Job Strain Index Research Articles

The mediating effect of health behaviors on the association between job strain and mental health outcome: a national survey of police officers.

Police officers often face emotionally challenging interpersonal situations and numerous studies have demonstrated that policing is a stressful occupation. A study revealed a significant positive correlation between emotional demands among police officers and emotional dissonance, as well as burnout. Health-promoting behaviors can contribute to better overall health outcomes and reduce the risk of developing health problems, but there is limited research evaluating the association of job strain and health behaviors with mental health outcomes in police officers. The objective of this study was to assess the job strain associated with mental health mediated by health behaviors in Taiwanese police officers. This was a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in Oct 2016. A total of 41,871 police officers (response rate was 79.7%) participated questionnaire that consisted of demographic information, job characteristics, health behaviors, and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the Short-Form Health Survey. Independent t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) were conducted to assess the differences in mean MCS scores across various demographics, health behavior, and job characteristics. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between job strain and health behaviors with mental health outcomes. MCS scores were associated with job characteristics and health behaviors among police officers except for gender. After adjusting for covariates, multivariate analysis indicated that police officers with high job demands and high job strain index exhibited poor MCS scores. Job strain was significantly associated with MCS mediated by health behaviors (consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physical activity) in Taiwanese police officers. Since regular physical activity and increased vegetable and fruit consumption might alleviate the effects of job strain on mental health status, it is recommended that institutional policies be established to promote health-enhancing behaviors among police officers.

Physical Exertion Recognition Using Surface Electromyography and Inertial Measurements for Occupational Ergonomics.

By observing the actions taken by operators, it is possible to determine the risk level of a work task. One method for achieving this is the recognition of human activity using biosignals and inertial measurements provided to a machine learning algorithm performing such recognition. The aim of this research is to propose a method to automatically recognize physical exertion and reduce noise as much as possible towards the automation of the Job Strain Index (JSI) assessment by using a motion capture wearable device (MindRove armband) and training a quadratic support vector machine (QSVM) model, which is responsible for predicting the exertion depending on the patterns identified. The highest accuracy of the QSVM model was 95.7%, which was achieved by filtering the data, removing outliers and offsets, and performing zero calibration; in addition, EMG signals were normalized. It was determined that, given the job strain index's purpose, physical exertion detection is crucial to computing its intensity in future work.

Risk Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Design of Lifting-carrying Facilities

There are main activities of the worker in UD Askan such as splitting the fish, carrying, and lifting the tubs. Work activities are done manually and the production process continually undergoes. The frequency of activity (15 cycles) in a day causes the risk of fatigue, injury, and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Evaluation of the work posture of four workers by Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) and Job Strain Index (JSI) methods showed high risk in the process of lifting and carrying a tank. The previous posture caused the worker to bend forward, both legs standing or squatting with both knees, and walk by carrying a tub. The results recommend solving soonest due to the danger to the musculoskeletal. The recommendation shows that lifting methods are required and the design of lifting and transporting equipment is needed. The evaluation posture by OWAS show that the process of carrying a tank is 3 level (immediate repair because it is harmful to the musculoskeletal), and after improvement, it is 1 level (not harmful to the musculoskeletal). Then, JSI indicates any improvement from the 3 levels (posing a hazard) to level 1 (safe work).

Constructing and validating an occupational job strain index based on five Norwegian nationwide surveys of living conditions on work environment

BackgroundIt has been claimed that Nordic register data are a “goldmine” for research. However, one limitation is the lack of information on working conditions. Job exposure matrices (JEMs) are one solution to this problem. Thus, the three aims of this study were (i) to investigate the reliability of an occupation-based psychosocial JEM, i.e., a Job Strain Index (job strain or JSI abbreviated), (ii) to examine the construct and criterion-related validity of this measure of job strain (iii) and assesses the concurrent and the predictive validity of an occupation-based Job Strain Index for use in analyses of Norwegian register data.MethodThe study utilized five waves of the nationwide Norway Survey of Living Conditions in the Work Environment with a total sample of 43,977 individuals and register data with a total sample of 1,589,535 individuals. Job strain was composed of items belonging to the two dimensions of Karasek’s DC model, job demands and job control (1979). The reliability of the JSI and its dimensions and components were investigated by measuring the degree of agreement (Cohen’s kappa), sensitivity, specificity, and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Construct validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion-related validity was measured by concurrent validity and predictive validity. The selected concurrent criteria were self-reported survey information on long-term sick absence, anxiety, depression, and sleeping difficulty. The predictive criteria were register information on receipt of disability benefits, mortality, and long-term sick leave.ResultsAgreement between individual and occupation-based job strain and components was fair to poor. The sensitivity and specificity of occupation-based job strain and its components varied from acceptable to low. The consistency of the items comprising job demand and job control was clearly acceptable. Regarding concurrent validity, significant associations between (both individual and occupational) job strain, and long-term sick leave and sleeping difficulty were observed for both genders. Occupation-based job strain indicated an elevated risk for anxiety and depression among men, but not among women. As for predictive reliability, significant associations between occupation-based job strain and all three health outcomes were observed for both men and women.ConclusionOur occupation-based JSI serves as a reliable and valid indicator of psychosocial job exposure that can be used in analyses of Norwegian register data where individual information on such conditions is missing.

S-23-2: CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WORK STRESS INDUCED INCREASE IN BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT

We usually spend about one third time of a day for working. So it is critically important for our health if the working condition is comfortable or stressful. In many developed countries including Japan, retirement age tended to be delayed due to several reasons. This means that we must spend more time for work in our life. Elderly people are vulnerable to brain and heart diseases. So the establishment of less stressful work condition and risk management is increasingly important to prevent work-related cardiovascular events or Karoshi. Among 203 Karoshi cases received worker compensation in Japan, 60 % died of stroke while remaining cardiovascular diseases. For occupational factor, long working has been considered as a risk of Karoshi. Meta-analysis has also shown that long working hours are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially for stroke. In Karoshi cases, most prevalent risk factor was hypertension (40%). However, the review of literature has shown that the relationship between long working hours and blood pressure increase or hypertension is inconsistent. Interestingly, some data showed that long working hours are associated with lower risk of hypertension, suggesting that the relationship between working long hours and blood pressure increase is confounded by other factors like qualitative work stress. Karoshi unexpectedly occur. Therefore in a real world, we need to obtain an individual information on blood pressure response during work to adequately manage work-related hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is an ideal method to monitor blood pressure behavior during work but is not practical to perform repeatedly with short duration. Self-measurement of blood pressure may replace ambulatory monitoring to examine work-related blood pressure variation. We studied 207 treated hypertensive subjects working for 29 Rosai hospitals. Blood pressures and heart rate were measured by themselves with an automated device at standardized conditions 4 times a day: after waking, 10:00 h, 16:00 h, and before sleep on three days (Monday, Friday, and Saturday or Sunday). We could observe clear daily and weekly variation of rate pressure product (systolic blood pressure × heart rate). The increase in rate pressure product on Monday morning was significantly correlated with urinary albumin excretion and job strain index in women. Our data showed the feasibility of self-monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate at workplace. This method would be useful to monitor work-stress related hypertension in several overwork situation.

Ergonomic Risk Evaluation to Minimize Musculoskeletal Disorders in SMEs Leather Shoes at Indonesia

This study was carried out at SME for the purpose of making leather shoes in the manufacturing process. Pattern, upper printing, finishing, and 16 other workstations are among the three workstations. Production operations are performed manually in a seated position that includes squatting, bending, or standing position that is repeated, and workers operate at average to rapid speeds for 7 hours each day. This signifies that the action is hazardous and may result in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The Job Strain Index (JSI) and Muscle Fatigue Assessment (MFA) methodologies will be used in this study to identify working posture conditions. The MFA method is used to analyze the level of effort, duration of labor, and frequency of work motions in order to determine muscle tiredness in each section of the worker's body. The 14 activities were subjected to the JSI method investigation, and the high risk was achieved by printing the top right hand SI 20.25 and installing the right-hand sole 13.5. The MFA approach was used to accept high to extremely high-risk body parts, such as the back, neck, and right hand, and make recommendations for how to reduce muscle fatigue in each body part. The findings of this study can be used to improve the upper printing station's design, as well as the table design for designing and drawing patterns and the chair design for sewing activities.

Effort-reward imbalance and job strain index associated with health-related quality of life for civil servants in a national survey: the mediation effect of job support and over-commitment.

Work-related stress (WRS) is significantly associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but the amounts of evidence on differences of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and job strain index (JSI) remain sparse and have limited generalizability. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between ERI and JSI with HRQoL and assess the mediation effect of social support (JS) and over-commitment (OC) on this association in Taiwan's civil servants. A cross-sectional national survey was given to registered civil servants in Taiwan - 20 046 civil servants from 647 institutions were enrolled using multistage stratified random cluster sampling. A web-questionnaire collected demographic information, job characteristics, and different indexes of ERI and job-control-demand-support (JCDS) models. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the association between ERI and JSI with HRQoL, and the mediation effect of JS and OC on the associations. In the ERI model, ERI and OC were consistently negatively associated with the mental component score (MCS) (r = -0.46 and r = -0.37) and physical component score (PCS) (r = -0.45 and r = -0.34), which were higher than job demand (r = -0.28 and r = -0.22) and JSI (r = -0.38 and r = -0.29). Using hierarchical multiple regression analyses, ERI was significantly correlated with MCS and PCS, which was consistently higher than JSI. The ERI and JSI were significantly correlated with MCS (β = -0.170 and β = -0.140) and PCS (β = -0.150 and β = -0.082) using SEM analysis, whereas ERI was considerably higher than in JSI. In addition, OC and JS mediated the association between The ERI and JSI with HRQoL. We found the ERI index is significantly correlated with HRQoL superior to JSI, in particular among Taiwan civil servants. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine the causality and spatiotemporal relation of these differences. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(4):425-36.

Proposal of an innovative ergonomic SMED model in an automotive steel springs industrial unit

Faced with globalization, high competition, and the demands of a market in constant dynamism, companies strive to adopt measures for increasing their productivity, among which Lean Manufacturing stands out. Although this set of strategies allows optimizing the production by reducing waste, the literature review showed that, in several organizations, the implementation of Lean does not reflect positive impacts on productivity. It is frequently related to the superficial nature of the approach: the tools and methods are applied, but the repercussions on the workers are commonly neglected. In response, companies seek to implement Risk Management policies to assess injury risk factors for operators during task execution. This study highlights the importance of integrating Lean Manufacturing and Ergonomics principles into organizations to increase productivity and improve working conditions simultaneously. Therefore, by identifying improvement opportunities using the VSM tool, this work aims to implement an innovative and systematic intervention model, which enables the integrated application of Single-Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) and ergonomic analysis in a metallurgical factory. To this end, the innovative Ergonomic SMED (ESMED) Model is proposed, comprising six steps, which, in this study, focus on the setup operations of a molding machine and by including Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Job Strain Index (JSI), Key Indicator Methods (KIM), and Shoaf's Model methods. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to evidence the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed model in this scenario, emphasizing the 55% reduction in setup time and the extreme attenuation of the level of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) risk in workers.

EVALUASI POSTUR KERJA OPERATOR PENGGILINGAN KELAPA BERBASIS METODE WORKPLACE ERGONOMIC RISK ASSESMENT DAN JOB STRAIN INDEX

Home-industry is a job that depend on human labor. Coconut milling is a home-service which is depend on manual material handling through production process services. Early result based on Nordic Body Map questionnaire (NBM) exposed that coconut milling operators had skeletal muscle complaints, so an ergonomic risk evaluation was needed to prevent skeletal muscle disorders. The purpose of this study is to evaluate ergonomic risk in order to prevent coconut milling operators from being affected by musculoskeletal disorders. Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) and Job Strain Index (JSI) are ergonomic approaches that are used based on the risk of repetitive motion, vibration strength, contact stress and task duration involving five main areas of the body, namely shoulders, wrists, back, neck and legs which can cause Musculoskeletal Disorders. The results showed an improvement in working posture which initially had a WERA value of 44 for operator 1 and 45 for operator 2, then improved to 27 at the low level. Furthermore, the improvement of working posture in the neck should be in a position of 10°-20° at medium level and moderate movement with multiplied pause activities. Conditions for improving work activities at the JSI value of 9 for operator 1 and 20 for operator 2 were then improved to 4.5. Improved working posture, namely in operator 1's wrist which is too bent, it is recommended for operator 1's wrist not to form an angle of less than 15° to reduce the risk.

Evaluation of Newly Developed Easy-Open Assistive Devices for Pneumatic Tube System Carriers for the Reduction of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders may affect labor efficiency, cause disability, impair one's work ability, and lower one's quality of life. This consequently leads to a larger expenditure of medical resources. We aimed to design easy-to-open assistive devices for pneumatic tube systems to improve ergonomics and reduce musculoskeletal complaints of workers. We followed a design control process, including designs of motors, gears, sensors, and V-shaped connecting rods. Efficacy was evaluated by examining risks based on job strain index, user satisfaction, and musculoskeletal complaints of operators before and after the system's implementation on a Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. We designed three assistive devices: two semiautomatic and one automatic. Each semiautomatic device costs about 300 US dollars and required space of 10 × 18 × 38 cm3. The automatic device costs about 3000 US dollars and required space of 28 × 38 × 50 cm3. The job strain index score decreased from 36 (very high risk) to 3 (low risk) with the semiautomatic devices and to 0 with the automatic device. Musculoskeletal complaints in the neck and upper limbs were reduced, with a significantly higher satisfaction rate for female operators. Our novel design of an automatic cap opening device for a pneumatic tube system was effective in improving ergonomics and reducing musculoskeletal complaints.

Role of lifestyle in the development of Cardiovascular diseases among the workers working in the offices.

Objectives: The incidence of coronary heart disease in Pakistan is not well established. While the role of lifestyle risk factors and job-related conditions in the development of such diseases, still needs more clarification. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad. Period: Jan, 2018 – Dec, 2018. Material & Methods: 30 office workers of FMU were approached including males & females. A semi-structured questionnaire was used. For evaluation of habitual physical activity Baecke questionnaire was used. Results: 30 office workers of FMU of age groups ranging from 20 above to 59 years (37.333±12.103) were being studied. A questionnaire to evaluate lifestyle and awareness of cardiovascular diseases and risk factor profile and prevalence was administrated to the participants with 23 males and 7 females. Among all, reported smokers were 19%. 47% participants had never performed exercise, overall statistical analysis for physical exercise was 1.4000 ± 0.62146, df =29, p ˂ 0.000, 95% CI. Job strain intensity was assessed according to Job Strain Index (JSI) Scale. It was reported that 53% workers had hard intensity while overall we found JSI 3.3333 ± .75810, df=29, p ˂ 0.000, 95% CI. Conclusion: Some flexibility regarding their job, proper awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and their risk factors is the need of the day.

The Intervention of Participatory Ergonomics in Repetitive Truck Loading Improvement Activities for Mineral Water Product

This research was conducted at a bottled drinking water company located in Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. Workers loading gallon water bottles into trucks experiencing musculoskeletal complaints (MSDs). Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Job Strain Index (JSI) assessment of the work also shows high-risk work. Participatory ergonomics interventions were conducted to overcome these complaints through two stages of Focussed Group Discussion (FGD). The first stage of the FGD with the workers produced several inputs which became material in the second phase of the FGD with the management. In the second phase of the FGD, approval was obtained for the implementation of the repair solution for 20 working days (4 weeks), namely the provision of Occupational Safety and Health material, the application of gallon water bottle transfer operating procedures to the truck, and the application of Job Control by the supervisor. Every week, ergonomic interventions are evaluated and at the end of the fourth week, there are no complaints of extreme pain in all segments of the worker’s body.

Hazard identification of repetitive truck loading activities in mineral water industry

A good work system is one of the most important factors in the company’s progress, and is the main key to success to increase productivity, company efficiency, and reduce the risk of injury. This research was carried out in a mineral water industry located in North Sumatra. The activity of loading the product to be distributed includes lifting the gallon from the conveyor to the truck. The problem faced by the company was the lack of supervision of the appointment activities, workers complained about the muscles and skeletons due to the Manual Material Handling (MMH), and because workers were also assigned to other work stations. Complaints were identified using the Standard Nordic Questionnaire, Job Strain Index, and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment. The SNQ results show that before doing work in several parts of the body it does not feel sick, but after doing the activity arises a complaint is very sick. This shows that lifting activities are the cause of complaints. The JSI score shows an index value of 12, which means that the activity enters a hazardous job. The results of the RULA score indicate that there must be action now too. To solve this problem, Participatory Ergonomics intervention methods were carried out. PE intervention is carried out on workers who aim to get input on remedial solutions needed by workers and to management for the implementation of selected solutions.

The comparison of ergonomic risk assessment results using job strain index and OCRA methods

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MDSs) is a real problem in terms of ergonomics. MSD is a muscle/pain disorder which is frequently undergone by operators after doing work, e.g. in the press line of a printing company. Some activities in press line are lifting books, reaching out the engine levers, and turning the engine levers. Many MSDs are undergone by operators, such as aches in the upper arms, hands, feet, and back. This is caused by excessive burdens and wrong posture when doing work. This study is aimed to compare the assessment results of operators’ body posture by using OCRA and JSI methods. OCRA (Occupational Repetitive Action) Index is a method used to evaluate and analyze a job. Meanwhile, Job Strain Index (JSI) is a method used to estimate the risk of pain in the upper body. Evaluation is carried out on repetitive activities. Based on the calculation results, the OCRA values obtained are 3.35 for the right hand and 1.13 for the left hand. Meanwhile, JSI value for the right hand is 9 and the left hand is 4.5. The results of the assessment indicate that these activities are categorized as high-risk so and need to be corrected. The author’s recommendation is by adding the number of operators on the press line.

Ergonomic Intervention to Improve The Productivity of Brick Press Tool in Small and Medium Entreprise (SME) Akheng Kobar

Akheng Kobar is one of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that is growing, which produces concrete blocks manually. The brick making process has an ergonomic problem, because the posture of workers in a squatting and bending position for a long time during work. Based on interviews with workers, there were complaints of pain in the back, arms, wrists, calves and thighs. Other complaints include the neck, hands and ankles. In this study, an analysis of initial working conditions, tool design, implementation and results analysis were carried out. Analysis of current conditions using REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment), obtained a score of 11, and the JSI (Job Strain Index) analysis score was 39. The results indicate that the process of bricks production must be changed and improved. Furthermore, it was carried out to design a concrete brick press, with the aim of reducing the level of ergonomic risk and increasing productivity. Tool design based on operator complaints, body posture analysis and anthropometric data. Of the several alternatives, obtained the best design alternatives and then made a prototype. Implementation results show a decrease in REBA Score from 11 to 7. Ergonomic Risk Factor decreased from 9 to 5, Job Strain Index scores decreased from 39 to 6.8, and standart time of process decreased by 44, 38%.

Occupational Noise, Job Strain and Salivary Cortisol: A Repeated-Measure Study

Background:Exposure to occupational noise and job strain have been reported to be associated with the salivary cortisol levels, but the combined effect is not clear. This study aimed to investigate individual and interactive associations between occupational noise exposure and job strain on salivary cortisol levels.Methods:We recruited 120 volunteers in an aircraft manufacturing company in Central Taiwan as study subjects. Each participant was performed 24-hour measurements of noise exposure and collected four salivary samples during different periods on the working day. The enzyme-link immunosorbent assay was applied to determine salivary cortisol levels. We also used questionnaire to obtain information related to job strain, sleep quality and other confounders. Multiple linear regression models were performed to analyze the association.Results:Workers exposed to ≥75 A-weighted decibels (dBA) had a significantly higher difference of salivary cortisol levels between 30-min waking-up and last-night sleep compared with that in workers exposed to <75 dBA and office workers, respectively. Workers exposed to high job strain (Index ≥61) had a significantly higher mean of salivary cortisol levels after 30-min waking-up and a significant difference between 30-min waking-up and last-night sleep than those with the low job strain (Index <61). Subjects co-exposed to noise levels ≥75 dBA and high job strain had a significantly higher mean of salivary cortisol levels after 30-min waking-up (0.371±0.098 mg/dL, P<0.001) and a significant difference between 30-min waking-up and last-night sleep (0.323±0.094 mg/dL, P<0.001) compared with those exposed to <75 dBA and low job strain.Conclusions:Occupational noise exposure and high job strain was associated with the increased salivary cortisol levels after 30-min waking-up. Co-exposure to noise and job strain may have a synergistic interaction with the salivary cortisol levels.

Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Distal Upper Extremities by Job Strain Index in Carpet Weavers

Background: Distal upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders (DUEMSDs) is considered as the main cause of working lost time, increased labor costs, and human injuries. This study was conducted to assess the risk factors of DUEMSDs in carpet weavers. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 143 carpet weavers located in Qom city. For quantifying the prevalence of signs or symptoms of DUEMSDs, the customized nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was used. Next, carpet weaving jobs were analyzed by hierarchical task analysis (HTA). All risk factors that caused DUEMSDs were determined and risk assessment of DUEMSDs was done by the Job Strain Index (JSI). Results: Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire results (NMQ) showed that the most prevalent of disorders was related to the upper back (62.2%), lower back (60.1%), wrist (55.9%), and shoulders (37.2%), respectively, during the last year. Also, JSI results showed that sub-tasks of knot tying and cutting, milling, shoulder milling headband, and the sub-tasks paid in the area were placed in the hazardous category. Among the parameters of the strain index, duration of exertion, effort in minutes, and hand/wrist posture had the most important effect in the creation of the risky level knot (W4), cutting the knots (W5), and combing (T6) sub-tasks. Also, duration of exertion and hand/wrist posture had the most important effect in the creation of the risky level in head band milling (R1) and combing (R7) sub-tasks. Conclusions: Knot and cutting sub-tasks in the task of weaving, as part of carpet weaving jobs, were the most hazardous sub-tasks. Implementation of ergonomic interventions focused on reducing the duration of exertion, efforts in minute, and correction of hand/wrist postures may improve workstations and reduce distal upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in carpet weaving workers.

Risk assessment of manual material handling activities (case study: PT BRS Standard Industry)

The process of moving material manually has the potential for injury to workers. The risk of injury will increase if we do not pay attention to the working conditions. The purpose of this study is to assess and analyze the injury risk level in manual handling material activity, as well as to improve the condition. The observed manual material handling activities is pole lifting and goods loading. These activities were analyzed using Job Strain Index method, Rapid Entire Body Assessment, and Chaffin’s 2D Planar Static Model. The results show that most workers who perform almost all activities have a high level of risk level with the score of JSI and REBA exceeds 9 points. For some activities, the estimated compression forces in the lumbar area also exceed the standard limits of 3400 N. Concerning this condition, several suggestions for improvement were made, improving the composition of packing, improving body posture, and making guideline posters.

A Review on Methods for Assessing Risk Factors of the Upper Limb Disorders among Cashiers in Grocery Retail Industries

This paper provides an overview of the various methods that have been developed for the assessment of risk factors for upper limb disorders among cashiers in grocery retail industries. This paper is essential as upper limb disorders have been known as one of the prime cause of work-related disability in various countries. The methods used for the assessment were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Assessment of Repetitive Tasks (ART), the Job Strain Index (JSI) and the Occupational Repetitive Actions (OCRA) Checklist. DASH questionnaire is a structured interview in determining the prevalence of the upper limb disorders, while ART, the JSI and OCRA Checklist act as a direct observation in examining the involvement of risk factors. Basically, these tools dealt with the measurements of symptoms, posture observation, and workplace risk assessment, as they are the most relevant tools for assessing the risk factors faced by the workers in grocery industries. The use of these tools assessed the risk factors and consequently reduces the risk of injuries among the workers.

A Simultaneous Evaluation of Occupational Stress and Depression in Patients with Lifestyle-related Diseases

Objective Karoshi, which is the Japanese term for death from over-work, is usually the extreme result of cardiovascular diseases, and occupational stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis. Depression is closely associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The present study was undertaken to examine the relationship between occupational stress and depression. Methods We enrolled 231 consecutive outpatients with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension were enrolled. Occupational stress was measured by qualitative constructs assessing job control, job demands, and worksite social support using a job content questionnaire (JCQ). The job strain index measured by the ratio of job demands to job control was used as an indicator of the occupational stress. Depression was evaluated by the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Results A univariate linear regression analysis showed the SDS scores to be positively correlated with job demands and the job strain index and negatively correlated with job control and worksite social support. Multiple regression analyses to predict the SDS scores demonstrated that job demands were positively associated with SDS scores and job control and worksite social support were negatively associated with SDS scores after controlling for other variables. The job strain index was positively related to SDS scores. Conclusion Occupational stress expressed as the job strain index was strongly associated with depression. By simultaneously using the SDS and JCQ, the health conditions of patients could be classified based on occupational stress and mental stress, and this classification could help to promote a healthy work environment and guide individual workers.