Work - Volume 65, issue 4

Authors: Alami, Ali | Tehrani, Hadi | Lael-Monfared, Elaheh | Moghaddam, Farokh Sharifi | Boghsani, Gholamheidar Teimori | Jafari, Alireza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Students use a school bag to carry their school supplies which may not have the required standards and ergonomic factors. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to examine the ergonomic factors of schoolbags and their adaptation to the weight of elementary school students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 721 primary schoolchildren. To collecting data a checklist, which its final version was approved by the experts, was designed by researchers. Data were analyzed by using SPSS ver. 22 and Chi-square test, One-Way ANOVA, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: In …this study, about 90.1% of students used a backpack to carry their items and most students carried backpacks with a weight up to 10% of their body weight. In 43.5% of the students, waist width was appropriate with backpack width at the bottom, and in 96.6% shoulder width was appropriate with backpack width at the top. Multivariate logistic regression showed that girls in compared to boys were more likely tolerated ratio of backpack weight to body weight, and also had more likely proportion of waist width and the backpack width at the bottom. The grades of the first, second, and fourth used more heavy backpacks. Students who their mothers were employee compared to housewives, carried heavier backpacks and had more likely proportion of waist width and the backpack width at the bottom. As the mother’s age increased, the proportion of waist width and the backpack width at the bottom is diminished. CONCLUSION: The schoolbags weight of many students was more than the standard weight, and their schoolbags did not have the required standards. Educational interventions can increase the knowledge of students and parents about the ideal weight of a schoolbag and the criteria for choosing a proper school bag. Show more

Keywords: Children health, backpack standards, elementary school, anthropometrics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203133

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 809-820, 2020

Authors: Edgelow, Megan | Harrison, Laura | Miceli, Meghan | Cramm, Heidi

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trauma and stress-related mental health conditions can impact a person’s ability to participate in work and can cause disruptions in employment. Best practice guidelines for occupational therapy return to work interventions with these populations are limited. OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe occupational therapy return to work interventions for trauma and stress-related mental health conditions. METHODS: Using a scoping review methodology, research databases were searched for papers relating to occupational therapy, return to work interventions, and trauma and stress-related mental health conditions. Three reviewers independently applied selection criteria and systematically extracted information. Data were extracted and …synthesized in a narrative format. RESULTS: The search produced 18 relevant papers. The interventions described were more often person-focused versus environment- and occupation-focused, and many were carried out by multidisciplinary teams, making it difficult to identify best practices for occupational therapists in this area. CONCLUSION: Emerging practices include the Swedish “ReDO” intervention, support for active military members to manage operational stress to remain at work, and multidisciplinary team treatment. Further research, including studies with direct focus on the implications of occupational therapy interventions for return to work with trauma and stress-related mental health conditions, is required. Show more

Keywords: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), return to work, occupational therapy, stress, trauma

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203134

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 821-836, 2020

Authors: Schwartz, Adam | Gerberich, Susan Goodwin | Albin, Thomas | Kim, Hyun | Ryan, Andrew D. | Church, Timothy R. | Green, Deirdre R. | McGovern, Patricia M. | Erdman, Arthur G. | Arauz, Rony F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Approximately 2.38 million janitors are employed in the U.S. While high physical workload may explain a lost-work days rate 2.7 times greater than other occupations, little is known about the association between janitors’ physical workload, mental workload, and stress. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the associations between physical (ergonomic) and mental workload exposures and stress outcomes among janitors. METHODS: Questionnaire data, focused on ergonomic workload, mental workload and stress, were collected from Minnesota janitors for a one-year period. Physical workload was assessed with Borg Scales and Rapid Entire Body Assessments (REBA). …Mental workload assessment utilized the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). Stress assessments utilized single-item ordinal stress scale (SISS) and Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) measures. Descriptive and multivariable analyses, including bias adjustment, were conducted. RESULTS: Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for ergonomic workload (task frequency) effects on SISS were: REBA (1.18 OR, 1.02–1.37 CI); Borg (1.25 OR, 1.00–1.56 CI); combined REBA and Borg (1.10 OR, 1.01–1.20 CI). Mental workload was associated with higher PSS-4 levels (0.15 Mean Difference, 0.08–0.22 CI) and a 3% increased risk for each one-unit increase in the SISS scale (1.03 OR, 1.02–1.05 CI). CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrated a moderate effect of physical and mental workloads on stress among janitors. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, injury epidemiology, NASA TLX, Perceived Stress Scale

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203135

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 837-846, 2020

Authors: Moran, Jacxelyn | Fitch, Taylor Jennelle | Villanueva, Gabriela | Quadir, Mohammad Morshedul | Chien, Lung-Chang | Alamgir, Hasnat

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The prevalence of urinary symptoms and infections among female garment factory workers in Bangladesh – a large developing country – is largely unknown. Garment sector is this country’s main economic growth engine. OBJECTIVES: This paper focuses on garment industry workers and compares the findings with another group of low socioeconomic status working women. METHODS: Urinary tract symptoms (UTS) were determined by self-reported survey including International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) and urinary tract infection (UTI) was determined among a subset population by urine dipstick tests. RESULTS: Data were …collected from 310 garment workers and 297 comparison workers. About one third of garment workers (31.94%) and comparison workers (29.97%) could take up to 3 toilet breaks in a day. Garment workers reported to be more sexually active and menstruation was more common among them compared to comparison workers. They reported a significantly higher prevalence of malodorous urine and vaginal discharge. Garment workers were found to have a significantly higher ICIQ-FLUTS score of voiding than comparison workers (0.44 vs. 0.27; p -value = 0.0167). Among the study respondents, 148 garment workers and 134 other workers provided urine samples and 21 (7.45%) were found to have UTI. After considering all the risk factors in multivariate model, garment work had a significant impact on the probability of having UTI with Odds Ratio of 5.46 (p -value = 0.0374; 95% CI = 1.10, 26.97) compared to other workers. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the prevalence and burden of urinary symptoms and infections among female worker populations in Bangladesh. Show more

Keywords: Developing countries, low socioeconomic status, working women, garment workers of Bangladesh

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203136

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 847-856, 2020

Authors: Thisted, Cecilie N. | Labriola, Merete | Nielsen, Claus V. | Jul Håkonsen, Sasja | Bjerrum, Merete B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sickness absence due to depression has indirect and direct costs for employers. Whilst employers play a key role in establishing supportive work environments and providing work adjustments, there is a lack of knowledge on employers’ attitudes to support employees with depression. OBJECTIVE: To investigate employers’ attitudes to manage employees’ depression, focusing on the employers’ opportunities and challenges to support employees with depression. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with five employers. Interview transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Four categories emerged from the interviews: Attitude to and understanding of depression affect supportive …practices; Dilemma between supporting employees with depression and accommodating workplace needs; The employer-employee relationship influences supportive practices; and Work accommodations target the employee ’s ability to work. CONCLUSION: Employers may need a wider understanding of depression and the importance of the work environment influencing work disability due to depression. Studies should investigate how knowledge of work disability due to depression can be transferred to workplaces. Conflicting agendas of the vocational rehabilitation stakeholders poison opportunities to support, and initiatives may aim to promote employers’ understanding of the benefits of collaborating with other stakeholders. The involvement of decision-makers to provide initiatives that support employers in managing employees with depression to promote their work participation is recommended. Show more

Keywords: Mental disorders, workplace, vocational rehabilitation, return to work, qualitative research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203137

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 857-868, 2020

Authors: Ma, Jinshan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Investigation of the safety management efficiency in a coal mine aims to improve its safety management level thus ensuring coal mining safety. However, the safety management efficiency is affected by many factors especially for those coal mines operated underground. Furthermore, the constraint factors that are difficult to be identified and eliminated may impede safety management efficiency. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to explore the constraints affecting safety management efficiency through a mathematical model accompanied by some effective measures guided by the theory of constraint (TOC). METHODS: An index system for coal mining safety management efficiency (CMSME) …is first established. Then a mathematical model roughly identifying the constraint factors is constructed. The principle of the proposed model is a comparison with the changes of the ratio of integrated CMSME and the ratio of each impact factor over a certain period. Thus, a constraint factor may be one whose ratio changes at a slower rate than that of the integrated CMSME. Following this, some measures are adopted to identify one, or more, real constraints. Finally, the constraints may be broken by internal, or external, means. RESULTS: A case study from Quandian coal mine verified the proposed method: the constraints affecting CMSME could be identified and broken through during the production. This research currently is applied to coal mining activities in a few coal mines, and it will be widely used in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides a novel method investigating the constraints affecting CMSME and breaking through them. The case study shows that breaking through constraints during the production is beneficial to CMSME. Furthermore, a coal mine with a high CMSME index may still, at some time, have one, or more, bottleneck constraints. Show more

Keywords: Constraints, coal mining, safety management efficiency, model

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203138

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 869-880, 2020

Authors: Albizu, Evelyn J. | de Oliveira Gonçalves, Cláudia Giglio | de Lacerda, Adriana Bender Moreira | Zeigelboim, Bianca Simone | Marques, Jair Mendes

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Several health conditions among professional fishermen have been reported. Among the risks to the health of fishermen, it should be noted that high noise levels cause hearing loss and general health problems. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the effects of exposure to occupational noise on hearing in professional fishermen at the main large-scale commercial fishing center in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, 466 Brazilian commercial fishermen participated in the study, all males, ages range 18–67 years. A total of 15 vessels were included in the study. The first phase involved assessment of the sound pressure levels (SPLs) …in the vessels, the second phase involved the use of a questionnaire and audiological assessment. RESULTS: Most compartments registered SPLs greater than 80 dBA and the noisiest compartment was the engine-room, where the vessel pilot works. Among the fishermen, tinnitus was the most commonly reported symptom (48.63%). A higher prevalence of hearing loss was observed in engine-room keepers. Longer the length of time in service, and consequently, exposure to noise (in years), were associated with higher auditory thresholds. CONCLUSION: the tolerance limits to noise exposure were exceeded according to legislation. Fishing activities are associated with noise-induced hearing loss, with the risk increasing with the length of service. Show more

Keywords: Hearing, worker’s health, fishing, noise

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203139

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 881-889, 2020

Authors: Valenzuela-Gómez, Sergio-Alberto | Rey-Galindo, John-Alexander | Aceves-Gonzlez, Carlos

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: When performing, classical guitarists interact with many elements which constitute their own “workstation”. One of those elements is the support for guitar positioning. Support dimensions, form and materials may determine posture and affect the musician’s comfort and performance. OBJECTIVE: To propose design requirements for new supports for guitar positioning, based on postural assessment, anthropometric criteria, self-efficacy and comfort perception. METHODS: Nine healthy Classical Guitar students were recruited. A postural assessment was undertaken using REBA, and 3DSSPP software with three different supports for guitar positioning. After the use of each support, a questionnaire about self-efficacy and …comfort perception was completed by the participants. RESULTS: The higher scores of risk and a significant difference (ANOVA, p  =≤05) regarding the left leg elevation were found with footstool usage. However, this one was identified by participants as the best support in terms of self-efficacy and comfort assessment. CONCLUSIONS: To improve performance and prevent physical injuries for guitarists, there is a need for designing guitar positionings supports based on ergonomics principles. This paper proposes eleven guidelines for designing these supports. Show more

Keywords: Postural assessment, classical guitarists, ergonomic risks, support for guitar positioning, design guidelines

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203140

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 891-901, 2020

Authors: Glimne, Susanne | Brautaset, Rune | Österman, Cecilia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Working in front of computer screens is visually demanding and related to adverse eye symptoms. Occurrence of glare further increases visual fatigue. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents results from an examination of visual ergonomics in control room environments at two Swedish process industries. METHODS: Visual conditions were examined and evaluated in nine control rooms and eighteen process operators answered questions about their perceived workload and visual experiences. RESULTS: When working in the control rooms, the mental workload was rated significantly higher by the participants, compared to experienced performance. The operators further experienced significantly higher …visual fatigue and blurred vision compared to double vision and sore eyes. Visual demands were increased in conditions where contrast glare was present, as well as frequent changes of focusing distances, and low contrast between background and characters in computer screens. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal visual working conditions in the control rooms contributes to increased visual demands on the operators. Presence of glare is leading to visual fatigue and an unnecessary high mental load. The findings support the relevance of considering principles of general and visual ergonomics when designing and organizing work in control rooms. Workstation design should also be flexible to allow for individual and contextual adjustments. Show more

Keywords: Visual demands, workload, contrast glare, lighting design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203141

Citation: Work, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 903-914, 2020