Workplace Health & Safety最新文献

Background: The operating room involves many physical, chemical, and biological risk factors. Operating room nurses may have to work in long, tense operations and with different teams. Such challenging working environments can cause operating room nurses to experience stress, anxiety and depression. Our aim was to analyze operating room nurses' perceived stress, anxiety, and depression levels according to their experience in the operating room, and to identify associated factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 173 operating room nurses in Turkiye between June and December 2024. The sample was formed by the snowball method of convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using correlation analysis, independent-samples t-test, and linear regression analysis.

Results: Perceived stress and anxiety scores were significantly higher among nurses with 0 to 1 year of experience in the operating room compared to those more than 1 year of experience (p < .05). In the linear regression model, HADS anxiety score, being female, and being single were found to be significant predictors of perceived stress. In addition, being female and having 0 to 1 year of operating room experience were found to be significant predictors of HADS anxiety score. Being female and not working with a fixed team were significant predictors of HADS depression score.

Conclusion/application to practice: Perceived stress and anxiety were higher among nurses working in the operating room for year or less. A comprehensive mental health support system should be established, and nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression levels should be assessed regularly.

Background: Musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) are among the most common work-related health problems and are highly prevalent in heavy industry. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSS and examine associated sociodemographic, occupational, and psychosocial factors, including job stress, among iron foundry workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among 396 workers in an iron foundry facility in Eskişehir, Türkiye. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the Job Stress Scale. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors of MSS.

Findings: Of the 396 workers, 75.8% were male, with a mean age (SD) of 37.6 (8.8) years. Almost three out of four workers reported having pain or discomfort in at least one body part in the last 12 months, and 55.7% reported having pain that interfered with their work. It was found that those aged ≥30, who had low income, did not exercise regularly, work ≥55 hours/week, worked overtime or in shifts, perform mechanically strenuous tasks, have a moderate to heavy physical workload, and experienced high job stress were at higher risk of MSS.

Conclusions/application to practice: MSS are highly prevalent among iron foundry workers, and are linked to both physical and psychosocial workplace factors. Preventive strategies should combine ergonomic interventions, workload management, and job stress reduction measures. Implementation of participatory ergonomics programs, engineering controls, and administrative policies could help reduce the burden of MSS in this occupational group.

Background: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that began in March 2020, nurses encountered unprecedented challenges, leading to significant physical and psychological distress. This study investigated the factors contributing to posttraumatic growth (PTG) among nurses following the pandemic, focusing on personal, social, and organizational predictors.

Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study used survey data from 307 nurses who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients. Participants completed an online survey that included items on demographic information, trauma experiences, social support from personal and work relationships, occupational factors (e.g., resource availability, job conditions, job satisfaction), and PTG. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify the significant predictors of PTG.

Findings: Coworker support was the strongest predictor of PTG, followed by job conditions, job satisfaction, and personal interactions. Resource availability, specifically that of mechanical ventilators, also significantly predicted PTG. However, supervisor support and PPE availability of personal protective equipment did not significantly influence PTG.

Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature on PTG at work by examining the effects of occupational enablers and proposing practical interventions for healthcare organizations.

Application to practice: Our findings suggest that occupational health practices should focus on enhancing peer support, improving working conditions, ensuring adequate resources, and providing comprehensive mental health support. These measures can help promote nurses' PTG and ensure their well-being following a traumatic event.

Background: Teenage workers have unique occupational injury risks, raising the need to evaluate preventive training programs. This study examines the risk of occupational injury for workers under 19 before and after the release of Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]) online safety awareness training in 2017.

Methods: The Employed Labor Force tool was used to estimate the annual size of the teen workforce from 2013 to 2022 in Oregon. The count and share of first-month injuries (N = 18,694) among all worker compensation claims (N = 166,594) were also examined. General linear models estimated first-month injury risk by age group, controlling for sex, occupation, and insurer.

Findings: Teenage workers' first-month injury risk per 1,000 workers was similar before (2013-2016) and after (2017-2022) the O[yes] training (7.8 vs. 7.6). However, compared with older workers, the share of first-month injuries among all claims for teen workers decreased (RR: 0.88, p < .001), with no significant change for other ages.

Conclusions: After the introduction of O[yes] training, the estimated injury risk did not change. However, the relative proportion of first-month injuries among teenage workers was lower than before. Further research is needed to evaluate training effectiveness and additional contributing factors.

Background: In February 2023, twin earthquakes struck 11 provinces in Türkiye, devastating infrastructure and healthcare services. Nurses, as both survivors and frontline responders, faced extreme physical, emotional, and organizational challenges. Their experiences offer critical insights into disaster-related occupational risks and the structural gaps in worker health and safety. This study aims to explore the experiences of nurses working in hospitals affected by the twin earthquakes in Türkiye in 2023.

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive research design was used. Study participants were selected using purposeful sampling among nurses who experienced the earthquakes and continued working in the affected areas. In-depth online interviews were conducted with 17 nurses, achieving data saturation. The data were analyzed using content analysis, and the COREQ checklist was followed for study reporting.

Results: As a result of the analysis, four themes were revealed; (1) earthquake shock, (2) working conditions, (3) living conditions, and (4) family and psychosocial situation. Nurses reported overwhelming psychological strain, unsafe working environments, lack of disaster plans, inadequate managerial support, and severe resource shortages-all of which posed significant threats to worker health and safety.Conclusions/Applications to Practice:This study highlights how nurses' dual roles as victims and caregivers during a large-scale disaster exposed critical vulnerabilities in worker health and safety. The findings underline the urgency of disaster-specific worker health and safety strategies, including trauma-informed mental health care, rapid staff support systems, and safety-oriented organizational planning to protect frontline healthcare workers in emergencies.

Background: Although physical activity is widely acknowledged as essential for health, achieving work-life balance for faculty and staff at the school of nursing, who work long hours, can be challenging, often leading to the neglect of regular exercise, a crucial element of personal health and wellness. To address this issue, a staff member initiated the "Moving for Minutes" program (M4M) in 2009, aimed at encouraging weekly physical activities such as walking, jogging, biking, and swimming among the faculty and staff.

Methods: The M4M program operates on a quarterly basis, with participants grouped into teams and asked to track their weekly physical activity minutes. At the end of each quarter, a brief celebration takes place, where healthy snacks are served, and inexpensive prizes are awarded to individuals and teams with the most logged minutes.

Findings: Since its inception 15 years ago, 128 faculty and staff members have participated, with an average of 18 participants per quarter, representing about 20% of the school of nursing workforce. Participants' mean engagement was 273 minutes of physical activity per person per week of the program.

Conclusions/application to practice: Overall, the M4M program has proven to be highly beneficial by promoting a healthy work environment, encouraging self-care, boosting morale, and fostering camaraderie among faculty and staff at the school of nursing. The M4M program provides an exemplar of successfully supporting physical activity, and promoting general health and well-being among employees.