Work - Volume 74, issue 1

Authors: Pinheiro, Tatiane Draguer Dal Ponte | Silva, Brenda | Zanella, Janice de Fátima Pavan | Salazar, Rodrigo Fernando dos Santos | Bonfanti-Azzolin, Gabriela

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: At energy distribution companies, office and operational employees work in different occupational environments. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) can develop due to occupational factors and can often lead to morbidity and disability. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of CVD in workers with different occupations in an energy distribution company, using cardiometabolic indices. METHODS: Workers (men), aged between 20 and 70 years, were divided into two groups: operational (n  = 78) and office (n  = 106) workers. Their metabolic profiles were analyzed using anthropometric and laboratory data to obtain the atherogenic plasma index (AIP) and insulin resistance index (TyG), and …to identify the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype as cardiometabolic indicators. RESULTS: There was no difference in CVD risk between the two groups. However, 82% of the test subjects presented a high risk for the development of atherosclerosis based on the AIP, and 11.4% presented the HTGW phenotype, along with the presence of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and being overweight as risk factors for CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Although the identified risk factors are not related to the type of occupation at work, companies in the electricity sector can invest in the implementation of measures for health promotion to protect and prevent diseases and improve labor productivity and quality. Show more

Keywords: Cardiometabolic indices, overweightedness, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205238

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 219-226, 2023

Authors: Vooijs, Marloes | Hazelzet, Astrid M. | van Kesteren, Nicole M.C. | Verhoef, Helen | Otten, Wilma

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Being able to participate in work is an important determinant of health. Therefore, reintegration professionals provide support to clients to return to work (RTW). Since RTW has a significant impact on a client’s life, it is preferred that clients are involved in the decision-making process of RTW. A method to do so, is shared decision-making (SDM), involving the following steps: collaborating as a team, explaining to clients that they can be part of the decision-making process, setting a shared goal, presenting and discussing choice options, and making a shared decision. OBJECTIVE: We explored how clients experience and …prefer these SDM steps in their current and ideal interaction with professionals. METHODS: We performed semi-structured interviews with fourteen clients receiving support in their RTW process from four different municipalities. RESULTS: Clients emphasised the importance of collaborating as team. None of the clients reported having been told that they could be part of the decision-making process, or discussed a shared goal with a professional, which they would prefer. Some clients were presented choice options. When choice options were discussed, frequently only the negative aspects of choice options were explained by the professional. A great number of clients experienced that shared decisions were made, but based this on the shared effort made by the client and professional to RTW. CONCLUSIONS: Clients generally wish to cooperate and participate in the decision-making process, but their ability to do so is limited due to not being fully involved in the SDM steps. Show more

Keywords: Self-management, client participation, autonomy, evidence-based, employment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211023

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 227-235, 2023

Authors: Kashif, Muhammad | Hassan, Shahzaib | Aniq Younas, Muhammad | Shafique, Ammar | Bhatti, Zahid Mehmood | Dustgir, Atif

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders cause a significant occupational problem for healthcare workers (HCWs). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the prevalence, associated occupational risk factors and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among HCWs working in five hospitals in Faisalabad, Pakistan. METHODS: A previously used validated questionnaire, which consisted of four sections, including demographic information, occupational health questions, and associated occupational risk factors and coping strategies, was used as a survey tool to collect data on health workers working in five hospitals located in the Faisalabad District. RESULTS: The finding of this study revealed …that 7-day and 12-month prevalence rates of WMSDs were 1226 (83.45%) and 1107 (75.35%) respectively among HCWs and most common WMSDs was low back pain 576 (39.2%) followed by the neck 217 (15%) and ankles 186 (13%) according to body sites. The probability of developing WRMSDs was higher among physiotherapists (OR = 3.63, 95% CI: 1.39–9.51), participants with rank 18 (OR = 4.17, 95% CI: 2.18–7.96), and HCWs who work in primary care (OR = 8.94, 95% CI: 3.47–23.04). The most important risk factor reported was treating an excessive number of patients in one day (66.8%). The main coping strategies reported in this study were to get someone else to help in handling a heavy patient (90%). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the most prevalent WMSD among HCWs was lower back pain. Sedentary lifestyle was shown to be a positive risk factor for acquiring WMSDs. Additionally, the primary risk factor discovered was treating an excessive number of patients, probably owing to a shortage of healthcare staff. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, prevalence, healthcare workers, risk factors, coping strategies

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210644

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 237-245, 2023

Authors: Jin, Haizhe | Yao, Junhan | Xiao, Zhibin | Qu, Qingxing | Fu, Quanwei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Medication administration errors by nurses form a high proportion of medical errors in medical institutions. Studies have shown that such errors are closely linked to nursing workload. OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively explore the effects of different types of nursing workloads on different medication administration errors. METHOD: Three medical institutions were selected as the objects of error data collection based on the following criteria: the medical institution experience in error data collection, the complete range of medical departments, and the institution size. Error cases were self-reported from all nurses in all medical departments. The relationship between the …error types and nursing workload types were quantitatively examined using partial least squares and structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The study recorded 290 medication administration errors, and extracted four error types and nine nursing workload types. The workload type for each error type was also identified and the path coefficient was found to be between 0.087 to 0.416. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the effect of workload on medication administration errors and determined a theoretical mechanism for this effect. Research results will provide the evidence for nursing managers to reduce workload and ensure quality in the nursing administration process. Show more

Keywords: Medication administration errors, nursing workload, error types, quantitative study

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211392

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 247-254, 2023

Authors: Cheragh, Zahra Ataei | Gandomi, Farzaneh | Sakinehpoor, Aynollah

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Holding incorrect postures over a long period could lead to chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP) in office employees. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different typing positions on the activity of the neck extensor and upper trapezius (UT) muscles of office employees diagnosed with CNNP. METHODS: This assessor-blinded cross-sectional study was performed on 22 female subjects with the mean age of 39.95±5.30 years. The neck extensors and UT muscle activities of the participants were assessed in the upright, forward, and slouching postures by electromyography (EMG). In addition, neck proprioception and the …performance of the cervical stabilizer muscles were evaluated using an inclinometer and biofeedback pressure unit, respectively. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the cervical erector spine (CES) and UT muscle activities in the upright, forward, and slouching typing positions (P  < 0.05). In addition, a difference was observed between the upright and slouching postures in these muscles. A positive correlation was denoted between CES muscle activity in the slouching and forward postures and the activation index of neck muscles (P  < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant, negative correlation was observed between the UT muscle activity in the slouching posture and neck proprioception (P  < 0.05). A positive correlation was also noted between the pain index and repositioning error rates (P  < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CES muscle activity increased in a forward head posture, which could damage neck proprioception through causing early fatigue and stimulating a cumulative damage cycle. Show more

Keywords: Chronic nonspecific neck pain, posture, neck muscle, cervical erector spine

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210909

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 255-263, 2023

Authors: Audet, Jessika | Lecours, Alexandra | Nastasia, Iuliana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 95 % of businesses and are economically essential. When occupational injuries occur, scientific literature suggests that the return-to-work (RTW) success rate is proportional to the size of enterprises and the way RTW is managed may put workers in SMEs at risk. As most studies on RTW organizational practices have been conducted with large enterprises, little is known about how RTW is managed in SMEs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore SME’s organizational practices in the RTW process of workers having suffered an occupational injury. METHODS: Semi-structured …phone interviews were conducted with 15 participants from 3 different stakeholder categories (i.e., SME representatives, workers, and healthcare professionals) in order to explore their experiences regarding RTW in SMEs. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological analysis strategy. RESULTS: SMEs’ organisational practices evoked by participants gather in three themes: 1) Reducing the risks of occupational injuries (i.e., ensuring injury prevention), 2) Managing occupational injuries (i.e., dealing with the initial occupational injury, handling administrative aspects of work disability, and being actively involved in the RTW process), and 3) Preventing consequences of occupational injuries (i.e., adapting operations following injuries). CONCLUSION: Organizational practices for RTW are used diversely in SMEs. Proposed lines of action adapted to the realities and needs of SMEs may be beneficial to hundreds of thousands of workers, enterprises and professionals involved in the RTW process. Show more

Keywords: Organizational practices, best practices, phenomenology

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210763

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 265-281, 2023

Authors: Zhang, Renjie | Niu, Jianwei | Ran, Linghua

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Assessing working posture risks is important for occupational safety and health. However, low-cost assessment techniques for human motion injuries in the logistics delivery industry have rarely been reported. OBJECTIVE: To propose a novel approach for posture risk assessment using low-cost motion capture with artificial intelligence. METHODS: A Kinect was adopted to obtain red-green-blue (RGB) and depth images of the subject with 24 postures, and the human joints were extracted using artificial intelligence. The images were registered to obtain the actual three-dimensional (3D) human joint angle. RESULTS: The root mean square error (RMSE) significantly …decreased. Finally, two common methods for evaluating human working posture injuries—the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Ovako Working Posture Analysis System—were investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The outputs of the proposed method are consistent with those of the commercial ergonomic evaluation software. Show more

Keywords: Posture risk assessment, low-cost motion capture, artificial intelligence, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS)

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205204

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 283-293, 2023

Authors: DiRocco, Tara | Hall-Nelson, Brianna | Carlson, Ingrid | Corrigan, John | Kutcher, Stephanie | Mertz, Patrick | Nelson-Wong, Erika

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adjustable height sit-stand desks are becoming the norm in many workplaces. It is not known how task type, worker preference, and occupation impact utilization of the adjustable height feature. OBJECTIVE: This survey-based study aimed to determine how task type, preference and occupation affect office workers’ sitting and standing behaviors at work. METHODS: Office workers (n  = 123) from different occupations completed surveys about actual and preferred positions (sit, stand, either/both) during 39 common tasks from 4 different categories, as well as barriers to use. Each position was analyzed by task type, behavior, and occupation. …RESULTS: There were differences between actual and preferred behavior for each position, with participants sitting more and standing less than preferred across all task categories. There were differences between task categories with participants sitting less for generative and routine, and standing more for communication tasks. The highest rates of either/both responses were for routine tasks. Engineers reported the lowest standing rates, and also indicated standing more than preferred. Information Tech and Engineering had the highest either/both responses. Finance reported the highest sitting rates. Personal, task-based and workplace limitations were cited as barriers to preferred use. CONCLUSION: Office workers would prefer to stand more at work. Occupation-specific needs and preferences, as well as types of tasks should be considered when providing workplace standing options. Show more

Keywords: Height adjustable desk, sedentary work, ergonomics, height adjustable workstation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211274

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 295-308, 2023

Authors: Hassani, Mehrdad | Kabiesz, Patrycja | Hesampour, Reza | Ezbarami, Sahebeh Mirzaei | Bartnicka, Joanna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Activities performed by people in the meat processing industry are very repetitive, time-consuming, dangerous, and require long-term downtime during a shift (forced-static position). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and working conditions among Polish and Iranian workers to fill this research gap. METHODS: A comparative analysis of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in developed and developing countries was conducted. After selecting the target factories, data was collected using Nordic and Mental Stress Questionnaires and 3DSSPP software with the participation of 110 meat processing workers, including 55 Iranian and 55 …Polish. RESULTS: This study showed nearly the same prevalence of MSDs among male Iranian and Polish workers, especially in elbow, wrist/hand, upper back, hip/thigh, and ankle/foot. The overall prevalence of MSDs was relatively high and connected to the lower back (38%, 64%), knee (40%, 24%), neck (24%, 42%), and upper back (24%, 34.5%), among Iranian and Polish workers, respectively. Assessment of logistic regression disclosed that the workplace is considerably associated with the elbow and the ankle/foot musculoskeletal pain, with 2.34 and 3.81 times more likely for the production room, respectively, among Iranian workers. CONCLUSION: Age, gender, type of occupation, work experience, smoking, insufficient physical activity, workplace, working postures, and stress level all affected the likelihood of MSDs happening in various body regions in both countries, implying that both individual and work-related (both physical and psychosocial) aspects should be taken into consideration when evaluating and managing such complaints in this workforce. Show more

Keywords: Meat industry, musculoskeletal disorders, risk factors, workplace, work conditions

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211362

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 309-325, 2023

Authors: Jin, Haizhe | Xiao, Zhibin | Li, Mingming | Fu, Quanwei | Duffy, Vincent G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Human error types and error factors are two important elements of error analysis. Understanding the relationship between them can contribute to new case analyses, the tendency of error occurrence statistics, error factor identification, and prevention of error recurrence. OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence and guidance for the prevention and improvement of medication communication errors by quantitatively exploring the relationship between error types and error factors. METHODS: Data were collected on self-reported errors in the medication administration process by nurses in all departments of three cooperative medical institutions, and an error sheet of specified style was adopted. …Error types were determined by the systematic human error reduction and prediction approach method and human cognition processes. Error factors were extracted using the root cause analysis combined with Berlo’s communication model, and the relationship between error types and error factors was quantitatively studied using the partial least-squares regression method. RESULTS: After a one-by-one analysis of 303 error cases, the communication errors occurring in the nursing medication process could be explained by six error types and 12 error factors. In addition, 20 correlation patterns between the error types and error factors were quantitatively obtained, and their path coefficient distributions ranged from 0.088 to 0.467. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may provide reference to understand errors and establish countermeasures from the statistics of error occurrence trends, extract error factors related to error types and determine key error factors. Show more

Keywords: Medication error, nursing communication process, error type, error factor, healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211221

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 327-339, 2023