Search

In the contemporary digital age, continued online learning behaviors have become indispensable for fostering employee development. However, the learning and development literature predominantly focuses on traditional instructor‐led approaches. It remains unclear how organizations can shape employees' learning behaviors, particularly in the context of online learning. The current study clarifies this underexplored research area by investigating how organizational investment in employee developmental climate (IEDC) can promote employees' continued online learning behaviors. Drawing on social influence theory and employing a multilevel research design, we find empirical support for our research model, which specifies that IEDC positively affects employees' continued online learning behaviors through the effect of normative pressure. The findings also reveal the moderating role of online learning facilitating conditions. Specifically, in firms characterized by higher levels of online learning facilitating conditions, the positive relationship between IEDC and normative pressure becomes more pronounced when compared to organizations with lower levels of such facilitating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production companies are facing increasing production complexity and demographic change. Therefore, with its decreasing physiological and mental performance prerequisites, the aging workforce is often confronted with overload at the workplace leading to fatigue and work errors in the short term and increasing sick days in the long term. Integrating physiological and mental aspects into existing employee scheduling is one way to maintain employees' health and performance. Incorporating these aspects is often very complex due to the need for multiple disciplines and the lack of supporting methods and tools. Therefore, this paper provides a practical-oriented overview for including physiological and mental aspects in existing employee scheduling. The intercorrelation between workload, individual performance prerequisites and strain, their measurement methods, and standardised alternatives are explained to support industrial practitioners in production management, like planners. A four-step method for integrating physiological and mental aspects in employee scheduling is presented. With the help of this method, the interaction between the ergonomics/human factors departments and production management can be improved, resulting in a more human-oriented employee scheduling. A practical example from manual assembly illustrates the application of the presented approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of employers' attitudes to, knowledge about, and policies relating to employing someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine employers located in Australia from a range of backgrounds and different sized businesses. The interviews were thematically analysed. Results: Three themes were identified: Organisational policies (sub-themes: Recruitment - inherent requirements of the role vs risk mitigation; Recruitment strategies and targets; Disclosure; Accommodations needed or offered); Barriers & facilitators (sub-themes: Lack of knowledge about SCI; Physical accessibility; Workplace culture); Personal attitudes (sub-themes: Personal attitudes don't align with organisational policy; Personal experiences informed understanding). Conclusions: Organisational policies and practices of the employers' organisations, and workplace culture impact the likelihood of someone with a SCI being employed, particularly in relation to recruitment, employment targets, and available accommodations. Individual staff attitudes and knowledge also influence this process. Multi-faceted approaches are needed to increase the employment of people with SCI. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Barriers to employing someone with spinal cord injury (SCI) include lack of knowledge about SCI, and lack of knowledge about workplace laws Organisational policies and practices of organisations impact the likelihood of someone with an SCI being employed Individual staff attitudes influence employment of people with SCI Employers' knowledge about and confidence in employing people with SCI, is an important area to target interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionMethodsResultsConclusionHealth, safety, and well-being training programs provide essential education on anticipating, identifying, and mitigating exposures like infectious diseases. Gaps in infectious diseases awareness and education became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently were exacerbated by mis- and disinformation.Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases training (influenza, hepatitis A and B, and tetanus infections, including COVID-19) was developed, delivered, and evaluated among 1,043 farmworkers, bodega workers, and production management in the Rio Grande Valley using mobile-learning technologies. The Kirkpatrick Four-Level Training Evaluation Model was utilized to evaluate training satisfaction (Level 1), effectiveness (Level 2), and effect on behavior (Level 3).The mean score on the pretest before training was 67.8% (SD 17.5), and the mean score on the same test immediately after the video training was 77.2% (SD 17.9). A paired t-test revealed that knowledge improved significantly from pre- to post-training (p < .05). We observed a difference between mean pre- and post-test scores relative to the pooled standard deviation, resulting in an effect size estimate of 0.53 indicative of a medium learning effect.There is no “silver bullet” for training migrating bodega and farmworkers. Our findings suggest that the utilization of m-learning techniques continues to be a successful mechanism for delivering health, safety, and well-being awareness training content to agricultural workers in remote and challenging work environments. There is a long overdue need for offline capable software with features that allow equitable access to training, even in remote farming regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workplace Age Discrimination Experienced (WADE) can be disorientating and detrimental to well-being. Hence, older employees would like to avoid it, but those who experience it may discriminate against their older peers. WADE may be associated with Age Discrimination of Peers (ADP), and this relationship can be moderated by Occupational Health Literacy (OHL). Aim: This study aimed to assess the association of WADE with ADP and to ascertain whether this relationship is moderated by OHL. Methods: A cross-sectional design based on a research-reporting checklist was adopted. Measures against confounding and common methods bias were utlised to avoid or minimise bias. The participants were 1025 middle-aged and older employees (average age = 58 years) who were permanent residents of Accra, Ghana. Hierarchical Linear Regression (HLR) analysis was utilised to analyse the data. Curve estimation was among the methods used to assess assumptions governing HLR analysis. Results: WADE and OHL were positively associated with ADP, but OHL was negatively associated with WADE in the ultimate models incorporating the covariates. WADE was more positively associated with ADP at moderate and higher OHL, which signified positive moderation of the WADE-ADP relationship by OHL. Conclusion: Older employees who experience higher age discrimination at work are more likely to discriminate against peers. OHL can be associated with lower WADE but higher ADP. Qualitative studies are needed to understand why OHL may be related to higher ADP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-related sense of coherence (Work-SoC) is defined as the perceived comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness of an individual's work situation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure, invariance, reliability, and validity of the Polish version of the Work-SoC Scale. Method: The research was carried out between September and November 2023 in a diverse sample of employees. Factor structure, internal consistency, and measurement equivalence analysis were performed on sample N1 = 622. Criterion validity was checked on sample N2 = 255. Temporal stability was checked on sample N3 = 60 using the test-retest method. Results: A three-factor solution was the best fit for the data, and invariant across sex, age, occupational group, and education. The Work-SoC was strongest in white-collar workers. Strength of Work-SoC was positively related to seniority (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). The reliability of the Work-SoC Scale was high (α = 0.84, ω = 0.84). Work-SoC was positively correlated with general SoC (r = 0.36, p < 0.001) and job satisfaction (r = 0.50, p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with job burnout (r = -0.32, p < 0.001). The temporal stability of the measurement for the overall scale was high (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Polish adaptation of the Work-SoC Scale has an identical structure and is as reliable as the original version. The high criterion validity, measurement stability, and the invariant structure of the scale by sex, age, occupational group, and education suggest that the Work-SoC Scale is a valuable tool for future research on employee health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between coal dust exposure and the occurrence of dyslipidemia in coal mine workers, and identify relevant risk factors. Methods: We selected a population who underwent occupational health examinations at Huainan Yangguang Xinkang Hospital from March 2020 to July 2022. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of dyslipidemia, and their baseline information was collected, including records of coal dust exposure. We employed single-factor analysis to identify risk factors for dyslipidemia and adjusted for confounding factors in the adjusted models. Additionally, we explored the effects in different populations using stratified analysis, smooth curve fitting, and propensity score matching. Finally, we confirmed the causal relationship between coal dust exposure and dyslipidemia by examining tissue sections and lipid-related indicators in a mouse model of coal dust exposure. Results A total of 5,657 workers were included in the study, among whom 924 individuals had dyslipidemia and 4,743 individuals did not have dyslipidemia. The results of the single-factor analysis revealed that dust exposure, age, BMI, blood pressure, and smoking were statistically significant risk factors for dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). Additionally, the three multivariate models, adjusted for different confounders, consistently showed a significant increase in the risk of dyslipidemia associated with coal dust exposure (Model 1: OR, 1.869; Model 2: OR, 1.863; Model 3: OR, 2.033). After conducting stratified analysis, this positive correlation remained significant. Furthermore, propensity score matching analysis revealed that with increasing years of work, the risk of dyslipidemia gradually increased, reaching 50% at 11 years. In the mouse model of coal dust exposure, significant coal dust deposition was observed in the lungs and livers of the mice, accompanied by elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Conclusion Exposure to coal dust significantly increases the risk of developing dyslipidemia, and this positive correlation exists in different populations, particularly with increasing years of work, resulting in a higher risk. Keywords: Dust, occupational health, dyslipidemia, risk factors, cross-sectional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research to date has shown that work-related sitting time can be a major occupational health risk. This understanding has encouraged several workplace health promotion efforts. Even so, some domains of work-related sitting time and their associations with Perceived Workplace Support for Health (PWSH) have not been considered in research. This study aims to compare domains of work-related sitting time between employee characteristics (e.g., gender and age) and assess their associations with PWSH. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional design with a sensitivity analysis against confounding and measures against common methods bias. The study population was employees of private and public firms in Accra, Ghana. In all, 1000 employees participated in the study. The hierarchical linear regression analysis and the independent samples t-test were used to present the results. Results: Employees working in service firms, compared with those working in manufacturing firms, reported longer sitting time for lunchtime. After adjusting for physical function, we found a negative association between PWSH and the sum of continuous sitting time as well as its domains (p < 0.001), except for 'sitting with a desk' (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Work-related sitting time was associated with employee characteristics and was lower at higher PWSH. This study reinforces the importance of workplace support for health and its role in work-related sitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that overall sleep quality among Chinese nurses is relatively low, with a sleep disorder prevalence rate of approximately 66.4%. Against the backdrop of healthcare reforms, China has been striving to improve the mental health and sleep quality of nurses. Stress mindset can influence how individuals respond to stress, but there is limited research on how stress mindset affects nurses' sleep quality. This study aims to explore the impact of stress mindset on sleep quality among nurses, as well as the mediating roles of stress overload and anxiety in this relationship. Methods: The study was conducted online using a questionnaire from February 18 to February 22, 2024. It utilized the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM), the Stress Overload Scale-Short (SOS-S), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to survey 441 nurses in three regions of China: Chongqing, Hunan, and Shandong (M = 34.39, SD = 7.82, 95.7% female). A chain mediation model was employed to examine the mediating roles of stress overload and anxiety in the relationship between stress mindset and sleep quality. Results: The participants' average sleep quality score was 7.18 ± 3.47. Nurses' stress mindset was significantly negatively correlated with both stress overload and anxiety, and significantly positively correlated with sleep quality. Stress overload was significantly positively correlated with anxiety and significantly negatively correlated with sleep quality. Anxiety was also significantly negatively correlated with sleep quality. The direct effect of nurses' stress mindset on sleep quality was significant (effect size = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.01), as were the indirect effects through stress overload (effect size = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.01) and anxiety (effect size = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.13 to -0.05), along with their chain mediation effect (effect size = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.14 to -0.06). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that a higher level of nurses' stress mindset is associated with better sleep quality, with stress overload and anxiety mediating this relationship. A positive stress mindset helps nurses cope more effectively with professional challenges and reduces anxiety, leading to improved sleep quality. Healthcare institutions should therefore prioritize fostering positive stress mindsets in nurses, encouraging regular psychological training and workshops to support the development of effective coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess occupational burnout conditions and work-related factors among frontline medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyse the relationships among these factors utilizing the job demands–resources (JD-R) model as a theoretical framework. Methods: An online survey was distributed to medical staff in one city via convenience sampling during 12/29/2022–1/10/2023. Path analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between work-related factors and occupational burnout among frontline medical staff during the COVID-19 outbreak. Results: Among 474 respondents, 455 frontline medical staff (female=79.56%) were included in the final analysis. Medical staff aged <35 exhibited higher levels of occupational burnout than did older staff. Depression/anxiety and workload were positively correlated with occupational burnout and negatively correlated with self-compassion, workplace health/safety, and workplace support. Path analysis indicated the direct effects of workplace support, depression/anxiety, workplace health/safety, self-compassion, and workload on occupational burnout. There were also partial mediating effects of workplace support, depression/anxiety, workplace health/safety, and self-compassion on occupational burnout. The model demonstrated good fit. Conclusion: Workplace support, a crucial job resource, can improve occupational burnout among frontline medical staff in various ways. Reducing anxiety, depression, and workload and improving workplace support, health/safety, and self-compassion are practical and effective measures for mitigating occupational burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental fatigue is a psychophysiological state that adversely impacts performance in cognitive tasks, increasing risk of occupational hazards. Given its manifestation as a conscious sensation, it is often measured through subjective self-report. However, subjective measures are not always true measurements of objective fatigue. In this study, we investigated the relationship between objective and subjective fatigue measurements with the preventive AccessPoint fatigue assay in Chilean mine workers. Subjective fatigue was measured through the Samn-Perelli scale, objective fatigue through a neurocognitive reaction time task. We found that objective and subjective fatigue do not correlate (−0.03 correlation coefficient, p < 0.001). Moreover, severe fatigue cases often displayed absence of subjective fatigue coupled with worse cognitive performance, a phenomenon we denominated Perceptual Blindness to fatigue. These findings highlight the need for objective fatigue measurements, particularly in high-risk occupational settings such as mining. Our results open new avenues for researching mechanisms underlying fatigue perception and its implications for occupational health and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing from an Italian study conducted in residential care for children and guided by the postulates of the Job Demands and Resources Model, our aims are to investigate residential childcare educators' levels of compassion fatigue and work engagement, and to focus on the individual, work and organisational conditions associated. The survey involved 215 educators who were on duty during the summer of 2023. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, bivariate and non‐parametric analysis. Results concerning compassion fatigue indicate that while burnout globally registers low to medium scores, more than one‐third of the sample fell in the 'high' category for personal burnout, more than one quarter scored high in work burnout and another one quarter have high client burnout scores. One into two suffer from moderate to severe manifestations of secondary traumatic stress, together with relatively high levels of work engagement. Based on individual, work and organisational variables, substantial differences were identified. In the final sections, we discuss job resources and demands and contribute to the development of targeted strategies for preventing compassion fatigue in residential childcare, while addressing strategies for enhancing better well‐being levels for those working in alternative care, impacting children's well‐being as well. Please refer to the Supporting Information section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the results of a study on how to address fatigue experienced by night shift nurses. Topics mentioned include the need to implement a fatigue management program through education, the importance of cultivating a break-taking culture and embracing evidence-based scheduling and an overview of workplace napping in the nonhealthcare and healthcare industries in the U.S. and around the world.

Healthcare organizations worldwide face challenges in retaining their healthcare workforce, with individual and organizational factors influencing their intentions to leave. This study conducted eight online co-creation workshops and four Delphi sessions to gain qualitative and in-depth insights into job retention interventions, involving healthcare workers, hospital managers, and policymakers. A thematic analysis was conducted, resulting in multiple interventions that were clustered in four pre-defined themes: professional and personal support, education, financial incentives, and regulatory measures. Professional and personal support interventions included regular interprofessional team meetings, leadership training programs, self-scheduling and sabbaticals, support for administrative and non-clinical work, and the provision of psychological counselling. Educational interventions encompassed facilitating development opportunities, periodic evaluations, onboarding, mentorship programs, and peer support groups. Financial incentives included the provision of competitive salaries, adequate infrastructure, extra benefits, transport possibilities, and permanent employment contracts. Regulatory measures addressed the need for complementary legislation across various levels, fixed healthcare worker-to-patient ratio, and instruments to monitor workload. To optimize retention strategies, healthcare organizations should tailor these interventions to address the unique factors influencing their workforce's intentions to leave within their specific context. The study concludes that combining personal and professional support, educational opportunities, financial incentives, and regulatory measures is necessary because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) clinicians require specialized electronic health records (EHRs) to address the privacy, data governance, interoperability, and medical surveillance concerns that are specific to occupational health. Methods: The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Section of Health Informatics evaluated clinical workflow concerns, assessed health information requirements, and developed informatics recommendations through iterative consultation with ACOEM members. Results: The ACOEM presents 10 recommendations that specialized occupational EHR systems (OEHRs) should meet to serve the information needs and practice requirements of OEM clinicians. Common challenges in OEM practice and potential informatics solutions are used to illustrate each recommendation. Conclusions: The recommendations serve as a framework for occupational health clinicians to consider in their adoption of OEHRs and provide software engineers a set of requirements to facilitate the development and improvement of OEHRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides insights for health professionals and fire departments seeking to improve well-being, performance, and health of firefighters. The results suggest prioritizing improvements in autonomous motivation and nutritional knowledge, reducing access to unhealthy foods at the fire station and creating a social climate that encourages healthy food behaviors among teammates. Objective: Using a cross-sectional correlational study, the purpose was to quantitatively investigate factors associated to firefighters' food behaviors while on duty at the fire station. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-two (252) firefighters (males, 96%; age, 39 ± 11 years) completed an online questionnaire assessing diet and exploring factors that could be associated to firefighters' food behaviors at the fire station. Results: First regression analysis showed that level of education, years of experience, self-perceived nutrition knowledge, autonomous motivation, and accessibility to unhealthy foods were the best predictors of healthy food score. Second regression analysis revealed that body mass index, autonomous motivation, and meals interrupted by emergency calls were the best predictors of fast-food score. Conclusions: This study highlights the various factors associated with firefighters' food behaviors at the fire station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis, can affect the quality of life and work functionality of patients. A multidisciplinary IBD management, based on clinical strategies and an adequate management of patients' occupational health, is necessary to improve disease outcomes, and support patients' personal, social and professional lives. Background: This study aimed to assess the employment status, quality of life, and work functionality in patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Methods: Patients (N = 216) were enrolled between June 2020 and October 2021. Personal, clinical, and occupational features were investigated. The Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire were administered. Results: Among the enrolled patients, 114 (53%) were employed. The mean absenteeism and presenteeism percentages of 10% and 37% were determined, with 44% and 39% of daily and work activity impairment, respectively. A poor Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was retrieved (47 ± 12). Extraintestinal manifestations, disease activity, and HRQoL were associated with occupational outcomes. Conclusions: IBD can impact patients' work functionality. The association between clinical, psychological, and occupational issues suggests the relevance for a multidisciplinary management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study demonstrates the clinical significance of improving workplace health literacy. By enhancing knowledge and communication about pain prevention and management among employees and supervisors, the intervention led to improvements in workplace health literacy. Maintaining employee health is crucial in an aging population, thereby addressing a key public health concern Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of a workplace health literacy intervention on individual, interpersonal, and organizational health literacy. Method: Using a quasi-experimental stepped wedge cluster design, we evaluated an intervention for 509 nursing home employees with two elements: 1) courses for employees and management on pain prevention, management, and communication and 2) structured dialogues between employees and supervisors, emphasizing pain prevention. Results: One organizational health literacy item improved, with supervisors helping with pain prevention increasing by 0.42 points (95% CI 0.11;0.73). Positive trends were observed in supervisor actions when informed about pain (0.39 points, 95% CI −0.09;0.86), ease of finding workplace pain solutions (0.12 points, 95% CI −0.03;0.79), and employees having pain management information (0.44 points, 95% CI −0.03;0.92). Conclusion: The intervention improved one organizational health literacy item, with positive trends in three other items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the need for the development and testing of a Total Worker Health ® intervention within oncology settings. In focus groups with oncology care teams and occupational medicine physicians, major themes included the desire to better provide employment-related support during treatment, specifically work accommodations and guidance for oncology patients. Objectives: Few Total Worker Health ® studies and fewer interventions examine well-being in the work context of cancer survivorship. We investigated the possibility of occupation and oncology professionals working together to address employed survivors' work-associated needs. Methods: We employed a community-based participatory research approach to examine the educational, contextual, and workflow needs of oncology care team members to inform intervention design. Focus groups were conducted with oncology care team members and occupational medicine physicians. Key themes from each group were then examined. Results: Themes included oncology care team's role in helping patients navigate resources, providing psychosocial support, and educating patients. Major themes for ways to better provide employment-related support during treatment included referring patients to employment experts and providing education on employment support. Conclusions: Occupational health professionals in collaboration with oncology clinics could play an important role in assisting cancer survivors' ability to navigate employment challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These findings indicate that firefighters may enhance air consumption efficiency through training interventions focused on improving body composition the metabolic tolerance to work. Firefighters should also be mindful of excessive and unnecessary load carriage, as increasing gear mass was also associated with poorer air consumption efficiency. Objective: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace, evaluates the relationship between air consumption efficiency (ACE) and work economy, identifies parameters associated with ACE, and explores the relationship between ACE and self-paced work rate. Methods: FF completed randomized trials of an air consumption drill at a standardized pace while breathing through a self-contained breathing apparatus and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace. Results: The average AC variability (±1 standard deviation) was ~3.1 min of cylinder usage (13.7%). AC was positively associated with work economy and numerous physiological and anthropometric outcomes. No relationship was found between ACE and self-paced air consumption drill time. Conclusions: FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the self-contained breathing apparatus' functional duration to enhance productivity and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical workers desire in-house health education, early intervention, and information. Management needs to offer workshops, screenings, and resources to support the codesign of workplace health promotion initiatives. Background: The primary objective of this study was to explore the viewpoints held by employees at a pharmaceutical manufacturing workplace in a middle-income country regarding management's role in promoting health behaviors in the workplace. Methods: This study used transcripts of focus group discussion from an original study that investigated employee perceptions of factors associated with healthy behaviors among South African pharmaceutical manufacturing factory workers. Results: Participants felt that workplace managers could improve capability through health promotion strategies, supportive leadership, and promoting a culture of health. They could provide opportunity through employee engagement programs and resources, and physical activity opportunities were specifically identified. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that managers in a middle-income country have the potential to contribute to workplace health in a range of ways that include addressing capability, opportunity, and motivation of their workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing scientifically validated statistical approaches, our research underscores the significance of safety climate in the healthcare industry, emphasizing how interpersonal trust and locus of control impact organization safety. Findings inspire more informed, scientifically grounded preventative strategies and advocate for a psychologically safe error disclosure culture, prompting advancements in occupational interventions. Objectives: The current study aims to identify individual and joint drivers that significantly influence the safety climate in healthcare industries by using Bayesian network (BN) simulations for an in-depth analysis. Methods: Survey data were collected from 452 employees from two branches of one hospital in China for a study about workplace safety. The original English surveys were translated into Chinese using the back-translation procedure recommended by Brislin. Employees were asked to complete two online surveys with 1 month in between each administration. The sample was 42% doctors and 58% nurses. A BN model, based on theory, was updated and complemented with expert knowledge. A graphical model based on expert knowledge and data-driven machine learning approaches was used to refine the BN structure, representing interrelationships among all studied variables. The BN model was employed to identify the best key drivers and joint strategies for safety climate improvement. Results: The BN model demonstrated a good overall fit. The Euclidean distance metric was used to assess the influence between connected variables, with interpersonal trust and locus of control having the strongest independent effects on safety climate among the five contributing factors. Joint strategies, particularly joint optimization of error disclosure culture and interpersonal trust, as well as error disclosure culture and self-efficacy, were most effective in promoting a safe climate. Conclusions: The findings suggest that hospital safety climate can be improved by providing a psychologically safe error disclosure culture and enhancing interpersonal trust among employees and their self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precarious work is increasingly prevalent in the United States and is associated with adverse health outcomes; however, precarious work and associated working conditions are generally not considered in residency training. Healthcare providers should understand the context and risk factors associated with precarious work to holistically serve worker-patients in clinical settings. Objectives: This cross-sectional survey aimed to examine employment characteristics and their associations with employment precarity in two high socioeconomic hardship Chicago neighborhoods. Methods: We used a community-based participatory approach to develop and administer a survey to residents who perceived their work situations to be precarious. Results: A total of 489 residents were surveyed. Responses were skewed toward the most precarious work situations, with the majority of respondents employed outside of a traditional arrangement. Those in the highest precarity category were most likely to identify as Latinx and born outside of the United States. Unstable, low-quality employment conditions were nearly all significantly associated with highest precarity work situations. Conclusions: Precarious employment is an important predictor of other employment conditions, and characterizing these at a hyperlocal level allows for a nuanced understanding of work as a determinant of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study unveils essential longitudinal findings on occupational burnout (OB) among healthcare workers (HCWs) during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, showing significant OB increases. By identifying social support and sleep quality as key protective factors, it provides strategic insights for enhancing HCW well-being and shaping resilient clinical practices and health policies in postpandemic scenarios. Objectives: To assess occupational burnout (OB) changes among Brazilian healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 onset to 6 months later (T1) and identify risk and protective factors. Methods: Using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and hierarchical multivariate linear regression in a two-stage online survey (initial n = 1054; T1 n = 316), this study examined the impact of various factors on OB. Results: Significant increases in personal and work-related OB were observed by T1. Psychiatric diagnosis and workload emerged as risk factors (P < 0.01), while having a partner, good family relations, workplace well-being, and adequate sleep were protective (P < 0.001). Conclusions: OB levels among Brazilian HCWs increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions should target personal and organizational wellness to alleviate burnout, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships, workplace health, and good sleep practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A negative association between cardiorespiratory fitness and measures of arterial stiffness is demonstrated in this study of 86 industrial workers. Because former results have shown increased pulse wave velocity in shift workers exceeding that of day workers, the present results present implications for shift workers' future macrovascular and microvascular health. Objective: Previously, we have found increased carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) among shift workers compared to day workers in industry, and a decline in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) in all 86 workers. Methods: Utilizing all available measurements in 2018, 2021, and 2022, this study investigated associations between V̇O2max and measures of arterial stiffness. Using a mixed model approach, we analyzed the cross-sectional association between all V̇O2max (outcome) and measures of arterial stiffness (covariates). Results: We observed a significant association between V̇O2max and cfPWV of −1.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], −3.03 to −0.16), and between augmentation pressure (AP) and augmentation index (Aix) of −0.32 (95% CI, −0.58 to −0.06) and −0.12 (95% CI, –0.23 to −0.005), respectively. Conclusions: We found a significant negative association between cardiorespiratory fitness and measures of arterial stiffness. The former and present results pose challenges for shift workers' future macrovascular and microvascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to adapt and validate the Occupational Health Literacy Scale (OHLS) for the Italian workforce, assessing its psychometric properties and ensuring its relevance and applicability within this specific cultural setting. Validation process by observational and descriptive study. Initially, two members of the research team independently translated the original OHLS into Italian. Subsequent comparisons and syntheses of these translations produced a unified Italian document. To ensure translation accuracy, this document was then retranslated back into English. An expert committee with specialized knowledge in occupational safety and health evaluated the retranslations to finalize the Italian version. This version underwent a preliminary test using a pilot group, followed by anonymous administration to a sample of 398 workers. The adaptation of the OHLS into Italian demonstrated outstanding psychometric characteristics. The scale exhibited an excellent model fit and strong internal consistency. Furthermore, the factorial structures were congruent with theoretical expectations, underscoring the scale's robust construct validity. The Italian version of the OHLS has been validated as a reliable and effective instrument for quantifying occupational health literacy among Italian workers. This tool's demonstrated validity and reliability suggest its potential for broader application in promoting occupational health awareness and interventions within Italian-speaking populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondhand smoking may contribute to cognitive decline, but evidence on this subject is limited in the working economically active older adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between cognitive decline and exposure to secondhand smoke at work in economically active adults aged 65 years or above. Cross-sectional study using nationwide data. Data were from the 2022 Korea Community Health Survey. Chi-squared test was used to perform descriptive statistics. The association between cognitive decline and exposure to secondhand smoke at work was analysed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analysis was performed based on to exposure status to secondhand smoke at home and diabetes mellitus. Of a total of 28,197 adults, 8767 (28.5%) individuals reported cognitive decline. Compared to individuals without exposure to passive smoking at work, those with such exposure were more likely to report cognitive decline (odds ratio: 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–1.47). This association was particularly strong in individuals with exposure to passive smoking at both work and home and in those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Exposure to secondhand smoking at work is associated with a higher likelihood of cognitive decline in older-aged economically active individuals. The findings infer the importance of monitoring passive smoking and implementing public health measures to reduce workplace secondhand smoke exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies the health of the worker as a third source of labour power indeterminacy to be added to the indeterminacy of labour effort and the indeterminacy of labour mobility. The paper clearly differentiates worker health from effort as a distinct source of labour power indeterminacy—something that cannot be guaranteed and that varies for an individual over time. It considers the relationship between worker health as a new source of indeterminacy and the two extant sources of labour power indeterminacy, focussing on the way in which health moderates the relationship between effort and output. The paper also considers the way in which worker health investment moderates the indeterminacy of labour effort and labour mobility, independently of its impact on the health of the worker. The paper documents the potential value of worker health investment to the organisation and also considers the boundary conditions for investment in worker health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical Scenario: Police, fire, emergency medical services, and military personnel encompass a tactical population practice setting in athletic training. Due to occupational demands within this demographic, these patients experience musculoskeletal or career-altering injuries at an alarming rate. A main contributor to the incidence of musculoskeletal injury is a lack of functional movement. Clinical Question: What parameters of corrective exercise programming improve tactical participants' functional movement scores on the Functional Movement Screen? Summary of Key Findings: Three studies met the inclusion criteria set forth by the authors. Two studies used an 8-week regimented corrective exercise program while one study used a 4-week corrective exercise program. Two of three corrective exercise programs utilized progressions. All corrective exercise programs noted statistically significant improvements in Pre- and Post-functional Movement Screen scores. Clinical Bottom Line: Functional movement is essential to effective occupational interventions in tactical medicine; therefore, corrective exercise programs should be regimented for a minimum of 4 weeks, 3 days a week to show improvement in functional movement. Available evidence to answer this clinical question met a 2B minimum. Collective findings to answer this clinical question align with letter B strength of recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A considerable literature places the emergence of occupational health discourses and institutions in the second half of the nineteenth century. This article uses the records of the Chatham Chest, a pension fund for maritime workers that existed from 1590 to 1803, as well as the records of the Sick and Hurt Boards and the Seamen's Registry for the Greenwich Hospital, to argue for the existence of an early modern system of occupational health. Over two centuries, these institutions collected contributions and paid out pensions and healthcare costs to and from tens of thousands of workers on hundreds of ships and in dozens of hospitals, prisons and shipyards. They used customary estimates of the costs of avoiding poverty to price the loss of body parts and other injuries, and created systems of inspection and registration that grew increasingly stringent through episodes of post-war austerity. Managing occupational injury and death focused on poverty alleviation and subsistence, through a discursive field based on concepts of custom, deservedness and service rather than prices, income replacement and risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical specialists experience significant musculoskeletal strain as a consequence of their profession, a domain within the healthcare system often recognized for the pronounced impact of such issues. The aim of this study is to calculate the risk of presenting musculoskeletal injuries in surgeons after surgical practice. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out using an online form (12/2021–03/2022) aimed at members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. Demographic variables on physical and professional activity were recorded, as well as musculoskeletal pain (MSP) associated with surgical activity. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify risk factors associated with the development of MSP based on personalized surgical activity. To achieve this, a risk algorithm was computed and an online machine learning calculator was created to predict them. Physiotherapeutic recommendations were generated to address and alleviate each MSP. Results: A total of 651 surgeons (112 trainees, 539 specialists). 90.6% reported MSP related to surgical practice, 60% needed any therapeutic measure and 11.7% required a medical leave. In the long term, MSP was most common in the cervical and lumbar regions (52.4, 58.5%, respectively). Statistically significant risk factors (OR CI 95%) were for trunk pain, long interventions without breaks (3.02, 1.65–5.54). Obesity, indicated by BMI, to lumbar pain (4.36, 1.84–12.1), while an inappropriate laparoscopic screen location was associated with cervical and trunk pain (1.95, 1.28–2.98 and 2.16, 1.37–3.44, respectively). A predictive model and an online calculator were developed to assess MSP risk. Furthermore, a need for enhanced ergonomics training was identified by 89.6% of surgeons. Conclusions: The prevalence of MSP among surgeons is a prevalent but often overlooked health concern. Implementing a risk calculator could enable tailored prevention strategies, addressing modifiable factors like ergonomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are front line responders to the COVID-19 pandemic, but limited data is available for pediatric HCWs, as the research response has largely focused on adult patients and medical personnel that treat these patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and risk factors in HCWs at a Children's Hospital in CO, USA from September 2020 to April 2021. Pediatric HCWs were defined as clinical care providers and administrative staff. Seroprevalence was determined using the Epitope SARS-CoV-2 anti-Nucleocapsid IgG assay (San Diego, CA) and the Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 anti-Spike Protein IgG assay. Risk factors and vaccination status were assessed via questionnaire. Results: Overall, 110 HCWs were enrolled, 79 subjects were positive for anti-S antibodies and negative for anti-N antibodies, indicating COVID-19 vaccination. 31 subjects had neither anti-N or anti-S antibodies, indicating no exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and no vaccination. 3/110 had a nucleocapsid serology consistent with a SARS-CoV-2 prior infection. Seroprevalence was observed at 2.7%. It was noted that asthma requiring medication was associated with positive serostatus. Conclusions: During the winter 2020/21, SARS-CoV-2, we found a 2.7% seroprevalence of pediatric HCW at a children's hospital in Colorado. We compared this with publicly available seroprevalence data for seroprevalence rates of pediatric HCWs globally. This suggests that this specific children's hospital COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control guidelines were effective in limiting SARS-CoV-2 in hospital transmission at the children's hospital prior to the presence of the Delta variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring work ability and facilitating the reintegration of post-COVID patients into the workforce. The impact of rehabilitation on work ability and return to work (RTW) of post-COVID patients remains poorly understood. This study was conducted to assess the work ability and RTW of post-COVID patients before rehabilitation and 12 months after rehabilitation and to identify physical and neuropsychological health factors influencing RTW 12 months after rehabilitation. Methods: This longitudinal observational study included 114 post-COVID patients with work-related SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent inpatient post-COVID rehabilitation with indicative focus on pulmonology and/or psychotraumatology (interval between date of SARS-CoV-2 infection and start of rehabilitation: M = 412.90 days). Employment status, work ability, and the subjective prognosis of employment (SPE) scale were assessed before rehabilitation (T1) and 12 months after rehabilitation (T4). The predictors analysed at T4 were functional exercise capacity, physical activity, subjective physical and mental health status, fatigue, depression, and cognitive function. Longitudinal analyses were performed via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Logistic and linear regression analyses identified predictors of work ability and return to work (RTW), whereas mediation analyses examined the relationships between these predictors and work ability. Results: At T4, the median of WAI total score indicated poor work ability, which significantly worsened over time (p < 0.001; r = 0.484). The SPE scale significantly increased from T1 to T4 (p = 0.022, r = -0.216). A total of 48.6% of patients had returned to work 12 months after rehabilitation. Fatigue was identified as the main predictor of reduced work ability and RTW, with each unit increase in fatigue severity decreasing the odds of RTW by 3.1%. In addition, physical capacity and subjective health status were significant predictors of perceived work ability. Conclusions: The findings highlight the significant challenges that post-COVID patients face in regaining work ability and achieving successful RTW 12 months after rehabilitation. Fatigue appears to be an important predictor of work ability and RTW. To optimize recovery and enhance both biopsychosocial health and work ability, it is crucial to develop and implement personalised interventions that address fatigue, improve physical capacity, and support mental health. Trial registration: This study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register under DRKS00022928. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underpinned by health belief model and service recovery theory, this paper investigates the role of workplace health measures (WHMs) in hotel activity recovery (i.e. service recovery performance and financial performance). This paper also explores the mediation roles of perceived self-efficacy (PSE), perceived well-being (PWB), and internal service quality (ISQ). Multilevel data was collected from 766 respondents at the individual level and 532 respondents at the organizational level in Egyptian five-star hotels. WarpPLS findings show that WHMs significantly affect PSE and PWB. Moreover, PSE, PWB, and ISQ were partially mediated. Lastly, this paper's theoretical and practical implications in the hotel context are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The risk for mpox virus (MPXV) transmission in most workplaces has not been thoroughly assessed in the context of the 2022 global mpox outbreak. Our objectives were to describe mpox case patients who worked while infectious and the subsequent workplace contact tracing efforts, risk assessments, and outcomes. Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested information from health departments in the United States in September 2022 to identify people with confirmed or probable mpox who worked outside the home while infectious, either before or after diagnosis, from June 1 through August 31, 2022. We collected and summarized data on demographic, clinical, and workplace characteristics of case patients and workplace contact investigations. We stratified data by industry and occupation categories. Results: In total, 102 case patients were reported by 6 jurisdictions. The most common industries were accommodation and food services (19.8%) and professional business, management, and technical services (17.0%). Contact investigations identified 178 total contacts; 54 cases (52.9%) had no contacts identified. Of 178 contacts, 54 (30.3%) were recommended to receive postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and 18 (10.1%) received PEP. None of the contacts developed a rash or were tested for orthopox or mpox, and none were reported to have confirmed or probable mpox. Conclusion: Data from 6 jurisdictions suggest that the risk of MPXV transmission from workers to others in workplace settings in many industries is low. These findings might support future updates to exposure risk classifications and work activity recommendations for patients. These findings also demonstrate the importance of collecting and analyzing occupation and industry data in case reports to better understand risks in workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many prehospital emergency patients receive suboptimal treatment for their moderate to severe pain. Various factors may contribute. We aim to systematically review literature pertaining to prehospital emergency adult patients with acute pain and the pain‐reducing effects, adverse events (AEs), and safety issues associated with inhaled analgetic agents compared with other prehospital analgesic agents. Methods: As part of an initiative from the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, we conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42018114399), applying the PRISMA guidelines, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), and Cochrane methods, searching the Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, PubMed, and EMBASE databases (updated March 2024). Inclusion criteria were the use of inhaled analgesic agents in adult patients with acute pain in the prehospital emergency care setting. All steps were performed by minimum of two individual researchers. The primary outcome was pain reduction; secondary outcomes were speed of onset, duration of effect, and relevant AEs. Results: We included seven studies (56,535 patients in total) that compared inhaled agents (methoxyflurane [MF] and nitrous oxide [N2O]) to other drugs or placebo. Study designs were randomized controlled trial (1; n = 60), randomized non‐blinded study (1; n = 343), and randomized open‐label study (1; n = 270). The remaining were prospective or retrospective observational studies. The evidence according to GRADE was of low or very low quality. No combined meta‐analysis was possible. N2O may reduce pain compared to placebo, but not compared to intravenous (IV) paracetamol, and may be less effective compared to morphine and MF. MF may reduce pain compared to paracetamol, ketoprofen, tramadol, and fentanyl. Both agents may be associated with marked but primarily mild AEs. Conclusion: We found low‐quality evidence suggesting that both MF and N2O are safe and may have a role in the management of pain in the prehospital setting. There is low‐quality evidence to support MF as a short‐acting single analgesic or as a bridge to IV access and the administration of other analgesics. There may be occupational health issues regarding the prehospital use of N2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on employment outcomes of autistic adults mainly assessed if they work and under what terms, with mostly anecdotal descriptions of where they work. This study aimed to identify the employment sector distribution of autistic employees compared to the general workforce in the Netherlands and to explore possible background predictors. Participants were 1115 employed autistic adults (476 male; 627 female; 12 other; mean age: 40.75) who completed a cross-sectional survey assessing employment sector, gender, age, age at diagnosis, educational level, degree of autistic traits, and presence of focused interests. Dutch workforce data were retrieved from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Results indicated significant differences in sector distribution across the two populations. Autistic adults were over-represented in the sectors healthcare & welfare, information technology, and public–army–charity, which were the three most-common sectors for this group. In economics & finances, and industry & construction, higher proportions were found in the general workforce. Most autistic employees in the healthcare & welfare sector were females while having a higher educational degree and being male predicted placement in information technology. The broad distribution of autistic employees beyond the information technology sector was notable, supporting the need for an individual approach to employment integration. Studies on employment of autistic individuals mainly assessed if they work and what their working conditions are (e.g. weekly hours, salary) while less is known about where they work. We explore this issue in our study, by examining which employment sectors do autistic adults work in, and comparing them to the general workforce in the Netherlands. We also explored the possibility that gender, age, age at diagnosis, level of education, degree of autistic traits and presence of focused interests could lead to a higher likelihood of working in specific sectors. We assessed data from a survey filled in by 1115 employed autistic adults (476 male; 627 female; 12 other; mean age: 40.75). Dutch workforce information was based on data form the Central Bureau of Statistics. Results showed that a higher proportion of autistic employees worked in healthcare & welfare, information technology, and the public–army–charity sectors. These were the three most-common sectors for this group. A lower proportion of autistic employees worked in economics & finances, and industry & construction, compared to the general workforce. Most autistic employees in the healthcare & welfare sector were females while having a higher educational degree and being male increased the chance of working in information technology. In addition to the common impression that most autistic individuals have interests or abilities that align with employment in information technology and technology sectors, we found that autistic employees worked in various sectors. It is important to address individual characteristics and needs of autistic individuals, while encouraging diverse employment opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Quantify disparities and identify correlates and predictors of 'wellness' supplement use among nurses during the first year of the pandemic. Design: Longitudinal secondary analysis of Nurses' Health Studies 2 and 3 and Growing Up Today Study data. Methods: Sample included 36,518 total participants, 12,044 of which were nurses, who completed surveys during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic (April 2020 to April 2021). Analyses were conducted in March 2023. Modified Poisson models were used to estimate disparities in 'wellness' supplement use between nurses and non‐healthcare workers and, among nurses only, to quantify associations with workplace‐related predictors (occupational discrimination, PPE access, workplace setting) and psychosocial predictors (depression/anxiety, county‐level COVID‐19 mortality). Models included race/ethnicity, gender identity, age and cohort as covariates. Results: Nurses were significantly more likely to use all types of supplements than non‐healthcare workers. Lacking personal protective equipment and experiencing occupational discrimination were significantly associated with new immune supplement use. Depression increased the risk of using weight loss, energy and immune supplements. Conclusion: Nurses' disproportionate use of 'wellness' supplements during the COVID‐19 pandemic may be related to workplace and psychosocial stressors. Given well‐documented risks of harm from the use of 'wellness' supplements, the use of these products by nurses is of concern. Impact: 'Wellness' supplements promoting weight loss, increased energy, boosted immunity and cleansing of organs are omnipresent in today's health‐focused culture, though their use has been associated with harm. This is of added concern among nurses given their risk of COVID‐19 infection at work. Our study highlighted the risk factors associated with use of these products (lacking PPE and experiencing occupational discrimination). Findings support prior research suggesting a need for greater public health policy and education around the use of 'wellness' supplements. Reporting Method: STROBE guidelines were followed throughout manuscript. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution was involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports of burnout and poor mental health are at all-time highs among working U.S. adults. Simultaneously, failure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is among the top characteristics of an unhealthy work culture and has contributed to high rates of employee attrition. Though many organizations across multiple sectors have made pledges to prioritize employee health and invest in DEI in recent years, few have explicitly addressed these two issues as interconnected. The link between the workplace as a determinant of mental and physical health is well-established. Several studies demonstrate that experiencing discrimination in the workplace is associated with detrimental physical and mental health outcomes. Additionally, the way work is structured directly and indirectly contributes to employee health inequities. In this commentary, we make the connection between employee health and organizational DEI and propose guiding principles to synchronize DEI and employee health initiatives in the workplace. These include: investing in DEI as a cornerstone for developing a healthy workforce for all; recognizing differences in employee experiences, needs, and their connection to health; prioritizing systemic approaches to promote employee health and organizational DEI. Embedding employee health and DEI efforts into broader organizational strategy is a crucial step towards fostering equitable practices that promote inclusive work environments and positive employee well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative real-time instrumentation system that integrates Raman spectroscopy and Spark Emission Spectroscopy (SES) for the quantitative analysis of molecular structures and metal components in airborne particles. The study employs a nozzle-impact-based aerosol micro concentrator to enrich airborne particles for analysis. Experimental evaluations were conducted using laboratory-configured aerosols containing Cr2O3, Ni2O3, ZrO2, CuO mixed with SiO2, substances of significant concern in occupational health, notably in mining, metallurgy, and chemical industries. Results show a high linear correlation, with an R2 value exceeding 0.937, between spectral peaks and analyte mass. The concentration limit of detection (LOD) for SiO2, Zr, Cu, Cr, and Ni during a 10 min sampling period, with a flow rate of 2 L/min, were found to be 14.0, 64.6, 80.1, 13.8, and 5.5 μg/m3, allowing for precise quantification of the aerosol components. The plasma density and temperature were characterized for various samples with different deposition masses. The findings suggest that the developed system has the potential to provide real-time and accurate measurements of hazardous aerosol components, making it a useful tool for occupational health and environmental monitoring. Copyright © 2024 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zentralblatt fuer Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Fatherhood is a significant transition in a man's life, introducing new challenges. Yet men's experiences of this period remain poorly understood. Occupational therapists possess skills and knowledge to support individuals during transition. This study explored the experiences of men during the transition to fatherhood over the first postnatal year. Method: Underpinned by an occupational therapy theoretical perspective, a systematic review was conducted. Following searches of databases: AMED, CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO, qualitative studies meeting selection criteria were retrieved and quality assessed. Data was extracted and synthesised using an established meta-ethnographic approach. Findings: Seven articles were included in the review. Four interconnected themes: (1) A New Occupational Identity, (2) Relationship Changes, (3) Challenges and Impact, (4) Unmet Occupational Needs, and four subthemes: Roles and Responsibilities, and Adjusting Priorities (theme 1); An Emotional Journey and Exhaustion (theme 3) were identified. Discussion: Fathers' postnatal transitional experiences were reflective of a journey of adjustment and growth. Experiences indicated the requirement for greater support of fathers throughout the antenatal and postnatal transition. Occupational therapists have the skills to work with fathers to balance occupations, manage fatigue and adjust to new roles. Further research should focus on understanding experiences of men in under-represented groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of workplace violence (WPV) in home health care and long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and explore the relationship between WPV and worker well-being. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with health care workers in an agency that provided care in homes or LTCFs. Six measures of worker well-being were collected: satisfaction with work and life, work-related rumination, work/family conflict, burnout, and turnover intention. Surveys also assessed type and frequency of WPV. Results: Seventeen participants completed surveys. Verbal abuse by patients was the most often experienced type of WPV. Employees who reported experiencing WPV had higher burnout and lower satisfaction with work and life. Conclusion: WPV routinely occurs in home health care and LTCFs and appears to be related to worker well-being. Facility managers who can control WPV will likely impact the well-being of employees. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(11), 44–52.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Classism, sexism, racism, and nativism intersect to create inequitable conditions and health outcomes based on workers' social identities. This study describes the health status, work conditions, and nonwork conditions of the United States (U.S.) working‐classed at the intersections of class, sex, racial, and nativity identities. Methods: Descriptive statistics (e.g., frequencies, percentages) were calculated from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey data for the total working classed sample (N = 11,884) and 16 intersectional groupings. General and psychosocial health status, work factors, and access to resources outside of work were examined. Results: Intersectional analysis revealed divisions in work and nonwork conditions despite the majority of each grouping reporting very good/excellent health. The majority of the female Latine born‐outside‐U.S. grouping (60%) reported not having paid sick leave. The majority of the male Latine born‐outside‐U.S. grouping reported having neither paid sick leave (62%) nor health insurance (55%). The majority of the female Latine (53%), male Latine (60%), and male Black (55%) born‐outside‐U.S. groupings reported workplaces as less safe. The majority of the female Latine born‐outside‐U.S. grouping (53%) was the only grouping to report being moderately/very worried about being able to afford housing costs. Conclusion: The health status and precarity of work and nonwork conditions of the U.S. working classed may be shaped by intersecting systems of power across class, sex, racial, and nativity identities. Intersectional analysis increases our purview to see who is most affected, how, and where, which can inform future opportunities to mitigate worker health inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Research characterizing work‐related injuries and illnesses (WRII) has predominantly focused on inpatients and deaths, despite evidence that 4% of WRII are admitted as inpatients and deaths are less than 0.2% of acute WRII. Our aim is to determine the usefulness of incorporating emergency department (ED) hospital data into current occupational health surveillance systems. Methods: Data on ED and admitted WRII treated in Illinois hospitals from 2017 to 2021 were analyzed. Demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, procedures undertaken, and unique patient estimates are described. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to evaluate predictors of treatment in the ED and multivariable median regression models determined associations of total hospital charges. Results: Between 2017 and 2021 there were 488,033 hospital presentations (95.9% nonadmissions) for WRII in Illinois, equating to a crude annual population rate of 1502.1/100,000. Non‐Hispanic Whites (NHW) were disproportionately treated for illnesses, while Hispanic or Latino workers were disproportionately treated for injuries. African‐Americans had the highest rate of ED emergent presentations (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.3, ref = NHW) and were less likely to be admitted for emergent presentations (IRR = 0.7, ref = NHW). ED presentations were more likely to be female, present with an injury, and at a rural, versus urban, hospital. Radiological investigations compromised the majority of procedures for nonadmitted patients (n = 403,317), and 94.8% were coded for a body region Conclusion: Between 2017 and 2021 in Illinois, there were nearly 500,000 hospital visits charged to workers' compensation totaling over US$ four billion. ED data provide additional insights into work‐related chronic conditions, health disparities, and the usage of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for WRII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information on worker occupation and industry is critical to understanding the occupational risks of heat‐related illness (HRI), yet few syndromic surveillance systems capture these key data elements. This study evaluates the work data reported through Washington syndromic surveillance for its utility in characterizing HRI ED visits by industry and occupation. Methods: Standard industry and occupation codes were assigned to employer name and occupation descriptions reported in Washington ED visit records maintained within the state's syndromic surveillance system, for visits involving HRI in 2020–2022. HRI ED visits involving workplace heat exposure were identified based on discharge diagnoses or on keywords in the triage note or chief complaint fields. HRI ED visits were summarized by patient characteristics, and visit rates were calculated by industry and occupation. Results: Employer name or occupation descriptions were reported in 21.5% of HRI ED records among patients age 16 and older, and in 41.2% of records with mention of heat exposure at work. Twice as many records were classified for industry as for occupation. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting and transportation and warehousing had the highest rates of HRI ED visits. Specific industries with the highest rates included support activities for agriculture and forestry, the postal service, and fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing. Conclusion: Syndromic surveillance data are a valuable source of occupational health surveillance information when work characteristics are reported, enhancing our understanding of the occupational risks of injuries and illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses experience high job demands, which makes recovery particularly necessary to maintain well-being and performance. However, these demands also make recovery challenging. Short mindfulness meditations could potentially help alleviate this paradox. Methods: Two ecological momentary intervention studies were conducted among geriatric nurses (Study 1: break study) and hospital nurses (Study 2: after-work study) to investigate whether short audio-guided mindfulness meditations are beneficial for recovery during breaks and psychological detachment after work. Furthermore, break recovery and after-work detachment were examined as mediators of the associations between mindfulness meditations and after-break/after-sleep mood and attention after respective recovery periods. Multilevel path models were based on a sample of 38 nurses and 208 after-break surveys in the break study and 26 nurses and 192 after-sleep surveys in the after-work study. Results: Compared to breaks spent as usual, breaks that incorporated short mindfulness meditations were associated with higher break recovery, which mediated the positive associations between mindful breaks and after-break calmness, valence, and energetic arousal. Only with certain constraints did mindfulness meditations predict a lower rate of attention failures. In the after-work study, short mindfulness meditations were positively related to psychological detachment, which mediated the positive associations between the intervention and after-sleep valence and calmness. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Both pilot studies showed that short mindfulness meditations aid in recovery among nurses. However, to fully utilize the advantages of recovery-promoting breaks, structural changes are necessary to ensure that breaks of an appropriate duration are consistently implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The training of farmers in pesticide safety is of prime importance for reducing pesticide use and exposure through the implementation of sustainable management practices. This study aimed to assess the impact of compulsory training on the knowledge and perceptions of cereal farmers, with the help of a safety climate scale. Method : We approached cereal farmers throughout France during compulsory training and certification procedures for pesticide-related activities. Trainees were asked to complete a safety climate questionnaire at the start and end of the course. In total, 733 cereal farm managers or workers completed the questionnaire at the start of the study, 131 of whom declined to complete the questionnaire at the end of the training session, leaving 602 subjects available for pre-training/post-training comparisons. Statistical analyses were based on paired t -tests and mixed models for repeated measures. Findings : The mean safety climate score increased from 82.37 to 88.22 after the training course (7.1 %, p <.001) in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Mean increases were also found for each of its seven dimensions (p <.001), ranging from 2.8% for "rules and best practices" to 12.4% for "communication and feedback." Few covariate-by-time interactions were found to be significant. Conclusion/Application to Practice : This study demonstrates that pesticide training is highly effective in increasing safety climate perception among cereal farmers and provides hints for improving the design of educational programs. Promoting the development and facilitation of lifelong learning with continuously updated training programs should be a top priority for minimizing pesticide exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]