Work - Volume 76, issue 1

Authors: Ahmadi Charkhabi, Soheyla | Motamedzade, Majid | Dianat, Iman | Mortazavi, Seyed Meysam | Faradmal, Javad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Office workers are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) due to improper workstations. Open-plan bank office employees must communicate with bank clerks properly and perform financial activity precisely, but noise is a factor that disrupts their communication. Therefore, MSS and annoying noise are two of the main problems in open-plan offices. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of a multi-component intervention involving individual (employee ergonomics training) and physical (improvements in workstation design and work environment) ergonomic factors on musculoskeletal outcomes and speech communication in open-plan environments. METHODS: A preliminary survey was carried out …to investigate the overall ergonomics problems, the tasks and time analysis, workstations setup, the prevalence of MSS (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), physical discomfort (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]), and posture (assessed by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA] method), environmental status (measurement of noise), and speech intelligibility (assessed by Speech Interference Level [SIL] method based on ISO 9921). The multi-component interventions were performed afterward based on the data collected. A baseline assessment and a 9-month follow-up assessment were conducted. RESULTS: The results showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints (shoulders, elbows, and low back), physical discomfort, and awkward working postures after the intervention. A considerable improvement was also found in speech intelligibility post-intervention. The post-intervention questionnaire survey also indicated that employees generally favored the redesigned workstations. CONCLUSION: The results support the effectiveness of implementing multi-component interventions in open-plan bank offices to improve musculoskeletal complaints and speech communication. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics training, posture, office worker, musculoskeletal symptoms, redesign

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220427

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 275-288, 2023

Authors: Bobsin, Tamara Sarate | Camilo, Sílvio Parodi Oliveira | Cardoso, Luana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Based on the need for organizational institutions to act, through public policies, in the establishment of programs focused on the inclusion of People with Disabilities (PwD) in the labor market in Brazil. The Supported Employment methodology (SE) was constituted by directing and providing support, in the workplace, to PwD. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the intra-organizational management of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market in the southern region of Santa Catarina and the alignment with the precepts of Supported Employment (SE). METHODS: Using a qualitative approach, the …multi-case study was carried out through interviews, based on semi-structured questions, in five companies in the southern region of SC that are required to hire PwD. RESULTS: The research points out the movement of companies in the development of policies and practices for the inclusion of PwD in the job market. However, there is still a significant gap between company practices and SE precepts. There are no formal programs and policies with wide internal dissemination, about the drivers for PwD. CONCLUSION: This study helps to address eventual difficulties of companies regarding practices in the inclusion of PwD, contributes to the definition of guidelines aimed at improving existing policies or in the development of new practices aimed at the inclusion of PwD. Show more

Keywords: Decent work, human development, inclusion Policies, public policy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220563

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 289-301, 2023

Authors: Zehr, Jackie D. | Noguchi, Mamiko | Fok, Donna J. | Callaghan, Jack P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adherence to sit-stand workstation usage has been shown to decrease post-intervention, with the reported reasons related to fatigue, cumbersome workstation adjustments, and focus. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the mechanical work and total energy required to perform transitions from a traditional office chair and a dynamic chair designed specifically for sit-stand workstations. The whole-body, thigh, and shank centre-of-mass (CoM) were evaluated. METHODS: Fifteen participants (8 male; 7 female) performed three intermittent sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions from the traditional and dynamic chairs. Kinematic data of the trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities were collected using an optoelectronic motion capture …system and triaxial accelerometers. The change in total energy and work between the sitting and standing postures were evaluated for each CoM point. Lumbar spine range-of-motion was further assessed between chair conditions. RESULTS: Chair designs facilitated opposite work and energy responses for a given transition. Transitions performed from the dynamic chair reduced the work and total energy of the whole-body CoM, by ±8.5J and ±214.6J (p  < 0.001), respectively. The work and energy of the thigh CoM differed within transitions (p  < 0.001), but the positive and negative components were similar between chairs (work =±0.18J, energy =±0.55J). The dynamic chair increased the total energy (±38.3J, p  < 0.001) but not the work of the shank CoM (±1.1J, p ≥0.347). CONCLUSION: The required mechanical work and energy of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions was modified by chair design. These outcomes have the potential to address identified reasons for the disuse of sit-stand workstations. Show more

Keywords: Intermittent movement, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, chair-desk configuration

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220333

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 303-313, 2023

Authors: Alamgir, Hasnat | Sayeed, Sabrina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Empowering workers through operational safety committees and having an effective safety reporting mechanism improves occupational health and safety. The Western large retailers mostly from Europe formed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (Accord) in 2013 to advance occupational health and safety in the Bangladesh garment industry and one of its missions was to empower the workers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of Accord’s programs on improving safety and quality of the working environment in the garment sector. METHOD: All reports of Accord published and made available …for the public were accessed and analyzed. Data were gathered and presented on 1) number of Safety Committees formed 2) Safety Training Programs conducted and 3) Safety and Health Complaints received. RESULTS: By 2021, a total of 1581 factories and 1.8 million workers were covered by Accord. By May, 2021, Accord formed Safety Committees and completed training sessions on these in 1022 factories (65% of the target). By 2020, the average number of total complaints received per factory was around two and the number of occupational health and safety (OSH) complaints -which was deemed to be dealt directly by Accord- was less than one per factory. The numbers of OSH complaints were less than two per 1000 workers and non-OSH complaints made up almost one third (25-35%) of all complaints during 2016 to 2019; however, in 2020 and 2021, non-OSH complaints constituted half (50%) of all complaints. CONCLUSION: Accord’s worker empowerment mission could not form Safety Committees or deliver training sessions in all its factories and the number and relevance of complaints received appeared to be low given the number of factories and workers it covered. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health, employee health, occupational safety, garment workers, Bangladesh

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220027

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 315-321, 2023

Authors: Realyvásquez-Vargas, Arturo | García-Alcaraz, Jorge Luis | Arredondo-Soto, Karina Cecilia | Hernández-Escobedo, Guadalupe | Báez-López, Yolanda Angélica

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although some research has been done in the Mexican manufacturing industry regarding mental workload, none has explored its association with physical fatigue, body weight gain, and human error simultaneously. OBJECTIVE: This research examines the association between mental workload and physical fatigue, body weight gain, and human error in employees from the Mexican manufacturing systems through a mediation analysis approach. METHODS: A survey named Mental Workload Questionnaire was developed by merging the NASA-TLX with a questionnaire containing the mental workload variables mentioned above. The Mental Workload Questionnaire was applied to 167 participants in 63 manufacturing companies. …In addition, the mental workload was used as an independent variable, while physical fatigue and body weight gain were mediator variables, and human error was a dependent variable. Six hypotheses were used to measure the relationships among variables and tested using the ordinary least squares regression algorithm. RESULTS: Findings indicated that mental workload significantly correlates with physical fatigue and human error. Also, the mental workload had a significant total association with human error. The highest direct association with body weight gain was provided by physical fatigue, and body weight gain had an insignificant direct association with human error. Finally, all indirect associations were insignificant. CONCLUSION: Mental workload directly affects human error, which physical fatigue does not; however, it does affect body weight gain. Managers should reduce their employees’ mental workload and physical fatigue to avoid further problems associated with their health. Show more

Keywords: Body weight gain, human error, manufacturing systems, mental workload, physical fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220148

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 323-341, 2023

Authors: Sajedian, Ali Asghar | Akbari, Hamed | Azad, Esfandiar | Ahmadi Moshiran, Vahid | Sadeghi-Yarandi, Mohsen | Ghasemi, Mohammad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Workplace violence is an important event that affects the safety of healthcare employees, and diagnosing it in hospitals is an immediate occupational concern. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to investigate general health and the prevalence of occupational violence and to predict its consequences among nurses and paramedics as the main body in medical settings. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 in a selected hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 208 healthcare workers participated in the study. To study general health, exposure to workplace violence, job burnout, and productivity, the general health …questionnaire (GHQ), the workplace violence questionnaire, the Maslach burnout questionnaire, and the workforce productivity questionnaire were provided to healthcare workers, respectively. Then, a multiple linear regression model was used to predict violence and its consequences. RESULTS: The results revealed that 34.1% of the participants have psychological disorders, and 74.5% have experienced one type of violence in their workplace at least once during the past year. The multiple linear regression model results indicated that workplace violence prevalence proved the ability to predict the increase in burnout and decrease in job productivity. CONCLUSION: Exposure to violence in the workplace significantly increases the risk of mental disorders associated with the risk of mental illness. Therefore, managing exposure to violence in the workplace is a practical step in improving general and mental health and ultimately increasing job productivity in medical settings. Show more

Keywords: Health Personnel, Occupational Exposure, Physical Abuse, Occupational Health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220447

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 343-354, 2023

Authors: Muthiah, Arunachalam | Prajapati, Shyambihari | Lingam, Aditya

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Universal design (UD) is a beneficial concept for better accessible design to improve easy approachability and industry-standard products. Specifically, Indian household products require UD features in domains such as bathroom and toilet, furniture, kitchen utilities, and home appliances. Among household product design in India, a lack of understanding of the product’s universality might be a constraint for product designers. Also, there are no studies assessing the UD features of Indian household products. OBJECTIVE: (1) To examine the UD feature of Indian household products against the seven principles of UD; (2) To determine the most lacking UD feature …among Indian household products; and (3) To find out the Indian household categories (i.e., bathroom and toilet, furniture, kitchen utilities, and home appliances) which are most lacking in UD performance. METHOD: The UD features were evaluated using a standardized questionnaire, which contains 29 questions on UD principles and general questions (gender, education level, age and house characteristics). Using statistical packages, the data were computed for mean and frequency distribution, as well as analyzed to achieve the objectives. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for comparative analyses. RESULTS: The results indicate that the “flexibility in use” and “perceptible information” principles were lacking among the Indian household products. Also, bathroom and toilet and furniture household products were most lacking in UD performance. CONCLUSION: The findings of this research will enlighten the insights into the usefulness, usability, safety, and marketability of Indian household products. In addition, they will be helpful in promoting UD features and obtaining financial benefits from the Indian market. Show more

Keywords: Card sorting, accessibility, consumer research, approachability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220340

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 355-368, 2023

Authors: Alnaser, Musaed Z. | Richard, Lynne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Due to the nature of its occupations, the healthcare industry recognizes that manually lifting, transferring, and handling patients are high-risk activities and leading factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Research studies highlight that students are not receiving adequate training in manual patient transfer. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the procedural knowledge in patient transfer of second-year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy students and their practical skills in performing a manual patient transfer. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included 23 occupational therapy students. Students completed the transfer technique knowledge assessment and subsequently …performed a real-time manual patient transfer. RESULTS: No significant association was found between the participants’ knowledge and performance in MPT (x2 (2) = 0.578, p  = 0.749). All students scored highly on the knowledge assessment (μ= 9.3, SD =±1.02); however, the performance on real-time manual patient transfer was moderate (μ= 11.57, SD =±3.37) for the majority of students. CONCLUSION: A gap exists between the results of students’ knowledge and practice versus real-time performance in manual patient transfer. The practical training students receive on manual patient transfers in the academic setting may not equip them with the necessary skills and techniques to perform safe transfers. Show more

Keywords: Academic training, musculoskeletal pain, education, occupational injuries, occupational therapy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220270

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 369-379, 2023

Authors: Darries, Zareena | Soeker, Mogammad Shaheed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is an important public health problem. Individuals with ABI experience greater challenges with community reintegration and successful return to work (RTW) due to both personal and environmental factors. Empirical evidence has shown that women with brain injury are vulnerable to poorer functional outcomes and have demonstrated lower RTW rates post-injury. Therefore, further research is needed to gain greater insight on women with acquired brain injury’s functional and work abilities as well as their experiences of RTW and entrepreneurial skills development. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore and describe women with acquired brain injury’s …experiences during their rehabilitation process, their resumption of their worker role, and entrepreneurial skills development. This qualitative exploration formed part of a study that resulted in an occupational therapy practice model to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of women with acquired brain injury living in the Cape Metropolitan, Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten females with acquired brain injury. A qualitative approach was employed to thematically analyse the data. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the study: (1) Barriers within the rehabilitation process, 2) ABI causes loss of a sense of self and financial strain, 3) Entrepreneurship and education as a strategy to empowerment. CONCLUSION: Unmet individual needs related to occupational engagement results in RTW challenges for women with ABI. ABI sequelae cause activity limitations and hinder gainful occupational participation. A holistic client-centred entrepreneurial skills development approach is a viable and needed strategy to facilitate economic empowerment for women with ABI. Show more

Keywords: Client-centred, self-efficacy, entrepreneurial skills, empowerment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220576

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 381-391, 2023

Authors: Qiao, Tingting | Geater, Alan F. | Du, Huifeng | Li, Ying | Duan, Limin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The program of the “Free Training of Chinese Rural Order-Oriented Medical Students” is a plan to train general practitioners who can work at rural medical institutions. However, many students have been unwilling to fulfill their commitments and actually work in their assigned locations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide some explanation by exploring factors influencing the employment intentions of rural order-oriented medical students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China to provide a basis for formulating relevant supporting policies to help increase the fulfillment rate of medical students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with …a stratified cluster sampling method at four medical universities in Inner Mongolia using a survey questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors that were significantly associated with employment intentions. RESULTS: Approximately 67% of students were willing to work in rural areas, whereas 33% were not. Order-oriented medical students who were dissatisfied with, or indifferent to, training, were unclear about policy, were of Han ethnicity, or came from an urban area, had lower intentions to accept employment in rural areas. The training satisfaction in particular had the greatest predictive effect. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the program “Free Training of Chinese Rural Order-Oriented Medical Students” has been affected by the low actual employment intentions. This study may provide a useful basis on which medical educators and health policy makers can formulate relevant supporting policies and develop strategies to increase the number of order-oriented medical students who working in rural areas where they are most needed. Show more

Keywords: Health practitioner, human resources, rural area medicine, work, education

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220280

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 393-401, 2023