International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health最新文献

Objective: Algorithmic Management (AM) is increasingly shaping work environments across various sectors, influencing how tasks are assigned and monitored. While concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on worker health, empirical evidence remains limited. This study examines the association between level of AM exposure and adverse health outcomes among logistics workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online survey, targeting logistics workers in Sweden. AM exposure was measured using an 11-item scale capturing aspects such as task allocation, surveillance, and performance monitoring. Health outcomes included psychological distress, musculoskeletal pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, and occupational accidents.

Results: Higher AM exposure was associated with increased prevalence of psychological distress (PR 2·12, 95% CI 1·49-3·02), occupational accidents (PR 1·92, 95% CI 1·22-3·01), headaches (PR 1·68, 95%CI 1·09-2·58), and musculoskeletal pain (PR 1·54, 95% CI 1·23-1·92). Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations for drivers, particularly regarding psychological distress, headaches, and sleep disturbances, while warehouse workers exhibited less consistent patterns.

Conclusions: These findings highlight AM as a potential occupational health hazard, particularly when involving high levels of automated oversight and direction. While AM can enhance efficiency, its impact on worker well-being and public health warrants further attention and potentially mitigation strategies to inform policies that balance technological advancements with worker health protection.

Objective: The manufacture of lithium-ion batteries involves hazardous substances such as nickel and cobalt, which may adversely affect the respiratory and dermatological health of workers. With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle and energy storage system industries, the production of lithium-ion batteries-and consequently the use of nickel and cobalt-has been steadily increasing. This study aims to assess occupational exposure to nickel and cobalt and to evaluate their potential health effects among male workers in the lithium-ion battery industry.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyze urinary nickel and cobalt concentrations in 1298 male workers from 22 workplaces across nine industry types in Korea's lithium-ion battery sector. Work history and symptom data were collected via questionnaires, and the odds ratios for respiratory and skin symptoms were calculated relative to the reference value exceedances.

Results: Urinary nickel concentrations were highest in lithium manufacturing and recycling industries (maximum: 753.84 µg/L), while cobalt concentrations were elevated in cathode active material manufacturing and recycling industries (maximum: 378.58 µg/L). Exceeding reference values for nickel and cobalt were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 2.06-3.97) and skin symptoms (OR 1.70-2.28).

Conclusions: Elevated urinary concentrations of Ni and Co were closely associated with respiratory and skin symptoms among workers in the lithium-ion battery industry. As the structure of the industry evolves, it is crucial to conduct continuous exposure assessments and establish comprehensive health management systems to better protect worker health.

Objective: Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Psychosocial work-related factors may be associated with higher arterial stiffness, but findings from previous studies have been inconsistent. No previous studies have examined the effect of repeated exposure to these factors. Therefore, the potential adverse effect of repeated exposure remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness among aging workers.

Methods: The sample included 475 individuals (women: 52%) from the PROspective Quebec Study on Work and Health. Repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors from the job strain and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) models in 1999-2001 (baseline) and 2015-2018 (follow-up) was assessed using validated instruments. Arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, m/s) was assessed at follow-up.

Results: Among women, ERI exposure onset [+ 0.34 m/s (95% CI: + 0.01; + 0.66)] and cessation [+ 0.52 m/s (95% CI: + 0.10; + 0.94)] were associated with higher arterial stiffness compared to unexposed women. The association was of lower magnitude among women repeatedly exposed to ERI [+ 0.16 m/s (95% CI: - 0.08; + 0.40)]. Among men, there was no association between repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness.

Conclusions: Results from the current study suggest that repeated exposure to an ERI at work may contribute to higher arterial stiffness in women. Psychosocial work-related factors may be relevant targets to mitigate arterial stiffness progression.

Objective: Occupational exposures are hypothesized to contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, yet evidence from large, population-based studies remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between a wide range of work-related factors and sleep apnea risk among Korean workers.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSHS), a nationwide longitudinal panel survey conducted between 2022 and 2024. Work-related exposures included long working hours, shift work, occupational stress, emotional labor, physical or chemical hazards, and ergonomic factors. Sleep apnea risk was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire. To account for repeated measurements within individuals, generalized estimating equation models were applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, sex, and occupation. Subgroup analyses were performed according to obesity status.

Results: Among 8,976 workers, long working hours (> 52 h per week; OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.43), high occupational stress (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.76-2.12), high emotional labor (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.50-2.02), physical or chemical exposures (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.25-1.50), and ergonomic strains (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25-1.48) were significantly associated with increased odds of high sleep apnea risk. Shift work was not significantly associated with OSA risk, which may be partially explained by the healthy worker effect or adaptation among long-term shift workers. Associations with physical and chemical exposures were stronger among non-obese participants.

Conclusions: Work-related psychosocial and environmental factors contribute meaningfully to sleep apnea risk. Addressing workplace conditions may represent an important strategy for sleep apnea prevention.

Purpose: Shift work is a common occupational exposure that disrupts circadian rhythms which increases the risk of unhealthy behaviours and metabolic disorders. Maternal shift work is known to increase the risk of negative pregnancy outcomes, but the health impact when combining father's shift work status remains uncertain. This study investigated the association between parental shift work before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, with a focus on the effect estimates of father's shift work.

Methods: We analysed data from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, a prospective cohort of Taiwanese women who gave birth in 2005. We collected fathers' and mothers' shift work status before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes [Caesarean section, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), large or small for gestational age, low birth weight, nausea and vomiting, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes] from 13,221 families with term singletons. Multivariable linear models were used to analyse the associations between different maternal shift work statuses and pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Parental shift work before pregnancy was associated with higher odds of excessive GWG, Caesarean section, nausea and vomiting in the study population. Meanwhile, father's shift work exposure was associated with higher odds of excessive GWG among mothers not doing shift work before pregnancy, but not among mothers doing shift work.

Conclusion: This study found that both mother's and father's shift work were associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Father's shift work may be an unconsidered risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in mothers without shift work exposure.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of a 12-week ergonomic training and exercise program on musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic risks in tea workers.

Methods: The study included 60 tea workers (aged 25-70) with musculoskeletal pain, randomly assigned to an intervention group (ergonomic training and exercise) or a control group (only ergonomic training). The assessments were done at baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention. Outcomes included the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand QuestionnairIndex, kg: kilogram, m: metere (DASH), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment.

Results: In the intervention group, a significant difference was observed in the NMQ, DASH 1 and 2, PSQI, and VAS scores for all regions in the intra-group (pre-post intervention) comparison (p < 0.05). In the control group, a significant difference was observed in the NMQ (shoulder and waist only), DASH 1, and PSQI scores (p < 0.05). When comparing the post-treatment values of the two groups, significant differences in favor of the intervention group were found in all outcome measures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: An integrated approach of ergonomic training and exercise programs has the potential to alleviate musculoskeletal discomfort among tea workers. These interventions may be an effective strategy to improve the well-being of physically demanding tea workers.

Trial registration: NCT06407453.

Purpose: Workplace risk assessment (WRA) is crucial for the management of psychosocial risks at work (PSRM), but some enterprises may also implement PSRM measures without formal WRA, in particular small and micro enterprises. This study analyses the associations between WRA and PRSM, and whether the associations vary by company size.

Methods: The data come from the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) collected at the enterprise level in the EU-28 countries in 2014 (n = 40,584) and 2019 (n = 39,711). We distinguish eight measures of PSRM, and assess whether companies conduct a comprehensive WRA that includes psychosocial risks.

Results: Many companies reported PSRM measures. The lowest rates were for "intervention in the case of long working hours" (2014: 26%, 2019: 32%), while the highest rates were for "procedures in the case of threats" (56%, 60%). Enterprises with a comprehensive WRA are more likely to implement measures (even after controlling for company size, industry, sector and country), but some enterprises have implemented PSRM even in the absence of a WRA, especially in 2014 or in smaller companies (5-49 employees). For example, findings suggest that in 2014 40% of the enterprises without a WRA have implemented "procedures in the case of threats" (2019: 46%).

Conclusion: The findings underline the importance of a WRA that includes psychosocial risks as a means of implementing PSRM measures, but also advocates for a broader perspective that considers measures taken independently of legal occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, especially in small and micro enterprises.