Work - Volume 33, issue 3

Authors: Shih, Yi-Nuo | Huang, Rong-Hwa | Chiang, Han-sun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It is a common phenomenon for office workers {to listen to music} while executing daily routines at their desks. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between work concentration level and background music. This research would first follow examples in previous researches, and then explore the influence of background music on participants' scores on attention tests. We hope to gain a preliminary understanding of the possible influence of background music on people's focus …and concentration when doing work. Thirty-two college students were separated into three controlled groups; all were given the attention test. Group [a] listened to background music while being tested for 10 minutes; group [b] had no background music at all; and group [c] listened to the music for 10 minutes prior to the attention test. The test was conducted in a "noise free" environment. The means and error rates for each group were then calculated. The findings showed that, in comparison with "no music at all", those who listened to music prior to testing obtained higher scores in attentiveness (most probably a supplemental effect of the music), whereas those who listened to music during attention test showed extremely high level of variation in attention test scoring. Background music does affect people's job-site behavior. In fact, all three test conditions – no background music at all, background music before the work shift, and background music during work – have affected worker performance on different levels. Show more

Keywords: "piped-in" music, attention test, occupational form, occupational performance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0880

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 329-333, 2009

Authors: Marshall, Russell | Porter, J. Mark | Sims, Ruth | Summerskill, Steve | Gyi, Diane | Case, Keith

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper describes research carried out at Loughborough University in the UK into the areas of 'design for all' and accessible transport. The research addresses two common needs for designers and ergonomists working towards developing more inclusive products and environments, namely data on users that is accessible, valid, and applicable and a means of utilising the data to assess the accessibility of designs during the early stages of development. HADRIAN is a computer-based inclusive design tool …that has been developed to support designers in their efforts to develop products that meet the needs of a broader range of users. Currently HADRIAN is being expanded to support transport design. This includes data on an individual's ability to undertake a variety of transport-related tasks, such as vehicle ingress/egress, coping with uneven surfaces, steps, street furniture and complex pedestrian environments. The subsequent use of this data will be supported either through a task analysis system that will allow a designer to evaluate a design for a part of the transport infrastructure (ticket barrier, train carriage etc.), or alternatively allow the designer or an end user to evaluate a whole journey. The 'journey planner' feature of the HADRIAN tool will compare an individual's physical, cognitive and emotional abilities with the demands placed upon that individual by the mode(s) of transport available and the route options selected. It is envisaged that these developments will prove extremely useful to users, designers, planners and all those involved with transport use and implementation. Show more

Keywords: Inclusive design, design for all, transport, human modelling, SAMMIE, HADRIAN

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0881

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 335-344, 2009

Authors: Dahl, Søren | Kaerlev, Linda | Jensen, Anker | Tüchsen, Finn | Hannerz, Harald | Nielsen, Per Sabro | Olsen, Jørn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Personal lifestyle and working conditions are closely linked for long haul truck drivers. We compare lifestyle related diseases in long haul drivers with other drivers of goods and the working population at large. Standardized hospital treatment ratios (SHR) for lifestyle related diseases were compared for long haul truck drivers and other truck drivers to the working population at large. The follow up group comprised of 2,175 long haul drivers and 15,060 other truck drivers. An increased …risk was found for lifestyle related diseases among truck drivers except for alcohol related diseases. We identified a strong association between hospital treatment for obesity and working as a driver and an association between diabetes and working as a driver. No major differences in lifestyle related diseases were found in long haul drivers compared to other truck drivers with the exception of a significant lower risk for alcohol-related diseases and a possibly higher risk for lung cancer in long haul drivers. It is concluded that diseases related to excess caloric intake or lack of exercise may be a problem for truck drivers. This risk is preventable and of importance both in occupational medicine as in public health. Show more

Keywords: Lifestyle related diseases, long haul truck driver, diabetes, obesity, chronic ischaemic heart disease, alcohol related diseases, lung cancer

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0882

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 345-353, 2009

Authors: Bellemare, Marie | Beaugrand, Sylvie | Larue, Christian | Champoux, Danièle

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A study was conducted to identify possible solutions for redesigning a subway cab in order to improve the posture of drivers working in a restricted space. The approach used included the participation of a working group comprised of operations, maintenance, and engineering managers as well as several drivers. After 6 meetings in which different simulation techniques were used, the working group proposed changes for increasing the available space inside the cab and three seat designs. The …involvement of the actors from the three departments affected by the changes, as well as the operators, throughout the process, was a determining factor in the advancement and acceptance of the projects. The fact that 400 cars are currently in service and must be modified means that it will take several years to implement the modifications in the entire fleet. Show more

Keywords: Redesign, subway driver, participatory approach

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0883

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 355-361, 2009

Authors: Jensen, Anker | Dahl, Søren

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Major industrialised countries, like the United States, Canada, Australia and countries of the European Union (EU) have Hours-of-Service (HoS) regulations for truck drivers that stipulate duration of continuous driving and rest periods. The purported aim is the improvement of road safety by reducing fatigue and drowsiness, but the regulations can also have a strong impact on the working conditions for drivers. Better working conditions for truck drivers is one of the aims of the EU HoS …regulations, but they do not seem to fully produce the desired benefits. Truck drivers continue to have a high prevalence of back disorders, which have been linked with the time spent driving. They also have a high incidence of heart disease, which might be due to stress factors at work. Stress levels can be affected by HoS regulations, that leave the driver little job control and lead to social isolation. HoS regulations could contribute more to the improvement of working conditions of truck drivers through counteracting irregular work schedules, night driving and social isolation. Moving the focus from simple control of time spent driving or not driving to fatigue management could improve job control and working conditions for truck drivers without loss of traffic safety. Show more

Keywords: Hours of service, truck driver, fatigue, health effects, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0884

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 363-368, 2009

Authors: Leyshon, Rhysa T.

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0908

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 369-372, 2009

Authors: Leyshon, Rhysa

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0909

Citation: Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 373-379, 2009