3.1.9. Information and Communication

Table 11 is composed of the different studies that have been carried out in the area of Information and Communication.


**Table 11.** Information and communication.

Several studies have been carried out on people who work regularly on a computer. One of these studies investigated whether the position where the mouse was placed with respect to the keyboard influenced the arm and shoulder postures adopted. RULA and surface electromyography were used. Some results showed that the position taken by right-handed people was less damaging if the number keyboard was not used [159]. Another similar analysis was performed on 10 workers who were also visually impaired. Harmful postures were identified for all the participants, and several recommendations [156] were made. Ekinci et al. [151] carried out an assessment very similar to the previous cases, using other tools in addition to RULA. The objective was to check the effectiveness of pre-use ergonomic computer training. Ergonomic risk was shown to decrease as a result. One of the workers carrying out this same task was followed up. They indicated discomfort in the neck and upper right extremity. They received physiotherapy sessions and ergonomic intervention, after which RULA indicated an improvement in the results [154].

Other authors used RULA [158] to assess workers carrying out two specific tasks, one based on entering data using VDT (Visual Display Terminal) screens and another on document classification and sorting. The results showed that the first task required further assessment. The second had to be modified after identifying harmful postures. Another group of VDT workers had the ergonomic training they received assessed using the method. The results improved after this, reducing the action levels [153]. To this end, RULA was used in conjunction with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to test the benefits of ergonomic training and physiotherapy sessions. VDT operators from the Software Corporation participated. It was observed that the methods were beneficial as they decreased the risk factors and the development of musculoskeletal disorders [157].

Other authors ergonomically assessed workers at a technology company, focusing on programming, management, administration and marketing tasks. RULA deduced high action levels with no risk-free postures [155]. Lastly in this area, the RULA method was applied, along with a modified version of it (mRULA), on 29 people working in computer science. The goal was to know if mRULA was valid for ergonomic assessment. They concluded that it could be used, and that it was only necessary to make an observation [152].

3.1.10. Financial and Insurance Activities

Table 12 encompasses a single research study.



An ergonomic study was carried out in the financial department of a hospital using the RULA method. The results showed the need for ergonomic actions. This could reduce the grounds for absenteeism due to work-related accidents and increase well-being at work [160].
