A computing task ergonomic risk assessment tool for assessing risk factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders

Observation method remains to be the most widely applied method in assessing exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) related to office works because it is inexpensive and applicable to wide range of office jobs. However, the existing research that applied this method was mainly focused to a limited range of office components and computer accessories such as seat pan, keyboards, mouse, monitor and telephone. In addition, further testing of reliability and validity of the observational method was less reported. This study was conducted to propose the new office ergonomic risk assessment (OFFERA) method to assess a wide range of office risk factors related to WMSDs, which include office components and office environment where this method covers both right and left side of the body part. The initial development of OFFERA method was divided into two stages, the development of OFFERA system components and psychometric properties of OFFERA method. In reliability testing, the results of inter and intra observer reliability recorded good (K=0.62-0.78) and very good (K=0.81-0.96) agreement among the observers. Meanwhile, in validity testing, the relationship of the final score of OFFERA to the musculoskeletal symptoms statistically shows a significant value for wrists/hands (χ²=7.942; p=0.047), lower back (χ²=13.478; p=0.000), knees (χ²=7.001; p=0.008), and ankle/leg (χ²=5.098; p=0.024). The usability testing shows that the OFFERA method was easy and quick to be used (mean 4.48 ± 0.821) and applicable for wide range of office working activities (mean 4.02 ± 0.952). Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the OFFERA method was found to be practically reliable and applicable for wide range of office work-related activities

Micro-peat as a potential low-cost adsorbent material for COD and NH3-N removal

Micro-peat (M-P) was demonstrated in the present study as a potential low cost natural adsorbent for the removal of COD and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) from landfill leachate. A series of batch experiments were carried out under fixed conditions and the influence of mixture ratio was investigated. The characteristics of leachate were then determined. Results indicated that leachate is non-biodegradable with high concentration of COD (2739.06 mg/L), NH3-N (1765.34 mg/L) and BOD5/COD ratio (0.09). The optimum ratio for activated carbon (AC) and M-P in the removal of COD and NH3-N obtained were at 2.5:1.5 (87%) and 1.0:3.0 (65%) respectively. The low-cost natural adsorbent used in the present investigation is an attractive alternative to the conventional adsorbent (AC). Thus, M-P can be appropriated for use in leachate treatment that could be cost-effective due its local availability and adsorption property