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Effect of Workplace Ergonomic Education on Ergonomic Practices among Office Workers in Nigeria

Abstract

Poor workplace ergonomics is an important occupational health concern among office workers who may spend prolonged periods sitting, using computers, typing, and performing repetitive tasks. Inadequate workstation arrangement, poor sitting posture, inappropriate chair and desk height, improper monitor positioning, repetitive movements, and prolonged static postures may contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort and other work-related health problems. Workplace ergonomic education provides an opportunity to improve employees' knowledge and practical skills regarding correct posture, workstation adjustment, safe computer use, movement breaks, and prevention of ergonomic hazards. However, limited awareness, inadequate ergonomic facilities, workplace demands, financial constraints, and weak organizational support may affect the adoption of appropriate ergonomic practices among office workers in Nigeria. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of workplace ergonomic education on ergonomic practices among office workers in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and the Job Demands-Resources Model. The Health Belief Model explains how workers' perceptions of susceptibility to work-related musculoskeletal problems, perceived severity, perceived benefits of ergonomic practices, perceived barriers, and cues to action may influence their ergonomic behaviours. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes self-efficacy, observational learning, behavioural reinforcement, and workplace environmental influences in the adoption and maintenance of appropriate ergonomic practices. The Job Demands-Resources Model explains how workplace demands and available resources may influence employee wellbeing and work-related behaviours. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how workplace ergonomic education may influence ergonomic practices among office workers in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise office workers employed in selected public and private organizations across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select geopolitical zones, states, organizations, departments, and eligible office workers. Workplace ergonomic education will be assessed using indicators such as exposure to structured ergonomic training, information on correct sitting posture, workstation adjustment, chair and desk positioning, computer monitor placement, keyboard and mouse positioning, safe lifting practices where relevant, repetitive-task management, movement breaks, stretching exercises, and recognition of ergonomic hazards. Ergonomic practices will be assessed using indicators such as correct sitting posture, appropriate workstation arrangement, monitor positioning, keyboard and mouse placement, use of ergonomic furniture, frequency of movement breaks, stretching practices, appropriate positioning of the feet and arms, adjustment of workstation components, and adherence to recommended ergonomic procedures. Where appropriate, validated ergonomic assessment tools and direct workstation observation checklists may be used to provide objective measures of ergonomic practices. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, ergonomic knowledge and practice assessment instruments, direct workstation observations, workplace ergonomic assessment records, and relevant organizational documents. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participants' characteristics, exposure to ergonomic education, and ergonomic practices. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of workplace ergonomic education on ergonomic practices. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, ergonomic practice scores before and after the educational intervention may be compared to determine changes associated with the programme. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that workplace ergonomic education has a significant positive effect on ergonomic practices among office workers in Nigeria. Workers exposed to structured and practical ergonomic education are expected to demonstrate better sitting posture, improved workstation arrangement, more appropriate computer positioning, increased use of movement breaks, and greater adherence to recommended ergonomic practices than workers without similar educational exposure. Practical demonstrations and workstation assessments may improve employees' ability to identify and correct ergonomic hazards in their work environment. Ergonomic education may also increase workers' awareness of the relationship between prolonged poor posture, repetitive activities, and musculoskeletal discomfort. However, limited access to ergonomic furniture, organizational costs, workload pressures, inadequate office space, prolonged computer use, lack of management support, and poor enforcement of workplace health and safety policies may limit the adoption of recommended practices. The study therefore expects practical, accessible, and workplace-specific ergonomic education supported by appropriate organizational resources to contribute significantly to improved ergonomic practices among office workers in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on workplace ergonomic education, ergonomic practices, occupational health, office ergonomics, musculoskeletal health, workplace health promotion, employee wellbeing, occupational safety, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, public and private organizations, occupational health professionals, physiotherapists, ergonomists, occupational therapists, human resource managers, workplace safety officers, and policymakers regarding strategies for improving workplace ergonomics. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating ergonomic education into workplace health and safety programmes, conducting regular workstation assessments, improving access to ergonomic furniture and equipment, encouraging scheduled movement breaks, strengthening management support for ergonomic practices, and developing sustainable workplace ergonomics policies across Nigeria.

Keywords: Workplace ergonomic education, ergonomic practices, office workers, occupational health, office ergonomics, musculoskeletal health, workstation assessment, workplace safety, employee wellbeing, occupational health promotion, Nigeria, public health.