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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: It is known that many older people have difficulties in performing daily living activities such as cooking. These are due to the demands of the tasks and the changes in functional capabilities of the older people. This study examines cooking tasks performed by the aged that includes preparing and cooking meals, and storing kitchen tools in the kitchen. The objectives are to investigate the cooking difficulties encounter by older people and the safety concerning cooking tasks. This study focuses on individuals of age 65 years and above who can cook for themselves and/or family. Data were collected through observation, interviews,…questionnaires and role play methods. The findings revealed that the common problems were due to the awkward body position where subjects had to bend down to take things from lower shelves, taking/storing things on higher shelves and cleaning the cooker. Moreover, the safety concerns were the layout of work centres (storage, cooker and sink), the use of cooker and opening packaging. It can be concluded that cooking difficulties are caused by inappropriate kitchen design and the decline of functional capabilities in older people.
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Abstract: A field study in an automotive supply industry company was conducted to explore age-differentiated strain of assembly line workers. Subjective and objective data from 23 female workers aged between 27 and 57 years were collected at the workplace belt buckle assembly during morning shifts. Subjects with medication or chronic diseases affecting heart rate and breath rate were excluded. For subjective data generation different questionnaires were used. Before the Work Ability Index and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire were completed by the subjects. Short questionnaires (strain-ratings, NASA-TLX) directly at begin and end of the work were used for obtaining shift-related data. During…the whole shift (6 a.m. – 2.45 p.m.) bodily functions were logged with a wireless chest strap. In addition, the motion of the hand-arm-system was recorded for 30 times, 3 minutes each after a fixed time-schedule. First results show that younger subjects need significant less time for assembly (mean = 14.940 s) compared to older subjects (mean = 17.040 s; t(472.026) = -9.278 , p < 0.01).
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Keywords: field study, aging, assembly, subjective and objective data
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1002-5160
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5160-5166, 2012
Abstract: This symposium describes collaborative research on neuroergonomics, technology, and cognition being conducted at George Mason University and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as part of the Center of Excellence in Neuroergonomics, Technology, and Cognition (CENTEC). Six presentations describe the latest developments in neuroergonomics research conducted by CENTEC scientists. The individual papers cover studies of: (1) adaptive learning systems; (2) neurobehavioral synchronicity during team performance; (3) genetics and individual differences in decision making; (4) vigilance and mindlessness; (5) interruptions and multi-tasking; and (6) development of a simulation capability that integrates measures across these domains and levels of analysis.
Keywords: Neuroergonomics, technology, cognition
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0094-5167
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5167-5171, 2012
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that the job knowledge and prudent knowledge of experienced workers constitute a wealth that needs to be shared in workplaces to promote worker integration, job retention and occupational health and safety. It appears, however, that certain management practices undermine this knowledge sharing process. This case study of food service helpers in institutional food service departments is part of a research project aimed at comparing the impact of different work organization methods on knowledge sharing in the workplace on the basis of case studies carried out in several organizations. The results of this case study reveal that…by destabilizing and weakening the work teams, flexible management practices create an environment that is not conducive to experiential knowledge sharing.
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Keywords: Knowledge management, flexibility, precarious work, service, work analysis
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0805-5172
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5172-5176, 2012
Abstract: This work was undertaken in France at the request of a local fire and rescue school in order to conduct an analysis of driving two types of heavy rescue vehicle with a view to improving training. This study took place in a context of specialisation: the drivers of these vehicles will henceforth only perform this type of task. Consequently, specific training has been designed in advance. Our study concerns the improvement of this training, taking account of the particularities of driving these vehicles in emergency situations typical to the profession of fire-fighters. The results stress first that driving of rescue…vehicles in emergency situations is a multidimensional collective activity. Driving strategies identified share certain common objectives: “optimising trajectories”, warn other road users, anticipate their behaviour and leave room for manoeuvre to counter and react to any unexpected behaviour. They include risks management for the potential victims of the incident and the risk of accidents during the journey. These initial results help identify certain recommendations for the training courses dealing with driving vehicles in emergency situations. They also provide a warning concerning the possible consequences of driver specialisation.
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Keywords: Fire-fighters, Driving strategies, Collective activities, Training, Activity work analysis
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0806-5177
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5177-5183, 2012
Abstract: Jury members involved in the validation of prior learning (VPL) are supposed to draw parallels between the skills the candidate has acquired and the criteria established in relation to the frame of reference. The recalibration of criteria is a form of collective work. During meetings, jury members face common obstacles together. They try to sidestep the prescribed work and then collectively take ownership of it. Collective meetings allow responsibilities to be shared. This contrast between the imposition of extremely narrow prescribed work and the possibility of modifying prescribed work during collective meetings, sets a dialogic process in motion. Such a…process gives jury members the opportunity to evolve in their practices. This ensures that jury members are always in a position to reflect on their own methods of action.
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Keywords: validation of prior learning, work-based analysis, prescribed work, actual work, dialogic tool, judgment
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0807-5184
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5184-5188, 2012
Abstract: Currently, the different forms of corporate management methods (quality circles, lean manufacturing, etc.) are usually based on employee mobilisation. Very often, the goal of this type of approach is at best, to ensure that employees embrace corporate projects, or otherwise to impose changes on them without taking into account the real work and difficulties that they face daily. However, do these employee solicitation methods converge with participatory approaches as envisaged by ergonomists and more generally, preventionists? Based on the observation that the activity of institutional preventionists evolves with regulatory constraints and work related to the monitoring of indicators, the implementation…and steering of the participatory approach within companies may be a major lever for prevention. After describing the foundations of a participatory approach, this paper will present a training experiment aimed at implementing and promoting employee participation in prevention efforts. The content of this training is then analysed with regard to the balance between methodology and the use of trainees’ narratives. The results of the training session are presented from the point of view of the development prospects for pedagogical tools and the organisation of the training.
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Keywords: Ergonomic work analysis, Active participation, Preventionists’, professional practices, Professional narratives, Conditions and learning process
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0808-5189
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5189-5195, 2012
Abstract: One of the dimensions of work that is not well known in training is teamwork and the work of the team leader. The team leader is the personne who provides local supervision. Teachers and trainers, as well as business employers aknowledge the place and importance of teamwork and the role of the team leader. However, most consider themselves, insufficiently prepared to offer training in line with these elements. This paper thus aims to present the results of an analysis of group work in the field of landscaping conducted from the perspective of team work and team leader learning and training.
Keywords: professionnal didactics, team work, team leader, learning situation
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0809-5196
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5196-5202, 2012
Abstract: This communication presents part of an international project focused on the work of trainers from an ergonomics perspective. The objective is to identify in the French vocational training system the various types of job status of trainers and their impact on working conditions and health. In order to explore this issue, we met with 11 trainers, all volunteers, working in the music or human resources sectors. Semi-structured interviews and transcriptions of two weeks of the trainers’ professional schedules form the data collected. The analyses show that trainers have various job statuses as trainers and sometimes hold down several jobs at…the same time. These working situations create freedom but lack security. With very long daily or weekly working hours, the relationships with trainees and clients are qualified as both very interesting, but also one of the most difficult aspects of the work. The 11 trainers, who considered themselves to be in good health, do however declare infrapathological disorders, which they often relate to their working conditions. These findings are discussed with regard to the literature and raise issues relating to ergonomic methods in activity analysis and situated action.
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Keywords: trainers, activity, working conditions, job status, perceived health
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0810-5203
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5203-5209, 2012
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to contribute to the analysis of employment and work conditions of Portuguese trainers, as well as to identify conditions, resources, demands and constraints of their work activities. Despite the lack of scientific knowledge on professional training, the topic has been playing a central role in modern societies. Several data collection strategies were used, namely the application of INSAT to 72 trainers, exploratory interviews with 10 trainers and collective interviews with 6 trainers. The analysis of the data collected highlights the changes in the selection of human resources in the sector as well as…the contractual terms of the trainers, mainly independent workers. The intra and inter individual variability of working hours and the diversity of activities performed by each trainer also stands out. Finally, it is important to refer the spontaneous organization of trainers’ work activities according to their training modality.
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Keywords: trainers', activity, working conditions, health
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0811-5210
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5210-5217, 2012
