International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics最新文献

Objectives. As social competition intensifies and 'involution' (a state of inefficient competition) rises in China, job satisfaction (JS) has become a key indicator of workers' quality of life. Methods. Using data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) 2021, a sample of 1152 employed individuals were analyzed. Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) tested the direct and indirect relationships. Heterogeneity analyses were conducted across gender, household economic status and region. Results. Physical exercise (PE) demonstrated a significant positive direct effect on JS (β = 0.119, p < 0.01). Significant indirect effects were found through social justice perception (β = 0.014, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.004, 0.033]), happiness (β = 0.046, 95% CI [0.023, 0.081]) and their chain-mediating pathway (β = 0.010, 95% CI [0.003, 0.020]). The total indirect effect accounted for 37.37% of the total effect. Heterogeneity tests revealed the impact was more pronounced among female workers, those with medium household economic status and residents in the eastern region. Conclusions. PE directly enhances JS and indirectly improves it by fostering social justice perception and increasing happiness. Employers should implement tailored and accessible exercise programs, while policymakers should provide targeted support for workplace physical activity.

Objectives. Assessing psychosocial risks in the workplace is essential for promoting employee well-being and occupational safety. This study validates the psychosocial risk factors scale (INSAT_ERPS), a comprehensive instrument developed to identify and measure diverse psychosocial risks in occupational settings. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2023 and May 2024 with 1739 Portuguese workers from various sectors. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Missing data were imputed using the expectation-maximization algorithm. EFA employed maximum likelihood extraction with oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization, supported by a Bartlett Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.961 (p < 0.001). Results. CFA confirmed the seven-factor structure identified in EFA, encompassing 44 items across key dimensions: 'Work Intensity', 'Working Hours', 'Autonomy and Initiative', 'Social Work Relations', 'Employment Relations', 'Emotional Demands', and 'Work Values'. The model demonstrated strong psychometric properties, with Cronbach's α ranging from 0.851 to 0.917. Factor loadings (0.422-0.911) indicated statistically significant and meaningful contributions to their respective dimensions. Conclusions. Despite minor cross-loadings, the factorial structure was robust, confirming the INSAT_ERPS as a valid and reliable tool for diagnosing and managing psychosocial risks in occupational health.

Objectives. Self-reports boast extensive industrial implementations attributable to simplicity and higher applicability than other ergonomic assessment methods. Especially, small-scale industries and non-routine work analyses, amidst financial and technical constraints, rely largely on self-reports. However, self-reports exhibit low reliability. Existing reliability enhancement research is confined within the feedback phase, overlooking potential variabilities inherent in additional elements of the assessment process. This article aims to enhance reliability with an exhaustive variability exploration throughout the self-report assessment framework, developing targeted control measures. Methods. Self-report ergonomic assessment of assembly-disassembly tasks was conducted with 80 participants leveraging a 5-point unipolar Likert scale. Variability sources were identified through statistical hypothesis testing involving Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t tests. Modes of variability occurrence were elucidated through post-hoc analyses including Dunn's test and qualitative analysis. Targeted variability control measures were derived through qualitative causal inferences. Results. Four major reliability influencing factors and their modes of occurrence were identified. Response scales designed incorporating variability control measures corresponding to each of the identified factors showed an increase in Krippendorff's α reliability coefficients (from 0.67 < α < 0.87 to α > 0.98). Conclusion. The proposed approach holistically mitigates variability sources throughout the assessment process, facilitating reliable results without detriment to simplicity of implementation.

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate patient acceptance of the lying position during dental care. Dentists are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which can affect both their professional and personal lives. The care of patients in a totally supine position appears to be an effective and simple method for limiting the development of MSDs. Nonetheless, it is important to assess and investigate the patient's propensity to modify their posture on the dental chair. Methods. The study included 104 participants aged 18-26 years, randomly divided into two groups of 52. Each participant underwent two chair position tests: eyes open then closed for group 1; eyes closed then open for group 2. Using a Spaceline EMCIA (Morita, Japan) dental chair, participants were asked to stop the recline at their personal comfort limit. Results. More than 90% of participants stopped the recline before reaching the fully horizontal position. Both groups preferred to select their stop position with eyes open. Around 79% found the lying position less comfortable than their chosen stop position. However, 85.6% found the lying position acceptable when placing themselves into it. Conclusion. The lying position is better accepted when the patient independently settles into it.

Objectives: Taxis play a crucial role in urban transportation systems, and increased ride-hailing services have further solidified their importance. However, traffic safety issues concerning taxis remain insufficiently addressed. This study investigates the effect of key occupational factors, including demographic characteristics, financial burdens, driver fatigue and risky driving behavior, on traffic crashes involving both traditional and ride-hailing taxi drivers.

Methods: Given the potential differences between the two groups, which could lead to distinct causes of crashes, a comparative evaluation was conducted. Data were collected through self-reported surveys, involving 2039 traditional taxi drivers and 2181 ride-hailing taxi drivers. Six hypotheses were proposed to examine the relationships between these occupational factors and crash risks, with particular attention to demographic differences. Two structural equation models were employed to test the hypotheses.

Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups. For traditional taxi drivers, traffic violations were the most significant factor directly influencing crash risk, whereas for ride-hailing taxi drivers, employment status played the most substantial role.

Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for differentiated interventions such as regulating entry qualifications, strengthening fatigue management and establishing reward systems for safe driving to reduce crash risks among distinct driver groups.

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among ambulance workers and evaluate their ergonomic risk using the rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method. Methods. The cross-sectional study involved 246 ambulance personnel working in the ambulance service. Data were collected through a structured survey. Additionally, a subset of 30 participants underwent ergonomic risk assessment using the REBA method, focusing on five common tasks. χ² and correlation analyses were performed to examine associations between variables. Results. MSD prevalence was 59.76%, with the lower back (60.2%), neck (45.1%) and shoulders (45.1%) being most affected. Significant associations were found between MSD presence and age (p < 0.001), height (p = 0.004), weight (p = 0.023) and years of experience (p < 0.001). The highest REBA risk score was for stretcher lifting (8.62), while vascular access had the lowest (2.52). Heavy lifting, multi-tasking and psychological stress were significant risk factors for MSDs (respectively p = 0.008, p = 0.018, p = 0.016). Conclusions. Ambulance personnel are exposed to high risk of MSDs as a result of the physically demanding nature of their work. Implementation of comprehensive ergonomic training programs, effective workload management strategies and use of assistive lifting devices may significantly reduce the risk of MSDs and enhance overall well-being and performance of paramedics.

Objectives. Playing a wind instrument requires activation of the orofacial musculature. There is a relationship between the temporomandibular joint, the cervical musculature and the posture of the head. Few musicians report receiving specific information about oral health related to instrumental practice. This study aimed to analyse the effects of a preventive exercise programme on posture, range of motion, myofascial trigger points, muscle activation and craniocervical pain in wind players. Methods. Participants were university woodwind and brass performance students. The experimental group (14 females and 15 males aged 21.4 ± 1.7 years) performed an exercise programme aimed at improving the mobility and musculature of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint. The control group (11 females and 9 males aged 23.7 ± 4.9 years) received no intervention. Both groups underwent a physical assessment and questionnaire before and after the 12-week intervention. Results. The experimental group experienced increased sagittal head angle and cervical flexion-extension mobility and decreased their cervical pain and trapezius activation at rest. In addition, the prevalence of pain in the last month as well as neck pain decreased. Conclusions. With the implementation of a specific exercise programme, wind players improved their cervical mobility, with less pain and more relaxed upper trapezius muscles in rest.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05277649.

Objectives. Ensuring occupational safety and well-being in high-risk industries necessitates addressing gender-based challenges that impact workforce ergonomics, productivity and retention. This study validates the workplace gender challenge questionnaire (WGCQ), an instrument designed to assess gender-related occupational challenges encountered by female officers in the maritime industry. Methods. Study 1 examined the construct validity of the WGCQ through exploratory factor analysis. Study 2 confirmed the factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis and tested the questionnaire's criterion-related validity by correlating its dimensions with the job-related emotional exhaustion scale. Results. Three key dimensions of gender-based occupational challenges were identified: gender inequality, work-family conflict and feeling of inadequacy - all of which are critical determinants of workplace safety, job strain and ergonomic well-being. The results further demonstrated that gender-based disparities in occupational environments contribute to psychosocial stressors, which may increase emotional exhaustion, work-related fatigue and ergonomic inefficiencies. Conclusion. The validated WGCQ provides a standardized framework for assessing these challenges, supporting the development of industry-specific interventions aimed at promoting inclusive workplace policies, ergonomic improvements and occupational health strategies. This instrument can be adapted for use in other male-dominated industries where gender disparities impact workplace safety, job performance and employee well-being.

Objectives: Unsafe behaviors among construction workers are a leading cause of site accidents and injuries. While previous research has examined these behaviors in isolation, the complex causal mechanisms underlying their occurrence remain insufficiently explored. This study introduces a conceptual model that captures the multiple configurational impacts of individual, organizational and environmental factors contributing to unsafe behaviors.

Methods: Drawing on empirical data from 40 construction accident case studies, the research employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the impact of different combinations of factors on behavioral outcomes.

Results and conclusions: The results reveal two key insights: no single factor is a necessary condition for unsafe behaviors - instead, six sub-conditions (e.g., physical condition, psychological condition, personal traits, organizational management, workplace design and physical environment) interact in various configurations to precipitate unsafe actions; and (b) unsafe behaviors emerge from the synergistic interplay of these factors, illustrating a 'multiple paths to the same outcome' pattern and demonstrating causal asymmetry. The identified causal pathways offer practical implications for improving construction safety management by enhancing understanding of the multi-dimensional drivers of unsafe behaviors.

This study evaluates the low-stress mechanical properties of cut protective fabrics made from filament twisted core-sheath yarns. Using a six-end satin weave for its tight structure and reduced interlaces, hybrid woven fabrics were produced with stainless steel/glass filament cores and high-performance polyethylene (HPPE)/polyester sheaths at varying linear densities (98, 74, 59, 49 and 39 Tex). Twelve fabric samples with a uniform areal weight of 200 g/m² were woven and tested through the Kawabata evaluation system for tensile, shear, bending, compression, surface friction and roughness properties. The results showed that fabrics with lower core material content exhibited enhanced tensile strain, linearity and compression resilience, while those with higher core content demonstrated superior tensile strength, shear, bending, compression and surface characteristics. The findings highlight that both core material proportion and yarn structure critically affect the sensory comfort and low-stress mechanical performance of cut protective fabrics.