Work - Volume 57, issue 3

Authors: Buys, Nicholas | Wagner, Shannon | Randall, Christine | Harder, Henry | Geisen, Thomas | Yu, Ignatius | Hassler, Benedikt | Howe, Caroline | Fraess-Phillips, Alex

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Organizational culture has received increasing attention in terms of its influence on workplace health and productivity, yet there has been little research on its relationship with employer-based disability programs. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between disability management and organizational culture in Australian and Canadian organizations. METHODS: Thematic analysis was conducted on data from semi-structured interviews with 16 employees, including injured workers, human resource managers and disability managers in two Australian and two Canadian large organizations. RESULTS: Seven themes were identified: 1. Consistency between espoused beliefs and artifacts in organization; 2. Genuineness of …interest in well-being of injured worker; 3. Level of ongoing support of worker following injury; 4. Communication with injured workers; 5. Level of support from supervisors and co-workers; 6. Promptness in claims processing and covering medical costs and; 7. Focus on wellness and injury prevention. It was found that organizational culture may impact the delivery and perceived value of employer-based disability management programs. CONCLUSIONS: Given the potential relationship between organizational culture and disability management, employers should facilitate a positive workplace culture by ensuring consistency among underlying values, espoused values and actual treatment of employees, including injured workers. Show more

Keywords: Injured workers, workplace, espoused values, artifacts

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172568

Citation: Work, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 409-419, 2017

Authors: Narimoto, Lidiane Regina | Camarotto, João Alberto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Design in use and inventiveness are key concepts in ergonomics. It is well-known that users design but is not explored in the literature how they manage to do that. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to contribute to the discussion of how users actually design, by showing a research conducted in sugar cane harvesting in Brazil and in Australia. METHODS: Through the methodology of the Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA), the design modifications made by the harvesting teams were identified as well as their elaboration process. RESULTS: Three categories of modifications in machines’ design were identified: …structural, functional and operational and they were more numerous in Brazilian situations. It is proposed that two theories underlying the theme are intertwined: the instrument-mediated activity approach and the design as bricolage. CONCLUSIONS: It is argued that users design through the articulation of: a) the operators’ activity, b) the mechanical technicians’ inventory to practice bricolage as a way of designing and c) the work organisation and the existence of social spaces of interaction between these two subjects. Show more

Keywords: Design in use, bricolage, instrumental genesis, inventiveness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172574

Citation: Work, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 421-432, 2017

Authors: Bergomi, Margherita | Modenese, Alberto | Ferretti, Enrica | Ferrari, Angela | Licitra, Giuseppe | Vivoli, Roberto | Gobba, Fabriziomaria | Aggazzotti, Gabriella

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that professional drivers are at risk of developing work-related stress. Stress may be responsible for a variety of adverse effects and may also be associated with an increased number of accidents. OBJECTIVE: Perform an integrated, objective and subjective evaluation of work-related stress in bus drivers, that also considered the role of personality traits. METHODS: Salivary α-amylase and cortisol were measured in 42 bus drivers. Subjective stress evaluation was performed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Driver Stress Inventory (DSI). To evaluate personality traits, we administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) …and the Impulsivity Inventory (IVE). RESULTS: Salivary biomarkers showed no associations with PSS-10 and personality traits. Cortisol levels were positively correlated with fatigue (r  = 0.44) at the middle of the work-shift and with aggression (r  = 0.51) at the end of a day off. At the end of the work-shift, cortisol levels were negatively correlated with hazard monitoring (r  = –0.37) and salivary α-amylase was positively correlated with thrill-seeking (r  = 0.36). Neuroticism (β= 0.44) and impulsiveness (β= 0.38) were predictors of perceived stress by multiple regression. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated method, considering both objective and subjective indicators, seems adequate to evaluate work-related stress in professional drivers. Personality traits are relevant in determining perception of stress. Show more

Keywords: Occupational stress, biological monitoring, personality trait, accident prevention

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172581

Citation: Work, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 433-440, 2017

Authors: Deng, Mingming | Wu, Feng | Wang, Jun | Sun, Linyan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Human factors comprise one of the important reasons leading to the casualty accidents in coal mines. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships among musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), personality traits, psychological distress, and accident proneness of coal miners. PARTICIPANTS: There were 1500 Chinese coal miners surveyed in this study. Among these miners, 992 valid samples were obtained. METHODS: The study surveyed the MSDs, personality traits, psychological distress, and accident proneness of coal miners with MSDs Likert scale, Eysenck personality questionnaire, Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale, and accident proneness questionnaire, respectively. …RESULTS: The highest MSDs level was found in the waist. The increasing working age of the miners was connected with increased MSDs and psychological distress. Significant differences in MSDs and psychological distress of miners from different types of work were observed. Coal miners with higher MSDs had higher accident proneness. Coal miners with higher neuroticism dimension of Eysenck personality and more serious psychological distress had higher accident proneness. Phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism dimension of psychological distress were the three most important indicators that had significant positive relationships with accident proneness. CONCLUSION: The MSDs, neuroticism dimension, and psychological distress of the coal mine workers are important to work safety and require serious attention. Some implications concerning coal mine safety management in China were provided. Show more

Keywords: Coal mine safety, physiological health, personality traits, psychological distress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172569

Citation: Work, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 441-449, 2017