Work-related fatigue: A hazard for workers experiencing disproportionate occupational risks

The Physical Activity Health Paradox in Type 2 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

The physical activity health paradox refers to the contrasting associations of leisure-time physical activity and occupational physical activity with cardiovascular disease, but whether this applies to Type 2 diabetes risk is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the physical activity health paradox and age-specific Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Working adults (N=5,866) in Denmark aged 30-60 years enrolled in the Inter99 cohort at baseline in 1999 were followed in a Diabetes Register. Incidence rates of Type 2 diabetes as a function of age, sex, and separate and combined levels of self-reported occupational physical activity and leisure-time physical activity were modeled using Poisson regression, adjusting for relevant covariates in separate analyses (2024).

RESULTS

Moderate/vigorous leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower risk of Type 2 diabetes than light (rate ratio=0.63, 95% CI=0.46, 0.85). Strenuous occupational physical activity was associated with a slightly higher risk of Type 2 diabetes than moderate occupational physical activity, but the association diminished adjusted for covariates (rate ratio=1.12, 95% CI=0.79, 1.58). Sedentary leisure-time physical activity combined with any level of occupational physical activity was associated with higher risk of Type 2 diabetes than light leisure-time physical activity/moderate occupational physical activity combined (e.g., sedentary leisure-time physical activity and demanding occupational physical activity) (rate ratio=1.68, 95% CI=1.14, 2.48). Moderate/vigorous leisure-time physical activity combined with any level of occupational physical activity was associated with lower risk of Type 2 diabetes (e.g., moderate/vigorous leisure-time physical activity and moderate occupational physical activity) (rate ratio=0.6, 95% CI=0.39, 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Leisure-time physical activity lowered the risk of Type 2 diabetes regardless of the level of occupational physical activity, whereas no similar beneficial effects were found for occupational physical activity level. The differential effects of occupational physical activity and leisure-time physical activity on Type 2 diabetes suggest that the paradox may also exist in Type 2 diabetes.

Wearable Wireless Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy System for Cognitive Activity Monitoring

From learning environments to battlefields to marketing teams, the desire to measure cognition and cognitive fatigue in real time has been a grand challenge in optimizing human performance. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an effective optical technique for measuring changes in subdermal hemodynamics, and it has been championed as a more practical method for monitoring brain function compared to MRI. This study reports on an innovative functional NIRS (fNIRS) sensor that integrates the entire system into a compact and wearable device, enabling long-term monitoring of patients. The device provides unrestricted mobility to the user with a Bluetooth connection for settings configuration and data transmission. A connected device, such as a smartphone or laptop equipped with the appropriate interface software, collects raw data, then stores and generates real-time analyses. Tests confirm the sensor is sensitive to oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin changes on the forehead region, which indicate neuronal activity and provide information for brain activity monitoring studies.

Unveiling workplace safety and health empowerment: Unraveling the key elements influencing occupational injuries

INTRODUCTION

Millions of workers globally experience work-related injuries, leading to fatalities, injuries, job loss, and wider societal implications. This study utilizes both the U.S. database and the General Social Survey (GSS) to delve into the factors linked to occupational injuries.

METHODS

In this study, 30 questions from the GSS between 2002 and 2014 were used. The sample included 5,914 workers from various sectors, distributed between both female and male, and were of 18 years and above. The analysis encompasses several dimensions: demographics, job-related characteristics, administrative factors, and health and safety measures. The study particularly focuses on assessing the prevalence of three common work-related injuries: nonfatal injuries, back pain and arm pain. Logistic regression models were constructed to gauge the effects of identified factors.

RESULTS

Significant insights emerge from the analysis. Factors such as age, gender, race, working hours, overtime work, trust in management, coworker support, and workflow smoothness were identified as having notable impacts on work-related injuries. For each model, the study quantifies these impacts through odds ratio and relative effects. For example, in the nonfatal injuries model, the relative effects of age showed that workers aged 65 years or older experience a 2.56% decrease in the frequency of nonfatal injuries compared to younger workers. Furthermore, in the back pain model, the estimated odds of having back pain in males are 0.90 lower than that in females. Moreover, in the arm pain model, workers who have sufficient time to complete their tasks have estimated odds of experiencing arm pain that are 0.85 lower than those who don't have adequate time, etc. Conclusions: Understanding the intricate interplay of various factors influencing workers' safety and health is vital for addressing occupational injuries. By addressing these factors, there's potential for reducing work-related injuries, enhancing work environment, and minimizing costs.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Organizations can use the study's findings for reducing work related injuries. Flexible work arrangements, tailored training programs, and ergonomic improvements might highlight factors such as age, gender, and working hours. Enhancing communication, fostering a positive work culture, and prioritizing safety and health measures could reduce risks associated with trusting management and coworker support. Cost-benefit analysis and continuous monitoring ensure these interventions' effectiveness, reduce back and hand pain incidents, minimize cost, and create safer workplaces, thereby boosting the overall well-being of workers and organizational success.

Is precarious employment an occupational hazard? Evidence from Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between precarious employment and risk of occupational injury or illness in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

We combined accepted lost-time compensation claims from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board with labour force statistics to estimate injury and illness rates between January 2016 and December 2019. Precarious employment was imputed using a job exposure matrix and operationalised in terms of temporary employment, low wages, irregular hours, involuntary part-time employment and a multidimensional measure of 'low', 'medium', 'high' and 'very high' probabilities of exposure to precarious employment. Negative binomial regression models examined exposure to precarious employment in relation to risk of occupational injury or illness.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, sex and year, all indicators of precarious employment were associated with increased risk of injury or illness. Workers with 'high' and 'very' high' exposure to precarious employment presented a nearly threefold risk of injury or illness (rate ratio (RR): 2.81, 95% CI 2.73 to 2.89; RR: 2.82, 95% CI 2.74 to 2.90). Further adjustment for physical demands and workplace hazards attenuated associations, though a statistically and substantively significant exposure-outcome relationship persisted for workers with 'high' and 'very high' exposures to precarious employment (RR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.58 to 1.72; RR: 2.00, 95% CI 1.92 to 2.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Workers exposed to precarious employment are more likely to sustain a lost-time injury or illness in Ontario, Canada. Workplace health and safety strategies should consider the role of precarious employment as an occupational hazard and a marker of work injury risk.

The Correlation Between Temperament and Fitness for Work According to the Persian Medicine Viewpoints

Working is an inseparable part of a human being's life, every person must have a job to earn a living. However, working comes at a physical and mental cost not only to the working person but also to his/her co-workers and employers, and could also affect the environment. Therefore, each potential employee must be assessed to see if they are suitable for the job and vice versa. In occupational medicine, fitness for work is now determined by clinical and paraclinical testing, which is seen as a useful procedure, yet illnesses and accidents still happen at work. This procedure could be facilitated and enhanced by a more all-encompassing strategy, such as the temperamental theory in Persian medicine. Through temperamental theory, each person is assessed based on specific signs and symptoms according to the qualities of hotness-coldness, and wetness-dryness which can provide extra insights into an employee's capabilities. This study aims to provide specific characteristics of each temperament, and their relationship with personal traits that could affect job performance, as well as job suggestions for each temperament through an extensive review of Persian medicine books and matching them with the current occupational medicine resources.

A narrative review of occupational scheduling that impacts fatigue and recovery relevant to veterinarian well-being

Background

Sleep insufficiency is a worldwide affliction with serious implications for mental and physical health. Occupational factors play a large role in determining sleep habits. Healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to job-mediated sleep insufficiency and inadequate rest in general. Little is published on sleep practices among veterinarians, and overall recognition of the impacts of inadequate rest within the veterinary profession is poor.

Objectives and procedures

This review describes occupational factors affecting sufficiency of rest and recovery, reviews veterinary-specific and relevant adjacent literature pertaining to sleep patterns, and discusses potential solutions for addressing occupational schedules contributing to sleep insufficiency and inadequate rest. Online databases were searched to extract contemporary literature pertaining to sleep, insufficient rest, and occupational factors, with a focus on veterinary medicine and other healthcare sectors.

Results

Occupational factors leading to inadequate rest among healthcare workers include excessive workloads, extended workdays, cumulative days of heavy work hours, and after-hours on-call duty. These factors are prevalent within the veterinary profession and may contribute to widespread insufficient rest and the resulting negative impacts on health and well-being among veterinarians.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Sufficient sleep quantity and quality are critical to physical and mental health and are negatively affected by many aspects of the veterinary profession. Critical review of current strategies employed in clinical practice is essential to promote professional fulfillment, health, and well-being among veterinarians.

Association of working hours and cumulative fatigue among Chinese primary health care professionals

Introduction

The association between long working hours and cumulative fatigue is widely acknowledged in the literature. However, there are few studies on the mediating effect of working hours on cumulative fatigue using occupational stress as a mediating variable. The present study aimed at investigating the mediating role of occupational stress in the relationship between working hours and cumulative fatigue in a sample of 1,327 primary health care professionals.

Methods

The Core Occupational Stress Scale and the Workers' Fatigue Accumulation Self-Diagnosis Scale were utilized in this study. The mediating effect of occupational stress was examined using hierarchical regression analysis and the Bootstrap test.

Results

Working hours were positively associated with cumulative fatigue via occupational stress (p < 0.01). Occupational stress was found to partially mediate the relationship between working hours and cumulative fatigue, with a mediating effect of 0.078 (95% CI: 0.043-0.115, p < 0.01), and the percentage of occupational stress mediating effect was 28.3%.

Discussion

Working hours can be associated with cumulative fatigue either directly or indirectly via occupational stress. As a result, by reducing occupational stress, primary health care professionals may reduce the cumulative fatigue symptoms caused by long hours of work.

Distribution of working hour characteristics by race, age, gender, and shift schedule among U.S. manufacturing workers

Shift work is a common occupational exposure, however, few studies have examined aspects of shift work beyond night work and long hours, such as rotational patterns or weekend work, which may contribute to poor health through disruption of the body's circadian rhythms. In this manuscript, we calculated the prevalence of working hour characteristics using algorithms for type (e.g., day), duration, intensity, rotational direction, and social aspects (e.g., weekend work) in a nationwide cohort of American manufacturing workers (N = 23,044) between 2003 and 2014. Distributions of working hour characteristics were examined by schedules (e.g., permanent day, day/night) and demographics, and were cross-classified in a matrix to examine co-occurrence. Approximately 55% of shifts may cause circadian rhythm disruption as they were non-day shifts or day shifts with a quick return or rotation, or were 13 h or longer. Older workers, female workers, and White workers worked permanent day shifts most often, while workers of color worked more day/night schedules. Night and evening shifts had more frequent shift rotations, quick returns, and longer hours than day shifts. Yet, day shifts, which are presumed to have little negative circadian impact, may cause circadian rhythm disruption as long hours, quick returns and rotations also occurred within day shifts.

Associations among Health Status, Occupation, and Occupational Injuries or Diseases: A Multi-Level Analysis

PURPOSE

The present study used a hierarchical generalized linear model to explore the effects of physical and mental health and occupational categories on occupational injuries and diseases.

METHODS

The data were obtained from the Registry for Beneficiaries of the 2002-2013 National Health Insurance Research Database. The benefit categories involved adults with occupational injuries and diseases. Six major occupational categories and 28 subcategories were used. The main analysis methods were binary logistic regression (BLR) and hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM).

RESULTS

After adjustment for relevant factors, the three major occupation subcategories most likely to develop occupational injuries and diseases were Subcategory 12 "employees with fixed employers" of Category 1 "civil servants, employees in public or private schools, laborers, and self-employed workers"; Subcategory 2 "employees in private organizations" of Category 1; and "sangha and religionists" of Category 6 "other citizens." Conditions such as mental disorders and obesity increased the risk of occupational injuries and diseases.

CONCLUSION

A portion of the occupational categories had a higher risk of occupational injuries and diseases. Physical and mental health issues were significantly correlated with occupational injuries and diseases. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to use HGLM to analyze differences in occupational categories in Taiwan.

Approaches to managing work-related fatigue to meet the needs of American workers and employers

On September 13-14, 2019, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) hosted a national forum entitled "Working hours, sleep and fatigue: Meeting the needs of American workers and employers." The purpose of this inaugural meeting was to discuss current evidence about the broad-based risks and effective countermeasures related to working hours, sleep, and fatigue, with further considerations to tailor solutions for specific industries and worker populations. We aimed to identify the knowledge gaps and needs in this area and future directions for research. We also sought to identify similarities across industries with the goal of sharing lessons learned and successful mitigation strategies across sectors. Participants included an international representation of academics, scientists, government representatives, policymakers, industry leaders, occupational health and safety professionals, and labor representatives. A total of eight manuscripts were developed following stakeholder comments and forum discussions. Six focused on sector-specific approaches (i.e., Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing; Healthcare & Social Assistance; Mining; Oil and Gas Extraction; Public Safety; Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities) to identify unique factors for fatigue-risk and effective countermeasures. Two additional manuscripts addressed topic areas that cut across all industries (disproportionate risks, and economic evaluation). Findings from the Forum highlight that the identification of common risk factors across sectors allows for transfer of information, such as evidence for effective mitigation strategies, from sectors where fatigue risk has been more widely studied to those sectors where it has been less so. Further considerations should be made to improve knowledge translation activities by incorporating different languages and modes of dissemination such that information is accessible for all workers. Additionally, while economic evaluation can be an important decision-making tool for organizational- and policy-level activities, multi-disciplinary approaches combining epidemiology and economics are needed to provide a more balanced approach to economic evaluation with considerations for societal impacts. Although fatigue risk management must be tailored to fit industries, organizations, and individuals, knowledge gained in this forum can be leveraged, modified, and adapted to address these variabilities. Our hope is to continue sharing lessons learned to encourage future innovative, multi-disciplinary, cross-industry collaborations that will meet the needs of workers and employers to mitigate the risks and losses related to workplace fatigue.