Work - Volume 73, issue 4

Authors: Hoefsmit, Nicole | Houkes, Inge

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: To achieve adequate return to work (RTW) after sickness absence, Dutch legislation prescribes cooperation between absent employees and employers. Yet, we lack insight into how employees with low levels of education exercise influence over (i.e. self-direct) RTW. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to enhance our understanding of: (A) the role that employers play in the self-direction of employees with low levels of education over their RTW; (B) how employers perceive these employees’ efforts (or lack thereof) to self-direct their own RTW; and (C) how employers understand and interpret the behaviours of these employees. Social cognitive theory served as …a framework. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with 13 employer representatives using semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed in NVivo12 using a template approach. RESULTS: Employers tend to play a guiding, directive role in employees’ RTW. According to employers, employees generally comply with the employers’ decisions and suggestions, whether or not they have tried to realise their own preferences regarding mode and timing of RTW. Employers interpret such employee behaviours from the perspective of environmental (e.g. financial pressures to RTW) and person-related factors (e.g. sickness and RTW perceptions). CONCLUSIONS: Employers, rather than employees direct the employees’ RTW. Employers should give voice to employees and enable them to have more control over their RTW. Future research should acquire more insight in the employees’ perspective. Show more

Keywords: Return to work, self-direction, sickness absence, sick leave, employers, employees with low levels of education

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205233

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1189-1202, 2022

Authors: Hafez, Khaled A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are one of the major causes of disability and early retirement. Consequently, WMSDs cost businesses billions of dollars annually due to compensation claims and productivity loss. Automotive technicians are vulnerable to WMSDs due to the nature of their work, which exposes them to numerous WMSDs risk factors. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the WMSD cases among technicians and evaluate their postures while working in small automotive repair shops in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SA). METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional design. A self-administrated questionnaire and body parts discomfort survey were …filled by thirty automotive technicians. A postural analysis technique was performed to assess the body postures that technicians adopt while performing the tasks, in order to estimate the associated risk of WMSD discomfort. RESULTS: Most automotive technicians suffer severe pain in the lower back, shoulders, neck, hands or wrists, and knees. The technicians related the pain to awkward body postures, heavy lifting, and sustained forceful movements. CONCLUSION: Automotive technicians are advised to level the height of the work surface as feasible, to work as close as possible to said work surface, and to avoid working with awkward body postures as much as possible. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, body postures, heavy lifting, ergonomics assessment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210522

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1203-1216, 2022

Authors: Macena Duarte, Victor Octávio | Neves-Lobo, Ivone Ferreira | Samelli, Alessandra Giannella

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies in noise-exposed animals have shown changes in vestibular structures. Likewise, studies in humans have been suggesting that noise can damage the vestibular system, even with normal assessment results. OBJECTIVE: To assess the vestibular system of workers exposed to noise and to compare with individuals not exposed. METHODS: Twenty normal-hearing male adults were divided in the study group (SG), exposed to occupational noise, and control group (CG). We conducted the following procedures: medical history, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Dix-Hallpike maneuver, and electronystagmography (eye and caloric tests). RESULTS: The DHI score did not differ …between groups. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver was normal for both groups. All individuals had normal responses in the eye tests. 50% of the SG had hyperreflexia in the caloric tests, with a significant difference between the groups. There was a trend towards a statistical significance in the absolute values of angular speed of the slow component in the cold-air test, which were higher in the SG. There was a significant difference between the groups in the relative values of labyrinthine preponderance, which were higher in the SG. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that 70% of the workers exposed to occupational noise had vestibular alterations identified with electronystagmography, whereas 100% of the individuals in the CG had normal results in the vestibular assessment. Moreover, only 20% of the sample in both groups had vestibular complaints, indicating the presence of subclinical vestibular changes in 50% of the individuals exposed to occupational noise. Show more

Keywords: Dizziness, hearing, electronystagmography, noise

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211088

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1217-1225, 2022

Authors: Chaharaghran, Fatemeh | Tabatabaei, Shahnaz | Rostamzadeh, Sajjad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In most food companies, workers are constantly exposed to non-standard levels of noise. Also, food production processes require intense manual labor and repetitive movements, which may result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Noise and awkward posture are considered as two important physical factors in the industrialized world, which can related to perceived stress. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted among food factory workers to investigate the impact of noise exposure and work posture on occupational stress. METHODS: A total of 200 workers were examined in this cross-sectional study. Individual noise exposure was measured by TES-1354 dosimeter (TES, …TW) according to ISO 9612. Postural risk and job stress levels were assessed using Quick Exposure Check (QEC), and the Osipow occupational stress questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: The level of noise exposure and awkward posture were significantly associated with work-related stress.The relationship of gender with occupational stress was also statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that the noise exposure and work posture factors are important determinants of work-related stress, a combined approach to eliminate the levels of non-standard noise and inappropriate posture is essential for promoting psychological health in food companies. Show more

Keywords: Food industry, job stress, noise, posture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210872

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1227-1234, 2022

Authors: Grinblat, Nufar | Rosenblum, Sara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although studies have indicated significant effects of attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) on work participation, the mechanism underlying work participation of adults with ADHD is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: Following the World Health Organization’s international classification of functioning, disability, and health concepts, this study compares sensory processing and sleep quality (body functions) with work participation among adults with and without ADHD and examines predictive relationships among adults with ADHD. METHODS: Sixty-nine adults with ADHD and 52 matched controls completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile, the Mini Sleep Questionnaire, and the Occupational Questionnaire. RESULTS: …The ADHD group had significantly poorer body functions, sensory processing (i.e., low registration, sensory-sensitivity, and sensation-avoiding patterns), sleep quality, and work performance compared to the control group (p  < .001). For adults with ADHD, sensory sensitivity accounted for 10.9%, and sleep quality accounted for 22.0%, of the variance in their work performance. CONCLUSIONS: The deficient body functions of adults with ADHD may affect their work performance and therefore should be considered in further research, as well as in clinical applications. Show more

Keywords: Adult ADHD, sleep, sensory sensitivity, work performance, international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF) model

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211129

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1235-1244, 2022

Authors: Mohamad Sabri, Mohamad Qayum | Judd, Jenni | Roslan, Nor Faridah Ahmad | Che Daud, Ahmad Zamir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hand injuries affect a person’s functioning, thus impeding their abilities to return to work. There is a limited understanding in return to work of the overall predictors when including hand characteristics and functional abilities. Therefore, it is essential to identify the most relevant predictors in return to work among individuals with a hand injury. OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare hand function characteristics and functional abilities of injured workers who have or have not returned to work. (2) To estimate hand function characteristics and functional abilities as predictors to return to work. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen …adult workers with hand injuries aged 18– 59 years old from five general hospitals in Malaysia participated in a cross-sectional study. Predictors were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: There was a significant association between occupational sector (p  = 0.012), injury duration (p  = 0.024), occupational performance (p  = 0.009) and satisfaction with performance (p  < 0.001), grip strength of injured hand (p  = 0.045– 0.002) and the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) disability/symptom (p  = 0.001) with the person’s return to work status. Significant predictors of return to work were identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) satisfaction’s score, DASH disability/symptoms’ score and duration of the injury. CONCLUSION: As two main predictors of return to work were COPM satisfaction and DASH disability/symptoms, occupational therapists working in rehabilitation should focus on achieving functional performance and satisfaction within the optimal time. Show more

Keywords: Hand rehabilitation, occupational therapy, occupations, work rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205164

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1245-1253, 2022

Authors: Dehaghi, Behzad Fouladi | Teimori-Boghsani, Gholamheidar | Rahmani, Davood | Ghavamabadi, Leila Ibrahimi | Zare, Sajad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Preserving and protecting the human resources is considered as the most important capital in any economic section by industrial development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the health, safety and environment (HSE) climate and its effects on occupational accidents in a petrochemical industry. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was performed on 354 male workers in a petrochemical industry (10 different categories of site operators). Data was collected through a questionnaire, which its validity and reliability were standardized with Cronbach’s alpha at 0.85. In this questionnaire the safety condition, workplace environment, disease symptoms were …investigated in five, four and three dimensions, respectively. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 23 and LISREL version 8.8. RESULTS: According to the model values, there were significant correlation between safety condition and workplace environment r  = 0.66, also between work safety condition and disease symptoms. The three hidden variables of work safety condition, work mental environment and physical workplace had significant effects on disease symptoms. Therefore, safety condition was the most effective variable on disease symptoms. Two significant predictors were work safety condition and physical workplace for work mental environment with coefficients γ = 2.29, β = –0.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: HSE condition indicators, working environment and disease symptoms reflect workers’ views on HSE issues in the workplace. It can be beneficial in rooting the factors affecting occupational accidents and performance evaluation in the organization HSE management system. Show more

Keywords: Accidents, occupation, health, HSE, environment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205320

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1255-1264, 2022

Authors: Manandhar, Sarita | Lukman, Aldyfra | Dain, Stephen J. | Bridge, Catherine E. | Relf, Mark | Boon, Mei Ying

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Standards for building elements recommend a minimum luminance contrast of 30%. The basis of this value and the metric originally used is not known. OBJECTIVE: To begin to provide an evidence base for the specification of minimum contrast in building elements. METHODS: Subjects with and without a vision impairment were characterized by visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields and color vision. On an iPad they rated the visibility, as a function of contrast, of simulated door frames, door handles, light switches and stair nosings as “not visible at all”, “poorly visible”, “easily visible” and “extremely …easily visible”. RESULTS: The contrasts for each level of visibility were highly correlated with visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. A principal component analysis also verified the importance of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and visual fields in rating visibility of simulations of building elements. The required contrast for door handles, light switches and stair nosings to attain the same ratings of visibility were very similar but less contrast was required for door frames. CONCLUSIONS: 30% Michelson contrast for building elements renders building elements only poorly visible for those with severe vision impairments. 65% luminance contrast is necessary for all elements to be “easily visible”. Some increase (not a decrease) on the present 30% requirement and encouragement to exceed this requirement would seem appropriate. The use of simulated objects facilitates a systematic examination of the effect of contrast, but the applicability of the results to real-life remains to be demonstrated. Show more

Keywords: Accessibility standards, safe navigation, visibility assessment, visual detection, universal design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210997

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1265-1278, 2022

Authors: Haraldsson, Patrik | Rolander, Bo | Jonker, Dirk | Strengbom, Erik | Areskoug Josefsson, Kristina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Scientific research has identified a lack of psychometrically well-tested methods for evaluation of the work environment in healthcare settings. The Structured Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool (SMET) questionnaire has been evaluated and has shown good content validity, as well as intra-rater and test-retest reliability. There are, however, still unknowns regarding the psychometric properties. If the SMET questionnaire is to be used in practical occupational health service (OHS) work and scientific research in healthcare settings, further psychometric evaluation is needed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to gain further understanding of the psychometric properties of the SMET questionnaire …when used in research and clinical OHS practice in healthcare settings. METHODS: The psychometric evaluation was conducted using classical test theory (Cronbach’s alpha, explorative factor analysis) and Rasch analysis (measurement targeting, category threshold order, person separation index) on data previously collected in development projects within the healthcare sector. RESULTS: The results support the use of the SMET questionnaire as a psychometrically well-tested method for evaluation of the work environment in healthcare settings. They support the use of the initial 1–10 scale since all 10 steps are used. The results also support the trichotomization procedure since the trichotomized scale captures the construct of the work environment with good measurement targeting and good category threshold order. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the use of the SMET questionnaire as a psychometrically well-tested method for a broad multifactorial evaluation of the work environment in healthcare settings. Show more

Keywords: Work environment, occupational health service, questionnaire, reliability, validity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210095

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1279-1295, 2022

Authors: Barbosa, Wélere G. | Saint Martin, Daniel R. | Soares, Edgard de Melo Keene von Koenig Soares | Fontana, Keila Elizabeth | Lan, Fan-Yun | Kales, Stefanos N. | Molina, Guilherme E. | Porto, Luiz Guilherme G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical fitness for health and professional performance play important roles in police workforce considering that policing is a dangerous job, associated with high physical demands. OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the effects of a 6-month course of police academy training on health-related physical fitness (HRPF) of military police recruits. (2) To investigate whether recruits’ HRPF still met the academy entry standards after an unsupervised 7-month period prior to academy. METHODS: We conducted an observational and longitudinal study with 219 male police recruits (aged 25.5±3.6 years; BMI of 24.4±2.5 kg/m2 ). HRPF parameters included the Cooper 12-min running …test for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), curl-ups, pull-ups and push-ups for muscle strength/endurance which were evaluated 3 times: 7 months prior to academy course and pre- and post-academy training period. RESULTS: Participants maintained optimal age-related HRPF during the unsupervised period prior to academy. After academy training upon graduation, all HRPF parameters further increased an average of 7.7 to 69.0% (p  < 0.001; calculated Cohen’s d effect size ≥0.95). CRF was the only HRPF that improved less than 10% after the academy course. CONCLUSIONS: Police recruits that had passed the application fitness standards maintained their HRPF prior to academy, and all their HRPF parameters increased after a 6-month academy training period which was not primarily focused on exercise training. Among all components of HRPF, CRF appears to be the most challenging one to improve among police recruits. Our findings suggest that regular training with minimum physical standards could be potentially beneficial to police officers’ health and career longevity. Show more

Keywords: Cardiorespiratory fitness, fitness assessment, training, motivation, candidates

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210031

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 1297-1306, 2022