Support is needed for the well-being of nurses and first responders in external crises. We aimed to synthesize the evidence between workload management strategies and well-being of nurses, paramedics, and firefighters during external crises in an umbrella review. The data sources OVID Medline, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched between 1.1.2013−20.6.2023. Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of the publications and conducted the data extraction and narrative synthesis. The search identified 1,073 references on nurses and 182 on paramedics and firefighters. Of the 62 full texts, 16 systematic reviews on nurses were included, and of the 13 full texts on paramedics and firefighters, two systematic reviews were included, making a total of 18 systematic reviews. The quality of the publications was predominantly good (83%). Both employee and work-directed strategies were beneficial in supporting employee well-being during external crises. Proactive practical skills training and psychological interventions were found as the most promising employee-directed strategies. The corresponding work-directed strategies were effective communication, providing useful information and adequate working conditions, supportive leadership, and peer support. To support well-being of nurses and first responders during external crises, workload management strategies need to be proactively planned in workplaces.

Fatigue is a longstanding issue in air traffic control (ATC), closely associated with shift work and time-related factors. However, the dynamics of fatigue across morning, evening, and night shifts in an area control center (ACC) remain largely underexplored. This study examined sleep duration and fatigue progression across different shift types. Both objective (three-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Task, PVT-B) and subjective (Stanford Sleepiness Scale, SSS) measures were conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of each shift. Results indicated that pre-shift sleep duration was shortest before night shifts, likely increasing sleep pressure and reducing alertness during the window of circadian low (WOCL). Subjective fatigue remained stable throughout morning shifts but increased towards the end of evening shifts, reflecting circadian influences. Night shifts exhibited peak fatigue during the WOCL, driven primarily by circadian rhythms rather than task load. Objective measures revealed a mid-shift decline in performance, with only partial recovery in the latter half of night shifts. Compared to day shifts, night shifts resulted in significantly higher fatigue levels, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythms in fatigue dynamics. These findings highlight the need for targeted fatigue mitigation strategies that address circadian vulnerabilities and irregular sleep patterns in ATC shift systems.

This study investigates how household income levels and satisfaction with income impact the relationship between long working hours and self-rated health (SRH) among Korean workers. We analysed data from the Korean Labour & Income Panel Study spanning 2018 to 2022, including 8,954 to 10,079 wage workers annually. Weekly working hours and SRH were the primary variables, with equivalized household income levels classified into quartiles. A generalised estimating equation was used to assess the relationship between long working hours and poor SRH, adjusted for demographic and health-related factors. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on household income level and satisfaction. Long working hours were generally associated with poor SRH (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.10–1.54) in unadjusted model, particularly among higher-income groups (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.05–2.01 for Q4) after adjustment for covariates. However, no significant association was found for lower-income groups. When stratified by income satisfaction, longer working hours were significantly associated with poor SRH only in income-satisfied individuals among higher-income group. The health effects of long working hours may differ according to household income levels and satisfaction. Policy interventions should consider both work hour reductions and income adequacy to improve worker health.

Over 10,000 Japanese people are estimated to die annually from overwork. Yet, the reasons why some employees in certain cultures persist in exploitative work environments remain unclear. This study investigates psychosocial factors that prevent exploited employees from leaving their organisations, with a specific emphasis on the role of collectivism. We hypothesise that perceptions of an overwork climate and elevated levels of workaholism contribute to employees’ feelings of exploitation, subsequently increasing turnover intentions. Additionally, we predict that collectivism exacerbates the effect of overwork climate on workaholism and weakens employees’ intentions to leave their exploitative work environment. Data from 147 Japanese employees were collected via online surveys using snowball sampling. Factor score path analysis and mediation tests (5,000 bootstrap samples) were employed to test our hypotheses. Results suggested that feelings of exploitation are positively linked to turnover intentions, which are driven by the perception of an overwork climate and employees’ compulsive orientation towards work. Importantly, collectivism weakened the link between perceived exploitation and turnover intentions. This study provides an account of the complex interplay between organisational climate, culture, and the impact of feeling exploited on employees’ intentions to quit, highlighting the potential adverse effects of collectivism on employees.

Few studies have addressed the relationship between sleep and employment in Japan. We use four waves of the Japan Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR) to address the relationship between weekday sleep duration, self-reported sleep quality and four self-reported indicators of sleep quality and employment status (model 1, full sample), working hours and job satisfaction (model 2, working sample) among individuals aged 50 and over (N=7,082). We apply mixed effects models for the linear outcome of sleep duration and cumulative link mixed models for the sleep quality variables, controlling for socio-demographic and health characteristics. In model 1, our findings show that, compared to full-time employees, all categories of workers and non-workers report longer sleep hours. Some sub-groups, such as contract workers, report higher odds of waking up at night or in the early morning, and taking a longer time to fall asleep. In model 2, we find a positive association between working time and sleep hours but including job satisfaction in the model absorbs such a relationship, indicating the job satisfaction somehow reflects working time. Poor job satisfaction is linked to higher odds of experiencing difficulties in four of the five sleep quality measures.

This study investigated the association between work stress and sleep disturbance among Korean workers, focusing on the mediating effects of somatic and cognitive pre-sleep arousal symptoms. Data were derived from the “Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSHS)”, involving 4,393 participants. Work stress was assessed using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, and sleep disturbances were measured using the Insomnia Severity Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale was utilized for assessing pre-sleep arousal status. For statistical analyses, the chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, and mediation analysis were used. Mediation analysis revealed that somatic pre-sleep arousal predominantly mediated the relationship between hazardous physical environments and insomnia symptoms (52.5%), while cognitive pre-sleep arousal was the primary mediator for high job demands (48.0%), organizational injustice (48.6%), and job insecurity (46.6%). These findings suggest that somatic and cognitive pre-sleep arousal serve distinct mediating roles in the relationship between specific types of work stress and sleep disturbances.

In 2002, Daikin Industries’ Yodogawa Plant (DIYP) in Settsu City in Japan had contaminated drinking water in Hanshin area with (PFOA), leading to the complete cessation of PFOA production in 2012. In 2023, local residents conducted a voluntary Blood Monitoring Campaign with 1,182 general residents. Blood monitoring was also conducted for former or current workers from DIYP and farming residents in Settsu City. Serum PFOA concentrations determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry [number: ng/ml: median (25th–75th percentile)] were as follows: former and current workers [N=7: 192.6 (23.3–596.6)] >farming residents [N=5: 70.2 (50.4–98.8)] >general residents [N=1182: 5.0 (3.3–7.0)] with significant differences (Kruskal–Wallis test, p<0.001). In a study, 4 out of 5 farming residents showed a serum PFOA decline (half-life: 2.2 yr, 95% CI: 1.4–4.6) after stopping local agricultural product consumption. However, 3 former workers exhibited no decrease over 0.8–0.9 yr. An investigation found that 5 of the 7 subjects were likely exposed to dust from the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene or handling its particulate matters, with 3 showing Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) signs. This suggests PFOA-laden dust may delay excretion and contribute to ILD, though the mechanistic link remains unclear, requiring further research.

This study explores the safety culture among chemical laboratory workers in Sri Lanka’s academic, industrial, and government sectors, examining how attitudes, practices, and perceptions influence safety practices, mitigate risks, and promote worker well-being. A cross-sectional survey of 267 laboratory workers was conducted between March 14 and July 14, 2024, using the Laboratory Safety Culture Survey. Data analysis involved t-tests, ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc tests, and chi-square tests to evaluate differences in safety culture components and participant characteristics. The findings revealed significant variations in safety attitudes and practices across the three sectors. Industrial laboratories exhibited stronger safety practices, including higher compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols, while academic and government sectors faced challenges due to limited resources and inconsistent safety practices. The study highlighted the need for sector-specific safety training, effective risk communication, and enhanced adherence to safety protocols, particularly in academic and government settings. Additionally, the importance of leadership in fostering a strong safety culture was emphasized, with active involvement from principal investigators and supervisors contributing to better safety outcomes. The results suggest that tailored interventions, adequate resource allocation, and increased leadership engagement are crucial for improving safety practices and sustaining a culture of safety across laboratories.

This study aimed to investigate the circumstances, characteristics, and background factors of mental disorders within the education and learning-support services, which is known for the frequent occurrence of mental disorders from overwork and poor psychosocial work environment. The study analyzed 119 cases of mental disorders and suicides in the education and learning-support services from fiscal years 2010 to 2019 on the database constructed by the Japan Research Center for Overwork-Related Disorders. The results exhibit that of 119 cases, 56 cases (47.1%) involved male employees while 63 cases (52.9%) involved female employees. From fiscal years 2010 to 2019, there were 43 cases of psychological stress related to work among males and 55 among females. The issue of “interpersonal relationship” was significantly higher in the education and learning-support services than in other industrial workers. Within the category of “interpersonal relationship” the specific issue of being “(severely) harassed, bullied, or assaulted” was especially prevalent (10 cases for males and 15 cases for females). Moreover, male employees reported many instances of suicide attempts, and their first attempt tended to lead to a completed suicide. Therefore, it is important to promote measures against harassment, bullying, and suicide in education and learning-support services.