Iran Occupational Health

  Background and aims

  The study is aimed at designing and testing a new ergonomic armrest that can address musculoskeletal problems among computer keyboard operators in Iran.

  Methods

  Twenty seven operators from an educational institute were selected as subjects. Direct observations and subjective assessment using Karlqvist et al.'s (1996) questionnaires were  used to discover the weaknesses of their existing armrest. The existing armrest was replaced with  the new armrest which allows height adjustment, and length, width and direction/rotation  movements to suite various arm positions for keying and mousing tasks. Data on the hand and arm postures were collected and compared to common armrest.

  Results

  With the new armrest, results showed significant improvements in the postures of forearm, elbow, hand and wrist which facilitate easy access of the entire surface of keyboard and mouse. In addition, majority of the subjects were satisfied, in different aspects, with the use of the ergonomic armrest .

  Conclusion

  Because of its positive and dynamic features, the new armrest could well be  replaced with the traditional and even forign ergonomic armrests attachable to the table. The new   armrest do not disrupt the user’s job.