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Fraboni F, Morandini S, Zappalà S, Guglielmi D, Mariani MG, De Angelis M, Pietrantoni L. Occupational safety in homecare organizations: the design and implementation of a train-the-trainer program. Home Health Care Serv Q 2024; 43:87-113. [PMID: 38104310 DOI: 10.1080/01621424.2023.2292193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Homecare workers face significant occupational risks, necessitating effective safety training programs. This paper presents a comprehensive Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program developed to enhance occupational safety in homecare organizations. Through an analysis of 229 reported safety events, the frequency and type of incidents, such as injuries during handling, road crashes, slips, trips, and falls, were identified and primarily attributed to human errors and violations. Based on the results, a TTT program was designed and implemented. The TTT successfully engaged Health, Safety, and Environment managers, fostering collaborative activities, knowledge sharing, and resource discussions. The program modules address critical areas, including distractions and inattentions, fatigue, time pressure, frustration and aggressiveness, and safety behaviors. This innovative approach provides valuable insights for organizations seeking to improve homecare workers' safety. The findings add to the broader comprehension of occupational safety in the homecare sector, proposing a pragmatic framework for future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofia Morandini
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Dina Guglielmi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Education Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Islam S, Gide K, Dutta T, Bagheri ZS. The effect of tread patterns on slip resistance of footwear outsoles based on composite materials in icy conditions. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023; 87:453-464. [PMID: 38081717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Falls on icy surfaces are the leading cause of injuries for outdoor workers. Footwear outsole material and geometrical design parameters are the most significant factors affecting slips-and-falls. Recently, composite materials have been incorporated into outsoles to improve traction, yet the best design parameters are not fully understood. METHOD In this effort, based on Taguchi orthogonal array design, 27 outsole prototypes were fabricated with different tread pattern features using our patented composites and tested in a simulated winter condition. RESULTS An analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that surface area (p = 0.041, Contribution = 15.63%) was the only factor significantly affecting the slip-resistance of our prototypes. The best performance was observed for the maximized surface area covered by our composite material with circular and half circular plugs laid obliquely, mostly in the forefoot area. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS These findings suggest that some tread design features of composite-based footwear have a great role in affecting slip-resistance properties of composite-based footwear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Islam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Kunal Gide
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Tilak Dutta
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto M5G2A2, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 3G9, Canada
| | - Z Shaghayegh Bagheri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto M5G2A2, Canada. https://volgenau.gmu.edu/profile/view/579736
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Mihelič KK, Zupan N, Merkuž A. I feel the need – the need for speed! Unreasonable tasks, work pace, psychological detachment and emotional exhaustion. JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS: PEOPLE AND PERFORMANCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/joepp-07-2021-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
PurposeAt the dawn of a new decade, as ever more corporations are pursuing sustainable working conditions and advocating employee well-being, employees are increasingly tending to feel fatigued and drained by their work, which compromises their performance. Drawing on the job demands–resources model and social acceleration debate, the authors test a moderated mediation model. Specifically, the authors hypothesise that unreasonable tasks raise perceptions of emotional exhaustion when the pace of work is increased and investigate the moderating role of psychological detachment.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a sample of 245 employees from Europe, all knowledge workers, to test the hypotheses.FindingsApart from unreasonable tasks being directly related with emotional exhaustion, this relationship was mediated by the perceived work pace. In addition, the authors establish psychological detachment as a relevant moderator for the mediating effect.Practical implicationsManagers and HR practitioners are equipped with a better understanding of the effects of an increasing speed of work, the conditions leading to it and the individual and organizational resources that may help to create healthy and meaningful job positions, which facilitate employee efficiency.Originality/valueOur study expands the literature on contemporary stressors and adds to what is known about the ‘dark side’ of job demands that affect the organizational bottom-line, as well as the resource-based mechanism that can buffer the negative effects.
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Ding H, Kuvaas B. Illegitimate tasks: A systematic literature review and agenda for future research. WORK AND STRESS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2022.2148308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haien Ding
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bård Kuvaas
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway
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Cheng H, Li Z, Zhao J, Wang W, Zou R. The role of cognition, affect, and resources in the influence of unreasonable tasks on work engagement: A moderated chain mediation model. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1013773. [PMID: 36275277 PMCID: PMC9583139 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1013773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some studies have concentrated on the adverse effects of unreasonable tasks on work engagement. So far, however, the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions of the relationship have not been adequately discussed. Based on the cognitive-affective systems theory and the job demands-resources model, this study constructs a chain mediation model in which unreasonable tasks influence work engagement through work alienation and negative affect and explores the moderating role of supervisor support in the model. An analysis of 427 questionnaires from multiple types of organizations shows that: Unreasonable tasks have a negative impact on work engagement; work alienation and negative affect play both separate and chain mediating roles in the negative effect of unreasonable tasks on work engagement, and supervisor support negatively moderates chain mediation by moderating the positive effect of unreasonable tasks on work alienation. This study re-investigates the relationship between unreasonable tasks and work engagement from cognitive, affective, and resource perspectives, which could be a valuable addition to established research and provide suggestions and assistance for management practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Cheng
- School of Humanities, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Cheng,
| | - Zhen Li
- School of Humanities, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, China
| | - Junshu Zhao
- Department of Preventive Health Care, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Ya’an, Ya’an, China
| | - Weiqiang Wang
- School of Business, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruixi Zou
- School of Humanities, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, China
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Bagheri ZS, Beltran JD, Holyoke P, Dutta T. Reducing fall risk for home care workers with slip resistant winter footwear. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 90:103230. [PMID: 32858393 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Falls on icy surfaces are the leading cause of occupational injuries for workers exposed to outdoor winter conditions. Slip resistant footwear has been shown to reduce the risk of falls for indoor workers but until recently, there was no accepted standard for evaluating the slip resistance of winter footwear on icy surfaces. Our team recently developed a lab-based testing protocol for measuring footwear slip resistance. This protocol, called the Maximum Achievable Angle (MAA) test, measures the steepest ice-covered slope that participants can walk up and down without experiencing a slip in a simulated winter environment. This lab-based protocol has found there is wide variability in the performance of commercially available winter footwear. In particular, we have found that a new generation of footwear that incorporates composite materials in the outsole, performs much better than most other footwear. The objective of this project was to investigate whether the footwear that performed well in our lab-based testing would reduce the risk of slips and/or falls in real-world winter conditions. One hundred and ten home healthcare workers from SE Health were recruited for this study and were asked to report their exposure to icy surfaces along with the numbers of slips and numbers of falls they experienced each week using online surveys over eight weeks in the winter. Fifty participants (the intervention group) were provided winter footwear that were among the best performing in the MAA test. The remaining sixty participants (the control group) wore their own footwear for the duration of the study. A total of 563 slips and 36 falls were reported over the eight-week data collection period. The intervention group consistently reported fewer slips (127 vs 436) and fewer falls (6 vs 30) compared to the control group. We found the slip rate in the intervention group was between 68.0% and 68.7% lower than the control group. Similarly, the fall rate was between 78.5% and 81.5% lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. These findings demonstrate that footwear that performs well in the MAA test can reduce the risk of both slips and falls in real-world winter conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Shaghayegh Bagheri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA; Kite Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, M5G2A2, Canada.
| | - Jose Diaz Beltran
- Kite Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, M5G2A2, Canada
| | - Paul Holyoke
- Saint Elizabeth Health Care, 90 Allstate Parkway, Suite 300, Markham, Ontario, L3R 5H3, Canada
| | - Tilak Dutta
- Kite Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, M5G2A2, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St., Toronto, M5S3G9, Canada
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Semmer NK, Tschan F, Jacobshagen N, Beehr TA, Elfering A, Kälin W, Meier LL. Stress as Offense to Self: a Promising Approach Comes of Age. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:205-238. [PMID: 32647746 PMCID: PMC7328775 DOI: 10.1007/s41542-019-00041-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Stress is related to goals being thwarted. Arguably, protecting one’s self, both in terms of personal self-esteem and in terms of social self-esteem, is among the most prominent goals people pursue. Although this line of thought is hardly disputed, it does not play the prominent role in occupational health psychology that we think it deserves. Stress-as-Offense-to-Self theory focuses on threats and boosts to the self as important aspects of stressful, and resourceful, experiences at work. Within this framework we have developed the new concepts of illegitimate tasks and illegitimate stressors; we have investigated appreciation as a construct in its own right, rather than as part of larger constructs such as social support; and we propose that the threshold for noticing implications for the self in one’s surroundings typically is low, implying that even subtle negative cues are likely to be appraised as offending, as exemplified by the concept of subtly offending feedback. Updating the first publication of the SOS concept, the current paper presents its theoretical rationale as well as research conducted so far. Research has covered a variety of phenomena, but the emphasis has been (a) on illegitimate tasks, which now can be considered as an established stressor, and (b) on appreciation, showing its importance in general and as a core element of social support. Furthermore, we discuss implications for further research as well as practical implications of an approach that is organized around threats and boosts to the self, thus complementing approaches that are organized around specific conditions or behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert K Semmer
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Fabrikstr. 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Tschan
- Institut de Psychologie du Travail et des Organisations, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Jacobshagen
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Fabrikstr. 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Terry A Beehr
- Central Michigan University, Sloan Hall 233, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 USA
| | - Achim Elfering
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Fabrikstr. 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Kälin
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Fabrikstr. 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laurenz L Meier
- Institut de Psychologie du Travail et des Organisations, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Watson AG, McCoy JV, Mathew J, Gundersen DA, Eisenstein RM. Impact of physician workload on burnout in the emergency department. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2018; 24:414-428. [PMID: 30372132 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1539236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Emergency medicine is one of the medical fields with the highest rates of physician burnout. Research demonstrates hospitalists believe increasing workloads contribute to decreases in patient safety and satisfaction, and increases in morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to identify if emergency physicians who believe workload impacts patient care also experience worse rates of burnout symptoms. This two-phase study used an online survey with cross-sectional design distributed to emergency medicine physicians following the New Jersey American College of Emergency Physicians (NJ ACEP) Scientific Assembly in May 2016 and members of the ACEP Well-Being Committee and Wellness Section in December 2016. Respondents felt the greatest workload burdens by being '…unable to fully discuss treatment options or answer questions of a patient or family member' or leading to 'Delay in admitting or discharging patients.' Excessive workload also contributed to respondents having to 'Admit to hospital instead of discharge' and resulted in 'Worsened patient satisfaction.' The 'Emotional Exhaustion' domain of the Maslach Burnout Inventory was the most highly affected by the perceived effects of workload on patient outcomes and 'Personal Accomplishment' was least affected. This research highlights the perception that workload contributing to patient harm may be associated with emergency medicine burnout.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan V McCoy
- b Department of Emergency Medicine , Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , NJ , USA
| | - JoAnn Mathew
- c Department of Internal Medicine , St. Vincent Health , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Daniel A Gundersen
- d Survey and Data Management Core, Population Sciences , Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Robert M Eisenstein
- b Department of Emergency Medicine , Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , NJ , USA
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