Work - Volume 60, issue 3

Authors: Yi, Cannan | Tang, Fan | Peng, Lu | Li, Kai Way | Ma, Liang | Hu, Hong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pallet truck pulling is one of the common manual materials handling tasks which could result in musculoskeletal injuries. The endurance time for sustained truck pulling tasks has been rarely discussed in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to measure the muscular fatigue after performing a pulling task and to establish models to predict the maximum endurance time for truck pulling tasks. METHODS: A simulated truck pulling experiment was conducted. Ten human participants were recruited. The participants pulled a handle simulating that of a pallet truck under two loading conditions until they could …not pull any longer. RESULTS: The results indicated that hand/wrist and elbow had higher subjective ratings of muscular fatigue than the other body segments. A subjective rating of 5 or more was found on at least two of the body segments for all trials except one. An exponential model and a power model were established to predict the maximum endurance time of the pulling tasks. CONCLUSION: Hand/wrist and elbow were the body segments most likely to suffer muscular fatigue for the simulated truck pulling tasks. The endurance time models established may be adopted in job designs for one-handed truck pulling tasks. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorder, manual materials handling, muscular fatigue, job design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182751

Citation: Work, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 455-463, 2018

Authors: Scheel, Carrie | Mecham, Jim | Zuccarello, Vic | Mattes, Ryan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: OccuPro’s functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is used for assessing the client’s readiness to return to work and three separate intra-rater and inter-rater reliability studies are explored here. OBJECTIVE: Three separate studies were conducted on injured and un-injured adults to evaluate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the OccuPro FCE (upper extremity and material handling subtests). All three studies are summarized in this publication. METHODS: In study one, twenty participants completed firm grasp, simple grasp, pinch, fine motor, and gross motor testing. The participants included subjects with an orthopedic or musculoskeletal disorder affecting the upper extremities. …In study two and three, 62 participants completed occasional squat lifts, occasional power lifts, occasional carrying, frequent squat lifts, frequent power lifts, and frequent carrying. The participants in all three studies were adult subjects between 20 and 70 years of age. Study one subjects had a previous illness or injury while subjects in study two and three had no history of injury. RESULTS: Results from study one showed that the OccuPro FCE’s four upper extremity subtests have moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability. In study two and three, results showed that the intra-rater reliability of these subtests were excellent and the inter-reliability of these subtests were moderate to good. CONCLUSIONS: These three studies establish inter-rater and intra-rater reliability for the four upper extremity subtests and material handling testing within the OccuPro FCE system. This allows for multiple therapists to use OccuPro’s FCE system with the same patient or multiple patients while having the confidence they will achieve consistent results and make sound return-to work or residual functional capacity decisions. Show more

Keywords: Return to work, workers’ compensation, kinesiophysical, industrial rehabilitation, material handling

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182754

Citation: Work, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 465-473, 2018

Authors: Jostell, David | Hemlin, Sven

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a need for a better understanding of how the use of technology to complete work outside regular office hours is related to work-life outcomes. Few studies have also investigated how individual differences in work-nonwork boundary management relate to work-life outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine how teleworking outside regular office hours and individual boundary management relate to work-family conflict. METHODS: A web survey was sent to fulltime employees at the headquarters of a multinational high-tech firm in Sweden. A total of 71 answers were obtained and analyzed using regression analysis. …RESULTS: The extent of teleworking after hours was unrelated to work-family conflict. However, as previous research has shown, having more permeable boundaries and allowing work to interrupt nonwork behavior was related to higher levels of conflict. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that teleworking after hours is not as problematic in terms of work-family conflict as has been reported in previous studies. Furthermore, in order to prevent high levels of work-family conflict, it is seemingly beneficial to avoid work interruptions during nonwork behavior. Show more

Keywords: Boundary permeability, role conflict, telecommuting, work-nonwork boundaries

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182748

Citation: Work, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 475-483, 2018

Authors: Parent-Lamarche, Annick | Marchand, Alain

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Job stressors can cause a salivary cortisol secretion dysregulation which in turn can lead to burnout. However, job stressors do not induce the same cortisol secretion dysregulation and psychic consequences systematically to all workers. Personality traits may influence job stressor’s adaptation. The objectives of this study were (a) to verify the mediating effect cortisol has on the relationship between work conditions and burnout, and (b) to identify the moderate mediation effects that personality traits have on the relationship between work conditions and salivary cortisol secretion. METHOD: Multilevel regression analyses were carried out on a sample of 352 …employees in 34 Québec firms. Saliva samples were collected five times a day (on awakening, 30 minutes after awakening, at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and bedtime) on three days (1 day off, 2 work days). Work conditions variables comprised skill utilization, decision authority, psychological demands, physical demands, job insecurity, irregular schedules, number of working hours, and social support. Personality traits included self-esteem, locus of control, and the Big Five. Both work conditions and personality traits were assessed with a psychosocial questionnaire. RESULTS: The level of salivary cortisol secretion was negatively associated with burnout. Certain workplace and personality variables had a significant effect on emotional exhaustion (psychological demands was positively associated, social support from supervisors was negatively associated) and on cortisol levels (job insecurity was negatively associated). Cortisol did not play any mediating role in the relationship between work conditions and burnout, which is moderated by personality traits. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that work conditions (skill utilization, decision authority, psychological demands, physical demands, job insecurity, irregular schedules, number of working hours, and social support) and the interaction of personality traits with work conditions have no indirect effects on burnout. Show more

Keywords: Salivary cortisol, work conditions, personality traits, Big Five, mediation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182755

Citation: Work, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 485-497, 2018

Authors: Proença, Mahara | Schuna Jr, John M. | Barreira, Tiago V. | Hsia, Daniel S. | Pitta, Fabio | Tudor-Locke, Catrine | Cowley, Amanda D. | Martin, Corby K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Active workstation alternatives (e.g., treadmill desks and pedal desks) have the potential to elevate workplace energy expenditure by replacing occupational sedentary behavior with opportunities to generate low-intensity non-exercise physical activity, but only to the extent that workers find them acceptable and congruent with their primary working tasks and therefore can frequently use them for extended periods of time. OBJECTIVE: To assess workers’ acceptability of the Pennington Pedal Desk™. METHODS: Full-time sedentary workers (N = 42; 76% female; mean+SD age 39.6±11.3 years; BMI 25.7±5.4 kg/m2 ) used the pedal desk for 15 minutes while they: 1) …searched the internet, 2) composed an email, and 3) completed acceptability ratings using an online Likert scale anchored from 1/strongly disagree to 5/strongly agree. Garmin Vector power meter pedals and EDGE 510 GPS bike computer (Garmin ® , USA) continuously captured revolutions per minute (RPM) and power. RESULTS: Participants indicated that they would use the pedal desk for 4 (median) hours per work day and 97.6% of participants were somewhat or completely confident that they could type proficiently while using the pedal desk. Participants pedaled at 54.8±11.2 RPM and 23.1±8.6 watts (mean+SD). CONCLUSIONS: Participants rated the Pennington Pedal Desk™ workstation positively and indicated potential for extended daily use. Show more

Keywords: Sedentary behavior, physical activity, energy expenditure, workplace, exercise

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182753

Citation: Work, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 499-506, 2018

Authors: Genin, P.M. | Pereira, B. | Thivel, D. | Duclos, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: While worldwide public health policies have emphasized the necessity to create a culture that favors regular physical activity, stakeholders and health institutions keep looking for new strategies and opportune settings. Workplaces have been identified since employees spent a considerable part of their time at work and several worksite interventions have been developed lately. While the actual scientific literature clearly points out the beneficial effects of physical activity programs implemented within companies on employees overall health, available evidences however seem to question their adherence to such interventions. Based on previously published results and new observations, this paper discusses the adherence rate …during workplace physical activity programs and suggests new strategies to favor increased physical activity among employees, considering their dropouters or finishers’ profiles. Show more

Keywords: Tertiary employees, occupational health, sedentariness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182745

Citation: Work, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 507-510, 2018