| 1. |
- Andersen, Lars L, et al.
(författare)
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Workplace Health Promotion and Wellbeing
- 2015
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Ingår i: The Scientific World Journal. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2356-6140 .- 1537-744X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 2. |
- Gold, Judith E., et al.
(författare)
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Knee pain in nursing home workers after implementation of a safe resident handling program
- 2018
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Ingår i: American Journal of Industrial Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0271-3586 .- 1097-0274. ; 61:10, s. 849-860
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Approximately 25-30% of nursing personnel experience knee pain (KP). We sought to identify physical and psychosocial work exposures, and personal factors related to prevalent, incident, and persistent KP 5-8 years after safe resident handing program (SRHP) implementation in nursing homes.Methods: Health and exposure information was obtained from worker surveys 5-6 years (“F5”) and 7-8 years (“F6”) post-SRHP implementation. Prevalent KP correlates were examined at F5; persistent and incident KP predictors were analyzed at F6, utilizing robust Poisson multivariable regression.Results: F5 KP prevalence (19.7%) was associated with combined physical exposures, and with either high job strain or low social support, in separate models. Two-year persistent KP was similarly associated with these psychosocial exposures. Being overweight was associated with KP in all analyses.Conclusions: The SRHP program did not eliminate knee physical loading, which should be reduced to prevent nursing home worker KP. Workplace psychosocial exposures (high job strain, low social support) also appeared germane.
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| 3. |
- Gold, Judith, et al.
(författare)
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Predictors of low back pain in nursing home workers after implementation of a safe resident handling programme
- 2017
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 74:6, s. 389-395
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. Healthcare workers have high rates of low back pain (LBP) related to handling patients. A large chain of nursing homes experienced reduced biomechanical load, compensation claims and costs following implementation of a safe resident handling programme (SRHP). The aim of this study was to examine whether LBP similarly declined and whether it was associated with relevant self-reported occupational exposures or personal health factors.Methods. Worker surveys were conducted on multiple occasions beginning with the week of first SRHP introduction (baseline). In each survey, the outcome was LBP during the prior 3 months with at least mild severity during the past week. Robust Poisson multivariable regression models were constructed to examine correlates of LBP cross-sectionally at 2 years (F3) and longitudinally at 5–6 years (F5) post-SRHP implementation among workers also in at least one prior survey.Results. LBP prevalence declined minimally between baseline and F3. The prevalence was 37% at F3 and cumulative incidence to F5 was 22%. LBP prevalence at F3 was positively associated with combined physical exposures, psychological job demands and prior back injury, while frequent lift device usage and ‘intense’ aerobic exercise frequency were protective. At F5, the multivariable model included frequent lift usage at F3 (relative risk (RR) 0.39 (0.18 to 0.84)) and F5 work– family imbalance (RR=1.82 (1.12 to 2.98)).Conclusions. In this observational study, resident lifting device usage predicted reduced LBP in nursing home workers. Other physical and psychosocial demands of nursing home work also contributed, while frequent intense aerobic exercise appeared to reduce LBP risk.
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| 4. |
- Hagberg, Mats, 1951, et al.
(författare)
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Broadening the view of exposure assessment
- 2001
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health. - 1795-9926. ; 27:5, s. 354-357
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 5. |
- Jackson, Jennie A, et al.
(författare)
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Occupational biomechanical risk factors for surgically treated ulnar nerve entrapment in a prospective study of male construction workers
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH). - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 45:1, s. 63-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the association between occupational biomechanical exposures and occurrence of surgically treated ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE).Methods: A cohort of 229 689 male construction workers who participated in a national occupational health surveillance program (1971–1993) were examined prospectively over a 13-year case ascertainment period (2001–2013) for surgically treated UNE. Job title (construction trade), smoking status, height, weight and age were recorded on examination. Job titles were merged into occupational groups of workers performing similar work tasks and having similar training. Occupational biomechanical exposure estimates were assigned to each occupational group with a job exposure matrix (JEM) developed for the study. Negative binomial models were used to assess the relative risks for each biomechanical exposure and the sums of highly correlated biomechanical exposures. Surgical treatment of UNE was determined via a linkage with the Swedish Hospital Outpatient Surgery Register.Results: There were 555 cases of surgically treated UNE within the cohort. Workers exposed to forceful hand-grip factors had a 1.4-fold higher relative risk (95% CI 1.18–1.63) of undergoing surgical treatment for UNE compared to unexposed workers. Occupational groups comprising workers exposed to forceful hand-grip work showed the highest risks for UNE and included concrete workers, floor layers, ground preparatory workers, rock blasters, and sheet-metal workers.Conclusion: Forceful hand-grip work increases the risk for surgically treated ulnar nerve entrapment.
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| 6. |
- Jackson, Jennie, et al.
(författare)
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Biomechanical risk factors for surgically treated ulnar nerve entrapment in a cohort of Swedish male construction workers
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The literature on occupational risk factors for ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE), also called cubital tunnel syndrome is sparse.Objectives: The aim was study the association between occupational biomechanical exposures and UNE.Methods: The occurrence of UNE was examined prospectively in a cohort of 229 689 Swedish male construction workers who participated in a nation-wide occupational health surveillance program between 1971 and 1996. UNE case status was defined on the basis of a surgical release of ulnar nerve entrapment; case data were obtained from a national outpatient database for a 13 year observation period (2001-2013). Individual risk factors considered were smoking status, BMI and age. Biomechanical exposure estimates were assigned at the occupational group level using a job exposure matrix developed specifically for the study and included 10 ergonomic (force/posture/repetition) and 2 hand-arm vibration exposure parameters determined a priori to be relevant to UNE. Relative risks (RR) for all biomechanical factors were modelled using negative binomial regression analyses and adjusted for age, smoking habits and BMI.Results: There were 555 cases of surgically treated UNE in the cohort and the average annual incidence was 19.2 cases per 100,000 person-years. Smoking status (ever vs. never smoker RR=1.28, 95% CI=1.07-1.54) and BMI (≥25 kg/m2 vs. < 25 kg/m2 RR=1.60 , 95% CI=1.34-1.91) were associated with increased risk of UNE. Increased grip force (RR=1.54, 95% CI =1.24-1.92), hand-Arm-vibration (RR=1.35, 95% CI=1.07-1.71) upper extremity load (RR=1.63, 95% CI=1.30-1.92), and increased frequency of hand tool use (RR =1.37, 95% CI=1.09-1.71), elbow flexion and extension (RR=1.36, 95% CI=1.10-1.68), and static work (RR=1.36, 95% CI=1.12-1.65) were also associated with increased risk of UNE.Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that multiple biomechanical factors were associated with increased risk of UNE. Many of the identified risk factors involved elevated hand grip force (grip force, upper extremity load, and frequency of hand tool use and hand-arm vibration) which may indicate it is a key etiological aspect of UNE.
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| 7. |
- Jackson, Jennie, et al.
(författare)
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Occupational biomechanical risk factors for radial nerve entrapment in a 13-year prospective study among male construction workers
- 2019
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ Publishing Group. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 76:5, s. 326-331
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives The aim was to assess the association between occupational biomechanical exposure and the occurrence of radial nerve entrapment (RNE) in construction workers over a 13-year follow-up period. Methods A cohort of 229 707 male construction workers who participated in a national occupational health surveillance programme (1971-1993) was examined prospectively (2001-2013) for RNE. Height, weight, age, smoking status and job title (construction trade) were obtained on health examination. RNE case status was defined by surgical release of RNE, with data from the Swedish national registry for out-patient surgery records. A job exposure matrix was developed, and biomechanical exposure estimates were assigned according to job title. Highly correlated exposures were summed into biomechanical exposure scores. Negative binomial models were used to estimate the relative risks (RR) (incidence rate ratios) of RNE surgical release for the biomechanical factors and exposure sum scores. Predicted incidence was assessed for each exposure score modelled as a continuous variable to assess exposure-response relationships. Results The total incidence rate of surgically treated RNE over the 13-year observation period was 3.53 cases per 100 000 person-years. There were 92 cases with occupational information. Increased risk for RNE was seen in workers with elevated hand-grip forces (RR=1.79, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.28) and exposure to hand-arm vibration (RR=1.47, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.00). Conclusions Occupational exposure to forceful handgrip work and vibration increased the risk for surgical treatment of RNE.
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| 8. |
- Jackson, Jennie, et al.
(författare)
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Risk factors for surgically treated cervical spondylosis in male construction workers : a 20-year prospective study
- 2022
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Ingår i: The spine journal. - : Elsevier. - 1529-9430 .- 1878-1632. ; 23:1, s. 136-145
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Degenerative changes due to cervical spondylosis (CS) can detrimentally affect work ability and quality of life yet understanding of how physical exposure affects disease progression is limited.PURPOSE: To assess the associations between occupational physical exposures and occurrence of surgically treated cervical spondylosis (ST-CS) and early exit from the labour market via disability pension.STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective register study with 20 year follow-up period.PATIENT SAMPLE: Swedish construction workers participating in a national health surveillance project conducted between 1971-1993.OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgically treated cervical spondylosis (ST-CS) and early labour market exit at a minimum rate of 25% time on disability pension.METHODS: Associations between occupational physical exposures (job exposure matrix) and subsequent ST-CS (National Hospital in-patient register) and early labour market exit via disability pension (Swedish Social Insurance Agency register) were assessed in a cohort of male construction workers (n=237,699).RESULTS: A total of 1381 ST-CS cases were present and a 20-year incidence rate of 35.1 cases per 100,000 person years (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.2-36.9). Increased relative risk (RR) for ST-CS was found for workers exposed to non-neutral (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.15-1.69) and awkward neck postures (1.52, 1.19-1.95), working with the hands above shoulder height (1.30, 1.06-1.60), and high upper extremity loading (1.35, 1.15-1.59). Increased risk was also present for workers who reported frequent neck (3.06, 2.18-4.30) and upper back (3.84, 2.57-5.73) pain in the 12 months prior to survey. Among workers with elevated arm exposure, higher risk was seen in those who also had more frequent neck pain. ST-CS cases took early retirement more often (41.3%) and at a younger age (53 years) than the total study cohort (14.8% and 56 years of age, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to non-neutral neck postures, work with hands above shoulders and high loads born through the upper extremities increased the risk for ST-CS and early retirement due to disability. Decreasing postural and load exposure is salient for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of CS. Neck pain was shown to be a prognostic factor for ST-CS, which stresses the importance of acting early and taking preventative action to reduce workplace exposure, and the need for systematic medical check-ups within primary or occupational care to mitigate disease progression and early labour market exit due to disability.
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| 9. |
- Jackson, Jennie, et al.
(författare)
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Statistical precision of categorical PATH observations of trunk posture
- 2012
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Ingår i: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 41:Suppl. 1, s. 5519-5521
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Field studies assessing biomechanical occupational exposures frequently utilize direct observation. PATH (Postures, Activities, Tools, and Handling) is a tool for systematically observing occupational exposures during non-cyclic or long, irregular-cycle jobs. While PATH has been used in many studies, its statistical performance under different data collection strategies has not yet been investigated. The purpose of the current study was to examine this issue. Methods: Data from labourers performing the four tasks comprising a ‘Jacking Pit Construction’ operation was extracted from a previously collected data set. Using a probability based re-sampling bootstrap approach, categorical trunk posture exposure data was compared across nine simulated data collection strategies. Results/Conclusion: At the operational level, dispersion curves showed consistent trends of increased precision with increased sizes of the data set and curves tended to intersect at the expected value seen in the parent data set. At the task level, curves did not always follow the predicted pattern, highlighting the potential pitfalls of using PATH for infrequent tasks and the striking effect that individual workers can have on group exposure estimates of such tasks.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Mathiassen, Svend Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Statistical performance of observational work sampling for assessment of categorical exposure variables : A simulation approach illustrated using PATH data
- 2014
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Ingår i: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0003-4878 .- 1475-3162. ; 58:3, s. 294-316
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. Observational work sampling is often used in occupational studies to assess categorical biomechanical exposures and occurrence of specific work tasks. The statistical performance of data obtained by work sampling is, however, not well understood, impeding informed measurement strategy design. The purpose of this study was to develop a procedure for assessing the statistical properties of work sampling strategies evaluating categorical exposure variables, and to illustrate the usefulness of this procedure to examine bias and precision of exposure estimates from samples of different sizes.Methods. From a parent data set of observations on 10 construction workers performing a single operation, the probabilities were determined for each worker of performing four component tasks and working in four mutually exclusive trunk posture categories (neutral, mild flexion, severe flexion, twisted). Using these probabilities, 5000 simulated data sets were created via probability-based re-sampling for each of six sampling strategies, ranging from 300 to 4500 observations. For each strategy, mean exposure and exposure variability metrics were calculated at both the operation- and task-levels and, for each of these, bias and precision were assessed across the 5000 simulations.Results. Estimates of exposure variability were substantially more uncertain at all sample sizes than estimates of mean exposures and task proportions. Estimates at small sample sizes were also biased. With only 600 samples, proportions of the different tasks and of working with a neutral trunk posture (the most common) were within 10% of the true target value in at least 80% of all the simulated data sets; rarer exposures required at least 1500 samples. For most task-level mean exposure variables and for all operation- and task-level estimates of exposure variability, performance was low, even with 4500 samples. In general, the precision of mean exposure estimates did not depend on the exposure variability between workers.Conclusions. The suggested probability-based simulation approach proved to be versatile and generally suitable for assessing bias and precision of data collection strategies using work sampling to estimate categorical data. The approach can be used in both real and hypothetical scenarios, in ergonomics as well as in other areas of occupational epidemiology and intervention research. The reported statistical properties associated with sample size are likely widely relevant to studies using work sampling to assess categorical variables.
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| 12. |
- Piedrahita, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Epidemiology approach of cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders
- 2006
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Ingår i: World Congress on Ergonomics. - Amsterdam : Elsevier.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Both physical conditions and psychosocial factors at the workplace are implicated in the origin of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); however, the evidence is stronger for physical conditions. Some epidemiologic studies have shown a relationship between exposure to cold and the development of musculoskeletal disorders, especially for neck and upper extremity. In order to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms between cold-exposed and non-cold exposed workers, a cross-sectional epidemiologic study was performed. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered to all workers in the packing areas (162) in a large meat processing company in Colombia. The workers were divided in two groups: exposed (50 workers) working in very cold areas (+ 2oC), and less exposed (112 workers) working in less severe conditions (+ 9.4oC). The results show a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among cold- exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders (48%, 36% and 24%). The estimated relative risks for neck and low back were 11.2 (95% CI 1.34 - 93.41) and 4.48 (95% CI 1.61 - 12.42), respectively. The authors conclude that these strong associations between cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders are plausible but the mechanisms remain largely obscure and require further research, both experimental and epidemiologic.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Piedrahíta, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Musculoskeletal symptoms in cold exposed and non-cold exposed workers
- 2004
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Ingår i: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-8141 .- 1872-8219. ; 34:4, s. 271-278
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was carried out to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and cold exposure in a large meat processing company in Colombia. All workers in the packing areas (n=162) were recruited: 50 workers from very cold areas (+2°C) and 112 workers from less severely exposed areas (range +8°C to +12°C). Thermal environmental conditions were measured in both areas. By Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, there was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the more exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders. The prevalence ratios for neck and low back symptoms interfering with usual work were 11.2 (95% CI 1.3–93.4) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.6–12.4), respectively. Job features that could not be addressed in this study included work shift (day versus night), adequacy of thermal protective clothing, type of contract with the company and psychosocial conditions at work. The association between cold exposure and musculoskeletal problems is plausible but the mechanism is still obscure and there is a need for further research, both experimental and epidemiologic (preferably cohort studies).
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