Purchase individual online access for 1 year to this journal.
Price: EUR 250.00
ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: This paper investigates new opportunities for ergonomic design based on advanced computer simulated musculoskeletal modeling. The approach is inspired by the influence that other advanced computer-aided engineering technologies have had on product design. The background to the musculoskeletal modeling approach (AnyBody Modeling System) is briefly explained and illustrated by means of a hand sawing task. Simple design modifications to the handle of the saw provide empirical data about muscle forces on which designers can use to enhance product design. It is concluded that musculoskeletal simulation has the potential to significantly improve ergonomic design of many tools and products that derive…their value from interfacing with the human body.
Show more
Abstract: Although there is strong evidence that single physical, psychosocial and organisational risk factors are each independent predictors of low back symptoms (LBS) and its consequences, little is known about their combination/interaction. A preliminary study was conducted among 673 workers as part of a larger study (n=1294) in a coal mining company in Indonesia. A self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain physical and psychosocial exposures, and organisational factors. Each participant was grouped into one of four combination exposure groups: 1) high physical (working with bent trunk, whole body vibration exposure, lifting) and high psychosocial (high effort, low reward, work stress), 2)…high physical and low psychosocial, 3) low physical and high psychosocial, 4) low physical and low psychosocial (as the reference group). Individuals in the high physical and high psychosocial group were the most likely to report LBS (OR 3.47 95% CI 1.81-6.64), reduced activities (OR 6.94 95% CI 1.58-30.49) and absenteeism (OR 7.01 95% CI 2.04-24.10). Permanent workers were more likely to report LBS and its consequences whereas night shift work increased the risk of LBS consequences. Interventions to reduce LBS and its consequences should address both physical and psychosocial factors, with a focus on permanent and night shift workers.
Show more
Abstract: The paper show an application of Virtual Reality (VR) tools and Digital Human Modeling (DHM) methods to improve simulation of assembly tasks in order to achieve an ergonomic optimization of future workcells in car assembly plants. The goal is to perform the simulation in the very early phase of product and process development, when changes to project solutions are easy and costless. Generating synthetic motion with a Digital Human Modeling (DHM) tool that is ergonomically optimized for (eventually different) ergonomic indexes is a longstanding problem in the simulation analysis of ergonomics aspects of workcells. An ergonomic criterion which allows to…classify a movement as a ergonomic or not, could be very useful to develop a new approach to synthetic motion generation in postural analysis. The application described is based on Motion Tracking techniques that allow to acquire human movements during a common assembly operation and to obtain the most important kinematic and information to characterize the movements. The results allow to evaluate ergonomics aspects of the synthetically generate motion on the base of statistical and wavelet analysis. By moving a 3D human model, it is possible to verify if the simulation of an assembly task is within an ergonomic criterion.
Show more
Keywords: Virtual simulation, motion capture, ergonomic classification, digital human modeling, statistical analysis
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1071-6120
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6120-6126, 2012
Abstract: This paper proposes a discussion about the possibilities to link strategic decisions to working activities performed by workers. In that sense contributions from activities analysis could be considered in order to design and manage production.
Keywords: Working activities, Ergonomic Work Analysis, Strategic decisions, Organization Design
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1072-6127
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6127-6132, 2012
Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are extremely common health problem and have important consequences for the individual and the society which are affecting millions of European workers across all employment sectors. One of the main objectives of TIAM is to collect good practices in prevention of WMSDs and disseminate the good practice to all the regions. Three documents related to collect good practices (Good practices definition, Good practices report form and Questionnaire form for regional policy) had been sent to all the participant regions. Good practices and successful experiences or innovations in WMSDs prevention have been collected from 5 European regions.…A good practice database has been developed based on 8 categories: TIAM region; Sector; Topic; WMSDs relevance; Work activities; Risk assessment methodology; Results of reassessment and Impact on performance. Finally, the database has been successfully uploaded onto the website (www.TIAM.eu) in order to share knowledge and promote good practices in WMSDs prevention. Collecting good practices based on a collaborative platform for preventing WMSDs will not only help companies improve and maintain healthy and safe working conditions, but will also promote the creation of new solutions in the field of WMSD and injuries prevention.
Show more
Keywords: Good practice, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), occupational risk prevention, toolkits, safety and health in workplace
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1073-6133
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6133-6138, 2012
Abstract: This paper aims to present an assessment of the visual demand of typical data entry tasks in two popular navigation systems among iPhone Brazilians users - TomTom App and iGO Primo App. Applying the extended KLM technique, the total times to perform the tasks with interruptions were estimated, with which it was possible to evaluate the potential for driver distraction as per criteria established by some recommended practices of automotive industry. With the results obtained, it was identified that the main issues that lead to increased visual demand afforded by the systems are related to the amount of screens that…are required in the process of data entry and the failure to implement iOS features in applications developed for it.
Show more
Abstract: As part of research into occupational doctors' practices in the field of MSD prevention, the objective is to explore the differences between occupational health physicians in practices between men and women employees' ability to return to work. Diagnosis is based on what they are able to do or not do in their day-to-day life. The way the employees are questioned is often stereotypical depending on family roles and gender-related characteristics: housework for women, doing DIY or gardening for men. A part from this stereotypical style of questioning, the occupation health physician' actions when writing out ability restrictions for men and…women are often linked to the employees' work context. Indeed, employees can be exposed unequally to MSDs, and this sometimes leads to real job issues. Yet, underlying these common practices, the way the back-to-work medical visit with a female or male employee is organised differs according to the occupational doctor's gender. One of the main differences is the way the doctors manage their relationship with the employees.
Show more
Keywords: gender, MSD, occupational health physician, activity
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1075-6145
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6145-6152, 2012
Abstract: Washington State passed Safe Patient Handling legislation (ESHB 1672) for hospitals in 2006 with full implementation by 2010. We assessed the impact of the legislation by comparing workers compensation claims rates for Washington State hospitals (with) nursing homes (without) over this period, focusing on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). We also compared implementation of SPH in Washington State hospitals (with legislation) to comparable hospitals in Idaho (no legislation) via focus groups and surveys. Over the study period, hospital WC rates for WMSDs declined more rapidly than nursing home WC rates. Washington hospital nursing staff reported significantly greater SPH implementation than Idaho…nursing staff.
Show more
Abstract: The focus of the present analysis is on the work of drivers in the public road passenger transportation sector in Portugal and on its specific contribution to local development. This approach dissociates itself from the one that places mobility as a “paradigm” of the contemporary societies and considers that the increase in mobility registered in the latter years is, in itself, revealing of development. For field work, a public transportation line, in an urban context, and a network of lines, in a rural context were chosen. In each of these contexts, the drivers' work was analyzed in real situations and…semi-structured interviews were held with 16 of them: ten drivers in an urban context and six in a rural context. Considering the point of view of the work activity, enabled us to abandon the dominant perspectives that tend to highlight the social inequality of the mobility conditions (between those who use a private vehicle and those who need to use public transportation), to reflect on the characteristics of the mobility spaces which benefit or limit it, contributing to other inequalities. What is the importance of the space for mobility besides its support? How is it considered in the drivers' work?
Show more
Abstract: This study discusses issues related to work in the certification process of Organic Production Units (OPU). Data was collected from ten producers in the region of Campinas, Sao Paulo Brazil, which represent the majority of producers of certified organic vegetables and fruits. The methodology used was an adaptation of Ergonomic Work Analysis method, and structured interviews. As OPU are small and most people perform many tasks related to the various work systems, there is little specialization. Their activities are uncomfortable, awkward physical postures and significant efforts are necessary to perform the work in horticulture. Tasks are predominantly manual and just…a few of them can count on the help of mechanization. The certification process and it's maintenance have several implications for farmers, on top of the paperwork, there is an universe of work already so full of activities demanded by the production and marketing systems. The complex context of production, mainly because of its diversity, associated with lack of financial resources and technology, demands from organic farmers to build multiple strategies for business survival. Certification can, contrary to what is expected represent another barrier to the expansion of organic production.
Show more
Keywords: organic agriculture, ergonomics, ergonomic work analysis, certification processes, certifiers
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1078-6162
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 6162-6167, 2012
