Influence of adherence to autonomous job rotation on musculoskeletal symptoms,occupational exposure,and work ability

Job rotation is widely used in the manufacturing industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of adherence to autonomous job rotation on the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational exposure, and work ability. A total of 120 blue-collar workers from an automotive manufacturing company with a job rotation program as an organizational strategy were included in this study. Job rotation performance, musculoskeletal symptoms, perceived occupational and biomechanical exposure, and work ability were evaluated. For the statistical analyses, the departments were divided into high (83.7%–100%) and low (0–36.4%) job rotation adherence. Two departments showed high adherence to job rotation (n = 78 workers). Workers who had high job rotation adherence had a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (32.1%) and higher perceived occupational exposure for the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms (71.4 ± 45.7 points) (P > 0.05). Work ability was considered good or excellent for both high- and low-adherence groups (P > 0.05). High adherence to job rotation had no positive influences on the musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational exposure, and work ability of workers.     

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among grocery workers

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affect all sectors of the working population, and grocery workers have especially high rates. Although the incidence of WMSDs among any worker population can be estimated from workers' compensation claims, musculoskeletal symptom surveys can be used as a proxy estimate of WMSDs. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to describe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in grocery store employees from many different departments, and to determine the association between exposure to physical risk factors and presence of symptoms. Study participants (N = 254) were grocery store workers from five different stores in a medium sized grocery chain. Participants completed a self-administered survey consisting of demographic information and job history; the modified Nordic Questionnaire (MNQ); and physical component (PCS) and mental component (MCS) summary measures of the SF-36v2^®. Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis (Rodgers) was used to assess exposure to physical risk factors in the most difficult tasks in certain store departments. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was estimated for each body region and for various subgroups, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Approximately 78% of grocery store workers reported work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body region, with most workers complaining of low back and feet symptoms. The high prevalence of foot symptoms has not been previously reported for this population. Approximately 11% of employees missed work because of symptoms and 25% sought medical care for symptoms. There were no differences among Rodgers rating groups for proportions reporting symptoms. SF-36v2^® scores were inconsequential predictors for musculoskeletal symptoms. Gender and age were both significant predictors of symptoms, and age predicted healthcare utilization. These findings are relevant to the grocery industry in order to target WMSD preventive interventions to specific body regions for high-risk activities within a grocery store position.     

Risk of slaughterhouse workers developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in different organizational working conditions

Job rotation is defined as workers rotating between tasks with different exposure levels and occupational demands. The aim of the present study was to analyze the risk factors for the development of upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) in poultry slaughterhouse workers as well as compare the score of the OCRA Checklist in different organizational working conditions. In this cross-sectional study, 118 workers were involved, 68 women (32.3 ± 10.7 years) and 50 men (29.5 ± 10.5 years). Three organizational configurations (“without job rotation”, “with job rotation – tasks >1h” and “with job rotation - tasks <1h”) were evaluated using the OCRA Checklist method, totaling 36 tasks and 28 job rotation schemes composed of 2–3 tasks. The OCRA score of the right upper limbs (17.8 ± 3.2) was significantly higher (p = 0.046) relative to the left upper limbs (16.4 ± 3.6). The median score was significantly lower in the “with job rotation - tasks <1h” condition (18.6) when compared to the “job rotation – tasks >1h” (19.4) (p < 0.001) and the “without job rotation” (19.0) (p = 0.038) conditions. However, there was no significant difference between the condition “with job rotation - tasks >1h” and “without job rotation” (p = 0.155). Thus, job rotations with intervals <1h reduced the risk of developing UL-WMSDs. Job rotations with <1 h intervals in poultry slaughterhouses are recommended along with further studies to verify the effectiveness of rotations with more than two tasks, involving mild or non-repetitive tasks.     

Neck pain prevalence and associated occupational factors in Portuguese office workers

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of neck pain and to identify associated occupational factors in Portuguese office workers.BackgroundThere is still necessary to quantify the association of the use of new technologies with neck pain in office workers.MethodsSix hundred-and-one office workers completed online questionnaires with questions related to anthropometric parameters, work-related variables, workstation setup, and musculoskeletal pain from the Portuguese version of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of neck pain was 56.1%. An average of 35.6% of the office workers with neck pain reported pain in more than three body segments. The significantly risk factors were “age between 50 and 65” [OR: 1.92 (1.26–2.91) P = 0.002], “working without break for 2 h” [OR: 1.82 (1.00–3.31) P = 0.05], “more than 3 h” [OR: 2.41 (1.35–4.10) P = 0.003], screen localization not centered” [OR: 2.01 (1.01–4.00) P = 0.045], and “use of computer mouse more than 50% of the worktime” [OR: 2.05 (1.14–3.71) P = 0.017].ConclusionThere was a high prevalence of neck pain and a considerable number of painful body segments in office workers. Age, working without break, screen localization and the use of computer mouse where the significant risk factors associated with the development of neck pain.Relevance to industryA high prevalence of neck pain and number of areas with pain in office workers require a detailed pain mechanism assessment. There were associated occupational risk factors for the development of neck pain. Call for concerted actions to explore optimal and efficient management plans.     

The activation of mechanisms linking judgements of work design and management with musculoskeletal pain

The report of work-related musculoskeletal pain may be related to worker evaluations of the design and management of work through two mechanisms: one biomechanical and the other stress-related. This study of engineering workers (n = 204) explored the validity of these mechanisms using sequential logistic regression. Analyses suggested that workers' ratings of the adequacy of the design and management of their work were related to their report of work-related musculoskeletal pain. However, the mechanisms appeared to be activated in certain conditions. The reporting of pain in the upper body was both biomechanically- and stress-related, whereas that in the lower body was only biomechanically-related. It is argued that the mechanism activated appeared to be determined by the anatomical location of the pain, and probably the variance shared between the different aspects of work design and management, on the one hand, and the mechanical load of the job, on the other.     

Work-related and non-work-related musculoskeletal symptoms

The purpose of the study was to analyse the prevalence of self-reported work-related and non-work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among white- and blue-collar workers. The study was carried out at eight metal industry companies and included 450 subjects, where 241 were blue-collar workers and 209 were white-collar workers. Among the blue-collar workers 39% were females and among the white-collar workers 35% were females. The study was based on a questionnaire, using the general standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The NMQ was completed with a question concerning whether or not the symptoms were believed to be related to the individual's present work. It was found that the differences between white- and blue-collar workers' musculoskeletal symptoms became greater when solely work-related symptoms were included, compared with symptoms in general according to the NMQ. Furthermore, it was found in both groups that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms decreased substantially when solely work-related symptoms were included, compared with symptoms in general.     

Multifactor association of job,individual and psychosocial factors in prevalence of distal upper extremity disorders and quantification of job physical exposure

The objective of this study was to develop a multifactor model of job, individual and psychosocial factors in prevalence of distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (DUE MSDs); and quantify job physical exposure to establish safe exposure limits. The study sample comprised of 525 workers who were part of a large prospective cohort study and represented a broad array of industrial practices and a wide range of job physical exposure. Only baseline data was considered for the analysis in the study. Workers underwent laptop administered questionnaires, structured interviews, two standardized physical examinations and nerve conduction studies to ascertain demographic, medical history, psychosocial factors and current DUE MSDs. All workers' jobs were individually measured for job physical exposure factors and videotaped. Binomial logistic regression was used to develop and test the multifactor association and quantification of job physical exposure for safe exposure limits. Results indicated that work-related DUE MSDs are multifactor in nature and are significantly affected by specific factors of (1) job physical exposure - percentage duration of exertion (PDOE), workers' subjective ratings of perceived effort or intensity of exertion (IOE) (using Borg CR-10), hand activity level measured by the American conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value for hand activity level (TLV for HAL), and presence of 2-point pinch grasps; (2) individual factors - female gender, diabetes, higher body mass index (BMI), and past and current smokers; (3) psychosocial factors - neither likely/unlikely or very unlikely to take up the current job again, divorced/separated, and presence of family problems. Quantification of job physical exposure indicated that prevalence of work-related DUE MSDs significantly increases with efforts per minute (Eff/min) >8 (OR = 1.69, p = 0.006) and woker's perceived effort based on Borg rating for IOE at the end of the shift >3 (OR = 2.46, p < 0.001). Further studies should be conducted to validate these safe exposure limit criteria.     

DASH questionnaire for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms in industry workers: a validity and reliability study

Purpose

The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire is a self-administered region-specific outcome instrument developed as a measure of self-rated upper-extremity disability and symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and the construct validity of the DASH questionnaire by establishing its correlation to the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) in industry workers. Also we aimed to investigate whether the DASH can be used as a standardized questionnaire to evaluate the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in upper extremity in industrial settings and epidemiological studies.

Material and methods

The Turkish version's reliability and construct validity were evaluated in 240 industry workers with upper-extremity musculoskeletal complaints. Workers were asked to complete a packet that included the DASH and the SF-36. Test-retest reliability was assessed in all workers who filled in the DASH questionnaire 15 days later. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing the overall and work component DASH scores with SF-36 summary and subscales.

Results

The mean DASH score for the textile workers whose duties were confection, dyeing, sewing, quality control and packaging was calculated as 65, 55, 68, 54 and 67, respectively. As a result of this study, pain intensity in shoulder, wrist and hand was significantly associated with the DASH score (p<0.05). Internal consistency of the DASH was high (Cronbach alpha 0.91). Test-retest reliability was excellent for the overall DASH (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.92). Moderate correlations (p<0.05) were found between the overall and work component DASH and the SF-36 summary scales. Pearson correlation coefficients of the overall and work component DASH to the SF-36 subscales ranged from −0.33 to −0.82.

Conclusion

These results support that DASH is a reliable and valid instrument to measure functional disability and investigate the ergonomic risk factors in textile workers with upper-extremity musculoskeletal complaints.     

Optical humidity sensor using porphyrin immobilized Nafion composite films

A Nafion–TMPyP composite film was used in an optical humidity sensor. The composites were prepared with various molar ratios between the sulfonic groups and TMPyP molecules, R = [–SO₃H]/[TMPyP]. The UV–vis measurement of the composite films suggested that the TMPyP molecules were well dispersed at in the range of R = 60–100, but formed aggregates at R ≤ 20. Furthermore, the FTIR indicated that sulfonic group interacted with TMPyP. The reflectance change with relative humidity (%RH) occurred at 426.4 and 465.4 nm with the isosbestic point at 437.5 nm, and also in the Q-band region. The sensors of R = 30 and 40 sensitively responded to humidity in the lower humidity region (10–20%RH), but saturated or even decreased with further increase in humidity. At R = 60, the sensitivity slightly decreased but a measurable range was extended to around 70%RH. Remarkable deterioration in sensitivity occurred at R = 100. The TMPyP molecules were stably immobilized on a Nafion matrix, even in liquid water, without solving out.     

Approximation by Bézier type of Meyer–König and Zeller operators

In this paper, we give direct, inverse and equivalence approximation theorems for the Bézier type of Meyer–König and Zeller operator with unified Ditzian–Totik modulus ω_φ^λ(f,t) (0≤λ≤1).     

Need for recovery from work: evaluating short-term effects of working hours,patterns and schedules

In this paper working hours, patterns and work schedules of employees were evaluated in terms of need for recovery from work. Self-administered questionnaire data from employees of the Maastricht Cohort Study on Fatigue at Work (n = 12,095) were used. Poisson regression analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that higher working hours a day and working hours a week generally went together with more need for recovery from work. Overtime work was particularly associated with higher need for recovery from work in both genders. Both male and female three-shift or irregular shift workers had higher odds of elevated need for recovery compared to day workers. When additionally controlling for work-related factors, need for recovery levels among shift workers substantially lowered. This study clearly showed that working hours and schedules are associated with need for recovery from work, with different associations for men and women. Especially the associations between work schedules and need for recovery from work were very interrelated with other work-related factors. Future studies could further investigate the possibility that shift work might function as a proxy of other work-related factors that explain the different levels in need for recovery from work, or that job demands are perceived higher among shift workers and may therefore lead to more need for recovery from work.     

Applying the K-nearest neighbor technique to the classification of workers according to their risk of suffering musculoskeletal disorders

The K-nearest neighbor (KNN) technique is a widely used classifier because of its simplicity and high efficiency. We adapted this technique and applied it with success to predict work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Among the general working population, the algorithm was able to identify workers that had reported work-related musculoskeletal complaints in the last twelve months. According to the model that was developed, poor lighting conditions, exposure to vibrations, an uncomfortable chair and a high mental demand are the factors that have the strongest influence on the development of this type of health problem.Relevance to industry:The approach described in this paper allows the KNN technique to be implemented for the prediction of musculoskeletal disorders among the general working population. The model is able to overcome the limitations of other traditional statistical learning techniques to predict this type of disorder with accuracy and effectiveness. The results may be used as a decision support tool for the prioritization of resources dedicated to ergonomic intervention programs.     

Profile of the musculoskeletal pain suffered by textile tufting workers handling thread cones according to work,age and employment duration

Abstract

This paper studies the relationship between some socio-professional characteristics of workers (e.g. age, actual work done, experience in the job, overall time on job market, height) carrying out thread-cone handling tasks and their musculoskeletal pain profiles. Interviews were carried out with foremen and workers, and task analysis was performed. Self-administered questionnaires on work-related pain were filled out by 114 machine operators and creelers in four carpet-manufacturing companies. Statistics on nine individual and 25 pain-symptom characteristics were compiled. For data treatment, two statistical methods complemented one another: the Factorial Analysis of Correspondence (FAC) and the Hierarchical Ascendant Classification (HAC). Four classes of workers showing large differences one to another regarding time of employment on the job market, age, seniority in the company, and job experience were portrayed. No remarkable differences were found between the classes in relation to the proportion of workers showing body pain symptoms; it is greater than 50% in all classes (12 months). Moreover, in all classes, for several workers, the first region of pain (out of three possible) was reported as one persisting over the weekend. The group of workers from 25 to 35 years of age appears to be the one most seriously affected by musculoskeletal pain.     

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal injuries in health care workers: the implications for work disability management

To compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal injuries in a cohort of workers in Manitoba health care sector, who made injury claims between 2002 and 2012. A retrospective study, using secondary data from WCB Manitoba. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios for nature of work-related injuries among different groups of workers. Idiopathic work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) constituted 74.6% of all the injury claims. Injury risks varied between worker groups, and a significant difference was found within the female group, χ² = 13.4, p = 0.0094, but not among the males. Compared to the married, single workers were more likely to experience traumatic than idiopathic injuries (OR = 1.72, CI, 1.28, 2.29), and much higher risk of traumatic injuries than non-WMSD (OR = 1.93, CI, 1.31, 2.84). Work-related injury risks vary significantly across occupations and worker groups, with idiopathic injuries being higher in high physical tasks.

Practitioner Summary: To compare musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal injuries among workers in health care sector, and explore the implications for work disability management. Retrospective study, using workers’ compensation claims data. The risk of idiopathic work-related musculoskeletal disorders continue to be high compared to traumatic and non-musculoskeletal disorders, particularly in tasks that involved high physical activities.     

Characteristics of job rotation in the Midwest US manufacturing sector

Job rotation has been advocated as a suitable intervention to control work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, little is known regarding the prevalence of job rotation, methods used to identify jobs for rotation or the benefits or limitations of job rotation. A web-based questionnaire was developed to survey job rotation practices from Midwest US manufacturing companies. Results indicated that 42.7% of the companies contacted used job rotation, where the median time for which they had used job rotation was 5 years. Job rotation was used mainly to reduce exposure to risk factors for work-related injuries and to reduce work related injuries, whereas supervisor decisions and ergonomic analyses were used to select jobs for the rotation scheme. Major limitations to successful implementation of job rotation included rotation of individuals with medical restrictions, decreased product quality and lack of jobs to rotate to. These findings suggest that further study is needed to determine if exposure to risk factors is reduced through current efforts.     

Characteristics of job rotation in the Midwest US manufacturing sector

Job rotation has been advocated as a suitable intervention to control work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, little is known regarding the prevalence of job rotation, methods used to identify jobs for rotation or the benefits or limitations of job rotation. A web-based questionnaire was developed to survey job rotation practices from Midwest US manufacturing companies. Results indicated that 42.7% of the companies contacted used job rotation, where the median time for which they had used job rotation was 5 years. Job rotation was used mainly to reduce exposure to risk factors for work-related injuries and to reduce work related injuries, whereas supervisor decisions and ergonomic analyses were used to select jobs for the rotation scheme. Major limitations to successful implementation of job rotation included rotation of individuals with medical restrictions, decreased product quality and lack of jobs to rotate to. These findings suggest that further study is needed to determine if exposure to risk factors is reduced through current efforts.     

The activation of mechanisms linking judgements of work design and management with musculoskeletal pain

The report of work-related musculoskeletal pain may be related to worker evaluations of the design and management of work through two mechanisms: one biomechanical and the other stress-related. This study of engineering workers (n = 204) explored the validity of these mechanisms using sequential logistic regression. Analyses suggested that workers' ratings of the adequacy of the design and management of their work were related to their report of work-related musculoskeletal pain. However, the mechanisms appeared to be activated in certain conditions. The reporting of pain in the upper body was both biomechanically- and stress-related, whereas that in the lower body was only biomechanically-related. It is argued that the mechanism activated appeared to be determined by the anatomical location of the pain, and probably the variance shared between the different aspects of work design and management, on the one hand, and the mechanical load of the job, on the other.     

Risk of musculoskeletal injury among cleaners during vacuuming

This study aimed to examine the risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check (QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score 13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: Cleaning workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for these workers.     

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in home care nurses: Study of the main risk factors

BackgroundNurses are a risk group for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Several studies reveal that nurses have high prevalence rates of injuries and symptoms related to WMSDs. However, many of these studies focus mostly on hospital nurses. Worldwide, few studies include home care nurses.ObjectiveThis work aimed to identify the body region most affected by musculoskeletal complaints in home care nursing, and subsequently develop a statistical model, that includes the main risk factors, to predict the risk of having musculoskeletal complaints in the identified region.MethodsThe research method was based on the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire applied to home care nurses working at Health Centres of northern Portugal. Univariate and multivariate models of logistic regression were used to meet the goals of this work.ResultsHome care nurses have a three times greater chance of having lumbar complaints than their counterparts working only at Health Centres (OR = 3.19 (p < 0.05), with a 95% confidence interval [1.256; 8.076]). A statistical model with seven variables (forearm posture; static postures; arm posture; arm supported; bed height; job satisfaction; assistive devices) was obtained to predict lumbar complaints.ConclusionsThe lumbar region was identified as the most affected by musculoskeletal complaints. These complaints were associated with seven factors.     

Checkout cashier work and counter design – Video movement analysis, musculoskeletal disorders and customer interaction

This study was conducted in order to analyse checkout cashiers’ movements at a checkout counter during interaction with customers and the prevalence of work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders in checkout cashiers. In one shop, six cashiers were videotaped during the workday, and 50 cashiers from seven shops from the same chain of stores responded a questionnaire. Cashier activities and movements, customer interaction and counter design issues were analysed from the video data. Prevalence of work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders was obtained from the questionnaire. It was found that 76% of all items were manually turned or angled. With a better adjustment of the scanner and a standardised positioning of the EAN-code, many of these movements could be avoided. Furthermore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was quite high (68% for the neck). The questionnaire results showed that many cashiers experienced stress, giving a high percentage of cashiers in the “dedication under pressure” group. The behaviour of the customers was the major cause of stress. Other sources of stress arose from bad design or function of the computer system or other technical equipment.

Relevance to industry

In this study several problems regarding cashier work were identified and solutions, relevant to counter and package designers, shop managers and cashiers are suggested. Data obtained on cashier movements and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders are given.