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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: BACKGROUND: Bicycle repairing at Jabalpur in the Madhya Pradesh state of India employs a large number of local youths. In this sector occupational ergonomic issues of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are a big problem and a threat to this profession. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the different ergonomic risk factors for Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) in the job of bicycle repairing. METHODS: Still photography and video photography was used to record different activities. Different types of non-invasive tools like Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment…(RULA), and Occupational Repetitive Action Index (OCRA) were used. Psychophysical measures were investigated by rated perceived exertion scale and visual analogue scale. RESULTS: OVAKO scores (4), REBA scores (13/13), RULA scores (8/8) were extremely high, indicating immediate intervention. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the different tasks in this profession are in the high risk category and demands immediate ergonomic intervention in the form of re-design of the tools used and work station or/and the design of the work process.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Australia is one of the world's foremost mining nations. Over the past decade, the number of resources sector employees has risen steadily. It is increasingly suggested in lay press and popular discourse that mining industry employees (the majority of whom are men) face an elevated risk of suicide relative to the general population, and that suicide rates are higher among mining industry employees relative to other occupations. However, there has been no empirical evaluation of this proposal, which impedes the ability to develop appropriate policy responses. OBJECTIVE: This study begins to fill knowledge gaps,…by providing the first quantitative examination of suicide rates in the mining industry. METHODS: Data from the Queensland Suicide Register were used to examine suicide rates in the resources sector, relative to other sectors. RESULTS: The mining industry was found to have lower male suicide rates relative to other occupations and the working-age male population overall. CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support the view that mining industry employment is necessarily associated with elevated suicide rates. Many factors, ranging from individual personality characteristics through to workplace policies, may contribute to this observation.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are few epidemiological data regarding musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in retail industry. Biomechanical risk assessment in ergonomics is commonly performed in retail sector using standardized protocols. However, such protocols have numerous limitations, such as the lack of objectivity or applicability and restrictive conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze one of the most commonly used shelves in vegetable and fruit departments in order to investigate the effect of different shelf levels (i.e. with variations in height and horizontal distance) and load weights on the workers' biomechanical load. METHODS: We investigated…trunk, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle joint ROMs, as well as the mean and peak EMG values of the upper limb, trunk and lower limb muscles. RESULTS: We found that shelf level has a significant effect on most of the parameters examined, whereas within this limited range of 6 and 8 kg, weight does not affect the biomechanical load. We also identified the shelf levels that place the least and most strain on the musculoskeletal system. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore recommend that the height and horizontal distance be carefully considered when shelves are being designed. Kinematic and EMG approach may help to objectively assess shelf-related risks. Our findings are in agreement with RNLE LI values and therefore support RNLE.
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Keywords: Retail sector, ergonomics, movement analysis, shelf levels, NIOSH protocol
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The present study is part of a project designed to investigate the development of disorders related to the work of orchestra violinists. OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the functional disorders of the musculoskeletal systems of violinists from the four orchestras in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHOD: Analyses of musculoskeletal system disorders found in violinists from orchestras in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were completed using a variety of approaches, including Occupational Therapy, Epidemiology and the Social Science methodologies. RESULTS: Participants sustained musculoskeletal disorders despite their common sense belief that musicians are generally healthier than…other professional groups. The struggle for a better financial situation forced study participants to work harder, in a variety of work environments, increasing and diversifying their exposure to risk factors. Protective and preventive measures were scarce and in most cases these were only employed after the onset of musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The use of inadequate strategies and the lack of appropriate options to deal with risk factors contributed to the maintenance of symptoms or the onset of health disorders.
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Keywords: Musician's health, musculoskeletal disorders, workers' health, occupational health
Abstract: BACKGROUND: All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are unstable on steep and rough terrain, and thus, rollover is the most common accident which can result in a high rate of fatal outcomes, with higher rates for young and male drivers. OBJECTIVE: This paper investigates the ability of rural Pennsylvania ATV drivers to correctly evaluate slopes, and the mean slope angle at which the most and least conservative drivers indicate a beginning of concern of a roll-over. METHOD: The study was conducted using a simulator, a commercial ATV firmly fixed on an hydraulically-lifted platform. As the platform was…being raised, participants were asked to report when they became uncomfortable and then when they would not drive across a slope at such an angle. The difference between the reported and the actual angles in both conditions were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-five individuals, mostly male and younger than 20 years, participated in riding on the simulator. Between 1/3 and 1/4 of the participants correctly estimated the angle while approximately 2/3 of participants overestimated the angles at which they felt they would be uncomfortable and they would not drive across. Participants began to feel uncomfortable at 15.9 ± 5.7 degrees and became so uncomfortable that they felt they would not drive at 22.7 ± 3.7 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Overestimation of lateral roll angles is the most common result. This is in favor of safety when drivers are informed about a slope limit ATVs should not be operated on.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: According to a recent research, manual working with high levels of static contraction, repetitive loads, or extreme working postures involving the neck and shoulder muscles causes an increased risk of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of the forwardly worktable position on head and shoulder angles and shoulder muscle activity in manual material handling tasks. METHODS: The forward head and shoulder angles and the activity of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and middle deltoid muscle activities of 15 workers were measured during performing of manual material handling in two tasks…that required different forward head and shoulder angles. RESULTS: The second manual material task required a significantly increased forward head and shoulder angle. The upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscle activity in second manual material task was increased significantly compared with first manual material task. The middle deltoid muscle activity in second manual material task was not significantly different compared with first manual material task. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this result, the forward head and shoulder angles while performing manual work need to be considered in selection of the forward distance of a worktable form the body. The high level contractions of the neck and shoulder muscles correlated with neck and shoulder pain. Therefore, the forward distance of a worktable can be an important factor in preventing neck and shoulder pain in manual material handling workers.
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Keywords: Manual material handling, musculoskeletal disorders, working posture
Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is well known that the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are important to assist people with disability in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: In this context, this paper sheds light on the state of ICT accessibility for Italian employees with disabilities in private sector companies by mapping and critically analyzing the assistive role of ICT. METHODS: To do this, empirical evidence was drawn from a multi-methods research with middle and top managers from 97 medium and large Italian companies. Quantitative data was collected using a survey was directed at personnel identified as Human Resource…(HR) and Information System (IS) managers, followed by a qualitative study with selected firms whose aim was to understand the inner workings of assistive technology and the decision making process related to assistive technology acquisition and use. RESULTS: The main results show the role and the integration level of people with disabilities, and the presence and effectiveness of specific assistive technologies. DISCUSSION: Ways to improve the inclusion of people with disability in the workplace, as well as the use of assistive technologies are discussed. CONCLUSION: ICT could be more disseminated within companies and best used with modifications to improve usability.
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Keywords: Inclusion, information and communication technologies, employment
Abstract: Understanding individual experiences is crucial for consumer-centered practice and policy. However, limited literature has thoroughly explored individual employment experiences outside of rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the challenges that two individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) had experienced in competitive employment settings. Through in-depth interviews followed by an inductive qualitative analysis, the barriers that restrained them from obtaining and keeping a job were identified. Even though the two cases had dissimilar backgrounds and diagnoses, they had both been struggling with multiple problems including psychiatric symptoms, medications, and social stigma. The findings indicate that a flexible…work schedule and a supportive work environment are important to their work participation. However, many competitive employment settings did not allow them to have a flexible schedule for frequent medical leaves. The stigma toward mental illness was also prevalent in various workplaces they worked at. The implications for policy and practice are discussed.
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Keywords: Case study, competitive employment, employment policy, workplace
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility (i.e., agreement and inter-rater reliability) of two task-specific functional capacity evaluation protocols meant to simulate the daily workload of collectors using either two-wheeled waste containers or bags. METHODS: A within-subjects design was used to assess reproducibility in terms of agreement and reliability. Twenty-one household waste collectors were assessed twice with both task-specific protocols with a time interval of seven days. Agreement was assessed using the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and inter-rater reliability was assessed using the Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: For…the task-specific protocol for waste collection using two-wheeled containers, agreement was excellent (SEM = 0.9 points; 0-340 scale; mean score 339), but inter-rater reliability was poor (ICC = 0.22). For the task-specific protocol for bag collection, agreement was acceptable (SEM = 53 s; continuous scale; mean time 779 s), and inter-rater reliability was good (ICC = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Reproducibility of the task-specific protocol for bag collection is acceptable to good, while the task-specific protocol for waste collection using two-wheeled containers has an excellent agreement but a poor reliability. Although face and content validity have been covered within the development of both protocols, further studies should evaluate the construct and criterion-related validity of both task-specific protocols.
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Keywords: Functional capacity evaluation, work ability, waste collection, reproducibility
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physicians experience high level of occupational burnout that exposes them to physical and mental exhaustion as well as job dissatisfaction. OBJECTIVE: The association between different types of personality traits and occupational burnout among a group of Iranian general practitioners is assessed. METHODS: One hundred general practitioners working in emergency wards of eight hospitals in Iran were studied. Occupational burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and type of personality was assessed using the Holland personality test. RESULTS: An average of 15.4% of personnel displayed high frequency in subscale of emotional…exhaustion, 14.5% displayed high frequency in subscale of depersonalization, and 10.2% displayed high frequency in subscale of lack of personal accomplishment. Realistic personality was revealed in 2%, social types in 41%, investigative type in 35%, enterprising types in 6.0%, artistic type in 13% and conventional type of personality in 3.0% of them. The subjects with social personality experienced the lowest burnout. There were negative correlation between physician experiences and different subdivisions of burnout. CONCLUSION: A notable number of Iranian general practitioners suffered occupational burnout, especially emotional exhaustion. The majority of physicians had social or investigative personalities.
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