IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors最新文献

{"title":"Defeating the Vigilance Decrement","authors":"P. Hancock, W. Volante, J. Szalma","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1178191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1178191","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS We tested the boundaries of Parasuraman's vigilance taxonomy to see how porous they are. The degree of porosity is especially informative in mitigating and eliminating the vigilance decrement. These results are relevant to every form of human operation in automated, semi-automated, and autonomous computer-mediated systems. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: When vigilance was stultified, and threatened to become moribund, Parasuraman's vigilance taxonomy revivified the area of research. The taxonomic description features dichotomies across event rate and target comparison type to establish the boundaries of consistent monitoring degradation. This insight implicated resource theory as the causal explanation for the vigilance decrement, founded on the depleting attentional demands of increasing memory load. Despite its manifest value, taxonomic differentiations still require the fixation of constraints that continually have to be challenged and re-evaluated in light of emerging evidence. Such a challenge is erected here. Purpose: To re-examine and re-evaluate the fundamental vigilance taxonomy in order to provide methods to defeat the vigilance decrement, predominantly by design. Methods: Using synthetic integration of accrued knowledge since its original inception down to the present time, our work evaluates and explicates limits to the boundaries represented in the classic vigilance taxonomy. This synthesis serves as a precursor to identifying ways to mitigate or eliminate the vigilance decrement. Results: The thresholds that connote the taxonomic limits are shown to be frangible and the very natures of their identified dis-continuities are themselves informative for methods of remediation. Conclusions: These results are relevant to every form of human operation in automated, semi-automated, and autonomous computer-mediated systems.","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"20 1","pages":"151 - 163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1178191","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fatigue, Cognitive Performance, and Subjective Recovery Time Estimation in High-Intensity Work","authors":"Taofeng Ye, Xiao Pan","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1200161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1200161","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS High-intensity work is associated with higher perceived fatigue, which could have a negative effect on both physical and cognitive performance. In particular, it may be unsafe and inefficient for workers to continue high-intensity physical work before complete recovery occurs (i.e., when heart rate returns to baseline levels). However, it is possible for workers to perform mental activities after subjective recovery time. After complete recovery, workers may return to performing the high-intensity physical work. The study evaluated a model of subjective recovery time using gender, relative body mass index, resting heart rate, perceived functional ability, and physical activity rating scores for high-intensity work tasks. With such subjective recovery time estimation, physical and mental work shift schedules that improve work efficiency can be designed. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Many research studies have investigated the relationship between high-intensity work and cognitive performance. High-intensity work induces higher perceived fatigue, which could have a negative effect on cognitive performance. Few studies have focused on cognitive performance changes during the recovery procedure, however, especially after subjective recovery time. Purpose: Subjective recovery time estimation was examined here, to provide a basis for determining schedules of work that require alternating physical and mental processing. Methods: A total of 47 participants performed reaction tasks aimed at measuring cognitive performance at four time points: before high-intensity work, after high-intensity work, after subjective recovery time, and after complete recovery time. Data from an estimation group (n = 41) were used to derive the subjective recovery time estimate, while the remaining participant data (n = 6) were used for validation. Results: Cognitive performance declined after high-intensity work but improved after subjective recovery time. Subsequent analysis indicated that subjective recovery time was significantly and positively correlated with gender, relative body mass index, and heart rate. Conversely, significant negative correlations were found between subjective recovery time and both perceived functional ability and physical activity rating. Gender, relative body mass index, heart rate, perceived functional ability, and physical activity rating score predicted subjective recovery time (R2 = 0.74). The results of the cross-validation analysis demonstrated that the predicted and actual subjective recovery times were similar. Conclusion: The established model is an efficient tool, using predictor variables that are feasible to obtain in naturalistic work environments, which could be used to estimate subjective recovery time. Along with an existing model that predicts complete recovery time, reasonable arrangements of work schedules that alternate mental and physical work could be designed to improve work efficiency and securit","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"4 1","pages":"141 - 150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1200161","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60126048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proposal of a Method to Predict Subjective Rating on Drowsiness Using Physiological and Behavioral Measures","authors":"A. Murata","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1164765","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1164765","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Subjective drowsiness was predicted during a simulated driving task with an accuracy of more than 90%. This was done using a multinomial logistic regression model, using physiological and behavioral measures as predictors. The actual and/or potential applications of these results include the development of a system for predicting drowsiness and presenting drivers a warning. These results can contribute to the enhancement of transportation safety by decreasing the risk of crashes or traffic accidents caused by drowsy driving. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: From the viewpoint of automotive safety, it is useful to detect a decrease in arousal level and to warn drivers of the risk of a traffic accident. Although many measures of drowsy states have been developed, effective methods for predicting drowsy driving states and to warn drivers of these states have not been established. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of physiological and behavioral evaluation measures for predicting a drivers' subjective drowsiness using a regression model. Methods: Eight participants completed the study, which involved simulated driving. They were required to steer and maintain their vehicle at the centerline and to maintain the distance between their own car and a preceding car. Physiological measures were obtained (electroencephalography, heart rate variability and blink frequency), along with behavioral measures (neck bending angle, back pressure, foot pressure, and tracking error), and participants reported subjective drowsiness once every minute. Drowsy states were predicted via three multinomial logistic regression models consisting of different independent variables—Model A: both physiological and behavioral measures, Model B: only behavioral measures, and Model C: only physiological measures. For each model, prediction accuracies were examined, and the length of the data window used for predicting drowsiness was explored. Results: When both physiological and behavioral measures were used, prediction accuracy was 96.8%. The interval used for attaining the highest prediction accuracy was 100 seconds (from 120 to 20 seconds before the prediction). When only physiological measures were used, prediction accuracy was 90.2%, and accuracy was 94.9% using only behavioral measures. Conclusions: The proposed multinomial model could attain higher prediction accuracy when both physiological and behavioral measures are used and is potentially useful for the development of drowsiness warning systems.","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"4 1","pages":"128 - 140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1164765","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparing Different Measures of Overall Workload in a Multimodal Postural/Auditory Dual-Task Environment","authors":"R. Cullen, M. Agnew","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1165315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1165315","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This study investigated the effects of a multimodal dual-task paradigm (balance and cognitive tasks) on overall mental workload. The balance task did not affect the performance of the cognitive task, and the presence of the cognitive task led to better balance performance with unstable seating. Simultaneously, measures of overall mental workload showed a general increase when the cognitive task was added and, in some cases, when the balancing task became harder (more unstable). These results generate two important implications. First, the performance levels of two multimodal tasks being done concurrently are insufficient to explain the overall workload in the system. Even if performance is not negatively (or even positively) affected initially, workload increases and may approach or reach overload. Second, any single measure of performance or workload taken in situ might very well be insufficient to explain effectively the way an individual is interacting with their multitasking environment. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Audition and balance are important aspects of many multitasking environments; auditory signals are used for myriad different alerts and alarms, and balance is pivotal in the realms of factory and construction to avoid falling and risking injury or death. Furthermore, the demands of multiple tasks at once can interact, creating complex environments for which measures of overall workload would be beneficial. Purpose: The goal of this research was to quantify the effects of a cognitive/postural dual-task environment on overall workload. Methods: We utilized a dual-task protocol pairing an auditory discrimination task with a seated balancing task. We then measured performance on both tasks and overall workload using subjective (NASA Task Load Index) and physiological (heart rate variability) measures. Results: Cognitive task performance did not change across different balance conditions, while the presence of the cognitive task decreased postural sway when the participants were unstable. The results regarding workload measures were varied; however, most indicated an increase in workload with the cognitive task. Conclusions: These two results might seem contradictory, with performance in the postural task increasing as the overall workload increases. Taken together, though, they suggest two important conclusions: the need to use more than one method of workload measurement and the importance of understanding the arousal level created by the environment and task difficulty. Designs of auditory alerts in situations involving physical demands should consider arousal levels and possible overload and avoid overvaluing single metrics.","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"4 1","pages":"115 - 127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1165315","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Physical Workload and Modality of Information Presentation on Cognitive Inhibition in Highly Fit Young Males","authors":"C. Pankok, Maryam Zahabi, Wenjuan Zhang, D. Kaber","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2015.1066278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2015.1066278","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This study presents an experiment assessing the interaction between physical task load and modality of information presentation on cognitive task performance. Results indicated that males of equivalent high fitness, between the ages of 18 and 25, can perform complex cognitive tasks reliably well while performing a concurrent physical task requiring up to 70% of aerobic capacity. Furthermore, results revealed that participants respond slightly more quickly to visual stimuli than auditory stimuli but are equally adept at inhibiting responses presented via either modality. These results are applicable to the design of information displays for information processing tasks as part of occupations requiring simultaneous worker physical performance, such as soldiers in combat situations, firefighters in emergency rescue, police officers in security patrols on foot, etc.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Many occupations require workers to perform cognitive tasks while concurrently performing a physical task, such as a soldier taking orders while running to a helicopter evacuation point or a firefighter navigating through a burning building. Diverse personal factors have been identified to influence the effect of physical workload on cognitive performance; however, the literature presents some contradictions, and findings appear heavily dependent on participant sample characteristics, physical task type, and cognitive task type. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction between physical workload and modality of information presentation on performance of a concurrent cognitive task by highly fit young males. Methods: Twenty-four highly fit males between the ages of 18 and 25 completed the experiment. Participants ran on a treadmill at one of three physical exertion levels (0%, 50%, and 70% of maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]). Levels were selected based on a previously-defined “optimal range” of 40%–55% VO2max for facilitating concurrent cognitive performance. Participants were exposed to exertion below, within, or above the optimal range for 8 minutes in each trial while concurrently performing a stop-signal task with stimuli presented either visually or aurally. Accuracy, response time, stop-signal reaction time, and perceived cognitive workload were recorded. Results: Physical exertion level did not appear to have a significant effect on responses with the exception of a decrease in accuracy that approached significance (p < 0.10). Stimulus modality had a significant effect, with higher accuracy, lower response time, and lower stop-signal reaction time occurring with visual stimuli compared to auditory. The modality of the stop signal (an indicator that participants should inhibit a reaction) had no effect on any response. No significant interaction was found between physical exertion level and modality of information presentation on cognitive inhibition. Conclusions: Highly fit young males, when subjected to a","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"40 1","pages":"103 - 88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2015.1066278","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Useful Research Tool to Measure Prefrontal Cortex Activity During Visually Demanding Near Work","authors":"H. Richter, A. Crenshaw, D. Domkin, G. Elçadi","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2015.1067258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2015.1067258","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Effort, which overrides the need for rest and recuperation to avoid deterioration in visual performance, is commonplace in many contemporary workplaces. The prefrontal cortex is capable of allocating more mental/physical resources to carry out a given work task in the presence of fatigue. However, adverse musculoskeletal and mental health consequences are an anticipated outcome of this since fatigue is a physiological sign of the need for recuperative rest. This article outlines the current evidence suggesting that probing into prefrontal brain activity with near-infrared spectroscopy could advance progress in visual ergonomic research, and pilot data are provided that exemplify the proposed approach. Improved understanding of the age-related health consequences of straining the brain and/or the eyes “to see well” will likely help ergonomic stakeholders find better methods to meet the needs of safer and more productive work environments. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Unlike the usual skeletal muscles, ciliary muscles responsible for focusing the crystalline eye lens and extraocular muscles responsible for convergence eye movements appear resistant to fatigue. Purpose: The dual goals of this article are to briefly outline the current evidence that suggests that probing into blood flow and hemodynamic prefrontal brain activity with near-infrared spectroscopy could advance progress in visual ergonomic research and to provide pilot data exemplifying the proposed approach. Methods: The vision task consisted of sustained focusing on a contrast-varying black-and-white Gabor grating. Four participants with a median age of 46 (interquartile range 44–50) fixated the grating from a distance of 65 cm. Three counterbalanced 10-minute tasks required central fixation and accommodation/convergence on the grating target through (i) 0.0 diopter lenses, (ii) −1.5 diopter lenses, and (iii) −3.5 diopter lenses while maintaining maximal focus. Non-invasive measurements of local oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) were quantified with a one-channel near-infrared spectrometer. The near-infrared spectroscopy probe was placed on the prefrontal cortex in the vicinity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or Brodmann area 46. Accommodation response and contrast threshold were measured in parallel. Results: General estimating equation analyses showed that baseline-subtracted dorsolateral prefrontal cortex blood flow (ΔHbO2) increased significantly over time in all three lens conditions. The effect of time may be caused by a continuous increase in mental effort to compensate for progressively more mental fatigue induced by increased visual attention. The increase of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ΔHbO2 was also larger in magnitude in participants with larger amplitudes accommodation response (i.e., in participants who minimized deterioration in visual performance). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that oxyhemoglobin changes recorded over the ","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"4 1","pages":"164 - 174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2015.1067258","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volitional Running and Tone Counting: The Impact of Cognitive Load on Running Over Natural Terrain","authors":"Megan J. Blakely, S. Kemp, W. Helton","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2015.1055864","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2015.1055864","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Many occupations, including those of emergency responders and military personnel, require the person to maintain volitional control of movement speed while simultaneously engaging in cognitive tasks. In the present study, runners who ran over uneven and even natural terrain slowed their running speed when confronted with increased cognitive load. Runners had impaired cognitive task performance only when the cognitive load was high and they were running over uneven terrain. While more research is warranted, the present findings indicate that willed running or movement speed reduces with increasing cognitive load. The addition of cognitive load to people who have to cover terrain may impair their speed. In occupational settings requiring both movement and cognitive tasks, the interacting effect of these tasks needs to be carefully considered. For example, where speed is important any additional cognitive load should be reduced or eliminated if possible. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Many occupations require movement over natural terrain while the person is simultaneously performing cognitive tasks (communication, navigations, etc.), yet there is little known about how cognitive load impacts movement over natural (not artificial) terrain. Purpose: The present study was designed to examine the impact of cognitive load on volitionally controlled running speed over natural terrain. Method: We examined the performance of runners on even and uneven terrain in a dual running and tone-counting working memory task. The tone counting task was performed at both a low and a high workload. Participants performed the tone-counting tasks both while running and while seated. In addition, they ran without a cognitive task load. Results: Counting accuracy significantly decreased during the dual task trials only for the high workload task and only for the uneven terrain runners. For both terrain groups there was a linear trend observed; run distance decreased as cognitive load increased. Reports of workload, task-focus and feelings of being spent after running all increased with increased cognitive load regardless of terrain. Conclusion: These findings have important theoretical and practical implications, particularly where natural running is coupled with complex cognitive tasks.","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"4 1","pages":"104 - 114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2015.1055864","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Ergonomics Aspects Into Operations Management Performance Optimization Models: A Modeling Framework","authors":"A. Sobhani, M. Wahab, P. Neumann","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1178190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1178190","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Employees play critical roles in improving the performance of operation systems. Work-related health disorders and injuries degrade employees' work performance and hence the performance of the system. Previous studies frequently reported the negative effects of poor ergonomic conditions of the workplace on developing occupational health problems. However, managers lack tools to consider occupational ergonomics aspects, employees' health conditions, and their financial consequences when the performance of systems is optimized. This research provides a hierarchical modeling framework to integrate occupational ergonomics aspects into system performance optimization models. With this modeling approach, ergonomists and human factor practitioners can better influence managers' decisions by developing analytical tools that demonstrate the health, economic, and operational improvement of ergonomics conditions in the system-level analysis. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Occupational illnesses have negative consequences for employees. They also reduce employees' overall work performance, creating negative economic impacts on companies. Occupational ergonomics studies mostly investigate work-related health and safety aspects of a system to reduce the rate of these health problems for employees. However, they do not usually involve optimizing the performance of a system and do not account for the operational aspects of the system such as demand, workstation interactions, and inventory levels. In contrast, operations management studies usually deal with these operational aspects while optimizing the performance of operation systems. Although human resources are involved in many stages of operation systems, operations management performance optimization models usually use simplifying assumptions regarding human operational characteristics. They rarely include causes and effects of work-related health problems. Purpose and Methods: This article introduces a modeling framework, integrating occupational ergonomics aspects into operations management performance optimization models. It provides a road map for assessing the impact of work-related risk factors, including physical and psychosocial aspects on system performance. Results: An illustrative example demonstrates the applicability of the developed framework in a real situation. The results demonstrate a 0.76% to 3.76% cost growth for a manufacturing system due to the poor ergonomic design of the workplace. Conclusion: By applying this framework, practitioners can find out how the performance of their systems will be enhanced by investing in safer working conditions for employees. Managers can also better assess the economic consequences of a poor ergonomic design and consequent occupational illnesses.","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"44 1","pages":"19 - 37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1178190","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and Evaluation of a Questionnaire to Document Worker Exposures to Mechanical Loading at a Workplace Level","authors":"Amin Yazdani, P. Bigelow, N. Carlan, S. Naqvi, L. Robson, I. Steenstra, Keith P. Mcmillan, R. Wells","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1179701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1179701","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Despite many biomechanical risk factors being clearly linked to the development of musculoskeletal disorders, little measurement of the prevalence of physical loads in workplaces is being conducted. Through a collaborative partnership with unions, a health and safety organization, and researchers, this project developed and tested a questionnaire to document exposures to physical workloads in workplaces. Surveys were first completed independently by two members of each organization's joint health and safety committee. The same survey was later completed collectively to arrive at a consensus between the two members. Results of the surveys were then compared to findings from a walk-through conducted by an ergonomist. Substantial to excellent agreement was found between the identification and assessment of exposure levels to 26 types of physical loading by the ergonomist and workplace. Such a survey could be an efficient technique to characterize the loads to which workers are exposed. Such data could have value for targeting prevention activities at a workplace or jurisdictional level.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: The presence and level of exposure to mechanical risk factors can be considered leading indicators in the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Although there are multiple methods for musculoskeletal disorder risk assessment, most of these methods record data related to an individual person performing a specific task. Rather in this questionnaire, we are collecting the exposure data at the workplace level (i.e., for all people experiencing this type of load). Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and test a survey to document the presence and levels of multiple types of physical loading in a workplace. Methods: A survey requesting information on exposure to 26 types of loading was developed. It was distributed to management and worker representatives for their individual and then their consensus ratings. The same survey was completed by an ergonomist during a site visit. Results: Complete data sets were obtained from 30 workplaces across a variety of sectors. The most prevalent loads reported were sitting, neck bent or twisted, computer use, and carrying loads. For the presence or absence of specific loads, the consensus and ergonomist's ratings agreed well with over 90% for nine of 26 load types and over 70% agreement for 10 other load types. For a calculated exposure index, only four load types differed significantly across the two types of raters. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that a survey completed by individuals familiar with the workplace could be used to document exposure to physical loading at a workplace level in an efficient manner. Such a survey may be useful in understanding the nature and prevalence of such exposures and targeting prevention activities at a workplace or jurisdictional level.","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"59 1","pages":"38 - 53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1179701","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60125765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subjective Health Complaints in Registered Nurses: Associations With Select Individual and Organizational Factors","authors":"N. Daraiseh, Lauren A. Summerville","doi":"10.1080/21577323.2016.1183535","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2016.1183535","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Subjective health complaints (SHCs)—complaints without objective pathological symptoms—such as headaches and heartburn, have become one of the major reasons for short- and long-term sickness absence from work. Unlike musculoskeletal disorders, existing injury/illness surveillance systems do not capture the degree to which nursing personnel experience specific SHCs. Research has mainly focused on musculoskeletal disorders or combined SHCs under “stress outcomes” or “psychosomatic outcomes” without examining these complaints specifically. This study confirms that the occurrence of substantial SHCs is relatively high and that effective strategies are needed to address these conditions in conjunction with musculoskeletal disorders. Although select individual characteristics examined here may only play a minor role in the onset of SHCs, studies including other lifestyle factors (e.g., alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, and activity) may provide further insight to their impact on SHCs. Additionally, results indicate a need for increased focus on the factors originating from the workplace environment.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Evidence exists regarding the prevalence of and extent to which nurses experience work-related musculoskeletal complaints. However, other types of complaints have not been detailed. Most have fallen under the broad term of “stress outcomes” or “psychosomatic outcomes.” Specific complaints need to be examined and understood to fully comprehend work-related subjective health complaints experienced by registered nurses. Objective: This study sought to determine the frequency of subjective health complaint (SHCs, e.g., headaches, heartburn) beyond musculoskeletal disorders among registered nurses and to investigate associations with select individual and organizational factors (e.g., experience, hospital, care area/service, hospital Magnet® status [American Nurses Credentialing Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA]). Method: Data were collected on 193 registered nurses from three hospitals using questionnaires to assess SHCs. Descriptive statistics and prevalence rates were reported for substantial cases of SHCs, since low-level complaints can be highly prevalent in the general population. Univariate logistic regression was used to identify significant associations between select individual and organizational factors and substantial SHCs. Results: Rates of substantial SHCs ranged from 1.1%–29.1%. The most frequent complaints were diarrhea or irregular bowel function, allergies, heartburn, headaches, and difficulty falling asleep. Individual, hospital, and care service factors had significant associations with substantial SHCs. Although the majority of SHC rates were higher for registered nurses working in non-Magnet hospitals, Magnet status did not have a significant association with these complaints. Conclusions: SHCs other than musculoskeletal complaints are common among registered nurses. Significant asso","PeriodicalId":73331,"journal":{"name":"IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"4 1","pages":"54 - 66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21577323.2016.1183535","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60126010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}