Work - Volume 79, issue 4

Authors: Aguiar, Ana | Soares, Patrícia | Barbosa, Pedro | Duarte, Raquel | Pinto, Marta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread lockdowns and remote work and educational practices that have impacted the lives of many families. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate how parents and caregivers altered their routines due to online schooling and teleworking, exploring their association with increased anxiety and depression symptoms. METHODS: We conducted an online cross-sectional study and collected data through snowball sampling. We asked questions about age, gender, dwelling area, educational level, and marital status, as well as an open-ended question about teleworking and homeschooling – “Did your routine change due to your children being forced …to stay home and take online classes? If so, please explain how it has influenced your personal and professional life, both positively and negatively”. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the responses. RESULTS: A total of 181 respondents, primarily women (72.4%), averaging 36.6 years old, holding bachelor’s degrees (44.2%), were included. About 78.5% reported routine adjustments. Four salient themes emerged: 1) Perceived changes in professional and personal life, 2) Perceived changes in learning methods, 3) Mental health issues and 4) Perceived advantages of working from home with children at online school. Regarding mental health, 25.4% exhibited symptoms of anxiety, and 7.7% displayed depression symptoms, predominantly linked (80%) to the pandemic’s impact. CONCLUSION: Family routines were disrupted, causing stress. In future crises, policymakers, public health experts, and researchers must acknowledge these challenges to mitigate negative consequences. Simultaneously, they should focus on strategies that enhance the positive aspects of restrictive measures and related policies. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, teleschool, teleworking, Portugal, mixed methods, parents, children

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230730

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 1951-1966, 2024

Authors: Şahin, İhsan Emrecan | Durmaz, Vildan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The accumulated knowledge has led to a state of misunderstanding about the precise meanings of digitalization, and a precise framework to define smart airports is still missing. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to reveal the current status and future direction of smart airports and digital transformation in the academic literature and to provide a comprehensive definition for smart airports. METHODS: The identified keywords were searched in the Web of Science database covering the years 1989-2024 and a total of 372 studies were found. These studies were then analyzed using Bibliometrix (R package). RESULTS: We …determined that the most influential academic source on the themes is the Journal of Air Transport Management, and the collaboration index in the literature is three. While conferences are the most productive sources in this field, academic journals are mostly cited in studies. Academic studies typically employ and evaluate “performance” and “model,” “impact” and “air,” and “economic development” and “location” in tandem, despite the distinction between technological and managerial issues. CONCLUSION: In the light of the findings, the definition of a smart airport can be “an airport ecosystem where personalized service is provided to users by using Industry 4.0 technologies on the basis of big data analysis and real-time sharing between objects; digitalization is turned into a holistic organizational culture starting from top management to cover all personnel; the decision-making process is carried out autonomously within the entire airport operation network; and the main goal of competitive advantage and high-level user experience is provided uninterruptedly.” Show more

Keywords: Air travel, aviation, trends, digital technology, airports, data visualization

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230737

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 1967-1994, 2024

Authors: Boden, Leslie I. | Pan, Yixin | Gregas, Matt | McTernan, Melissa | Peters, Susan E. | Bhagia, Div | Wagner, Gregory R. | Sabbath, Erika L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed whether using manager or worker perceptions of safety policies and practices alone predict reported injury rates less accurately than using both. OBJECTIVE: This study provides an example and describes a method that can be used to address this issue with survey instruments designed to measure safety climate, policies, or practices. METHODS: Using multilevel logistic regression, we estimated the relationship between worker and manager perceptions of a given exposure and the odds of worker injury during the post-survey year for three safety scales. We tested whether surveying both workers and managers provides …additional predictive value compared with surveying just one group, RESULTS: Injury in the year following the survey was significantly associated with worker scores on two of the three scales. Manager responses were not significantly associated with injury and did not significantly improve injury rate prediction when added to a model with only worker survey responses. CONCLUSIONS: The capacity of manager-only or worker-only perceptions of safety policies and practices to predict worker injuries should be established before choosing to survey just one or the other. The approach and findings in this paper can be applied to other survey instruments and in other settings to help make this choice. Show more

Keywords: Survey research, safety policies and practices, injury prevention, occupational safety and health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240029

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 1995-2002, 2024

Authors: Liu, Wenyao | Meng, Qingfeng | Li, Zhen | Ai, Xijie | Chong, Heap-Yih

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Frontline supervisors have the most frequent interactions with workers on construction projects. Although Supervisors’ Safety Leadership (SSL) is commonly practiced, its specific inter-relationship with workers’ safety violations remains unclear, especially when it comes to detailed interactions between supervisors and workers, such as supervisors’ safety coaching/safety controlling/safety caring against workers’ situational/routine safety violations. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to uncover the intrinsic relationship between SSL and safety violations from the perspective of construction workers with the help of mediating variables at both organizational and individual levels. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted to test all hypotheses based …on empirical data from 346 construction workers. The path coefficient of the fitted model was then analyzed, including associated mediating effects. RESULTS: Situational safety violations are directly affected only by safety caring (β= –0.161, p  < 0.05), while routine safety violations are impacted only by safety coaching (β= –0.159, p  < 0.05). SSL can influence different types of safety violations through differing mediators. In particular, safety coaching acts on individuals’ routine safety violations mainly through self-efficacy (β= 0.199, p  < 0.01; standardized indirect effect = –0.121, 95% CI[–0.226, –0.024]); safety controlling is more oriented to influence individuals’ situational safety violations through group safety norm (β= 0.383, p  < 0.001; standardized indirect effect = –0.091, 95% CI[–0.177, –0.036]); and safety caring further influences individuals’ situational safety violations mainly through safety motivation (β= 0.581, p  < 0.001; standardized indirect effect = –0.263, 95% CI[–0.418, –0.146]). CONCLUSION: The research enhances existing knowledge by clarifying the complex relationships between supervisor behavior and safety outcomes, particularly from the perceptions of construction workers towards supervisors’ actions and leadership. Show more

Keywords: Supervisors’ safety leadership, construction worker, safety violations, safety motivation, group safety norm, self-efficacy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240048

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2003-2021, 2024

Authors: Aguilar-Elena, Raúl | Agún-González, Juan José

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study stands for the first Spanish investigation that rigorously evaluates the compliance regarding the use of biological protection gloves as essential personal protective equipment (PPE) in companies with exposure to biological agents in workplaces. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyse the degree of use of biological protection gloves as personal protective equipment (PPE), the factors that influence its use, and the profile of workers exposed to occupational biological agents in Spanish companies in the health sector, farms, meat industry, waste treatment plants, food industry and veterinary centers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study …involving 590 Spanish workers from 51 companies. We developed a 34-item questionnaire to assess workers’ risk perception related to exposure to biological agents in their workplaces. Among the questions, three were designed to find the degree of use of key protective equipment in sectors with biological agent exposure: protective gloves, goggles or face shields, and respirators. We performed various statistical analyses, including Cronbach’s alpha, frequency of endorsement, Content Validity Ratio (CVR) using Lawshe’s method, Varimax rotation, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO), and Bartlett’s sphericity test, to assess the internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaire. Additionally, we employed a CHAID segmentation analysis, using workers’ responses regarding their attitude toward glove usage as PPE for protection against biological risks, with demographic variables as independent factors. RESULTS: The CHAID analysis yielded a segmentation diagram, revealing five distinct groups or profiles of workers based on their use of protective gloves. CONCLUSION: Our study, through CHAID analysis, highlights that workers tend to use protective gloves more frequently when there is an internal Health and Safety department within the company. Show more

Keywords: Biological agents, CHAID, risk assessment, work biohazard, job profiles, PPE, gloves

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240053

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2023-2032, 2024

Authors: Memon, Muhammad Rizwan | Memon, Hina | Memon, Sarwat | Memon, Shahzad | Bhurgri, Humera | Baig, Muhammad Nadeem | Khattak, Osama | Iqbal, Azhar | Issrani, Rakhi | Prabhu, Namdeo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Safety signs are very important communication tools for accident prevention, fire safety, health hazard information, and emergency evacuation. However, they are helpful only when properly designed and understood by employees. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to assess the awareness of health and safety signs amongst health care workers including doctors, dentists and paramedics in different health care sectors across Pakistan. METHODS: Data was collected via Google forms circulated through WhatsApp social media to predetermined groups of health care professionals to assess their understanding of safety signs across different health sectors. The survey …included questions pertaining to awareness of 19 different health and safety signs complied with International Organization for Standardization 1710 and the Safety Signs and Signal Regulations 1996 chosen randomly. RESULTS: A total of 987 people participated in our study and were asked to comprehend the meaning of nineteen health and safety signs. The mean comprehension score for 19 signs was 42.2%. The mean score for warning signs was the lowest and fire safety signs was highest. The lowest comprehension scores were for oxygen cylinder sign (W029) 7.5% and highest for first aid sign (E003) 75.9%. Only two signs, that are first aid (E003) and mandatory gloves (M009) had acceptable comprehensive score of 75.9% and 73.7% respectively as per ISO 7010 i.e. >67%. Statistically significant differences were found only for trip hazard sign (W007) with respect to education and for risks of bomb explosion (W002), ionising radiation (W009), evacuation assembly point (E007), location of automated external heart defibrillator (E010) and mandatory gloves (M009) with work experience. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we conclude that there is dire need of special and frequent training to better recognize the safety signs amongst health care employees since these kinds of interventions promote early detection of hazards and their associated risks. Thus, we propose that health care safety sign training must be included in every health care profession curriculum. Show more

Keywords: Safety, health care, accident prevention, workplace, curriculum, emergencies

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240064

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2033-2044, 2024

Authors: Chandrasekaran, Baskaran | Arumugam, Ashokan | Pesola, Arto J. | Davis, Fiddy | Rao, Chythra R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: High levels of sedentary behavior in workplaces are currently recognized as an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and poor mental health. However, sedentary patterns vary between workdays and non-workdays, which may influence cognitive functions. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to quantify and compare work and nonwork device-measured sedentary time (ST) and its association with cognitive function in Indian office workers. METHODS: In an ongoing randomized controlled trial (SMART-STEP), the baseline data of 136 full-time office workers, including accelerometer-measured sedentary patterns and cognitive functions, were analyzed. The ST was measured using a hip-worn accelerometer (Actigraph …wGT3X-BT) for seven days, and executive functions were measured using computer-based tests. Linear regression models were employed to analyze the relationships between ST and executive function measures. RESULTS: The median daily ST of Indian office workers was 11.41 hours. The ST was greater on both workdays (11.43 hrs.) and non-workdays (11.14 hrs.) though different (F  = 6.76, p  = 0.001, η p 2  = 0.032). Office workers accumulate more prolonged sitting bouts (+21.36 min) during work days than non-workdays. No associations between device-measured ST and executive functions were observed. CONCLUSION: Indian office workers exhibited high ST patterns, especially on workdays. Although lower than workdays, Indian office workers exhibited more ST patterns during non-workdays than did their Western counterparts. Culturally adaptable workplace and leisure time physical activity interventions are needed to address the high ST of Indian office workers. Show more

Keywords: Prevalence, sedentary time, workplace sitting, reaction times, cognition, Indian, office worker

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240129

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2045-2058, 2024

Authors: Martin, Joel R. | Lockie, Robert G. | Fyock-Martin, Marcie | Clark, Nicholas C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Firefighter physical fitness (PF) plays a crucial role in mitigating health issues and supporting occupational performance. The influence of rank on firefighter PF remains understudied and previous research is often limited by small sample sizes of firefighters volunteering for research studies, potentially biasing results towards fitter firefighters not representative of entire departments. OBJECTIVE: To examine the PF profile of firefighters in a large urban fire department and the influence of age and rank on PF. METHODS: Data, including muscular fitness, estimated aerobic capacity (VO2 max), and body fat percentage (BF%) measures from 1361 firefighters (90% …male; age: 37.4±10.1yrs; 60 recruits, 973 firefighters, 290 lieutenants/captains, 38 chiefs) were analyzed. Correlation and ANCOVAs were conducted to examine the impact of rank on PF while controlling for age. Score distributions were scrutinized to profile the PF of the department. RESULTS: Age was negatively associated with pull-ups (r  = – 0.39), sit-ups (r  = – 0.39), and push-ups (r  = – 0.32), but positively associated with relative VO2 max (r  = 0.17) and BF% (r  = 0.39). Rank had a statistically significant, but trivial effect size, on pull-ups (p  = 0.028, η 2  = 0.007) and sit-ups (p  = 0.034, η 2  = 0.005). Firefighters with lower PF levels were older, had higher BF%, lower fat-free mass, and were a greater proportion of females. CONCLUSIONS: Firefighters exhibited diverse levels of PF. Age, not rank, appeared to influence firefighters’ PF. The findings that firefighters who were older, female, with poorer body composition are more likely to have lower PF levels highlights the need for individualized PF training to enhance occupational performance and health across the fire department. Show more

Keywords: Firefighter, career, physical fitness, aerobic, muscular, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240150

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2059-2073, 2024

Authors: Isik, Volkan | Ozdemir, Mustafa Caglar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational accidents are anticipated to decline when unregistered employment declines because of more regulated working conditions, inspections, and opportunities for legal protection. In the study, the accuracy of this presumption was examined. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine how to protective legal regulations generate a relationship between occupational accidents and informal employment such as the Occupational Health and Safety Law in Turkey. METHODS: In the research, which was structured within the framework of the quantitative method, various levels of relationship chains were created between informal employment and occupational accidents using correlation and slope calculations. The …official data set was created using secondary data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the Social Security Institution. RESULTS: It has been determined that the low positive correlation (r  = 0.166) between unregistered employment and occupational accidents in 2008–2012 (pre-legislation period) in Turkey changed to the medium-negative direction (r =–0.602) in 2013–2020 (legislation period). While the assumption that unregistered employment would decrease in the first period was confirmed, the hypothesis was falsified by the increase in occupational accidents despite the decrease in informality in the second period. CONCLUSION: This study is unique because it shows that in a developing country where unregistered employment is high, the protective regulations for work accidents do not reflect a decrease in the number of work accidents in the short and medium term. Show more

Keywords: Informal sectors, occupational accident, occupational health, occupational safety, government regulations, social security.

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240158

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2075-2085, 2024

Authors: Mane, Vinita | Rajhans, Neela

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related disability is caused commonly due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in dentistry. Prolonged static awkward and repetitive postures cause MSD in dentists. The study was executed to confirm the development of MSD in various body regions as they have to work in a small oral cavity to perform crucial dental procedures with precision and concentration. OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of the MSD in several body regions of dentists and to carry out postural study thereby helping them improve posture. METHODS: Dentists were assessed for their current working postures with various MSD symptoms and its …effects. The questionnaire was devised to get musculoskeletal health data from dentists. The postural load was investigated using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Various risk factors contributing to MSD symptoms were identified after data were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS version 27. RESULTS: According to the current study neck, shoulder, lower back, upper back, wrist hand, elbow, hip, thigh, knee, and ankle were the most affected anatomical regions. Average RULA score for the current study was found to be 6.75 which indicated a need of change of posture while performing dental procedures. There is statistical correlation between gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), uncomfortable positions, stretching, use of ergonomic saddle chair, hand dominance and MSD. There is no statistical correlation between years of experience and MSD. CONCLUSION: Current workstation (Dental Chair) requires immediate improvements as evident from the postural load analysis, thus immediate implementation of intervention program is required. Show more

Keywords: Dentistry, ergonomics, musculoskeletal pain, posture, occupational health, occupational injuries, health care

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240184

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2087-2101, 2024