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Health Risks in the Work Environment: Assessment and Improvement
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Health Risks in the Work Environment: Assessment and Improvement

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Assessments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 8756

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Panayota Sourtzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sector of Public Health, Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: occupational and environmental health and nursing; health promotion of the working population; older workers
Dr. Petros Galanis

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Clinical Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: research methodology; evidence-based nursing; clinical epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Venetia Sofia Velonaki

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Sector of Public Health, Department of Nursing, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Health Sciences, Athens, Greece
Interests: health education; health literacy; bioethics nursing ethics and law; vulnerable populations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Occupational hazards—physical, biological, chemical, psychosocial, and ergonomic—exist in every workplace in various combinations. Work practices change over time and new hazards may appear, but old ones still exist and some of them may become even more dangerous causing work-related diseases and injuries. Risk assessment for reducing or eliminating workplace or job-related hazards is a vital process that should consider not only existing legislation and related policies but also the worker’s view. Employee and employer risk perception and knowledge, as well as an observance of proposed solutions aimed at improvements for both the workers’ health and the work environment, is of paramount importance.

Recent changes in work practices caused by the pandemic, such as teleworking for a large part of the workforce, have introduced additional changes in work-related hazards including ergonomic, psychosocial, and organizational ones that give the opportunity to revisit occupational health practices. The role of occupational health practitioners in this environment gives new challenges for confronting health risks for workers’ health and wellbeing.

The aim of the Special Issue is to invite submissions—original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses—that have assessed the impact of occupational hazards on the health of the workforce and/or evaluated interventions, including change in policies, that could improve the workforce health as well as have a positive impact on the work environment.

Prof. Dr. Panayota Sourtzi
Guest Editor

Dr. Petros Galanis
Dr. Venetia Sofia Velonaki
Co-Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • occupational hazards
  • emerging occupational hazards
  • health risks assessment
  • health risks control and reduction
  • health risks perception and knowledge
  • occupational health surveillance
  • prevention of occupational health risks
  • health protection in the workplace
  • workplace health promotion strategies
  • workplace health promotion evaluation
  • ethical dilemmas in risk assessment
  • ethical dilemmas in worker health surveillance.

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1458 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Effectiveness of a Workplace Musculoskeletal Disorders Management Program
by Eleni Grana, Petros Galanis, Emmanuel Velonakis, Styliani Tziaferi and Panayota Sourtzi
Healthcare 2024, 12(18), 1815; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12181815 - 10 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 940
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) present a major occupational health challenge, especially among office workers. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace intervention program for managing MSDs and measure its impact on presenteeism/absenteeism and health status. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted [...] Read more.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) present a major occupational health challenge, especially among office workers. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace intervention program for managing MSDs and measure its impact on presenteeism/absenteeism and health status. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted between May 2019 and October 2022 in Greece and involved 247 office workers randomly assigned to early and late intervention groups. The intervention included a seminar on ergonomics and proper workstation practices with a demonstration of exercises. Data were collected by the SF-36, the Standardised Nordic, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaires. Results: In the early intervention group (n = 143), presenteeism significantly decreased (p = 0.045), from a mean value of 0.11 to 0.07, but not absenteeism. Significant improvements were observed in physical (p = 0.007) and mental health (p = 0.012). Reductions in pain were recorded for the neck (p = 0.032), shoulders (p = 0.015), wrists (p = 0.014), upper back, lower back, hips, and knees (p = 0.044 for each). In the late intervention group (n=104), there were no significant changes in absenteeism or presenteeism. Mental health improved significantly (p = 0.008), and reductions in pain were noted for the neck (p = 0.001), wrist (p = 0.0005), and upper back (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This workplace intervention program proved effective both in reducing pain in various body areas and reducing presenteeism, and improved physical and mental health were observed in the intervention groups while absenteeism remained unchanged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Risks in the Work Environment: Assessment and Improvement)
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26 pages, 33532 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Workplace Exercise Intervention to Reduce Musculoskeletal Pain and Improve Functional Capacity in Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Study
by Konstantina Karatrantou and Vassilis Gerodimos
Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090915 - 28 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3407
Abstract
The high levels of musculoskeletal pain, in conjunction with the low levels of functional capacity, may negatively affect workers’ health, efficiency, and productivity. This randomized controlled study investigated the efficacy of a 6-month comprehensive workplace exercise program on musculoskeletal pain and functional capacity [...] Read more.
The high levels of musculoskeletal pain, in conjunction with the low levels of functional capacity, may negatively affect workers’ health, efficiency, and productivity. This randomized controlled study investigated the efficacy of a 6-month comprehensive workplace exercise program on musculoskeletal pain and functional capacity in office workers. Seventy male and female office workers with musculoskeletal pain in any body area were randomly assigned to either an intervention (IG; n = 35) or a control group (CG; n = 35). The IG participated every working day (during working hours) in a 6-month supervised combined (flexibility, strength, and balance) exercise program (120 training sessions; five times/week) for the total body. The CG did not participate in any intervention. Musculoskeletal pains in nine body areas and functional capacity (flexibility, balance, and strength) of the lower and upper body were measured before and following the intervention. The IG significantly reduced duration and intensity of pain (43.1–70%; p = 0.000) as well as days of work absenteeism (84.6%; p = 0.000), while improving work capacity (87.1%; p = 0.000). Furthermore, the IG significantly increased cervical, handgrip, back, and leg maximal strength (10.3–27.1%; p = 0.000) and flexibility and balance (12.3–73.7%; p = 0.000). In CG, all musculoskeletal pain and functional capacity indices remained unchanged. In conclusion, this program may be effectively used to reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve functional capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Risks in the Work Environment: Assessment and Improvement)
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11 pages, 1043 KiB  
Article
Changes in Baropodometric Evaluation and Discomfort during the Workday in Assembly-Line Workers
by Juan Rabal-Pelay, Cristina Cimarras-Otal, Belén Lacárcel-Tejero, Andrés Alcázar-Crevillén, José Antonio Villalba-Ruete, César Berzosa and Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero
Healthcare 2024, 12(7), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070761 - 31 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1196
Abstract
Prolonged standing at work is associated with health risks. The appearance of lower-limb and lower-back discomfort is one of the most prevalent factors in prolonged standing workers. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of an eight-hour workday on foot [...] Read more.
Prolonged standing at work is associated with health risks. The appearance of lower-limb and lower-back discomfort is one of the most prevalent factors in prolonged standing workers. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of an eight-hour workday on foot pressure and musculoskeletal discomfort in standing workers. Thirty-six assembly-line workers (six women) were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study to assess foot pressure and surface, foot, knee, and lower-back discomfort before and after a real workday. Baropodometry outcomes (surface and pressure) were evaluated by the pressure platform SensorMedica and musculoskeletal discomfort was evaluated by Cornell’s Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionaire. Total foot surface (p = 0.01) and foot discomfort (p = 0.03) increased significantly at the end of the workday. Prolonged standing during 8 h workday increased the foot discomfort and total foot surface in assembly-line workers. No foot pressure variable (forefoot, rearfoot, or total) was significantly modified after the workday in assembly-line workers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Risks in the Work Environment: Assessment and Improvement)
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Review

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42 pages, 1105 KiB  
Review
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injury Rates, Risk Factors, and Ergonomics in Different Endoscopic Specialties: A Review
by Veronica Bessone, Daniel B. Roppenecker and Sven Adamsen
Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090885 - 24 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
Endoscopy-related musculoskeletal injuries (ERIs) are frequent among gastrointestinal, pulmonary, nasal, and urologic endoscopists, impacting the healthcare system. The present review aims to compare the ERI rates, risk factors, and ergonomic recommendations in the different endoscopic fields. A review was conducted using PubMed and [...] Read more.
Endoscopy-related musculoskeletal injuries (ERIs) are frequent among gastrointestinal, pulmonary, nasal, and urologic endoscopists, impacting the healthcare system. The present review aims to compare the ERI rates, risk factors, and ergonomic recommendations in the different endoscopic fields. A review was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane Library for articles based on surveys and published until 10 January 2024. Demographic, work, and ERI data from 46 publications were included, covering 10,539 responders. The ERI incidence ranged between 14% and 97%, highlighting the need of intervention independent of the specialties. The neck, back, and shoulder were the most frequent ERI locations, while gender, age, years of experience, and procedure volume the most common risk factors. Ergonomic recommendations suggest concentrating on endoscope design changes, especially in gastrointestinal endoscopy, to increase the comfort, adaptability of the equipment in the operating room, and workflow/institutional policy changes. The inclusion of an ergonomic timeout guarantees the correct equipment positioning, the neutralisation of the endoscopist’s posture, and an indirect break between procedures. Ergonomic training to increase awareness and best practice should be promoted, also using new technologies. Future research should concentrate on intervention and comparative studies to evaluate to which extent prevention measures and newly designed equipment could reduce ERI incidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Risks in the Work Environment: Assessment and Improvement)
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