Work - Volume 11, issue 3

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11301

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. iii-iii, 1998

Authors: Bar-Haim Erez, Asnat

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11302

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 239-241, 1998

Authors: Mundlak, Guy

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The article suggests a model that can account for the systemic nature of the law's functions with regard to occupational health and safety. The model presents four functions for law's intervention: to establish standards, to ensure the welfare of those injured on the job, to provide incentives for employers and employees to reduce the level of injuries, and to ensure the efficient administration of public expenditures. The model requires observing law's intertwining functions in context and assessing the output according to a weighted index. The article applies this framework for a critical description of the Israeli system. While injury rates …in Israel are ‘normal’, compared to other industrialized countries, the findings suggest some deficiencies in the functions of law including: inadequate adaptation of the standardization process to the challenges of the ‘new workplace’, incomplete incentives for adopting a high level of care and for compliance with standards, a relative failure of effort to induce a managerial culture that cooperates with workers on issues of health and safety, and a general fragmentation of the system. Show more

Keywords: Health, Safety, Laws, Functions, Standards

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11303

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 243-262, 1998

Authors: Shenkar, Orit | Mann, Jonathan | Shevach, Adele | Ever-Hadani, Pnina | Weiss, Patrice L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) refers to a number of conditions arising from overuse of joints or soft tissues. The common risk factors that contribute to the development of these disorders are related to personal and occupational variables. Job analysis of the tasks performed by the dental hygienist have shown that this occupation is particularly at risk. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of CTD symptoms amongst dental hygienists in Israel and to identify which are the factors that are related to CTD. A questionnaire including items concerning demographic data, employment history, professional occupational information, use of …instrumentation, and CTD symptomatology was mailed to all 530 registered dental hygienists. Two hundred forty-six hygienists (46%) returned the questionnaire; 63% of the respondents were classified as CTD ‘sufferers’, Age, year of graduation, hours worked per week, and frequency of changing instruments were found to be significantly related to CTD symptoms. Hygienists at high risk included those aged 50 years or more (Odds ratio, OR = 6), those who graduated before 1986 (OR = 3), those who work more than 34 h per week (OR = 2.5) and those who change two or fewer instruments per patient (OR = 2). The major recommendation resulting from this study is to make dental hygienists aware that they work in a high-risk profession. It is hoped that increased awareness of the risk will spur the hygienist to make appropriate work practice, administrative, and engineering modifications and to seek treatment at the first indication of CTD symptoms. Show more

Keywords: Cumulative trauma disorder, Risk factors, Dental hygiene

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11304

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 263-275, 1998

Authors: Weiss, Patrice L. | Jessel, Adam S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) entails the use of advanced technologies, including computers and various multimedia peripherals, to produce a simulated (i.e. virtual) environment that users perceive as comparable to real world objects and events. With the aid of specially designed transducers and sensors, users interact with displayed images, moving and manipulating virtual objects, and performing other actions in a way that engenders a feeling of actual presence (immersion) in the simulated environment. The unique features and flexibility of VR give it extraordinary potential for use in work-related applications. It permits users to experience and interact with a life-like model or environment, …in safety and at convenient times, while providing a degree of control over the simulation that is usually not possible in the real-life situation. The work-related applications that appear to be most promising are those that employ virtual reality for visualization and representation, distance communication and education, hands-on training, and orientation and navigation. This article presents an overview to the concepts of VR focusing on its applications in a variety of work settings. Issues related to potential difficulties in using VR including side effects and the transfer of skills learned in the virtual environment to the real world are also reviewed. Show more

Keywords: Virtual reality, Virtual environments, Transfer, Side effects, Computer simulation, Immersion

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11305

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 277-293, 1998

Authors: Parush, Shula | Levanon-Erez, Nirit | Weintraub, Naomi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objectives: Handwriting is one of the first things children are taught at school and need to perform in an efficient manner throughout life. Various studies have indicated that handwriting skills are related to many different variables including ergonomic factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between children with good and poor handwriting on ergonomic factors that underlie handwriting (e.g. body and paper positioning, pencil-grip and pressure) and to examine the relationship between the handwriting legibility and speed and these ergonomic factors. Study Design: The study included 209 students in Grades 2 and 3 in Israel. …The students were identified as good (N=116) and as poor handwriters (N=103) by their teachers. The Hebrew Handwriting Evaluation (HHE) was used to collect data on handwriting quality and speed as well as on ergonomic factors. A Chi square procedure was used to compare the differences between the handwriting groups. Discriminant analysis determined the percent of correct discrimination of subjects with poor or good handwriting based on the ergonomic factors. Finally, Spearman correlation coefficients were employed between the ergonomic variables and speed and quality of handwriting. Results: The results indicated that children with poor handwriting had inferior pencil, paper and body positioning, stabilization of paper and consistency of pressure, compared to children with good handwriting. Conclusions: The implications of the results in general, and specifically for clinical practice are discussed. Finally, further research related to this topic is suggested. Show more

Keywords: Body posture, Pencil grip, Pressure, Paper positioning, Handwriting

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11306

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 295-305, 1998

Authors: Parush, Shula | Pindak, Vered | Hahn-Markowitz, Jeri | Mazor-Karsenty, Tal

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objectives: Handwriting is one aspect of school children's work. This article examines the influence of fatigue on handwriting, through the use of prolonged writing. Study design: The study population included 157 third-grade students with good and poor handwriting. Quality and speed of handwriting, in addition to ergonomic factors, were assessed through the Hebrew Handwriting Evaluation (HHE), prior to writing and after writing for 10 consecutive minutes. Results: Results of this study clearly demonstrate that children with both poor and good handwriting perform more poorly after writing long texts. Although both groups were influenced by the fatigue situation, poor …handwriters still scored lower than the good handwriters in both conditions (fatigue and non-fatigue), on most variables. Conclusions: Continued studies in this area are recommended, and it is suggested that children take ‘writing breaks’ when writing, in order to improve the quality of their handwriting. Show more

Keywords: Handwriting, Ergonomic factors, Fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11307

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 307-313, 1998

Authors: Shahar, Ronit Ben | Kizony, Rachel | Nota, Ayala

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objectives: The purposes of this study were first, to determine the validity of the Purdue Pegboard Test in differentiating between groups of healthy adults and adults who suffered from traumatic hand injury. Second, to determine criterion validity of the Purdue Pegboard Test with the Functional Dexterity Test (FDT). Third, to test the correlations between the Purdue Pegboard Test and several functional hand activities. Study designs: Fifty-four post-traumatic hand injury participants who were treated in the Occupational Therapy Clinic at the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. Forty-three healthy participants with no history of hand injury or disease formed the …control group. All subjects were assessed with the Purdue Pegboard Test, PDT and five functional hand activities. Results and conclusions: The Purdue Pegboard Test differentiated between the healthy population and the post-traumatic hand injury population. No significant differences were found between the dominant hand-injured group and the non-dominant hand-injured group on three scores (both hands, assembly and the summarizing of the first three sub-tests). Correlations between the Purdue Pegboard Test and the PDT were moderate to high suggesting the two tests should be used in combination when assessing patients. Correlations between the Purdue and hand activities (e.g. button, laces) were moderate. Further studies are needed to examine the relationships between types of hand injuries, ROM, pinch grip and performance on the Purdue Pegboard Test. Show more

Keywords: Purdue Pegboard Test, Dexterity, Traumatic hand injury, Hand function

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11308

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 315-320, 1998

Authors: Froom, Paul | Kristal-Boneh, Estella | Lerman, Yehuda | Ashkanazi, Ruth | Ribak, Joseph

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In the following study, we examined the possible relationship between acute and chronic measures of lead exposure and total white cell blood counts in 94 workers in a lead-battery plant who were followed-up from 1980 to 1993. Acute measures of lead exposure included blood lead (PbB), and zinc protoporphyrin levels (ZPP) measured concomitantly with the total white blood count, and a measure of chronic exposure was represented by average blood lead levels over the follow-up period. Of the 947 white blood cell counts, leukocytosis was found in 92 (9.7%), but there was no higher proportion of leukocytosis in the groups …with higher PbB or ZPP results. Of those where a smoking history was recorded, none of the 188 non-smokers had leukocytosis, compared to 78 of 590 smokers (0 vs. 13.2%, respectively, P < 0.05). The white count was not significantly correlated with ZPP, PbB or the average PbB of the workers. We conclude that lead exposure does not influence the white blood cell count in battery workers, and that the cause of an elevated white count in such worker's is probably due entirely to a history of smoking. Further studies are warranted to substantiate our findings. Show more

Keywords: White blood cells, Leukocytosis, Smoking, Lead exposure

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11309

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 321-324, 1998

Authors: Froom, P. | Sackstein, G. | Cohen, C. | Lerman, Y. | Kristal-Boneh, Estella | Ribak, J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) is generally recognized as a respiratory irritant, but its effects if any at low levels of exposure are uncertain. We studied 38 power station technicians exposed to 0.8 ppm (parts per million) 8-h weighted levels of sulfur dioxide, and compared them to workers performing similar tasks without such exposure. Those exposed complained 5.8 times more frequently of cough (95% CI =1.8−20.6, P < 0.001), and also had significantly more sputum production. There was also a trend for increasing prevalence of dyspnea. On the other hand there was no decrease in pulmonary function test values. In the …eight exposed subjects who complained of dyspnea, there was a significant decrease in pulmonary flow values. We conclude that power station workers exposed to low levels of SO2 have increased respiratory symptoms, and deserve compensation if their symptoms become chronic. The pulmonary function tests were not different from the control subjects, but there may be a small group who are prone to long-term morbidity. Additional studies are warranted to confirm our findings, and to define immediate and long-term morbidity due to low exposure to SO2 . Show more

Keywords: Sulfur dioxide, Respiratory symptoms, Pulmonary function, Industry

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11310

Citation: Work, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 325-329, 1998