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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 29598

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Denis A. Coelho

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering, Jönköping University, ‎55111 Jönköping, Sweden
Interests: human factors and ergonomics; industrial engineering; production and logistics systems

Dr. Tânia M. Lima

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Guest Editor

C-MAST-Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: industrial engineering and management; ergonomics; operations management; occupational health and safety; sustainability; quality management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world of work is becoming more complex, with new technologies, new demands and organizational settings coupled with demographic changes and the quest for sustainability. This Special Issue welcomes original contributions:

Taking a human-centered perspective on sociotechnical systems;
Focusing on interventions in occupational health and safety;
Reporting on the design of products and equipment and organizational actions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, as well as other related contributions.

Forward-looking contributions encompassing future work, whether in office settings, smart logistics, or Industry 4.0 and 5.0 will be considered for publication in this Special Issue. Contributions departing from a human-centered management stance for the continuous ergonomics and human factors improvement of the work environment and industrial engineering interventions with a focus on social sustainability in particular are also welcome. The interplay between the psychosocial environment and the onset and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, including in occupational as well as remote work-from-home settings are examples of foci encouraged in submissions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Denis A. Coelho
Dr. Tânia M. Lima
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Human–technology–organization interactions
Healthy workplaces
Production and logistics systems
Systematic work environment management
MSD risk assessment and management
Ergonomic product and equipment improvement.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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10 pages, 3203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Health-Impact Assessment of an Ergonomic Measure to Reduce the Risk of Work-Related Lower Back Pain, Lumbosacral Radicular Syndrome and Knee Osteoarthritis among Floor Layers in The Netherlands

by P. Paul F. M. Kuijer, Henk F. van der Molen and Steven Visser

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054672 - 6 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2639

Abstract

Sand–cement-bound screed floor layers are at risk of work-related lower back pain, lumbosacral radicular syndrome and knee osteoarthritis, given their working technique of levelling screed with their trunk bent while mainly supported by their hands and knees. To reduce the physical demands of bending of the trunk and kneeling, a manually movable screed-levelling machine was developed for floor layers in the Netherlands. The aim of this paper is to estimate the potential health gains of working with a manually movable screed-levelling machine on the risk of lower back pain (LBP), lumbosacral radicular syndrome (LRS) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) compared to traditional working techniques. This potential health gain was assessed using the epidemiological population estimates of the Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) and the Potential Impact Fraction (PIF), combined with work-related risk estimates for these three disorders from systematic reviews. The percentage of workers exceeding these risk estimates was based on worksite observations among 28 floor layers. For LBP, 16/18 workers were at risk when using traditional working techniques, with a PAF = 38%, and for those using a manually movable screed-levelling machine, this was 6/10 with a PIF = 13%. For LRS, these data were 16/18 with a PAF = 55% and 14/18 with a PIF = 18%, and for KOA, 8/10 with a PAF = 35% and 2/10 with a PIF = 26%. A manually movable screed-levelling machine might have a significant impact on the prevention of LBP, LRS and KOA among floor layers in the Netherlands, and health-impact assessments are a feasible approach for assessing health gains in an efficient way. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Interventions and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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13 pages, 746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Movement Behavior and Health Outcomes among Sedentary Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Federico Arippa, Athena Nguyen, Massimiliano Pau and Carisa Harris-Adamson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4668; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054668 - 6 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5018

Abstract

Background: Sedentary behavior, which is highly prevalent among office workers, is associated with multiple health disorders, including those of the musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic systems. Although prior studies looked at postures or physical activity during work or leisure time, few analyzed both posture and movement throughout the entire day. Objective: This cross-sectional pilot study examined the movement behavior of sedentary office workers during both work and leisure time to explore its association with musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and cardiometabolic health indicators. Methods: Twenty-six participants completed a survey and wore a thigh-based inertial measuring unit (IMU) to quantify the time spent in different postures, the number of transitions between postures, and the step count during work and leisure time. A heart rate monitor and ambulatory blood pressure cuff were worn to quantify cardiometabolic measures. The associations between movement behavior, MSD, and cardiometabolic health indicators were evaluated. Results: The number of transitions differed significantly between those with and without MSD. Correlations were found between MSD, time spent sitting, and posture transitions. Posture transitions had negative correlations with body mass index and heart rate. Conclusions: Although no single behavior was highly correlated with health outcomes, these correlations suggest that a combination of increasing standing time, walking time, and the number of transitions between postures during both work and leisure time was associated with positive musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic health indicators among sedentary office workers and should be considered in future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Interventions and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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17 pages, 5403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Design Contribution to Ergonomic PC Mice Development

by Miguel L. Lourenço, Rui A. Pitarma and Denis A. Coelho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 8126; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138126 - 2 Jul 2022

Viewed by 4135

Abstract

Developing new manual computer pointing devices abiding to the requirements set out in ergonomic product design literature necessitates joining contributions from several areas, including the ergonomic guidelines applicable to hand tool design, human–system interaction, and certain user characteristics such as anthropometric data. Computer mice are hand tools enabling the interaction with the computer, for use by people from both sexes and practically all ages. Moreover, the PC mouse’s intensive usage is able to cause musculoskeletal disorders. This paper reports on a study aimed at developing new computer mouse shapes, reducing forearm pronation, and providing hand–palm holding, supported by a literature review and an adequate design methodology, starting from known shapes of commercial products, the traditional (horizontal) computer mouse, and the vertical computer mouse. In this regard, potential concepts were generated as solutions to the previously specified problem through a set of creative tasks based on the specifications. Four new shapes were proposed to be evaluated through an assessment matrix; as a result, two new PC mice geometries were designed and fully prototyped. This study also reports on selected results of usability and an electromyographic evaluation of the prototypes against three commercial PC mice (horizontal, slanted, and vertical) by a sample of 20 participants, supporting validation of the development process and the newly developed geometries, with emphasis on the slanted conical innovative shape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Interventions and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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11 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fidelity of a Motivational Interviewing Intervention for Improving Return to Work for People with Musculoskeletal Disorders

by Ida Løchting, Roger Hagen, Christine K. Monsen, Margreth Grotle, Kjersti Storheim, Fiona Aanesen, Britt Elin Øiestad, Hedda Eik and Gunnhild Bagøien

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10324; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910324 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2741

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a fidelity evaluation of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention delivered by social insurance caseworkers, in a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) for improving return to work for people on sick leave with musculoskeletal disorders. The caseworkers received six days of MI training, including an intervention manual prior to the trial onset, as well as supervision throughout the trial. The caseworkers recorded 21 MI sessions at regular intervals during the trial. An independent MI analysis center scored the recordings using the MI treatment integrity code (MITI 4). In addition, three experienced MI trainers assessed the adherence to the MI intervention manual on a 1–4 Likert scale and MI competence. Total MITI 4 mean scores were at beginning proficiency levels for two components (global technical, mean 3.0; SD 0.6 and the reflections/questions ratio, mean 1.1; SD 0.2) and under beginning proficiency for two components (global relational, mean 3.2; SD 0.7 and complex question, mean 34.0; SD 21.2). The MI trainers’ assessment showed similar results. The mean adherence score for the MI sessions was 2.96 (SD 0.9). Despite delivering a thorough course and supervision package, most of the caseworkers did not reach proficiency levels of good MI competence during the study. The fidelity evaluation showed that a large amount of training, supervision and practice is needed for caseworkers to become competent MI providers. When planning to implement MI, it is important that thorough consideration is given regarding the resources and the time needed to train caseworkers to provide MI in a social insurance setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Interventions and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)

14 pages, 3571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reduction of Fatigue and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Garment Sewing Operator through a Combination of Stretching Brain Gym^® and Touch for Health

by Lusi Ismayenti, Agus Suwandono, Hanifa Maher Denny and Bagoes Widjanarko

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 8931; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18178931 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3629

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of using a combination of stretching and Brain Gym^®(BG) + Touch for Health (TfH) movements to reduce fatigue and musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) in garment-sewing operators. A quasi-experimental study was performed on 53 respondents with two sessions of stretching movements and BG + TfH movements of 5 min duration, three times a week for four weeks. Fatigue was measured using a reaction timer and MSCs were measured using a Nordic Body Map questionnaire. Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to examine the differences of pre/post and between the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). A significant difference was found in IG for pre- and post-fatigue (p < 0.001) and MSCs (p < 0.001), while in CG there was no difference in fatigue (p = 0.200) and MSCs (p = 0.086). Significant differences were found between the IG and CG groups in terms of fatigue (p = 0.046), as well as in MSCs (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in MSCs per part body in IG was found on the left wrist, left hand, and left knee. The percentage of MSC severity decreased in all parts of the body, except the right shoulder, left elbow, and right thigh. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Interventions and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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29 pages, 1488 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Risk Associated with Squats: A Systematic Review

by Pablo Monteiro Pereira, João Santos Baptista, Filipe Conceição, Joana Duarte, João Ferraz and José Torres Costa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9241; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159241 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 9620

Abstract

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is highly prevalent; it can cause severe pain and evolve into progressive functional loss, leading to difficulties performing daily tasks such as climbing and descending stairs and squatting. This systematic review aimed to find evidence, in the literature, of squat movements that can cause or worsen PFPS. This work was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, and its protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019128711). From the 6570 collected records, 37 were included. From these 37 articles, 27 present a causal relationship between knee flexion and PFPS, 8 describe a relationship, considering the greater existence of muscle contractions, and one article did not describe this relationship in its results. The main limitations stem from the fact that different studies used different evaluation parameters to compare the force exerted on the patellofemoral joint. Furthermore, most studies are focused on sports populations. After analysing the included works, it was concluded that all squat exercises can cause tension overload in the knee, especially with a knee flexion between 60° and 90° degrees. The main causal/worsening factors of PFPS symptoms are the knee translocation forward the toes (on the same body side) when flexing the knee, and the muscle imbalance between the thigh muscles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Interventions and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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