Firefighters risk heat strain during occupational tasks when exposed to extremely hot environmental conditions and performing high-intensity work. Relevant training scenarios are therefore essential. This study investigated the effect of a single simulated smoke dive and the following recovery phase on physiological and perceptual responses. Nineteen professional male firefighters (43 ± 8 yr) performed a 2-min stair walk and a15-min simulated smoke dive in a two-floor heat chamber (110 °C to 272°C) (HEAT), followed by a 5-min stair walk outside the heat chamber. Heart rate (HR), gastrointestinal temperature (T_gi) and skin temperatures were registered continuously during the test. The T_gi increased significantly from the start (37.5 ± 0.3°C) to the end of HEAT (38.4 ± 0.4°C) and further increased after the heat exposure (39.6 ± 0.5°C).The HR also increased significantly from the start (92 ± 14 bpm) to the end of HEAT (185 ± 13 bpm) and increased after the heat exposure to a maximum of 190 ± 13 bpm. The simulated smoke dive induced high physiological strain on the firefighters, and the increase in T_gi and HR after the hot exposure must be considered during live fire events when repeated smoke dives are required.

抄録全体を表示

Occupational exposure to manganese (Mn) primarily occurs through the inhalation of manganese-containing fumes and dust, with welding environments being significant sources of such exposure. Elevated levels of Mn in welding fumes can lead to a neurological syndrome known as manganism. A 28-yr-old male welder with 14 yr of experience, is presenting with complaints of forgetfulness, reasoning disorder, and decreased mental functions persisting for 10 yr. Three months ago, when he started working at the new workplace, he underwent employment screening conducted by the workplace physician. During this screening process, the physician identified a high whole blood Mn level of 25.9 µg/l. The diagnosis of manganism in this patient was established based on exposure to Mn and its compounds, high levels of Mn detected in the whole blood, hyperactive patellar reflexes observed during the physical examination, cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings consistent with manganism and complaints reported by the patient that are characteristic of manganism. In this report, the aim is to emphasize the significance of taking a comprehensive occupational history and to draw attention the potential health hazards associated with Mn and its compounds.

抄録全体を表示

This cross-sectional study investigate the association between long working hours, short sleep duration, and mental health among Japanese physicians. We enrolled 232 Japanese physicians. We used the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire to assess high-stress status, and the Japanese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale to assess depressive status. Daily sleep duration (DSD) and weekly working hours (WWHs) were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of the combined categories of DSD and WWHs with high-stress and depressive status. Compared to physicians with WWHs <80 h and DSD ≥6 h, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of high-stress status for those with WWHs ≥80 and DSD ≥6, WWHs <80 and DSD <6, and WWHs ≥80 and DSD <6 were 2.76 (0.97–7.87), 3.36 (1.53–7.40), and 3.92 (1.52–10.14), respectively. The respective ORs (CIs) of depressive status were 1.82 (0.42–7.81), 4.03 (1.41–11.53), and 4.69 (1.33–16.62). The results showed that regardless of working long hours or not, physicians with DSD <6 h had significantly higher stress and depressive status, suggesting that not only regulating long working hours but also ensuring adequate sleep duration is important for preventing physicians’ mental health.

抄録全体を表示

While loneliness and social isolation in the workplace affect the mental health and job performance of employees, the effects of loneliness without distress and solitude (i.e., chosen isolation) on these outcomes are unclear. The cross-sectional association was examined by using online survey of full-time employees in Japan (n=846). The results showed that the “loneliness with distress” group had significantly higher psychological distress and lower job performance than the other groups. Work engagement was lower both in the “loneliness with distress” and “loneliness without distress” groups, compared to the “non-loneliness” group. The “unchosen isolation” and the “solitude” groups had poorer scores of psychological distress, work engagement, and work performance, compared to the “non-isolation” group. The preliminary findings showed that loneliness without distress and solitude were associated with poor levels of mental health and job performance and should become a target of mental health promotion interventions in the workplace.

抄録全体を表示

With the global nurse shortage, identifying nurse work environments that allow nurses to continue working is a common concern worldwide. This study examined whether a better nurse work environment (1) is associated with reducing nurses’ psychological distress; (2) reduces nurse resignations; (3) weakens the influence of psychological distress on their resignation through interaction effect; and (4) whether psychological distress increases nurse turnover. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed using data obtained in 2014 from 2,123 staff nurses from a prospective longitudinal survey project of Japanese hospitals. The nurse work environment was measured by the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) consisting of five subscales and a composite, and psychological distress by K6. All the PES-NWI subscales and composite (ORs 0.679-0.834) were related to K6, significantly. Regarding nurse turnover, K6 had a consistent effect (ORs 1.834-1.937), and only subscale 2 of the PES-NWI had a direct effect (OR 0.754), but there was no effect due to the interaction term. That is, (1) and (4) were validated, (2) was partly validated, but (3) was not. As better work environment reduces K6 and a lower K6 decreases nurses’ resignation, high-level hospital managers need to continue improving the nurse work environment.

抄録全体を表示

Assigning a value for metabolic rate is central to heat stress assessment. ISO 8996 describes a predictive method for walking based on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) method and another generalized method based on average heart rate. In addition, the US Army uses the load carriage decision aid (LCDA) predictive equation to estimate metabolic rate. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy/bias and precision of the ISO heart rate method and the ACSM and LCDA equations. The laboratory database included metabolic rate, heart rate, treadmill speed, and grade during a progressive heat stress protocol. Treadmill speed and grade were set to represent one of three metabolic rates. Accuracy and precision were assessed with Bland-Altman plots. All three methods had good accuracy (low bias). For precision, the ISO heart rate method had a root mean square error (RMSE) of 34 W and 11% when adjusted for repeated measures. The RMSE for two equations was 20 W and 7%. Although the heart method had less accuracy, its application is more generalizable. The heart rate method should be used below the occupational exposure limit to avoid a bias toward higher predicted values due to heat strain.

抄録全体を表示

The study tested a brief intervention to stimulate and help supervisors reduce work-related interruptions among their employees, both at work and during leisure time. The core of the short-term intervention was a workplace analysis of work-related interruptions, which was fed back to supervisors in combination with a work redesign stimulation explaining why and how to reduce interruptions. Two intervention sessions, as one-on-one physical meetings, that lasted 1.5 h each and were 2 wk apart. The sample consisted of 20 managers and 89 employees. The non-experimental repeated measurement design comprised three questionnaire measurements of the 89 employees (two pre-measurements and one post-measurement). Repeated measure hierarchical linear models showed that the intervention significantly predicted reduced interruptions during work and work-related interruptions of leisure time. Although the intervention effect sizes were small, the current work design intervention with supervisors as mediating actors can reasonably contribute to occupational health prevention.

抄録全体を表示

Librarians at a university had planned to check the collection prior to the library renovations that began in 2015. They had previous knowledge of the presence of a light greyish-white powder with an unpleasant odour (hereinafter referred to as ‘powder’) sprinkled between the pages of antiquarian books in the library archive. The purpose of this study was to identify this powder with the help of experts from both inside and outside the university. The powder was qualitatively analysed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry after hexane extraction. The powder was examined under a polarised light microscope and a field-emission scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Benzene hexachloride (BHC) was detected in the powder. Talc was the most abundant particle in the powder. The powder also contained 0.52 wt% asbestos, which belonged to the tremolite–actinolite series. No other types of asbestos were detected. The powder was presumed to be a bulking agent for BHC, and its major constituent was talc. This is the first report on asbestos-containing insecticides.

抄録全体を表示

We investigated the relationship between shift work and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among participants in the Japan Nurses’ Health Study (JNHS). Responses of 9,728 female nurses to the 6th follow-up questionnaire were cross-sectionally analyzed. EDS was defined as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥11. EDS-associated factors were evaluated using Poisson regression analysis after adjustment for multiple confounders. Of the participants (mean age, 52.2 ± 8.0 yr), 28.7% were engaged in shift work, and the overall prevalence of EDS was 24.6%. EDS-associated factors were investigated separately in women aged <40 yr (n=250), 40–59 yr (n=7,467), and ≥60 yr (n=2,011). Current engagement in shift work (prevalence ratio: 1.92 [95% confidence interval: 1.20–3.06], compared with no experience of shift work) and obesity (2.08 [1.11–3.88] for BMI ≥30 and 1.39 [1.02–1.90] for BMI of 25.0–30.0, compared with BMI of 18.5–25.0) showed an independent association with EDS in women aged ≥60 yr. The effect of shift work on EDS in female nurses differed by age, as shift work and obesity contributed to EDS only in older participants. Shift work should be assigned after full consideration of age, sleep, and health status to minimize medical errors.

抄録全体を表示

抄録全体を表示

This study conducted an interview-based stress evaluation that considered the psychosocial models of work stress and verified the evaluation’s predictive validity. A four-stage assessment comprising a pre-survey, pre-interview questionnaire, stress assessment interview, and post-survey after one month was conducted with 50 Japanese workers. Additionally, 16 occupational health professionals provided stress evaluations based on recorded interview videos. Variables based on intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed in multiple ways to compare the agreement among the evaluators. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was conducted to evaluate the prediction models. The overall ICC among the evaluators was 0.58. The GEE revealed that the mean score of the evaluators in the interview-based stress evaluation significantly predicted psychological symptoms (β=2.02, p=0.019), burnout (β=0.77, p<0.001), and well-being (β=–0.64, p=0.007) one month later, even after adjusting for the self-reported stress levels measured in the pre-survey. The predictive validity of the proposed interview-based stress evaluation was confirmed. Although there are several challenges in standardizing this evaluation, semi-structured interviews are an effective tool for understanding work stress.

抄録全体を表示

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between different types of physical activity (PA) and occupational psychological and physical stress responses among workers in Japan. Stress responses were assessed using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Work-related PA (time spent sitting, sitting bouts, standing, walking, engaging in heavy labor, and moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) and exercise-based PA (frequencies [times/wk] of flexibility and muscle-strengthening activity, and walking) were measured using a questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was performed to examine the association between each type of PA and stress responses. Participants who engaged in >108 min/d of work-related MVPA exhibited a statistically significant association with higher psychological stress responses when compared to those who engaged in 0–42 min/d of work-related MVPA. For exercise-based PA, participants who engaged in flexibility activity or walking five or more times/wk, or muscle-strengthening activity one to three times/wk, demonstrated significantly lower psychological stress responses compared to those who did not exercise. Participants who engaged in flexibility activity five or more times/wok demonstrated significantly lower physical stress responses compared to those who did not exercise. This study suggests that work-related MVPA is associated with higher psychological stress responses, while exercise-based PA is associated with lower psychological or physical stress responses.

抄録全体を表示

Mine industry workers (n=515) from various locations in Australia completed a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of symptoms associated with heat-related illness and water consumption habits during a summer season. Participants read from a pre-defined list and noted any heat-related symptoms that they had experienced. The most prevalent symptoms experienced were fatigue, headache, sweating, and dark coloured urine, with 77% of respondents reporting at least one symptom. Workers with shorter employment durations had higher rates of reporting multiple symptoms (rates ratios: 1.40–1.72). The most prevalent water consumption amounts over an 11–12 h shift were 2–4 L by 37.3% of total respondents, followed by 1–2 L by 36.5% of respondents. Employers should inform workers about the severe implications of heat-related illnesses, implement regular water breaks, and educate personnel about the importance of water intake. Providing employees with self-check methods of hydration status is recommended to increase awareness of their hydration status.

抄録全体を表示

Laughter is associated with better health and occurs most frequently during casual conversations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impaired social interactions, which may have reduced the frequency of laughter and led to poor well-being among workers. This study investigated the relationship between laughter frequency and work engagement among Japanese employees during the pandemic. We conducted a web-based survey among Japanese employees (20–59 years) via an internet survey company in December 2021; 1,058 valid data were analysed. Of the respondents, 65.1% laughed at least once a week, but the frequency was much lower than that reported in previous studies conducted before the pandemic. Additionally, those who laughed at least once a week had significantly higher work engagement scores than those who laughed less than once a month. Although employees reduced their frequency of laughter during the pandemic, a certain frequency of laughter may be important for maintaining their work engagement.

抄録全体を表示

This study aimed to develop and test the psychometric properties of a Thai-language version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). The 17-item version of UWES was translated into Thai and a survey was conducted with 507 registered nurses at a public regional hospital in Thailand. Results showed that the alpha and omega total coefficients for the vigor, dedication, and absorption subscales were acceptable. Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) indicated that the three-factor model performed the best for both versions of UWES-17-TH and UWES-9-TH. Both versions correlated positively with job resources and negatively with cognitive, emotional, and physical job demands, and with emotional exhaustion and physical symptoms. They were found to have acceptable reliability and validity and can be used to study work engagement in Thai contexts. For practical reasons, UWES-9-TH might be preferred since it is shorter than the full version. Further studies should include different occupational groups and more male participants.

抄録全体を表示

Supportive measures for employees raising children may have increased workloads on other nurses, causing psychological stress. This study aimed to clarify the differences in working conditions and psychological status among female Japanese nurses based on child-rearing attributes. We used data from 1,600 female nurses at 10 Japanese hospitals collected by the study of the Work Environment for Hospital Nurses in Japan conducted in 2016. The variables included work conditions (number of night shifts per month, daily overtime, number of paid holidays per year, and social support received), psychological status (sense of coherence, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement), and sociodemographic characteristics. An analysis of covariance was performed on the differences between the three groups (without children, with preschool-age children, and with children of other ages groups). The group without children had a relatively higher workload (p<0.01) and lower social support (p<0.01 and p<0.05). Additionally, they had higher emotional exhaustion and lower work engagement (p<0.01). This study confirmed the uneven distribution of work environment by work-life balance measures.

抄録全体を表示

Given the recognized carcinogenicity of cadmium, several regulatory interventions have been carried out over the years to protect exposed workers. The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence and extent of exposure to cadmium among Italian workers. Data was collected from a nation-wide occupational exposure registry (SIREP, 1996–2022). Gender-specific statistical analysis was carried out for some exposure-related variables (cadmium compound, activity sector, occupational group, firm size). Potentially exposed workers were estimated for some industrial sectors. Concurrent exposures were investigated using cluster analysis. Overall 4,264 measurements were analyzed. Four industrial sectors were found to be most involved by cadmium exposure: base metal manufacturing, fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment, and other transport equipment (55% of measurements). Jewellery/precious-metal workers, and glass/ceramic plant operators were found to be most at exposure risk. A total of 26,470 workers potentially exposed was estimated (69% men). Concurrent exposures to other occupational carcinogens were detected quite frequently (52% of workers). Several situations of exposure and co-exposure to cadmium deserve attention and awareness in order to minimize the risks associated with workers’ health. Recognition of potentially hazardous exposure conditions is an important step in prevention strategies to better protect workers against cancer-causing agents.

抄録全体を表示

Healthcare services provided by registered dietitians and dietitians have been changing because of evolving lifestyles and population dynamics, leading to subsequent changes in the occupational status and experiences of these professionals. However, few studies have examined occupational stress among registered dietitians and dietitians. This study involved a cross-sectional survey to investigate the status and associated factors of work engagement among registered dietitians and dietitians, whose professions differ based on licensing processes and scope of work. A total of 3,593 questionnaires were distributed, 1,890 responses were received, and 1,654 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Work engagement was measured using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between work engagement and each factor. The work engagement scores of dietitians were significantly lower than those of registered dietitians. Further, work engagement was associated with age, workplace, coworker support, and effort-reward ratio for both registered dietitians and dietitians. However, exercise habit was a significant factor associated with work engagement only among dietitians. Work engagement among registered dietitians was comparable to that of typical Japanese workers, whereas it was lower among dietitians. The findings highlight the importance of considering associated factors to improve work engagement further, especially among dietitians.

抄録全体を表示

The introduction and implementation of chemical risk assessment is difficult, especially at small and medium-sized manufacturing and construction companies. This study aimed to identify the factors that inhibit or facilitate such assessment. Twelve individuals in charge of risk assessment at one medium-sized client company and eight small and medium-sized contract companies and responsible for innovation in the manufacturing and construction industries were interviewed. The interview transcripts were analyzed via text mining using KH Corder ver. 3 and a co-occurrence network was used to identify the keywords’ connections and each factor in consideration of the interviews. Six factors inhibited or facilitated risk assessment: (1) education on hazardous work in the workplace, (2) improvement suggestions and reduction measures from client and staff, (3) cooperation between employees and contractors in the workplace, (4) thoroughly explanation of SDS content for better understanding, (5) risk awareness based on accident examples, and (6) difficulties imagining the hazards of chemical substances. Factors (1), (2), (3), and (5) were positive, facilitating factors; (4) and (6) were negative, inhibiting factors. This study highlights that it is necessary to educate workers about chemical substance risks using safety data sheets and accident examples in chemical risk assessment.

抄録全体を表示

This report focuses on the occupational health risks associated with the use of artificial stones containing high levels of crystalline silica in the production of kitchen countertops. It presents the case of a 43-yr-old man who developed severe silicosis due to his occupation involving cutting and polishing quartz stone raw materials. A retrospective analysis of the patient’s medical records and occupational history was conducted. The diagnosis of severe silicosis, moderate restrictive lung disease, and bilateral pneumothorax was based on clinical manifestations, pulmonary function test, radiological findings, and histological reports. The patient underwent lung transplantation, and his pulmonary function improved post-surgery. The study highlights the significant health risks associated with procedures involving artificial stones and emphasizes the importance of awareness and protective measures for employees and workers. Clinicians should be cautious when diagnosing respiratory symptoms in patients with a history of occupational exposure to artificial stones containing high levels of crystalline silica.

抄録全体を表示

Potential insomnia in healthcare workers is a public health concern as it may degrade the quality of patient care. We examined the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in healthcare workers and their perceived need for a sleep intervention. Participants were 62 nurses working full-time at a U.S. hospital. These nurses were asked about background characteristics, perceived stress, sleep concerns, and need for a sleep intervention. They also participated in 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and actigraphy sleep study. A qualitative analysis showed that the majority (92%) of participants reported at least one sleep concern with insomnia-related concerns being most prevalent (68%). Quantitative analyses indicated that those with insomnia-related concerns had higher perceived stress overall and lower EMA sleep sufficiency and sleep quality. Moreover, participants with insomnia concerns had shorter actigraphy-measured nap duration prior to non-workdays than those without. Nearly all (95%) expressed interest in participating in a sleep intervention; an online format and mindfulness contents were most preferred. Our results suggest a high prevalence of insomnia symptoms and a high interest in a sleep intervention in nurses. Information obtained from this study could be used to deliver a tailored sleep intervention for nurses whose role in public health is essential.

抄録全体を表示

RETRACTION The following article withdrrawn due to the request of the authors on December 17,2016.

抄録全体を表示

This article has been retracted by the Editorial Board of INDUSTRIAL HEALTH due to violation of our publishing policies and procedures as of September 26, 2014.

抄録全体を表示

This article has been retracted by the Editorial Board of INDUSTRIAL HEALTH due to violation of our publishing policies and procedures as of September 26, 2014.

抄録全体を表示

This study evaluated whether cold-induced deterioration in neuromuscular function can be restored by intermittently increasing the workload. We examined the level of muscular strain, agonist-antagonist co-activation, the occurrence of EMG gaps and neuromuscular efficiency in wrist flexor and extensor muscles at 21°C (TN) and 4°C (C₁₀) with a 10%MVC workload. During second exposure to 4°C (C₅₀) the workload was increased every fourth minute to 50%MVC. The results indicated that muscular strain and co-activation was the highest and the amount of EMG gaps and neuromuscular efficiency the lowest at C₁₀. By intermittently increasing the workload at C₅₀ we were able to reduce muscular strain and co-activation (p<0.05) and induce a trend like increase in EMG gaps and enhance neuromuscular efficiency in relation to C₁₀ (NS). It may be concluded that intermittently increasing the workload, i.e. breaking the monotonous work cycle was able to partially restore neuromuscular function.

抄録全体を表示

Leukotrienes (LTs) are involved in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and were increased in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of the patients with pneumoconiosis. However the possible influence of extra-pulmonary disorders on the EBC markers is not known. Therefore in parallel with EBC, LTs’ levels in the plasma and urine were measured in patients with pneumoconiosis (45x asbestos exposure, 37x silica exposure) and in 27 controls. Individual LTs B4, C4, D4 and E4 were measured by liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). In EBC, LT D4 and LT E4 were increased in both groups of patients (p<0.001 and p<0.05), comparing with the controls. Both LT B4 and cysteinyl LTs were elevated in asbestos-exposed subjects (p<0.05). Asbestosis with more severe radiological signs (s1/s2-t3/u2) and lung functions impairment has shown higher cysteinyl LTs and LT C4 in the EBC (p<0.05) than mild asbestosis (s1/s0-s1/s1). In addition, in the subjects with asbestosis, cysteinyl LTs in EBC correlated with TLC (-0.313, p<0.05) and TLCO/Hb (-0.307, p<0.05), and LT C4 with TLC (-0.358, p<0.05). In pneumoconioses, EBC appears the most useful from the 3 fluids studied.

抄録全体を表示

Many work activities include hazards to workers, and among these biological risk is particularly important, mostly because of different types of exposure, contact with highly dangerous agents, lack of limit values able to compare all exposures, presence of workers with defective immune systems and therefore more susceptible to the risk. Bioaerosols and dust are considered important vehicles of microganisms at workplaces and interaction with other occupational agents is assumed. Moreover, biological risk can be significant in countries with increasing economic development or particular habits and some biological agents are also classified as carcinogenic to human. Specific emerging biological risks have been recently pointed out by Risk Observatory of the European Agency for Safety and Health at work, and we must consider the worker’s attitude and behaviour, influenced by his own perception of risk more than his real knowledge, that could over-underestimate the risk itself. Therefore, biological risk at work requires a complex approach in relation to risk assessment and risk management, made more difficult due to the wide variety of biological agents, working environments and working techniques that can determine the exposures.

抄録全体を表示

The mental health problems of employees have become a major occupational health issue in Japan. External employee assistance program providers (EAP) have become important in mental health care for workers, but their activities are poorly documented. This descriptive study was undertaken to clarify the status and future tasks of EAP in Japan. The subjects were all EAP (n=27) registered in the Japanese Chapter of Employee Assistance Professionals Association. The questionnaire survey was conducted in January 2007. We received 13 replies, a response rate of 54.2%. Most EAP provided seminars, stress checks, stress management, counseling, and support for a return to work. The number of EAP contracted with small-scale enterprises was small. EAP communicated infrequently with companies. To promote the use of EAP, their advertising, education and training of staff, accumulation of scientific evidence, development of an official certification system for staff, and improvement of contents of EAP services were cited.

抄録全体を表示

The present study analyzes the effect of work stressors, personal strain and coping resources on burnout among Chinese medical professionals. A total of 2,721 medical professionals were selected using the stratified cluster sampling method. A Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey was used to measure burnout, whereas the Occupation Stress Inventory-Revised Edition was used to evaluate work stressors, personal strain, and coping resources. The structural equation model (SEM) was established to test the effect of work stressors, personal strain, and coping resources on burnout. Among the predictive factors for burnout, work stressors and personal strain were the primary risk factors, whereas coping resources make up the important protective factor. The result from SEM indicated that work stressors had both direct and indirect effects on burnout, with the indirect effect mediated by both personal strain and coping resources. Coping resources only affected burnout indirectly, as mediated by personal strain, whereas personal strain affected burnout independently. The results suggest that work stressors, personal strain, and coping resources play important roles in burnout among medical professionals. To prevent burnout, such countermeasures as controlling the work stressors, reducing personal strain, and strengthening coping resources are recommended.

抄録全体を表示

This study examines predictors of sickness absence in patients presenting to a health practitioner with acute/subacute low back pain (LBP). Aims of this study were to identify baseline-variables that detect patients with a new LBP episode at risk of sickness absence and to identify prognostic models for sickness absence at different time points after initial presentation. Prospective cohort study investigating 310 patients presenting to a health practitioner with a new episode of LBP at baseline, three-, six-, twelve-week and six-month follow-up, addressing work-related, psychological and biomedical factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify baseline-predictors of sickness absence at different time points. Prognostic models comprised ‘job control’, ‘depression’ and ‘functional limitation’ as predictive baseline-factors of sickness absence at three and six-week follow-up with ‘job control’ being the best single predictor (OR 0.47; 95%CI 0.26–0.87). The six-week model explained 47% of variance of sickness absence at six-week follow-up (p<0.001). The prediction of sickness absence beyond six-weeks is limited, and health practitioners should re-assess patients at six weeks, especially if they have previously been identified as at risk of sickness absence. This would allow timely intervention with measures designed to reduce the likelihood of prolonged sickness absence.

抄録全体を表示

The WBGT heat stress index has been well tested under a variety of climatic conditions and quantitative links have been established between WBGT and the work-rest cycles needed to prevent heat stress effects at the workplace. While there are more specific methods based on individual physiological measurements to determine heat strain in an individual worker, the WBGT index is used in international and national standards to specify workplace heat stress risks. In order to assess time trends of occupational heat exposure at population level weather station records or climate modelling are the most widely available data sources. The prescribed method to measure WBGT requires special equipment which is not used at weather stations. We compared published methods to calculate outdoor and indoor WBGT from standard climate data, such as air temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed and solar radiation. Specific criteria for recommending a method were developed and original measurements were used to evaluate the different methods. We recommend the method of Liljegren et al. (2008) for calculating outdoor WBGT and the method by Bernard et al. (1999) for indoor WBGT when estimating climate change impacts on occupational heat stress at a population level.

抄録全体を表示

This study investigated the distinctiveness between workaholism and work engagement by examining their longitudinal relationships (measurement interval=7 months) with well-being and performance in a sample of 1,967 Japanese employees from various occupations. Based on a previous cross-sectional study (Shimazu & Schaufeli, 2009), we expected that workaholism predicts future unwell-being (i.e., high ill-health and low life satisfaction) and poor job performance, whereas work engagement predicts future well-being (i.e., low ill-health and high life satisfaction) and superior job performance. T1–T2 changes in ill-health, life satisfaction and job performance were measured as residual scores that were then included in the structural equation model. Results showed that workaholism and work engagement were weakly and positively related to each other. In addition, workaholism was related to an increase in ill-health and to a decrease in life satisfaction. In contrast, work engagement was related to a decrease in ill-health and to increases in both life satisfaction and job performance. These findings suggest that workaholism and work engagement are two different kinds of concepts that are oppositely related to well-being and performance.

抄録全体を表示

29 physicians (A1-Group) and 24 physicians (A2-Group) attending the 1st and 2nd “Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis” (AIR Pneumo) training course, respectively, and 22 physicians (B-Group) attending the Brazilian training course took the examination of reading the 60-film set. The objective of the study was firstly to investigate the factor structure of physiciansf proficiency of reading pneumoconiosis chest X-ray, and secondly to examine differences in factor scores between groups. Reading results in terms of the 8-index of all examinees (Examinee Group) were subjected to the exploratory factor analysis. A 4-factor was analyzed to structure the 8-index: the specificity for pneumoconiosis, specificity for large opacities, specificity for pleural plaque and shape differentiation for small opacities loaded on the Factor 1; the sensitivity for pneumoconiosis and sensitivity for large opacities loaded on the Factor 2; the sensitivity for pleural plaque loaded on the Factor 3; the profusion increment consistency loaded on the Factor 4. 4-Factor scores were compared between each other of the three groups. The Factor 2 scores in A1 and A2 groups were significantly higher than in B-Group. Four factors could reflect four aspects of reading proficiency of pneumoconiosis X-ray, and it was suggested that 4-factor scores could also assess the attained skills appropriately.

抄録全体を表示