Erratum: Psychosocial factors associated with fatigue in mining work.

The mining environment is a place to work with a high level of risk. One of the factors that cause work accidents in the mining area is work fatigue or work fatigue. The purpose of this study was to reveal the role of sleep quality as a mediator of the relationship between workload and work fatigue in mining workers in Indonesia. Research participants were mining workers who worked in the field with a 12-hour / day shift work system (n = 232). Measurements were made using 3 scales, namely Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for workload, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, and Three-Dimensional Work Fatigue Inventory (3D-WFI) for work fatigue. The results of the analysis using bootstrapping 5000 showed that workload has a significant effect on the level of work fatigue which is mediated by sleep quality. High workload results in poor sleep quality and high levels of fatigue so that mining companies need to maintain the quality of sleep for field workers to minimize work accidents due to work fatigue.

Contributors to Fatigue of Mine Workers in the South African Gold and Platinum Sector

Mental fatigue is a psychophysiological state that adversely impacts performance in cognitive tasks, increasing risk of occupational hazards. Given its manifestation as a conscious sensation, it is often measured through subjective self-report. However, subjective measures are not always true measurements of objective fatigue. In this study, we investigated the relationship between objective and subjective fatigue measurements with the preventive AccessPoint fatigue assay in Chilean mine workers. Subjective fatigue was measured through the Samn-Perelli scale, objective fatigue through a neurocognitive reaction time task. We found that objective and subjective fatigue do not correlate (-0.03 correlation coefficient, p < 0.001). Moreover, severe fatigue cases often displayed absence of subjective fatigue coupled with worse cognitive performance, a phenomenon we denominated Perceptual Blindness to fatigue. These findings highlight the need for objective fatigue measurements, particularly in high-risk occupational settings such as mining. Our results open new avenues for researching mechanisms underlying fatigue perception and its implications for occupational health and safety.

Fatigue is recognized as a high potential risk for accidents and therefore an assessment of work fatigue is required. The purpose of this study is to describe the overall work fatigue assessment and based on work fatigue factors using questionnaires for the fatigue rating scale for workers in underground mining areas. This study used a descriptive method to describe the overall assessment of work fatigue and assessment of work fatigue based on factors related to fatigue using questionnaire scale fatigue assessment of workers in underground mining areas at PT. Y. Overall fatigue assessment based on fatigue evaluation questionnaire results obtained 54.55% of workers who experience fatigue. Fatigue assessment based on factors related to work fatigue shows that workers who tend to experience fatigue are&gt; 45 years of age, &lt;7 hours of sleep,&gt; 5 years of work, 12 hours of work, supervisor type II / jumbo operator drill, jumbo drill operator, LHD operator, and service crew / helper jumbo drill, work climate&gt; NAB (&gt; 29.00 C) and noise&gt; NAB (&gt; 85 dB A). Underground mining workers tend to experience fatigue. The older the worker's age, the less sleep time, the longer the work period, the longer work time, the heavier the type of work, the hotter the working climate and the noisier it tends to experience fatigue.

The mining environment is hazardous for worker’s health. It can affect the mental health, triggering symptoms and diseases, such as anxiety, job stress, depression, sleep disorders, mental fatigue and other. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the scientific literature about the mental health in mine workers and to summarize the findings. The method used was scoping review. The principal outcomes were the following: evidence in the last 12 years in the topic was focused in four themes 1) Psychological problems & personal factors (38.2%); 2) Psychosocial problems & health related factor (23.6%); 3) Well-being (21.1%) and 4) Physical problems & organization factors (17.1%). Several affections, symptoms, characteristics or disorders were inquired about mine worker’s mental health, such as job strain, unsafety experiences, poor quality of sleep, non-subjective well-being, job unsatisfaction, social-relations conflict, risk of accidents and injuries, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), substance abuse, dangerous working conditions and demanding job organization, and so on. For those factors, Mining could expose to serious mental health problems to a part of their workers. It’s necessary to deepen the elaboration of international policies and carry out more scientific research and suggestions to make programs on the topic.

Intelligent mines require much more mental effort from visual display terminal (VDT) operators. Long periods of mental effort can easily result in operator fatigue, which further increases the possibility of operation error. Therefore, research into how brain fatigue affects the sustained attention of VDT operators in intelligent mines is important. The research methods were as follows: (1) Recruit 17 intelligent mine VDT operators as subjects. Select objective physiological indicators, such as reaction time, error rate, task duration, flicker fusion frequency, heart rate, electrodermal activity, and blink frequency, and combine these with the subjective Karolinska Sleepiness Scale to build a comprehensive brain fatigue evaluation system. (2) According to the fatigue-inducing experiment requirements, subjects are required to carry out mathematical operations in accordance with the rules during the presentation time, determine whether the results of the operations fall within the [7, 13] interval, and continue for 120 min to induce brain fatigue. (3) Perform the standard stimulus button response experiment of the sustained attention to response task, before and after brain fatigue, and compare each result. The results show that: (1) When the standard stimulus appeared in the EEG experiment, the amplitude of the early N100 component before and after brain fatigue was significantly different. When the bias stimulus appeared, the average amplitudes of the P200 component and the late positive component, before and after brain fatigue, were significantly different, suggesting that the brain fatigue of VDT workers in coal mines would reduce sustained attention; (2) After the 120 min of the continuous operation task, the subjects showed obvious brain fatigue. The objective brain fatigue was followed by an increase in reaction time, an increase in error rate, a decrease in flicker fusion frequency, an increase in heart rate, an increase in electrodermal current, an increase in the number of blinks, and a larger pupil diameter, and both the subjective and objective data indicated more significant changes in the subjects’ brain fatigue at the 45th and 90th min. The results of the study could provide insight into the reduction in operational efficiency and safety of VDT operators in intelligent mines due to brain fatigue and further enrich the research in the area of brain fatigue in VDT operations.

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a major constraint to worker performance and health. However, research on their prevalence and associated factors among workers at gold mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is insufficient. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of WRMSDs among workers of a Gold Mine in South Kivu, DRC.MethodsCross sectional data on prevalence of WRMSDs and risk factors was collected using a modified Nordic questionnaire and upper limb Core QX checklist from 196 workers of a gold mine. WRMSDs were defined as pain or injury(ies) or discomfort, numbness or limitation of movement in the musculoskeletal system at any time in the past 12 months which lasted at least 24 h. These had to be either induced or aggravated by work and circumstances of its performance. A generalised linear model of the Poison family with link log and robust error variances was used to generate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the factors associated with WRMSDs. The effect of individual, ergonomic and psychosocial factors on WRMSDs were investigated while controlling for known confounders.ResultsMost workers were males 187 (95.4%) and their age ranged between 23 and 60 years with mean of 36.3 years. Of the 196 workers, 49 (25.0%) reported having at least one WRMSD during the previous 12 months. WRMSDs with highest occurrence rate were the lower back pain (14.8%), followed by thighs/hip pain (9.2%) and shoulder pain (8.2%). Prolonged heavy lifting/shovelling shovelling (PR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.32, 3.24] and longer work shifts (> 9 h) (PR = 3.56, 95% CI [1.76, 16.58]) were predictive for WRMSDs while jobs with low demands were protective against WRMSDs (PR = 0.18, 95% CI [0.08, 0.44]).ConclusionThe prevalence of WRMSDs is high and associated with prolonged heavy lifting/shovelling, longer work shifts and job demands. We recommend lowering workload and job demands and improving work ergonomics to mitigate and prevent the WRMSDs among workers in goldmines.

Objective: The purpose of the current research was to present a model for enhancing the level of psychological well-being and reducing the stress of mine workers in the workplace. Methodology: This study, in terms of its objectives, falls under developmental research and, in terms of methodology for gathering findings, employs a qualitative approach with a research synthesis method based on the six-stage model of Roberts (2009). The research population includes all relevant, credible scientific articles within the time frame (2000-2023) that are registered in both domestic and international specialized and scientific databases. After several stages of screening with criteria for reviewing titles, abstracts, content, and research quality along with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) standards, 25 sources were purposively selected. Data were coded and analyzed through a researcher-made checklist form and thematic analysis method in the MAXQDA software environment. The validation of the research findings was assessed through four criteria by Lincoln and Guba (1985), researcher reflexivity, and agreement between two coders. Findings: Based on the research findings, 287 basic themes as indicators and 22 organizing themes as components of the model, and 4 overarching themes including; psychosocial factors, organizational factors, individual factors, and job-related factors were identified as dimensions of the model for improving the level of psychological well-being and reducing stress among mine workers in the workplace. Conclusions: Considering the findings of the research, it is recommended that stakeholders of mining companies pay attention to the identified themes of this study to improve the mental health of mine workers.

There are occupational risks inherent to the activities of professional hairdressers, which are not frequently studied, and therefore not considered in the formulation of health policies for this group. To verify the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in hairdressers through symptom reports, to characterize the most frequently affected anatomical parts and to identify and analyse risk factors of WRMDs in hairdressing. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of 220 hairdressers from beauty parlours in São Paulo (Brazil) was carried out. Each hairdresser completed a self-administered questionnaire which included information on socio-demographic characteristics, working conditions and health-related musculoskeletal system complaints. Ergonomic analyses were also performed in six parlours. The prevalence of WRMDs was 71%. Risk factors were associated with psychosocial factors and factors related to discomfort and work fatigue such as lack of acknowledgement of work and uncomfortable posture at work [odds ratio (OR) = 3.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-8.30], not feeling comfortable with body/neck/shoulders while working (OR = 2.78; 95% CI 1.40-5.54) and having >15 years of professional activity (OR = 3.04; 95% CI 1.17-7.91). Occupational risk factors associated with the development of WRMDs in hairdressers are related to biomechanical, organizational and psychosocial work factors. The high prevalence of WRMDs found highlights the importance of disseminating recommendations for prevention of symptoms with regards to the provision of suitable furniture, equipment and work tools, environmental conditions, size of workplace, work organization and psychosocial work factors.

The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between work exposure such as psychosocial work factors and work posture, and health in men and women with the same type of occupation in the manufacturing industry. Two follow-ups with a follow-up rate of 67% from the WOrk, Lipids and Fibrinogen (WOLF) cohort from the Northern Sweden were used. The database included 1589 men and 286 women, which is representative of the proportions between men and women in the Swedish manufacturing industry. To be able to understand the importance of work context, the participants were categorized according to work tasks (working with things or symbols). Logistic regression was used for interaction analyses between sex and psychosocial work factors (such as demand, control, social support, role conflict, and work-family conflict) as well as physical work factors (such as work posture), and health outcomes (work overcommitment, fatigue, and neck and back pain). The results showed contextually different patterns of sex different associations between psychosocial work factors and health outcomes. For instance, women were at larger risk of ill-health (in the form of work overcommitment) when working with things, whereas men were at larger risk of both work overcommitment and fatigue when working with symbols. Women working with symbols had a larger risk of neck and back pain due to work-family conflict. The health outcome that was most sensitive to the sex different associations was work overcommitment. In conclusion, the work context matters for sex differences in the association between psychosocial work factors and health and since work overcommitment is a predictor of disease, it should be of interest for the Occupational Health Services and personnel departments to survey.

The effects of selected psychosocial factors on the self-reporting of pulmonary symptoms

Mining workers can experience various kinds of physical and psychological impacts that will affect the emergence of fatigue. A lot of working hours and shift work mechanisms will drain many employees' energy. Research related to fatigue gives results that this affects employee performance, and even worse. This may have an impact on the emergence of an incident at work. Even greater impact will affect the company's business activities. Many mining companies have used fatigue monitoring mechanisms, but most of them provide results that are less fast and are less able to follow the pattern produced by each individual employee. This study shows the creation of a fatigue prediction model for employees using machine learning. Machine learning can identify potential whether employees are experiencing fatigue or not, so that it can assist management in making decisions. The collected data has 2 categories, namely fit and unfit. This research also uses the smote technique to balance the model so it doesn't lean towards one classes. Based on this study, it was found that the Random Forest algorithm was able to provide the best results which gives 95.4% accuracy compared to Decision Tree and Logistic Regression. According to the findings, it was found that there were variables that will have a major impact on the prediction results, namely sleep patterns and drug consumption since this data was taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research can also be used as a reference for establishing a model for determining fatigue both during Covid-19 and after Covid-19.

Introduction: In the era of the Covid-19 pandemic, psychosocial issues as part of health and safety have become a popular mental health issue, particularly among gold and copper miners. This situation has led some companies to fire their unskilled and unproductive workers to minimize the production costs. However, there is no specific regulation for the workers that could be a barrier of this unpredicted situation. This condition mostly becomes a negative stressor for the workers at the jobsite. At some point, it develops to a critical health and safety condition known as risky and unhealthy behavior that brings to fatality. The aim of this research is to analyze the psychosocial risk factors that adversely affect the psychology of copper and gold mining workers during the pandemic. Method: This is a cross-sectional study with COPSOQ III, used to identify factors contributing to workers’ psychology, while Dolan &amp; Arsenault’s questionnaire was used to analyze stress symptoms, with a Cronbach α value of 0.83-0.84. Results: Multivariate tests were conducted on the variables of work experience, body mass index, marital status, emotional demands, vertical trust, and organizational justice. Significance values were obtained for the variables of work experience (0.590 body mass index (0.517), marital status (0.122), emotional demands (0.187), vertical trust (0.000), and organizational justice (0.119). Of the six variables, only vertical trusthad a significant value. Conclusion: Psychological risk factors on copper and gold mining workers during the pandemic are only influenced by a vertical trust.Keywords: COPSOQ III, leadership, pandemic, psychosocial, vertical trust

This study aimed to examine the association between risk factors for work-related fatigue (WRF) among Indonesian mining workers. This preliminary study was conducted among 201 surface mining workers as part of a larger study in a mineral mining industry in Indonesia. A validated self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain information on individual characteristics (i.e. age, smoking and exercise habits, duration of work, shift work, and job position), physical (i.e. duration of working in sitting posture, squatting posture, trunk flexion posture, hand above shoulder, using vibrating hand tool, exposed to whole body vibration, and lifting), and psychosocial (i.e. effort, reward, over commitment, supervisor support, co-worker support, job satisfaction, and work stress) factors. Two sets of validated questionnaires were used to assess acute and chronic WRF as the outcomes. A multivariate linear regression model was developed for each outcome. This study found that being mining operators and processing plant operators, doing activities that involved hands above shoulders, using vibrating hand tools, and reporting high effort score increased acute WRF score. In contrast, former smokers and high supervisor support decreased the score of acute WRF. Being mining operators, warehouse crews and processing plant operators, reporting high effort score, high over commitment score and their job to be mildly/moderately to very/extremely stressful increase chronic WRF score. In conclusion, job position and both physical and psychosocial factors increased the acute WRF score, whereas for chronic WRF, only job position and psychosocial factor increased chronic WRF score.

Work-related fatigue, combined with shift work and prolonged work hours, has a significant effect, contributing to increasing accident rate by 50-100%. To assess the level of work-related fatigue over a 4-week work period among offshore rig oil and gas workers in Indonesia. This cohort study evaluated acute fatigue, chronic fatigue, and intershift recovery scores among offshore oil and gas rig workers using the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery 15 (OFER15) questionnaire. Fatigue levels were assessed weekly throughout the study duration, which was 4-week work period. Additionally, atthe fourth week, participants were asked about psychosocial factors that could bepotentially related to fatigue. Of 67 participants, the average scores of acute and chronic fatigue were 30.0 and 33.3, and the scores had significantly increased over 4 weeks (P < 0.001). The intershift recovery scores statistically significantly decreased over 4 weeks (P < 0.001), and the differences between weeks (Week 1 versus 2, Week 1 versus 3 and Week 1 versus 4) were also statistically significant (P < 0.001). Acute and chronic fatigue scores had a significant positive correlation with psychological job demands and negatively correlated with influence at work and job satisfaction. Over 4 weeks, acute fatigue augmented chronic fatigue, while acute and chronic fatigue demanded a longer recovery. Workers at the offshore rig experienced work fatigue during their on-duty periods, with the level of fatigue significantly increasing over the 4 weeks. Comprehensive fatigue management at offshore rigs is vital to mitigate work fatigue and minimize the risk of work-related accidents.