DISTURBI MUSCOLOSCHELETRICI E OCULOVISIVI NEI LAVORATORI D’UFFICIO IN SMART WORKING

[Autom. eng. transl.] Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic it is the use of digital devices has increased globally connected remotely in carrying out the most varied tasks work activities, representing on the one hand a challenge innovative for workers of all ages and on the other a risk additional due to the potential repercussions on their psycho-physical wellbeing. Remote working was preferred by some workers for the greater flexibility in the organization of the working day; however, it has also led to logistical difficulties related to the environment of work and greater risks inherent to ergonomics of workstations at the video terminal. Goals. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal and visual related disorders to the use of computers and workstations from remote, with particular reference to smart activity working during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to evaluate and possibly suggest improvement strategies of working comfort and psychophysical well-being of the worker. Materials and methods. On the initiative of the Competent Doctor, a checklist was administered (Computer Workstation Ergonomics: Self-Assessment Checklist National Institutes of Health), via the Google platform Forms, to the office staff of an international company Italian. The questionnaire included 35 questions and it was divided into two sections: the first section investigated sociodemographic characteristics; the second section, instead, he intended to evaluate the ergonomics of the workstation work (e.g. use of office chair, keyboard, monitor) in relation to the worker's health status (e.g. appearance of painful symptoms). The last questions also investigated the frequency and modality of taking work breaks. Results and Conclusions. The results of the study have highlighted that postural pauses had an effect protective on painful symptoms at the level of the cervical spine (OR 0.32, CI 0.16-0.62), at level of the lumbar spine and lower limbs (OR 0.35, CI 0.18-0.69) and on ocular symptoms (OR 0.50, CI 0.27-0.94). Therefore, it is important that, even workers who carry out remote activities that involve use prolonged use of the video terminal and who change their own workstation by virtue of the possibility of work in smart working, are trained and informed correctly, with the support and collaboration of Competent doctor, on potential psychophysical problems and ergonomics for one's health related to activity working. Bibliography 1) Borrelli I, et al. A new tool to evaluate burnout: the Italian version of the BAT for Italian healthcare workers. BMC Public Health. 2022 Mar 9;22(1):474. 2) Gualano MR, et al. TElewoRk-RelAted Stress (EARTH), Psychological and Physical Strain of Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Workplace Health Saf. 2022 Nov 16:21650799221119155.