Work - Volume 56, issue 3

Authors: Karen,

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172516

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 357-358, 2017

Authors: Dainoff, Marvin J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We present an integrated conceptual framework for improving occupational safety. This framework is based on sociotechnical principles and is based on the premise that occupational safety should not be an isolated function but rather seen as directly related to an organizational mission which combines performance and well-being. As such, a fundamental goal is to achieve joint optimization between social and technical components of the system. This framework consists of four basic questions: (1) How can we determine the overall level of safety in the system? (2) How can we determine what kinds of interventions would improve safety? (3) How can …we determine if the organization is ready to implement safety interventions? (4) How can we determine the best pathway for implementing safety interventions? A sociotechnical approach implies that safety must be considered from a complexity perspective as an emergent property. Hence, a variety of methodological approaches is required. Show more

Keywords: Safety climate, safety control structure, intervention, readiness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172500

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 359-370, 2017

Authors: Slišković, Ana | Penezić, Zvjezdan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Seafaring is characterized by specific stressors and health risks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to compare the prevalence of various lifestyle factors between the shipping and home environments, and in addition to test the relations between lifestyle factors, perceived stress on board, and health in seafarers. METHODS: A total of 530 Croatian seafarers participated in an on-line survey. The questionnaire contained requests for demographic data and a set of questions relating to lifestyle, stress on board, physical health symptoms, and mental health. RESULTS: The data showed higher sleep deprivation, higher …levels of smoking and unhealthier diet at sea than at home, with prevalence of alcohol consumption and physical exercise being more favourable for the shipping environment. Sleep deprivation, unhealthy diet, lack of physical exercise, and smoking are shown as negative correlates of various measures of health. Stress on board was associated with sleep deprivation and unhealthy diet, and with more unfavourable physical and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The results give practical implications for promoting health in seafarers. Some of the lifestyle factors tested, such as alcohol use, smoking and physical exercise, fall rather under individual control, but others, such as a healthy, balanced diet on board and sleeping hygiene at sea, should be improved by shipping management. Show more

Keywords: Stress on board, mental health, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, unhealthy lifestyle

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172501

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 371-380, 2017

Authors: Yalon-Chamovitz, Shira | Kraiem, Yoav | Gutman, Carolyn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While occupational therapy currently tends to view itself as operating based on a client-centered, collaborative approach, studies often reflect a gap between rhetoric and practice. OBJECTIVE: This work presents a new pedagogic standard which moves away from the medical model and toward a collaborative, client-centred approach. It functions to support a practice which embraces the respect for, and partnership with, people receiving services and replaces historic patterns which may strengthen the legitimacy of the professional and sustain clients’ dependence. METHODS: This pedagogy develops a therapeutic dialogue which draws from partnerships created in the classroom, …where occupational therapy students engage in courses with a co-teacher service user, and examines how the collaboration with service users contributes to the training of occupational therapy students. CONCLUSIONS: Students and co-teachers can participate in the challenging experience of integrating theoretical knowledge with lived experience, thereby augmenting the development of a new and inclusive knowledge base. Show more

Keywords: Co-teaching, service users, social model of disability, critical pedagogy, disability studies

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172502

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 381-386, 2017

Authors: Jiang, Li | Li, Feng | Li, YongJuan | Li, Rui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: To achieve high safety levels, mere compliance with safety regulations is not sufficient; employees must be proactive and demonstrate safety citizenship behaviors. Trust is considered as a mechanism for facilitating the effects of a leader on employee citizenship behaviors. Increasingly research has focused on the role of trust in a safety context; however, the role of coworker trust has been overlooked. OBJECTIVES: The mediating role of coworker trust in the relationship between the leader-member exchange and safety citizenship behavior is the focus of this field study. METHODS: Front-line employees from an air traffic control …center and an airline maintenance department completed surveys measuring leader-member exchange, co-worker trust, and safety citizenship behavior. RESULTS: Structural Equation Modeling revealed affective and cognitive trust in coworkers is influenced by leader-member exchange. A trust-based mediation model where cognitive trust and affective trust mediate the relationship between the leader-member exchange and safety citizenship behavior emerged. CONCLUSION: Results of this study add to our understanding of the relationship between leader-member exchange and safety behavior. The effect of co-worker trust and the extent to which employees participate in workplace safety practice were identified as critical factors. The findings show that managers need to focus on developing cognitive and affective coworker trust to improve safety citizenship behaviors. Show more

Keywords: LMX, affective trust, cognitive trust, safety participation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172504

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 387-395, 2017

Authors: d’Ettorre, Gabriele | Criscuolo, Mario | Mazzotta, Mauro

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nearly eleven years have passed since the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified Formaldehyde (FA) as a known human carcinogen (group 1), yet the safety of anatomy pathology workers who are currently exposed to FA is still a matter of concern. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the literature to discover which topics have been focused on and what the latest developments are in managing FA indoor pollution in anatomy pathology departments. which topics have been focused on and what the latest developments in managing FA indoor pollution in anatomy pathology departments. …METHODS: For the purpose of this review, we searched for publications in PubMed and Web of Science using selected keywords. The articles were reviewed and categorized into one or more of the following three categories based on subject matter: exposure levels exposure controls and alternatives. RESULTS: Our search resulted in a total of 31 publications that matched our inclusion criteria. The topics discussed, in order of frequency (from highest to lowest), were: “exposure controls”, “exposure levels” and “alternatives”. The most frequently suggested intervention was to improve local exhaust ventilation systems to minimize FA levels in gross anatomy laboratories. CONCLUSIONS: We found a lack of evidence-based improvement interventions that aimed to control exposure to FA. According to this finding, and pending a valid chemical substitute for FA, we suggest the need for more in-depth studies targeting measures to minimize exposures to FA in pathology departments. Show more

Keywords: Cancer, occupational exposure, risk assessment, risk management

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172505

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 397-402, 2017

Authors: Chen, Yi-Lang | Yu, Chiao-Ying | Lin, Da-Yung

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: This case study used the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) to explore work that involves handling gas cylinders and to determine risk factors that may cause related injuries. The NMQ survey was distributed to 100 gas cylinder handlers in Taiwan, and their handling tasks were analyzed. The results showed that the overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 91% within 1 year. More than half of the respondents (62%) experienced shoulder discomfort, followed by lower back/waist (57%) and neck (47%) discomfort. Daily work hours (>10 h) were primary factors influencing the development of discomfort when handling gas cylinders, whereas the daily delivery frequency …(>30 deliveries) was relevant to the prevalence of lower limb discomfort. Individual factors also substantially influenced upper body, lower back/waist, and knee discomfort (i.e., age, job tenure, and exercise). The findings of this study can serve as references in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders caused by performing gas cylinder handling tasks. Show more

Keywords: Gas cylinder, handling task, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ)

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172506

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 403-407, 2017

Authors: Joshi, Anurag | Kiran, Ravi | Sah, Ash Narayan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This paper studies the impact of musical religious songs (hymns) for managing stress of Indian Engineering students through Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to find out, whether listening to hymns is able to reduce the value of GSR. METHODS: Sample students were selected through initial screening and the students who reported high mental stress during the interview were selected for the main drills. All the readings were taken using a GSR meter. Statistical t -test was used for the purpose of hypothesis testing. RESULTS: The study …examines the relation between GSR and stress. The results indicated that listening to hymns had a significant effect on the value of GSR. The results highlight that GSR decreased at t  = 300 seconds for the experimental group, who listened to hymns, as compared to control group (not exposed to the same). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that, this amazingly effortless and yet highly efficient traditional technique of listening to hymns be made a part of student’s routine curriculum. The paper aims at spreading awareness of listening to hymns as one of the modes of Stress Management amongst Indian Engineering Students. Show more

Keywords: Hymns, GSR, GSR sensor

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172507

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 409-420, 2017

Authors: Shariat, Ardalan | Lam, Eddie T.C. | Kargarfard, Mehdi | Tamrin, Shamsul B.M. | Danaee, Mahmoud

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous research support the claim that people who work in offices and sit for a long time are particularly prone to musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this paper is to introduce an exercise training program designed to decrease muscle stiffness and pain that can be performed in the office setting. …METHODS: Forty healthy office workers (age: 28±5.3 years old; body mass: 87.2±10.2 kg; height: 1.79±0.15 m) apart from suffering from any sub-clinical symptoms of muscle and joint stiffness, and who had at least two years of experience in office work were chosen and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n  = 20) or a control group (n  = 20). The experimental group performed the exercise training program three times a week for 11 weeks. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to measure the pain levels in the neck, shoulders, and lower back areas. The Borg CR-10 Scale was used to measure their perceived exertion when doing the exercises, and a goniometer was used to measure the changes in range of motion (ROM) of the neck, hips, knees, and shoulders. RESULTS: The overall results indicated that the exercise program could significantly (p  < 0.05) reduce the neck, shoulders, and lower back pains of the participants in the exercise group while those in the control group showed no improvement in those pains. There were significant (p  < 0.05) increases in the ROM of the hips, the neck, both knees and shoulders in the exercise group. Participants showed significant (p  = 0.011) decreases in perceived exertion scores after the exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The exercise training program designed in this study not only can effectively reduce neck, shoulders, and lower back pains, but also can improve the ROM or flexibility of the office workers. Show more

Keywords: Physical activity, musculoskeletal disorders, range of motion, back pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172508

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 421-428, 2017

Authors: Schreuer, N. | Dorot, R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employees with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face various risks in the workplace. Little is known of the specific challenges women with ADHD experience. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of working women with ADHD and learn the strategies and accommodations that facilitate their maintaining employment. METHOD: Qualitative phenomenological approach was used to echo women’s subjective perceptions and experiences representing their daily interactions in their workplace. In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven tertiary-educated employed women (M = 33.5; SD = 6.61 years), diagnosed with ADHD and the transcripts were analyzed by three researchers, using the qualitative phenomenological approach. RESULTS: …Most interviewed women with ADHD described interactions with their workplace as confusing, overwhelming, and chaotic. They perceived their ADHD as a significant obstacle to success in employment that also conferred some advantages. Three interview themes are explored here (1) challenges in coping with job demands and the workplace, including the disclosure dilemma; (2) personal coping strategies; (3) useful accommodations. CONCLUSIONS: For the women interviewed, employment was important for their self-identity, beyond simply making a living. Their experiences indicate impaired executive functioning and inhibition and sensory sensitivity, consistently with theoretical models for ADHD. They identified gender-specific issues, such as using medication during pregnancy, which led them to seek for non-pharmacological coping mechanisms. They contributed practical knowledge regarding employee-led adaptations and employer-provided workplace accommodations. Show more

Keywords: Gender, accommodations, qualitative method, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172509

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 429-441, 2017

Authors: Peterson, Debbie | Gordon, Sarah | Neale, Jenny

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous research has tended to focus on the barriers to employment for people with mental illness and the extra support they may need. This research contributes to the knowledge base pertaining to this population by looking at successful employment relationships in New Zealand. OBJECTIVE: To describe factors enabling and/or sustaining the open employment of people with experience of mental illness. METHOD: Fifteen pairs of employers and employees were interviewed individually but consecutively (using a semi-structured interview schedule) about their perceptions of the critical factors that enabled and sustained the employee’s employment. Employee participants were …recruited by advertisement, with employers approached through their employees. Transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: Themes raised in the interviews included the meaning of work, disclosure of mental illness, the benefits of working, special arrangements or accommodations, the work environment and key things employers and employees do to sustain successful employment. CONCLUSION: Four critical success factors were identified relating to disclosure, the employment relationship, freedom from discrimination and workplace flexibility. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, disclosure, psychiatric disability, positive stories

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172510

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 443-454, 2017

Authors: Higgins, Nicholas A. | Talone, Andrew B. | Fraulini, Nicholas W. | Smither, Janan A.

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Research assessing work processes in food pantries has been limited to the client’s experience and aspects of food donations [3–5 ]. Research on food pantries has yet to focus on understanding and evaluating worker-environment interaction. OBJECTIVE: The present case study examined the interaction between workers and their work environment while performing common tasks in a food pantry. METHODS: Data were collected through naturalistic observations and structured interviews. A task analysis was performed on the data. RESULTS: Several potential issues in the pantry were identified including with the workspace layout, environmental conditions, and …signage. Human factors and ergonomics principles were then utilized to provide insights and recommendations (e.g., use of numbered rather than color-coded signage). CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations were provided to the case study food pantry for enhancing safety and productivity. Further research is needed to assess the generalizability of our findings to other food pantries. Show more

Keywords: Ethnography, task analysis, ergonomics, workspace design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172511

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 455-462, 2017

Authors: Omidvar, Mohsen | Mazloumi, Adel | Mohammad Fam, Iraj | Nirumand, Fereshteh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Resilience engineering (RE) can be an alternative technique to the traditional risk assessment and management techniques, to predict and manage safety conditions of modern socio-technical organizations. While traditional risk management approaches are retrospective and highlight error calculation and computation of malfunction possibilities, resilience engineering seeks ways to improve capacity at all levels of organizations in order to build strong yet flexible processes. OBJECTIVES: Considering the resilience potential measurement as a concern in complex working systems, the aim of this study was to quantify the resilience by the help of fuzzy sets and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques. …In this paper, we adopted the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method to measure resilience in a gas refinery plant. METHODS: A resilience assessment framework containing six indicators, each with its own sub-indicators, was constructed. Then, the fuzzy weights of the indicators and the sub-indicators were derived from pair-wise comparisons conducted by experts. The fuzzy evaluating vectors of the indicators and the sub-indicators computed according to the initial assessment data. Finally, the Comprehensive Resilience Index (CoRI), Resilience Grade (RG), and Resilience Early Warning Grade (REWG) were established. RESULTS: To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, an illustrative example in a gas refinery complex (an instance of socio-technical systems) was provided. CoRI of the refinery ranked as “III ”. In addition, for the six main indicators, RG and REWG ranked as “III ” and “NEWZ ”, respectively, except for C3, in which RG ranked as “II ”, and REWG ranked as “OEWZ ”. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed the engineering practicability and usefulness of the proposed method in resilience evaluation of socio-technical systems. Show more

Keywords: Resilience engineering, safety, fuzzy, AHP, Resilience Grade, Resilience Early Warning Grade

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172512

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 463-474, 2017

Authors: Frank, Hanna A. | Jacobs, Karen | McLoone, Hugh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increasingly, evidence shows that prolonged sedentary behavior factors into the health equation on its own, unrelated to weight and periods of intense exercise. In schools, students are required to sit for long periods of time. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether reminders (via a wearable device) to change posture, can change students’ behavior and impact their subjective wellbeing. PARTICIPANTS: Ten students of ages 17 to 18 years at a public high school in Bellevue, Washington, USA. METHODS: To monitor students’ behaviors, specially designed wearable devices recorded periods of sitting, standing and moving of participants …throughout the school day for one week. During the second week of the study session, reminders were given via the devices providing vibration feedback after 20 minutes of uninterrupted sitting. Subjective wellbeing was evaluated through a daily questionnaire. RESULTS: The reminders given by the devices were effective in changing students’ behavior. Students took significantly more breaks from sitting during the week with reminders. However, changes in subjective well-being were inconclusive. CONCLUSION: The reminders were effective in changing students’ behavior, demonstrating that behavior can be changed through individual feedback. Further study is required to explore benefits of such breaks on students’ subjective wellbeing, but other studies suggest that such breaks improve their physical health. Show more

Keywords: Measuring posture, recording sitting time, individual feedback, reducing sedentary behavior

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172513

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 475-482, 2017

Authors: Suleiman, Abdulqadir Mohamad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) professionals are key players in workplace regulation compliance and promotion of health. OBJECTIVES: To assess OSH professionals’ perceptions of the concept of work ability in an attempt to explain the varied, and in some cases failure of, implementation of regulations and policies. METHOD: An electronic questionnaire sent to approved Occupational Health Services (OHS) in Norway asked several questions, including one on the concept of work ability. Responses from OSH professionals in the OHS serving cleaning companies were analysed for commonalities and dissimilarities, thereby establishing some perception patterns. RESULTS: …OSH professionals from 40 OHS included in the study responded with explanations characterized by variations. Some included elaborate aspects in the explanations, others ranged from simple to lacking aspects of explanation compared to an identified benchmark definition. CONCLUSION: There are significant comprehension disparities in the understanding of the concept of work ability. Correct understanding of the concepts and constructs in a given regulatory framework are tantamount to the proper implementation of the requirements of the regulation provisions. There is a need to streamline and improve the understanding of OSH professionals in order to ensure uniformity of purpose, and hence fulfilment of the vision of the regulation in focus. Show more

Keywords: OSH professionals, Occupational Health Services (OHS), understanding regulation, uniformity of purpose, cleaning companies

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172514

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 483-490, 2017

Authors: Lee, DongGeon | Yu, SeoJeong | Song, SunHae | Lee, Se-Han | An, SeungHeon | Cho, Hwi-young | Cho, Ki-Hun | Lee, GyuChang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Different postural positions can be characterized by the activation and relative contributions of different postural muscles, and may variously contribute to the recovery from or worsening of chronic lower back pain. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigates trunk muscle activities in four types of seated postures: cross-legged, long, side, and W-shaped. METHODS: Eight healthy adults participated in the study. Trunk muscle activities of the external oblique (EO), rectus abdominis (RA), latissimus dorsi (LD), and erector spinae (ES) muscles in each of the sitting postures including cross-legged, long, side, and W-shaped were collected utilizing …surface electromyography (sEMG). The mean sEMG signals in each of the sitting postures were used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in electromyographic muscle activity of EO, RA, LD, and ES in the four postures (p  > 0.05). However, in the W-shape sitting posture, the left LD showed the greatest electromyographic muscle activity, followed by the right LD and left EO, respectively. The right and left LD in the long sitting posture and left ES in the side sitting posture showed greater electromyographic muscle activity than that of other muscles. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, trunk muscle activity did not significantly differ between the four types of sitting postures. However, our study is limited by its experimental method and sample size. Thus, in the Future, further study will be needed. Show more

Keywords: Electromyographic activity, sitting posture, trunk muscle

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172515

Citation: Work, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 491-495, 2017