Work-A Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation最新文献

BackgroundChronic pain is a prevalent condition with profound impacts on occupational performance and work ability. Substance use for pain management is common, involving both pain medications and other substances such as cannabis and alcohol. While work ability in persons with chronic pain has been studied, limited research examines how substance use influences work ability.ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to summarize research on the impact of substance use on work ability in persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain to identify knowledge gaps and inform interventions.MethodsA scoping review approach was employed. Keywords and databases were defined, followed by a comprehensive literature search. Studies were screened by title, abstract, and full text. Inclusion criteria focused on adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain, excluding pediatric and neuropathic pain populations.ResultsFrom 4903 identified studies, 3253 abstracts and 159 full texts were screened, yielding 53 relevant studies. Most originated from North America and Europe. Findings revealed a complex relationship between substance use and work ability. Opioid use was frequently associated with reduced work ability, increased absenteeism, and decreased likelihood of returning to work. Conversely, limited evidence suggested opioids and methadone could facilitate work ability in specific cases.ConclusionSubstance use significantly affects the work ability of persons with chronic pain, often diminishing occupational performance and increasing absenteeism. Addressing these challenges necessitates integrative health and social strategies and further exploration of comprehensive, interprofessional interventions.

BackgroundLaw enforcement officers are required to wear and carry loads as part of their occupation. Research detailing differences in loads carried across occupational subgroups in law enforcement is limited.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to profile the loads carried by an Australian State police agency and investigate whether any occupational subgroup, or sex-based, differences existed.MethodsData from 88 officers across five different stations from the same agency were collected. Officers were weighed in their uniforms without, and with, their duty load. Duty load was calculated as both absolute and relative values. Independent samples t-tests were used to investigate differences between sexes. An ANOVA was used to compare loads between occupational subgroups. Alpha levels were set at 0.05.ResultsFemale officers were significantly shorter and lighter than male officers, carried significantly lighter absolute loads but similar relative loads. General Duties (9.47 ± 1.67 kg) and Bicycle officers (10.38 ± 0.37 kg) carried and wore significantly heavier absolute loads than plain clothes officers (6.71 ± 2.26 kg), while specialist police carried significantly heavier loads than all subgroups (15.72 ± 2.13 kg). A similar trend was found in relative loads (General Duties = 11.1 ± 2.1%, specialist police = 17.0 ± 3.6%) except for Bicycle officer relative loads (10.9 ± 1.6%) which were not significantly heavier than those of plain clothes officers (7.9 ± 2.9%).ConclusionDifferent subgroups of officers carry and wear different loads. These differences warrant consideration especially when considering the chronic impacts of wearing these loads across a career. Optimised load fit and physical conditioning are recommended to mitigate the occupational impacts of carrying these loads.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a significant global concern for physiotherapists, but their prevalence and impact in Libya are unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WRMSDs among Libyan physiotherapists, identify key risk factors, and document their coping strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 175 physiotherapists in Tripoli, Libya, using a self-administered questionnaire based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of WRMSDs was 59.4%. The lower back (32.5%), neck (27.7%), and shoulder (22%) were the most affected areas. The primary risk factors were working while physically fatigued (27.0%), performing manual therapy (18.9%), and performing repetitive tasks (16.9%). Common coping strategies included frequently altering working positions (20.8%) and reducing manual techniques (16.7%).

Conclusions: WRMSDs are highly prevalent among Libyan physiotherapists. The findings highlight modifiable risks and call for the urgent implementation of preventive strategies, including structured ergonomic training, workload management, and access to assistive equipment, to protect this vital workforce.

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) necessitate addressing physical and organizational risks while comprehending their cause-effect dynamics to reduce their risks.ObjectiveThis study focused on validating the Persian version of WOAQ, evaluating organizational and workload risks through WOAQ and PWQ, and unraveling interrelationships among organizational factors with WMSDs using Fuzzy DEMATEL analysis.MethodsConducted as a cross-sectional study in 2024 among 100 employees in a private company in Kerman, Iran, this research utilized the Forward-Backward method for WOAQ translation. Reliability was gauged via Cronbach's alpha and test-retest methods. The PWQ and WOAQ were used in assessing workload and organizational risks. Fuzzy DEMATEL analysis was employed to elucidate cause-effect relationships between organizational factors.ResultsAnalysis of 81 questionnaires (41 men, 40 women) revealed the WOAQ's reliability with Cronbach's alpha and test-retest scores of 0.927 and 0.865. Predominant WMSD prevalence was observed in the lower back. 41.50% and 31.70% of men experienced high and very high organizational and workload risks. The DEMATEL fuzzy analysis identified rewards, recognition, and quality of relationships with management as influential factors.ConclusionsUnderstanding factors influencing WMSD prevalence encompasses physical, organizational, and psychosocial facets. Overlooking non-physical aspects contributes to physical risks and subsequent musculoskeletal disorders. Prioritizing improved management relationships and recognition systems was pivotal for effective WMSD prevention strategies.

BackgroundRural Australians experience poorer health outcomes due to complex intersecting factors. Addressing these challenges requires skilled researchers embedded in rural communities. However, the distribution, work patterns, and demographics of PhD-qualified professionals in rural Australia remains largely unknown.ObjectiveTo examine the distribution of Australian PhD-qualified workforce across levels of remoteness to identify the current state of rural/urban research workforce distribution and characteristics.MethodsUsing 2021 Australian Census data, we analysed individuals whose highest qualification was a doctoral degree (PhD), excluding professional doctorates. Data were examined by Modified Monash Model (MM) levels of remoteness and included variable such as location, sex, age, industry, sector (private/public), income, and weekly hours worked.Results85% of PhD-qualified persons were based in cities (MM1) with decreasing representation across more remote MM levels. While the public sector (including universities) was the overall dominant employer, its presence decreased with remoteness, with the private sector becoming predominant medium rural towns onwards (MM4-7). The workforce was male dominated in more urbanised areas (MM1-3), reached gender parity at small rural towns (MM5), and became female dominated remote areas (MM6-7). Rural PhD holders (MM3-5) tended to be older than urban (MM1) and remote (MM6-7) counterparts. Income tended to decrease with remoteness, and hours skewed toward part-time or excessive workloads.ConclusionsImproving rural health outcomes may require greater investment in the PhD-qualified workforce in rural and remote places. This includes addressing precarious employment conditions, lower income, and underrepresentation in the public sector.

BackgroundThe Royal Navy (RN) have recently introduced a new Physical Employment Standard (PES) based upon the most critical and physically demanding seafaring tasks.ObjectiveThis study quantified changes in RN trainee physical fitness during Initial Naval Training (INT) and assessed associations with the RN PES to inform the development of a pre-joining fitness test.Methods91 (6 F) participants completed the Chester Step Test (CST), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), counter movement jump (CMJ) and handgrip strength (HS) assessments at the start of both INT (Session-1) and Phase-2 (Session-2) training. During Session-2, participants also completed a Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT). Participants also undertook the RN PES during Phase-2 training (Session-3). Physical fitness was compared between Session-1 and Session-2 by Paired Samples t-tests. Associations between fitness tests and RN PES performance were calculated by Pearson's correlation coefficients (r).ResultsUpper body power, lower body power, and strength increased between measurement points. However, aerobic fitness decreased. The size of correlations between physical fitness tests and RN PES test performance ranged between small (MSFT and Casualty Drag) to large (SMBT and Hand-Over-Hand Haul). Generally, muscular strength and power measures had a greater association (r = -0.221 to -0.699) with RN task performance (RN PES) than the aerobic capacity measures (r = -0.089 to -0.382).ConclusionThese data reinforce the importance of absolute strength in critical RN task performance and will inform RN pre-joining fitness requirements.

BackgroundThe increased use of electronic devices and technological advances has led to greater exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in various occupational environments.ObjectivesThe study's objective was to assess the effect of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) on the quality of life and physical activity levels of individuals exposed to high-frequency magnetic fields.MethodsThe mean age of one hundred and twenty EMF exposed workers was 37.44 ± 9.16 years. The following were assessed: musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months (using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Version (ENMQ) and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), working posture (Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-Sf), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-Bref).ResultsThe highest prevalence rate of ENMQ in the last 12 months was 77.5% (n = 31) in the low back region and 50% (n = 20) in the shoulder region in those exposed to high-grade magnetic fields. The mean scores of WHOQOL-Bref were given for those exposed to high and low magnetic fields and those not exposed to magnetic fields (M ± SD: 63.51 ± 8.35; 73.27 ± 9.37; 76.43 ± 8.43, respectively).ConclusionThe prevalence of WMSD in workers was found to be highest in the low back, shoulder, and hand region in HF-MF workers. LF-MF group, the highest concentration was found to be highest in the neck region. Prevalence rates have been reported for different body sites, with the highest prevalence rates observed in the group exposed to HF-MF. Quality of life was found to be lower in the group exposed to HF-MF.

BackgroundTraditional vehicle-repairing carts in India present ergonomic challenges and occupational health and safety issues. Operators experience discomfort and strain due to difficulties in pushing the cart over long distances and in organising tools and setting up workstations.ObjectivesTo redesign the makeshift vehicle repairing cart by incorporating ergonomic principles and relevant anthropometric data of target users, aiming to reduce physical fatigue and improve usability.MethodsErgonomic evaluations were conducted to identify areas of discomfort, focussing on body parts affected. The operators expressed postural discomfort in different parts of the body like the lower back, neck, shoulder, forearm, wrist, ankle, and foot.ResultsResearchers made recommendations for the proper layout of the tools, provision for manipulating the vehicle in a better manner with ergonomically designed handles, and provision of a modular workstation detachable from the main unit. Accordingly, three concept prototypes were suggested.ConclusionThe manufacturer adopted all three concepts in principle for the new design to improve ergonomics and design of cart for user comfort.

BackgroundLawnmower operators are exposed to high noise and hand-arm vibration (HAV) during their work, which originates mainly from the engine and rotating parts. Higher exposure causes intangible issues for the well-being of the operators, results in immediate and long-term effects on the health, comfort, and safety of the operators.ObjectiveThe study involved measuring noise and HAV from a powered cylindrical lawnmower, developing retrofittable interventions, and evaluating noise and HAV levels with the interventions, and compared their effectiveness using a health risk assessment.MethodsThe study was done at three speeds and two modes of operation. The measured noise and HAV amplitudes exceeded the permissible limits of international standards. Higher amplitudes were observed at resonant frequencies of the ear and hand. To mitigate the exposure and increase the safe working hours of the operators, two interventions were developed and retrofitted to the existing lawnmower. The noise and HAV were measured with interventions and compared against pre-intervention phase. Operator's physiological, psychophysical, and postural parameters were also assessed in the lawnmower operation.ResultsThe developed interventions reduced the noise level from approximately 95 dB(A) to 85 dB(A), satisfying it within internationally permissible limits. HAV has been reduced from 23 ms^-2 to below 10 ms^-2, thereby increasing the safe exposure time by approximately 2.3 times with interventions. However, the operator's physiological, psychophysical, and postural parameters remained unchanged as operational requirements remained the same.ConclusionNoise and HAV reduction through interventions provided a safer working environment for the lawnmower operators.

BackgroundStrained financial resources and increasing demands for high-quality services in an ageing population are two challenges facing local government managers. While digitali-zing public service processes can meet these challenges, Occupational Health and Safety Manage-ment (OHSM) is often overlooked.ObjectiveThis study explores how Swedish local government managers handle digitalization processes in relation to OHSM, identifying the potential drivers and barriers that influence their integration.MethodsThe study is based on 25 semi-structured interviews with managers, HR profes-sionals, strategists, and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) in two Swedish muni-cipa-lities. An inductive approach, inspired by the Gioia methodology, was used. The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model was utilized to analyze where potential drivers for and barriers to integrate digitalization into OHSM emerge.ResultsSchool managers demonstrated a systematic approach to integrating digitalization with OHSM, collaborating with stakeholders and managing procurement despite financial con-straints. In contrast, social and home care managers reflected technological determinism, overlooking risk assess--ments and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) evaluations, thus under--estimating OHS risks and limiting the involvement of employees and HSRs.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that managerial approach and organizational context are crucial for integrating OHS into digitalization processes. By highlighting the value of the PDCA model as a guiding framework, it advances the under-standing of OHSM as a dynamic, context-sensitive process with practical relevance for management in technology-driven environ-ments.