Abstract
In Taiwan, work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is a serious occupational problem. Its causes are highly controversial, and may attribute to over-exertion, prolonged-duration, high-frequency, and awkward posture. Among these causes, awkward posture is the most prevalent and less disputed. In order to induce the worker in adopting a preferred working posture during task performance, this study proposed a “functional posture” concept to facilitate the design of workplace. The theme of functional posture is “natural” and” effort-saving”. We applied this concept in the intervention of 100 workplaces. We proposed a preferred functional posture for each workplace and each functional posture was evaluated both anthropometrically and biomechanically. Then a desirable workplace design solution with recommended dimensions was proposed. All these design solutions were compiled into a “WorkPlace Design Atlas” to be used as reference for industry. In order to validate the usefulness of this atlas, a validating study consisting of the intervention of 53 workplaces was undertaken. The result was quite promising, any workplace to be redesigned can find a correspondent or similar atlas as design reference, and most recommended dimensions are directly applicable, except a few cases