Industrial Health最新文献

This study was conducted to quantitatively examine the effects of respiratory protective equipment (respirators) and various other types of protectors in preventing the scattering of vocalization droplets. Each of 12 adult male volunteers was asked to vocalize intermittently for 1 min at a target intensity of approximately 100 dBA in an experimental room adjusted to a humidity of approximately 60-70%. The subjects vocalized while wearing respirators, other types of protectors, or no protectors at all. The droplet concentration in a particle size range of 0.3 to 10 μm was measured under each experimental condition, and the transmitted particle concentration and penetration were calculated. The concentration and penetration of particles transmitted from the respirators were lower than those transmitted from the other protectors examined. The probability of infection reduction through the use of the protectors was estimated from the data obtained on the effectiveness of the protectors in preventing the scattering of droplets. We concluded that there is no need for additional droplet scattering prevention in various work settings when appropriate respirators are used under optimal conditions.

Despite the increasing need for nursing care services, the turnover rate of care workers is high in Japan. Since the most common reason for quitting nursing care jobs was problems with interpersonal relationships at work, creating psychosocially safe working environments is urgent. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of trust in supervisors (TS) on the association between positive feedback (PF)/negative feedback (NF) and work engagement (WE) based on the job demands-resources theory and conservation of resources theory. We conducted anonymous cross-sectional surveys of 469 employees at elderly care facilities in Japan. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the causal relationships between the variables. The results showed that PF had significant positive effects on WE, directly and indirectly through TS. By contrast, NF had a nonsignificant positive effect on TS or WE. Tucker-Lewis Index [TLI] was 0.917, Comparative Fit Index [CFI] was 0.927, Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation [RMSEA] was 0.096, and Standardized Root Mean squared Residual [SRMR] was 0.042. The study results indicate that sufficient PF is needed to improve subordinates' WE through TS in elderly care facilities.

Job strain is considered a potential risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our objective was to examine prospective associations of job strain with CVD mortality using data from the national, population-based Mid-life in the United States (MIDUS) cohort study, while considering changes in job strain. Job strain measure was based on Demand-Control model at Wave 1 in 1995-1996 and Wave 2 in 2004-2006, and CVD mortality data through 2018 were retrieved through linkage to the National Death Index (NDI). Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to assess prospective associations between job strain across MIDUS I and MIDUS II and CVD mortality at follow-up in 1,870 workers free from CVD at MIDUS I. After adjustment for relevant covariates, single measurement of job strain at MIDUS I or MIDUS II, and two measurements of job strain between the two waves were not significantly associated with CVD mortality, while the increase in scores between the two waves (increase vs. no increase) demonstrated stronger prospective associations with CVD mortality (HR and 95% CI = 2.37 [0.88, 6.42]). Our findings suggest increased job strain may pose a stronger risk to CVD mortality than single exposure measurement.

Teleworking has been adopted as a response to COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the infection, while continuing business operations. Saudi Arabia was among the countries that adopted stringent teleworking policies accompanying the first documented COVID-19 case. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to explore experiences of employees towards teleworking as a mandated work setting during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. We collected data using a questionnaire that was disseminated via different social media platforms during the partial curfew in the Country. The study sample included 471 participants. Most participants (78%) were satisfied with teleworking and reported higher job efficiency (44%) and work concentration (48%), and better work-life balance (56%) and stress management (55%). The positive experience was dependent on factors, such as gender, age, marital status, educational level, working sector and teleworking mode. Men, bachelor's degree holders, nonmarried, and employees working in health and education sectors as well as working flexible hours had less positive experience than their respective counterparts. The research contributes to literature about teleworking as a legitimate alternative work arrangement, while approaching teleworking as a means to reduce risks. As the first study conducted within Saudi Arabia, the study's findings have implications for policy, practice and research.

This study (1) evaluated the perceptual and objective physical quality of digital radiographic chest images processed for different purposes (routine hospital use, lung cancer screening, and pneumoconiosis screening), and (2) quantified objectively the quality of chest images visually graded by the Japan National Federation of Industrial Health Organization (ZENEIREN). Four observers rated the images using a visual grading score (VGS) according to ZENEIREN's quality criteria. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured. Between groups, differences were assessed using ANOVA (followed by Bonferroni multiple comparisons) or unpaired t-test. The Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for the correlation between perceptual quality and objective physical image quality. The image quality perceived by the observers and the SNR measurements were highest for the images generated using parameters recommended for lung cancer screening. The images processed for pneumoconiosis screening were rated poorest by the observers and showed the lowest objective physical quality measurements. The chest images rated high quality by ZENEIREN generally showed a higher objective physical image quality. The SNR correlated well with VGS, but CNR did not. Highly significant differences between the processing parameters indicate that image processing strongly influences the perceptual quality of digital radiographic chest images.

Return to Work (RTW) programmes have become imperative in manpower scarce countries. This paper describes a RTW programme in a Singapore tertiary hospital, reports patient outcomes and discusses the practicality and effectiveness of the programme. Seventy-three workers participated in the programme over a two-year period. A statistically significant increase in work ability and self-perceived overall health status from first contact with worker (baseline) to discharge was observed. Continued programme participation till first RTW was associated with higher work ability and self-perceived overall health status at baseline. The RTW Coordinator-anchored multidisciplinary model which provided holistic support to the worker and addressed stakeholder interests were central to the programme's success. Greater awareness of RTW programme benefits will improve sustained participation. Our RTW programme features, implementation experiences and participant reported effectiveness may inform the development of improved return to work models.

The present study analyses the effect of job control at work on psychological stress for Indian Middle-Level Managers (MLMs) of a public telecom organisation. Two hundred ten MLMs from different parts of India have participated in the survey. Three dimensions of job control visualize control over work (CoW), control over working time (CoT1) and control over working days (CoT2), were considered. The validity and reliability were confirmed using Factor and reliability analysis. A Binary Logistics Regression (BLR) was performed to find the effect of job control on behavioural, somatic and cognitive stress controlling for age, gender, and experience. The Odds Ratio and Adjusted Odds ratio were calculated. 56% of the participants reported suffering from psychological stress. Results showed that CoT1 had a significant association with somatic stress while CoT1 and CoT2 with cognitive stress. Low CoW and low CoT2 were associated with high psychological stress among middle-level managers while low CoT1 to low psychological stress. The findings indicate that job control have both positive and negative relationships with psychological well-being depending on its dimension. Increasing job control cannot entirely ensure the psychological well-being of employees. Therefore, organisations need to assess different dimensions of job control carefully before providing work flexibility to employees.

This study evaluated the differences in respiratory protection between replaceable particulate respirators (RPRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) based on different wearing methods during exercise tasks. Ten participants wore RPRs and PAPRs alternately in ways comparable to those adopted by workers in actual workplaces. We measured the fit factor of the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) during exercise tasks for each wearing variation. The exercise load was set to 80W using an ergometer. The exercise tasks comprised five actions described in the Japan Industrial Standard T8150 in 2018. We compared the results with experimental data obtained at rest in our previous studies. The fit factor of RPRs during exercise was significantly lower than (p<0.001) and about half that measured at rest, indicating inadequate respiratory protection. On the other hand, the fit factor of PAPRs during exercise tasks was also significantly lower than (p<0.001) and about half that at rest, but respiratory protection was maintained. This suggests that the protection provided by PAPRs is independent of wearing method during exercise. PAPRs may thus be better than RPRs for workers who have to wear RPE inappropriately due to health problems.