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der Meer SMV, Smit DJM, Hutting N, van Lankveld W, Engels J, Reneman M, Pelgrim T, Staal JB. Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Interventions to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders in Blue-Collar Workers: A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2024:10.1007/s10926-023-10162-y. [PMID: 38218906 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10162-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blue-collar workers generally have less healthy lifestyles, poorer health, and a lower life expectancy than white-collar workers. At least in part this may be attributed to their work and working conditions. Employers increasingly provide interventions to improve health and wellbeing and prevent musculoskeletal disorders. However, they often do not reach blue-collar workers. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the facilitators for and barriers to implementing such interventions among blue-collar workers. METHODS A scoping review in which the study population of the selected studies consists of blue-collar workers (≥ 18 years old) in paid employment. Furthermore, included studies should report facilitators and barriers to implementing interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. The literature search was conducted in six databases. The resulting studies were extracted with the help of the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS 15 articles were included; these were reviews, intervention studies, qualitative studies and process evaluations. A main facilitator was a participatory approach, which involves the blue-collar worker in the entire process of defining, developing, and implementing a multidimensional preventive intervention. The main barriers on the worker level were unfavorable worker characteristics and unsupportive behavior/attitudes. The main barriers on the organization level were a culture with a high production standard, a hierarchical culture, inflexible work, and an unsupportive attitude from the employer. CONCLUSION This review showed the multifaceted nature of implementation. A tailored implementation plan that involves the stakeholders (including workers) is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Mooren-van der Meer
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, School for Allied Health, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Denise J M Smit
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan Hutting
- Research Group Occupation and Health, School of Organisation and Development, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van Lankveld
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, School for Allied Health, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Josephine Engels
- Research Group Occupation and Health, School of Organisation and Development, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel Reneman
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Pelgrim
- Research Department Emergency and Critical Care, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J Bart Staal
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, School for Allied Health, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Shin DS, Jeong BY. Older Female Farmers and Modeling of Occupational Hazards, Wellbeing, and Sleep-Related Problems on Musculoskeletal Pains. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127274. [PMID: 35742520 PMCID: PMC9223070 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal pains seem to be the most prevalent among occupational diseases in older female farmers. This study analyzes the relationships between exposure to ergonomic or environmental hazards, sleep-related problems, wellbeing, and musculoskeletal pains in older female farmers. In this study, older farmer means a farmer aged ≥60, and 2005 older female farmers were selected. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to investigate the relationships. In the results of SEM, musculoskeletal pains were more affected by the level of wellbeing (standardized path coefficient = −0.149) than the level of sleep-related problems (standardized path coefficient = 0.131) or the exposure level of ergonomic hazards (standardized path coefficient = 0.086). Among the ergonomic risk factors felt by elderly female farmers, the influence level of “awkward posture” (0.735), “repetitive motion” (0.718), or “standing posture” (0.693) was greater than that of “manual material handling” (0.661). “Vibration” (0.786) and “noise” (0.683) were influential variables of environmental hazards. In addition, “upper limb pain” (0.796) and “lower limb pain” (0.751) variables were more influential variables of musculoskeletal pains than the “backache” (0.472) variable. This study shows that strategies to improve wellbeing or sleep problems are important to alleviate or prevent musculoskeletal pains among older female farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Seok Shin
- Korea National Industrial Convergence Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan 15588, Korea;
| | - Byung Yong Jeong
- Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul 02876, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Rostami M, Choobineh A, Shakerian M, Faraji M, Modarresifar H. Assessing the effectiveness of an ergonomics intervention program with a participatory approach: ergonomics settlement in an Iranian steel industry. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:953-964. [PMID: 34845529 PMCID: PMC8629733 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01811-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common occupational problems affecting the health and productivity of workers worldwide. Ergonomic intervention programs (EIPs) can play an effective role in preventing these disorders in the workplace. Assessing the effectiveness of an EIP is a challenge faced by both industries and researchers. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of an EIP on human resources productivity (HRP), musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), general health and occupational fatigue in a steel industry. METHODS This study was conducted in a steel industry in Isfahan, Iran, between 2018 and 2021. To assess the effectiveness of the EIP with a participatory approach, training and redesign of workstations, the criteria of HRP, MSDs, general health and occupational fatigue were investigated before and after the intervention, using HRP Questionnaire, Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), 28-item General Health Questionnaire (28-GHQ), Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI-20) and Occupational Fatigue/Exhaustion Recovery (OFER-15) Questionnaire, as data collection tools, respectively. RESULTS The implementation of EIP in the studied industry significantly led to an increase in HRP (p < 0.05). The prevalence of MSDs decreased significantly in most regions of the body after the interventions (p < 0.001). In addition, the program significantly improved general health (p < 0.001) and reduced occupational fatigue among employees (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The implementation of EIP was significantly effective in working conditions improvement. Therefore, implementing EIP with participatory approach, workforce training, as well as redesigning of workstations are recommended in industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matin Rostami
- Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Choobineh
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Shakerian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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Hasheminejad N, Choobineh A, Mostafavi R, Tahernejad S, Rostami M. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics risk assessment and implementation of participatory ergonomics program for pistachio farm workers. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2021; 112:292-305. [PMID: 34446686 PMCID: PMC8436824 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v112i4.11343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Pistachio farmers are exposed to a variety of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, no study has been conducted to investigate MSDs in pistachio workers. Therefore, in the present study, besides investigating the prevalence of MSDs and their ergonomic risk factors, the participatory ergonomics (PE) method is used to provide an intervention program to reduce MSDs in this population in harvesting and processing pistachio. Methods: The present study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase 138 workers participated. The prevalence of MSDs was assessed with Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the ergonomic risk factors was identified with ManTRA method. In the second phase PE was used to perform ergonomic interventions for reducing MSDs and the effect of the intervention was investigated. Sixty-four workers participated in the second phase (32 in the case group and 32 in the control group). Results: The highest prevalence of MSDs was in shoulders (63.7%), followed by the lower back (63%) and wrists/hands (52.1%). The comparison showed that after implementing the PE intervention program, the prevalence of MSDs in the intervention group was not significantly different from that in the control group. However, in the reassessment by the ManTRA method for five tasks that were identified as high risk in the first phase, a decrease in ManTRA final score was observed for all the five tasks. Conclusions: MSDs were prevalent in all body regions of workers. After implementing PE interventions exposure to ergonomic risk factors decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naser Hasheminejad
- PhD. Department of Occupational Health Engineering and Safety at Work, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Alireza Choobineh
- PhD. Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran .
| | - Reza Mostafavi
- MSc. Occupational Health Expert, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Somayeh Tahernejad
- a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:92:"PhD Candidate, Department of Ergonomics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran";}.
| | - Matin Rostami
- MSc. Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Romano E, Bisaglia C, Calcante A, Oberti R, Zani A, Vinnikov D, Marconi A, Vitale E, Bracci M, Rapisarda V. Assessment of Comfort Variation among Different Types of Driving Agricultural Tractors: Traditional, Satellite-Assisted and Semi-Automatic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238836. [PMID: 33261149 PMCID: PMC7730608 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Over the past years, in the agricultural field, geo-localization has been introduced in order to develop specific farming processes, optimize resources, and reduce environmental pollution. Researchers have found alternative driving methods to traditional ones, such as assisted and semi-automatic driving. The aim of this study was to monitor the musculoskeletal efforts necessary to carry out different kinds of driving. The muscular strain was assessed using surface electromyographic devices, the distribution of the pressure exerted by the operator’s body on the seat was observed by using two barometric pads applied on the seat back and on the seat, respectively, while the body movements and postures were analyzed through a Microsoft Kinect Camera 3D acquisition system. Results showed a significantly greater muscular activation during manual and assisted driving conditions. The pressure exerted by the operator on the barometric pads was significantly higher in manual and semi-automatic driving modes than in the assisted one. A remarkable increase in the average swinging speed of examined joints was also detected, as well as the distances run by the joints in semi-automatic driving. From our study, assisted driving seems to be the best driving mode both in terms of joint economy and from the efficiency of agricultural processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio Romano
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, 24047 Treviglio, Italy; (E.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Carlo Bisaglia
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, 24047 Treviglio, Italy; (E.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Aldo Calcante
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (R.O.); (A.Z.)
| | - Roberto Oberti
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (R.O.); (A.Z.)
| | - Alberto Zani
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (R.O.); (A.Z.)
| | - Denis Vinnikov
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Evidence-based Medicine, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan;
| | - Andrea Marconi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Ermanno Vitale
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.M.); (V.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3200783786
| | - Massimo Bracci
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.M.); (V.R.)
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van der Molen HF, Marsili C, Vitali A, Colosio C. Trends in occupational diseases in the Italian agricultural sector, 2004-2017. Occup Environ Med 2020; 77:340-343. [PMID: 31996472 PMCID: PMC7231438 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2019-106168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the incidence of, trends in and effect of change in reporting rules on occupational diseases (ODs) in the Italian agricultural sector. METHODS Over a 14-year period (2004-2017), ODs among Italian agricultural workers were diagnosed by physicians and reported to the National Institute for Insurance against Workplace Accidents and Occupational Diseases. OD was defined as a disease with a specific clinical diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases) and was predominantly caused by work-related factors. Trends in incidence and effects of changed eligibility criteria for reporting occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were estimated using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS In 2017, the incidence of all ODs was 1295 per 100 000 agricultural workers. MSDs (961 per 100 000 workers) were the most frequently occurring ODs. MSDs and NIHL showed statistically significant increasing time trends, 26% and 7% annual increase, respectively, during the 2004-2017 period. There was no statistically significant change in the incidence of occupational respiratory, skin and cancer diseases during the 14-year period. After changes in reporting rules, the incidence of MSDs showed an immediate increased effect, with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 2.9 (95% CI 2.65 to 3.14) and a significant annual decreasing trend of -9% (95% CI -6% to -12%) over the years after the changed reporting rules (from 2008 to 2017), and an immediate effect on NIHL with an IRR of 1.3 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.53). CONCLUSION In total, 1.3% of the Italian agricultural workers were diagnosed in 2017 as having an OD. Over a 14-year period, the annual incidence of ODs showed a considerable increasing trend consistent with changed eligibility reporting criteria for occupational MSDs and to a lesser extent for NIHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk F van der Molen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Marsili
- Occupational Health Unit and International Centre for Rural Health, ASST of the Saints Paolo and Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Vitali
- University of Milan, Department of Health Sciences, Occupational Health Unit and International Centre for Rural Health, ASST of the Saints Paolo and Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudio Colosio
- Occupational Health Unit and International Centre for Rural Health, ASST of the Saints Paolo and Carlo, Milano, Italy.,University of Milan, Department of Health Sciences, Occupational Health Unit and International Centre for Rural Health, ASST of the Saints Paolo and Carlo, Milano, Italy
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Arabian A, Omidi L, Bakhshi E, Ghanbari A, Torabinassaj E, Zakerian SA. Assessment of occupational safety, health, and ergonomics issues in agriculture in some cities of Iran. Work 2019; 65:89-96. [PMID: 31868715 DOI: 10.3233/wor-193061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iran has a variety of climates which support agriculture in different seasons. Hence, a significant proportion of people, especially in rural areas, are engaged in farming. Agriculture is considered one of the most insecure job sectors in developing and developed countries. OBJECTIVE Since there is no comprehensive study on safety, health, and ergonomics issues in Iran's agriculture, it is necessary to use checkpoints to assess occupational safety, health, and ergonomics issues in Iran's agriculture. METHODS In this study, 430 villages from seven provinces of Iran were selected to study safety, health, and ergonomics in agriculture using ergonomic checkpoints. The checkpoints were collected with the help of rural health centers. RESULTS The results of the study showed that the villages of Kurdistan Province had the best safety, health, and working conditions (66.12%); and Khuzestan province villages had the worst safety, health, and working conditions (38.16%). Among the ergonomic checkpoints in agriculture, the control of hazardous chemicals (CHC) index with 71.41% and work organization and work schedule (WOWS) index with 35.25% represented the best and worst ergonomic conditions of the study villages, respectively. Furthermore, the general index of ergonomics in agriculture for the study villages was 53.64%. Therefore, Khuzestan Province and the WOWS index top the priorities for corrective actions to improve the safety, health and working conditions in agriculture. CONCLUSIONS The ergonomics indices in Iranian agriculture are important, and should be prioritized for corrective actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Arabian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Omidi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Bakhshi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Torabinassaj
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data. Ann Occup Environ Med 2019; 31:e31. [PMID: 31737286 PMCID: PMC6850790 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The present study aimed to investigate the basic characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and its differences between occupations using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI). Methods The study participants were obtained from the NEI and NHI data from 2008 to 2015, with a diagnosis code of G560 (CTS) as the main or sub-diagnosis. Data about gender, age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, and length of employment, information about type of occupation, and number of employees according to age and occupation were obtained from NHI and NEI data. In total, 240 occupations were classified into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) work. In addition, each occupation was classified as high-risk and low-risk groups depending on the degree of wrist usage. Results The number of patients with CTS per 100,000 individuals increased with advancing age, and it was higher in women (4,572.2) than in men (1,798.5). Furthermore, the number was higher in BC workers (3,247.5) than in WC workers (1,824.1) as well as in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group in both BC workers (3,527.8 vs. 1,908.2) and WC workers (1,829.9 vs. 1,754.4). The number of patients with CTS was higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group among male and female BC workers and female WC workers. However, the number was higher in the low-risk group among male WC workers. In the BC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among food processing-related workers (19,984.5). In the WC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among social workers and counselors (7,444.1). Conclusions The results of this study are expected to help identify occupational differences in patterns of CTS. High number of patients with CTS was seen in new jobs, as well as in previous studies.
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