Assessment of Employees' Ergonomic Issues in The Workplace in Terms of Occupational Health and Safety Practices: A Meta-Analysis Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study is a meta-analysis aimed at evaluating ergonomic issues in workplaces in terms of occupational health and safety practices. Materials and Methods: This study is of a meta-analytic nature. Data used in the meta-analysis were obtained through searches on databases such as Google Scholar, YÖK Thesis, EBSCO, and Web Of Science without any time restrictions between January and March 2024. A total of 15 research studies were included in the search results. The data obtained were synthesized using narrative synthesis and meta-analysis methods. The total sample size of the studies used in this study is 65,160. Results: In this meta-analysis study, it was found that the practices implemented for addressing ergonomic issues faced by employees in the workplace were effective (SMD: 0.367, 95% CI: 0.055-0.679; Z = 2.305, p = 0.021, I2 = 97.761%, Q = 625.169). The variance among studies is statistically significant according to the analysis results (p < 0.05). It is believed that challenges related to the structure of work in workplaces lead to various discomforts in employees, and therefore, ergonomic practices can minimize physical strains on employees, contribute to work efficiency, and enhance employee health and safety.

Keywords

• Ergonomic risk factors
• Quasi-experimental studies
• Meta-analysis

Çalışanların İşyerindeki Ergonomik Sorunlarının İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Uygulamaları Açısından Değerlendirilmesi: Bir Meta-Analiz Çalışması

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, işyerlerinde ergonomik konuların iş sağlığı ve güvenliği uygulamaları açısından değerlendirilmesini amaçlayan bir meta-analizdir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışma meta-analitik niteliktedir. Meta-analizde kullanılan veriler Ocak-Mart 2024 tarihleri arasında herhangi bir zaman kısıtlaması olmaksızın Google Akademik, YÖK Tez, EBSCO ve Web Of Science gibi veri tabanlarında yapılan taramalarla elde edilmiştir. Arama sonuçlarına toplam 15 araştırma dahil edilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler anlatı sentezi ve meta-analiz yöntemleri kullanılarak sentezlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada kullanılan çalışmaların toplam örneklem büyüklüğü 65.160'tır. Sonuçlar: Bu meta-analiz çalışmasında, çalışanların işyerinde karşılaştıkları ergonomik sorunları ele almak için yapılan uygulamaların etkili olduğu bulunmuştur (SMD: 0.367, %95 GA: 0.055-0.679; Z = 2.305, p = 0.021, I2 = %97.761, Q = 625.169). Analiz sonuçlarına göre çalışmalar arasındaki varyans istatistiksel olarak anlamlıdır (p < 0.05). İşyerlerinde işin yapısıyla ilgili zorlukların çalışanlarda çeşitli rahatsızlıklara yol açtığı ve bu nedenle ergonomik uygulamaların çalışanlar üzerindeki fiziksel zorlanmaları en aza indirebileceği, iş verimliliğine katkıda bulunabileceği ve çalışan sağlığı ve güvenliğini artırabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Keywords

• Ergonomik risk faktörleri
• Yarı deneysel çalışmalar
• Meta-analiz

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