The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was designed to quickly quantify risks associated with
computer work and to establish an action level for change based on reports of worker discomfort.
Computer use risk factors were identified in previous research and standards on office design for the
chair, monitor, telephone, keyboard and mouse. The risk factors were diagrammed and coded as
increasing scores from 1 to 3. ROSA final scores ranged in magnitude from 1 to 10, with each successive
score representing an increased presence of risk factors. Total body discomfort and ROSA final scores for
72 office workstations were significantly correlated (R ¼ 0.384). ROSA final scores exhibited high interand
intra-observer reliability (ICCs of 0.88 and 0.91, respectively). Mean discomfort increased with
increasing ROSA scores, with a significant difference occurring between scores of 3 and 5 (out of 10). A
ROSA final score of 5 might therefore be useful as an action level indicating when immediate change is
necessary. ROSA proved to be an effective and reliable method for identifying computer use risk factors
related to discomfort.
2011 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.