3.1.14. Education

Table 16 consists of 12 studies developed in education.


### **Table 16.** Education.

Breen et al. [188] and Kelly et al. [187] used RULA and other tools to study the postures adopted by students on the computer. Some authors focused on primary schools and others on high schools. They concluded that about 60% of the postures belonged to action Level 2. Sellschop et al. [177,179] provided ergonomic training to students with the same characteristics. They assessed effectiveness using two groups (the intervention and control groups) with the same method and other tools. In the intervention group, the risk decreased according to RULA, with action Level 4 disappearing. Other authors found that the assessor's experience of using RULA and task observation was not relevant. They demonstrated this by assessing children while they took part in ICT. The study was performed by two groups of assessors, one of them experienced in applying the method [180].

Some authors [181,186] ergonomically analysed students at the university level, also while using computers. Two studies are differentiated, one using the RULA method and the other a modification of it (mRULA) in addition to other tools. It was shown that, at an engineering university, 30.8% of participants were exposed to a Level 3 risk. In medicine, 42.9% were exposed to a Level 2 risk. On the other hand, when employed at the Qazyin University of Medical Sciences on workers using the computer, it was intended to assess a training programme. This was done in stages, through a control group and an intervention group. RULA, VAS and the Nordic Questionnaire were used. The intervention group improved. The programme proved beneficial to the workers [183].

Furthermore, in the field of education, other ergonomic analyses were carried out using RULA and other tools. They focused on students at different levels. In some cases, harmful postures were adopted due to, among other causes, the furniture used. New furniture designs were required [178,182]. Students aged between 13 and 15 were also assessed in a total of 104 positions. It was concluded that the 13-year-olds were more at risk [184].

Finally, other authors used a virtual environment to perform an ergonomic analysis on a folding bike. This was designed at the University of Indonesia. RULA was used along with other methods. The goal was to obtain the best design, which was completed when the handlebars were 32 cm high and the saddle at 83 cm [185].

3.1.15. Human Health and Social Work Activities

Table 17 presents the studies according to the "Human health and social work activities" category.


**Table 17.** Human health and social work activities.


### **Table 17.** *Cont.*

This field is divided into different specialties to show the available studies in a more ordered fashion.

• Ophthalmology

Ratzlaff et al. [189] tested the usefulness of an ergonomic training course given to 10 ophthalmologists. They focused on a task that consisted of positioning a slit lamp. It was assessed before and after training, using RULA applied with software. Risk levels were shown to be lower after training.

• Radiology

In the United Kingdom, mammogram radiologists were ergonomically assessed. Three work posts were analysed, one for digital mammograms, one for film mammograms and the third for both. The RULA method was used. It was determined that no more MSDs developed as a result of performing the mammograms digitally [222].

• Nursing

Sezgin and Esin [207] evaluated 1,515 intensive care nurses. They mainly used the RULA method. They showed that the hardest-hit areas of the body were the back and legs. They also concluded that the scores for this method were lowered by giving the Ergonomic Risk Management Programme (ERMP) to workers [193].

Sung et al. [219] decided to use an armrest and mirror to observe the tubes after each blood test. These proposals reduced the RULA score from 7 to 2. Therefore, the postures of the workers improved, mainly in the neck and shoulders.

As a last study, Garosi et al. [191] designed and developed a new instrument for a nursing task that used to be done manually. According to RULA, the level of risk decreased from 3 to 2 in the upper extremities when using this new tool.

• Otolaryngology

Goyil et al. [192,199] analysed the postures adopted by the otolaryngologists when the patient was placed in position (sitting or lying on their back). The RULA method was used. Higher risk levels were determined for sitting patients.

• Ultrasounds

Workers performing ultrasounds were assessed because they often suffer from musculoskeletal discomfort. RULA was used on five participants and on 24 ultrasounds; other parameters were also taken into account. The results showed awkward postures for the upper limbs [213].
