Flexible work in call centres: Working hours, work-life conflict & health

Call-centre workers encounter major psychosocial pressures, including high work intensity and undesirable working hours. Little is known, however, about whether these pressures vary with employment status and how they affect work-life conflict and health. Questionnaire data were collected from 179 telephone operators in Sydney, Australia, of whom 124 (69.3%) were female and 54 (30.2%) were male. Ninety-three (52%) were permanent full-time workers, 37 (20.7%) were permanent part-time, and 49 (27.4%) were casual employees. Hypothesised structural relationships between employment status, working hours and work organisation, work-life conflict and health were tested using partial least squares modelling in PLS (Chin, 1998). The final model demonstrated satisfactory fit. It supported important elements of the hypothesised structure, although four of the proposed paths failed to reach significance and the fit was enhanced by adding a path. The final model indicated that casual workers reported more variable working hours which were relatively weakly associated with greater dissatisfaction with hours. The interaction of schedule control and variability of hours also predicted dissatisfaction with hours. Conversely, permanent workers reported greater work intensity, which was associated with both lower work schedule control and greater work-life conflict. Greater work-life conflict was associated with more fatigue and psychological symptoms. Labour market factors and the undesirability of longer hours in a stressful, high-intensity work environment appear to have contributed to the results.     

Worktime control-dependent reductions in fatigue, sleep problems, and depression

We investigated the association between worktime control and fatigue, sleep problems, and depressive symptoms in a sample of daytime and shift workers. A total of 3681 permanent daytime workers and 599 shift workers completed a questionnaire designed to assess the above variables. Worktime control was evaluated in terms of both “control over daily working hours” and “control over days off”. Worktime control × work schedule × gender analysis of covariance, adjusted for age and employment status, showed overall reductions in incomplete recovery, insomnia symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms with increasing levels of worktime control. However, no associations between control over daily working hours and insomnia symptoms were observed in women. The reductions appeared to be more evident for control over days off. These results remained consistent after adjustments for other potential covariates. The present findings indicate that increased worktime control and enhanced control over days off in particular, may be associated with favorable health outcomes.     

Optimization of shift work: physiological contributions

Abstract

Healthy subjects (n= 62) with different circadian phase positions worked up to six weeks in different shift systems. Rotation speed was experimentally varied. On shift days all subjects worked in the Institute but spent their leisure time as usual.

In order to minimize bias through masking effects, ‘control days’ were interpolated (twice a week) into the shift periods. On these control days subjects remained on bedrest for 24 hours under constant conditions.

Results were as follows:

(i) The earlier the circadian phase position the poorer the adaptation to night-shifts. In particular, morning types were not able to adapt even to permanent night-shifts.

(ii) Evening types were able to adjust their circadian systems to a slowly rotating shift system (rotation speed seven days) and a 25 h-sliding system though they failed to do so with more quickly rotating systems. Whereas indifferent subjects were not able to adjust to even the slowly rotating system.

(iii) When stable phase shifts occurred in response to altered working hours they always amounted to about one hour per day if the working hours were not coherent with the usual environmental zeitgebers.

It is concluded that, on physiological criteria, very slow rotating shift systems or permanent night-shifts seem to be acceptable for evening types, but not for morning types who may require special health care in these conditions.     

Long-term impact of role stress and cognitive rumination upon morning and evening saliva cortisol secretion

The long-term impact of role stress (conflict and ambiguity), cognitive rumination and their interaction were analysed upon morning and evening saliva cortisol secretion. The sample consisted of 52 male and 24 female British white-collars who had participated in a survey study on psychosocial working conditions 3.5 years earlier. Saliva cortisol secretion was measured over seven consecutive days with two measures: in the morning on awakening and at 22.00 hours. Stepwise linear multiple regression analyses was used for the statistical analyses. Role ambiguity at baseline and the interaction between role ambiguity and trait rumination contributed to explaining elevations in morning saliva cortisol secretion 3.5 years later (R² = 0.045; F = 4.57; p < 0.05), while role conflict at baseline significantly predicted increases in long-term evening saliva cortisol (R² = 0.057; F = 8.99; p < 0.01). The findings support a long-term relationship between chronic stress exposure and saliva cortisol secretion and some support for the assumption of cognitive rumination moderating the stressor–strain relationship.

Statement of Relevance: The study is of interest for ergonomics practice because it demonstrates that work role ambiguity and role conflict, typically associated with organisational downsizing and restructuring, may contribute to long-term psycho-physiological reactivity. This could expose workers to increased health risks. Therefore, stress management programmes should include the concept of role stress, especially at a time where many work organisations are undergoing significant change. Management should also be made aware of the importance of communicating clear goals, objectives and lines of authority as well as providing sufficient training for those in new job roles.     

Analysis of muscle fatigue in helicopter pilots

Helicopter pilots espouse ergonomically unfavourable postures and endure vibration which result in low back pain. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a helicopter flight on pilots back and shoulder muscles using surface Electromyography (sEMG) analysis. This study also correlates low back pain symptoms from Rehabilitation Bioengineering Group Pain Scale (RBGPS) questionnaire with muscle fatigue rates obtained. RBGPS was administered on 20 Coast Guard helicopter pilots. sEMG was acquired before and after flight from erector spinae and trapezius muscles in 8 of these 20 pilots. Statistical analysis of time and frequency domain parameters indicated significant fatigue in right trapezius muscle due to flying. Muscle fatigue correlated with average duration of flight (r² = 0.913), total service as pilot (r² = 0.825), pain (r² = 0.463) and total flying hours (r² = 0.507). However, muscle fatigue weakly correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI) (r² = 0.000144) and age (r² = 0.033).     

Feasibility of PSO–ANFIS model to estimate rock fragmentation produced by mine blasting

Desired rock fragmentation is the main goal of the blasting operation in surface mines, civil and tunneling works. Therefore, precise prediction of rock fragmentation is very important to achieve an economically successful outcome. The primary objective of this article is to propose a new model for forecasting the rock fragmentation using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in combination with particle swarm optimization (PSO). The proposed PSO–ANFIS model has been compared with support vector machines (SVM), ANFIS and nonlinear multiple regression (MR) models. To construct the predictive models, 72 blasting events were investigated, and the values of rock fragmentation as well as five effective parameters on rock fragmentation, i.e., specific charge, stemming, spacing, burden and maximum charge used per delay were measured. Based on several statistical functions [e.g., coefficient of correlation (R ²) and root-mean-square error (RMSE)], it was found that the PSO–ANFIS (with R ² = 0.89 and RMSE = 1.31) performs better than the SVM (with R ² = 0.83 and RMSE = 1.66), ANFIS (with R ² = 0.81 and RMSE = 1.78) and nonlinear MR (with R ² = 0.57 and RMSE = 3.93) models. Finally, the sensitivity analysis shows that the burden and maximum charge used per delay have the least and the most effects on the rock fragmentation, respectively.

     

Do we want to keep working in 12-h shifts? The follow-up of the work schedule change in a Portuguese industrial company

BackgroundIn Europe, atypical work schedules assume an increasing position, framed by the so-called “adaptability regime”. Despite being seen as a “temporary” option, this regime supports the extension of the working hours up to 12 h per shift.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyse how the workers from a Portuguese industrial company perceive the impacts of a 12-h schedule, after replacing the former 8-h shift schedule.MethodsThe sample included a total of 87 shiftworkers of an industrial company. A mixed method research was followed based on the ergonomic work analysis, using observations; a self-report instrument describing a week working on 2 × 12 h; and a questionnaire.ResultsField study findings are consistent in showing that, in 2 × 12 h, the workers perceive the risks as resized, both physical risk factors (e.g., noise) and factors related to the work organization (e.g., work pace). The results also reveal a perceived aggravation of the main health outcomes: “sleep debt”, feeling of chronic fatigue, and muscles pains. Despite this, most workers prefer the new 12-h schedule, but not until their retirement age.ConclusionAt present, it is noticed that the new schedule receives collective acceptance and is considered the least-worst option; the advantages outside work seem to compensate the higher costs imposed by this schedule.Relevance to industryOur findings highlight ergonomics' contribution to the sustainability of the work in 12-h shifts, establishing the conditions that enable a technical-scientific opinion supporting the company's decision on the exposure length of the workers to these work schedules.     

Influence on working hours among shift workers and effects on sleep quality – An intervention study

The aim of the present intervention study was to examine if increased influence on working hours among shift workers led to better sleep quality.391 employees were categorized into groups based on the performed activities: High (self-rostering), moderate (education and/or policy for working hours), and low intensity intervention (meetings and discussions) and reference. Sleep quality was assessed by Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire (KSQ) at baseline and follow-up (12 months). To elucidate the process of the intervention interviews were conducted.Influence on one’s own working hours increased only in the high intensity group (p < 0.001). No effects of interventions on sleep quality were observed. Thus, sleep quality was not improved by increasing work time influence in the present group of Danish elder care workers. This was partly due to program failure (failed intervention), but may also be due to other factors such as few participants working night and few working full time.     

A novel microbial biosensor based on Circinella sp. modified carbon paste electrode and its voltammetric application

Microbial biosensors have been developed for voltammetric determination of various substances. This paper describes the development of a new biosorption based microbial biosensor for determination of Cu²⁺. The developed biosensor is based on carbon paste electrode consisting of whole cells of Circinella sp. Cu²⁺ was preconcentrated on the electrode surface at open circuit and then cathodically detected with the reduction of Cu²⁺. The voltammetric responses were evaluated with respect to percentage cell loading in the carbon paste, preconcentration time, pH of preconcentration solution, scan rate and interferences. The optimum response was realized by biosensor constructed using 5 mg of dry cell weight per 100 mg of carbon paste in pH 5.5 preconcentration solution. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the developed microbial biosensor exhibited an excellent current response to Cu²⁺ over a linear range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M (r² = 0.9938) with a detection limit of 5.4 × 10⁻⁸ M (S/N = 3). The microbial biosensor had good sensitivity and reproducibility (R.S.D. 4.3%, n = 6). Finally, the applicability of the proposed microbial biosensor to voltammetric determination of Cu²⁺ in real sample was also demonstrated and validated with atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) method.     

Full-shift and task-specific upper extremity muscle activity among US large-herd dairy parlour workers

Abstract

US large-herd dairy parlour workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to estimate and compare full-shift and task-specific muscle activity of the upper extremity among parlour workers. Surface electromyography data were recorded continuously throughout a full work shift for each participant (n = 60). For a subset of participants (n = 33), muscular effort was estimated for milking task cycles. Lower muscle activity levels and higher per cent muscular rest was observed among rotary parlour participants as compared to herringbone and parallel parlour participants for anterior deltoid, forearm flexor and forearm extensor muscles. These findings suggest rotary parlours may offer workstation designs or work organisational dynamics which may be more beneficial to the health and performance of the worker, as compared to parallel or herringbone parlours.

Practitioner Summary: Study findings suggest milking parlour configurations present different biomechanical demands on workers which may influence worker health and performance. Our findings will enable more informed decisions regarding both engineering (e.g. parlour configuration or milking equipment) and administrative (e.g. work organisation) control strategies for large-herd milking parlours.     

Worker stress in the age of mobile technology: The combined effects of perceived interruption overload and worker control

Mobile technologies have dramatically increased the number of work-related interruptions, especially after regular work hours. At the same time, many employees have limited freedom to decide how and when they accomplish their work, a condition that renders the explosion of interruptions especially problematic. This study proposes that perceived interruption overload negatively impacts work-related technology-usage via workers’ experiences of work-life conflict, a key source of stress, and that this indirect effect is stronger for lower levels of worker control (moderated mediation). Data were collected from 601 knowledge workers and analyzed through Conditional process analysis, which integrates moderation and mediation analyses. The results supported our model. This study takes an important step toward elucidating the role of mobile technology in work-life conflict and technostress, and it illustrates the roles of perceived interruption overload as well as conflict and technostress in IT use.     

Changes in EEG activity before and after exhaustive exercise in sedentary women in neutral and hot environments

This study examined the effect of hyperthermia on brain electrical activity measured with encephalography during prolonged exhaustive exercise in a group of sedentary women (VO₂max = 35 ± 4 mL kg min⁻¹). Two strenuous cycling exercises were performed either in neutral (N-Ex) or in heat (H-Ex) conditions. Tympanic temperature (Tty), heart rate (HR), body mass loss (BML), plasma volume decrease, and brain electrical activity [EEG: α (8–13 Hz) and β(13–30 Hz)-band and α/β index of fatigue: the ratio between EEG activity in the α band and β-band] were recorded throughout the cycling sessions. The Tty increase 1.0 °C in the N-Ex and 1.8 °C in H-Ex. HR increased in both sessions but with significantly higher values during the H-Ex session when compared with the N-Ex session (p < 0.001) (from 85 ± 4 beats min⁻¹ to 164 ± 6 beats min⁻¹ and from 83 ± 6 beats min⁻¹ to 181 ± 8 beats min⁻¹, respectively in N-Ex and in H-Ex). This was associated with a significantly higher BML (p < 0.05) and a higher plasma volume decrease in the H-Ex session (p < 0.01). The α/β index increased significantly during both trials particularly during the H-Ex session (p < 0.05). This was associated with a significant decrease of time to exhaustion (−34%). We suggest that exhausting work in the heat induced a change in gross brain activity (alpha/beta ratio) compared to a longer, less thermally demanding exposure. Fatigue in the heat could be attributed to central factors as well as thermal, cardiac and hydro-electrolytic impairment.     

Knowledge sharing and social media: Altruism,perceived online attachment motivation,and perceived online relationship commitment

Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become extremely popular. Facebook, for example, has more than a billion registered users and thousands of millions of units of information are shared every day, including short phrases, articles, photos, and audio and video clips. However, only a tiny proportion of these sharing units trigger any type of knowledge exchange that is ultimately beneficial to the users. This study draws on the theory of belonging and the intrinsic motivation of altruism to explore the factors contributing to knowledge sharing behavior. Using a survey of 299 high school students applying for university after the release of the public examination results, we find that perceived online attachment motivation (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and perceived online relationship commitment (β = 0.49, p < 0.001) have positive, direct, and significant effects on online knowledge sharing (R² 0.568). Moreover, when introduced into the model, altruism has a direct and significant effect on online knowledge sharing (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and the total variance explained by the extended model increases to 64.9%. The implications of the findings are discussed.     

Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c and biosensing for hydrogen peroxide on polyaniline grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube electrode

Cytochrome c (cyt c) was immobilized into a matrix consisting of polyaniline (PANI) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) by a new strategy. First, PANI chains were grafted onto MWNT through electropolymerization. Second, the amine groups in PANI chains were oxidized at an applied potential of +0.80 V to acquire positive charges that would effectively immobilize negatively charged cyt C. The ITO/MWNT-g-PANI(O)/cyt c electrode exhibited a pair of redox peaks with a peak potential separation (anodic to cathodic) of 0.25 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The results demonstrated that ITO/MWNT-g-PANI(O)/cyt c promoted direct electron transfer between cyt c and electrode with a high electron transfer rate constant (17 s⁻¹). The ITO/MWNT-g-PANI(O)/cyt c electrode catalyzes the reduction of H₂O₂. The ITO/MWNT-g-PANI(O)/cyt c biosensor displays an amperometric response to H₂O₂ with a linear concentration range from 0.5 μM to 1.5 mM (r = 0.99, n = 12), a high sensitivity (32.2 μAm M⁻¹) and fast response (9 s) and detection limit of 0.3 μM (S/N = 3).     

Study protocol and baseline results for a quasi-randomized control trial: An investigation on the effects of ergonomic interventions on work-related musculoskeletal disorders,quality of work-life and productivity in knowledge-based companies

IntroductionWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the major causes of lost workdays, increased costs, and occupational diseases in all countries. The prevalence of WMSDs among the workers in small and medium-sized enterprises in Iran was reported as 73%. This paper aimed to describe the design of an interventional study to investigate the effects of ergonomic interventions on work-related musculoskeletal disorders, quality of work-life, and productivity among office workers of knowledge-based companies and introduce the results obtained from the baseline survey.Methods/designIt was a quasi-randomized control trial study on 313 participants with four parallel groups including ergonomic training intervention; management training and work changes intervention; ergonomic training, management training and work changes intervention; and non-interventional control group. The primary outcome was WMSDs, and the secondary outcomes were occupational stress factors, quality of work-life, and productivity. All primary and secondary outcomes were measured before the interventions, one, three, and six months after the interventions.ResultsAt this phase of study only baseline results were reported. 328 participants, with a mean age of 31.97 years (SD = 5.39), completed the baseline survey and entered the study. The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was found in neck (52.13%), right shoulder (41.16%) and right forearm (37.2%), respectively.ConclusionErgonomic interventions were conducted based on baseline data of the participants at individual and management levels. The focus of training program interventions was to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in upper limbs; in management training and work changes program, the focus was to increase social support.Trial registrationIRCT registration number: IRCT20181204041840N1 (date of registration: 2019-02-05).     

Environmentally friendly disposable sensors with microfabricated on-chip planar bismuth electrode for in situ heavy metal ions measurement

This paper presents an environmentally friendly disposable heavy metal ion sensor for in situ and online monitoring in the nature and physiological systems. The miniaturized sensor chip consists of a non-toxic microfabricated bismuth (Bi) working electrode that replaces the conventional mercury electrodes, an integrated Ag/AgCl reference electrode, a gold counter electrode, and microfluidic channels. In this work, the electrochemical behavior of the Bi working electrode was characterized in several non-deaerated buffer solutions using cyclic voltammetry. The detection and quantification of Pb (II) and Cd (II) were statically performed using anodic stripping voltammetry inside the microchannels, in the Pb (II) concentration range of 25–400 ppb (R² = 0.991) with limit of detection of 8 ppb for 60 s deposition, and in the Cd (II) concentration range of 28–280 ppb (R² = 0.986) with limit of detection of 9.3 ppb for 90 s deposition. Particularly, the applications of this sensor chip have been reported with the examples of in situ measurement of Cd (II) concentration in soil pore and ground water and online direct measurement of Cd (II) concentration in cell culture media in its native environment.     

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.     

Evaluation of peach quality indices using an electronic nose by MLR, QPST and BP network

In this paper, responses of a gas sensor array were employed to establish a quality indices model evaluating the peach quality indices. The relationship between sensor signals and the firmness, the content of sugar (CS) and acidity of “Dabai” peach were developed using multiple linear regressions with stepwise procedure, quadratic polynomial step regression (QPST) and back-propagation network. The results showed that the multiple linear regression model represented good ability in predicting of quality indices, with high correlation coefficients (R² = 0.87 for penetrating force CF; R² = 0.79 for content of sugar CS; R² = 0.81 for pH) and relatively low average percent errors (ERR) (9.66%, 7.68% and 3.6% for CF, CS and pH, respectively). The quadratic polynomial step regression provides an accurate quality indices model, with high correlation (R² = 0.92, 0.87, 0.83 for CF, CS and pH, respectively) between predicted and measured values and a relatively low error (5.47%, 3.45%, 2.57% for CF, CS and pH, respectively) for prediction. The feed-forward neural network also provides an accurate quality indices model with a high correlation (R² = 0.90, 0.81, 0.87 for CF, CS and pH, respectively) between predicted and measured values and a relatively low average percent error (6.39%, 6.21%, 3.13% for CF, CS and pH, respectively) for prediction. These results prove that the electronic nose has the potential of becoming a reliable instrument to assess the peach quality indices.     

Occupational hazards survey among coal workers using hand-held vibrating tools in a northern China coal mine

ObjectiveProlonged exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) is associated with an increased risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This study aimed to identify the signs and symptoms associated with coal workers using hand-held vibrating tools in a northern China coal mine, and to determine the risk factors for HAVS.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted of 167 male workers with part-time exposure to HTV. A structured questionnaire was administered to the workers along with a series of function tests. The frequency-weighted vibration acceleration of hand-held tools was measured. The prevalence ratio and symptom correlation to HAVS among the different subgroups were evaluated.ResultsThe prevalence of hand numbness, carpal tunnel syndrome, hand ache, tinnitus, memory loss, dizziness and headache showed significant differences in the longer-exposure groups (working years > 3 years or the daily-exposure duration > 2 h), compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Function tests showed abnormal findings only in vibration sensation and the X-ray examination of the longer-exposure groups (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that longer working years, higher daily exposure and alcohol consumption were risk factors, while wearing anti-vibration gloves showed protective effects for hand numbness.ConclusionsThis study has identified the main signs and symptoms of HAVS among coal workers exposed to HTV in China. More information related to occupational safety and health programs are required to reduce the risk of HAVS.     

Benefits of adding anxiety-reducing features to a computer-based multimedia lesson on statistics

The present study examined the effectiveness of techniques intended to reduce anxiety as students learn mathematical content from a computer-based lesson. In a between-subjects experiment, students learned statistical rules through worked examples in a computer-based learning environment that either did (treatment group) or did not (control group) include anxiety reducing features—a coping message delivered through the lesson by an online pedagogical agent concerning how to manage feelings of anxiety, and prompts for expressive writing, in which students summarize their thoughts and feelings. An independent samples t-test showed that the treatment group, which received added anxiety-reducing features, showed higher accuracy than the control group on solving practice problems (d = 0.71) and retention problems (d = 0.63) and reported higher perceived effort on learning the multimedia lesson (d = 0.66). In addition, a standard multiple linear regression found that anxiety, self-efficacy, and cognitive load as a set predicted performance (R² = 0.56), with self-efficacy as the strongest predictor (β = 0.63). Adding anxiety-reducing features to an online lesson may encourage greater effort, which leads to better learning outcomes.