Work - Volume 67, issue 1

Authors: Minghelli, Beatriz

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Health literacy consists of an individual’s ability to make informed decisions in various sectors, including school. Most of the health problems and risky behaviours associated with the environment and lifestyle can be minimised or even prevented by increasing health literacy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school physiotherapy programme in improving literacy regarding postures adopted at home and in school in adolescents living in the south of Portugal. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 84 students in the 5th grade, 42 (50%) were boys, aged to 10 and 13 years old …(10.35±0.61). The measurement instruments included a theoretical and practical test applied one week before and one week after the school physiotherapy programme. RESULTS: The values obtained on the theoretical test before and after the intervention ranged from 1–13 (7.70±2.47) and 5–13 (10.83±2.27), respectively (p ≤0.001) and, on the practical test, before and after ranged from 0–10 (4.14±2.21) and 6–15 (11.8±2.28), respectively (p ≤0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found significant improvements in both theoretical and practical knowledge acquisition after participants attended a school physiotherapy programme. Thus, a school physiotherapy programme could be a useful tool to prevent and/or minimise musculoskeletal disorders in adolescents. Show more

Keywords: Education, literacy, prevention and control, school children, school physiotherapy programme

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203255

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 95-102, 2020

Authors: Wise, Jenni M. | Heaton, Karen | Shattell, Mona

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The high stress culture and demands associated with long-haul truck driving place truckers at risk for mental health and sleep disorders, and thereby, increased risk for accidents, injuries, and fatality. Hours-of-service regulations have proven insufficient as a stand-alone intervention to protect the welfare of long-haul truckers, impacting those working in the industry and those sharing our nation’s roads. Interventions to increase mindfulness have been used across occupational and personal domains to improve sleep quality, mental health, awareness of the environment, and reaction time. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between sleep, mental …health, health care utilization, and mindfulness in long-haul truck drivers in the United States. METHODS: Participants (N  = 140) were recruited to complete a web-based survey. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and regression analysis were used to examine variables of interest. RESULTS: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomology and daytime sleepiness predicted mental health care utilization in the past year. Mindfulness was inversely correlated with PTSD symptomology, however in the full regression model, mindfulness failed to predict mental health care utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational health professionals should utilize mindfulness screenings as an adjunctive component to traditional mental health screenings and refer drivers for advanced care as appropriate. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, occupational health, total worker health, long-haul truck drivers, mindfulness, sleep, post-traumatic stress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203256

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 103-111, 2020

Authors: Mahboobi, Maryam | Taghipour, Mohammad | Ali Azadeh, Mohammad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational injuries are currently a major contributor to job loss around the world and are also costly for businesses. The absence of rational analysis is felt in this area, so mathematical analysis is needed to obtain the logical results of these injuries in order to find gaps or loss points of the industry. OBJECTIVE: This paper assesses the effects of five demographic factors on ergonomic risk and occupational injuries using an integrated mathematical programming approach. The obtained results will help managers to carry out any required corrective actions or establish benchmarks. METHODS: Two typical ergonomic …risk assessment methods, the Quick Exposure Check (QEC) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), are applied to assess musculoskeletal disorders in workers. Then, considering the five demographic factors as input variables and risks computed by the QEC and REBA methods as outputs, final risk rates for each decision-making unit (DMU) are calculated using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The importance and weight of each risk factor is analyzed using statistical techniques and analysis of variance (ANOVA). To demonstrate the applicability of the methodology, it is applied to a large auto parts manufacturer. RESULTS: The results revealed that the information obtained by DEA is consistent with those for REBA and QEC, which shows that education, experience and weight are factors that could help reduce ergonomic risks. CONCLUSION: It is shown that demographic variables such as age, height, weight, education and work experience play an important and effective role in the explanation of ergonomic risk factors. Show more

Keywords: Demographic features, musculoskeletal disorders, risk assessment, occupational injuries, data envelopment analysis, ergonomic risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203257

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 113-128, 2020

Authors: Veisi, Hemmat | Choobineh, Alireza | Ghaem, Haleh | Faraji Kujerdi, Mehdi | Barazandeh, Ramin | Barazandeh, Himan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) are highly prevalent among weavers. In Iran, little information is available regarding the prevalence of MSDs and their causal risk factors among hand-woven shoe workers. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of UEMSDs and to identify risk factors associated with UEMSDs symptoms among 586 Iranian hand-woven shoe workers. METHODS: The data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and by direct observation of working postures via the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique to determine ergonomic risks. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSDs symptoms was …high among the hand-woven shoe workers. The mean RULA grand score of 6.3 indicated that in most cases the workers’ postures at their workstations needs to be investigated and changed immediately to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. The highest prevalence rates of MSDs were observed in the shoulders, wrists and arms. The result of multiple logistic regression modeling showed that risk factors associated with UEMSD symptoms were job experience, daily working hours, job satisfaction, working posture, work pressure, and discomfort at workstation, as well as individual factors, such as age, gender, BMI, material status, working conditions, education level, and lack of regular sport/physical activities. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study emphasize that any interventional program in this industry has to focus on improving working conditions particularly by designing ergonomics-oriented workstations and hand tools. Show more

Keywords: Shoemaking, musculoskeletal disorders, RULA, posture, Iran

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203258

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 129-139, 2020

Authors: Ghiyasi, Samira | Nabizadeh, Hamed | Jazari, Milad Derakhshan | Soltanzadeh, Ahmad | Heidari, Hamidreza | Fardi, Ali | Movahed, Elham

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Various parameters can affect the performance of firefighters. Thermal stress in firefighters is one of the most important harmful factors, which causes impaired performance and subsequent occupational accidents. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of personal protective equipment (PPE) on thermal stress in firefighters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 30 firefighters. Heart rate, metabolism and temperature parameters were measured with and without using PPE in a simulated standard chamber. Then, the two indices of predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) were calculated. Data analysis was performed using …SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: The results showed that PPE-induced weight directly increased heart rate and indirectly led to an increase in metabolism and temperature as well as significant changes in PMV and PPD indices (p  < 0.001). In addition, our results showed that the effect of thermal resistance of clothing (Clo) on PMV and PPD indices was very high (p  < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of the study indicated that heat stress in firefighters is influenced by PPE weight and thermal resistance of clothing. Therefore, cooling vests can be used to reduce the thermal stress induced by temperature rise resulted from metabolism, PPE weight and thermal resistance of clothing. Reduced thermal stress will lead to the cooling of body temperature to acceptable levels of PMV and PPD. Show more

Keywords: Predicted mean vote (pmv), predicted percentage dissatisfied (ppd), thermal comfort, wet-bulb globe temperature (wbgt), exposure, firefighters, thermal stress, personal protective equipment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203259

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 141-147, 2020

Authors: Gallagher, Kaitlin M. | Abbott, Laura | Callaghan, Jack P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Along with quantitative measures, pain symptoms may help inform early interventions to prevent prolonged standing induced low back pain (LBP); however, the relationship between quantitative and qualitative measures has not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: Determine the relationship between qualitative and quantitative measures of pain development during prolonged standing induced LBP development. METHODS: Thirty-five participants performed two-hours of standing. A visual analog scale (VAS) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to assess the participant’s LBP every 7.5-minutes. Participants were classified as a pain developer (PD) based on VAS scores or three consecutive pain symptom reports. …RESULTS: Pain symptom reports occurred 31.3 (±24.8) minutes earlier than the VAS reports. Eight participants (44%) were non-PDs with the VAS and PDs with the symptom method (p  = 0.0047). CONCLUSIONS: A subset of participants who were not categorized as LBP developers during prolonged standing using the VAS method still report LBP symptoms. The inclusion of pain symptom reporting could provide additional information for practitioners when identifying individuals who would benefit from early interventions for standing induced LBP. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, lumbosacral region, ergonomics, visual analog scale. McGill Pain Questionnaire, pain symptoms, low back pain, prolonged standing

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203260

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 149-155, 2020

Authors: Kim, Jun Sik | Jeong, Byung Yong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The philosophy of universal design contributes to providing age-friendly products and environments in the ageing society. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to establish the philosophy of universal safety and design to ensure the safety and health of product users and production workers. METHODS: The concept and principles of universal safety and design are developed based on the limitations of universal design and the necessity of a new philosophy. RESULTS: Requirements of physical support, flexibility, accessibility, ensuring safety and health, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability are proposed for implementing the universal safety …and design philosophy. Also, the guidelines for applying the universal safety and design philosophy are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The principles presented in this study can be applied to reduce incidents and ensure productivity in customers and production workers by helping them to work efficiently, comfortably, and safely. Show more

Keywords: Inclusion, sustainability, physical support, accessibility, safety and health, universal design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203261

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 157-164, 2020

Authors: Xin, Kuah Yan | Eusufzai, Sumaiya Zabin | Jamayet, Nafij Bin | Alam, Mohammad Khursheed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Accidental occupational injuries increase the risk of communicable diseases like hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among dental personnel. Such occupational injuries affect healthcare quality by enhancing dissatisfaction and lack of motivation to work among dental personnel. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to assess knowledge and awareness regarding needle stick and sharp injury among dental personnel and compared the knowledge and awareness level about needle stick injuries between dental professionals and dental supporting staff working at the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study …was conducted from March 2016 to March 2017. The total sample included 112 registered dental personnel including dental professionals (lecturers, dental officers, and postgraduate students) and dental supportive staff (including staff nurses and dental surgery assistant) who were selected from the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia at Kelantan District of Malaysia. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: In our study 60.7% respondents answered correctly for all the statements regarding knowledge and 51.8% of the respondents answered correctly for the statements regarding awareness on needle stick and sharp injury. No significant difference of knowledge level has been observed between the dental professionals and dental supportive staff (p  < 0.819 ), whereas the awareness level was significantly different between these two groups (p  < 0.016 ). CONCLUSIONS: There is a difference regarding awareness level on needle stick and sharp injury between dental professionals and dental supportive staff in our study but no differences were found in knowledge level between two groups. Show more

Keywords: Occupational percutaneous injury, universal precaution, communicable disease, dental personnel, knowledge, awareness, needle stick and sharp injury

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203262

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 165-171, 2020

Authors: Segedi, Leonardo Correa | Saint-Martin, Daniel Rodrigues Ferreira | da Cruz, Carlos Janssen Gomes | Von Koenig Soares, Edgard M. K. | do Nascimento, Nayara Lima | da Silva, Lorrany Lima | Nogueira, Rosenkranz Maciel | Korre, Maria | Smith, Denise L. | Kales, Stefanos. N. | Molina, Guilherme E. | Porto, Luiz Guilherme Grossi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Minimum cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been recommended for firefighters due to job requirements. Thus, it is important to identify accurate and readily available methods to assess CRF in this population. Non-exercise CRF estimates (NEx-CRF) have been proposed but this approach requires validation in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of a NEx-CRF, as compared to a field maximum exercise test, among career military firefighters of both genders using a comprehensive agreement analysis. METHODS: We evaluated the accuracy of a NEx-CRF estimate compared to the Cooper 12 min running test among 702 males and 106 female …firefighters. RESULTS: Cooper and NEx-CRF tests yielded similar CRF in both genders (differences <1.8±4.7 ml/kg–1 .min–1 ; effect size <0.34). However, NEx-CRF underestimated Cooper-derived CRF among the fittest firefighters. NEx-CRF showed moderate to high sensitivity/specificity to detect fit or unfit firefighters (71.9% among men and 100% among women). Among men, the NEx-CRF method correctly identified most firefighters with less than 11 METs or greater than 13 METs, but showed lower precision to discriminate those with CRF between 11–13 METs. CONCLUSIONS: The NEx-CRF method to estimate firefighters’ CRF may be considered as an alternative method when an exercise-based method is not available or may be used to identify those who require more traditional testing (CRF 11–13 METs). Show more

Keywords: VO2max , aerobic capacity, aerobic power, Cooper 12 min running test, firefighters, cardiorespiratory fitness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203263

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 173-183, 2020

Authors: Nazari, Goris | MacDermid, Joy C. | Sinden, Kathryn | D’Amico, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) remain the most frequently reported type of injuries sustained during fire-ground operations in firefighters. However, there is a paucity of reports concerning the prevalence estimates of MSSs among female firefighters and different fire services across Canada. OBJECTIVES: To assess the point prevalence of self-reported MSSs, stratified by age and sex in a cohort of active duty firefighters from across Canada, and to determine whether age, sex or length of service can be used to predict the likelihood of the number of MSSs sustained. METHODS: We recruited 390 firefighters (272 males, 118 females). …To identify the prevalence of self-reported rates of MSSs, firefighters were asked to complete a standardized 11-item questionnaire that asked, “Please indicate whether you have experienced pain in any body region within the last week”, with response options that included “Yes”, “No”, and “Head”, “Neck”, “Shoulder”, “Arm/Elbow/Hand”, “Back”, “Stomach/Abdomen”, “Upper Thigh”, “Knee”, “Lower Leg”, “Foot”, “Other, please specify”. RESULTS: Among the 390 full-time firefighters, 212 (54%) indicated to have experienced some type of MSSs within the last week. The most prevalent region-specific MSSs included, 123 (32%) in the back region, 92 (24%) in the shoulder region, 74 (19%) in the neck region and 70 (18%) in the knee region. In addition, women indicated a 1.6 times greater likelihood of sustaining ≥2 MSSs when controlling for individual differences in age and years of service. CONCLUSIONS: The point prevalence of MSSs in a cohort of full-time firefighters was 54% (55% males; 53% females). Women experienced a 1.4–1.6 times greater likelihood of sustaining MSSs when controlling for individual differences in age and years of service. Show more

Keywords: Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, sex, full-time, first line responder, firefighters

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203264

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 185-191, 2020