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

Authors: Pinto, Ofir Y. | Strawczynski, Michel | Rimmerman, Arie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) assumes that persons with disabilities have similar rights, motivations to work and personal values as those without disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The article examines the corroboration between this assumption and real-life facts to better understand the importance of labor-oriented values in people with disabilities. METHODS: We tested the relationship between human values, employment and wages among Israelis with disabilities who cope with prejudice, negative attitudes and a lack of accessible workplaces in comparison to Israelis without disabilities. RESULTS: We found that the effect of …labor-oriented values on employment status is 70% higher among people with disabilities than among those without disabilities. Furthermore, persons with disabilities ranked power and achievement as important values related to employment, but these values were not included in the considerations of persons without disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of labor-oriented values for people with disabilities to overcome challenges in the labor market. Our findings suggest that rehabilitation policies would benefit from identifying personal human values of people with disabilities at an early stage of their career. Show more

Keywords: CRPD, people with disabilities, work, human values

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203265

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 193-202, 2020

Authors: Taylor, Wendell C. | Das, Bhibha M. | Paxton, Raheem J. | Shegog, Ross | Suminski, Richard R. | Johnson, Stephanie R. | Akintola, Omotola A. | Hammad, Asmaa | Guidry, Monica K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: An increasing level of occupational stress is a major problem in the workplace that requires innovative approaches and strategies. An understudied research area pertains to the effects that physical activity performed during the workday can have on occupational stress. OBJECTIVE: To determine if and how an intervention that increases physical activity and reduces sedentary behavior affects workplace stress. The population of interest are employees at a large university medical center including support staff, healthcare professionals, physicians, and faculty members; the study design is longitudinal; the approach is the implementation of an innovative workplace program (i.e., the Booster …Break). METHODS: We present a logic model promoting physical activity and reducing sitting time during the workday as a feasible and practical strategy to cope with occupational stress. RESULTS: The logic model approach emphasizes that funding, partnerships, and incentives are inputs to implementing program activities such as Booster Break sessions, weekly meetings, social support, and personal self-monitoring. Short-term outcomes were categorized as psychosocial, goal setting, organizational, and social; intermediate outcomes were behavioral and psychosocial; and long-term outcomes were health status and physiological status. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first known effort to outline a comprehensive intervention based on changing physical activity and sedentary behavior during the workday and the concomitant effects on occupational stress. The findings of this study can be used to develop and implement interventions at workplaces to target increases in physical activity, decreases in sedentary time, and improvements in overall employee health. Show more

Keywords: Public health practice, mental health, evaluation, health promotion, interventions, workplace, logic model

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203266

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 203-213, 2020

Authors: Nazari, Goris | MacDermid, Joy C | Sinden, Kathryn | D’Amico, Robert | Brazil, Amanda | Carleton, Nicholas | Cramm, Heidi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Firefighters partake in and are exposed to a range of potentially traumatic events throughout their careers and the impact of such critical events could last a life time. Therefore, capturing such lifetime exposures is necessary for supporting firefighter health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of critical incidents in firefighters across Canada and determine whether the number of critical events varied based on age, gender, years of service; and to integrate our prevalence estimates using meta-analysis with previous studies to provide a pooled estimate. METHODS: We recruited 464 firefighters. Firefighters were asked to complete a self-report …Critical Incident Inventory (CII) survey that included questions on exposure to critical events throughout their firefighting careers. Individual CII items were summarized as percentages, number of exposures, the total number and percentages of exposures to each of the six CII sub-scales. We also performed a multivariate enter regression analysis with the CII total score as dependant variable, and age, gender, years of service as independent variables, to estimate if the number of critical incidents among firefighters varied based on age, gender and years of service. RESULTS: Among the 390 full-time firefighters, 376 (96.4%) indicated exposure to some type of critical incident. More specifically, 351 (90%) reported a “respond to incident involving one or two deaths”, and 314 (81%) reported a “respond to incident involving multiple serious injuries”. Age, gender and years of service accounted for only 37.4% of the variance in the number of critical incidents among firefighters. In addition, our pooled estimate results of previous similar studies indicated an overall prevalence estimate of critical incident exposures was 93.40% (4 studies, 1725 of 1877 firefighters, 95% CI: 82.26 –99.30). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all (96.4%) firefighters were exposed to some form of critical event over the span of their entire firefighting careers. Age, gender and years of service accounted for one-third of the variance in the number of critical incident exposures among firefighters. Show more

Keywords: First line responder, age/gender, full-time, volunteer, meta-analysis, firefighters, critical incidents

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203267

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 215-222, 2020

Authors: Diener, Marissa L. | Wright, Cheryl A. | Taylor, Carly | D’Astous, Valerie | Lasrich, Lauren

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Compared with people with other disabilities, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have the lowest rates of employment and switch jobs at a higher frequency. Thus, understanding how to support workplace success for people with ASD is important. OBJECTIVE: Grounded in an ecological conceptual model, this study explores the dual employment perspectives of adults with ASD and supervisors who worked with individuals with ASD. METHODS: Using participatory research methods, a purposive sample of ten adults with ASD (all verbal with high school diplomas) and ten supervisors participated in semi-structured interviews on employment experiences. Qualitative analyses …were used to identify themes. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from an ecological framework to create a strong person-environment fit in the workplace: 1) building on interest/experiences/strengths/skills, 2) reducing social demands, 3) clear communication and expectations, and 4) ASD awareness for work environment. Comparisons between the two groups of participants showed substantive differences in expectations and accommodations. CONCLUSIONS: Supervisors, although eager to employ individuals with ASD, could benefit by employing an ecological model to successful employment. Results indicate that multiple lenses on the process of employment for those with ASD can lead to better outcomes in the workplace. Show more

Keywords: Occupational readiness, accommodations, strength-based, participatory research, ecological model, autism spectrum disorders, employment, workplace

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203268

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 223-237, 2020

Authors: Yiu, Xin Yi | Maguire, Andrea | Johnson, Marcelle | Wåhlin, Charlotte | Johnston, Venerina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dental workers including dental health students experience a high incidence of neck/shoulder symptoms. However, research into interventions has been scarce and largely focused on tools and technological modifications. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the feasibility and benefits of a neck/shoulder exercise intervention on work posture and local symptoms in dental health students. METHODS: Twenty-three students participated in a 10-week resistance exercise program for 2 minutes daily, 5 days per week. Work posture (evaluated with the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment tool, RULA), muscle strength measures, self-rated symptom severity and function were collected. Feasibility of the intervention was …determined with six items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The exercise intervention improved: work posture score by 1.88 (95% CI 1.05–2.70, p  < 0.01) points on the RULA; isometric maximal strength of neck flexor and extensor muscles by 17.2% (95% CI 6.9–27.6%, p  < 0.01) and 23.2% (95% CI 10.2–36.3%, p  < 0.01) respectively; and clinical performance (77%). Isometric strength of the shoulder muscles, and symptom severity at the neck/shoulder showed no improvement. Adherence to training was 77%. CONCLUSION: Ten weeks of exercise was feasible for dental health students, and likely beneficial with improvements in work posture and neck muscle strength. Show more

Keywords: Resistance training, students, dental, cohort studies, exercise intervention, work posture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203269

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 239-249, 2020

Authors: Tremblay, Mathieu | Albert, Wayne J. | Lavallière, Martin | Belanger, Mathieu | Gallant, François | Cloutier, Frank | Johnson, Michel J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are over 12,000 professional truck drivers in the Canadian Maritime provinces, with the majority being in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Previous studies have focused on the health of Canadian and American truck drivers but the occupational health status of truck drivers in the Maritime Provinces remains undocumented. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to provide a general, occupational health and demographic characteristics description of professional truck drivers in the Maritimes. METHODS: One-hundred and four male truck drivers from the Canadian Maritime Provinces volunteered for this study. Nine occupational health indicators were …measured (seven were self-reported via questionnaire and two were physical measurements). Participants self-reported their age, years of truck driving experience and education. RESULTS: Only one-quarter of the current sample had no health conditions. In contrast, more than half were obese, one third had back problems, and one-sixth had a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The group comparison analysis showed that the group without health condition was younger and more educated than the group with multiple health conditions. For this study, age and low rate of education were associated with an increased number of health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to health profiles of other populations of North American truck drivers, this study suggests that the majority of truck drivers in the Canadian Maritime Provinces have at least one poor indicator of occupational health. Show more

Keywords: Health indicators, truck driving experience, education, age, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203270

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 251-257, 2020

Authors: Khosravi, Zahra | Razeghi, Mohsen | Choobineh, Alireza | Ghaem, Haleh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high among teachers. Poor posture when writing on whiteboards is considered among the important causes of these disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate an electromechanical rolling whiteboard for educational environments as an ergonomic intervention. METHODS: Thirty university lecturers volunteered to take part in the study. Participants performed a 5-minute writing task on a regular board and on the newly modified whiteboard in random order. The comfort and effectiveness of the boards and the perceived physical effort and posture of the participants were evaluated and compared by applying …the verbal rating scale, Borg’s rating of physical exertion scale, and rapid entire body assessment, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 83.2% of participants reported the new whiteboard to be comfortable or more comfortable to use than the regular whiteboard, and 76.6% of them found the new whiteboard to be higher or much higher in effectiveness and usefulness in comparison with the regular whiteboard. The comfort and posture ratings revealed that exertion was significantly less and posture improved while writing on the new board as compared to its counterpart (p  < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The new whiteboard increased user comfort, reduced physical effort, and improved posture, hopefully leading to a decreased number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Show more

Keywords: Teachers, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, postural analysis, REBA

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203271

Citation: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 259-265, 2020