questions about computer work and computer input devices

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Department for Work and Health Section of Occupational Medicine Department of Occupational Medicine National Institute for Working Life Sahlgrenska University Hospital Karolinska Hospital Stockholm, Sweden Gothenburg, Sweden Stockholm, Sweden

Number:

Questions about computer work and computer input devices

Name Date of birth Do you have another job, working for another employer or as a self-employed person, which constitutes more than 25% of your total working time?

No Yes If ”Yes”, please return the questionnaire unanswered. Questionnaire, man 14 aug 1997

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Information to those who receive this questionnaire. This is a questionnaire which we ask you to fill in as carefully as possible. For most of the questions there are fixed alternative answers. Mark the alternative which is most correct for you. Every time you turn a page, check that you have not forgotten to answer any of the questions.

The answers to the questions will be registered in a computer. The first page of the questionnaire, which contains personal identification, will be removed and kept separately, so that it will not be possible to identify individual people when the answers are keyed in and the results are processed. Only one person at the National Institute for Working Life will have access to personal identification which will not be disclosed to the company, the company health service, researchers or any other person. In addition, the data will be compiled and reported so that it will not be possible to recognise individual answers. The questionnaire will be destroyed in a paper-shredder within three years. Thank you for participating!

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Number: General questions 2. Today´s date: / 19 3. What year were you born? 4. How tall are you? cm 5. How much do you weigh? kg 6. Are you 1 right-handed 2 left-handed 3 both left- and right-handed 7. Are you at present 1 married or living with a partner 2 divorced/separated and not living with a partner 3 a widow/widower and not living with a partner 4 never been married or lived with a partner 8. Do you have children who No Yes How many are living at home? 2 1 → aged 0 - 6 aged 7 or older 9. Have you smoked daily or almost daily No Yes during the last month ? 2 1 10. Have you taken snuff daily or almost daily No Yes during the last month ? 2 1 11. Have you been engaged in some free time activity/ No Yes Please specify hobby at least 5 hours/week during the last month? 2 1 →

12. Have you exercised/taken part in some sports activity so that you´ve become a little hot and increased your pulse rate during the last month (e.g. brisk walk, jogging, cycling, gymnastics/keep fit, dance, tennis, riding or the like)?

No Yes How many times have you exercised

2 1 → during the last month? times ↓ How long have you exercised on average each time? min/time

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13. Have you done fitness training using equipment during the last month ( e.g. dumbbells, bar- bell, rowing machine or the like)? No Yes → How many times have you done fitness 2 1 training during the last month? times ↓ How long have you done fitness training on average each time? min/time 14. Which of the following schools/education programs have you completed ? Mark the ”highest” education or the one you attended last.

1 Elementary school (7 years) /9-year compulsory school 2 Junior secondary school (6+3 or 4 years)/girls´ school (6+5 years) 3 Vocational school/upper secondary school - practical programs (9+2 years) 4 Upper secondary school - theoretical programs (9+3 or 4 years) 5 College/university education, 2-3 years full-time study 6 College/university education, 3-4 years full-time study 7 College/university education, more than 4 years full-time study 8 College/university education, licentiate (masters), Ph.D. or equivalent

9 Other. Please specify

Working conditions 15. Job title 16. How long altogether have you had your present, or years months similar, work tasks in your present or previous jobs? 17. How many hours/week do you work in your present hours/week job (normal working-hours)? 18. How many days/week do you work in your present days/week job (normal working-hours)? Working conditions during the last month 19. Have you worked overtime or flexitime No Yes Total number of hours over and above your normal working-hours 2 1→ hours during the last month?

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20. Which of the following have been part of your work during the last month? Give the time, as exactly as possible, for each activity as a % of your total working hours. The activities you mark constitute together 100% of your working hours. If you work full-time, 1 day/week corresponds to 20% of your working hours, 2 hours/week 5%, 4 hours/day 50% and 15 min/day corresponds to 3% of your working hours.

No Yes % of working hours

a. Computer work (use of keyboard or other com- 2 1→ ___________% puter input devices, including breaks for work which are a natural part of your computer work, e.g. thinking or reading from the screen)

b. Typing (typewriter, not computer) 2 1→ ___________%

c. Desk work (e.g. reading mail, reports, writing, 2 1→ ___________% calculating or drawing by hand)

d. Teaching 2 1→ ___________%

e. Meetings, conferences (formal) 2 1→ ___________%

f. Discussions with colleagues (informal) 2 1→ ___________%

g. Telephoning 2 1→ ___________%

h. Copying, fetching, handing over material 2 1→ ___________%

i. Short breaks for coffee etc (during paid 2 1→ ___________% working hours, not lunchtime)

j. Other, 2 1→ ___________% please specify:

Total working hours 100%

21. Give the total time you have spent on average working in a standing/walking position during the last month? Consider how much of the time you spend standing/walking during the work activities above.

% of working hours % 22. During the last month have you carried out work tasks where your hands were above shoulder level for altogether more than 1/2 hour per day?

4 No, never or hardly ever

3 Yes, some days per month

2 Yes, some days per week

1 Yes, daily or almost daily. Give the average time per day:

% of working hours %

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23. During the last month, have you carried out precision work (e.g. work with precision tools, computer mouse or the like) for altogether more than 1/2 hour per day ?





% of working hours %

24. During the last month, have you carried out work tasks where the same hand or finger movements were repeated several times a minute (e.g. typing, keyboard work, sorting paper) for altogether more than 1/2 hour per day?





% of working hours % 25. How have the requirements in your work tasks during the last month been adapted to your competence?

1 Considerably above my level of competence 2 A little above my level of competence 3 Corresponding to my level of competence 4 A little below my level of competence 5 Considerably below my level of competence

6 Don´t know 26. What level of work intensity is required for deadlines and quality requirements to be met within

your projects/sub-projects/work tasks at present?

1 Very high work intensity 2 Fairly high work intensity 3 Just the right level of work intensity 4 Fairly low work intensity 5 Very low work intensity 6 Don´t know

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27. How likely do you think it is that the deadlines for the projects/sub-projects/work tasks you have at present will be met?

1 Very likely 2 Fairly likely 3 Not very likely 4 Unlikely 5 Don´t know

28. How likely do you think it is that the quality requirements for the projects/sub-projects/work tasks you have at present will be met?

1 Very likely 2 Fairly likely 3 Not very likely 4 Unlikely 5 Don´t know

Answer question 29 only if you have marked alternative 3 or 4 in questions 27 and/or 28. 29. If you don´t think it is very likely that the deadlines and/or quality requirements for your present

projects/sub-projects/work tasks will be met, what factor(s) do you think this depends on? (Mark each statement with a ”X” for ”No” or ”Yes”)

No Yes a. Too much work in the project in relation to the deadline 2 1

b. Too difficult work tasks in the project 2 1

c. Computers/programs/networks that have caused problems 2 1

d. Activities/deliveries from others in the project/sub-project 2 1 interfere with/delay your work

e. Shortcomings in the management/coordination of the project 2 1

f. Too much other work which is not directly connected with 2 1 your present main projects/sub-projects (e.g. work left over

from previous projects, other overall work tasks)

g. Absence due to illness 2 1

h. Other absence, e.g. to take care of sick children 2 1

i. Other reason 2 1 Please specify:

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If you have not done any computer work (”no” to question 20a), please go straight on to question 46. 30. What year did you start using a computer in your work?

Computer work during the last month

31. During the last month have you as a matter of routine No Yes worked at more than one computer workstation? 2 1 32. During the last month have you as a matter of routine No Yes shared your computer workstation with someone else? 2 1 Sitting Standing Sitting and 33. Which work posture have you mainly had when standing equally doing computer work during the last month? 1 2 3

34. What type(s) of computer work have you done during the last month? Give the time, as exactly as possible, as a % of your total computer work time. The type(s) of computer work you give constitute together 100% of your computer work time. Please also write which computer program(s) you use for the different work tasks. No Yes % of computer Computer program work time a. Keying in data/text according to a model 2 1→ % b. Writing and processing own texts 2 1→ %

c. Layout, graphics 2 1→ % d. Construction, design 2 1→ %

e. Reporting, e.g. finance, personnel 2 1→ % f. Data processing, statistics 2 1→ % g. Programming 2 1→ %

h. Internal, external communication - mail 2 1→ % i. Information search, e.g. Internet 2 1→ %

j. Other 2 1→ % Please specify:

Total computer work time 100%

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35. What computer input devices have you used during the last month? Give the time, as exactly as possible, as a % of your total computer work time , that your hand has been on the following computer input devices (not relevant for voice control). The input devices you mark together constitute 100% of your computer work time. If for example you only use the keyboard as an input device, write 100% beside keyboard, and if you use the mouse 3/4 of your computer work time and the keyboard 1/4 of the time, write 75% beside mouse and 25% beside keyboard. Please also write the year you started using the input device. No Yes % of computer What year did you start work time using the input device?

a. Keyboard 2 1→ % Other input devices: b. Puck with digitizer 2 1→ % c. Optical mouse 2 1→ % d. Mouse 2 11→ %

e. Trackball 2 1→ % f. Spaceball 2 1→ % g. Touch pad 2 1→ %

h. Computer pen 2 1→ % i. Cursor control stick (in the middle 2 1→ % of the keyboard) j. Joy stick (hand grip) 2 1→ %

k. Voice control 2 1→ %

l. Other 2 1→ % Please specify: Total computer work time 100% Right Left Alternately Both 36. In which hand do you usually hold right/left at once the input device (not keyboard)? 1 2 3 4 37. Put one cross in the square where you have 38. Put one cross in the square where you most often had the centre of the keyboard have most often had the mouse (or while working during the last month. other input device) while working during the last month.

A

B

C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

A

B

C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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39. Have you used a computer at home during the last month? No Yes

2 1 → a. For work which is part of your paid job hours b. For other computer work (including games etc) hours 40. What is the longest period of time that you have worked at the computer without a break during the

last month? (Pauses of 10 min or less are not regarded as breaks.)

7 Less than 1 hour 4 3-4 hours 2 5-6 hours 6 1-2 hours 3 4-5 hours 1 More than 6 hours 5 2-3 hours

41. How often during the last month have you worked at the computer for such a long period as you marked in the previous question (question 40)?

4 Very occasionally 2 A few times per week 3 A few times during the month 1 Daily or almost daily 42. How comfortable has the environment for computer work been during the last month? (Ring or cross one number on the scale)

Very, Very, Very very bad good a. General lighting (ceiling lamps) -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 b. Workstation lighting -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 c. Screening of daylight -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 (dazzling/reflections on the screen) d. Level of noise -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 e. Indoor climate -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4

f. Chair -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 g. Work posture -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 h. Space to work -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4

i. Postion of screen -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 j. Position of keyboard -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 k. Position of computer input devices -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4

43. How has the computer (including -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 software and network) functioned during the last month?

44. Have you varied your position 1 No, never 2 Yes, once/a few times per week between sitting and standing or seldom 3 Yes, once/a few times per day while working at the computer 4 Yes, more than 4 times per day during the last month?

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45. At the end of a normal working day during the last month how strenuous have you experienced the computer work? Mark the degree of exertion/strain for each part of the body in the figure below (even if you have not experienced any exertion/strain) by writing a suitable number in accordance with the scale on the left. If for example the exertion in the right shoulder has been something between ”very light” and ”fairly light”, write ”4” in the corresponding space.

Degree of exertion

0 1 Very, very light 2 3 Very light 4 5 Fairly light 6 7 Somewhat hard 8 9 Hard 10 11 Very hard 12 13 Very, very hard 14

Eyes

Degree of exertion

Neck

Shoulder/scapula area

Shoulder/upper arm

Thoracic back

Elbow/lower arm

Wrist

Hand/fingers

Lower back

Left Right

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Psychological and social working conditions during the last month

Never/ Often Sometimes Seldom almost never

46. In your job, do you have to work very fast? 1 2 3 4

47. In your job, do you have to work very hard? 1 2 3 4

48. Does your job demand too much effort? 1 2 3 4

49. Do you have enough time to complete your 1 2 3 4 tasks?

50. Does your work often involve conflicting 1 2 3 4

demands?

51. Do you have the opportunity to learn new 1 2 3 4 things in your work?

52. Does your work demand a high level of 1 2 3 4 skill or expertise?

53. Does your work require you to be creative? 1 2 3 4

54. Does your work require you to do the same 1 2 3 4 thing over and over again?

55. Do you have a choice in deciding how 1 2 3 4 you do your work?

56. Do you have a choice in deciding what 1 2 3 4 you do at work?

57. Are you worried that your work situation 1 2 3 4 will change as a result of reorganisations, completely different way of working etc? Strongly Mildly Mildly Strongly agree agree disagree disagree

58. There is a calm and pleasant atmosphere 1 2 3 4 where I work

59. We get on well with each other where I work 1 2 3 4

60. My co-workers support me 1 2 3 4 61. The others understand if I have a bad day 1 2 3 4

62. I get on well with my supervisors 1 2 3 4

63. I enjoy working with my co-workers 1 2 3 4

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Questions about management The questions are concerned with the relationship between you and your superior/supervisor during the last month. Agree Do not com- agree pletely at all

64. I can discuss difficulties in my work with 1 2 3 4 5 my superior/supervisor.

65. I get the encouragement and support I need 1 2 3 4 5 from my superior/supervisor.

66. My superior/supervisor gives me the 1 2 3 4 5 information I need about the situation at my work place so that I can complete my tasks.

67. My superior/supervisor keeps me informed 1 2 3 4 5 about changes which may be important for my work.

68. My superior/supervisor has the same 1 2 3 4 5 view as I do about my competencies.

69. My superior/supervisor gives me the 1 2 3 4 5 necessary feedback so that I know whether I do a good job or not.

70. My superior/supervisor is someone I can go 1 2 3 4 5 to in critical situations.

71. My superior/supervisor provides good 1 2 3 4 5 conditions for me to develop in my work.

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Questions about social network during the last month

We are interested in how a social network at the work place functions. These questions are about the people you work with. Think of max five people who you discuss important questions with at work. If it helps you to keep the people apart, you can if you wish fill in the initials of your workmates/colleagues.

Person Person Person Person Person1 2 3 4 5

Initials

72. Is this person?1. a man2. a woman

73. How often do you talk to this person?1. once a month2. once a week

3. 2-3 times a week4. every day

74. Has this person mentioned aches or pains inhis/her muscles, joints or back?1. Yes2. No

3. Don´t know75. Have you discussed with this person what can be

done in the work situation to prevent aches or pains in the muscles, joints or back ?1. Yes2. No

76. Have you discussed with this person what can bedone in the work situation in order to work moreefficiently?

1. Yes2. No

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

78. Have you discussed ergonomic questions (i.e. thefactors mentioned in question 42) with this person?1. Yes2. No

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

77. Have you discussed with this person how thework can be made less strenuous?

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1. Yes2. No

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

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Aches, pains or other problems during the last month. Left hand, Right hand, 79. Have your hands felt numb No Yes → number of days number of days during the last month? 2 1 80. Have you had trouble with your eyes No Yes → number of days during the last month? 2 1 81. Have you suffered from headaches No Yes → number of days during the last month? 2 1

82. Have you had aches or pains during the last month in any of the parts of the body marked on the figure below (e.g. when resting, when moving or when putting weight on a joint or muscle)? 2 No 1 Yes → Mark for each part of the body the total number of days (1-31) with aches / pains.

How many days?

Neck

Shoulder/scapula area

Shoulder/upper arm

Thoracic back

Elbow/lower arm

Wrist

Hand/fingers

Lower back

Left Right

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Answer questions 83-85 only if you have answered ”Yes” to any of the questions 79-82. Otherwise continue to question 86. 83. Have the aches, pains or numbness affected your work performance in computer work during the last month? (If it has decreased, write how much in % compared with the previous month.)

2 No, it has not changed (or it has increased). 1 Yes, it has decreased by % due to the aches, pains etc.

84. What effects have the most intense aches, pains or numbness had during the last month?

Difficult Reduced Hardly Don´t but not (quantity managed know. Unchanged reduced or quality) at all Not tried a. Your work performance in general 4 3 2 1 9

b. Work using the keyboard 4 3 2 1 9

c. Work using a mouse or other input device 4 3 2 1 9 d. Housework (e.g. cooking, washing, 4 3 2 1 9 cleaning)

e. Leisure time (e.g. exercising, gardening, 4 3 2 1 9 needlework, playing musical intruments)

f. Socialising (with e.g. family, friends, 4 3 2 1 9 workmates / colleagues)

g. Sleep 4 3 2 1 9 85. Have you taken any of the following measures during the last month in order to prevent or ease the aches, pains or numbness? No Yes

a. Been absent from work, on sick leave. If yes - how many days 2 1

b. Sought help from e.g. the company health centre, doctor 2 1

physiotherapist, chiropractor

c. Taken medicine / tablets, e.g. pain-killers 2 1

d. Changed your work tasks 2 1

e. Slowed down your work pace 2 1

f. Changed your work posture or your working movements 2 1 (but kept the same work tasks)

g. Changed your computer equipment, chair or table 2 1

h. Other 2 1 Please specify:

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86. Test whether your joints, tendons or muscles are sore. Press the parts of the body which are marked in the figure below with your fingers. Put a cross in the boxes at the side if the joints, tendons or muscles in these areas are obviously painful. Press the whole area using the same pressure all over. If you twist and turn the joints a little you will be able to locate the joints, tendons and muscles better.

Neck2n no1n yes

Upper back Upper backLeft2n no1n yes

Right2n no1n yes

Shoulder ShoulderLeft2n no1n yes

Right2n no1n yes

Lower arminside/undersideLeft Right2n no 2n no

1 n yes 1n yes

Inside elbowLeft Right2n no 2n no1n yes 1n yes

WristsLeft Right2n no 2n no1n yes 1n yes

Lower armoutside/topLeft Right2n no 2n no1n yes 1n yes

Outside elbowLeft Right2n no 2n no1n yes 1n yes

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Number :

87. Many problems in joints and muscles can be preceded or followed by other discomfort. How often during the last month have you noticed that: Never Very A few Once or occasion- times/ several ally week times/day a. Your muscles feel tense (e.g. you are frowning, 4 3 2 1

shrugging your shoulders, gritting your teeth)

b. You get palpitations or pressure over 4 3 2 1

the chest

c. Your stomach feels restless; you have a 4 3 2 1

burning feeling or pain in your stomach

d. You have been constipated 4 3 2 1

e. You feel dizzy, unsteady 4 3 2 1

f. You feel nervous or restless 4 3 2 1

g. You are worried that you won´t finish 4 3 2 1 your work tasks on time

h. You are worried that you won´t manage 4 3 2 1 your work because the tasks are too difficult

i. You don´t feel like working 4 3 2 1

j. You feel depressed 4 3 2 1

k. You feel overworked 4 3 2 1

l. You feel uneasy/dissatisfied 4 3 2 1

m. You feel content/satisfied 4 3 2 1

n. You feel irritated 4 3 2 1

o. You feel under stress 4 3 2 1

Every night p. You have difficulty getting to sleep/sleeping 4 3 2 1 because you´re thinking about your work

q. You are gritting your teeth at night 4 3 2 1

88. If during the last month you have noticed any other physical or mental problems than the ones that are described in this questionnaire, please describe them below.

Thank you for filling in this questionnaire !

questions about computer work and computer input devices

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