Implications for the health of workers using computers in the molds sector: Comparative study between fixed and portable computers

The national legislation defines the minimum of safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment, as well as features that should comply the displays, keyboards, mouse, desks and chairs. The article 4 of Decree-Law No. 349/93 states that "The display screen equipment should not be a source of risk to the safety and health of workers" Based on this Article 4, the increased use of laptops, for business in the moulds industry, this research aims to compare the ergonomic implications in the use of fixed and portable computers. The research plan was supported by a quantitative methodology of collecting, recording and analyzing data. In this study, the collection of information was made by using the following research techniques: Observation and evaluation of jobs with fixed and portable computer; Questionnaire for workers in jobs with fixed and portable computer, with the goal of identifying grievances felt. The results point towards the research hypotheses formulated, ie, there are differences between the discomfort reported by workers using fixed and portable computers, and there are differences between the conditions of jobs with fixed computer and conditions of employment with laptop.