Work - Volume 56, issue 2

Authors: Kocur, Piotr | Pospieszna, Barbara | Choszczewski, Daniel | Michalowski, Lukasz | Wiernicka, Marzena | Lewandowski, Jacek

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Regular Nordic Walking training could improve fitness and reduce tenderness in selected muscle groups in office workers. OBJECTIVE: An assessment of the effects of a 12-week Nordic Walking training program on the perceived pain threshold (PPT) and the flexibility of selected upper-body muscle groups in postmenopausal female office workers. METHODS: 39 office workers were selected at random for the treatment group (NWg, n  = 20) and the control group (Cg, n  = 19). The persons from the NW group completed a 12-week Nordic Walking training program (3 times a week/1 hour). PPTs measurements in selected muscles …and functional tests evaluating upper-body flexibility (Back Scratch – BS) were carried out twice in every participant of the study: before and after the training program. RESULTS: A significant increase in PPT (kg/cm2 ) was observed in the following muscles in the NW group only: upper trapezius (from 1,32 kg/cm2 to 1,99 kg/cm2 ), mid trapezius (from 2,92 kg/cm2 to 3,30 kg/cm2 ), latissimus dorsi (from 1,66 kg/cm2 to 2,21 kg/cm2 ) and infraspinatus (from 1,63 kg/cm2 to 2,93 kg/cm2 ). Moreover, a significant improvement in the BS test was noted in the NW group compared with the control group (from –1,16±5,7 cm to 2,18±5,1 cm in the NW group vs from –2,52±6,1 to –2,92±6,2 in the control group). CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week Nordic Walking training routine improves shoulder mobility and reduces tenderness in the following muscles: trapezius pars descendens and middle trapezius, infraspinatus and latissimus dorsi, in female office workers. Show more

Keywords: Perceived pain threshold, physiotherapy, aerobic training

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172497

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 277-283, 2017

Authors: Khalaf, Tamer Mohamed | Ramadan, Mohamed Zaki | Al-Ashaikh, Riyad A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Many research studies require recruiting heat-acclimatized workers to participate in heat-stress experiments and application fields. A reliable heat acclimatization program for workers in countries with hot environments has not been reported yet. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of heat stress and the amount of acclimatization required in hot-climate countries. METHODS: Eighteen male workers from an industrial population participated in this experiment. Nine days of exposure to a hot environment (wet-bulb globe temperature, 30°C) was the independent variable. The participants’ cardiac costs and increment aural-canal temperatures were the dependent …variables. RESULTS: The study results revealed that 5 days of exposure to heat sessions were sufficient to heat acclimatize the workers based on their physiological responses (i.e., heart rate and aural-canal temperature). CONCLUSIONS: According to the available literature, workers in hot climate countries, similar to the study cohort, can heat acclimatize faster than those in other Western countries. Show more

Keywords: Heat stress, heat strain, hot climate, thermal environments, cardiac cost, wet-bulb globe temperature

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162485

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 285-289, 2017

Authors: Vikne, Harald | Jebens, Einar | Elka, Shahrooz | Knardahl, Stein | Veiersted, Kaj Bo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND : Rope access technique is an alternative method for gaining access to challenging work locations. There is limited knowledge about possible adverse effects of this technique on the workers’ health. OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of bodily regions with pain in rope access technicians with craft workers and the working population in general. METHODS: The one-month prevalence of pain in the head, neck, distal upper extremities, lower back and lower extremities was recorded in rope access technicians (n  = 95), “craft workers” (n  = 289) and “all occupations” (n  = 1563). RESULTS: An increased prevalence of …pain in the neck, distal upper extremities and lower extremities was found for the rope access technicians compared with all occupations (p -values <0.01). Compared with the craft workers, relatively more rope access technicians reported pain in the lower extremity region (p  <0.01) while the groups were similar for the other body regions. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pain in the lower extremities was higher in rope access technicians compared with craft workers, while no differences were found for other body regions. The increased prevalence of pain in the neck and distal upper extremities in the technicians compared with all occupations may therefore be related to the work tasks and not the access technique. Show more

Keywords: Rope access technique, harness rig, health complaints, musculoskeletal pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172490

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 291-300, 2017

Authors: Bulduk, Sıdıka | Bulduk, Emre Özgür | Güler, Alpaslan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) cause pain and economic loss. Risk of WMSDs is affected by job satisfaction as a psychosocial factor. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate job satisfaction among aircraft baggage handlers and their exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk factors. METHODS: Two data collection tools addressing risk levels (Quick Exposure Check) and psychosocial factors (Job Satisfaction Survey) were answered by 399 male baggage handlers employed in Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey. RESULTS: Risk exposure scores for WMSDs among baggage handlers were 27±3.4 (high) for the back …(static), 42±7.2 (very high) for the back (moving), 42±6.1 (very high) for the shoulder/arm, 44±1.9 (very high) for the wrist/hand, and 13±5.1(high) for the neck. The average job satisfaction levels of the majority was either low (4.2250±1.10184) or moderate (3.1019±0.93352). In addition, low and moderate job satisfaction was significantly associated with higher WMSD risk levels among baggage handlers. CONCLUSIONS: Increased WMSD risk levels among baggage handlers are associated with low and moderate job satisfaction, suggesting that it is mandatory to perform intervention methods in this occupation. Show more

Keywords: Baggage handlers, musculoskeletal disorders, job satisfaction, quick exposure check

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172494

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 301-308, 2017

Authors: Schmidt, Lisa | Sjöström, John | Antonsson, Ann-Beth

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Swedish employers are required to use external resources such as Occupational Health Services (OHS providers) if their own knowledge of occupational health and safety is insufficient. Some large employers have their own in-house OHS units but it is more common to engage the services of an external provider. However, no studies have been carried out from a critical perspective regarding how ownership of the OHS provider is related to a successful collaboration with client companies. OBJECTIVES: This study explores the extent to which the six key factors for a successful collaboration are related to ownership and …seeks to identify the challenges that the different models of ownership pose. METHODS: Interviews with 15 client companies and their OHS providers were conducted in order to identify key factors in achieving a successful collaboration with an OHS provider. This study utilizes existing data to identify challenges related to ownership. RESULTS: Two key factors were identified with challenges related to ownership of the OHS provider: The importance of having a long-term perspective when building a relationship; and ensuring that collaboration extends beyond the client’s HR Department to the various organisational levels of the company. CONCLUSIONS : Whatever form the ownership of an OHS provider may take, each comes with its own specific set of challenges that must be managed in order to achieve a successful collaboration with the client company. Show more

Keywords: Ownership, occupational health services, occupational health and safety management, work environment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172498

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 309-318, 2017

Authors: Lu, Wenliang | Zhou, Ping | Zheng, Songbai | Xue, Di

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although many studies have discussed burnout in clinical physicians, the evidence literature about physical rehabilitation professionals is still limited in China. OBJECTIVE: To understand the current status of rehabilitation services and burnout of rehabilitation professionals in Shanghai. METHOD: Twenty-four hospitals located in three districts of Shanghai were selected for this study. The questionnaire surveys of 24 hospitals and their 221 rehabilitation professionals and 235 other medical professionals were conducted. RESULTS: The percentages of the hospitals that had rehabilitation departments in three districts of Shanghai ranged from 25.0% to 88.9%, suggesting a great …variation in distribution of rehabilitation resources. Only one tertiary general hospital had 12 beds for inpatient rehabilitation. The surveyed rehabilitation professionals who had graduate or undergraduate education accounted for 64.90% as a whole, but 49.32% in community health centers, 66.67% in secondary general hospitals, and 77.78% in tertiary general hospitals. The average scores for emotional exhaustion, cynicism and low professional efficacy were 11.66, 7.48, and 10.36 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that the resources in the field of rehabilitation in Shanghai need to be enhanced to meet its future demands. It is also recommended that the managers in secondary general hospitals and the local government pay more attention to the rehabilitation professionals in the secondary general hospitals because they are reporting higher emotional exhaustion. Finally, the value of rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities need to be better conveyed to all interested parties. Show more

Keywords: Resources, provision, hospital

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172496

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 319-325, 2017

Authors: Gorenak, Mitja | Gorenak, Irena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Traveling is becoming more and more accessible, thus more people can come into contact with certain diseases while traveling. Various diseases are on the rise, especially because more people than ever before are traveling. Special groups of people who are traveling more than the average person are tour guides and tour managers, which increases their exposure to these diseases. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to see how much tour guides and tour managers know about health-related diseases that they may encounter when they are working. METHODS: A link to an online questionnaire …was sent by e-mail to 500 randomly selected tour guides and tour managers; we have collected 120 valid responses, which represent 24.00% of the selected sample of Slovenian tour guides and tour managers. RESULTS: We have found that tour guides and tour managers are acquainted with exposure to certain travelers’ diseases, and but know relatively little about the symptoms. However, we have also found that tour guides and tour managers do know what the proper preventive measures for these diseases are in the majority of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The current state of knowledge in this area is still alarming, and tour guides and tour managers need to get educated or educate themselves mostly about the symptoms and also about preventive measures. Here we also see the possibility for travel agencies or professional associations to participate and help raise the awareness of risks posed by certain common travelers’ diseases. Show more

Keywords: Preventive health care, travelers’ diseases, tour guides, tour managers

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162484

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 327-336, 2017

Authors: Labbafinejad, Yasser | Danesh, Hossein | Imanizade, Zahra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are defined as the disabling or painful injury to the muscles, nerves or tendons that are caused by work or aggravated by it. Some studies confirm the association between working in packaging units in various industries and the pain in the upper limb, but also there are controversies about the possible risk factors among different working populations. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to define the potential ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal pain in the upper limb. METHODS: The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for assessment of the musculoskeletal pain. Some other …questions about the possible risk factors were included in the questionnaire. In order to assess posture, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) test was performed by trained ergonomists. RESULTS: The findings of the study reveals that shoulder pain is associated with work history (P -value = 0.01), smoking (P -value = 0.02), the level of education (P -value = 0.04) and age more than 40 years old (P -value = 0.01). Wrist pain was associated with shiftwork (P -value = 0.04) and especially fixed shiftwork (P -value = 0.04) and also age more than 40(P -value = 0.03) and missed days from work with a cut point of 7 days (P -value = 0.03). After regression, only the work history (OR = 14.4 for 10 to 20 years and OR = 32.2 for more than 20 years) and shiftwork (OR = 2.35) remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, RULA was not associated with symptoms in the upper limb in non-heavy working industries so we do not recommend it for screening purposes. The use of decades of working history and shiftwork can be considered for this purpose in the shoulder and wrist pain respectively. Show more

Keywords: RULA, musculoskeletal symptoms, posture, shiftwork, work history

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172495

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 337-344, 2017

Authors: Ohl, Alisha | Grice Sheff, Mira | Small, Sarah | Nguyen, Jamie | Paskor, Kelly | Zanjirian, Aliza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the United States, adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience high rates of unemployment and underemployment in relation to adults with other disabilities and the general population. Yet there is little research examining their employment experiences and the predictors of employment status. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the employment characteristics and histories of both employed and unemployed adults with ASD, and the factors that contributed to their employment status. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used an online survey and the Short Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) Scale to gather data. Multivariate …logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of employment status and self-reported health. RESULTS: Of the 254 adults with ASD who participated in this study, 61.42% were employed and 38.58% were unemployed. Over half of the participants reported job imbalance on the Short ERI Scale and the vast majority did not receive any job assistance. Participants who disclosed their ASD diagnosis to their employer were more than three times as likely to be employed than those who did not disclose. Education level was also a significant predictor of employment status. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests disability disclosure and education level are factors that contribute to employment status. Show more

Keywords: Competitive employment, disability disclosure, organizations, Asperger’s disorder

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172492

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 345-355, 2017