Affiliations: Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo,
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada | Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada | Department of Public Health, University of Toronto,
Ontario, Canada | Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. R. Wells, Department of
Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, 200, University Avenue, W., Waterloo,
Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1. Tel.: +1 519 888 4567; Fax: +1 519 746 6776; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Objectives: Working under frequent deadlines was previously found to
be associated with upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in
newspaper workers. Further investigation was required so that concrete
recommendations for change could be offered to the workplace parties (labour
and management of a large metropolitan newspaper). Study design: The assessment was based on three methods. A
questionnaire was used to clarify time-related aspects of work on deadlines for
a larger group of workers. Experience sampling was used to document temporal
variation in various aspects of physical and psychological demands over work
shifts and deadline cycles. Focus groups were also conducted. Results: Differences were found between the "High" and "Low"
deadline groups: Those working with frequent deadlines more frequently were
required: to work together with others, to perform tasks on a specific schedule
and specific order, to work at a fast paced, to perceive their work as hectic
and "hard". Experience sampling showed differential trends in workload across
daily, weekly, and no deadline days. The lack of breaks for extended periods of
time leading up to a deadline was noticeable. The focus groups were useful in
highlighting issues not addressed by the other two methods and to understand
the feasibility of various possible interventions. Conclusions: The integration of results from all methods lead to
recommendations for issues upon which to focus prevention related activities
where deadlines are present: delays in work flow from others, interruptions
from technology related problems, excessive work, insufficient
staff/insufficient time, extra/unexpected work, compromising of work quality
for speed, and lack of time for breaks.
