Work - Volume 58, issue 3

Authors: Ramadan, Mohamed Zaki | Alkahtani, Mohammed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Manual material handling (MMH) task is the most common cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Operators carrying unstable loads were recently shown to be at greater risk of back injury compared to workers carrying stable loads. OBJECTIVE: This study focused on developing a device to minimize trunk muscle activity and cardiovascular demand while handling a 19-liter bottle. METHOD: After evaluating several designs, one was selected to be developed, manufactured and tested through an experimental study. Healthy participants (n  = 42) manually carried a 19-liter bottle. The carrying technique (i.e., carrying a lateral load while holding the …load using the dominant hand, pulling the load using the developed device, carrying the load on the back using the developing device) was the independent variable. The muscular activities (e.g., neck extensor, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, deltoid medial, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles of the dominant side), cardiac costs, plantar pressures, walking speeds, and subjective measures were the dependent variables. RESULTS: Results show that carrying the developed device like a backpack significantly reduced trunk muscle activity, cardiovascular demand, and plantar pressure compared to the usual practice. The present results suggest that carrying a 19-liter water bottle using the developed device is likely to contribute to lower MSDs. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the develop device recommended to lessen the risk of injury when handling unstable loads such as liquids. Show more

Keywords: Manual handling, human factors, ergonomic, intervention, health and safety

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172627

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 349-359, 2017

Authors: Elgmark Andersson, Elisabeth | Larsen, Louise Bæk | Ramstrand, Nerrolyn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Job Demand Control Support model (JDCS) is one of the most widely used theoretical models relating job characteristics to health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the predictive power of the JDCS model for determining job satisfaction and fatigue in uniformed Swedish police. An additional aim was to determine if predictive power of the model would be improved with the addition of two occupation specific items. METHODS: Questionnaire data, based upon the Swedish Work Environment Survey were collected from Swedish police (n  = 4244). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was run to explore …the predictive value of the model and to determine if the additional variables improved predictive power with respect to job satisfaction and fatigue. RESULTS: Regression analysis demonstrated that the JDSC model had high predictive power in relation to job satisfaction and fatigue. Job demands was the strongest predictor of fatigue (14%), while support was the strongest predictor of job satisfaction (12%). The addition of exposure to threats significantly improved predictive power for both job satisfaction and fatigue, while addition of shift work did not significantly affect predictive power of the model. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace interventions to address issues related to job satisfaction and fatigue in police should focus on maintaining a bearable level of job demands and provision of adequate support. Show more

Keywords: Fatigue, health, occupation, psychosocial, work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172621

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 361-370, 2017

Authors: Merkus, Suzanne L. | Huysmans, Maaike A. | Holte, Kari Anne | van Mechelen, Willem | van der Beek, Allard J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Night shift workers, particularly those working offshore, take a long time to recover from their shifts. The activities that shift workers, such as offshore employees, pursue during their leisure time can influence the process of recovery from work-related fatigue, but little is known about these leisure time activities. OBJECTIVE: To explore what leisure time activities are pursued that may be relevant to recovery for offshore employees. METHODS: Sixty-one offshore working family men—20 night shift, 16 swing shift, and 25 day shift workers—reported on six predefined activities for 14 days following their offshore tours. Generalized estimating …equations analysis was used to explore trends in the data. RESULTS: From the start of the free period, almost all participants were involved in household chores and childcare; these activities declined over the 14 days. Throughout the study period, participants actively pursued social, volunteer, and leisure time physical activities. Work-related activities were pursued by half of the participants at some time during the 14 days. Night and swing shift workers were more physically active than day workers throughout the first 14 days of the free period. CONCLUSIONS: The transition from offshore work to family life can be characterised as active. The activities engaged in by this sample of employees are likely to promote their recovery. Show more

Keywords: Shift work, night work, compressed and extended schedule, activities, recovery activities

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172631

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 371-381, 2017

Authors: Staats, Ulrike | Lohaus, Daniela | Christmann, Alina | Woitschek, Michèle

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: For several years, the transportation industry has been concerned about a severe shortage of professional truck drivers. Studies investigating the reasons found that poor working conditions and stresses and strains resulting from physiological and psychological job demands have had a negative impact on drivers’ health and ability to work. Nevertheless, until now, most employers have refrained from offering measures to support the work ability and well-being of drivers, mainly due to financial pressures in the industry. OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at designing adequate and affordable measures to support drivers’ health. METHOD: With reference …to the Work Ability Index and the house of work ability (Ilmarinen & Tuomi, 2004), 56 truck drivers participated in guided interviews about their working conditions and health-related problems as well as their attitudes, experiences, and desires with respect to being offered supportive measures by their employers. RESULTS: The measures derived are specific and realizable and expected to be widely accepted by professional drivers. They are designed to elicit a positive attitude in the drivers toward exercising and to help them overcome related psychological barriers. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the recommended measures can be expected to support drivers’ work ability and help reduce the frictional costs of their employers. Show more

Keywords: Staff turnover, corporate health promotion, occupational health, working conditions, work ability index

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172626

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 383-397, 2017

Authors: Hoofs, H. | Jansen, N.W.H. | Jansen, M.W.J. | Kant, IJ.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Need for recovery (NFR) and prolonged fatigue are two important concepts for monitoring short- and long-term outcomes of psychological job demands within employees. For effective monitoring it is, however, important to gain insight in the reproducibility of the instruments that are used. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess reproducibility of the NFR scale and Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), measuring NFR and prolonged fatigue respectively, in the working population. METHODS: Longitudinal data from the Maastricht Cohort Study (MCS) study was used, capturing 12,140 employees from 45 different companies at baseline. A ‘working’ and ‘returning to work’ …sample was conceived for different intervals; 4-month, 1-year, and 2-year. RESULTS: Reliability, assessed with the interclass correlation, was high within employees with a stable work environment for the NFR scale (0.78) and CIS (0.75). The smallest detectable change, assessing the agreement, was 41.20 for the NFR scale and 31.10 for the CIS. CONCLUSIONS: Reliability was satisfactory for both the NFR scale and CIS. The agreement of both scales to detect a changes within employees was, however, less optimal. It is, therefore, suggested that, ideally, both instruments are placed within a broader range of instruments to effectively monitor the outcomes of psychological job demands. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health, public health, psychometrics, health surveillence, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172624

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 399-412, 2017