ERGONOMIC EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER WORKSTATION TABLE AND CHAIR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

This research applies ergonomic principle to the evaluation and development of Computer Workstation Table and Chair suitable for secondary school students. Anthropometric data of 60 students of Achievers’ Royal College Akure, consisting of 30 males and 30 females, were collected and utilized to evaluate and design the Table and Chair. Appropriate body dimensions (sitting height, sitting eye height, sitting shoulder height, popliteal height, sitting knee height, forearm hand length, sitting elbow height, thigh clearance, buttock popliteal length, buttock knee length, shoulder hand length, sitting hip breadth and shoulder breadth) of the students were measured using standard anthropometer and Tape rule. The 5th percentile, 95th percentile, mean and standard deviation of the data were obtained. Also, the design parameters of the existing Workstation Table and Chair in the school were measured and a developed questionnaire was administered to the students to evaluate the existing workstation Table and Chair. Major ergonomic deficiencies were found in physical design, students’ postures and work practices in respect of existing workstation Table and Chair. Subsequently, new design parameters suitable for workstation Table and Chair and adequate for students of secondary school were obtained based on anthropometric data collected and necessary design analysis. Prototypes of the designed Chair and Table were fabricated using locally sourced materials. Evaluation of the developed Computer Workstation Table and Chair revealed an average respondents rating of “4.30” and “3.99” respectively, showing that the comfort experienced in using the developed workstation Table and Chair is “very high”, compared to the existing ones whose average rating are “1.79” and “1.38” respectively. This reflects lower comfort experience by user of the existing ones.