Exploring the ergonomic assessment methods of ERGO WHS posture analysis app for Apple devices

Safety and health and industrial hygiene professionals rely on accurate and precise tools to perform their jobs. Apps are being developed to aid in the field, but many professional are questioning the quality of these apps. This project examined an app for analyzing sitting posture called ERGO WSH.;The project had three objectives: 1. To test the association between the analyst and app regarding agreement with ANSI standards. 2. To test for repeatability and reproducibility of analysts performing postural assessments using the ERGO WHS computer ergonomic app. 3. To evaluate the ERGO WSH app measurement system analysis for body angles using two methods: controlled measurement versus experimental measurements.;A faculty member volunteered to pose for lateral photographs while assuming six different postures at a computer workstation. These six postures consisted of three conforming and three nonconforming to the ANSI Standards for computer workstation postures. Three graduate students with backgrounds in ergonomics and anatomy participated as analysts. They randomly analyzed the six postures using the ERGO WSH app at two different times.;Results for Objective 1 indicated that a posture evaluated for conformance/nonconformance to the ANSI Standard did not show very good agreement when using the app compared to using a method with visible markers on the subjects clothing. Results for Objective 2 indicated the app method showed acceptable but not strong repeatability and reproducibility. Except for wrist angle, results for Objective 3 showed the app method for marking key joint angles produced angles similar to those produced using a method based on the subject having visible markers on his clothing. Wrist angle measurements were significantly different. The results of these statistical analyses do not support using the app metrics as used for this project. The author suspects that more structured training, with feedback, could improve performance of analysts.