The Effects of Chair-Type and Workstation Configuration on Work Performance
Published Oct 1, 1990 · C. W. Rogers, R. E. Thomas
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
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Abstract
The relationship between workstation design and the productivity of human operators is a topic of significant interest in contemporary ergonomics. Accordingly, this research consisted of two experiments which evaluated the effects of chair-type, work height and thigh-work surface angle on the upper extremity performance and comfort of females in two-hour sessions in a controlled work environment. The first experiment used six females as blocks in the statistical design and varied the chair-type between two types of “ergonomic” chairs and a wood chair. Non-significant trends indicate that light assembly production rose when using the ergonomic chairs an average of 7% in the final 30 minutes of each session. Overall comfort ratings significantly favored the ergonomic chairs. The second experiment used two females and varied three elbow heights and three thigh-work surface angles in nine combinations in a 32 factorial design. Nonsignificant trends indicated that assembly rates rose 5–7.8% when using a 185-degree or 155-degree angle in the final 30 minutes and 7.5–9% in the final 15 minutes. Both experiments revealed very few significant subject body part discomfort or chair feature differences between independent variables. Reaction times were negatively related to upper body part discomfort in both experiments. The research methodology proved valid and could be expanded in later studies.