International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics最新文献

This study developed the driver aggressive behavior video questionnaire (DABVQ) to assess drivers' aggressive tendencies in contextualized scenarios. In Study 1, the DABVQ was designed with 16 items encompassing three dimensions: traffic obstruction, discourtesy and slow driving. A total of 180 drivers participated, and the results demonstrated strong reliability and validity, establishing a solid theoretical framework and reliable measurement base. In Study 2, the DABVQ was administered to 100 drivers. The results indicated that non-professional drivers scored higher on the DABVQ than professional drivers, suggesting a greater propensity for aggressive behavior. Furthermore, the analysis confirmed contextual differences in aggressive behavior tendencies among drivers. This research contributes by providing a robust, contextualized tool for assessing drivers' aggressive tendencies and differentiating effectively between professional and non-professional drivers. The findings offer theoretical insights and empirical evidence to inform the design of personalized driver training programs.

Cut-protective clothing has issues such as heavy weight, poor comfort and limited mobility. This study used various combinations of core-covered yarn consisting of stainless steel with high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) and polyester wraps to fabricate comfortable cut-protective fabric. Nine cut-protective fabrics with various areal densities (150, 200, 250 g/m²) were prepared with six-end satin weave using core-covered yarn of three distinct linear densities (15, 10, 8 Ne). These fabric samples were employed to evaluate thermophysiological characteristics including air permeability, dry and evaporative heat resistance, thermal conductivity and absorptivity, and wettability according to the established standards. The cut protection of each sample was measured according to Standard No. EN 13997. The cut protection and comfort of cut-resistant clothing are affected by fabric thickness, weight, thread density and bulk density. Thicker heavier fabrics offer better cut protection and heat resistance, while lower bulk density and thread density provide good comfort and thermal transmission.

Ergomechanic is a software-hardware system that uses cameras, computer vision and biomechanical modelling to calculate posture and body load during physical activity in the workplace. This study evaluated its ability to non-invasively and automatically identify postures adopted by workers that could lead to injury in the long term, and to use these results to suggest focuses for safety interventions. Five participants were recruited to perform normal duties in an area that was in view of four off-the-shelf security cameras. Participants were randomly assigned to the work area and 60 h of footage were collected. Five metrics relating to potential for injury were calculated for each second of footage. The extreme values of each metric were used to automatically identify body positions and work activities that could be hazardous in the long term. Insights from the process were used to recommend changes to the work area and activity design.

Violence in the workplace is an emerging issue for occupational and public health. There has been growing concern about how to combat it with effective interventions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of workplace violence across all sectors and to identify the risk factors that influence violence in Turkey using logistic regression. Firstly, it was seen that the prevalence of violence was 22.87% and that being female, being young, having low education and having a chronic mental disease significantly increased the chance of being exposed to violence. Our results show that the risk of victimization is almost six times higher if the job is difficult. In addition, people working in the human health sector were more than twice as likely to be victimized as those working in the education sector. According to the results, the factors influencing workplace violence point to the power imbalance.

Objectives. This study compared cognitive and computer skill performances of employees in conventional and active sitting workstations using a new active footrest (AFR) for knee extension exercises (KEE). Methods. In this quasi-experimental study, 32 office workers aged 28-50 years (M 42.38, SD 4.21) from Kerman University of Medical Sciences were assessed. Participants' performance was evaluated through three cognitive and three computer skill tasks across two sessions, utilizing crossover randomization in both simulated conventional and active (with AFR) workstations. The cognitive tasks involved working memory, selective attention and learning, measured via the two-back, Stroop color-word and serial color matching tests, respectively. The computer skill tasks included typing Persian text and mouse pointing performance assessed with GoFitts based on Fitts' law. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22 at a significance level of 0.05. Results. There was no significant difference in cognitive and typing short-term performances between office workers in active and conventional workstations (p > 0.05). However, participants' speed while performing mouse tasks in the active workstation was significantly lower than in the conventional workstation (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Results indicated that short-term work performance, except for mouse tasks, was not affected by performing simultaneous KEE.

The increasing popularity of online food delivery has provided multiple job opportunities. Although food delivery riders benefit from work flexibility, they face occupational risk and suffer accidents and injuries. This study attempts to provide a new perspective on protective measures for delivery riders by examining the causes of injuries at the individual level. A respondent-driven sampling method was used to control data bias, and a total of 1092 online food delivery riders in Beijing, Shanghai and Jinan participated in the survey. The results indicated that: good personal norms are negatively related to non-fatal occupational injury among riders; perceived risk mediates this relationship; and safety attitudes moderate the relationship. These results may help platform enterprises to voluntarily implement more effective and comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of riders, while also inspiring government when developing labor protection regulation for riders.

Objectives. Air traffic control (ATC) is a dynamic and cognitively demanding profession involving complex, safety-critical operations that requires managing both expected and unexpected tasks. Beyond cognitive performance, ATC also demands abilities in other domains. This study aimed to identify and rate the abilities essential for optimal ATC performance based on input from subject matter experts (SMEs). Methods. The study utilized the Fleishman job analysis survey (F-JAS), which includes 52 questions on cognitive, sensory-perceptual, psychomotor and physical abilities, and 21 questions on social/interpersonal abilities. Twenty SMEs, with average age 43.5 ± 5.07 years and 20.6 ± 4.3 years of professional experience, rated the required level of each ability in relation to optimum performance in ATC on a 1-7-point scale. Results. Spatial visualization (6.4 ± 0.51) and oral expression (6.22 ± 0.67) in terms of cognitive abilities, reaction time (5.5 ± 0.91) and reaction orientation (5.36 ± 1.06) in terms of psychomotor abilities, and hearing attention (6.27 ± 0.65) and hearing sensitivity (6 ± 0.84) in terms of sensory-perceptual abilities have the highest ability level. Self-control and persistence of effort have the highest rank in social and interpersonal abilities for optimum performance in the ATC job. Conclusions. This study highlights the importance of cognitive, sensory-perceptual and interpersonal skills in ensuring safe and efficient air traffic management.

Objectives. The Amendment (XI) to the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, effective March 1, 2021, introduced the crime of dangerous work, extending criminal liability concerning work safety in China to hazardous conditions even without actual accidents. However, the core element 'real danger' remains undefined, resulting in the absence of a scientifically rigorous judgment methodology for the crime of dangerous work. Methods. This study analyzed 151 judgments on the crime of dangerous work using hazard theory. The descriptions of real danger in these judgments were categorized and statistically analyzed using the hazard triangle model, and the judgment methodology was optimized and improved according to the principles of hazard identification and risk assessment. Results. The judgements featured incomplete descriptions of the three hazard elements, discrepancies in the units of hazard sources, overly simplistic explanations of the initiating mechanism and an overall absence of risk evaluation to the real danger. Based on these insights, the judgment methodology was refined in line with hazard theory. Conclusion. The study ultimately developed an optimized judgment model for assessing the crime of dangerous work, addressing existing deficiencies and enhancing methodological precision.

Objective. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for lower back pain (LBP) among Bajaj drivers in Gondar City, northwestern Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar City. The collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7.2 and analyzed with SPSS version 20. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with p < 0.05 at the 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported and variables were considered to be significant risk factors. Results. The prevalence of LBP among Bajaj drivers was 49.2% (44.5-54.7%). Driver's age above 30 years (AOR 2.14, 95% CI [1.14, 4.01]), chewing chat (AOR 2.70, 95% CI [1.14, 6.21]), previous history of lower back trauma (AOR 1.68, 95% CI [1.29, 2.92]), no comfort in the seat (AOR 1.31, 95% CI [1.16, 4.60]), twisted sitting posture (AOR 1.39, 95% CI [1.03, 5.79]) and driving experience (AOR 1.52, 95% CI [1.08, 2.30]) were all significantly associated. Conclusion. Nearly half of the study participants had LBP, which was relatively common in the study area. According to the findings, the authors recommend that Bajaj drivers should have comfortable seats, maintain neutral sitting postures and take precautions while driving when they have a previous history of lower back trauma.

Objective. Asymmetrical trunk positions to perform daily tasks are known as risk factors for back injuries. This study aimed to investigate the lumbar extension (main activity for lifting) in symmetrical, asymmetrical and combined positions. Methods. Sixteen lumbar and abdominal muscle activities during maximum voluntary contraction in six main directions and the isometric extension in 24 different positions were recorded for 14 healthy men. The co-contraction index was calculated between all the muscle pairs for each trial (120 pairs per trial). The relationship between uniaxial and combined positions was investigated using Pearson's correlation and the response surface methodology model. Results. Pearson's correlation between the combined positions and extension was 0.482-0.588 and for the other five main directions was <0.3. According to the models, a significant relationship was observed for extension. Conclusions. Secondary activities due to asymmetrical position reduce the subject ability to apply maximum extension. The optimal asymmetrical lifting mode is when it is accompanied by flexion and avoids side bending as much as possible. To reduce back injuries, and increase ergonomics and occupational safety, the work environment should be designed in such a way that the spine is not exposed to excessive loads.