Work - Volume 34, issue 3

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0922

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 249-249, 2009

Authors: Reinholdt, Sofia | Alexanderson, Kristina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study examined some plausible explanations for the higher rates of ill-health seen in extremely gender-segregated occupations. The focus was on the work experiences of disability pensioners with last jobs prior to pensioning characterized by segregated conditions (i.e., less than 10% of the employees of their own sex). Seven interviews were subjected to qualitative content analyses focusing on aspects of health selection, gender differences in work tasks, and in the work situation. The results show a …negative health selection into occupations in which the participants constitute an extreme minority. There were some differences in work tasks between the gender in extreme minority and the other gender. Exposure to different stress factors related to the minority status included increased visibility, performance pressure, and harassment. Gender had been of main importance for differences in exposure, for assigning work tasks, and for interaction dynamics between the groups in majority and extreme minority. Conclusions: A combination of negative health selection, gender marking of work tasks, and group interaction dynamics related to group proportions and gender may play a role in cumulative health risks. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to identify mechanisms and interactions in this context in order to better understand possible relationships between occupational gender segregation and increased health risks. Show more

Keywords: Gender, gender segregation, disability pension, health selection, token, work tasks, work situation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0923

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 251-261, 2009

Authors: Merryweather, Andrew S. | Loertscher, Manndi C. | Bloswick, Donald S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Occupational back pain and injury are common and costly issues. Biomechanical models are often used to quantify job risk by estimating back muscle forces. In general, the most accurate models are also the most complex, creating demand for models that are both straightforward and accurate. An existing, basic hand-calculation back compressive force estimation model (HCBCF v1.0) was revised in two iterations to reduce the error induced by original simplifying assumptions. Lifting tasks (n=6000) from …observational data were used to compare the HCBCF models with the University of Michigan 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP™) The greatest r^{2} (0.97) between the HCBCF v1.2 and the 3DSSPP™ was achieved with gender-specific equations designed to account for differences between males and females and a more detailed estimation of torso flexion angle and upper body mass center location. This gender-specific back compression and risk estimation model is a relatively simple alternative to computer-based back compressive force models. In addition the hand-calculation can be used as a general survey tool to determine which jobs should be analyzed with more sophisticated computer-based models. Show more

Keywords: Back compressive forces, job risk assessment, ergonomics, biomechanics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0924

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 263-272, 2009

Authors: Jaskolka, Janice V. | Andrews, David M. | Harold, Leigh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Research examining occupational injuries of university employees is limited, with previous work in the education sector focusing primarily on students and athletic teams. The current study examined occupational injuries over a five year period to determine the magnitude and nature of occupational injuries in a Canadian university with a view to developing prevention and intervention strategies. Findings suggested that women in full-time positions reported more injuries than men, and that as employees' level of experience …increased the incidence of injury decreased. Analysis of injury characteristics revealed that the fingers, back and hand were the most frequently injured sites typically as a result of being struck or caught by an object, a slip/trip, or overexertion. These injuries resulted predominantly in an acute soft tissue injury requiring medical attention. Over the five year study period, food services, housekeeping and clerical staff filed the greatest number of accident/incident reports. Future investigations should employ a prospective approach which would allow researchers to determine variables of interest, ensure adequate data collection, and aim to improve the generalizability of research findings in this area. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health and safety, post secondary education

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0925

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 273-283, 2009

Authors: Quinlan, Elizabeth | Thomas-MacLean, Roanne | Hack, Tom | Kwan, Winkle | Miedema, Baukje | Tatemichi, Sue | Towers, Anna | Tilley, Andrea

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Each year over 20,000 Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Many breast cancer survivors anticipate a considerable number of years of potential participation in the paid labour market, therefore, the link between breast cancer survivorship and productivity deserves serious consideration. The hypothesis guiding this study is that arm morbidities such as lymphedema, pain, and range of motion limitations are important explanatory variables in survivors' loss of productivity. The study draws from …a larger longitudinal research project involving over 600 breast cancer survivors in four geographical locations across Canada. The study's regression results indicate that, after adjusting for fatigue, breast cancer stage, and geographical location, survivors with range of motion limitations and arm pain are more than two and half times as likely to lose some productivity capacity as compared to counterparts with no arm morbidity. The findings make a compelling argument for the necessity of adequate rehabilitation programs delivered at crucial times in breast cancer survivors' recovery. The study's unexpected finding that geographical location is a highly significant predictor of changes in productivity among breast cancer survivors is interpreted as a factor of the regulatory framework governing employment relationships in the four different jurisdictions. Show more

Keywords: Breast cancer survivorship, arm morbidity, return-to-work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0926

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 285-296, 2009

Authors: Howard, Bryan | Sesek, Richard | Bloswick, Don

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: According to recent research, a causal link has been established between occupational exposure to whole body vibration and an increased occurrence of low back pain. To aid in the further development of an in-house health and safety program for a large open pit mining facility interested in reducing back pain among its operators, whole body vibration magnitudes were characterized for a range of jobs. Specifically, thirty-five individual jobs from five different areas across the facility were …evaluated for tri-axial acceleration levels during normal operating conditions. Tri-axial acceleration magnitudes were categorized into thirteen job groups. Job groups were ranked according to exposure and compared to the ISO 2631-1 standard for health risk assessment. Three of the thirteen job groups produced tri-axial acceleration magnitudes below the ISO 2631-1 low/moderate health caution limit for a twelve hour exposure. Six of the thirteen job groups produced exposures within the moderate health risk range. Four job groups were found to subject operators to WBV acceleration magnitudes above the moderate/high health caution limit. Show more

Keywords: Whole body vibration, mining

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0927

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 297-303, 2009

Authors: Lindfors, Sara | Eintrei, Christina | Alexanderson, Kristina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Research is limited regarding occupational stress in academic physicians; professionals whose work situation includes the three areas of clinical practice, research, and teaching. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge of factors experienced as stressful by academic physicians employed by a university hospital. A questionnaire assessing the frequency and intensity of 36 potentially stressful factors was sent to all 157 academic physicians who were employed at the Linköping University Hospital, Sweden. The response …rate was 77%. Both a high frequency and intensity of stress was experienced by 66% of the academic physicians in relation to "time pressure" and by almost 50% in connection with both :find time for research" and having "conflict of interest between different work assignments". Moreover, physicians in the higher age group and those who had attained a higher academic position experienced less stress. The female participants experienced more stress than the males due to gender-related problems and to variables associated with relationships at work. More knowledge is needed to determine the consequences of this finding and to identify coping strategies used for handling such stress. Show more

Keywords: Academic physician, stress, gender

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0928

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 305-313, 2009

Authors: Staland Nyman, C. | Andersson, L. | Spak, F. | Hensing, G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Women experience sickness absence more often than men, but few studies have addressed the possibility that the sick-leave period itself could be regarded as an exposure with possible positive or negative consequences on health. The aim was to explore the association between experience of sickness absence and self-rated physical health. Interview data from population samples in 1990 and 1995 of women born in 1935, 1945, 1955 and 1965 (n=231) were used. 'Any sick-leave' and 'Long sick-leave' …were used as exposure measures and analyzed in relation to change in self-rated physical health with multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age and prior sickness absence. Separate analyses were performed for women with psychiatric disorders (DSM-III-R) and different level of domestic responsibility. The proportion reporting good health at baseline and follow up were lower when experienced sickness absence compared to those who had not. For women exposed to long sick-leave, the OR for remained poor health were 4.1 (95% CI 1.1–15.4), and for women with psychiatric disorders, the OR for a change from poor to good health was 9.9 (1.7–58.5). Women with high level of domestic responsibility and exposed to long sick-leave, had increased ORs for both a positive and negative change in health. This explorative study contributes to the sparse knowledge of consequences on health of sickness absence. Show more

Keywords: Sickness absence, consequences, women, psychiatric disorders, domestic responsibility

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0929

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 315-324, 2009

Authors: De Smet, E. | Germeys, F. | De Smet, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A cross sectional study where 145 hairdressers were interviewed for the occurrence of work related upper limb disorders (WRULD). The interview features for engagement, burnout and workaholism, as well as asks for general health and working conditions. The BMI, the hand size and gripping force of each worker was obtained. WRULD was present in 41%. It was significantly correlated with burnout and workaholism. Surprisingly it was not altered by engagement or by the use of …ergonomic equipment. Morphological features (BMI), hand size and gripping force, were not related to the occurrence of WRULD. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0930

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 325-330, 2009

Authors: Tamim, Hala | Castel, Evan S. | Jamnik, Veronica | Keir, Peter J. | Grace, Sherry L. | Gledhill, Norman | Macpherson, Alison K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Workplace computer use has increased dramatically in recent years and has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of work disability and productivity losses in industrialized nations. Tai Chi is a simple, convenient workplace intervention that may promote musculoskeletal health without special equipment or showering, yet no study has investigated Tai Chi as a workplace physical exercise for health promotion. Objective: To examine the effects of a workplace Tai Chi (TC) intervention on …musculoskeletal fitness and psychological well-being among female university employees who are computer users. Methods: The exercise program consisted of two 50 minute TC classes per week for 12 consecutive weeks during the months of May-August 2007. Fifty-two participants were enrolled in a class conducted on campus by a professional TC practitioner during the lunch hour. Socio-demographic characteristics, including information on age, marital status, ethnicity, job category and perceived overall health were collected from all participants. Fitness testing conducted by qualified personnel was assessed pre- and post-program. The tests included resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, anthropometric measures, musculoskeletal fitness and back fitness. Psychological well-being was assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale pre- and post-program. Results: There were significant positive results in several areas including resting heart rate, waist circumference and hand grip strength. Results showed that the TC program was effective in improving musculoskeletal fitness and psychological well-being. Conclusions: Significant improvements in physiological and psychological measures were observed, even at the large class sizes tested here, suggesting that TC has considerable potential as an economic, effective and convenient workplace intervention. Show more

Keywords: Work environment, musculoskeletal disorders, exercise/px [psychology], tai chi, obesity/pc [prevention & control], experimental design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0931

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 331-338, 2009

Authors: Vingård, Eva | Blomkvist, Vanja | Rosenblad, Andreas | Lindberg, Per | Voss, Margaretha | Alfredsson, Lars | Josephson, Malin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In order to study the influence of a physical fitness programme on work ability among women employed in the social sector an intervention was offered to 205 women working in the social care sector in a municipality in Sweden. The reference group comprised 165 women from the same sector working in another municipality. All participants were employed and answered questionnaires at baseline and after 36 months. For women younger than 45 years, work ability and general …health improved significantly while for women, 45 years or older, future work expectations improved. For women with less musculoskeletal pain, improvements were observed regarding future work expectations, as well as work ability and general health while for women with more musculoskeletal pain, improvements were observed for general health and future work expectations. Well-structured physical fitness programmes at the worksite can be useful in contributing to individual's experiences of improvements in their own capacity as well as increased health and wellbeing. Show more

Keywords: Self-rated health, physical fitness, training programme, follow up, musculoskeletal pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0932

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 339-344, 2009

Authors: Trudel, Louis | Vonarx, Nicholas | Simard, Claudine | Freeman, Andrew | Vézina, Michel | Brisson, Chantal | Vinet, Alain | Bourbonnais, Renée | Dugas, Ninon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Studies conducted with the JDC (job demand-control) or ERI (effort-reward imbalance) models highlight the links between constraints in the psychosocial work environment and psychological distress. However, the underlying mechanisms are not very well understood. The present participatory qualitative study explored these mechanisms with a view to identifying both the processes at work in these relationships and some targets for problem prevention. This investigation was conducted with white-collar workers from a public service …organisation within one Canadian province (Quebec) who participated in six discussion groups during an intervention designed to reduce psychosocial environment constraints. The data gathered in these groups was subjected to content analysis through thematic categorization. The findings indicate that psychosocial constraints take root in situations that adversely affect subjective dimensions relating to personal and professional experience. An interpretive model is proposed on the basis of these findings, which helps to elucidate the dynamic relationships that exist among the various aspects of work experience that can lead to psychological distress. From this model, some targets for problem prevention have emerged. Show more

Keywords: Psychosocial risk factors, subjective work experience, psychological distress, work stress, mental health, intervention

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0933

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 345-357, 2009

Authors: Levine, James A. | Pavlidis, Ioannis T. | MacBride, Leslie | Zhu, Zhen | Tsiamyrtzis, Panagiotis

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Occupational stress is universally experienced and is emerging as a major risk factor for physical and mental illness and a key factor in poor work performance and low job satisfaction. However, the technology does not currently exist to unobtrusively measure occupational stress in real-time. Here, we describe the design and clinical validation of an automated high-definition thermal imaging system that can be used to quantify human stress, remotely and instantaneously. Healthy human subjects underwent a …computer-based version of the Stroop-color conflict test, which is a validated stress provocation test, in an experimental office facility. In separate experiments, the same subjects completed a mental arithmetic challenge. The thermal signal associated with stress provocation is near-instantaneous corrugator warming. The stress response was detected in all subjects for all stress-events compared to the respective baselines. Furthermore, there was remarkable inter-individual preservation of the corrugator signal with stress (R^{2}= 0.96, P< 0.001). High-definition thermal imaging can be used for real-time detection of stress provocation. This technology may prove to be of help in ameliorating office-place stress. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0934

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 359-364, 2009

Authors: Cougnard, Audrey | Goumilloux, Régis | Monello, Florence | Verdoux, Hélène

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim was to explore the demographic and clinical characteristics influencing the duration of employment after onset of schizophrenia. Occupational history was assessed in persons with schizophrenia (n=102) requesting the status of disabled person for the first time. Multivariate analyses were used to explore the characteristics independently associated with duration of work after the first contact with psychiatric services. Duration of employment was categorized into "never worked", "worked less than half of the time", "worked half …of the time or more". More than half of patients never worked after the first contact with psychiatric services. Compared to them, persons who were employed half of the time or more were more likely to have a higher educational level and a long duration of employment before illness onset. Persons who were employed less than half of the time presented with clinical markers of poor prognosis, i.e. higher frequency of alcohol use disorder and higher number of hospitalisations. Persons unable to keep enduring employment after illness onset may have different needs regarding social and rehabilitation management compared to those able to maintain a working activity over a long period. Show more

Keywords: Schizophrenia, employment, duration, predictors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0935

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 365-371, 2009

Authors: Sandmark, Hélène | Hägglund, Karin | Nilsson, Kerstin | Hertting, Anna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Few studies to date have investigated retained work ability. The aim of this explorative study was to describe female assistant nurses' experiences of high work attendance over the years The setting is a municipality in mid-Sweden that employs 466 female assistant nurses permanently within municipal elderly care. A qualitative methodology was chosen and thematic, open-ended, interviews were carried out with 12 female assistant nurses. The interviewees were selected from the 117 women who had taken the …least amount of sick leave over the past five years, which meant no sick leave at all or no more than 5 days. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thereafter a content analysis was carried out. Three main themes connected with the aim of the study emerged from the interviews: "a desirable job, despite low status", "supportive social networks", and "coping ability". In order to strengthen work ability among female employees in elderly care, the findings indicate that it is crucial to support mobility in working life, and to promote social support and networks at the workplace and in private life, as well as a coping-oriented approach to health issues and social life. Show more

Keywords: Women and coping, competence, desirable work, public sector, strong work team, retained work ability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0936

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 373-383, 2009