliminary methodology and potential resources
The research will gather data about all the areas mentioned earlier using the following methods. Interviews will be conducted to the data entry operators on specific areas on different areas of their workstations.
Structured written questionnaires will follow the interviews as a way of verifying most of what has been given orally in the interviews conducted. Observations will be made on the workstations and computers and information obtained compared to recommended office ergonomics (University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, n.d).
The anthropometric data will be sought for reputable databases available online. The results of a feasibility study for setting a company anthropometric database will be determined by the diversity of the staff in the organization.
Work schedule
The research will be conducted for a period of two weeks. During the first week, data will be collected from the data entry center. The collection through interviews will be done in the first hour of each office day in order for a period of three days to minimize disruptions to normal work.
The remaining two days of the week will be used by the research team to gather data with written structured questionnaires. The second week the first working day, the team will observe the workstations of the data entry operators. The other two days will be for analyzing the data, and the last two will be utilized in preparing the report.
References
CBS. The advantages of ergonomics. Web.
Enviromental Health and Safety (EHS). Ergonomic workstations guidelines. Web.
Health And Safety Authority (HAS). Ergonomics in the Workplace. Web.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (2013). Ergonomics and human factors at work. Web.
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. (1991). Ergonomic principles and checklists for the selection of office furniture and equipment. Web.
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontanrio Workers Inc. (2008). Office ergonomics handbook. Web.
Texas Department of Insurance. Office Ergonomics. Web.
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Data Collection Methods. Web.
Wisha Services Division (WSD). (2002). Office ergonomics. Practical solutions for a safer workplace. Web.
Workers Compensation Board (WCB). (2007). Office Ergonomics: think detection:think prevention: think activity. Web.