Impacts of ergonomic risk factors on the well-being and innovation capability of employees in the manufacturing industry

Objectives. Although various studies have examined the relationship between ergonomic factors and employee well-being, the impacts of ergonomic factors on workers' capability for innovation have not yet been studied in the manufacturing industry. This study advances understanding of the relationship between ergonomic risk factors and employees' capability to innovate and to feel good at work in the manufacturing sector. Methods. The analysis uses the structural equation modeling technique based on cross-sectional data collected from 200 experienced workers in manufacturing industries using self-administered close-ended questionnaires. Results. Findings from this research show that the main ergonomic factors influencing the well-being and innovation capability of employees in the manufacturing industry are neutral awkward posture, psychological risk factors and effective utilization of information and communications technology infrastructures. Thus, ergonomic factors are significantly correlated to the innovation capability of employees. Conclusion. As there have been no studies addressing the integration of ergonomic risk factors and the capability for innovation of employees in the manufacturing industry, this study provides a unique contribution to the body of knowledge. Further research is also required to develop an in-depth understanding of the relationship among components of each ergonomic risk factor, and the well-being and innovation capability of employees.

Worker and work-related factors influence on musculoskeletal symptoms among veterinary surgeons

Worker and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent among surgeons operating on human patients. Despite incidence rates for accidents among veterinarians and their staff being 2.9 times higher than that of general practitioners of human medicine, little is known about musculoskeletal symptoms among veterinary surgeons. In this study, 212 board-certified members of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons responded to a survey regarding various work-related activities and their experience with musculoskeletal symptoms in 10 different body regions. Across all body regions, reported pain increased from before to after a typical day of surgery (p <.01). Gender, weight, age, and years performing surgery were worker factors that were related to pain (p <.05), while number of procedures, practice focus, and proportion of minimally invasive surgery were work factors related to pain (p <.05). Our findings suggest that musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent among veterinary surgeons and may help provide evidence for guidelines for minimising musculoskeletal injuries in veterinary surgery.Practitioner summary: Little is known about the risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among veterinary surgeons. This cross-sectional survey of veterinary surgeons investigates worker and work factors related to MSS. We show that MSS are prevalent and identify key factors providing evidence that MSS are a concern in veterinary surgery.

Inertial Motion Capture-Based Estimation of L5/S1 Moments during Manual Materials Handling

Inertial motion capture (IMC) has gained popularity in conducting ergonomic studies in the workplace. Because of the need to measure contact forces, most of these in situ studies are limited to a kinematic analysis, such as posture or working technique analysis. This paper aims to develop and evaluate an IMC-based approach to estimate back loading during manual material handling (MMH) tasks. During various representative workplace MMH tasks performed by nine participants, this approach was evaluated by comparing the results with the ones computed from optical motion capture and a large force platform. Root mean square errors of 21 Nm and 15 Nm were obtained for flexion and asymmetric L5/S1 moments, respectively. Excellent correlations were found between both computations on indicators based on L5/S1 peak and cumulative flexion moments, while lower correlations were found on indicators based on asymmetric moments. Since no force measurement or load kinematics measurement is needed, this study shows the potential of using only the handler's kinematics measured by IMC to estimate kinetics variables. The assessment of workplace physical exposure, including L5/S1 moments, will allow more complete ergonomics evaluation and will improve the ecological validity compared to laboratory studies, where the situations are often simplified and standardized.

Regular and temporary occupants' perceptions of satisfaction in tertiary education buildings

There is little knowledge about occupants' satisfaction when diverse end users coexist in the same building. This paper presents the results of a survey administered to 1013 occupants in 43 academic buildings in Spain, with the aim to reveal the perception of the indoor environmental quality and workplace ergonomics of both lecturers and students. The results revealed that light adequacy, cleanliness and acoustics in classrooms are perceived differently by lecturers and students. Results also revealed no gender differences in satisfaction with all aspects of comfort in classrooms. However, in offices, air quality, thermal sensation in winter and adequacy of space were perceived differently by male and female. The findings will be of interest for tertiary building maintenance, design teams and ergonomists to enhance comfort in both groups of end users. Practitioner Summary: There are no reported studies on how groups of occupants (regular and temporary) perceive comfort in relevant aspects such as acoustics, lighting, space adequacy, cleanliness, and ergonomics. The survey results with 1013 occupants revealed that regular users tend to be less satisfied than temporary users in rooms where they cohabit. Abbreviations: POE: post-occupancy evaluation; HVAC: heating, ventilation and air conditioning; AQ: air quality; IEQ: indoor environmental quality; TS: thermal sensation.

Factors affecting work ability index among polish nurses working in hospitals - A prospective observational survey

AIMS

To assess the ability to work of Polish nurses by age groups.

BACKGROUND

The ability to work is widely discussed in the literature in the context of nurses' productivity; thus, it is necessary to identify the ability to work when facing an increasing demand for services.

METHODS

The observational study involved 349 professionally active nurses aged 46.9 ± 9.7 years, with a length of service of 23.5 ± 9.6 years. The Work Ability Index (WAI) was used to assess the nurses' ability to work.

RESULTS

The ability to work decreases with age (r_s  = -0.324, p < .000) and with seniority (r_s  = -0.257; p < .000). Nurses with higher education presented higher Work Ability Index scores. Also, the age (B = -0.25, p < .001), work seniority (B = -0.19, p < .001) and education (masters' degree: B = 1.41, p = .012; ref. secondary) affect work ability.

CONCLUSIONS

The ageing process and seniority of nurses negatively affect their ability to work. A lack of programmes to maintain physical condition for nurses can result in a shortage of staff.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Programmes can be developed to create or improve healthy working environments to increase productivity.

Ergonomic principles in patient handling: Knowledge and practice of physiotherapists in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Physiotherapists are advocates of workplace health and safety. Despite the high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), there is limited knowledge of ergonomic principles have been successfully applied in the workplace by Nigerian physiotherapists.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates the knowledge and practice of ergonomic principles in patient handling among physiotherapists in Nigeria.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey design was used to sample 360 physiotherapists practicing in Nigeria. Participants responded to a three-part structured questionnaire that had a reliability coefficient of 0.77. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square.

RESULTS

The majority (95.9%) of the participants had good knowledge of the ergonomic principles in patient handling while only 48.6% reported practicing them. Poor practice was mainly due to a lack of patient handling equipment. There was no significant association between knowledge and practice of ergonomic principles among study participants. Specific areas of physiotherapy practice showed a significant association with ergonomic knowledge and practice. Years of physiotherapy practice and highest educational qualifications showed a significant association with the levels of practice and knowledge respectively.

CONCLUSION

Physiotherapists in Nigeria reported a good level of knowledge of ergonomic principles, but a poor practice level. Perhaps this non-adherence contributed to the high prevalence of WMSDs among physiotherapists in Nigeria.

Sit-Stand Desk Software Can Now Monitor and Prompt Office Workers to Change Health Behaviors

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of a computer-based intervention designed to increase sit-stand desk usage and help reverse workplace physical inactivity.

BACKGROUND

Sit-stand desks have been successful in reducing workplace sedentary behavior, but the challenge remains for an effective method to increase the usage in order to experience the health and productivity benefits.

METHOD

Data collection (1-year field study with 194 workers) used a novel method of computer software that continuously recorded objective electric sit-stand desk usage, while taking into account the time a worker spends away from their desk (breaks, meetings). During the baseline period, all workers' desk usage was recorded by the software, and the intervention period consisted of software reminders and real-time feedback to all workers to change desk positions. Pooled means were calculated to determine desk usage patterns, and effect sizes and pairwise mean differences were analyzed to test for intervention significance.

RESULTS

The intervention doubled desk usage by increasing ~1 change to ~2 changes per work day. There was a 76% reduction in workers who never used the sit-stand function of the desk. Medium to large effect sizes from the intervention were observed in all three primary outcome measures (desk in sitting/standing position and desk position changes per work day).

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate an effective intervention that increased postural transitioning and interrupted prolonged inactivity while remaining at the workstation.

APPLICATION

The methods and results in this research study show that we can quantify an increase in desk usage and collect aggregate data continuously.

Effects of cycle and treadmill desks on energy expenditure and cardiometabolic parameters in sedentary workers: review and meta-analysis

Purpose. The aim of this article was to evaluate the effects of cycle and treadmill desks on energy expenditure and cardiovascular and biochemical indicators in sedentary workers. Materials and methods. In February 2018, six databases were searched. Both parallel and crossover design studies evaluating workplace cycle and treadmill desks compared to a conventional seated condition were included. Results. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Cycle and treadmill desks significantly increased energy expenditure (standard mean difference [SMD] = 3.84, p < 0.001, I² = 95%) and the heart rate (SMD = 1.68, p < 0.001, I² = 91%), and lowered blood glucose and insulin levels (SMD = -0.54, p < 0.001, I² = 0% and SMD = -3.13, p < 0.001, I² = 76%, respectively). The interventions had no effect on blood pressure and other biochemical indicators. Conclusion. Cycle and treadmill desks may positively influence energy expenditure in sedentary workers and could be effective for reducing negative effects of workplace-related sedentary behaviour. However, considerable heterogeneity is present in the measuring protocols for energy expenditure.

The influence of a dynamic elastic garment on musculoskeletal and respiratory wellness in computer users

BACKGROUND

Evidence is growing that computer users are at increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those involving the upper extremity, with significant financial cost and lost productivity.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term effects of wearing a dynamic elastic garment (Posture Shirt[Formula: see text]; AlignMed, USA) on musculoskeletal wellness and health in the computer workplace.

METHODS

Ninety-six computer users were evaluated. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was completed. A functional assessment of posture, lung function, and grip strength was performed after wearing the Posture Shirt[Formula: see text] for 4 weeks. A training log was kept to track usage of the garment, as well as weekly sensations of fatigue, productivity, and energy level.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks, there was statistically significant improvement in forward shoulder and head posture, thoracic kyphosis, and grip strength. Improvements in spirometry measures did not meet statistical significance. Postural fatigue and muscular fatigue decreased by 21% and 29%, respectively, and energy level and productivity increased by 20% and 13%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This prospective study demonstrated positive short-term impact of the Posture Shirt[Formula: see text] on both subjective and objective measures of posture, lung function, grip strength, fatigue, and productivity.