Journal of occupational health
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In a previous epidemiological study we reported that the prevalence (45.8%) of low-back pain (LBP) and the two-year incidence (25.9%) of LBP in 284 male taxi drivers in Japan was comparable with rates reported for other occupational drivers in which LBP frequently occurs. LBP was significantly related with the level of uncomfortable road vibrations, and, importantly, increased with total mileage. The aim of this study was to measure whole-body vibration (WBV) on the driver's seat pan of 12 taxis operating under actual working conditions. ⋯ Moreover, because many taxi drivers work 18 h every other day, the shortening of working hours and taking of rest breaks while working should be considered. Frequency-weighted r.m.s. accelerations of taxis had a tendency to decrease as total mileage increased. The relation between total mileage and WBV should be investigated by taking measurements on the floor and the back rest in addition to the seat pan.
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To examine associations between interpersonal relationships in work settings and burnout, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on home care workers in Sapporo, Japan, by using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and scales of interpersonal conflict and social support developed by the authors. Questionnaires were distributed among 303 subjects and returned by 243 subjects (80%). ⋯ Supervisory conflict significantly related to emotional exhaustion (p<.05), whereas coworker conflict significantly associated with depersonalization (p<.01). It is suggested that conflicts with clients' families, as well as clients, are important indicators for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization of home care workers.
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Noise is one of the commonest physical stressors to which industrial workers are exposed. Many workers complain of symptoms associated with a non-specific generalized stress response, including disturbed sleep. However, industrial workers may be exposed to more than one source of stress and it is not possible to completely attribute the disturbed nocturnal sleep and changes in heart rate to the effects of loud noise alone. This study was done to find out whether acute exposure of healthy individuals to loud occupational noise during the daytime would cause changes in their nocturnal sleep architecture, heart rate during sleep and serum cortisol levels. ⋯ Workers exposed to loud background occupational noise react to the stress and show changes in nocturnal sleep architecture and heart rate which may be contributed to the exposure to noise.