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ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: The impaired performance of the muscles of the scapular region may result in injuries, fatigue, weakness and pain. The main objective of this research was to analyze the scapular positioning during the abduction of the shoulder movement in the frontal, scapular and sagittal plans. Method: This cross-sectional study comprised a convenience sample of 20 individuals. It was used the disability of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH Brazil), the digital inclinometer was used for measuring the scapular positioning. Having the purpose of regulating and ensuring the correct positioning of the upper limbs Assessed in the plans, it was developed…the bulkhead which was used while the examination was performed. Results: The population study was asymptomatic. No significant difference was found for the right shoulder during the concentric and eccentric contraction at all angles of scapular inclination on the three analyzed plans. Significant difference was found in the left shoulder during the concentric contraction in the scapular angle at 90° and in the eccentric contraction at the scapular angles of 30°, 60° and 90° of inclination in the frontal plan compared to men and women. Furthermore, it was found a decreasing left shoulder in the scapular angle during the eccentric contraction above 90° in the scapular and sagittal plans when compared to men and women. Conclusion: we concluded that in the three plans studied, the scapula behaved differently various angles in the measured and yet it was influenced by the direction of motion. Moreover, it is possible to say that showed that this study there is a difference in the rotational behavior of the scapula relating to women and men due to the anthropometric existed differences between them.
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Abstract: One of the most prevalent aspects is women with complaints of discomfort in the lumbar region for the use of high heeled shoe. Authors described that there may be a relation between attitude and the present discomfort, often associated with muscular fatigue and increase the forces of reaction soil during the use of such footwear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible changes postural associated with the use of different types of shoes and barefoot. Fifteen sedentary women were subjected to a static evaluation posture with the use of the software SAPO. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) repeated measures…was used to investigate differences between the shoes in all variables postural analyzed. The results showed no significant difference in static position with the types of shoes and barefoot. It was concluded that the shoes did not interfere in static position.
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Keywords: Ergonomics, shoes, posture occupational risk, work process
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0502-2582
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2582-2587, 2012
Abstract: An exposure-response relationship has been shown between muscle fatigue and its effects on keystroke durations. Since keystroke durations can readily be measured by software programs, the method has the potential as a non-invasive exposure assessment tool. However, the software based keystroke durations may be affected by keyswitch force-displacement characteristics. Thus, this study used a force platform to measure the keystroke durations and compared them to software measured keystroke durations in order to determine whether the software based keystroke durations can be used as a surrogate force exposure measures. A total of 13 subjects (6 males and 7 females) typed for…15 minutes each on three keyboards with different force-displacement characteristics. The results showed that the software based keystroke durations were more sensitive to the keyboard force-displacement differences than the force based measures. Although the digital signal based keystroke durations depend on the force-displacement characteristics, the high correlation between the two measures indicated that the keystroke durations derived from the digital signal approximated the true force derived keystroke durations, regardless of the keyboard force-displacement characteristics. Therefore, the software based keystroke durations could be used as a non-invasive, surrogate force exposure measure in lieu of the more invasive actual force measurements.
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Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the posture, muscle activities, and self reported discomforts of neck pain notebook computer users on three monitor tilt conditions: 100°, 115°, and 130°. Six subjects were recruited in this study to completed typing tasks. Results showed subjects have a trend to show the forward head posture in the condition that monitor was set at 100°, and the significant less neck and shoulder discomfort were noted in the condition that monitor was set at 130°. These result suggested neck pain notebook user to set their monitor tilt angle at 130°.
Keywords: display angles, chronic neck pain, forward head posture
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0504-2591
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2591-2595, 2012
Abstract: With the advent of technology, the computer became a working tool increasingly present in companies. Its purpose is to increase production and reduce the inherent errors in manual production. The aim of this study was to analyze the usability of 2D graphics software in creating clothing designs by a professional during his work. The movements of the mouse, keyboard and graphical tools were monitored in real time by software Camtasia 7® installed on the user’s computer. To register the use of mouse and keyboard we used auxiliary software called MouseMeter®, which quantifies the number of times they pressed the right,…middle and left mouse’s buttons, the keyboard and also the distance traveled in meters by the cursor on the screen. Data was collected in periods of 15 minutes, 1 hour and 8 hours, consecutively. The results showed that the job is considered repetitive and high demands physical efforts, which can lead to the appearance of repetitive strain injuries. Thus, the goal of minimizing operator efforts and thereby enhance the usability of the examined tool, becomes imperative to replace the mouse by a device called tablet, which also offers an electronic pen and a drawing platform for design development.
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Abstract: In 2010 15.2% of the work force in the Netherlands works with a computer at another location than at the office or at the clients’ location. 27% of the Dutch working population is not satisfied about the possibility to work at home and 18% is not satisfied on the possibility to plan your own working time. The case control study affirms what has been reported as effects of new ways of work: the experienced productivity by communication and the representativeness of the office interior are improved and attention is needed for workers that need concentration space and need to personalize…their work environment. In implementing new ways of work these issues need attention.
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Keywords: new ways of work, office interior, telework, work at home, flexible working time
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1027-2600
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2600-2604, 2012
Abstract: In the changing modern economy some new factors have been addressed that are of importance for productivity and economic growth, such as human skills, workplace organization, information and communication technologies (ICT) and knowledge sharing. An increasing number of companies and organizations are implementing measures to better address these factors, often referred to as ‘the New Ways of Working (NWW)’. This consists of a large variety of measures that enable flexibility in the time and location of work. Expectations of these measures are often high, such as a reduction in operating costs and an increase of productivity. However, scientific proof is…still lacking, and it is worth asking whether al these implementations actually cause a change in work behavior and effect business outcomes positively. This article describes a case study of three departments (total of 73 employees) that changed from a traditional way of working towards a new way of working. Questionnaires and a new developed objective measurement system called ‘work@task’ were used to measure changes in work behavior (i.e. increased variation in work location, work times and a change towards NWW management style) and the effect on business objectives such as knowledge sharing, employees satisfaction, and collaboration.
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Keywords: new ways of working, task facilitating office, knowledge worker, work behavior, business objectives
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1028-2605
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2605-2610, 2012
Abstract: With the rising number of teleworkers who are working in non-traditional work locations, health and safety issues are even more critical. While telework offers attractive alternatives to traditional work locations, it is not without challenges for employers and workers. A macroergonomics approach or work system design for telework programs is proposed to address these new challenges. This approach explains the impact of organizational, psychosocial and workplace risk factors on teleworker’s health and safety. A process for managing the health and safety of teleworkers is presented along with preventive strategies to provide an injury-free working environment.
Abstract: A human factors specialist researched the expectations of a culturally and professionally diverse team throughout a year long participatory design process of a large processing facility. For a deeper understanding of high-level team expectations and characteristics, the specialist collected data and information through in-situ ethnography and traditional case study methods, personal interviews, and a questionnaire that included a likert scale rating for expectation levels. Results found that expectation levels rated extremely satisfied for individual team members and the overall team itself before and during the participatory process. In contrast, expectations for upper management from the team were satisfied before the…participatory process, but changed to uncertain, to unsatisfied, to extremely unsatisfied during the process. Additionally, the participatory design team exhibited high-level team characteristics to include honesty, competence, commitment, communication, creativity, and clear expectations
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Keywords: Expectations, Team Characteristics, Participatory Design Process, Control Room Design, Diversity
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1030-2616
Citation: Work,
vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2616-2624, 2012
Abstract: Research suggests that Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practitioners have difficulty influencing the decisionmaking process because they are placed on the sidelines in the organisation. This paper analyses the strategies that OHS practitioners use to fulfill their job role and the impact they have on the working environment and OHS management systems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten New Zealand OHS practitioners from mainly large private and public organisations about their job role, OHS tasks, strategies and their impact. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, entered into a qualitative data management programme and analysed thematically in relation to their strategies,…barriers and their impact on the OHS management system and working environment. The analysis revealed that these OHS practitioners used multiple strategies - chosen in relation to the situation, the stakeholders and their own resources. They saw themselves as change agents or facilitators. They preferred to use a knowledge strategy, supported by an audit strategy. Their last resort was a regulation strategy. All of the practitioners had a positive impact on stakeholders’ knowledge, attitude and behavior and on OHS management systems. Some practitioners improved the working environment but few were involved in introduction of new technology.
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