Development of Ergonomic Computer Workstation for Secondary School Children in Owo Metropolis

Abstract

This study evaluated existing computer workstations, which includes computer workstation tables and chairs for computer users’, and developed new one for secondary school students in Owo metropolis. Questionnaire was developed and administered to support investigation of existing computer workstation in some selected secondary schools within the metropolis. Also, essential human body measurements (i.e. anthropometric measurement) that are necessary for estimating the design parameters of computer workstation were identified from literatures. Subsequently, the essential anthropometric data were collected by taking the measurements of the relevant body dimensions of boys and girls randomly selected from JSS1-SSS3 classes of the selected secondary schools in Owo metropolis. The measurements were conducted using standard anthropometer and anthropometric tape. A conceptual design of computer workstation to be developed was determined and appropriate design principle (i.e. design for extreme, design for adjustable range or design for average) was employed to determine the values of the design parameters in respect of the anthropometric data collected. The determination of the values of design parameters were done in due consideration of the various features associated with each parameter and appropriate clearance, where necessary. Thereafter, a full scale prototype of the designed workstation was built. Evaluation of the workstation built was conducted by having representatives of small, average and large size users from within the targeted population walk through representative task on the workstation and then assessing their comfortability in doing the task using the developed questionnaire. The responses collected from the questionnaire administered were analyzed using average rating. Also, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to examine the effect of age, sex and height on the comfort of the users using their responses. The evaluation result revealed an average respondents rating of “4.30” and “3.99” for the Table and Chair respectively in comparison with the existing ones whose average rating is“1.79” and “1.38” respectively. This shows that the comfort experienced by the users while using the developed workstation is very high compared to the existing ones. Also, the ANOVA result revealed that age, sex and height have no effect on the comfort users perceived while using the workstation. Hence, the developed workstation would provide comfort for secondary school students in Owo metropolis and south western Nigeria thereby enhancing their performance and productivity.