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Erja Sormunen, Sanna Pesonen, Pauliina Toivio, Sari Nissinen Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FinlandCorrespondence: Erja Sormunen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 b, Helsinki, 00250, Finland, Tel +358438241344, Email erja.sormunen@ttl.fiBackground: Multiprofessional and client-oriented approaches are considered key factors for successful occupational health services, and for impressive occupational health cooperation between a client organisation and occupational health service provider. The purpose of this study was to find out the views of occupational health physicians, occupational health nurses, occupational physiotherapists, and occupational health psychologists about multiprofessional and client-oriented working methods. These working methods describe the guidelines for good occupational health practice in Finland, also serving the framework of the present study.Material and Methods: The survey was conducted in May and June 2022. The data consisted of answers to open-ended questions of a larger questionnaire. The data was analysed with the method of theory-related thematic analysis. Seven occupational health service providers committed to the study. Altogether 121 professionals responded to the question surveying the multiprofessional approach, and 119 professionals responded to the question of client-oriented approach.Results: The results showed that both the multiprofessional and client-oriented approaches are closely related to each other, and the views of these approaches are in line with the good occupational health practice. Multiprofessional approach was most commonly described with the theme of sharing expertise. Respectively, the theme of smooth cooperation most commonly described the client-oriented approach. At its best, the answers showed that a multiprofessional working strategy takes into account the expertise of different professionals so that the client can be offered high-quality, accurate content and timely occupational health services.Conclusion: The results provide up-to-date information on working strategies of occupational health services in Finland. The results can be used in further development of multiprofessional and client-oriented work in occupational health services.Keywords: occupational health services, multiprofessional work, client-oriented work, qualitative research

The need to enhance information literacy education increases demand for effective Web-based learning environments for information retrieval instruction. The paper introduces the Query Performance Analyser, a unique instructional tool for information retrieval learning environments. On top of an information retrieval system and within a given search assignment, the Query Performance Analyser supports learning by instantly visualizing achieved query performance. Although the Query Performance Analyser is a useful tool in training searching skills, performance feedback is not enough for learners practicing alone in Web-based learning environments. The paper reports the findings of a log analysis on user problems in exercising Boolean and best-match queries. A blueprint of an automated tutoring system for IR instruction is presented.

Altered hippocampal morphology and metabolic pathology, but also hippocampal circuit dysfunction, are established phenomena seen in psychotic disorders. Thus, we tested whether hippocampal subfield volume deficits link with deviations in glucose metabolism commonly seen in early psychosis, and whether the glucose parameters or subfield volumes change during follow-up period using one-year longitudinal study design of 78 first-episode psychosis patients (FEP), 48 clinical high-risk patients (CHR) and 83 controls (CTR). We also tested whether hippocampal morphology and glucose metabolism relate to clinical outcome. Hippocampus subfields were segmented with Freesurfer from 3T MRI images and parameters of glucose metabolism were determined in fasting plasma samples. Hippocampal subfield volumes were consistently lower in FEPs, and findings were more robust in non-affective psychoses, with strongest decreases in CA1, molecular layer and hippocampal tail, and in hippocampal tail of CHRs, compared to CTRs. These morphometric differences remained stable at one-year follow-up. Both non-diabetic CHRs and FEPs had worse glucose parameters compared to CTRs at baseline. We found that, insulin levels and insulin resistance increased during the follow-up period only in CHR, effect being largest in the CHRs converting to psychosis, independent of exposure to antipsychotics. The worsening of insulin resistance was associated with deterioration of function and symptoms in CHR. The smaller volume of hippocampal tail was associated with higher plasma insulin and insulin resistance in FEPs, at the one-year follow-up. Our longitudinal study supports the view that temporospatial hippocampal subfield volume deficits are stable near the onset of first psychosis, being more robust in non-affective psychoses, but less prominent in the CHR group. Specific subfield defects were related to worsening glucose metabolism during the progression of psychosis, suggesting that hippocampus is part of the circuits regulating aberrant glucose metabolism in early psychosis. Worsening of glucose metabolism in CHR group was associated with worse clinical outcome measures indicating a need for heightened clinical attention to metabolic problems already in CHR., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: We investigated (a) whether polygenic risk for schizophrenia predicts different trajectories of social development among those who have not developed psychoses and (b) whether possible associations are PRS SCZ -specific or evident also for any polygenic risk for mental disorders, e.g. for major depression., Methods: Participants came from the population-based Young Finns Study ( n = 2377). We calculated a polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS SCZ ) and for major depression (PRS DEP ). Diagnoses of psychotic disorders were derived from the hospital care register. Social development from adolescence to middle age was measured by (a) perceived social support from friends, family, and a close other, (b) perceived sociability, and (c) family structure (partnership status, number of children, age of first-time parenthood)., Results: Among those without manifest psychoses, high PRS SCZ predicted lower experienced support from friends ( B = -0.04, p = 0.009-0.035) and family ( B = -0.04, p = 0.009-0.035) especially after early adulthood, and also lower perceived sociability ( B = -0.05, p = 0.010-0.026). PRS SCZ was not related to family structure. PRS DEP did not predict any domain of social development., Conclusions: Individuals at high PRS SCZ (not converted to psychosis) seem to experience a lower preference to be with others over being alone. Individuals with high ( v. low) PRS SCZ seem to have a similar family structure in terms of partnership status or number of children but, nevertheless, they experience less support from their family. Among those not converted to psychosis in a typical age period, high PRS SCZ may predict a 'later risk phase' and reduced functional resilience when approaching middle age.

Objective: This study examined the customer experiences of use, perceived usefulness and ease of use of digital occupational health (OH) services., Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an electronic survey was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023. A total of 9871 OH customers responded to the survey. The sample was restricted to respondents who used digital OH services (n = 7275). An analysis of variance was run to test the relationships between respondents' characteristics and the rate of usefulness, and ease of use variables., Results: The most commonly used digital services were appointment booking, access to health information recorded by professionals and prescription renewal, and the digital services provided by physicians and nurses. Respondents expressed quite high satisfaction with the digital services, but not as much with their usefulness and ease of use. Females, individuals under 50 years of age, those with higher education, working in white-collar or managerial positions and possessing proficient information and communication technology (ICT) skills gave the most positive evaluations regarding usefulness and ease of use., Conclusions: There was a certain level of mixed experiences among respondents regarding the usefulness and ease of use of digital OH services. We can also conclude that individuals who possess the necessary ICT skills can more easily take full advantage of the available digital services. When customers are proficient in using digital services, they can confidently interact with professionals. Regardless of the user's age, gender, education or profession, it is crucial for service providers always to strive to improve the usability of digital services., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Background: A great number of case-control and population-based studies have shown that depression patients differ from healthy controls in their temperament traits. We investigated whether polygenic risk for depression predicts trajectories of temperament traits from early adulthood to middle age., Methods: Participants came from the population-based Young Finns Study (n = 2212). The calculation for Polygenic risk for depression (PRS) was based on the most recent genome-wide association study. Temperament traits of Harm Avoidance, Novelty Seeking, Reward Dependence, and Persistence were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory in 1997, 2001, 2007, and 2012 (participants being 24-50-year-olds). As covariates, we used depressive symptoms as assessed by a modified version of the Beck Depression Inventory, psychosocial family environment from parent-filled questionnaires, and socioeconomic factors from adulthood., Results: High PRS predicted higher Persistence from early adulthood to middle age (p = 0.003) when controlling for depressive symptoms, psychosocial family environment, and socioeconomic factors. PRS did not predict trajectories of Novelty Seeking (p = 0.063-0.416 in different models) or Reward Dependence (p = 0.531-0.736). The results remained unaffected when participants with diagnosed affective disorders were excluded. Additionally, we found an interaction between PRS and depressive symptoms when predicting the Harm Avoidance subscale Anticipatory Worry, indicating that the association of Anticipatory Worry with depressive symptoms is stronger in individuals with higher (vs. lower) PRS., Limitations: There was some attrition due to the long follow-up., Conclusions: High polygenic risk for major depression may predict differences in temperament trajectories among those who have not developed any severe affective disorders., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Schizophrenia is often regarded as a disorder of premature aging. We investigated (a) whether polygenic risk for schizophrenia (PRS sch ) relates to pace of epigenetic aging and (b) whether personal dispositions toward active and emotionally close relationships protect against accelerated epigenetic aging in individuals with high PRS sch . The sample came from the population-based Young Finns Study (n = 1348). Epigenetic aging was measured with DNA methylation aging algorithms such as AgeAccel Hannum , EEAA Hannum , IEAA Hannum , IEAA Horvath , AgeAccel Horvath , AgeAccel Pheno , AgeAccel Grim , and DunedinPACE. A PRS sch was calculated using summary statistics from the most comprehensive genome-wide association study of schizophrenia to date. Social dispositions were assessed in terms of extraversion, sociability, reward dependence, cooperativeness, and attachment security. We found that PRS sch did not have a statistically significant effect on any studied indicator of epigenetic aging. Instead, PRS sch had a significant interaction with reward dependence (p = 0.001-0.004), cooperation (p = 0.009-0.020), extraversion (p = 0.019-0.041), sociability (p = 0.003-0.016), and attachment security (p = 0.007-0.014) in predicting AgeAccel Hannum , EEAA Hannum , or IEAA Hannum . Specifically, participants with high PRS sch appeared to display accelerated epigenetic aging at higher (vs. lower) levels of extraversion, sociability, attachment security, reward dependence, and cooperativeness. A rather opposite pattern was evident for those with low PRS sch . No such interactions were evident when predicting the other indicators of epigenetic aging. In conclusion, against our hypothesis, frequent social interactions may relate to accelerated epigenetic aging in individuals at risk for psychosis. We speculate that this may be explained by social-cognitive impairments (perceiving social situations as overwhelming or excessively arousing) or ending up in less supportive or deviant social groups., (© 2023 The Authors. Aging Cell published by Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We investigated whether individuals, who have a high polygenic loading for schizophrenia and major depression (PGL) but have not developed the respective disorders, are still susceptible to experience milder forms of ill-being in terms of job strain or exhaustion. We used the population-based Young Finns Study data (n = 928). PGL was assessed with a cumulative score of the polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia and depression. Participants (24-49-year-olds) evaluated their exhaustion levels and perceived job characteristics over a 10-year follow-up (2001, 2007, 2011). Participants with diagnosed psychotic or affective disorders were excluded. We found that high PGL did not predict less favorable perceptions of job environment (job strain, demands, control, satisfaction, social support at work) but high PGL predicted a higher trajectory of exhaustion in early adulthood and middle age. Additionally, high (vs. low) PGL predicted a stronger increase in exhaustion at increased levels of job strain. These findings remained after controlling for sex, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and cognitive performance. In conclusion, individuals with high PGL may have an elevated liability to experience exhaustion especially in early adulthood and middle age (despite they perceive their job environment similarly than others), and especially and at high levels of job strain., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Childhood adverse effects and traumatic experiences increase the risk for several psychiatric disorders. We now investigated whether prospectively assessed childhood family environment per se contributes to increased risk for psychotic disorders in adulthood, and whether these family patterns are also relevant in the development of affective disorders., Methods: We used the Young Finns Data (n = 3502). Childhood family environment was assessed in 1980/1983 with previously constructed risk scores: (1) disadvantageous emotional family atmosphere (parenting practices, parents' life satisfaction, parents' mental disorder, parents' alcohol intoxication), (2) adverse socioeconomic environment (overcrowded apartment, home income, parent's employment, occupational status, educational level), and (3) stress-prone life events (home movement, school change, parental divorce, death, or hospitalization, and child's hospitalization). Psychiatric diagnoses (ICD-10 classification) over the lifespan were collected up to 2017 from the national registry of hospital care. Non-affective psychotic disorder and affective disorder groups were formed., Results: Frequent stress-prone life events predicted higher likelihood of non-affective psychotic disorders (OR = 2.401, p = 0.001). Adverse socioeconomic environment or emotional family atmosphere did not predict psychotic disorders. Only disadvantageous emotional family atmosphere predicted modestly higher likelihood of affective disorders (OR = 1.583, p = 0.013)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that childhood family environment and atmosphere patterns as such contribute to the risk for developing adulthood mental disorders with relative disorder specificity. The results emphasize the importance of both individual and public health preventive initiatives, including family support interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose In order to support people with low back pain (LBP) to stay at work, work arrangements are regarded important. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace intervention using a participatory approach on work disability of workers with ongoing or recurrent LBP. Methods A total of 107 workers with LBP, with duration of pain for at least two consecutive weeks or recurrent pain of any duration during the last year, were randomized either to the intervention (n = 51) or control group (n = 56). The intervention included arrangements at the workplace, along with individual guidance provided by an occupational physiotherapist (OPT). The randomized intervention study used standard counselling and guidance by an OPT without workplace intervention as a comparison. Surveys were completed at baseline, and 6 and 12 months after baseline. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups on the primary outcome measure, i.e. self-assessed work ability. We found no between-group differences in perceived health, self-assessed work productivity, number of sickness absence days and severity of back pain. However, there were significant positive within-group changes in the intervention group in the intensity of LBP, perceived health and the number of sickness absence days due to LBP. Conclusion Workplace arrangements are feasible using participatory ergonomics, but more quantitative and qualitative research is needed on its utilization and effectiveness among workers with LBP., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism is common in antipsychotic-naive first-episode patients with schizophrenia, but it is unclear whether these changes can already be seen in premorbid or prodromal period, before the first psychotic episode. We examined insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride trajectories in children and adolescents (9-18 years old), who were later diagnosed with schizophrenia, any non-affective psychosis (NAP) or affective disorder (AD). The study population consisted of a general population-based cohort "The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study", started in 1980 (n = 3596). Psychiatric diagnoses were derived from the Health Care Register up to the year 2018. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated no significant differences in insulin or lipid levels in children and adolescents who later developed schizophrenia (n = 41) compared to the cohort control group (n = 3202). In addition, no changes in these parameters were seen in the NAP (n = 74) or AD (n = 156) groups compared to the controls, but lower triglyceride levels in childhood/adolescence associated with earlier diagnosis of psychotic disorder in the NAP group. Taken together, our results do not support any gross-level insulin or lipid changes during childhood and adolescence in individuals with later diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Since changes in glucose and lipid metabolism can be observed in neuroleptic-naive patients with schizophrenia, we hypothesize that the more marked metabolic changes develop during the prodrome closer to the onset of the first psychotic episode. The findings have relevance for studies on developmental hypotheses of schizophrenia., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: According to current research, patient handling is not universally taught in academic nursing programs in Europe. Miscellaneous patient handling education may expose students and novice health care workers to occupational hazards, especially if the evidence-based contents of safe patient handling are not recognized. Health care workers deal with high physical workloads daily, which points out the importance of evidence-based curricula contents from the early phases of education. The aim of this study was to describe the patient handling education and to analyse the differences in curricula among higher education institutions (HEIs) in Europe., Material and Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted in HEIs educating health care professionals in Europe. The data was collected through a Webropol questionnaire consisting of structured and open-ended questions., Results: Only 68.4% of the respondents stated that they have a framework that guides the patient handling education. Additionally, some answers referred to guidelines that are not adequate to be referred to as evidence-based guidelines on patient handling. There is variation in emphasizing workplace safety and risk assessment issues in the curricula, and variation in teaching of assistive aids., Conclusions: Currently the patient handling education in the studied HEIs does not meet the requirements of evidence-based practice. The establishment of a European-wide framework, including both theoretical and practical training for safe patient handling is needed. The inclusion of risk assessment and workplace safety issues is essential to improve the risk management knowledge and skills and further avoid work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(5):615-23., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

A strong genetic background for psychoses is well-established. Most individuals with a high genetic risk for schizophrenia, however, do not develop the disorder. We investigated whether individuals, who have a high genetic risk for schizophrenia but no non-affective psychotic disorders, are predisposed to develop milder forms of deviant thinking in terms of magical thinking. Participants came from the population-based Young Finns Study (n = 1292). The polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS) was calculated on the basis of the most recent genome-wide association study (GWAS). Psychiatric diagnoses over the lifespan were collected up to 2017 from the registry of hospital care. Magical thinking was evaluated with the Spiritual Acceptance Scale (e.g., beliefs in telepathy, miracles, mystical events, or sixth sense) of the Temperament and Character Inventory in 1997, 2001, and 2012 (participants were 20-50-year-olds). We found that, among those who did not develop non-affective psychotic disorders, high PRS predicted higher magical thinking in adulthood (p = 0.001). Further, PRS predicted different developmental courses: a low PRS predicted a steady decrease in magical thinking from age 20 to 50 years, while in individuals with high PRS the decrease in magical thinking ceased in middle age so that their level of magical thinking remained higher than expected for that age. These findings remained when controlling for sex, childhood family environment, and adulthood socioeconomic factors. In conclusion, if high PRS does not lead to a non-affective psychotic disorder, it predicts milder forms of deviant thinking such as elevated magical thinking in adulthood, especially in middle age. The finding enhances our understanding of different outcomes of high genetic psychosis risk., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Occupational health service (OHS) providers and their client organizations are obligated to collaborate in promoting health and work ability. Little is known how this multiprofessional co-operation is implemented in relation to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)., Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the working practices of co-operation among OHS professionals, and between the OHSs and workplaces., Methods: In 2015 a web-based questionnaire was sent to 3900 OHS professionals in Finland. A total of 589 responded: 106 physicians, 322 nurses, 134 physiotherapists and 27 psychologists., Results: The co-operation within OHS personnel was regarded to strengthen the processes to promote work ability of workers with MSD. Despite the positive expectations of co-operation, there is a problem of having enough time to put good ideas into practice. Four main possibilities to develop co-operation were identified: creating proactive working models with defined roles; increasing awareness of importance of early intervention models; implementing the principles of good OH practice; and adopting the knowledge of the latest information to promote work ability., Conclusions: Despite its recognized importance, co-operation both with OHS colleagues and with the workplaces was not always optimal. There is a need for defined roles and common proactive working models between each stakeholder for more effective co-operation.

Background: Underweight in early adulthood increases risk for schizophrenia, but the effect of early childhood underweight on psychosis risk is not well known., Methods: We studied whether underweight or overweight in childhood and adolescence increases risk for non-affective psychosis or other psychiatric disorders in a population-based cohort study 'Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns'. Body mass index (BMI) trajectories were recorded in the years 1980, 1983 and 1986 (in 3-18 years of age), before the first hospitalization due to a psychiatric disorder. BMI was categorized as underweight, normal weight or overweight, using the BMI classification for children and adolescents. We formed DSM-IV based diagnostic groups of non-affective psychosis (n = 69, including a schizophrenia subgroup, n = 41) and affective disorders (i.e. mood and anxiety disorders, n = 112) based on the Care Register for Health Care. Groups were compared with subjects with no psychiatric diagnoses (n = 3310). Sex, age, low birthweight and mother's mental disorders were included in the analyses., Results: Underweight, but not overweight, independently predicted later development of non-affective psychosis. The risk of psychosis was over two-fold (relative risk (RR) [95% CI] 2.31 [1.2-4.4]) and of schizophrenia nearly 2.5-fold (RR 2.44 [1.03-5.8]) after underweight in childhood/adolescence. Underweight or overweight in childhood and adolescence was not associated with mood or anxiety disorders., Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis of non-affective psychosis as a neurodevelopmental disorder with somatic manifestations throughout childhood and adolescence., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a widespread neuromodulatory function in the central nervous system and is involved in important aspects of brain function including brain development, cortical rhythms, plasticity, reward, and stress sensitivity. Many of these effects are mediated via the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) subtype. Animal studies convincingly show an interaction between the ECS and sex hormones, as well as a sex difference of higher brain CB1R in males. Human in vivo studies of sex difference have yielded discrepant findings. Gender differences in CB1R availability were investigated in vivo in 11 male and 11 female healthy volunteers using a specific CB1R tracer [ 18 F]FMPEP-d2 and positron emission tomography (PET). Regional [ 18 F]FMPEP-d2 distribution volume was used as a proxy for CB1R availability. In addition, we explored whether CB1R availability is linked to neuropsychological functioning. Relative to females, CB1R availability was on average 41% higher in males (p = 0.002) with a regionally specific effect larger in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices (p = 0.001). Inter-subject variability in CB1R availability was similar in both groups. Voxel-based analyses revealed an inverse association between CB1R availability and visuospatial working memory task performance in both groups (p < 0.001). A CB1R sex difference with a large effect size was observed and should be considered in the design of CB1R-related studies on neuropsychiatric disorders. The behavioural correlates and clinical significance of this difference remain to be further elucidated, but our studies suggest an association between CB1R availability and working memory., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are associated with high morbidity and mortality in somatic diseases. The risk factors of this excess mortality include, e.g., obesity, dietary factors, and physical inactivity, especially after the onset of psychosis, but there are limited early developmental data on these factors in individuals who later develop psychosis. A population-based cohort study "Cardiovascular Risk of Young Finns" started in 1980 with 3596 children and adolescents from six different age groups (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 years). Cardiovascular health parameters, including questionnaire of physical activity before first hospitalization (≤18 years), were studied in 1980, 1983, and 1986. All psychiatric diagnoses of the participants were derived from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register up to the year 2012. We identified diagnostic groups of non-affective psychosis ( n  = 68, including a schizophrenia subgroup, n  = 41), personality disorders ( n  = 43), affective disorders ( n  = 111), and substance-related disorders ( n  = 49), based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Groups were compared with controls with no psychiatric diagnoses ( n  = 3325). Sex, age, body mass index, birth weight, non-preterm birth, and mother's mental disorders were included in the statistical model. Low physical activity in childhood and adolescence (9-18 years) independently predicted later development of non-affective psychosis. Lower physical activity index (relative risk 1.26 [1.1-1.5]), lower level of common activity during leisure time (relative risk 1.71 [1.2-2.5]), and non-participation in sports competitions (relative risk 2.58 [1.3-5.3]) were associated with a higher risk for later non-affective psychosis (expressed as increase in relative risk per physical activity unit). The findings were even stronger for schizophrenia, but no such link was observed for other diagnoses. The cause of low physical activity in premorbid/prodromal phase is likely to be multifactorial, including deviant motor and cognitive development. The results provide a rationale for including exercise and physical activity interventions as a part of psychosis prevention programs.

Background: Heavy mining vehicle operators at arctic mines have a high risk of discomfort, musculoskeletal disorders and occupational accidents. There is a need for tailored approaches and safety management tools that take into account the specific characteristics of arctic work environments., Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a holistic evaluation tool for heavy mining vehicles and operator well-being in arctic mine environments., Methods: Data collection was based on design science principles and included literature review, expert observations and participatory ergonomic sessions., Results: As a result of this study, a systemic checklist was developed and tested by eight individuals in a 350-employee mining environment., Conclusions: The checklist includes sections for evaluating vehicle specific ergonomic and safety aspects from a technological point of view and for checking if the work has been arranged so that it can be performed safely and fluently from an employee's point of view.

Hand tools should be designed so that they are comfortable to use, fit the hand and are user-oriented. Six different manual, single-channel axial pipettes were evaluated for such objective outcomes as muscular activity, wrist postures and efficiency, as well as for subjective outcomes concerning self-assessed features of pipette usability and musculoskeletal strain. Ten experienced laboratory employees volunteered for the study. The results showed that light and short pipettes with better tool comfort resulted in reduced muscular activity and perceived musculoskeletal strain when they were compared with a long and heavy pipette. There were no differences in the efficiency between the different pipettes. Combining both the objective and subjective measures enabled a broader evaluation of product usability. The results of this study can be used both in product development and as information on which to base the purchase of new pipettes for laboratory work., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.)

Thermal responses and muscular activity in repetitive work were studied in eight women and eight men at 19 degrees C (thermoneutral) and at 4 degrees C (cold). Furthermore, effect of a heating vest was studied at 4 degrees C. Women had lower (p < 0.05) mean skin temperature compared with men at each thermal condition. Muscular activity (microV) was generally higher in women compared with men, being significantly higher in m. deltoideus (p < 0.05). Women had lower (p < 0.01) maximal isometric strength compared with men, which may have influenced the observed higher muscular activity during work in women. However, compared with thermoneutral, working in cold increased (p < 0.05) muscular activity in the forearm and upper arm extensors only in men. The vest did not significantly counteract the increase in muscular activity. In conclusion, sex differences should be considered when evaluating cold protection and work load reduction in repetitive work in cold environments. Present results indicate that in identical work, sex affects thermal responses and muscular activity during repetitive work in conditions comparable with cooled departments in the food-processing industry. Sex differences should be considered when evaluating cold protection and preventive measures for work load reduction.

This questionnaire study evaluates how work ability and musculoskeletal symptoms associate with physical work factors and individual characteristics of the workers in cooled food-processing facilities. A total of 1,117 workers (response rate 85%) responded to the study. Poor work ability was significantly associated with longer work duration, experience of draught at the workplace, absence from work due to health reasons, and physical inactivity during free time. The amount of local cooling experienced was significantly associated with the risk for musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck-shoulder region, shoulders, wrists and lower back. Additionally, female gender, longer work duration and poor work ability were associated with the increased prevalence of the symptoms. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was significantly higher among older employees (40 to 64 yr) than among younger employees (18 to 39 yr) for all regions except wrists. Cold discomfort and unpleasant sensations due to the physical factors of work were significantly more common among females than males. The results showed that, in addition to individual characteristics of workers, factors related to work in a cool environment (experience of draught and cooling and long exposure to cold) are associated with poor work ability and musculoskeletal symptoms.

The present study was designed to find out if cooling and/or clothing affect the vertical trajectories and muscle function of the upper arm during repetitive light work. Twelve female subjects performed a one-handed lifting task for 60 min while standing in front of a table with six target angles (30 degrees to 220 degrees ). The experiment was carried out in a climatic chamber in three different conditions: at 10 degrees C (C), at 25 degrees C (TN), and at 10 degrees C dressed in cold-protective clothing (C(p)). Skin and rectal temperatures were measured continuously. The vertical trajectories of the head, shoulder, elbow, and wrist on the right side of the body were recorded. Muscular strain (averaged EMG, a-EMG) and EMG gaps in eight muscles on the right upper arm were measured. The variation of the vertical trajectory amplitude of the upper arm measured from the elbow was significantly higher (at 200 degrees ) both at C and C(p) (50 and 25% respectively) and in shoulder (at 220 degrees angle) at C (33%) compared with TN (P < 0.05). Both C and C(p) increased a-EMG and reduced the number and duration of EMG gaps significantly in all muscles studied. In conclusion, in repetitive tasks the high mean vertical trajectory and changes in the amplitude of the trajectory of the upper arm at C and C(p) compared with TN were associated with increased muscular strain and reduced number of EMG gaps (more continuous activation of given muscle fibers). The changes in trajectories may serve as indicator of a risk for local muscle fatigue.

Objectives: This study attempted to determine whether repetitive work in the cold affects the number of electromyographic (EMG) gaps and whether cold-induced deterioration in neuromuscular function can be restored by altering work intensity., Methods: During 2 hours of simulated sausage packing, the occurrence of EMG gaps was studied in eight upper-extremity muscles at 19 degrees C and 4 degrees C. The additional effect of continuous, light repetitive work [wrist flexion-extension 10% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), Cwork] and intermittently increased workload (10% or 30% MVC) (Iwork) on forearm muscle EMG gaps, the median frequency of the EMG spectrum, EMG activity, and muscle fatigue (as indicated by changes in the MVC of wrist flexion) at 4 degrees C was studied., Results: During work simulation, the mean skin temperature decreased from 33.3 (SD 0.1) degrees C to 30.6 (SD 0.2) degrees C (P<0.05), and the number of EMG gaps diminished in seven muscles by 1.4-68.2% (P<0.05). During Iwork there were 44% and 37% more EMG gaps in the forearm flexors and extensors, respectively, and the median frequency shifted to higher frequencies (P<0.05) as compared with the situation in Cwork. The average EMG activity of the forearm flexors was 13% lower (P<0.05) during Iwork than during Cwork. Wrist flexion MVC decreased 18% and 15% in Cwork and Iwork, respectively., Conclusions: The cold-induced decrease in the number of EMG gaps and increased muscle strain and fatigue can be, at least partially, restored by intermittently increasing the workload (ie, breaking the monotonous work cycle).