Specific Job Tasks Research Articles

How Certification Exams Reflect Current Practice.

Certification exams are often the least understood aspect of certification processes. This article delves into the development of certification exams, highlighting their crucial role in assessing the knowledge and skills required for effective job performance. It explores how exams are meticulously crafted to align with specific job tasks, knowledge areas, and skill sets within various nursing specialties. Through collaborative efforts between practicing nurses and exam developers, these exams are designed to uphold validity, reliability, and fairness standards. Ultimately, certification exams are pivotal in evaluating nurses' competencies in vital aspects of clinical practice, facilitated by ongoing partnerships between nurses and certifying bodies. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(11):513-516.].

Wage returns to job tasks and personality traits in Germany

PurposeThis article aims to examine whether specific job tasks measured at the individual level or personality traits are associated with wages and whether the relationship between personality traits and wages differs depending on the job tasks that individuals perform.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes the association between job tasks and personality traits, and their interaction, with regard to wages using German employee data from 2017/2018.FindingsResults suggest that nonroutine manual, interactive or analytic tasks are associated with significantly higher wages compared to routine manual tasks, and while extraversion and emotional stability are related to higher wages, agreeableness and openness tend to be associated with lower wages also within occupations. Moreover, the association between personality traits and wages varies depending on the job task requirements at the workplace. A high degree of extraversion in particular is associated with higher wages when the employee performs nonroutine manual, interactive or analytic tasks.Originality/valueTo date, especially the interaction between individual job tasks and personality traits on wages has not been extensively studied because data on both job tasks and personality at the employee level are scarce. This study contributes to the understanding of wage differences among employees.

Characterizing Nanoparticle Release Patterns of Laser Powder Bed Fusion in Metal Additive Manufacturing: First Step Towards Mitigation Measures.

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) is a well-known Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology with a wide range of industrial applications. Potential occupational exposures to metal nanoparticles (NP) as by-products could occur in these processes, and no cogent occupational exposure limits are available. To contribute to this assessment, a monitoring campaign to measure the NP release pattern in two metal L-PBF facilities was carried out in two academic laboratories adopting L-PBF technology for research purposes. The monitored processes deal with two devices and three feedstock types, namely stainless steel (AISI 316L), aluminium-silicon alloy (A357) and pure copper, which are associated with different levels of industrial maturity. Prolonged environmental and personal real-time monitoring of NP concentration and size were performed, temperature and relative humidity were also measured during environmental monitoring. The measurements reveal a controlled NP release of the monitored processes, resulting in an average reduced exposure of the operators during the whole working shift, in compliance with proposed limit values (20 000 n cm-3 for density >6000 kg m-3 or 40 000 n cm-3 for density <6000 kg m-3). Nonetheless, the monitoring results show release events with an increase in NP concentration and a decrease in NP size corresponding with several actions usually performed during warm-up and cleaning, leading to exposures over 40-50 000 n cm-3 during a considerable time interval, especially during the manufacturing of pure copper powder. The results show that the actions of the operators, boundary conditions (relative humidity) and set-up of the L-PBF device have an impact on the amount of NP released and their size. Several release events (significant increase in NP concentration and decrease in NP size) are identified and associated with specific job tasks of the workers as well as building conditions. These results contribute to the definition of NP release benchmarks in AM processes and provide information to improve the operational conditions of L-PBF processes as well as safety guidelines for operators.

Comparison of physical demanding paramedic work tasks between an Australian and Canadian ambulance service

Ambulance services require candidates to pass physical employment tests (PETs) to be deemed suitable for the paramedic role. Whilst some research has been undertaken to improve to relevance of these tests, they are often arbitrary and not based on research. The first phase in developing PETs is to generate a list of job tasks. To examine the utility of universal physical tasks tests for ambulance work, we conducted a cross-sectional study, utilising the results from previous work in a Canadian ambulance service to create a physical tasks checklist. These lists were then used by paramedics working for an Australian Service to identify physical tasks in their workplace, and the results from the two services were compared. Patient transfer tasks were similar in frequency and description for both services. Stretcher handling and manoeuvring was identified by Canadian paramedics as highly strenuous, (mean rating of perceived exertion (RPE) 7/10) but were rated mean RPE <3/10 by AV paramedics.Although some tasks between these two services were similar, the ambulance services in this study differed sufficiently with regard to equipment, training and policies mean that similarly titled jobs are not comparable, cross-nationally. Service specific job task analysis is required to develop PETs that ensure employees are specifically selected to meet the requirements of that service.

Sex and gender differences in migraines: a narrative review

IntroductionGender medicine is a new medical approach aimed at the study of the differences between women and men in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and the outcome of all diseases. Migraines are among these. They represent the most common neurological illness; they are most prevalent in adults between 20 and 50 years of age and are three to four times more frequent in woman than in men. Affecting people in working age, migraines are a problem that strongly impacts the psychophysical health and productivity of workers, regardless of the specific job task they have.MethodsA narrative review was performed, searching for the most relevant articles describing gender differences in people suffering from migraines, and particularly in workers.ResultsMigraine global prevalence is 20.7% in women and 9.7% in men whereas prevalence in Italy is 32.9% for women and only 13.0% for men. This difference is partly explained by hormonal differences, as well as by differences in brain structure, genetic polymorphisms and neuronal pathways. Sex differences may also play a role in the progression from episodic to chronic migraine. In workers, migraines are mostly associated with strenuous physical work in men, whilst migraines triggered by night shifts, lack of sleep, or irregular sleep patterns are more common in women.ConclusionsTo this day, the reasons of sex/gender disparity for migraine are still obscure. However, migraines, chronic migraine in particular, have a negative impact on the lives of all individuals affected by this disease, but particularly in women in which family cares and working activity are often superimposed. Migraine prevention strategies should be planned in workers through the occupational health physician.

Electromyography-based fatigue assessment of an upper body exoskeleton during automotive assembly.

The purpose of this study was to assess an upper body exoskeleton during automotive assembly processes that involve elevated arm postures. Sixteen team members at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada were fitted with a Levitate Airframe, and each team member performed between one and three processes with and without the exoskeleton. A total of 16 assembly processes were studied. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected on the anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, upper trapezius, and erector spinae. Team members also completed a usability survey. The exoskeleton significantly reduced anterior deltoid mean active EMG amplitude (p=.01, Δ=-3.2 %MVC, d=0.56 medium effect) and fatigue risk value (p<.01, Δ=-5.1 %MVC, d=0.62 medium effect) across the assembly processes, with no significant changes for the other muscles tested. A subset of nine assembly processes with a greater amount of time spent in arm elevations at or above 90° (30 vs. 24%) and at or above 135° (18 vs. 9%) appeared to benefit more from exoskeleton usage. For these processes, the exoskeleton significantly reduced anterior deltoid mean active EMG amplitude (p<.01, Δ=-5.1 %MVC, d=0.95 large effect) and fatigue risk value (p<.01, Δ=-7.4 %MVC, d=0.96 large effect). Team members responded positively about comfort and fatigue benefits, although there were concerns about the exoskeleton hindering certain job duties. The results support quantitative testing to match exoskeleton usage with specific job tasks and surveying team members for perceived benefits/drawbacks.

Vision Rehabilitation Therapists Teaching Technology: Association Between Their Age and the Frequency at Which Technology Job Tasks Are Performed

Introduction This study seeks to examine the association between the age of the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT) and the frequency at which they carry out technology job tasks. Methods A secondary data analysis was performed, using chi square to test for an association between the age of the VRT and the frequency at which they carry out 11 specific job tasks related to technology. Results Age of the VRT was shown to be negatively associated with the frequency at which 6 of the 11 technology job tasks are performed. Discussion Overall, younger VRTs are teaching access technology at higher frequencies than older VRTs. Newer specific technologies are being taught more often by younger VRTs, such as mobile technologies, voice-controlled devices, and social media. Older technologies such as keyboarding and OCR are being taught at similar frequencies regardless of age. Given the aging population of VRTs and the small number of university VRT programs, it may not be sustainable to rely on recent graduates or younger VRTs to fulfill access training needs for persons with visual impairment. With the availability, affordability, and quick emergence of new technologies, it is critical that all VRTs have access to continuing education to become comfortable and proficient in teaching newer technologies. Implication for Practitioners Technology training is critical for employment and independence for many persons with vision impairment. Continuing education for VRTs to be comfortable and competent in teaching emerging technologies may be important in ensuring that access technology training is available to all persons with visual impairment.

Who can work from home? The roles of job tasks and HRM practices

This paper examines the characteristics of remote work using a unique Japanese survey dataset that provides information on engagement in remote work together with the specific job tasks and human resource management (HRM) characteristics workers face. We show that the opportunity to work remotely was more likely to be available to those engaged in non-routine tasks as well as to workers subject to HRM practices presupposing that worker performance is measurable. The implications of these findings for income transfer policies and management practices in light of the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed.

Carbon monoxide exposures in wildland firefighters in the United States and targets for exposure reduction.

Background:Every year thousands of wildland firefighters (WFFs) work to suppress wildfires to protect public safety, health, and property. Although much effort has been put toward mitigating air pollutant exposures for the public and WFFs, the current burden in this worker population is unclear as are the most effective exposure reduction strategies.Objective:Quantify fireline carbon monoxide (CO) exposures in WFFs and identify predictors of exposures.Methods:We collected one-minute breathing zone CO measurements on 246 WFFs assigned to fires between 2015 and 2017. We used generalized estimating equations to evaluate predictors of CO exposure.Results:Approximately 5 percent of WFFs had fireline CO exposure means exceeding the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) occupational exposure limit of 16 ppm. Relative to operational breaks, direct suppression-related job tasks were associated with 56% (95% CI: 47%, 65%) higher geometric mean CO concentrations, adjusted for incident type, crew type, and fire location. WFF perception of smoke exposure was a strong predictor of measured CO exposure.Significance:Specific job tasks related to direct suppression and WFF perceptions of smoke exposure are potential opportunities for targeted interventions aimed at minimizing exposure to smoke.

Three-Dimensional (3D) Printing: Implications for Risk Assessment and Management in Occupational Settings.

The widespread application of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, in industrial and home-business sectors, and the expected increase in the number of workers and consumers that use these devices, have raised concerns regarding the possible health implications of 3D printing emissions. To inform the risk assessment and management processes, this review evaluates available data concerning exposure assessment in AM workplaces and possible effects of 3D printing emissions on humans identified through in vivo and in vitro models in order to inform risk assessment and management processes. Peer-reviewed literature was identified in Pubmed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases. The literature demonstrated that a significant fraction of the particles released during 3D printing could be in the ultrafine size range. Depending upon the additive material composition, increased levels of metals and volatile organic compounds could be detected during AM operations, compared with background levels. AM phases, specific job tasks performed, and preventive measures adopted may all affect exposure levels. Regarding possible health effects, printer emissions were preliminary reported to affect the respiratory system of involved workers. The limited number of workplace studies, together with the great variety of AM techniques and additive materials employed, limit generalizability of exposure features. Therefore, greater scientific efforts should be focused at understanding sources, magnitudes, and possible health effects of exposures to develop suitable processes for occupational risk assessment and management of AM technologies.

Risk Perception and Ethnic Background in Construction Workers: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in a Group of Trainees of a Vocational School in Italy.

Risk perception can be influenced by cultural background. The study aims to evaluate risk perception, considering different ethnicities of construction workers from vocational schools in Italy. We administered a questionnaire investigating four different dimensions: Perceived behavioral control (PBC), Danger perception (DP), Safety climate (SC), and Attitude towards safe actions (ATSA). 562 workers answered: 72.4% from Italy, 14.2% from eastern Europe, 9.4% from Balkans, and 3.9% from North Africa. The participants indicated quite low control, attributable to the haste in performing the job. The workers perceived their specific job tasks as riskier compared to the tasks of their colleagues. They reported as fundamental the respecting of safety rules, but indicating that supervisors do not adequately promote safety behaviors. Finally, construction workers judged as “brave” the colleagues working without protective equipment. When compared to Italians, North Africa workers showed a lower perception of the possibility to control their safe behaviors (p = 0.040), while both eastern Europeans and Balkan obtained higher scores at the ATSA dimension, indicating a kind of fatalistic acceptance of the risky situations at work. Eastern Europeans also showed a lower perception of the dangers (p = 0.002), while Balkan demonstrated a perception of SC even better than the Italian group (p = 0.005).

Roles of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists in the 21st Century

Introduction: Vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) carry out many specific job tasks. This study seeks to better understand the VRT profession by organizing many tasks into a few specific roles in which VRT practitioners are involved. Methods: Using the results of the 2017 online survey, a principle component analysis was carried out to extract clusters of specific job tasks. The reliability of the resulting job role constructs was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results from this analysis are compared to a similar analysis of VRT job roles conducted 28 years ago. Results: Four job roles are extracted from the survey’s frequency data: (1) teaching activities, (2) case management, (3) technology, and (4) low vision and assessment. Seventy specific job tasks are retained under the four roles. Discussion: Extracted job roles of teaching and case management are similar to Leja’s (1990) findings, indicating that these roles remain important aspects of the VRT job. Two new roles have emerged since Leja’s examination, and they are related to technology and low vision and assessment. The advancement, availability, and affordability of technologies and low vision interventions has increased the need for teaching the use of access technologies across the daily living spectrum. The availability of low vision devices has expanded the role of the VRT in the provision of functional low vision assessments, strategies for reading and daily tasks, appropriate use of optical and nonoptical aids, and environmental assessment for safety and optimal visual performance. Implications for practitioners: VRT survey participants are performing additional job roles in technology and low vision and assessment. This presents challenges related to resources and training for practitioners who already provide instruction across a broad set of skill domains. Issues include access to new technologies, adequate time to learn new devices and software, and standardized assessment tools.

A Current Gap Analysis of Education for Clinical Nutrition Managers

Clinical nutrition managers (CNMs) administer clinical nutrition and other services. An online survey was distributed to CNMs to examine the importance of education for specific CNM job tasks, the extent to which educational needs are met, and what opportunities exist to enhance the knowledge and skills of CNM practitioners. Gap analyses were employed to interpret variances in the educational variables. Results indicate that CNMs perceive education as important for all job tasks and that educational needs are not being met for all job tasks. The greatest opportunities for education were with ensuring compliance with regulations and accreditation standards and managing human and financial resources.

Job-Task Analysis of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Introduction: One way to understand a profession is to examine the job tasks undertaken by professionals within the field. The profession of vision rehabilitation therapy is examined by finding the frequency at which 100 specific job tasks are performed on average by current vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs). Fifty-one of the job task frequencies are compared to 1989 frequencies for changes across the last 28 years. Methods: An anonymous online survey was carried out with current and recently retired VRTs. Participants were asked to rate the frequency at which they perform 100 specific job tasks and 13 demographic questions. Results: One hundred eighty-nine practitioners completed the survey. Mean frequencies for the 100 job tasks fell between a low of 1.08 (slightly above “do not perform the task”) for “writes grants for funding of agency services” and a high of 5.51 (above “perform 4 or 5 times a week”) for “writes case notes and reports for documentation.” Half of the 51 comparable job tasks indicated statistically significant changes in frequency across the 28-year period. Discussion: Statistically significant changes in job task frequencies occurred across job roles of teaching, case management, and professional or administrative activities, indicating that many aspects of the therapist’s job have changed. Individualized teaching remains a common aspect of the job, personalizing the skills taught and the teaching methods, for the individual client. VRTs are less frequently providing consultation to medical and community organizations. Implications for practitioners: The results presented provide an understanding of current job tasks of a practicing VRT. Understanding the changing trends of job tasks may inform university personnel preparation programs to better prepare students for employment demands. Decreasing community outreach may negatively affect the visibility of blind rehabilitation services and inadvertently affect referrals for vision rehabilitation therapy services.

ATRA COMPETENCY STUDY: PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATIONAL THERAPISTS SERVING OLDER ADULTS

Competency concerns the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform specific job tasks. In the field of recreational therapy (RT), four documents from the certification (NCTRC), accreditation (CARTE), and professional association (ATRA) broadly identify areas of competency for RTs. While broad competencies are defined, no specific competencies (i.e., diagnoses, assessments, interventions, theories) are identified. Sixty-seven RT experts, including 10 verified older adult experts with greater than five years experience and peer-reviewed publications, participated in three rounds of a Delphi study to gain content consensus. After experts in each setting identified key terms in the first round, experts reviewed the consolidated list twice to generate the final competency list. Next, all certified recreational therapists were invited to rate the extent that each competency item is being used in RT practice; the extent of their knowledge/skill for each item; and the degree of interest in gaining more knowledge/skill. A total of 1377 recreational therapists participated in the study (88% females, 11% male, 1% non-disclosed) with participants ranging in age from 20-60+ years of age. The study’s findings related to specific diagnostic populations served; interventions/modalities, techniques, standardized assessment tools, and theories utilized; education, training, and counseling topics in treatment; and on-the-horizon treatment and issues. This comprehensive two-part multi-year study is the first to explore current RT practice at a micro-competency level. In the effort to improve practice, these specific competencies necessary for RT practice with older adults are significant to both educators and practitioners in future curriculum and professional development efforts.

Woman at work and other untold stories from 35,000 wearable camera images taken on an informal electronic-waste recovery site

GREEN, AIR, LMIC: PECHAKUCHA COMES TO ISEE! Johan Friso Foyer, Floor 1, August 27, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM As part of my doctoral research, I have viewed 35,588 time-lapse images taken by a wearable camera worn by electronic-waste (e-waste) recovery workers at an informal worksite in Ghana. Each consecutive image captures an instant of life on the job. The images were collected as an alternative to standard pen and paper time-activity diaries. Despite the effort to process the images, they proved to be a highly precise and transparent source of time-activity data. When combined with contemporaneous and continuous measures of personal exposure to size-specific particulate matter (PM), they allowed us to describe associations between specific job tasks and personal PM exposure. We observed several predicted associations, but it is the unpredicted patterns captured by images that I want to share in this presentation. For example, our study is comprised of 100 male e-waste workers, however, it was the colorfully dressed women on the worksite that kept catching my eye. Not only were they on-site selling food and water, but they were most commonly standing near the male workers while they burned e-waste in open, surface fires. Among all the jobs captured in our data, burning e-waste is associated with the highest overall levels of PM2.5 exposure (Geometric Mean: 90 µg/m3). Why was this vulnerable population lingering near the men putting e-waste in and out of the fire and why were they not included in our study? One image captured a woman pouring water on copper wires that had recently been pulled from the fire. In low-and-middle-income countries, there are more women in informal employment than men. This presentation is, most importantly, to honor these female workers who are not invisible. Note: The images to be used in this Pechakucha presentation were collected with the permission of all study participants. No images with identifiable visual information will be used.

Electromyographic Assessment of a Shoulder Support Exoskeleton During on-Site Job Tasks

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSWe performed an ergonomic assessment of a passive upper body exoskeleton at on-site job tasks, using surface electromyography (EMG) to quantify muscular demands at the shoulder. Six workers were assessed during cab assembly, hydraulic assembly, parts painting, parts hanging, and frame welding tasks, both with and without an exoskeleton. Workers were evaluated during consecutive job tasks, at beginning and at end of a shift. EMG amplitudes were measured and compared to recommended threshold limit values (TLVs) to determine fatigue risk values. Wearing the exoskeleton significantly reduced anterior deltoid EMG amplitudes and fatigue risk values during the consecutive job cycles, with no significant effects on the biceps brachii, superior trapezius, or lumbar erector spinae. Reduced EMG amplitudes were found at five of the six job tasks, and in three of the tasks fatigue risk values were reduced from above the TLV without the exoskeleton to below the TLV with the exoskeleton. Workers indicated that they would recommend the exoskeleton to others who perform overhead job tasks, but expressed concern that it might interfere with tasks that involve tight spaces, sitting, and bending over. We suggest evaluating specific job tasks when making decisions about exoskeleton usage.

When organizational support yields both performance and satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the underlying mechanism through which perceived organizational support (POS) influences job performance and job satisfaction. Specifically, the study aims at examining the contingent role of performance ability in the associations of POS and affective organizational commitment (AOC) with job performance and job satisfaction, thus highlighting the pivot role of ability in the social exchanges.Design/methodology/approachThe sample of the present study included 269 employees of a University in Kenya. The data were analyzed with Mplus to test the hypotheses.FindingsPOS enhances AOC that, in turn, positively influences job performance and job satisfaction. Importantly, the results indicate that performance ability moderates both the direct and indirect (via AOC) effects of POS on job performance and job satisfaction. Thus, employees’ abilities for tasks are not only significant for reciprocating resources that organizations invest in employees, but also enhances employee well-being.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough satisfaction with employee reciprocation was implied based on performance levels, it was not directly tested in the supervisor–employee social exchange. It is possible that even with intentions to deliver (high AOC), the resultant reciprocation may be less satisfactory to the organization. Future research would benefit from investigating the role that reciprocity norm could have in the model, specifically, whether employer satisfaction would be a function of employee performance ability.Practical implicationsMost often, the bottom line goal of organizations is employee performance, whereas AOC indicates employees’ intentions and efforts to reciprocate the organization with high performance, such intentions can only go as far as the ability for such desired outcomes. Consequently, efforts should be made to ensure employee’s capabilities align with specific job tasks to enhance both organizational (job performance) and employee well-being (job satisfaction). During the employee selection process, therefore, a focus on ability cues would be more advantageous than commitment when the bottom line goal is to enhance well-being.Originality/valueThis is the first study that tests the moderating role of the employee’s performance ability in both the POS and AOC relationships with job performance and job satisfaction. Moreover, this is the first study to examine the relationship between POS and AOC with job satisfaction. The study opens a potential avenue to examine the micro-mechanisms that regulate reciprocity in social exchanges, and thus presents the boundary conditions for the predictions of the social exchange theory.

Job Tasks and Gender Wage Gaps within Occupations

I provide evidence that task use at work by men and women in the same occupations is significantly different. The observed difference can account for the within-occupational gender-wage gap that is prevalent in many developed countries. Using data for thirteen European countries, I find that women consistently report spending less time than men on specific job tasks. The effect is exacerbated with fertility and selection into the labour force, however neither mechanism can completely account for the observed differences. The difference is also not accounted for by the type of occupations in which women are employed, nor their working hours and it is not driven by measurement error. Similarly to studies for the US and Australia, I find that a large portion of the gender wage-gap is found among individuals employed in the same occupational titles. However, controlling for both occupations and task use in an wage equation accounts for the entirety of the within-occupational gender wage-gap, for all countries in the sample.

Assessment of occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials in research laboratories using personal monitors

Exposure assessment is a key stage in the risk assessment/management of engineered nanomaterials. Although different sampling strategies and instruments have been used to define the occupational exposure to nano-scale materials, currently there is no international consensus regarding measurement strategy, metrics and limit values. In fact, the assessment of individual exposure to engineered nanomaterials remains a critical issue despite recent innovative developments in personal monitors and samplers. Hence, we used several of these instruments to evaluate the workers' personal exposure in a large research laboratory where engineered nanomaterials are produced, handled, and characterized in order to provide input data for nanomaterial exposure assessment strategies and future epidemiological studies. The results obtained using personal monitors showed that the workplace concentrations of engineered nanomaterials (lung deposited surface area and particle number concentrations) were quite low in all the different workplaces monitored, with short spikes during the execution of some specific job tasks. The sampling strategy was been adopted on the basis of an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggestion for a tiered approach and was found to be suitable for determining the individual exposure and for identifying possible sources of emission, even those with very low emission rates. The use of these instruments may lead to a significant improvement not only in the exposure assessment stage but, more generally, in the entire risk assessment and management process.