Work Content and Eye Discomfort in VDT Work

A questionnaire study of Swedish public employees with frequent and different types of VDT work (n = 2,025) was conducted. Eight different kinds of eye discomfort were examined, and an additive index was constructed. Eye discomfort was statistically related to aspects of work organization. The highest levels of discomfort were reported by computer-aided design (CAD), data entry, and word processing groups; groups with mixed VDT tasks displayed the lowest level of symptoms. Time spent at a VDT, low degree of work control, time pressure, and high pace of work were all associated with relatively high levels of eye discomfort. There was significant interaction between experience of stress and time spent at a VDT with respect to both the eye discomfort index and three specific symptoms (itching, gritty feeling, and dryness). Whereas dryness, smarting, and itching of the eyes seem most strongly related to work conditions, redness and watery eyes seem most weakly related.     

合理构建视频显示终端(VDT)作业疲劳工间休息制度

为了减少VDT(视频显示终端)作业对操作者健康的负面影响,合理地安排工作和休息时间以及设计良好的工作环境有助于减轻、缓解或消除VDT作业的疲劳。通过多项VDT数据输入作业实验,依据作业者作业能力变动的规律性,对不同类型的VDT作业者可能需要设置不同的工间休息制度。经过对实验数据的分析,数据输入的工作主要是信息接受和信息输出,属于事务性脑力劳动。只要合理地安排工作和休息时间以及设计良好的工作环境,就可以减少VDT对眼睛、骨骼及肌肉的疾患发生。     

Comparing the work values of engineers with managers,production, and clerical workers: A multivariate analysis

Engineers and scientists have been compared in previous research on their work attitudes. Conceivably the interest in comparing these two groups of professionals was a result of the joint work they often do in research and development departments. The present framework suggests that engineers who work in production departments would have work values and attitudes which would be more similar to those of managers. Survey data was collected from 432 employees in two industrial corporations in Israel. Profile analysis showed that the work values of engineers were similar to those of managers and different from those of production and clerical workers. Furthermore, work values were also related to behavioral outcomes such as performance and tardiness. Implications regarding the study of engineering as a profession and the use of work values in organizational research are discussed.     

Implementation of ophthalmological tests in periodic eye checkups for VDT workers in Japan

The National Federation of Industrial Health Organizations has offered training courses for medical staff belonging to Occupational Health Organizations to overcome the difficulty of carrying out periodic eye-checkups for VDT workers in Japan since 1991. Through detailed evaluation by participants, the course contents have been improved. Today the participants in the courses number 643, thus contributing to the improved medical examinations for VDT operators.     

Luminance of the Surround and Visual Fatigue of VDT Operators

Luminance distribution in the visual field is considered as one of causal factors with a significant influence on visual fatigue, especially for intensive and extended Video Display Terminal (VDT) work. The aim of the study was to define visual fatigue of VDT operators for different values of surrounding luminance. Experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions under 3 lighting conditions. Only 1 lighting parameter—the luminance of the wall behind the display (surrounding luminance)—changed. Visual fatigue was measured both by a subjective evaluation of different visual complaints (asthenopic symptoms) and by objective measurements of changes in the following visual functions: accommodation, convergence, habitual horizontal phoria, critical fusional frequency (CFF), and visual acuity. The same experiments were done for CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD TFT (Liquid Crystal Display with Thin Film Transistor) screens. The results of the study have shown that there was no significant influence of the value of surrounding luminance on the asthenopic symptoms for either type of screen. A general tendency towards bigger visual complaints for LCD TFT than for CRT participants was found. An objective evaluation of visual fatigue demonstrated a tendency towards bigger changes in visual functions with an increase of surrounding luminance for both screens. Statistical analysis of the results has shown that surrounding luminance influences significantly the reduction of the accommodation amplitude (significance level < .05).     

The Effect of an Ergonomic Intervention on Musculoskeletal,Psychosocial and Visual Strain of VDT Entry Work: Organization and Methodology of the International Study

This special issue of the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE) reports the results from an extensive multinational and multidisciplinary collaborative investigation of the impacts on visual display terminal (VDT) work of musculoskeletal, visual, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors. For brevity, this effort has been referred to as the MEPS project (musculoskeletal—eyestrain—psychosocial—stress). This paper lays out the basic methodological structure of the study. The study was conducted in 4 countries utilizing VDT data entry workers as the primary subject population. A battery of objective and subject assessment measures, including muscle load, visual function, physical and visual strain, postural, ergonomic and psychosocial factors, were assessed at 3 different points in time. A pre-test was given prior to an ergonomic intervention. Two post-tests were given 1 month and 1 year after the ergonomic intervention.     

Work environment investments: outcomes from three cases

Work environment investments are important in order to create a healthy and safe workplace. This article presents findings from a seven-step interventions process aimed at examining and following-up work environment investments in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on air contaminants. Three different cases were analyzed and included in the study: (a) an educational center for welding; (b) a paint station in furniture manufacturing; (c) a joinery in furniture manufacturing. The results show that the work environment investments were highly appreciated by the employees and managers, but at the same time the investment could be optimized through markedly decreased exposure levels for the worker. Factors such as follow-ups of the investment, education and training in how to use the equipment, worker involvement in the process and leadership engagement are important in order to optimize work environment investments.     

Work ability in ageing workers suffering from chronic diseases.

The aim of this study was to investigate the work ability in ageing workers suffering from osteoarthritis (OA), coronary heart disease (CHD) or hypertension (H). One hundred and sixty-six OA and 355 CHD/H outpatients were evaluated. The Work Ability Index (WAI) served for work ability assessment. Patients' results were compared with the results of a control group of 225 healthy young workers. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA tests. WAI in female and male CHD/H patients was higher than in OA patients (p < .01), better work ability was related to better education (p < .01), white-collar work (p < .01) and better recreation (p < .01); subjective work ability was determined mostly by the objective health status. The promotion of work ability among workers suffering from advanced age-related diseases should be closely related to the promotion of health. It is indicative to improve occupational education and skills, already at an early stage of a disease.     

Work environment risk factors for injuries in wood processing

Problem

The reported injury rate for wood product manufacturing in Maine, 1987-2004, was almost twice the state-wide average for all jobs. Method: A case-control study was conducted in wood processing plants to determine preventable risk factors for injury. A total of 157 cases with injuries reported to workers' compensation and 251 controls were interviewed. Results: In multivariable analyses, variables associated with injury risk were high physical workload, machine-paced work or inability to take a break, lack of training, absence of a lockout/tagout program, low seniority, and male gender. Different subsets of these variables were significant when acute incidents and overexertions were analyzed separately and when all injuries were stratified by industry sub-sector. Impact on industry: Generalizability may be limited somewhat by non-representative participation of workplaces and individuals. Nevertheless, these findings provide evidence that many workplace injuries occurring in wood processing could be prevented by application of ergonomics principles and improved work organization.     

高温户外环境电网作业人员热应激预测评价

为了预测分析户外高温环境下电网作业人员热安全风险,采用预测热应激(Predicted Heat Strain,PHS)模型,考虑人体基础代谢率个体差异性和人体移动与风速对服装热阻和湿阻的影响,应用改进后的预测热应激模型对多种户外高温作业环境工况和不同劳动强度下电网作业人员的核心体温、出汗量等生理参数和最大允许暴露时长进...     

Work and non-work correlates of illness and behaviour in male and female Swedish white collar workers

Four broad classes of dependent variables (psychological strain, physical illness symptoms, health-related behaviour and social participation) were associated with eleven categories of stressors and stress moderators from work and family life, using multiple logistic regression analysis for a random sample of 8700 full-time male and female members of T.C.O., a major Swedish white-collar labour federation (covering 25 per cent of the Swedish labour force). Our goal was to find broad patterns of associations by comparing relative magnitudes of effects for (a) stressors and stress moderators; (b) work and family activities, and (c) males and females. Fifty per cent of the associations between environmental factors and dependent variables were significant in the predicted direction at the 5 per cent level. However, only 5 per cent of the associations are as strong, for example, as average smoking/heart disease associations. Our primary conclusion is that job factors are the next strongest set of predictors of health and behaviour after age. Job factors are stronger than family factors for both men and women; proportionally increasing the explained variance by over 60 per cent versus roughly 20 per cent for family factors (over the 25 per cent of explanation due to demographic factors). The overall pattern of stressor/outcome associations is quite similar for men and women, although both job/outcome and family burden/outcome associations are stronger for women than for men. We failed to find a clear linkage between particular stressors and particular physical illnesses. Among the job factors, control and work load have the strongest associations; with the former predicting behaviour patterns and job satisfaction (along with social support), and the latter predicting mental strain symptoms. Family problems are associated with increased health risks (stronger for men) and family responsibilities and constraints affect health behaviour (stronger for women). Job satisfaction is the most successfully predicted outcome in the study, and is similarly affected for men and women.     

Job characteristics and employee well-being: a test of Warr's Vitamin Model in health care workers using structural equation modelling

Warr's (1987) Vitamin Model was investigated in a representative sample of 1437 Dutch health care workers (i.e. nurses and nurses' aides). According to this model, it was hypothesized that three job characteristics (i.e. job demands, job autonomy, and workplace social support) are curvilinearly related with three key indicators of employee well-being (i.e. job satisfaction, job-related anxiety, and emotional exhaustion). Structural equation modelling (LISREL 8) was employed to test the comprehensive Vitamin Model. The results showed that the fit of the non-linear model is superior to that of the linear model. Except for the relationship between job autonomy and emotional exhaustion, the curvilinear relationships followed the predicted U-shaped or inverted U-shaped curvilinear pattern. Moreover, it appeared that the three job characteristics are differentially related with various indicators of employee well-being. In conclusion, this study partially supports the assertion of the Vitamin Model that non-linear relationships exist between job characteristics and employee well-being. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

气质与VDT持续搜索策略及人因可靠性的关系

为提高视觉搜索作业的人因可靠性,运用试验方法研究了气质与VDT视觉搜索策略及绩效的关系.首先定义视觉搜索策略随机指数(RI)和视觉搜索人因可靠性评价指标,然后运用E-Prime软件设计试验,记录被试的气质类型测评结果、视觉搜索反应时(RT)、正确率(AR)及注视点(FP),最后对试验数据进行统计分析.结果表明:1)气质类型与视觉搜索注视点轨迹的分布特征存在显著相关性,同种气质类型的VDT搜索作业者的RI指数无显著差异,均有与其气质类型相匹配的搜索策略;2)不同气质类型的作业者在VDT视觉搜索过程中RI指数存在显著差异,抑郁质随机性最高,黏液质随机性最低;3)在30 min的视觉搜索过程中,所有气质类型作业者的RT绩效稳定,胆汁质和抑郁质作业者搜索策略保持不变但AR绩效在20 min后呈现下降趋势,多血质和黏液质作业者在20 min以后会调整搜索策略且AR绩效稳定.     

Perceived Discomfort and Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius While Working at a VDT Station

Ten female participants performed work at a video display terminal (VDT) station over a whole working day. Subjective local muscular fatigue was evaluated by means of the Category Ratio 10 scale. Electromyographic activity of the upper right and left trapezius was measured. A comparison was made between 5 participants who had previous complaints and 5 participants who reported no musculoskeletal problems in the shoulder-neck region. The subjective scores for the shoulder differed significantly between the two groups, being higher for the group with complaints. Both groups showed a decrease in discomfort after the lunch break. The activity of the trapezius increased significantly for both groups, in a more pronounced way for the group with disorders. Although it is found in literature that VDT work is a task with very low static loads, it seems from this study that the EMG activity increase can be an indication of muscle fatigue: More effort was required to accomplish the same VDT task at the end of the day.     

Visual Strain and Lighting Preferences of VDT Users Under Different Lighting Systems

Lighting influences users’ visual strain and well-being. Therefore creating lighting that ensures visual work conditions do not result in visual fatigue is a preventive activity. The aim of the study was to model different lighting systems for visual display terminal (VDT) work and to determine their influence on users’ visual strain and preferences. The results of the study showed that visual fatigue was lowest for indirect and compound lighting systems. On the other hand, in general, direct lighting realized by “dark-light” luminaires was the most preferred lighting system. Some interesting differences related to age, gender, and VDT work experience were found. On the basis of the obtained results lighting designers can be provided with some guidance.     

基于疲劳模式识别的VDT作业工间休息机制

为保障作业人员身心健康和作业效率,运用E-Prime软件模拟认知性VDT持续作业,通过方差分析提出作业疲劳综合评价指标体系,并使用客观绩效指标和生理指标作为输入变量,主观疲劳综合指数作为输出变量,训练BP神经网络,对作业疲劳进行模式识别;提出认知性VDT持续作业工间休息机制.结果表明:通过正确反应时间、注视时间、瞳孔直...     

基于结构方程模型的认知性VDT作业过程解析

为实现通过过程控制和管理提高认知性视觉显示终端(VDT)作业人员可靠性和绩效的目标,应用结构方程模型(SEM)研究作业过程表征方法.构建认知性VDT作业的信息加工过程模型,抽取13个基本认知动素(CT1),提出CT1概念结构模型假设,设计外显指标测试题项,运用问卷调查样本数据构建结构方程和测量方程;对测量数据与结构方程...     

Work ability of workers in different age groups in a public health institution in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the associations between demographics, work, lifestyle, housework, and the work ability of workers. METHODS: Employees between the ages of 20 and 69 (N = 651), employed at a Brazilian public institution, responded to a questionnaire on demographics, work, lifestyle characteristics, and work ability. RESULTS: Work ability decreased significantly with age among the women. The younger group had higher scores on the work ability index than the older age groups, except for mental resources. The logistic regression analysis showed that higher age, lower education, and long work history at the institution were significantly associated with reduced work ability. CONCLUSIONS: The progressive aging, the low level of education, and the long duration work in the studied institution were related to a reduction in work ability, which increases the risk of work disability or early retirement.     

The accumulation of person-environment congruences and well-being

The impact of the additivity of three aspects of person-environment congruence — vocational, avocational and skill utilization — to well-being was assessed by four measures: occupational satisfaction, work satisfaction, somatic complaints and anxiety. Subjects were 74 female teachers. Findings showed: (a) the three congruence aspects were not interrelated; (b) all congruence aspects were correlated with all well-being measures in the expected direction; and (c) combinations of the three congruence aspects had an additive effect: the higher the number of congruence aspects the higher the well-being. The implications of congruence additivity to stress research and to vocational counselling was discussed.