Work : a journal of prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation
-
We aimed to evaluate associations between vocational computer use and 1) ulnar neuropathy, and 2) ulnar neuropathy- like symptoms as distinguished by electroneurography. We identified all patients aged 18-65 years, examined at the Department of Neurophysiology on suspicion of ulnar neuropathy, 2001-2007. We mailed a questionnaire to 546 patients with ulnar neuropathy, 633 patients with ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms, and three community referents per case, matched on sex, age, and primary care centre. ⋯ The two outcomes were not associated with daily hours of computer use. Findings suggested specific effects of pressure on the elbow, and might be an explanation for the overweight of left-sided outcomes in this primarily right-handed group. Preventive efforts would then be straightforward by providing appropriate arm support for the left arm and elbow.
-
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is considered the last preferred solution to an Occupational Safety Health (OSH) system. Brazilian OSH legislation assumes and requires PPE usage to neutralize the possibility of pesticide contamination. This study examines the inadequacy of the PPE used in a tomato crop, particularly from the standpoint of thermal comfort. ⋯ Comparing the results of the treadmill test (with and without PPE) which tried to reproduce the same level of effort and environmental conditions of the actual rural work, this study demonstrated that PPE makes thermoregulation harder and tympanic temperature reaches higher values with the same level of effort. Moreover, body temperature increases quickly: with PPE it took 15 minutes to raise 1°C in body temperature, compared to 40 minutes without PPE. The results of this study indicated that the use inadequate PPE might pose thermoregulation risk to rural workers.
-
The aim of this survey study was to identify trade-specific ergonomic issues, and discuss practical solutions to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and injuries in the construction industry. ⋯ This paper may imply that need for more trade-specific ergonomics program elements to help alleviate the work-related musculoskeletal problems in the construction field.
-
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of organizational socialization levels of employees on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). ⋯ The findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between the level of organizational socialization and organizational citizenship behavior in educational settings. These findings suggest that high level organizational socialization supports organizational citizenship behavior in primary and secondary school teachers.