Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 42 in total

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  1. Designing a neurofeedback device to quantify attention levels using coffee as a reward system
    Cheng KS, Lee JX, Lee PF
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2021 Mar;27(1):258-266.
    PMID: 29658406 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2018.1459348
    Purpose. Work performance is closely related to one's attention level. In this study, a brain-computer interface (BCI) device suitable for office usage was chosen to quantify the individual's attention levels. Methods. A BCI system was adopted to interface brainwave signals to a coffee maker via three ascending levels of laser detectors. The preliminary test with this prototype was to characterize the attention level through the collected coffee amount. Here, the preliminary testing was comparing the correlation between the attention level and the participants' cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and scores from the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) and the attentional control scale (ACS) using ordinal regression. It was assumed that a greater CGPA would generate a greater attention level. Result. The generated coffee amount from the BCI system had a significant positive correlation with the CGPA (p = 0.004), mild depression (p = 0.019) and mild and extremely severe anxiety (p = 0.044 and p = 0.019, respectively) and a negative correlation with the ACS score (p = 0.042). Conclusion. This simple and cost-effective prototype has the potential to enable everyone to know their immediate attention level and predict the possible correlation to their mental state.
  2. The Effects of Safety-specific Transformational Leadership and Active Transactional Leadership on Mindful Safety Practices Adoption in the Chinese Petroleum Industry
    Shi H
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2021 Jun 15.
    PMID: 34126878 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1943203
    AbstractPrevious studies have concentrated on the value of managerial leadership for the safety behavior conduction by the employees in the workplace. However, safety leadership styles concerning mindful safety practices have rarely been examined. The goal of this study is therefore to investigate the relationships between safety-specific leaderships (transformational and active transactional leadership) and the adoption of mindful safety practices among the first-line workers mediated by safety climate in the Chinese petroleum industry. Data were obtained from first-line workers in the two Chinese petroleum companies. PLS-SEM results have shown that transformational and active transactional leadership are positively related to safety climate, which in turn affect the mindful safety practices adoption in the Chinese petroleum industry. The results of the current study indicate that transformational and active transactional leadership in a safety-specific view offer a comprehensive leadership model for mindful safety practices conduction in the Chinese petroleum industry.
  3. Musculoskeletal complications of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Qamruddin AA, Husain NRN, Sidek MY, Hanafi MH, Ripin ZM, Ali N
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2020 Dec 03.
    PMID: 33148113 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2020.1846924
    Objectives. Exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) is associated with hand-arm vascular syndrome (HAVS), which is characterized by musculoskeletal complications. However, evidence on this matter has been inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to determine and compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal complications of HAVS between a high-exposure (≥5 m·s-2) group and a low-moderate-exposure (<5 m·s-2) group and to explore the factors associated with the musculoskeletal complications of HAVS among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 200 tyre shop workers was carried out. HAV was measured by a vibration meter. The workers were divided into two exposure groups - according to their 8-h time-weighted average, A(8), of vibration exposure - and compared. Results. Almost half of the workers reported musculoskeletal complications of the upper limbs and neck. Only the lifetime vibration dose (LVD) was significantly associated with the development of musculoskeletal complications. Conclusion. The high-exposure group had a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal complications. Only the LVD was significantly associated with complications. However, all factors of the work system, such as ergonomics, handgrip force and posture, might contribute to the development of musculoskeletal complications of HAVS and should be included in assessments.
  4. Effect of psychosocial safety climate on psychological distress via job resources, work engagement and workaholism: a multilevel longitudinal study
    Yulita Y, Idris MA, Dollard MF
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2020 Oct 15.
    PMID: 32912109 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2020.1822054
    Objective. Our innovation was to propose a multilevel model to explain how an organizational factor, psychosocial safety climate (PSC) - the climate for worker psychological health - related to work investment (work engagement and workaholism) and, in turn, psychological distress. Methods. Longitudinal data were collected in Peninsular Malaysia across 26 police departments from 392 police personnel, matched across 4 months, and were tested using hierarchical linear modeling. Results. The analysis revealed between-group effects linking PSC to job resources, to work engagement and to workaholism. When PSC operated by improving job resources, aside from increased work engagement, it could unwittingly boost workaholism. However, this only existed under low PSC conditions. The secondary function of PSC buffered the impact of job resources on workaholism and psychological distress. When PSC was high, job resources reduced both workaholism and psychological distress, suggesting that PSC enabled resources to do their job of mitigating unfavorable conditions. Conclusions. Results support a multilevel PSC-extended job demands-resources motivational path with cross-links, and PSC's moderation function, as an explanation of worker psychological health. Confirming PSC as a leading indicator and the importance of a motivational path, this article presents new evidence in support of targeting PSC to improve worker psychological health.
  5. Development of a predictive model for work-relatedness of MSDs among semiconductor back-end workers
    Ling CF, Radin Umar RZ, Ahmad N
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2020 Dec 29.
    PMID: 33096963 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2020.1840116
    Objective. Limited models are available to predict work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among semiconductor back-end workers. This study aims to develop a model to predict the MSDs development among back-end workers. Method. Potential MSD risk factors were extracted from 277 work compensation investigation reports conducted between 2011-2019. Binary logistic regression approach was used to determine significant predictors. Results. Significant predictors (p 
  6. Synergetic effect of safety culture and safety climate on safety performance in SMEs: does transformation leadership have a moderating role?
    Asad M, Kashif M, Sheikh UA, Asif MU, George S, Khan GUH
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2021 Sep 07.
    PMID: 34126869 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1942657
    Objectives. In developing countries, health and safety is not given importance especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Incidents in health and safety are continuously increasing. The major reason is a lack of workplace safety culture. Secondly, enterprises lack resources, therefore it becomes hard for them to provide safety climate. Along with safety climate and safety culture, the behavior of leadership plays a significant role toward safety performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the moderating role of leadership for gaining safety performance through safety culture and safety climate. Methods. For the said purpose, the authors collected data from laborers and managers. A structured questionnaire was adopted and, after ensuring the reliability, structural equation modeling was applied. Results. The findings revealed that safety culture and safety climate both have a significant impact over safety performance; however, transformational leadership only moderates the relationship between safety culture and safety performance. Conclusions. Identification of the moderating role of transformational leadership is a significant contribution in social cognitive theory. Future researchers are also guided to identify the same link for large industries of developing countries.
  7. Occupational health and safety practice in infrastructure projects
    Alhammadi SA, Tayeh BA, Alaloul WS, Jouda AF
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2022 Dec;28(4):2631-2644.
    PMID: 34965852 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.2013034
    Objectives. This research intends to investigate the responsibilities of the parties engaged in the implementation phase of the infrastructure projects in occupational health and safety, i.e., the consultant and contractor. Methods. A questionnaire was developed through the selection and modification of the responsibilities from the literature review. Results. The statistical analysis results show that the consultants and contractors both ranked the item 'The owner requires the contractor to implement the occupational safety standards within the bid' first in the owner responsibilities, having 0.67 relative importance index (RII). In the responsibilities of the consultant, the first ranked item was 'The consultant has a role in adopting occupational safety plans and contingency plans', having 0.66 RII. In the responsibilities of the contractor, the first ranked item was 'The contractor shall provide the insurance cover for all project crews', having 0.71 RII. In the responsibilities of the workers, the first ranked item was 'Workers know the handling of tools and equipment within the project', having 0.59 RII. Conclusion. Overall, there was general agreement between consultants and contractors to classify and arrange items because both face the same conditions and have the same working environment.
  8. Health and safety improvement in construction projects: a lean construction approach
    Abu Aisheh YI, Tayeh BA, Alaloul WS, Almalki A
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2022 Dec;28(4):1981-1993.
    PMID: 34126867 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1942648
    Objectives. Lean construction techniques have been considered an effective approach and strategy to reduce accidents in construction projects. This article aims to investigate the application of the lean construction principle and its impact on occupational health and safety. Methods. To achieve the aim, an analytical descriptive method was used. The data were collected through a questionnaire, with 70 respondents who were chosen using a random stratified sample method. The questionnaire evaluated the perception of contractors and consultants about the important lean construction factors and their impact on construction project safety. Results. There is an agreement that the application of lean construction techniques can be impeded by challenges like lack of lean construction knowledge, complexity, misconception about lean construction and difficulties in changing employees. Conclusions. The study identified strategies that could be used to address these challenges that will improve the safety of construction projects. These include enlightenment on benefits of the lean practice, publication of improvements realized from lean practice, training, workers' involvement and empowerment, persistence, robust planning and gradual implementation.
  9. Prediction of work productivity outcomes by identifying critical risk factors among garment industry workers
    Javed I, Md Dawal SZ, Nukman Y, Ahmad A
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2022 Dec;28(4):2238-2249.
    PMID: 34556003 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1984673
    Work productivity is one of the most important economic measures in the manufacturing industry. However, the physical, psychosocial and individual risk factors of an industrial work environment affect workers' physical or mental health, resulting in work productivity loss, absenteeism and presenteeism. Therefore, this study aims to identify the most critical risk factors and develop statistical models for predicting work productivity loss, absenteeism and presenteeism of garment industry workers. A sample of 224 sewing machine operators was taken for data collection through observation and self-reported studies. The results indicated that the average work productivity loss, absenteeism and presenteeism was 38.21, 2.35 and 37.23%, respectively. Finally, the statistical models of work productivity loss, absenteeism and presenteeism was developed using multiple linear regression with precision of 69.9, 53.7 and 84.0%, respectively. Hence, this study will help garment industries to improve their work productivity by taking initiatives based on the developed models.
  10. Lower back pain and its association with whole-body vibration and manual materials handling among commercial drivers in Sabah
    Awang Lukman K, Jeffree MS, Rampal KG
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2019 Mar;25(1):8-16.
    PMID: 28978270 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1388571
    A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) and its association with whole-body vibration (WBV) and manual materials handling (MMH). We studied 110 commercial vehicle drivers using a self-administered questionnaire and the VI-400Pro human vibration monitor. Prevalence of LBP was 66.4%. The percentage of drivers who had frequent manual handling of heavy loads was 45.5% and those who handled heavy loads in awkward postures accounted for 86.4%. Daily vibration A(8) averaged on the z axis was 0.25 (0.06) m·s-2 and at vector sum was 0.29 (0.07) m·s-2. Daily vibration exposures on the z axis, frequent manual handling of heavy loads and awkward posture during MMH were significantly associated with LBP. Drivers who are exposed to WBV and frequently handle heavy loads manually and with awkward postures probably have more LBP than drivers who are exposed to only one of these risk factors.
  11. Occupational health and safety issues in the informal economic segment of Pakistan: a survey of construction sites
    Ahmed I, Shaukat MZ, Usman A, Nawaz MM, Nazir MS
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Jun;24(2):240-250.
    PMID: 28795938 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1366145
    This research covers the current status of occupational health and safety (OHS)-related practices in the informal construction segment of Pakistan. Data were collected, through interviews, from 316 construction sites employing 3577 workers. The results of the study reveal that both employers and workers lack knowledge of OHS laws/standards and no practices of this nature are enacted at these construction sites. Alarmingly, work-related accidents, whenever they happen, are not given due attention and there is no formal injury-report system. The informal construction industry employs a huge portion of the informal workforce, and lack of OHS happens at tremendous human cost. These research findings may thus play their role in strengthening the case for reforms in the sector. This study, if properly utilized, may also enable employers of the sector by increasing their knowledge about OHS practices and, as a result, trying to offer safer environments for their workers.
  12. Occupational safety and health management in the construction industry: a review
    Jaafar MH, Arifin K, Aiyub K, Razman MR, Ishak MIS, Samsurijan MS
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Dec;24(4):493-506.
    PMID: 28849991 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1366129
    The construction industry plays a significant role in contributing to the economy and development globally. During the process of construction, various hazards coupled with the unique nature of the industry contribute to high fatality rates. This review refers to previous published studies and related Malaysian legislation documents. Four main elements consisting of human, worksite, management and external elements which cause occupational accidents and illnesses were identified. External and management elements are the underlying causes contributing to occupational safety and health (OSH), while human and worksite elements are more apparent causes of occupational accidents and illnesses. An effective OSH management approach is required to contain all hazards at construction sites. An approach to OSH management constructed by elements of policy, process, personnel and incentive developed in previous work is explored. Changes to the sub-elements according to previous studies and the related Malaysian legislation are also covered in this review.
  13. Heavy metals found in the breathing zone, toenails and lung function of welders working in an air-conditioned welding workplace
    Hariri A, Mohamad Noor N, Paiman NA, Ahmad Zaidi AM, Zainal Bakri SF
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Dec;24(4):646-651.
    PMID: 28849717 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1368950
    Welding operations are rarely conducted in an air-conditioned room. However, a company would set its welding operations in an air-conditioned room to maintain the humidity level needed to reduce hydrogen cracks in the specimen being welded. This study intended to assess the exposure to metal elements in the welders' breathing zone and toenail samples. Heavy metal concentration was analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lung function test was also conducted and analysed using statistical approaches. Chromium and manganese concentrations in the breathing zone exceeded the permissible exposure limit stipulated by Malaysian regulations. A similar trend was obtained in the concentration of heavy metals in the breathing zone air sampling and in the welders' toenails. Although there was no statistically significant decrease in the lung function of welders, it is suggested that exposure control through engineering and administrative approaches should be considered for workplace safety and health improvement.
  14. Self-perceived mental well-being amongst Malaysian dentists
    Ab-Murat N, Mason L, Kadir RA, Yusoff N
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Jun;24(2):233-239.
    PMID: 28010176 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2016.1268869
    PURPOSE: To assess Malaysian dentists' perceptions of their mental well-being.

    METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on a conceptual framework of mental health and well-being model. Two aspects were assessed, namely the physiological (two domains) and the psychological (six domains). Participants were asked to rate their experiences of the aforementioned aspects using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from all the time to never.

    RESULTS: The response rate was 81%. Most of the dentists (61.7%) perceived having positive mental well-being. Under the physiological aspect, most respondents reported that they were 'generally happy' (93.3%), but about 30% stated they were 'stressed physically and emotionally'. Of the six domains under the psychological aspect, positive well-being was observed in the 'sense of coherence' and 'behavioural stress' domains. Participants who were above 40 years old, married and had children reported having a more positive mental well-being when compared with their counterparts.

    CONCLUSION: Overall, most Malaysian dentists perceived having a positive mental well-being. It is crucial, however, to closely monitor and initiate early interventions for those with negative symptoms to ensure the safe practice of dentistry.

  15. Contributions of safety critical success factors and safety program elements to overall project success
    Buniya MK, Othman I, Sunindijo RY, Karakhan AA, Kineber AF, Durdyev S
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2023 Mar;29(1):129-140.
    PMID: 35125068 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2038419
    Implementing a safety program is an essential step toward improving safety performance. This research aims to develop an overall project success (OPS) model for building projects through investigating the direct and indirect impact of safety critical success factors (CSFs) on OPS mediated by safety program elements. First, interviews were carried out with experts in the Iraqi construction industry, and then a questionnaire survey was utilized to obtain feedback from construction professionals. The results revealed that 20 elements are needed to confirm and improve effectiveness. These elements were categorized into four constructs: management commitment and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard and prevention control, and health and safety training. The analysis confirms that the relationship between safety CSFs and OPS are mediated by safety program elements. These findings offer a glimmer of hope for implementing safety programs in the Iraqi construction sector, and can also be used to enhance safety performance.
  16. Effects of safety leadership and safety management practices on safety participation through a casual-chain mediators approach in the Chinese construction industry
    Shi H, Nadeem MA
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2023 Dec;29(4):1383-1394.
    PMID: 36178706 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2131274
    Objectives. This article aims to prompt first-line workers to go beyond regular job roles and engage in more discretionary safety behavior-safety participation in the Chinese construction industry. The construction industry is a high-risk industry, and first-line workers are more likely to be exposed to workplace hazards. Once accidents happen, the negative consequences would come out. Therefore, employee voluntary safety behavior is focused on in this research. Methods. The present research framework examines the roles of safety leadership and safety management practices from the group and organizational perspectives in predicting the voluntary safety behavior (safety participation) of first-line workers in the Chinese construction industry through casual-chain mediators (safety climate and job satisfaction). In this study, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is adopted for data analysis and hypotheses testing. Results. After data analysis, the results show that safety leadership and safety management practices are significantly and positively associated with safety participation of first-line workers through safety climate and job satisfaction. Moreover, safety management practices have a more statistical effect on safety climate compared to safety leadership. Conclusions. These results provide some practical implications for facilitating the workers to conduct safety participation inthe construction industry.
  17. Effects of patient transfer devices on the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review
    Abdul Halim NSS, Ripin ZM, Ridzwan MIZ
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2023 Jun;29(2):494-514.
    PMID: 35306979 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2055908
    Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of patient transfer assistive devices in reducing the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among nurses. Methods. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to identify studies with a quantitative assessment of the efficacy of patient transfer assistive devices on the incidence and injury claims of WMSDs as compared to the manual lifting of patients. A health impact analysis of the pre-post intervention of assistive device implementation was performed. The percentage of the reduction of forces, incidence of WMSDs, number of missed workdays and injury compensation claims were calculated, pooled and presented as boxplots. Results. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. The best post-intervention outcomes of assistive devices deployment in the healthcare setting included a reduction in WMSD incidence by 59.8%, missed workdays by 90.0% and workers' compensation claims by 95.0%. Additionally, hand force declined by 71% (p 
  18. Safety management implementation drivers for construction projects: a structural equation modelling approach
    Abu Aisheh YI, Alaloul WS, Alhammadi SA, Tayeh BA
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2023 Dec;29(4):1358-1367.
    PMID: 36177998 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2131123
    The construction industry is one of the hazardous fields due to its exceptional environment. Therefore, this work aimed to assess the essential drivers needed for employing safety management in the Palestinian construction industry. The drivers for safety management were recognized from earlier literature, where the questionnaires were dispersed to professionals from construction projects. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) technique was then performed to contextually adjust the identified drivers. The results showed that safety management drivers could be categorized into three constructs: management, awareness and policy. In addition, partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed to generate the safety management driver's model. The results indicated that management drivers were vital drivers for adopting safety management. The study's findings would act as a reference for construction stakeholders to decrease danger and enhance the construction project's success via implementing safety management drivers.
  19. Behavior-based safety program for process industries
    Rashid MI, Athar M, Noor F, Hussain A
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2023 Dec;29(4):1440-1450.
    PMID: 36221985 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2135282
    Objectives. This article describes the reduction of unsafe behaviors observed at a fertilizer complex by implementation of a behavior-based safety (BBS) program via a behavior observation form developed by a multidisciplinary team. Methods. Six observation categories, i.e., position of people, reaction of people, personal protective equipment (PPE), tools used, operating procedures and housekeeping, are used to monitor safe and unsafe behaviors for a period of 18 months. Results. Safe behaviors increased from 57 to 70% and unsafe behaviors reduced from 40 to 26%. Behaviors of employees working in various sections of fertilizer complex such as ammonia, urea, utility, bagging/shipping and workshop were also observed. Non-compliance with PPE, housekeeping and standard operating procedures was also monitored in individual sections. Non-operational areas including the administration block, housing colony, maintenance workshop, warehouse, fire station and electrical substation were also observed. Among these, the maximum unsafe behaviors are for the housing colony and minimum for the electrical substation. Conclusion. It has been concluded that working on the housing colony, administration block and fire station areas will address 74% unsafe behaviors of non-operational areas. For practical applications, worldwide industries can implement this BBS program to enhance BBS, thus reducing unsafe behaviors and increasing employee morale.
  20. Identifying key accident causation factors in the Malaysian construction industry
    Oni OZ, Olanrewaju A, Cheen KS
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2024 Jun;30(2):366-377.
    PMID: 38243387 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2308376
    Objectives. Notwithstanding its economic importance, the construction industry is still facing challenges due to its high accident record. As a result, the goal of this study is to identify the key underlying causes of accidents in the Malaysian construction industry that construction stakeholders can focus on to reduce the menace of accidents in the industry. Methods. To achieve this goal, relevant literature was reviewed in order to identify the causes of accidents. The identified factors were used to develop the survey questionnaire for collecting primary data, and the collected data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results. The results of the EFA and CFA establish and confirm 11 clusters for the causes of accidents on construction sites: management problems; inadequate training; inadequate supervision; mental health problems; bad attitudes; inadequate funding; inadequate experience; material and equipment handling; poor safety practices; inadequate orientation; and work environment. Conclusion. The study concludes that addressing all 11 factors will drastically reduce the incessant accident occurrences in the construction industry. The result of this study will help construction stakeholders know where to direct their energy in an effort to reduce construction accidents.
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