Work - Volume 29, issue 3

Article Type: Other

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 175-175, 2007

Authors: Berg Rice, Valerie J. | Connolly, Vickie L. | Pritchard, Allyson | Bergeron, Annette | Mays, Mary Z.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an initial screening and referral process in reducing the impact of musculosketetal injuries among soldiers attending Health Care Specialist training. Musculoskeletal injury among Army Health Care Specialist students have been reported to be approximately 24% for men and 24–30% for women. The highest student visit rate to the troop medical clinic for musculoskeletal injuries, for men and women, occurs during the first week of training. …Anecdotal reports indicate that many students arrive for training with existing injuries or symptoms. This project was designed to assess whether formalized early screening, referral, and intervention could 1) identify arriving students who need musculoskeletal injury-related medical attention, 2) reduce the number of students receiving limited duty status during their 10-week training, 3) decrease the total number of limited duty days for students, and 4) decrease the number of students who cannot graduate due to musculoskeletal injury. Students (N=291) from one company were divided into three groups of 97 students. Three methods were used to screen and refer students for medical intervention: 1) traditional (T), 2) by health care providers (HCP), or 3) by Drill Sergeants (DS). Screening by HCP and DSs involved using a new screening tool to identify and consequently refer students with symptoms to a troop medical clinic (TMC) for early evaluation and intervention. Using the screening tool, HCPs identified 92% of students with injuries, while DSs accurately identified 80%. The screening did not reduce the number of students receiving limited duty status, total limited duty days, or the number of students that could not graduate due to musculoskeletal injury ("holdovers") (p>0.05). The screening tool demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity whether conducted by HCPs or DSs. It failed to demonstrate efficacy in reducing the impact of musculoskeletal injuries among Combat Medic soldiers, as measured by limited duty days and holdovers. Show more

Keywords: Military, musculoskeletal injury, screening, limited duty

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 177-188, 2007

Authors: Gadge, Karla | Innes, Ev

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: This study was prompted by the prevalence of back injury and pain in the working population, particularly amongst workers who are increasingly exposed to sedentary work in industrialised countries, and the corresponding limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of seating designs currently used in the workplace. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in comfort, productivity, and posture between the Bambach™ saddle seat and a standard office chair (two chair …designs used within the workplace today). Method: A single system, multiple-baseline research design across a sample of four subjects was used. A withdrawal A_{1} B_{1} A_{2} B_{2} design was utilised, with the ordering of the sequence varying with each subject. "A" represented the standard office chair, and "B" the Bambach™ saddle seat. Results: Discomfort ratings tended to increase over time regardless of the seat being used. However, while the saddle seat provided reduced levels of lower back discomfort, it demonstrated higher discomfort in the lower limbs, particularly the hips and buttocks. There were no significant differences identified in productivity between the two chairs. The saddle seat consistently promoted a greater trunk-to-thigh angle for all subjects, a position associated with optimum sitting posture. Conclusion: This study has implications for the treatment of low back injury and pain at work, as well as other daily activities that involve prolonged static sitting, such as those incorporated in self maintenance, leisure and rest activities. This study provides health professionals with a systematic investigation of the immediate effects of using both the Bambach™ saddle seat and standard office chair in sitting. The findings of this study should be considered in future research. Show more

Keywords: Seating, comfort, low back pain, standard office chair, saddle seat, single system research design

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 189-203, 2007

Authors: Staško, J.C. | Neale, A.V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This mixed methods study explored health care access problems faced by long-distance truck drivers. Thirty trucking professionals were interviewed at truck-stops in Michigan about health status and health care access. Thirty of the 88 drivers approached participated. The most common illnesses they reported concerned the eye, back, excessive stress at work and painful joints or arthritis. Most respondents had a family doctor; for those who did not, cost was a major contributing factor. More than one …third stated their health is "not excellent" because of poor accessibility to healthcare on the road. Almost unanimously, drivers desired to have access to health care clinics in truck-stop areas and described particular access problems; the solution may be as simple as making the existing health care system more amenable to those driving large truck rigs. Show more

Keywords: Transportation, population study, underserved population

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 205-211, 2007

Authors: Fournier, Pierre-Sébastien | Montreuil, Sylvie | Brun, Jean-Pierre

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Truck driver fatigue is a major safety issue for truck drivers and the public in general. Although training prepares drivers to effectively operate a truck, it tends to minimize the importance of working constraints faced daily on-the-job and thus reduces its impact on safety and effectiveness. With experience, drivers develop skills to combat fatigue. Documenting these skills can contribute to improved training of apprentices. An ethnographic approach was used to better understand the real-life fatigue management …skills of truck drivers. Participant observation was used to analyze the activity of apprentices in training and the activity of truck drivers at work. Observations indicated that training focused on time management and regulations, but did not prepare trainees to manage real-life constraints. Experienced drivers were not merely managing time; rather they were managing working constraints (including time) as a whole. To do so, they used two strategies: managing psycho-physical transformations and dynamic work planning. By integrating psycho-physical preoccupations into all aspects of work and by preparing future drivers to face real-life constraints, we could better train and prepare apprentices. Drivers do develop effective skills to combat fatigue which can improve training and better prepare future drivers to face daily constraints. These improvements can have a significant impact on fatigue and safety in the transportation industry. Show more

Keywords: Truck driver, fatigue, training, working reality, skills

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 213-224, 2007

Authors: Josephson, Malin | Vingård, Eva

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate whether assessing zest for work is a valuable approach in occupational health work. The term "zest for work" comes from the expression "zest for life" and can roughly be interpreted as the degree of enthusiasm and satisfaction with the present work situation. The measurements comprise three components: listing important factors for the feeling of zest for work, attitude rating and stating whether it is possible to have any …influence over the listed factors. Included in this study were 5539 employees, mainly women. Low zest for work was associated with job strain and insufficient social support and imposed an increased risk for poor health for working and long spells of sick leave. The results support that assessing zest for work can be useful in occupational health work. Show more

Keywords: Questionnaire, job satisfaction, health, sick-leave

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 225-231, 2007

Authors: Labriola, Merete | Lund, Thomas | Christensen, Karl B. | Albertsen, Karen | Bültmann, Ute | Jensen, Jette N. | Villadsen, Ebbe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Aim: To compare levels of self-efficacy among the general working population and employees with sickness absence from work, and to examine if general self-efficacy measured before occurrence of sickness absence predicted subsequent onset of sickness absence and Return-to-Work. Methods: The study follows a cohort of 5357 working employees and 106 long-term sickness absent employees in Denmark. They were interviewed in 2000 regarding self-efficacy and various co-variates, and followed for 78 weeks in a national …sickness absence register. Cox regression analysis was performed in order to assess the effect of self-efficacy on Return-to- Work after sickness absence. Results: General self-efficacy was significantly lower among those with sickness absence compared to the general working population. Self-efficacy showed no statistically significant association with later onset of sickness absence or with Return-to-Work. Conclusion: The results may suggest that lower self-efficacy among employees with sickness absence is a result of the sickness absence itself rather than a precursor of it. This indicates a need to investigate the potential change in self-efficacy in relation to the employee's change in labor market status; this will help to focus Return-to-Work interventions where planning has to be attentive towards the change in self-efficacy that can occur after onset of disease and sickness absence. Show more

Keywords: Sickness absence, return to work, self-efficacy, register, Denmark

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 233-238, 2007

Authors: Yoo, Won-gyu | Yi, Chung-hwi | Kim, Min-hee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study examined the effect of a ball-backrest chair on the weakness and tightness of muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a visual display terminal (VDT). The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the serratus anterior, middle trapezius, and upper trapezius muscles of 20 adults as they performed VDT work, which are known as the weakened and tightened muscles of upper crossed syndrome. The recorded signals were averaged and normalized to the mean …amplitude of the EMG signal obtained during submaximal reference voluntary contractions. The significance of differences between the use of a general-purpose backrest and a ball backrest was tested by paired t-test, with the significance cutoff set at α=0.05. The activities of the serratus anterior and middle trapezius muscles increased and that of the upper trapezius muscle decreased when sitting in a ball-backrest chair compared to when sitting in a chair with a general-purpose backrest (p<0.05). These results indicate that the use of a ball-backrest chair reduces the risk of patients with upper crossed syndrome developing muscles soreness or injury related to overuse when working at a VDT. Show more

Keywords: Ball backrest chair, musculoskeletal disorders, upper crossed syndrome

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 239-244, 2007

Authors: Gravina, Nicole | Lindstrom-Hazel, Debra | Austin, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of an ergonomic and behavioral safety intervention for improving participants' safe typing postures in a library office setting. A single-subject multiple baseline design across five participants was employed to evaluate the effects of the four independent variables (workstation adjustment, equipment trial (rollermouse mouse alternative), peer observations, and graphic feedback). Six participant postures were observed repeatedly while participants worked at their workstations …throughout the study. Each of the interventions resulted in improvements in safety for more than one posture compared to the previous phase. Results of the study indicate that a comprehensive ergonomic program that includes a workstation adjustment and a behavioral safety approach may be helpful to produce maximum improvements in employees' safe ergonomic postures. Show more

Keywords: Office ergonomics, behavior based safety, collaborative team approach

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 245-253, 2007

Authors: Neath, Jeanne | Roessler, Richard T. | McMahon, Brian T. | Rumrill, Phillip D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Using multiple correspondence analysis, data from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (1992–2003) were examined for types and patterns of allegations of discrimination filed by adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Women comprised the majority of the Charging Parties (n=687, 67%), and most of the Charging Parties were White (n=769, 76%). The total number of allegations studied (N=3,668) was divided into two datasets, …specifically 1,142 occurring separately and 2,526 occurring as part of a multiple allegation set. The four most frequent allegations were related to discharge, reasonable accommodation, terms and conditions of employment, and harassment. Multiple correspondence analysis indicated that a 5 axis model was required to explain approximately 50% of the variance in allegation patterns, and no charging party or employer characteristics were related to the axes. Axis themes derived from perceived discrimination on the part of employers included threats to retention (2 axes), employer hostility, informal or formal employer actions, and barriers to career mobility. Results supported the need for rehabilitation counseling interventions to help adults with MS identify and address precipitants to discharge (involuntary termination) or constructive discharge (voluntary termination in response to an untenable work situation). Show more

Citation: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 255-274, 2007