Safety and Health at Work最新文献

{"title":"Unlocking the Intangible: How Dialogue and Guidance in Labor Inspection Address Psychosocial and Ergonomic Risks at Work","authors":"Jeppe Z.N. Ajslev,&nbsp;Julie Palmqvist,&nbsp;Asta Kjærgaard,&nbsp;Emilie M. Rudolf,&nbsp;Mikala E. Jakobsen","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Working environment authorities (WEAs) are increasingly challenged with addressing psychosocial and ergonomic risks. In response to this, the Danish Government initiated the agreement to problem-solve (ATP) initiative. The objective of this study is to examine whether the dialogue-based ATP inspection practice is an effective means to address and target psychosocial and ergonomic risk factors and to discuss this in relation to more traditional inspection injunctions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study utilizes data provided by the WEA including information on participating enterprise's registered industry, number of employees, type of occupational safety and health (OSH) problem, fulfillment status, and sector (public or private). The data and information regarding other injunctions given by labor inspectors were also made available by the WEA, allowing for comparison between inspection practices.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>44% of ATPs addressed psychosocial risks, 31% addressed ergonomic issues. In particular, ATP issues include heavy lifting (19%), quantitative workload and time pressure (13%), emotional demands (9%), violence and traumatic events (7%), sexual harassment, bullying and insults (7%), ergonomic work positions and movement (6%), as well as unclear or contradictory demands (4%). These are some of the exact psychosocial and ergonomic OSH issues that inspectorates have struggled to address, and this contrasts other types of injunctions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The ATP initiative provides an approach to target the otherwise elusive psychosocial and ergonomic OSH risks. As such, it may be a tool for improving inspection practices and the prevention of psychosocial OSH problems. However, future research should investigate the outcomes of dialogue-based inspection practices in terms of sickness absence, organizational trust, psychosocial safety climate, physical exertion, accidents, or the sustainability of measures, as well as how ATPs may be improved to function even more effectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 40-46"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution and Concentration of Airborne Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Indoor and Outdoor Environments: A Systematic Review","authors":"Myoungho Lee ,&nbsp;Sungyo Jung ,&nbsp;Chungsik Yoon ,&nbsp;Sung Ho Hwang","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly recognized as airborne contaminants of concern, yet their distribution across environments remains under-characterized. In particular, concentrations in industrial settings have hardly been studied compared to general environments. This review synthesizes findings from 25 studies reporting airborne PFAS across four categories: outdoor general environments, indoor general environments, outdoor occupational environments, and indoor occupational environments. Reported levels were generally lowest outdoors (0.5–3.0 ng/m³), higher in general indoor settings (3.0–15.0 ng/m³), and highest in occupational environments, sometimes exceeding 100 ng/m³. Volatile precursors such as fluorotelomer alcohols dominated most environments, while particle-bound ionic PFAS were more common in occupational settings, suggesting distinct exposure pathways. Across studies, airborne PFAS levels were lowest outdoors, higher indoors, and highest in occupational settings. The complexity of PFAS behavior, influenced by chemical species and particle/gas-phase partitioning, underscores challenges in exposure assessment. Despite the relatively low airborne PFAS concentrations, this review confirms that inhalation remains a critical exposure pathway due to the persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of PFAS. Standardized measurement methods, geographically diverse monitoring, and integration with exposure modeling are urgently needed. Strengthening regulatory frameworks and establishing protective exposure limits will be essential to mitigate long-term health impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 12-23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Real-Time Assessment of Black Carbon Peaks Among Workers Exposed to Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions","authors":"Ju-Hyun Park ,&nbsp;Sangjun Choi ,&nbsp;Kyung Ehi Zoh ,&nbsp;Seung Won Kim ,&nbsp;Dong-Hee Koh ,&nbsp;Won Kim ,&nbsp;Dong-Uk Park","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.01.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Workers are commonly exposed to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) from diesel-powered engines and vehicles (DEVs), which contain harmful particulates such as black carbon (BC). This study aimed to characterize the peak BC exposures of workers operating or working near DEVs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>BC levels were recorded every minute from workers driving or working near DEVs using a portable aethalometer and were categorized by job type and activity. Peak BC levels were characterized using the occupational exposure limits for DEE (measured as elemental carbon) of 10 μg/m³ and 50 μg/m³ as cut-off values.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Forklift operators, garbage collectors, and machine operators showed peak BC exposure levels surpassing 20 μg/m³, with average levels above 10 μg/m³. Despite their short exposure durations (&lt;1 hour), these peaks contributed significantly (&gt;60%) to the daily average BC exposure. The daily contribution rate of peak exposures above 10 μg/m³ to the average daily BC exposure often exceeded 50%. The ratio of peak levels above 10 μg/m³ and 50 μg/m³ to the arithmetic mean was negatively correlated with exposure duration, the proportion of exposure duration, and the daily contribution of peak levels.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Drivers of diesel-engine vehicles often experienced significant spikes in BC exposure, highlighting the need for real-time monitoring, which is recommended as a best-practice approach to identify and mitigate short-term peak exposures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 142-150"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Key Contributors to Fatigue in Disaster Responders: Analysis of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake","authors":"Tatsuhiro Nagata ,&nbsp;Yamato Sasaki ,&nbsp;Odgerel Chimed-Ochir ,&nbsp;Inn Kynn Khaing ,&nbsp;Seiichiro Tateishi ,&nbsp;Nahoko Enokida ,&nbsp;Koji Mori ,&nbsp;Yoshihisa Fujino ,&nbsp;Hanako Murayama ,&nbsp;Akihiro Taji ,&nbsp;Noriyuki Shiroma ,&nbsp;Ami Fukunaga ,&nbsp;Yui Yumiya ,&nbsp;Tatsuhiko Kubo","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The well-being of disaster responders is just as important as that of disaster victims as maintaining responders’ health is essential for the effective disaster response. This study aimed to identify the key factors contributing to fatigue in disaster responders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study analyzed data from disaster responders deployed during the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. Data were collected using the health management version of the Japanese Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters app from January to March 2024. Associations between contributing factors including problems in the work environment, type of work activity, and occupation, and self-reported fatigue score were examined using the <em>t</em>-tests, analysis of variance, and multivariable regression analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We analyzed 15,067 data entries from disaster responders. Fatigue levels among disaster responders were generally low, with 73.7% of scores between 1 and 3 during the first phase and 82.3% during the second phase. Fatigue was significantly higher in the early response phase (β = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27–0.37) and among logisticians (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.18–0.28) and Health Emergency Operations Center staff (β = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.14–0.25) than among nonlogisticians and non–Health Emergency Operations Center staff members. Problems in the work environment had the largest effects: inability to take meals and breaks increased fatigue by 1.82 points (95% CI: 1.56–2.07), and unclear tasks or command structures by 0.82 points (95% CI: 0.57–1.06).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study underscores the importance of establishing a structured command system, strengthening responder training and improving working conditions to safeguard responder well-being.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 76-82"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Job Role and Organizational Commitment Among Chinese Rural Teachers: The Effects of Emotional Exhaustion and Teacher Resilience","authors":"Jiaoyang Yu ,&nbsp;Stavroula Leka","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Extensive research has explored occupational stressors related to job roles and their effects on organizational commitment among urban elementary and secondary school teachers yet little is known about these dynamics in rural settings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study examined 1,282 rural teachers in China and used structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships among role overload, role ambiguity, role conflict, fatigue, emotional exhaustion, organizational commitment, and teacher resilience.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results indicate that fatigue and emotional exhaustion mediate the link among role overload, role ambiguity, role conflict, and organizational commitment. Additionally, teacher resilience moderates the effects of role overload, role ambiguity, and role conflict on both emotional exhaustion and organizational commitment among Chinese rural teachers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Practical implications suggest a dual intervention approach: (1) structural reforms, redesigning role expectations and workload distribution to mitigate rural teachers’ job role stressors, and (2) capacity building, implementing resilience training programs to enhance their coping strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 119-126"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Shift Work and Metabolic Alterations: Possible Contributing Factors","authors":"Veruscka Leso ,&nbsp;Pasquale Dolce ,&nbsp;Marco Greco ,&nbsp;Andrea Durante ,&nbsp;Luisa Di Lauro ,&nbsp;Paola Pedata ,&nbsp;Luca Fontana ,&nbsp;Ivo Iavicoli","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Shift work (SW) can contribute to metabolic disorders affecting biological rhythms, inducing sleep deprivation, decreasing the resting metabolic rate, and changing dietary habits and eating behaviors. This study aims to assess the relationship of SW on physical and metabolic parameters, including the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the contributing role of sleep quality, chronotype, chrononutrition, and the Mediterranean diet.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Shift and nonshift workers underwent medical examinations and lab tests. MetS was diagnosed using the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Chrononutrition Profile, Morning-Eveningness, and Prevention through Mediterranean Diet questionnaires were used to explore factors potentially affecting the development of metabolic disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Shift (<em>n</em> = 172) and nonshift workers (<em>n</em> = 177), primarily employed in healthcare and social activities and in the education and administrative sectors, were enrolled. Mean systolic blood pressure levels were significantly higher in shift workers compared to the daytime counterpart (121.0 ± 12.9 vs. 117.5 ± 13.2 mmHg, <em>p</em> = 0.013). MetS was significantly more frequent in the former group (25.6% vs<em>.</em> 13.7%, <em>p</em> = 0.006). Higher percentages of shift workers compared to daytime workers, had poor quality of sleep (37.8% vs. 27.1%, <em>p</em> = 0.033), an evening chronotype (14% vs<em>.</em> 6.8%, <em>p</em> = 0.010), and high adherence to the Mediterranean diet (65.7% vs<em>.</em> 43.5%, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), while no differences emerged for the chrononutrition profile. SW represents a risk factor for MetS, although its development results from the interaction of personal lifestyle, dietary habits, chronotype, chrononutrition, sleep quality, and occupational factors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In the perspective of the <em>Total Worker Health</em>® approach to workplace safety, health, and well-being, such an interplay should be addressed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 134-141"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Korean Translation and Validation of the Loneliness at Work Scale","authors":"Ganguk Lee ,&nbsp;Chunhui Suh ,&nbsp;Jungwook Kim ,&nbsp;Norito Kawakami ,&nbsp;Sarah Wright","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Workplace loneliness affects employees’ emotional distress and job performance yet validated measurement tools for Korean workers remain limited. This study aims to translate and validate the Loneliness at Work Scale (LAWS) into Korean.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>LAWS was translated according to international guidelines as follows: forward translation, reconciliation, back translation and review, and cognitive debriefing. For validation, 1,000 full-time Korean employees proportionally distributed across sex, age, and occupational type were surveyed in November 2024 with a four-week follow-up (N = 200). Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were examined. The validity of the measure was tested by correlational analyses and confirmatory factor analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>LAWS-K demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α overall = 0.936, emotional deprivation = 0.933, social companionship = 0.902) and satisfactory test–retest reliability (r = 0.780). The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the revised two-factor model provided the best fit (comparative fit index = 0.916, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.897, root mean square error of approximation = 0.126, standardized root mean square residual = 0.045). Correlations with the Single-Item Workplace Loneliness Question (r = 0.612) and the Three-Item Loneliness Scale at Work (r = 0.682) demonstrated strong criterion validity. Correlations with occupational stress (r = 0.531), psychological distress (r = 0.543), work performance (r = -0.337), engagement (r = -0.462), and wellbeing (r = -0.490) supported convergent validity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>LAWS-K adapted for the Republic of Korea demonstrated robust reliability and validity. It provides Korean researchers and practitioners with a validated tool for assessing workplace loneliness, enabling targeted interventions and research initiatives to address this occupational health concern.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 112-118"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational Benzene Exposure and Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis","authors":"Michele Sassano ,&nbsp;Monireh S. Seyyedsalehi ,&nbsp;Paolo Boffetta","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Evidence on the association between benzene and hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers is scarce. Hence, we aimed to summarize current literature on the association between occupational benzene exposure and these cancers.</div><div>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus through April 2024 to identify cohort and nested case-control studies. We evaluated study quality with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and estimated pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Paule–Mandel method.</div><div>Twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Occupational benzene exposure was associated with hepatobiliary cancer incidence (RR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.04-1.24; I² = 0.0%, <em>p</em> = 0.707), but not with mortality (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.69-1.15; I² = 66.7%, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Pooled RRs for incidence and mortality were 1.13 (95% CI: 0.93-1.36; I² = 0.0%, <em>p</em> = 0.729) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.65-0.96; I² = 0.0%, <em>p</em> = 0.539) for liver cancer, 1.16 (95 % CI: 0.73-1.82; I² = 34.6%, <em>p</em> = 0.164) and 2.00 (95% CI: 0.96-4.19; I² = 67.7%, <em>p</em> = 0.015) for gallbladder cancer, and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.78-1.16; I² = 13.5%, <em>p</em> = 0.316) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.87-1.14; I² = 29.6%, <em>p</em> = 0.100) for pancreatic cancer, respectively.</div><div>Occupational benzene exposure might be associated with hepatobiliary cancer. Further studies, with detailed exposure assessment and control for potential confounders, are needed to clarify this relationship.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Artisanal Gold Mining in Mongolia: Silica Exposure and Silicosis Risk Factors-Field Survey” [Saf Health Work. 2025;16(2):187–192]","authors":"Densenbal Dansran ,&nbsp;Ichinnorov Dashtseren ,&nbsp;Garamjav Khishigdavaa ,&nbsp;Solongo Bandi ,&nbsp;Byambadolgor Dagviikhorol ,&nbsp;Naransukh Damiran ,&nbsp;Bayanmunkh Tseden ,&nbsp;Bat-Erdene Moyor ,&nbsp;Jun-Pyo Myong","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2026.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Page 152"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Footwear on Foot Comfort of Workers Engaged in Prolonged Standing Occupations: A Systematic Review","authors":"Lu-ping Kang ,&nbsp;Tai-sheng Gong ,&nbsp;Xiao-hong Quan ,&nbsp;Chen Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prolonged standing work can lead to various lower limb health issues. Footwear, as a convenient and noninvasive intervention, plays a key role in foot protection. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the impact of footwear characteristics on foot comfort among workers engaged in prolonged standing occupations. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library was conducted until March 2025 for experimental and observational studies; the review is registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD420251003253). Given the diversity of study designs, participant characteristics, and outcome measures, results were synthesized narratively, organizing findings by footwear design factors. The synthesis indicated that soft soles reduce foot impact and fatigue but offer limited support, whereas hard soles enhance stability but may cause localized pressure and discomfort. Sole hardness should balance cushioning and support based on activity: hard soles for standing and soft soles for walking. Insole hardness must be carefully considered as semirigid arch supports can cause discomfort. Most insoles improve pressure distribution by adjusting arch loading, and some enhance intrinsic foot muscles by promoting toe engagement, reducing leg swelling. Custom orthotic insoles outperform standard ones in comfort and balance. Future research should promote interdisciplinary collaboration with footwear designers to explore key design parameters and establish a scientific framework for protective footwear.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"17 1","pages":"Pages 24-32"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147551801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}