Determining Ergonomic Risks Arising from the Use of Information Technologies in the Covid-19 Environment

Abstract

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) emerging in Wuhan, China, most employees had to work from home in unsuitable conditions. Employees are more affected by the factors that cause musculoskeletal disorders when working from home using information and communication technologies. The aim of the study was to determine the ergonomic risks related to the musculoskeletal system that teachers, who made up a large number of employees working in the service sector during the COVID-19 period, may be exposed to working remotely. For this, first of all, in line with the literature review and expert opinions, physical, psychosocial, and individual risk factors related to the musculoskeletal system were determined and the weight of the risk factors was calculated with the Analytic Network Process method. Work duration, posture, and physical environment constituted the highest risk factor among physical factors. With the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations, information and communication devices were ranked according to their effects on the user. The ranking is determined by mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. It is concluded that it is necessary to pay attention to the risk factors specified in the use of these devices in order to prevent musculoskeletal system damage.