Application of Ergonomics in Helwan University Libraries: An evaluation study

Abstract

The study objective is to evaluate the current ergonomic situation of the design of the work station in the libraries of Helwan University. This is to determine the positives and monitoring the negatives in the current work station and to identify the effect of the current design of the Helwan libraries. As to the effect of the health and physical state of the librarians and the users at the Helwan University libraries, and study the feasibility of applying the ergonomics standard in libraries at Helwan University. The study was based on the field survey methodology to obtain detailed and accurate information on the current situation of the design of the workstation in Helwan University libraries, (sample study), through the following data collection tools are: checklist, a questionnaire for librarians, and a questionnaire for users. The most important results of the study are the lack of compatibility of the design requirements in the workstation of most of the libraries under the ergonomics standard, and the dissatisfaction of the librarians and the users of the design of the workstation in most of the studied sample libraries. The study also showed that the library administrations did not organize any of the training courses on awareness of how to avoid occupational injuries, and there is no knowledge of the librarian on ergonomics and how to follow the principles of ergonomics in action to maintain occupational health and safety.

     The study concluded with a number of recommendations the most important of which was the necessity of cooperation between the University Administration and the General Administration of Libraries to prepare the ergonomics program, for the development and redesign of the workstation at Helwan University libraries. The need of ergonomics is to raise the level of satisfaction of librarians and the satisfaction of users for the library services provided by the library, and make the library services more effectively.  The allocation of breaks for employees to relax, and to have some exercises that help to maintain a health body and avoid occupational injuries. With the provision for a suitable area and the need to develop a specialized training courses for the libraries ergonomics programs is the correct way to perform the work without causing injuries.