Work - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-219001

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-2, 2021

Authors: Babamiri, Mohammad | Heidarimoghadam, Rashid | Ghasemi, Fakhrodin | Tapak, Leili | Mortezapour, Alireza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The scientometric study is a visualization method used to collect big data from databases, to explore the relationships between citing and co-cited documents and then visualize the results. Unlike the new term Ergonomics 4.0, bibliometric analysis has been studied in various related fields of Ergonomics. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to create a bibliometric analysis in related field of Ergonomics and Fourth Industrial Revolution. This analysis can shed light on the new developed research field in both sides of the present study, occupational ergonomics and industry 4.0. METHODS: After selecting related keywords, Advance …search was done in Scopus and Web of Science. Bibliometric results were presented by these databases’ analyzer and by exported data to VOS viewer software. No time or language restriction was applied. RESULTS: Retrieved Articles were 104 and 285 for Web of Science and Scopus respectively. The frequent co-occurrences for keywords were seen between “industry 4.0” and “Human Factors”. The USA and Germany were also the most productive countries in this field. Well-known Ergonomics journals had low participation in the Evolution of Ergonomics and Fourth Industrial Revolution topics. CONCLUSION: Due to more participation of industry 4.0-related researchers in this topic, it is recommended that ergonomists from around the world, and especially Eastern countries, attempt to conduct research in this field. Furthermore, devoting some forth-coming special issues in this field is recommended to top ergonomics journals. Show more

Keywords: Trends in ergonomics, cyber physical system, VOS viewer, smart factory, smart manufacturing

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213576

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2021

Authors: Yuan, Zhang Han | Yang, Xue | Martínez-Aires, MDolores

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) has a direct repercussion on the work, social and economic environments. The regulatory frameworks developed by each country are a basic aspect of OHS action policies. OBJECTIVE: This study analyses and compares the differences in OHS regulations in China and the European Union (EU) to identify weaknesses or gaps in the Chinese regulations. METHODS: Firstly, an overview of the OHS situation in the EU and China is carried out to provide context. Following this, a comparison of OHS regulations is conducted by searching different European and Chinese databases. The comparison …focuses on several areas: socio-economic issues, accident rates, and the OHS regulatory framework. RESULTS: Since 1989, the EU has produced a broad and comprehensive OHS regulatory framework. Almost 30 years later, its positive impact can be seen in EU accident rates, indicating that this framework might be used as a reference for other territories or countries. China has a complicated system with over 280 OHS legislative regulations, in the form of laws, regulations, rules, integrated regulations, etc. that lead to a mixture and repetition of contents. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese OHS legislation is still being constructed and complemented, since the two main Chinese OHS laws were approved during the last decade. This contrasts with the mature European framework, as it has been modified and completed over the years. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health and safety, UE, comparison, regulatory frameworks

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213569

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-15, 2021

Authors: Jebril, Mohammad Y.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the availability of work and the appropriateness of work to people with disabilities (PWD) in Jordan. Therefore, this research was initiated and it was hypothesized that work is available and it is appropriate to PWD abilities. OBJECTIVES: To explore the availability of work and the appropriateness of working conditions to PWD abilities. METHOD: Thirty-five individuals completed the “People with Disabilities Working Condition Scale” (PWDWCS). Descriptive and nonparametric statistical analyses including Chi square, Pearson correlation, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used, and content analysis was used for …the open-ended questions section to identify the availability of work in terms of opportunities and competition as well as to identify the work fitness to PWDs’ abilities. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the participants had difficulties finding a job, with a high competition on the available ones. Several work conditions do not fit PWDs’ abilities including improper fitness of work assignment to their capabilities and relatively inappropriate wages. In addition, a higher percentage of the participants reported: A) availability of written job descriptions and procedure manuals B) lack of work-related training and continuing education (CE) programs C) PWD are not being promoted D) availability of relative social acceptance at work E) a relatively comfortable work environment F) finally, work areas which require several modifications to boost accessibility. CONCLUSION: Initial hypotheses could not be confirmed. Several challenges face PWD in Jordan pertaining to the availability and fitness to work. Rehabilitation for all sectors of work is necessary as well as for PWD to improve their employability and work appropriateness to PWD abilities. Show more

Keywords: Working conditions, supported employment, accessibility, qualitative research, stigma, rehabilitation, reasonable accommodations

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213567

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-15, 2021

Authors: Jenkins, Helen | Smith, Graham | Stewart, Scott | Kamphuis, Catherine

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Paramedic work has periods of intermittent high physical demand, a risk of workplace injury, may be confounded by inherent fitness of the paramedic. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the nature of workplace musculoskeletal injury, and determine if there was a relationship between pre-employment physical capacity testing (PEPCT) scores and risk of workplace musculoskeletal injury within the paramedic industry. METHODS: A retrospective case review using PEPCT scores and workplace injury (WI) manual handling data collected from 2008 to 2015 by an Australian pre-hospital emergency care provider (Ambulance Victoria), enabled comparison and analysis of two distinct …data sets. RESULTS: A total of 538 paramedics were included for analysis with 34 paramedics reporting a workplace musculoskeletal injury from manual handling. The mean time to injury from commencement of employment was 395.4 days (SD 516.2). Female paramedics represented 53.0%and male paramedics represented 47%of the sample. Mean total PEPCT score for the entire sample was 19.1 (SD 2.9) with a range from 16.2–22, while for those reporting injuries it was 18.3 (SD 2.6) with a range from 15.7–20.9. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal injury amongst Victorian paramedics is more prevalent where the paramedic is female, and/or within three years of commencement of employment. The PEPCT score did not differentiate those at risk of subsequent injury. Show more

Keywords: Workplace injury, prehospital emergency health care, predictive assessment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213570

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2021

Authors: Lancman, Selma | Oliveira Barros, Juliana de | Andrade Jardim, Tatiana de | Brunoro, Claudio Marcelo | Sznelwar, Laerte Idal | Rossi da Silva, Talita Naiara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work is a determinant of employee health, and the same conditions that contribute to an illness do not favour return to work; consequently, they hinder job retention, other employees can become ill and new leaves are generated. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the nursing technicians work in intensive and semi-intensive care units (ICUs and SICUs) and discussed the influence of organisational and relational factors on return to work and job retention. This study also discusses the contributions of activity ergonomics to these processes. METHOD: Qualitative case study based on ergonomic work analysis (EWA). Data were collected using …documentary analyses, and global, systematic, and participant observations involving nursing technicians working in ICUs and SICUs. RESULTS: Task planning and the staff size adjustment to respond to the work demands of these units were ineffective in real-world situations and were aggravated by cases of absenteeism, medical leave, and employees returning to work. CONCLUSIONS: Work structure limits return to work and job retention. An EWA based on the activities developed by professionals is a valid tool for understanding working processes by applying transforming actions to real-world work situations. Show more

Keywords: Emergency services, vocational rehabilitation, job security, ergonomics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213575

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2021

Authors: Corrêa Pinto, Ricardo Nunes | da Silva, Marcelo Cozzensa | Caputo, Eduardo Lucia | Domingues, Marlos Rodrigues

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Primary health unit (PHU) nursing work is different when compared to hospital environment. Although LBP literature presents studies conducted in hospital nursing personnel, there is a lack of studies in PHU nurses. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in (PHU) nursing personnel in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. METHODS: Sociodemographic (age, gender, number of children, skin color, income and marital status), occupational (PHU type, formal education, professional experience, weekly workload, extra work activity, workload perception), nutritional (BMI), health (self-perceived health, smoking, sleep quality and minor psychiatric disorders, PHU …physical structure perception) and behavioral (leisure-time physical activity) characteristics were assessed. LBP was defined as pain or discomfort in the last rib and gluteal fold. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the relationship among LBP and covariates. RESULTS: LBP prevalence was 65.2%. Chronic (12 weeks) and acute (7 days) LBP prevalence were 22.4%and 53.4%, respectively. LBP was associated with obesity (PR 1.39 95%CI 1.01–1.92) and poor self-perceived health (PR 2.77 95%CI 1.32–5.80). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of LBP in PHU nursing personnel is high and similar to hospital nurses. Individual characteristics such as body mass and health perception were associated with LBP. Show more

Keywords: Lower back pain, nursing personnel, primary care, cross-sectional studies

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213572

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-7, 2021

Authors: Fyhn, Tonje | Sveinsdottir, Vigdis | Reme, Silje E. | Sandal, Gro M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Groups in society that are under-represented in the workforce encounter various barriers in the job-seeking process. Some of these barriers are found on the employer’s side of the table. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates supervisors’ and employees’ assessments of job seekers with different forms of disabilities, health issues, or with a minority background. It also investigates respondents’ previous experience with such colleagues, and whether supervisor status affects their assessments. METHODS: A survey was distributed among supervisors (n  = 305) and employees (n  = 925) using a vignette design with ten characters, inquiring about willingness to include such an …employee in their work group. The vignettes described job se.ekers with either a mental illness, a physical disability or a cultural minority. Risk ratio (RR) was calculated for being assessed positively, using a vignette character describing a single. mother as reference. RESULTS: Vignette characters describing mental health issues and physical disabilities were less likely to be assessed positively than the reference case, except for the vignette describing audio impairment. Cultural minorities were assessed positively, or more positively than the reference case. Supervisors and employees generally agreed in their assessments of vignette characters, and previous experience was consistently associated with a more positive assessment of the character in question. Various barriers to include the least favoured vignette characters were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Although some findings are promising with regard to increasing work participation for underrepresented groups, barriers pertaining to some of the vignette characters should be addressed in vocational rehabilitation efforts, as well as in organizations seeking to enhance equal opportunities and diversity. Show more

Keywords: Diversity, equal opportunities, selection, evaluation, work participation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213568

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2021

Authors: Shaxin, Liu | Fengyi, Wang | Qiong, Yang | Quan, Wang | Danling, Feng | Yue, Chen | Cheng, Andy S.K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Return to work is an important process for many breast cancer survivors (BCSs) that acts as a positive step towards their reintegration into society. OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether work productivity loss due to presenteeism could predict the quality of life (QOL) of employed BCSs. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design. Seventy-five BCSs and seventy-five participants in the Non-Cancer Comparison (NCC) group were surveyed. The main outcome measures were productivity loss (as measured by the Work Limitations questionnaire) and quality of life (as measure by the European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of …Life questionnaire C30). Other measures included psychological distress (as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and cognitive limitation at work (as measured by the Cognitive Symptom Checklist). RESULTS: The BCS group had a lower summary score, a lower global health related score and greater work limitation in all domains than the NCC group. The productivity loss due to presenteeism of the BCS group was 8%. The multiple regression model shows that work productivity loss and level of job stress were the significant predictors of quality of life in the BCS group. CONCLUSION: These findings raise questions about the effects of level of job stress and work productivity loss on the QOL of BCSs. Longitudinal studies are needed to map these relationships. Show more

Keywords: Presenteeism, job stress, work flexibility, return to work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213565

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2021

Authors: Pinto, Isabel C. | Pereira, Olívia R. | Fernandes, António | Nogueira, João | Costa, Ricardo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increasing consumption of psychoactive substances is a major social concern worldwide. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of psychoactive substances consumption in the Portuguese, lifetime and recently, the main reasons for the consumption and associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on the ASSIST applied to a sample of 385 Portuguese obtained for convenience. It was used descriptive statistics, the qui-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Alcohol was the most consumed throughout life (86%), followed by xanthines (79%) and tobacco (60%). In the last 3 months, …xanthines (49%) were the most consumed daily, followed by tobacco (22%) and alcohol (9%). Socializing was the main reason for consumption of alcohol (67%), tobacco (36%) and cannabis (34%). Anxiolytics have been used to sleep (50%) and xanthines to increase cognitive capacity (35%). Tobacco (p  = 0.016), alcohol (p  = 0.03) and illicit substances (p  <  0.001) were more consumed by men and anxiolytics by women (p  = 0.027). Alcohol (p  = 0.008), cannabis (p  = 0.027), and xanthines (p  = 0.009) were mostly consumed by young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal sporadic and recreational use of illicit substances, and regular use of alcohol, tobacco and xanthines, mostly by young adults and men, and anxiolytics by women. Socializing was the main reason for psychoactive substances consumption. Show more

Keywords: Alcohol, tobacco, xanthines, alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST); young adult

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213578

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2021