Industrial Workers Research Articles

Drive away neck pain: Transformative motor control therapeutic neck exercises and tailored programs redefine posture for automotive workers.

Neck discomfort, arising from strained muscles, poor posture, accidents, or underlying medical conditions, significantly impacts daily activities and overall well-being, presenting a substantial healthcare challenge. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of motor control therapeutic neck exercise and a Structured Exercise Program on neck pain and posture among automobile industrial workers. Using a lottery technique, 106 participants aged 20 to 45 were selected from the vicinity of Chennai's auto industries based on predetermined eligibility and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, participants were randomly assigned to either the motor control therapeutic neck exercise group or the structured exercise program group, each comprising 53 individuals. Participants received a comprehensive overview of the study and respective interventions, and their informed consent was obtained. Demographic details, Neck Injury and Disability scores, and Assessment of Postural and Ergonomic Characteristics data were then collected. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the groups, with the Motor Control Therapeutic Neck Exercise group demonstrating superior outcomes in reducing pain and improving posture, with p-values less than 0.001. This study highlights the efficacy of Motor Control Therapeutic Neck Exercise over Structured Exercise in improving neck pain and posture among automobile industrial workers. These findings contribute valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions in occupational health settings.

Evaluation of human vulnerability and toxic effects of chronic and acute occupational exposure to ammonia: A case study in an ice factory.

The hazardous material release has frequently occurred worldwide. As a respiratory stimulant and a toxic substance, ammonia has numerous adverse effects on human health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the human vulnerability and toxic effects of both chronic and acute respiratory exposure to ammonia. This study was conducted in an ice factory. Ammonia reservoirs were selected as the danger center. The scenarios were evaluated from the perspective of the worst-case. The Emergency Response Planning Guidelines 1-3 was used to predict the dangerous concentrations in acute exposure. The probability of human vulnerability was estimated using the Probit model. PHAST 7.2 software was used to model consequences. As a measure of chronic exposure to ammonia, NMAM 6016 was used. A respiratory symptom questionnaire developed by the American Thoracic Society was used for collecting respiratory symptom histories. The ERPG3 level or concentration of 750 ppm was found at a distance of 617.71 and 411.01 meters from tanks, respectively, as a result of a rupture in reservoir 1 over a period of two halves of the year. It was found that the highest probit values for tank 2 at distances of zero, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 meters were 9.55, 5.92, 5.47, 4.82, 4.23, 3.56 and 2.96, respectively. The prevalence of pulmonary symptoms, which include coughing, dyspnea, phlegm, and wheezing, was 28%, 19%, 15%, and 26% in the chronic exposure group. In the event that an ammonia reservoir ruptures catastrophically, it may cause human injury at ERPG-2 or ERPG-3 levels. Results revealed that exposure to this substance can impose many pulmonary symptoms on the respiratory system of workers in industries. In order to reduce the vulnerability of humans to potential release scenarios, control measures must be implemented. Also, preventive and mitigation measures can be designed to enhance safety and resilience against the release of hazardous materials.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence by industry, workplace characteristics, and workplace infection prevention and control measures, North Carolina, USA, 2021 to 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected workers in certain industries and occupations, and the workplace can be a high-risk setting for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this study, we measured SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence and identified work-related risk factors in a population primarily working at industrial livestock operations. We used a multiplex salivary SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay to determine infection-induced antibody prevalence among 236 adult (≥18 yr) North Carolina residents between February 2021 and August 2022. We used the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (NIOCCS) to classify employed participants' industry. Most participants (55%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 49% to 62%) were infection-induced IgG positive, including 71% (95% CI 60% to 83%) of animal slaughtering and processing industry workers, 1.5 to 4.3 times North Carolina general population infection-induced seroprevalence estimates during overlapping time periods. Considering self-reported diagnostic test positivity and vaccination history in addition to antibodies, the proportion of participants with evidence of prior infection increased slightly to 61% (95% CI 55% to 67%), including 75% (95% CI 64% to 87%) of animal slaughtering and processing workers. Participants with more than 1000 compared to 10 or fewer coworkers at their jobsite had higher odds of prior infection (adjusted odds ratio 4.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 21.0). This study contributes evidence of the severe and disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on animal slaughtering and processing workers and workers in large congregate settings.

Intent to stay of Chinese agency workers in the information technology outsourcing industry

PurposeThe literature on information technology outsourcing (ITO) prioritises monetary considerations and overlooks human aspects. This qualitative study adopts a contextualised approach to address a research gap in understanding agency workers’ intent to stay in the ITO sector.Design/methodology/approachIn contrast to previous studies that focus on intra-organisational factors and use quantitative designs, this study takes a qualitative approach. It analyses data from 85 in-depth interviews with agency workers in the Chinese ITO supply chain and project managers of supplier and client firms.FindingsThe study constructs an integrated framework covering 15 factors at three levels and shows how they interact to influence Chinese agency workers’ intent to stay in the ITO supply chain. Variations in outsourcing management styles and practices among U.S., Japanese and Chinese client firms are presented to enrich the understanding of outsourcing dynamics in a global context.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the ITO literature by providing new insights into the retention of highly skilled agency workers and deepening the contextual understanding of this issue, throwing light on the human aspects often overshadowed by monetary considerations.

The standardized, mechanized, and annotated body. Fragmentation as cultural technique in recent video works by Kajsa Dahlberg, Kalle Brolin, and Hanni Kamaly

ABSTRACT For several decades now, audio-visual artworks have routinely been described as “research” or “research based”. However, the relationship between image, research and theory is often unclear, particularly when the artwork in question is produced outside formal academic frameworks like practice-based PhD or MFA programs. This essay asks how we can understand and interpret artworks that use materials and methods that approximate those used by academic researchers but do so through audio-visual means. Four artworks are discussed: Kajsa Dahlberg’s Reach, Grasp, Move, Position, Apply Force (2015); Kalle Brolin’s I am Scania (2016) and I am the Sun (2018); and Hanni Kamaly’s HeadHandEye (2017/2018). All four highlight how image practices establish, reinforce, and subvert specific attitudes, ideas, and practices relating to work or the human body. The author’s key argument is that the selected artworks can be understood as examples of the media-theoretical method of analysis known as cultural techniques. Cultural techniques have been defined within media theory as the chains of operations that link humans, things, and media. The scholar who uses this perspective searches for the rules, procedures, and documented practices that preceded and directed the development and formats of specific media technologies. This essay proposes that the four selected artworks show how fragmentation operates as cultural technique in different contexts. Fragmentation is shown to be at work beneath efficiency studies of industrial workers in the early twentieth century and the early twenty-first (Dahlberg); in the relationship between the sugar industry and coal mines in the south of Sweden in the early twentieth century (Brolin); and in the de-subjectification practices among colonial rulers in the nineteenth century (Kamaly).

Design development and evaluation of arm movement-assistive suits for lifting and movement for industrial workers considering wearability

Wearability of clothing is important for enhancing work efficiency and resistance among industrial workers. In this study, we developed wearable suit designs for shoulder and upper limb support when lifting objects considering the wearability of the user in the development stage. We provide basic data on the wearability of functional clothing and wearable suits, with emphasis on improving safety and work efficiency. Two distinct wearable suit designs, namely long- and short-sleeved, were developed and evaluated with a primary focus on wearer comfort. Employing a comprehensive approach encompassing textile analysis, performance assessment, brainwave investigation, and satisfaction surveys, this study provides objective insights for refining the wearability in wearable suit development. A short-sleeved design is recommended for the development of wearable suits tailored to assist industrial workers in tasks requiring muscle strength for heavy loads and repetitive motions. Our results provide foundational data on the wearability of robotic suits in a bid to enhance the safety and efficiency of industrial workers.

Trend Analysis of Industry-Sponsored Research Funding and Research Productivity in Orthopaedic Surgery Using the Open Payments Database.

Introduction Orthopedic surgery and industry work together in order to provide optimal patient care. The Open Payments Database (OPD), established in 2013, reports industry payments to physicians. This study analyzes the first five years of industry-sponsored research funding (ISRF) to orthopedic surgeonsand examines researchproductivity'seffect on ISRF. Methods The OPD was queried from 2014 to 2018 for research payments to orthopedic surgeons in the United States. H-indices and publication volume were queried using the Scopus database. The research payments were sub-categorized to surgeons in teaching hospitals, registered clinical trials, preclinical research, and domestic. Results Between 2014 and 2018, a total of $202.74 million in ISRF was made to 1718 orthopedic surgeons. The proportion of research payments associated with a registered clinical trial significantly increased from 9.62% of payments in 2014 to 42.19% of payments in 2018 (p=0.002). Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. ($20.77 million) contributed the largest value of payments to the greatest number of orthopedic surgeons (n=337). The total value of research payments increased by $3855 for every five-unit increase of a surgeon's H-index (p<0.001) and $762 for every five additional publications (p<0.001). Conclusion Orthopedic surgeons affiliated with a teaching hospital or clinical trial receive more ISRF. There may be a relationship between research productivity and ISRF.

Consensus in Data Management: With Use Cases in Edge-Cloud and Blockchain Systems

Consensus is a fundamental problem in distributed systems, involving the challenge of achieving agreement among distributed nodes. It plays a critical role in various distributed data management problems. This tutorial aims to provide a comprehensive primer for data management researchers on the topic of consensus and its fundamental and modern applications in data management. We begin by exploring the basic principles of consensus, including the problem statement, system models, failure scenarios, and various consensus algorithms such as Paxos and its variants. The tutorial then delves into the applications of consensus in distributed data management, focusing on distributed atomic commitment and data replication. We explain how consensus is integral to these areas and present examples of research and industry work that apply consensus to data management. The tutorial extends to modern use cases of consensus in the evolving landscapes of edge-cloud systems and blockchain technology. We discuss how consensus mechanisms are being adapted and applied in these areas, highlighting their growing importance in emerging areas of data management. By exploring these cutting-edge applications, participants will gain insights into how consensus is shaping ongoing and future research on distributed data management. The tutorial builds on the authors' recent book "Consensus in Data Management: from Distributed Commit to Blockchain". The book will serve as the foundation and reading material for the tutorial. This tutorial targets data management researchers and practitioners to equip them with the knowledge and perspective needed to innovate in these emerging fields. This includes graduate students and junior researchers starting their careers in the area of distributed data management. Also, it includes researchers in other areas of data management who wish to explore the area of distributed data management with the goal of utilizing it in their own fields.

Drone inspection path planning with self-organizing neural network of elastic Hebbian learning rule

Abstract As the scale of the power grid continues to expand, inspection scenarios become increasingly complex, and inspection and maintenance work in the power industry faces huge challenges. The traditional manual inspection mode has problems such as high cost, low efficiency, and poor safety. Using electric drones to inspect all equipment nodes in the area can effectively reduce operation and maintenance costs and ensure personnel safety. As a key technology to realize autonomous power inspection, UAV path planning needs to overcome difficulties such as long solution time and intersection of inspection paths. Therefore, this article conducts research on UAV path planning algorithms for large-scale power inspections, which is of great significance to improving the efficiency of power inspections. To avoid the occurrence of path intersections and improve the path planning effect, this paper uses the convex hull property in graph theory to design elastic Hebbian learning rules and proposes a self-organizing neural network algorithm based on elastic Hebbian learning rules.

Autoimmune diseases, autoantibody status and silicosis in a cohort of 1238 workers from the artificial stone benchtop industry

ObjectivesAutoimmune disorders are multifactorial but occupational exposures have long been implicated, including respirable crystalline silica (RCS). A modern epidemic of silicosis is emerging internationally, associated with dry processing of engineered...

Exploring the impact of hydrotherapy interventions on stress reduction in construction workers: A scoping review protocol

Background The global construction industry causes considerable stress to workers, affecting them physically and mentally. Stress, a reaction to difficult situations, can cause negative health effects. The demanding environment of a construction site increases stress, which leads to psychological, physical, and behavioral reactions. Traditional treatments often have side effects and social stigma. Hydrotherapy, which uses water for healing, offers a promising alternative that promotes relaxation and detoxification. Its multiple benefits make it a valuable stress management tool. This scoping review aims to critically analyze existing interventions on physiological well-being popular in the construction industry and to investigate the biological responses of hydrotherapy to stress markers. Finally, make recommendations that support the health of construction industry workers. Methods An evaluation funneled by the Arksey and O’Malley framework, improvements plus suggestions by Levac, Colquhoun and O’Brien, Daudt et al., with the 2015 Johanna Briggs Institute guidelines will be performed. Organized electronic explorations of records and search engines including Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Google Scholar, plus IEEE Xplore will be conducted to retrieve distributed peer-reviewed articles from all research projects, excluding reviews and gray published works. All literature, research questions and sub-questions meeting the inclusion criteria will be integrated in this evaluation. All searched literature is transferred to the Endnote 21 library. The quality evaluation of the involved papers will be achieved by applying the MMAT 2018 version. Discussion We envision charting applicable sources on stress, researching the efficacy of treatment alternatives for stress as well as assessing their correlation with quality of life in construction workers. This study is expected to expose research gaps, which could guide future accomplishment research on stress treatment mediations.

Thermal criticality and two-step diffusion-reaction of electromagnetic Casson-Williamson fluid flow along a vertical channel with convective cooling under bimolecular kinetic

The need to examine diverse conditions involving industrial working fluids and improving thermal transfer efficiency cannot be overstated. Every thermal system must monitor and control excessive heat production and propagation to avert disruptions in various engineering processes. Therefore, the study investigated the theoretical significance of thermal criticality and a two-step exothermic reaction on Casson-Williamson fluid dynamics behaviour through a fixed vertical channel driven by an electromagnetic field, axial pressure gradient, and heat buoyancy force under a generalized bimolecular chemical kinetic. The heat exchange at the convective wall surface is adhered to Newton’s law of cooling. The Galerkin weighted residual method (GWRM) was utilized to solve the dimensionless nonlinear equations governing the flow within the boundary layer, yielding graphical representations of momentum and energy distributions. The results show that higher values of the activation energy, Frank-Kamenetskii parameter, electric field loading, activation ratio term, Weissenberg number, and second step term led to better heat dispersion and, eventually, complete combustion of hydrocarbons in the Casson-Williamson fluid. To avoid system disruptions, the study underscores the crucial need for continuous monitoring of all factors that stimulate internal heat generation to prevent system failures, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in the field of thermal systems.

Bearing Psychic Weight and Accountability: Navigating Racism and Microaggressions in Creative Work

This article examines how Indigenous, Black, and people of colour (IBPOC) music industry workers navigate moments of racism and microaggressions. Through interviews with musical artists and industry workers ( N = 55), the article identifies two strategies for navigating situational acts of racism: alleviation and confrontation. Those choosing to alleviate reactions to racism express a psychic weight that stays with them, while those choosing to confront racism report that social accountability guides their actions. These strategies reveal both the persistence of and resistance to the music industry’s somatic norm – the corporeal baseline of whiteness against which non-White bodies are perceived and judged. They also result in a longer-term mental load that becomes constitutive of career advancement efforts.

Impact of Covid 19 Outbreak on Livestock Production: A Review

For centuries, disease outbreak has posed a threat to livestock production. Corona virus disease, also known as COVID-19 is a novel disease that brought with it economic havoc and affected the livestock industry adversely. Animal Production and processing plants were heavily affected as a result of difficulty buying production inputs such as feed for animals, transportation of live animals including inter border crossing restrictions, assess to professional care, reduced workforce and decrease in supply of meat and meat products to the market. With the pandemic, importation and exportation of animals and livestock products were affected. There was reduction in the number of animals slaughtered daily and also a reduction in processing plant capacity across all species. Majority of workers in the livestock industry were infected with corona virus, which resulted to financial instability, loss of jobs as well as loss of animals. Better policies to reduce the economic loss through partial or full opening of both intra and interstate borders, providing funds to farmers, opening up processing plants and slaughtering houses will aid in cushioning the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livestock industry.

Start of the Season in a Seasonal Work Context: A Better Understanding of the Difficulties Experienced by Seasonal Workers in the Food Processing Industry for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

The specific period of the start of a new working season and a return to work after the off-season seems to be a critical moment for the musculoskeletal health of seasonal workers. This study aims to identify the difficulties and working conditions encountered by seasonal workers in this particular period of the working season which may increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). An in-depth ergonomic work activity study, combined with a multiple case study of eight seasonal workers from a meat processing facility, was conducted. Various interviews (n = 24) and observations of work activity, organization, and production (n = 96 h) were held at different moments (off-season, return to work at the start of the season, and during the season). Critical work situations exposing workers to WMSD risks emerged and highlighted a diversity of difficulties, such as accomplishing work activity involving strong physical strain and a significant and underestimated mental load, and having to rapidly develop new skills or re-learn working strategies after a long off-period. The study findings have implications for developing actions to prevent WMSDs that target working conditions and support a return to work for returning seasonal workers and a start of work for new seasonal workers, and to address work disability in this context.

Pengaruh Pengetahuan Tentang Dunia Kerja dan Pengalaman Praktik Industri terhadap Kesiapan Kerja Siswa Kelas XII Jurusan Permesinan SMK Negeri 1 Sumatera Barat

This research aims to: (1) 1. Find out the influence of knowledge about the world of work on the work readiness of class 1 West Sumatra (3) To determine the influence of knowledge about the world of work and experience of industrial work practices on the work readiness of class XII students majoring in machinery at SMK Negeri 1 West Sumatra. This research is ex-post facto research with a quantitative approach. The research subjects were class Data collection uses a questionnaire. Analysis prerequisite tests include normality tests, linearity tests and multicollinearity tests. The data analysis technique used is simple regression for the first and second hypotheses and multiple regression analysis for the third hypothesis. The results of this research are: (1) there is a positive and significant influence of knowledge about the working world on the work readiness of 12th-grade students majoring in Mechanical Engineering at SMK Negeri 1 Sumatera Barat, as indicated by an rx1y value of 0.488, an r2x1y value of 0.238, and a t-value greater than the t-table value (4.216 &gt; 2.002); (2) there is a positive and significant influence of industrial work practice experience on the work readiness of 12th-grade students majoring in Mechanical Engineering at SMK Negeri 1 Sumatera Barat, as indicated by an rx2y value of 0.558, an r2x2y value of 0.311, and a t-value greater than the t-table value (5.072 &gt; 2.002); (3) there is a positive and significant influence of knowledge about the working world and industrial work practice experience on the work readiness of 12th-grade students majoring in Mechanical Engineering at SMK Negeri 1 Sumatera Barat, as indicated by an rx(1,2)y value of 0.598, an r2x(1,2)y value of 0.358, and an F-value greater than the F-table value (15.603 &gt; 3.162).

Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among industrial workers in Peninsular Malaysia

Objectives. The prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) globally is notably high. There are a limited number of studies investigating WMSDs and their associated risk factors. However, there are currently no data available for WMSDs among industrial workers in Peninsular Malaysia. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of WMSDs and associated risk factors among industrial workers experiencing WMSDs through their daily working tasks. Methods. A quantitative study using a questionnaire was conducted among industrial workers from rehabilitation centres and factories in Peninsular Malaysia. The analysis of 232 participant narratives aimed to identify the correlation between job tasks and musculoskeletal pain, especially in case of repetitive and heavy handling tasks. Results. The prevalence of WMSDs among industrial workers stands at 93.1%. The results also indicate that the most affected part of the body was the lower back, with 62.1% for 7 days or more in the last year, caused by industrial workers’ job tasks. The prominent risk factors associated with body parts include gender, age, working hours and most difficult tasks with MSDs, especially in the lower back. Conclusion. This survey helps us to understand whether the workers are experiencing any discomfort, pain or disability related to workplace activities.

The impact of stress on IT employees' health and its consequential effects on productivity

The IT industry is one of the most lucrative industries which motivates hundreds of employees to join the industry for future success every year. With digital technologies dictating every aspect of our lives, the IT sector is only going to grow and create immense opportunities for employees in the field. However, working in the IT industry is quite a daunting task due to the highly demanding job environment and fierce competition at all levels. This further leads to employees being subjected to stress while working at various positions in the industry and this in turn has an impact on their health and productivity. Hence, the aim of this research is to explore the impact that stress has on the health of IT employees along with its effects on improvement. Secondary sources of information have been collected in the process to provide a detailed idea of this area of research. It has been found had stress impacts employees at all levels- physical, mental and behavioral. The level of stress has a direct impact on the performance of the employees and in turn, affects the overall productivity of the organization. It becomes important for the industry to take appropriate steps to manage stress and improve productivity in the process. Hence, all of these aspects have been discussed in detail in the below article.

Pattern of occupational lung disease among industrial workers attending a medical college of Eastern India.

Occupational lung diseases (OLDs) contribute a significant proportion to the global burden of pulmonary morbidities but are grossly misdiagnosed due to the relative lack of attribution given to occupational exposures. Obstructive lung diseases are known to be associated with long-lasting disability and loss of earning capacity (LOEC) among workers in industrial setups, thus reducing nationwide productivity. In this context, the study aimed to find out the pattern of OLD and factors associated with the severity of it among patients in a tertiary care hospital. The study was a record-based secondary data analysis conducted in the Medical Records Department of a Medical College in Kolkata. A computerized database of patients attending Special Medical Board (SMB) examinations from the Department of Medical Records was utilized for data collection. A data abstraction format was constructed to collect information on pulmonary morbidity, occupational exposure, and sociodemographic and behavioral variables. Extracted data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. After a review of records, it was shown that 62.3% (66 out of 106 people) of the study subjects had an obstructive type of OLD, the most common being Jute Byssinosis. A negative correlation (Spearman's ρ = -0.136) was found between pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC) and LOEC (%) in the study subjects. In the multivariable logistic regression, exposure to organic dust was found to be significantly associated with worsened lung function {adjusted-Odd's Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) =3.11 (1.1-8.8), P value = 0.03}. OLD is an understated health issue, especially in an industrial diaspora of developing countries, like India. Healthcare facilities should utilize their resources properly for the advancement of medical surveillance in industries where organic dust is produced. Health education of the stakeholders regarding the consequences of OLDs and the benefits of preventive primary approaches will go a long way in alleviating the burden of disease.

Tiny particles thermal motile in magnetized chemically reacting upper-convective Maxwell stagnation point fluid with radiation

The need to enhance industrial working fluid and material thermal strength for quality output of engineering and domestic devices, has increased diverse studies on non-Newtonian viscous fluid under different constraints. Various architectures and geometries have been considered for thermal propagation of fluid particles. As such, this study addresses thermal motility of tiny particles in magnetized chemically reacting upper-convective Maxwell stagnation point fluid with radiation owing to its usages. A partial-differential model is formulated under some certain assumptions and conditions, and with applicable similarity variables, a transformed invariant coupled ordinary-differential model is obtained. The solutions to the model are determined using Galerkin-weighted residual method. The computed outcomes are quantitatively tabulated and qualitatively demonstrated in graphs. The analysis revealed that the hydrodynamic bounding surface alongside with velocity profiles declines due to augmentation of the magnetic field and Deborah number terms.