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Objectives. Although some studies have shown role stressors can lead to unsafe behaviors, it is unclear how role stressors induce delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. We found that delivery riders suffered from tremendous role stressors during the delivery process and had to conduct frequent smartphone interactions. This study aimed to explore the effects of role stressors and smartphone interactions on delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. Methods. First, a questionnaire survey (N = 326) was used to collect data, and correlation and regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between role stressors, smartphone interaction frequency and delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. Second, a scenario survey (N = 35) was conducted, and comparative analysis was used to further explore how smartphone interactions affect delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. Results. The questionnaire survey revealed that role stressors, smartphone interaction frequency and delivery riders' unsafe behaviors were positively correlated. In addition, the role stressors forced delivery riders to conduct necessary and unnecessary smartphone interactions. The scenario survey found that smartphone interactions reduced delivery riders' motion speed and motion ability, and increased their psychology, so they had a risk-taking mentality, which led to an increase in unsafe behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the usability and user experience challenges of ARROWS, a novel augmented reality (AR) and wearable technology (WT) safety system for roadway work zones, an area with limited existing usability research. We utilized a mixed-method approach with two complementary experiments in indoor and outdoor settings, using the Wizard of Oz methodology and a high-fidelity prototype. We focused on identifying usability challenges, factors contributing to user experience and the distinct needs of highway workers, documenting results using the system usability scale (SUS), the rating scale mental effort (RSME) and a trust score. Participants rated the usability of ARROWS above average in both settings, while making a reasonable level of mental effort. The findings also indicate a significant correlation between perceived trust and usability, highlighting the importance of trust in user experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related diseases (WRDs) and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WR-MSDs), as well as investigate WR-MSD-associated risk factors, among metal industry workers in Turkey. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 1374 members of the Birleşik Metal İş Union from 121 companies. Data were collected using a self-administered 30-item questionnaire. Results. The survey response rate was 81.4% (1374/1686). Almost one out of every six workers (14.8%) stated that they had been diagnosed with a WRD, 3.6% reported that they had been diagnosed with an occupational disease and 38.6% of them indicated that they had suffered an occupational accident (OA) at least once. The prevalence of WR-MSDs was 10.7%, of work-related lung diseases was 1.8% and of occupational hearing loss was 0.6%. Quitting smoking, smoking, OA, heavy lifting, time pressure and working in the automotive industry were all associated with WR-MSDs. Conclusions. Interventions aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) should focus on smoking cessation, training workers in proper techniques and equipment for lifting and pushing/pulling heavy loads, preventing OAs and injuries, and reducing the time pressure in the workplace in the metal industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence raises important social and ethical concerns, especially about accountability, autonomy, dignity, and justice. We focus on the specific concerns arising from how the emerging autonomous vehicle (AV) technology will affect professional drivers. We posit that we must engage with stakeholders to understand the implications of a technology that will affect the stakeholders' lives, livelihoods, or wellbeing. We conducted nine in-depth interviews with professional drivers, with at least two years of driving experience, to understand the ethical and societal challenges from the drivers' perspective during the predicted widespread implementation of AVs. Safety was the most commonly discussed issue, which was mentioned by all drivers (17 times by truck drivers and 18 times by Uber/Lyft drivers). We find that although drivers agree that AVs will significantly impact future transportation systems, they are apprehensive about the prospects of reskilling for other jobs and want their employers to be straightforward in how the introduction of AVs will affect them. Additionally, drivers dismiss the suggestions that driving jobs are unsatisfying and potentially unhealthy and thus should be eliminated. These findings should be considered seriously in decision-making about questions of socioeconomic justice, and could be useful to policymakers as they shape relevant regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hematotoxic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic responses following lead exposure among battery workers. Methods. Seventy-eight battery workers exposed to lead and 78 non-exposed subjects were studied. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess kidney and liver function and hematological parameters. To determine the breathing zone and blood lead levels (BLLs), the samples were analyzed in accordance with NIOSH methods 7082 and 8003, respectively. Results. The battery workers had significantly higher breathing zone lead and BLLs than the non-exposed group. In battery workers, most hematological parameters, including red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, have significantly decreased. In contrast, the white blood cell count has shown a significant increase as compared to the controls. The mean levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as biomarkers of liver damage and the creatinine serum levels as a result of renal failure were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. Conclusions. These observations indicate that occupational exposure to lead exceeding its current threshold limit value and biological exposure index is associated with hematological symptoms and liver and kidney dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined contemporary concentrations of asbestos dust during production and the health conditions of workers at asbestos-cement corrugated sheet production manufacturers in Vietnam. A nationwide survey was conducted on 28 factories (with 206 air samples) and 2459 workers. Asbestos fiber dust and the health status of workers were assessed. Results showed that 108/206 (52.4%) samples had asbestos fiber dust. The average concentration of asbestos fibers was 0.19 ± 0.14 fibers/ml. The percentage of workers with thickened pleural lesions/pleural calcification nodules was low. More studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of biomarkers in preventing the onset of lung cancer and mesothelioma in workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects on the health of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant accident clean-up workers have been reported previously. However, there is a lack of studies on the mental health of Chornobyl clean-up workers. The current study explored psychological distress in a sample of Lithuanian clean-up workers 35 years after the accident. In total, 107 Lithuanian Chornobyl clean-up workers (Mage = 62.5) and 107 controls were included in the study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was used for the assessment of anxiety and depression. The depression symptoms were significantly higher in the clean-up workers compared to the control group. The prevalence of severe depression symptoms was 23.4% and 4.7% in the Chornobyl clean-up workers and control groups, respectively. The risk for severe depression was associated with Chornobyl clean-up work (adjusted OR = 5.9). No differences in the anxiety symptoms were found between clean-up workers and controls. The study revealed the deteriorated mental health of the Lithuanian Chornobyl clean-up workers 35 years after the disaster – in particular, high levels of depression. Psychosocial support programmes for clean-up workers should be provided to mitigate the adverse effects of the disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]