Work - Volume 77, issue 2

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-246001

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 405-405, 2024

Authors: Alqarawi, Firas K. | Alam, Beenish Fatima | Nayab, Talha | Alshehri, Sami | Al-Jandan, Badr | Fahim, Faisal | Ali, Saqib

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has badly affected the mental health, quality of life, and self-esteem of students worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the psychological impact and self-esteem of dental students using Rosenberg self-esteem scale and PIDAQ during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This cross-sectional research was conducted amongst the dental students studying at various dental colleges in Karachi, Pakistan from January to May 2022. Evaluation of psychological aspect and self-esteem of students was carried out using “Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ)”, and “Rosenberg self-esteem scale” as perceived by students during the …pandemic. For data analysis SPSS v24 was used. Data analysis comprised of descriptive analysis, Spearman correlation, One-way Anova and Linear regression. The level of significance of p value was less than 0.05. RESULTS: Overall 332 students participated, among which there were 181 females (54.5%), 151 males (45.5%). Dental self-confidence showed a negative relationship with social influence, psychological effect, and aesthetic concern, while it was positively linked with self-esteem during the pandemic. Social impact demonstrated association with psychological impact, aesthetic concern, and self-esteem, while it was negatively correlated with dental confidence. Rosenberg score showed positive correlation with all the variables. Statistically significant association was identified for variables when compared with gender. Regression analysis indicated association of age with dental confidence and RSS, while gender with social influence. CONCLUSION: The pandemic, aside from affecting the health of individuals worldwide, also badly affected the well-being, mental health, and self-esteem of the dental students. Dental aesthetics plays a crucial role in the mental wellbeing and self-esteem of the students. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, quality of life, psychological, self-esteem, dental aesthetics, dental students

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220627

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 407-416, 2024

Authors: Kırklıkçı, Ahmet Bora | Bayram, Serap

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably brought up the issue of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) for businesses in Turkey. In this global pandemic, strategies developed to effectively address OHS risks and eliminate them with reliable, high-quality data have gained importance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the perceptions of employees in the forest products industry in Turkey regarding the OHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: The sample of the descriptive and analytical study consisted of a total of 371 employees in forest product businesses located in Turkey. The sample of the study was determined by …the purpose-based sampling method. Data were collected both online and face-to-face from June 2022 to October 2022. The data were obtained using the Questionnaire of Employee and Business Characteristics and the Scale of Employees’ Perceptions on the OHS (S-POHS) adapted by Özden (2022). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and calculated by descriptive analyses, pairwise comparison tests and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: 39.1% of the employees with a mean age of 34.12±8.78 years are high school graduates and 61.5% are workers. Significant differences were found in the S-POHS average scores of the employees in the businesses that produce paper-cardboard, have operated for less than 20 years, have a partnership structure with foreign capital and have an OHS Management System Quality Certificate (p  < 0.05). CONCLUSION: While a positive OHS perception level has already been achieved in the forest products industry in business administrations and by employees, it is clear that this should not be lost and it should be prepared for the next crises by adding new applications. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health, safety culture, employee health, perception, prevention and control, risk management, forestry

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220658

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 417-430, 2024

Authors: Ozbozkurt, Onur Basar | Bahar, Emel | Yesilkus, Fatma

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused employees to be mentally absent at work and decreased their motivation and effort when they work collaboratively rather than individually due to the fear of transmission. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to test the effect of fear caused by COVID-19 on levels of presenteeism and social loafing from job tasks of employees. METHODS: Data were collected from 522 white-collar and blue-collar workers in Turkey by the snowball sampling method. Before testing the hypotheses, CFA was performed. Reliability analysis was assessed via Cronbach Alpha (FCV-19S = 0.941; PS = 0.713; SLS = 0.974), AVE (FCV-19S = 0.686; PS = 0.524; …SLS = 0.725), and CR (FCV-19S = 0.734; PS = 0.722; SLS = 0.856) values. The mediating effect of fear of COVID-19 within the impact on presenteeism on social loafing was evaluated through Process Macro for SPSS. The coefficients for both direct and indirect effects were calculated in the 95% confidence interval using 5,000 bootstrap replicates. RESULTS: The results show that presenteeism has a significant positive impact on social loafing. Fear of COVID-19 has a statistically significant impact on presenteeism and social loafing. Also, fear of COVID-19 partially mediates within the impact of presenteeism on social loafing in the study. CONCLUSION: Organizations should consider employees’ views to increase the level of well-being and productivity. A high level of inventiveness from organizations is compulsory to explore which organizational roles and workflow are at least remotely operated during this period. Show more

Keywords: Fear, coronavirus, group dynamics, sickness presence, remote working, social isolation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230025

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 431-443, 2024

Authors: Dehghan, Golnoush | Malekpour, Fatemeh | Jafari-Koshki, Tohid | Mohammadian, Yousef | Rostami, Hossein

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) in hospitals are at risk of infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prevention measures are necessary to protect HCWs against COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the status of occupational risk factors and prevention measures for COVID-19 in hospitals. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iranian hospitals. Based on the results of reviewing the literature and guidelines, two checklists on occupational risk factors and prevention measures for COVID-19 in hospitals were designed and validated. The status of occupational risk factors and prevention measures against COVID-19 in governmental, non-governmental public, …private, and military hospitals were determined using designed checklists. RESULTS: Results confirmed the validity of checklists for assessing the status of COVID-19 prevention measures in hospitals. The military hospitals had the lowest mean risk factors compared to other hospitals, but there was no significant difference in occupational risk factors of infection with COVID-19 among governmental, non-governmental public, private, and military hospitals (P -value > 0.05). In the checklist of occupational risk factors of Covid-19, the type of hospital had a significant relationship with the provision and use of personal protective equipment (P -value<0.05). The mean of implementation of prevention measures among all hospitals were not statistically significant difference (P -value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The provided checklists could be a suitable tool for monitoring of status of prevention measures for COVID-19 in hospitals. Improving ventilation systems is necessary in most of the hospitals. Show more

Keywords: Hospital, coronavirus, occupational, prevention, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230006

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 445-453, 2024

Authors: Mansour, Zaid M. | Al Nassan, Saad | Hawamdeh, Mohannad | Al Bustanji, Shaden | Alshammari, Faris

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on most aspects of life, including physical and psychological wellbeing. Neck pain is a very common musculoskeletal complaint worldwide, and one that has been impacted by COVID-19. Such impacts have been studied by a few researchers, but not without inconstancies. Moreover, understanding those impacts in relation to rehabilitation is not fully comprehended. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically examine the impacts of COVID-19 on neck pain intensity and onset pre and post the pandemic. METHODS: This study was developed following the Preferred Reporting Items for …Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Keywords used were “COVID-19” and “Neck Pain”. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for prevalence studies. RESULTS: A total of five studies were included with an overall sample size of 2618 participants. Three studies were at moderate risk and two were at high risk of bias. Results from three studies reported an increase in neck pain intensity and onset, while the other two did not report an increase. CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID-19 on neck pain is unclear. The inconsistency in results sheds the light on the importance of having future research (including longitudinal studies) to help guide us towards understanding the real impacts of COVID-19 on neck pain. Show more

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, global impact, musculoskeletal pain, spine

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220713

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 455-462, 2024

Authors: Roveshti, Mehran Maleki | Pouya, Amin Babaei | Pirposhteh, Elham Akhlaghi | Khedri, Behzad | Khajehnasiri, Farahnaz | Poursadeqiyan, Mohsen

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and ergonomic risk factors are very common in bakery workers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to (1) assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among bakers because they use automated machines or traditional baking, and (2) to determine the strategies to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in bakers. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from the beginning to February 4, 2022, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Mesh keywords and phrases were used to execute …the search strategy. Information on MSDs and ergonomic risk factors in bakery workers was collected. Two reviewers worked independently on study selection, data extraction, and paper quality ranking. RESULTS: This study identified 14 papers from seven countries. Although the prevalence of MSDs in bakery workers has been studied, only a handful of them have been studied ergonomic risk factors, and the findings have been very limited. The association between different risk factors and MSDs seemed significant compared to many other occupational diseases. The traditional bread-baking system and lack of mechanization may increase the risk of MSDs in bakery workers. CONCLUSION: WRMSDs for bakery workers have been less studied than other occupational diseases. Our systematic review found several significant relations between the factors influencing the prevalence of MSDs. This study also showed the comparison of traditional and modern cooking systems with diseases of the upper limbs, shoulders, and back pain as possible fields for future research. Show more

Keywords: Occupational disease, ergonomics, food industry, bakery workers, disease, back pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220165

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 463-476, 2024

Authors: Guimarães, Ana | Cavalcanti, Marília | Vasconcelos, Bianca M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although regulatory norms on work safety offer guidelines for organizing and preventing accidents, the construction site is an environment susceptible to deviations, sometimes due to the lack of effective training. To this end, technologies such as virtual reality become possibilities for innovations with great advantages, as they allow simulations, modeling, exploratory environments and games, which allow the user to create a greater connection and interest in the subject in question. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the technological advances applied in safety-oriented training in the construction industry worldwide, emphasizing serious games through a systematic review of the …literature. METHODS: The review was carried out using five scientific databases, with a research protocol to answer questions about the application of gamification to guarantee the safety of workers. RESULTS: Fifteen articles were evaluated, with descriptive, observational research and case studies. It was found that the use of technologies in construction safety is not yet a common reality in the sector, as it presents challenges and limitations, such as gameplay and issues related to cost. However, they show great potential as a dynamic solution in the training of civil construction workers, effectively collaborating in accident prevention and work safety. CONCLUSION: Several software programs and applications were found for creating three-dimensional scenes and for providing users with a customized experience according to the needs observed in the virtual interaction; building information modeling tools, which promote realistic project modeling; and equipment to visualize the scenes created. Furthermore, the possibility of combining traditional theoretical teaching with serious games was verified. However, gamification applicability is an alternative that still has limitations, in addition to the lack of flexibility in the rules imposed on the game, hampering users’ authenticity in making decisions. Show more

Keywords: Serious games, prevention, accidents, construction safety

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220685

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 477-485, 2024

Authors: Vandevenne, Elief | Vanroelen, Christophe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Within the extensive literature on precarious working conditions in the gig economy, remarkably little attention has been paid to how we can formally assess precarity. The few existing measurement instruments that seek to capture precarity in the gig economy assess the characteristics of platforms as job providers, but do not consider the situation of individual gig workers. Moreover, these approaches do not account for the different employment statuses of gig workers. OBJECTIVE: This research’s objective was to adapt, test and validate the Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES) to the context of food couriers in Belgium. METHODS: …Fieldwork observations were combined with primary survey-data (N = 123). The scale was validated by testing reliability and external validity. RESULTS: Although the small sample size requires caution, the EPRES-gw (i.e., our adaptation for ‘gig work’) indicated sound reliability through sufficiently high internal consistency. The scale also showed good external validity through a significant positive correlation with poor well-being. CONCLUSION: The scale’s characteristics in empirical analyses compare to previous research using the EPRES among employees. The EPRES-gw is therefore a promising instrument for studying employment precariousness in gig jobs. Show more

Keywords: Gig economy, precarious work, well-being, methodological challenges, food couriers, employment quality

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220691

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 487-510, 2024

Authors: Guibert, Nicolas | Martin, Jean-Louis | Gadegbeku, Blandine | Lagarde, Emmanuel | Charbotel, Barbara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Road accidents are the leading type of work-related fatalities, but the impact of work-related travel on overall traffic safety has been scarcely studied. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study was to assess drivers’ relative road accident risk between work-related and personal journeys. METHODS: A responsible/non-responsible case-control study was performed on a sample of 7,051 road accidents in France from the VOIESUR project. Logistic regression determined odds-ratios according to work-related versus personal travel, and identified risk factors for responsibility, specific to each of the two sub-groups. RESULTS: Drivers traveling on duty or …commuting home were significantly less often responsible for accidents than drivers on personal journeys: OR = 0.75 [0.63; 0.89] and 0.65 [0.53; 0.80] respectively. Responsibility was significantly more frequent in commuting to versus from work: OR = 1.38 [1.06; 1.78 ]. Among on-duty drivers, professional passenger-transport drivers had the lowest risk of responsibility (OR = 0.25 [0.11; 0.58]), while those on temporary or work/study contracts and professional light goods vehicle drivers had the highest risk (OR = 11.64 [2.15; 62.94 ] and OR = 29.83 [5.19; 171.38 ] respectively). When driving under the influence of alcohol, risk of responsibility was higher in commuting home than in personal journeys. CONCLUSION: On-duty drivers showed lower risk of responsibility for an accident than other drivers. However, on-duty drivers on temporary or work/study contracts, who are usually not subject to specific regulations, showed higher risk, and should be the subject of particular attention regarding occupational risk prevention. Show more

Keywords: Occupational accidents, traffic accidents, on duty accident, commuting, responsibility, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220578

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 511-522, 2024