Abstract

CASTILLO, Victor  and  ESCALONA, Evelin. Work demands in a Venezuelan university office setting. Salud de los Trabajadores [online]. 2009, vol.17, n.2, pp.107-120. ISSN 1315-0138.

An ergonomic evaluation of working conditions was conducted in the offices of a Venezuelan university in order to identify dangerous processes and to propose changes. Methods: A triangulated qualitative-quantitative approach that combined the Deparis Method and Observation of Working Positions; individual and group interviews; and homogeneous and heterogeneous groups was used. The target workforce was 120 (80 women, 40 men). The study sample consisted of 8 women employed as secretaries, according to inclusion criteria. Results: Study participants reported visual fatigue, shoulder and low back discomfort, anxiety and fatigue. Organizational changes led to feelings of insecurity and fear of job loss. The work environment was inadequate, characterized by poor equipment maintenance and an absence of organizational policies and procedures. Work cycles varied from two to seven cycles per day, each cycle lasting on average 1 hour and 7 minutes. Poor work organization, awkward postures and frequent work interruptions were perceived as heavy work demands by the participants. Conclusions: From a physicial, emotional and psychological standpoint, poor working conditions and work organization led to high work demands in this population. Comprehenisve health protection policies, that take gender into account, are needed.

Keywords : Women´s health; Working Conditions; Human Engineering; Work; Universities.