The occurrence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms has increased morbidity statistics in large companies. The aim of the present study is was to identify the relationship between work conditions and the occurrence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in administrative technicians who work in the rectory of a UFSM-RS. This research is about a descriptive study, of quantitative nature. The population consisted of 216 professionals in the rectory of a federal university. Data was collected through a survey instrument the person with al and functional data, followed by questions containing the checklist to analyze the conditions of the workplace to the computer developed by Hudson Couto et al and; the adapted Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The data were analyzed with the help of SPSS software to perform statistical tests. The application of Couto Checklist considered the chair, desk, and video monitors with ergonomic good condition; support for the keyboard in a bad condition; the footrest showed poor ergonomic conditions. The test application of Qui-square and Fisher s Exact Test indicated the presence of significant pain in the neck, spine, shoulder, thoracic spine, wrist / hand and leg. The inadequacies presented by chairs, video monitors and tables make the presence of symptoms of pain / discomfort more significant. Regarding posture, the results were significant for the variables that have related inadequacies of the table on: height, mobile, distance eye / screen / keyboard, arm position and the wrists support. Pain in the neck, shoulders, chest and wrists / hands registered a higher incidence of pain generated by postural discomfort according to the servers of the rectory. With these results, the study provides evidence that furnishings and inadequate equipment on ergonomic criteria extend the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Moreover, the postural maintenance for long periods while working with computer constitutes another factor that contributes to the occurrence of pain in workers. / A ocorrência de sintomas de dores osteomusculares tem aumentado as estatísticas de morbidade nas grandes empresas. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar a relação entre condições de trabalho e a ocorrência de sintomas de distúrbios músculo-esqueléticos em Técnicos Administrativos que atuam na Reitoria da UFSM-RS. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de caráter descritivo, de natureza quantitativa. A população foi composta por 216 profissionais da Reitoria da universidade Federal. A coleta foi feita através de um instrumento contendo o levantamento de dados pessoais e funcionais, seguidas de questões relativas ao Check-list para análise das condições do posto de trabalho ao computador, elaborado por Hudson Couto e colaboradores (2007) e; o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares adaptado. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com o auxilio do software SPSS para a realização dos testes estatísticos. A aplicação do Checklist de Couto considerou a cadeira, mesa de trabalho e monitores de vídeo com boa condição ergonômica; o suporte para o teclado com condições ruim; o apoio para os pés apresentou péssimas condições ergonômicas. A aplicação de testes Qui-quadrado/Exato de Ficher indicaram a presença significativa de dor em regiões do pescoço, coluna lombar, ombro, coluna torácica, pulso/mão e pernas. As inadequações apresentadas por cadeiras, monitores de vídeo e mesas tornam mais significativas a presença de sintomas de dor/desconforto. Com relação à postura os resultados foram significativos para as variáveis que relacionaram inadequações da mesa quanto: à altura, ao móvel, distância olho/tela/teclado, posição dos braços e apoio dos punhos. As dores cervicais, nos ombros, tórax e pulsos/mãos registraram maior incidência de dores geradas pelo desconforto postural de acordo com os servidores da Reitoria. Diante desses resultados o estudo oferece evidências de que mobiliários e equipamentos inadequados quanto aos critérios ergonômicos ampliam os sintomas de distúrbios osteomusculares. Além disso, a manutenção postural por longos períodos durante o trabalho com computador, constitui-se outro fator que contribui para a ocorrência de dores no trabalhador.

Les environnements virtuels sont des outils de plus en plus fréquemment utilisés dans le domaine de la formation sans que leur conception soit systématiquement guidée par des préconisations ergonomiques. Ce travail de thèse propose d’élaborer et d’évaluer des recommandations ergonomiques relatives au guidage de l’apprenant au cours de son apprentissage en EVAH (Environnement Virtuel pour l'Apprentissage Humain). Après avoir évalué l’utilité pour l’apprentissage d’un EVAH destiné à des techniciens de laboratoire, deux expériences ont été menées afin de déterminer un guidage optimal de l’apprenant lors de sa formation au lancement de tests de coagulation. La première expérience analysait l’impact d’une organisation hiérarchique d’instructions sonores sur l’apprentissage. La deuxième évaluait les modalités de présentation d’un guidage visuel et leurs conséquences sur l’acquisition de la procédure. Les résultats obtenus à l’issue de ces deux expériences ont permis de proposer des recommandations ergonomiques quant à la conception d’un guidage sonore et d’un guidage visuel de l’apprenant lors de l’acquisition d’une procédure. Enfin, ces recommandations ont été implémentées dans l’EVAH. Ainsi « amélioré », il a été confronté à l’environnement virtuel de référence dans le but d’évaluer l’efficacité des préconisations. Les résultats montrent que la prise en compte des recommandations ergonomiques proposées améliore les performances des apprenants. / Virtual environments are tools that are becoming more frequently used in the field of training, however their design is not systematically guided by ergonomic considerations. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of ergonomic recommendations to guide the learner during VET (Virtual Environment for Training) training. After evaluating the usefulness of STA-R Virtuel, a VET for laboratory technicians, two experiments were conducted to determine optimal ways of cueing the learner during their training in the execution of coagulation tests. The first experiment analyzed the impact on learning of a hierarchical organization of auditory instructions. The second evaluated different ways of presenting a visual guide and their impact on learned proficiency in the procedure. The results obtained at the end of these two experiments were then used to develop ergonomic recommendations for the design of auditory and visual cues to enhance learner performance. Finally, these recommendations were implemented in the VET. The improved version was compared with the reference virtual environment in order to assess the effectiveness of the recommendations. The results show that the inclusion of the proposed ergonomic recommendations improves the learners' performance.

[pt] Dentre os elementos ambientais existentes no local de trabalho de escritórios, a cor é um dos que pode provocar sensações e promover o bem estar emocional. Esta pesquisa partiu do pressuposto de que os profissionais de arquitetura não utilizam uma metodologia que se ocupe da análise das atividades em situações reais de trabalho para a concepção de projetos cromáticos. Dessa forma este trabalho dividiu-se em duas etapas: a primeira parte conceitual, pretendeu apresentar um panorama geral do estado da arte dos conceitos relacionados ao tema. A segunda parte correspondeu a uma pesquisa de campo onde buscou-se ouvir a voz dos usuários-trabalhadores de um local de trabalho de escritório, que teve seu ambiente totalmente reformado, inclusive com alterações cromáticas e também, ouviu-se a voz dos profissionais de arquitetura, a respeito de seus conhecimentos acerca da ergonomia e seus procedimentos metodológicos para a elaboração de projetos cromáticos para locais de trabalho. A partir da análise dos resultados foi possível confirmar a hipótese dessa pesquisa e concluir que a Ergonomia Ambiental, por focar na análise do homem realizando o seu trabalho, apresenta-se como um método de intervenção em locais de trabalho capaz de suprir algumas das falhas conceituais das metodologias usuais de planejamento e projeto arquitetônico e cromático. / [en] Among the environment elements existent in the work office place, the color is one of the things that can cause sensations and promote the emotional wellbeing. This research started from the hypothesis that the architecture professionals did not use a methodology that take car of the analysis of the activities in real work situation to the concept of the chromatics projects. This way this work divided itself in two steps: the first part, conceptual, wanted to present a general view of concepts of the study of arts related to the subject. The second part presents a research in the area where it was listened the users-workers from a office work place, that had their place of work totally redressed, including with chromatic changes. Also, it was listened the voice of the architecture professionals, about their knowledge about the ergonomic and its methodological procedures to elaboration of the chromatic projects to work places. From the results of the analysis it was possible to confirm the hypothesis of this research and conclude that the Environmental Ergonomic, because focusing in the man analysis, doing his job, it is presented as an intervention methods in work places, capable of supplying some conceptual failures of the usual methodologies planning and architectonic and chromatic projects.

Einleitung: Arbeitsbedingte Erkrankungen des Muskel-Skelett-Systems sind unter Physiotherapeuten sehr häufig. Die präventive Forschung hat diese Berufsgruppe bisher kaum untersucht. In diesem Zusammenhang stellt die Veränderung des Arbeitsumfeldes einen vielversprechenden Ansatz für die Verhinderung arbeitsbedingter Erkrankungen dar. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Erstellung einer Checkliste zur Bewertung des Arbeitsplatzes eines Physiotherapeuten zu erstellen. Material und Methoden: Es wurde im September 2011 eine Literatursuche mit folgenden Datenbanken und Suchmaschinen durchgeführt: „CEBP“, „Cochrane“, „Ebsco“, „GoogleScholar“, „Medpilot“, „PeDro“, „Pubmed“ und dem Online-Katalog der württembergischen Landesbibliothek. Nach systematischem Aussortieren verblieben 13 Studien und zwei Bücher, zu denen durch unsystematische Suche weitere zwei Bücher hinzukamen. Aus den Suchergebnissen wurden Daten erhoben, die für die Erstellung einer Checkliste relevant sind. Ergebnisse: Es entstand eine literaturgestützte Checkliste, die sowohl direkt angewendet, als auch als Hilfe zur Entwicklung einer individuellen Arbeitsplatzumgestaltung verwendet werden kann. Diskussion: Eine literaturgestützte Checkliste zur Beurteilung des Arbeitsplatzes eines Physiotherapeuten ist, nach Wissensstand des Autors, in dieser Form einzigartig. Jeder einzelne Punkt der Checkliste wird näher und von verschiedenen Blickwinkeln beleuchtet. / Introduction: Work related musculoskeletal disorders are common among physiotherapists. Preventive research examined this profession rarely until today. In this background changing working environment could be an important way to prevent work related illnesses. The aim of this study is the creation of a checklist for assessing the workplace of a physiotherapist. Material and Methods: A search for literature took place in September 2011 in following databases and search engines: “CEBP“, “Cochrane“, “Ebsco“, “GoogleScholar“, “Medpilot“, “PeDro“, “Pubmed“ and the online-catalogue of the “württembergische Landesbibliothek”. After a systematic sort out remained 13 studies and two books to which another two books from an unsystematic search were added. From the results of the searches relevant data to create a checklist were extracted. Results: A literature-based checklist was developed, which can be used directly or as a help to develop an individual workplace change program. Discussion: In the knowledge of the author a literature-based checklist for assessing the workplace of a physiotherapist is unique. Each checklist item is described more closely and discussed separately.

Orientador: João Roberto Gomes Faria / Resumo: O presente estudo trata do desenvolvimento de um mouse específico para idosos buscando atender às necessidades desse público em relação a usabilidade e desempenho considerando os declínios e as debilidades motoras decorrentes do envelhecimento. O modelo proposto, em forma de protótipo, foi avaliado em conjunto com outros quatro modelos de mouse, sendo um padrão, dois ergonômicos verticais e um ergonômico horizontal, por meio de testes de coleta e análise de dados de performance (tempo X número de erros), percepção e usabilidade (agradabilidade, estética, complexidade), antropometria das mãos, avaliação socioeconômica e de caracterização da amostra composta de 40 sujeitos, divididos em dois grupos distintos: Grupo de Idosos Experientes (GIE): foram incluídos neste grupo idosos (acima de 60 anos) que estavam adaptados ao uso do computador de mesa e mouse, n=20; Grupo de Idosos Inexperientes (GII): foram incluídos neste grupo idosos (acima de 60 anos) que não tinham nenhuma experiência com o uso de computador de mesa e mouse, n=20. Após a coleta de dados, três idosos do GIE e um idoso do GII foram descartados por não conseguirem concluir a tarefa. Os resultados mostraram que diferentes tipos de mouse interferem no uso e na percepção, bem como o grupo com menores dimensões na mão obteve melhores resultados em relação ao tempo de movimento, ainda que em relação ao número de erros a diferença não tenha sido relevante. Embora com um baixo ângulo de extensão de punho, o que mantém um... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present study addresses the development of a specific mouse for the elderly seeking to meet the needs of this public regarding usability and performance considering the declines and motor weaknesses resulting from aging. A prototype of the proposed model was evaluated along with four other mouse models, being one standard, two vertical ergonomic and one horizontal ergonomic by means of performance tests – Fitts’ Law test – (time X number of errors), perception and usability (pleasantness, aesthetics, complexity). The sample consisted of 40 subjects divided into two distinct groups: a) Experienced Elderly Group (EEG, n=17); b) Inexperienced Elderly Group (IEG, n=19) who had some or no experience using a desktop and mouse respectively. Results showed the prototype made a positive difference in the average wrist extension angle well below the second best average angle among the other tested models. The results obtained using Fitts’ Law test showed that the proposed mouse model interferes in selection time, movement time and number of errors, considering the mouse design, format, and dimensions. Problems to execute the prototype mouse project, mainly its weight and button which was difficult to click, affected its use and results, causing its performance to be low during its use in both elderly groups (EEG and IEG). There was an exception regarding movement time in the EEG group, where the prototype obtained an average time below one of the models and very close to the time o... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are a disadvantage for companies both from the health and economics view. To reduce them, workstation ergonomics need to be accounted for. Previous ergonomics assessments involved spreadsheets filled and analysed by ergonomists and were regarded as time and resource-consuming, but recent improvements in virtual reality (VR), motion capture (MoCap) and digital human modeling (DHM) tools have open new options for analyses. Workstation redesign is one of the most common ways to improve working conditions, but a proper strategy that allows recording a sequence of actions using VR and assesses ergonomics is needed. Limitations: The strategy was designed for Simumatik, software for virtual commissioning of workstations that wanted to also consolidate itself as a DHM tool. Simumatik and HTC Vive were used as MoCap system and Ergonomics in production platform (EPP) as the assessment tool. Method: Literature review – prestudies and definition of use cases to test strategy and implement in it - requirements and wishes – strategy development – validation of use cases – evaluation. Results: Compared to manual simulations performed manually in IPS IMMA where the user performs same tasks, the strategy output accuracy of 73.3%. However, there are some misinterpretations to fix within the performance of the strategy that would fairly raise it and make the study more realistic, concerning the use cases studied. These mistakes include the posture prediction of the neck and some minor issues with the performance of the use cases. The number of resources vs. development was also studied and it showed that fixing the minor mistakes would raise accuracy close to 80% in the use cases. Adding a chest tracker could make it close to 100% compared to manual simulations in IPS IMMA. Conclusions: The strategy steps were tested and concluded that worked fine, because of the accuracy reached. However, further development of all the parts concerning the strategy is needed. The aim reached was to achieve rough results that could democratize physical ergonomics assessments.

Introduction: Fall-related injuries are exceptionally prevalent in occupational settings. While endangering the workers’ health, falls cause poor productivity and increased economic burden in the workplace. Hence, identifying these threats and training workers to achieve proper postural control is crucial. Purpose: Study 1: To investigate the ankle joint kinematics in unexpected and expected trip responses during single-tasking (ST), dual-tasking (DT), and triple-tasking (TT), before and after a physically fatiguing exercise. Study 2: To investigate the impact of virtual heights, DT, and training on static postural stability and cognitive processing. Methods: Study 1: Twenty collegiate volunteers (10 males and females, one left leg dominant, age 20.35 plus-minus 1.04 years, height 174.83 plus-minus 9.03 cm, mass 73.88 plus-minus 15.55 kg) were recruited. Ankle joint kinematics were recorded while treadmill walking during normal gait (NG), unexpected trip (UT), and expected trip (ET) perturbations with DT and physical fatigue. Study 2: Twenty-eight collegiate volunteers (14 males and females; all right leg dominant; age 20.48 plus-minus 1.26 years; height 172.67 plus-minus 6.66 cm; mass 69.52 plus-minus 13.78 kg; body mass index 23.32 plus-minus 3.54 kg/m2) were recruited. They were exposed to different virtual environments (VEs) over three days with and without DT. Postural sway parameters, lower extremity muscle activity, heart rate, and subjective anxiety parameters were collected. Results: Study 1: Greater maximum ankle angles were observed during UT compared to NG, MDT compared to ST, and TT compared to ST, while greater minimum ankle angles were observed during ET compared to NG and during post-fatigue compared to pre-fatigue. Study 2: Greater postural decrements and poor cognitive processing were observed in high altitudes and DT. Discussion & conclusions: Study 1: Trip recovery responses are different between during DT, TT, and fatigue. Study 2: Static postural stability deteriorates at higher virtual altitudes and with DT, while it improves with a two-day training. Virtual height exposure reduces cognitive performance. Importance: The findings of these studies will provide insights into the biomechanics of falls in ergonomic settings and aid in designing functional and convenient fall prevention programs.

För att förhindra belastningsskador vid manuellt arbete är en korrekt kroppsställning viktig, därför uppstår det problem på arbetsplatser i industrin där operatörer med olika kroppslängd behöver arbete vid en och samma arbetsplats; de får olika kroppsställning beroende på hur hög arbetsytan är belägen. OMT Techcon vill lösa detta problem genom en ergonomisk lyftplattform vilken operatören står på och anpassar arbetshöjden efter sin kroppslängd, detta examensarbetet gick ut på att ta fram ett konceptförslag på en sådan lyftplattform. Arbetet började med en faktainsamling där vad som menas med korrekt kroppsställning vid stående arbete definierades. Även faktainsamling om andra berörda områden som belastningsergonomi, data på människors olika kroppslängder (antropometri) och skydd och säkerhet berördes. Vidare undersöktes det på marknaden aktuella utbudet av ergonomiska lyftplattformar samt olika lyftmekanismer som kunde komma att användas för höjdinställning av plattformen. Ett besök på Volvo i Torslanda gjordes för att bilda en uppfattning av den miljö som plattformen var tänkt att placeras i. Kundbehov för den ergonomiska lyftplattformen identifierades, dels baserat på intervjuer och observationer från operatörer på Volvo men även från andra källor som den faktainsamling som gjorts. Kundbehoven översattes till mer konkreta och mätbara produktspecifikationer som det vidare arbetet förhöll sig till under utvecklingen av den ergonomiska lyftplattformen. Efter att en funktionsbeskrivning bestående av både primära funktioner och stödfunktioner av den ergonomiska lyftplattformen gjorts togs ett antal förslag på olika produktkoncept fram. Koncepten togs fram genom en morfologisk matris baserad på de primära produktfunktionerna och genom brainstorming framtagna lösningsidéer för dessa. Potentialen i de framtagna produktkoncepten analyserades med hjälp av en Kesselringmatris och jämfördes mot ett referensobjekt på en redan befintlig lyftplattform. Det referensobjekt som användes var den lyftplattform med lägsta egenhöjd som hade identifierat under faktainsamlingen. De tre koncept som ansågs ha högst potential valdes ut och dess primära funktioner vidareutvecklades och testades genom olika prototyper. Genom diskussion med beställaren valdes av dessa ett slutgiltigt koncept ut vilket sedan vidareutvecklades med hänsyn till redan behandlade primära funktioner men även stödfunktioner bearbetades tills ett helhetskoncept specificerats / In order to prevent work-related injuries in manual work, a correct body posture is important. Therefore, problems arise in workplaces in the industry where operators of different body length have to work at the same workplace; they get different body positions depending on how high the work area is located. OMT Techcon wants to solve this problem through an ergonomic operator platform which the operator stands on and adjusts the height of work after his or her body length. This degree project was about drafting a concept proposal on such an operator platform. The work began with an information gathering on defining what a correct body posture means. Information gathering on other areas such as strain ergonomics, anthropo- metric data and safety were addressed. Furthermore, the current range of ergonomic lifting platforms and various lifting mechanisms that could be used for height adjustment of the platform were investigated. A visit to Volvo in Torslanda was made to form an idea of the environment in which the platform was intended to be located. Customer needs for the operator platform were identified, partly based on interviews and observations from operators on Volvo, but also from other sources such as the information gathering. Customer needs were translated into more concrete and measurable product specifications that the continued work was based on. After a functional specification consisting of both primary functions and support functions of the ergonomic operator platform was made, a number of suggestions for different product concepts were developed. The concepts were developed through a morphological matrix consisting on the primary product functions and solutions for these functions developed from a brainstorming session. The potential of the developed product concepts was analyzed using a Kesselring matrix where the concepts were compared to a reference object on an already existing operator platform. The reference object used was the one with the lowest self-height that had been identified during the information gathering. The three concepts considered to have the highest potential were selected and its primary functions were further developed and tested through various prototypes. Through discussion with the client, a definite concept was selected from these, which was then further developed with regard to previously treated primary functions, but also support functions were processed until a complete concept was specified.

This report presents the process of a product development of an iron with technicallyimproved functions, an ergonomic evaluation with suggestion of improvement and a designprocess of an iron designed for the context it will be used in. The master thesis was written bytwo master students from Industrial Engineering and Management department of The RoyalInstitute of Technology at the Advanced Development department at Electrolux.A literature study was performed using KTH search tool Primo for articles of scientific heightalong with a state of the art and market analysis and a patent search. After the literature studythe process moved over to an investigation or different ironing methods inspired by thestandard IEC 60311. The result was used in combination with literature study to developtechnical prototypes which concluded in one final product.A user study was completed with a survey, observation and deeper interviews to understandusers’ needs which resulted in insights, personas and customer journeys. The user studyfindings were thereafter analysed and categorised into a list of opportunity of improvements,function analysis and list of requirements. These were used as tools when continuing withidea generation and prototype development. The prototypes resulted in a technical solutionand an ergonomic study focusing on the angle of the handle. User tests were completed withinboth areas which resulted in recommendations and suggestions based on user needs.A design concept was developed alongside the prototyping process. This process consisted ofsketches, models and a final design based on three mood boards describing Electrolux, thecontext the iron is used and design guidelines for the new iron.The final product resulted in an ergonomic and sustainable iron with a design which blendswith the interior of a home. The handle was suggested to be 30o in relation to the soleplate toenable a relaxing posture for the wrist and body. / Denna rapport presenterar en produktutvecklingsprocess av ett strykjärn med teknisktförbättrade funktioner, en ergonomisk utvärdering med förslag på förbättring och endesignprocess av ett strykjärn designat för det sammanhang det används i. Examensarbetetslutfördes av två master studenter från Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, KTH, förPrimärutvecklingsavdelningen på Electrolux.En litteraturstudie utfördes med hjälp av KTHs sökverktyg Primo för artiklar av vetenskaplighöjd tillsammans med en State of the Art, marknadsanalys och en patentsökning. Efterlitteraturstudien fortsatte processen med en undersökning av olika strykningsmetoder medhjälp av standarden IEC 60311. Resultatet användes i kombination med litteraturstudien vidutveckling av tekniska prototyper.En användarstudie genomfördes inkluderande en enkätundersökning, observation ochdjupare intervjuer för att förstå användarnas behov. Detta resulterade i flera insikter, personasoch kundresor. Resultatet av användarstudierna analyserades därefter och sammanfattadestill en lista med möjligheter till förbättringar, en funktionsanalys och kravspecifikation. Dessaanvändes som verktyg i det fortsatta arbetet med idégenerering och prototyputveckling.Prototyperna resulterade i en teknisk lösning och en ergonomisk studie med fokus påhandtagets vinkel. Användartester utfördes för båda prototypområdena, vilket resulterade irekommendationer och förslag baserat på användarnas behov.Ett designkoncept utvecklades parallellt med de två prototypprocesserna. Denna processbestod av skisser, modeller och en slutlig design baserad på tre MoodBoards, en som beskriverElectrolux, en för omgivningen som strykjärnet används och en med design riktlinjer för detnya strykjärnet.Slutprodukten resulterade i ett ergonomiskt och hållbart strykjärn med en design som passarin i ett hem. Handtaget föreslås vara 30o mot stryksulan för att möjliggöra en meravslappnande hållning för handleden och kroppen.

Syfte Syftet med denna studie har varit att studera och inventera en arbetsgrupp med lokalvårdares uppfattning om arbetsvillkor, ergonomi och i vilken utsträckning hälsofrämjande aktiviteter utövades under eller efter arbetstid. Bakgrund: Ett intresse finns bland arbetsgivarna att förbättra arbetstagarnas hälsotillstånd och muskuloskeletala hälsa då det är möjligt att minska sjukfrånvaron och påverka produktiviteten. Olika diskurser förespråkar att yrkesrelaterade hälsoproblem kan lösas med olika typer av träning. Känsligheten för att drabbas av belastningsskador varierar mellan individer. Brister i den organisatoriska och psykosociala miljön kan påverka hälsan negativt. Klass och kön har stor inverkan på hur vi kan påverka och forma våra liv både privat och i arbetslivet. Enligt jämställdhetsbarometern råder det fortfarandestora stora klass- och könsskillnader i arbetslivet, och personer i arbetsyrken har i allmänhet en sämre arbetsmiljö Metod: Metodansatsen för denna studie har varit en kombination av flera metoder som följer; Enkäter QPS Nordic 34+ avseende psykosocial och organisatorisk arbetsmiljö. Kompletterande frågor (KFS) om kondition, ergonomi och träningsvanor. Fältarbete i form av observationer och intervjuer. Deltagarna bestod av 56 lokalvårdare/städare. Resultat: Resultaten visade att en övervägande andel enligt QPS ansåg att arbetsgivarens intresse för personalens hälsa var lågt och hälften ansåg att det fanns betydande brister i organisationskultur och organisationsklimat som inte var tillräckligt stödjande, liksom i interaktion på arbetsplatsen samt i arbetskrav. På den positiva sidan såg de allra flesta sig själva som yrkesskickliga. Resultaten från intervjuerna visade att en förbättrad introduktion, vi-känsla, socialt stöd och grupptillhörighet, bättre arbetsorganisering. hjälpmedel, transporter samt trivselskapande aktiviteter skulle förbättra arbetsmiljön. Enligt KFS-frågorna visade en övervägande andel svalt intresse att delta i en grupp för att prova motions- och friskvårdsaktiviteter. En övervägande andel ansåg dock att deras hälsotillstånd kunde förbättras måttligt eller avsevärt. Stresshantering och avspänning var något som önskades, liksom intresse för konditionsförbättrande aktiviteter, friskvård under arbetstid och egenvalda aktiviteter. Många ansåg sig redan ha kunskap om ergonomi. Studien gör inte anspråk på att vara generaliserbar men avser att bidra till ökat lärande om interventioner och deras förutsättningar. Slutsats: Genomgående i alla metoder framkom brister i arbetskrav, organisationskultur och ledarskap, arbetsklimat och interaktion, belöning och stöd i den psykosociala och organisatoriska arbetsmiljön vilka sammanföll med kategorierna i QPSNordic34 + och vad som framkom från KFS. De flesta (80%) önskade förbättra sin hälsa och lika många (80%) ansåg att arbetsgivarens intresse för de anställdas hälsa var lågt. Stress och tidspress var vanligt hos 70% och 65% upplevde bristande ledarskap. Belöning och trivselfaktorer var andra områden som 66% var missnöjda med. De flesta städare ansåg det viktigt med ergonomiaspekten för den totala arbetsbelastningen samt att arbetsorganisationen var viktig för god ergonomi. Studien har visat att det fanns en brist på hälsofrämjande strategi för att motivera medarbetarna till en aktörsroll Den forskning som presenterades av Marmot (2006) överensstämmer med vad som framkom i studien, att obalans i livssituationen, ojämlik arbetsmarknad och att arbetsförhållandena är faktorer viktiga för den sociala gradienten. Ju högre upp i hierarkin och status en individ befinner sig desto bättre hälsa. Därför är fler studier om lokalvårdarnas psykosociala och organisatoriska arbetsmiljö eftersträvansvärda.