Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health Yhteystiedot, kartta ja reittiohjeet, yhteydenottolomake, aukioloajat, palvelut, arvostelut, kuvat, videot ja ilmoitukset Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, Terveys, TopeliuksenKatu 41a A, Helsinki :ltä.

The Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health is an international, peer-reviewed, bimonthly, scientific occupational and environmental health and safety periodical published by the Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH).

The authors of this paper challenge and expand the prevailing paradigm that guides work-health-safety research.  They co...
12/11/2023

The authors of this paper challenge and expand the prevailing paradigm that guides work-health-safety research. They contend that the health and safety challenges of working people can be fully understood only when examining them as complex wholes with interacting parts.

They, therefore, propose and elucidate a paradigmatic shift from narrow work-related exposures and monocausal frameworks to the realistic working life exposome and associated innovations.

This emerging paradigm shift can move empirical work-health-safety-well-being research to cutting-edge science and enable more impactful policies and actions.

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4130

🌍✨ New research reveals the global-, regional- and country-level estimates of the work-related burden of diseases and ac...
12/11/2023

🌍✨ New research reveals the global-, regional- and country-level estimates of the work-related burden of diseases and accidents in 2019.

🌐 A staggering 2.9 million deaths were linked to work, encompassing 2.58 million due to work-related diseases and 0.32 million attributed to occupational injuries.
📉 Work-related diseases with a prolonged latency period are on the rise globally, while the number of occupational injuries has shown a decrease.
🏥 Work-related circulatory diseases claimed the top spot, causing 912,000 deaths globally, followed closely by 843,000 deaths due to work-related malignant neoplasms.
💼 Work-related diseases and injuries accounted for a substantial 5.8% of the global GDP in economic losses, totaling 180 million disability-adjusted life years in 2019.
🔄 The burden of work-related health issues increased by 26% from 2014 to 2019, reflecting a jump from 2.3 million to 2.9 million annual deaths.

🤔 The study concludes that the global burden of work-related diseases and injuries is increasing, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to address and mitigate these challenges. With large variations observed across regions and countries, a targeted approach is crucial to fostering a healthier, safer global workforce. 💪🌐

For more details, check out the full research report.
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4132

Work-related stress is not just a personal challenge; it's a major public health issue! A recent study from Det National...
09/11/2023

Work-related stress is not just a personal challenge; it's a major public health issue! A recent study from Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø in Denmark sheds light on the staggering costs associated with work-related stress.

Here's what they found:

👥 Surveying 110,559 person-years, they discovered that 26-37% of employees experienced at least one work-stress indicator.

💼 Men aged 35-64 and women aged 18-64 with work-related stress had up to 81.6 fewer workdays and up to 50.7 more days of sickness absence compared to their stress-free peers.

💰 On average, this resulted in an annual work absenteeism loss of €1,903 for men and €3,909 for women, equivalent to 3.3% of men's and 9.0% of women's annual wages, respectively.

💲 The total annual expenses for work-related stress reached a staggering €305.2 million for men and €868.5 million for women.

👩‍⚕️ Conclusion: Work-related stress is not just a personal issue; it has significant labor market costs due to increased sickness absence and unemployment. Prioritizing interventions and prevention is crucial for improving occupational health.

Let's work together to create healthier workplaces and reduce work-related stress! 💪

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4131

Ever wondered if a longer nap could make a difference during those grueling night shifts? 🔬 Our latest study delved into...
07/11/2023

Ever wondered if a longer nap could make a difference during those grueling night shifts?

🔬 Our latest study delved into the impact of different nap durations on performance, fatigue, sleepiness, mood, and sleep after a 12-hour night shift.

Here's what the authors found:

🌟 When compared to a 30-minute or no-nap opportunity, a 2-hour nap led to significantly improved performance, reduced fatigue, sleepiness, and improved mood after the night shift. 🚀

💤 Interestingly, the duration of the longer nap during night shifts did not have adverse effects on crucial sleep indicators. This means the 2-hour nap doesn't disrupt sleep quality during recovery periods following the night shift or subsequent nighttime sleep.

📈 The post-night shift period is a safety-sensitive period and important for worker recovery. When the opportunity to sleep after night shift work is delayed or otherwise postponed, these findings suggest that a 2-hour nap can boost performance and help individuals stay alert. 💡The results may be useful to employers responsible for shift work scheduling, fatigue risk management, or worker well-being.



For more details, check out the full research paper.
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4129

This newly released Danish study investigated the associations between objectively measured daily lifting loads and low-...
06/11/2023

This newly released Danish study investigated the associations between objectively measured daily lifting loads and low-back pain (LBP) intensity, mental stress, and bodily fatigue among warehouse workers.

The study used company records to quantify the daily lifting loads, while the warehouse workers received short daily questionnaires before and after work about LBP intensity, mental stress, and bodily fatigue on 0-10 numeric rating scales.

The main findings showed that higher lifting loads were associated with higher LBP intensity after work, although not in a linear exposure-response fashion. Additionally, LBP intensity was elevated the following morning. In terms of mental stress and bodily fatigue, very high daily lifting loads (≥5000 kg) were associated with elevated mental stress levels after work, while mental stress was also elevated the following morning when lifting between 2000-3499 kg. No statistically significant association was observed between lifting loads and bodily fatigue.

These results serve quite detailed information about daily lifting loads measured objectively and physical as well as mental symptoms after work and the following morning. Warehouses may use the company records from their warehouse management systems to organize their work to ensure a healthy working environment.



Learn more: https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4127

A recent study from Norway sheds light on the impact of labor inspections in the country's municipal home-care services....
30/10/2023

A recent study from Norway sheds light on the impact of labor inspections in the country's municipal home-care services. The cluster-randomized controlled trial aimed to uncover the effects of the Labor Inspection Authority's regulatory tools on physician-certified sick leave and self-reported health outcomes among employees in this critical sector.

🔍 The study in a nutshell 🔍
The study involved 96 eligible municipalities, each randomly assigned to one of three groups:
- Labor inspection visits: Comprising standard inspections by the Labor Inspection Authority.
- Guidance-through-workshops: Involving interactions between home-care service personnel and labor inspectors to exchange information and discuss relevant topics.
- Control group: Serving as a reference point for comparison.

Data on self-reported health were collected from 1,669 employees at baseline and at 6 and 12 months post-interventions. In addition, registry data on physician-certified sick leave (1,202 cases) were gathered for 18 months after the interventions.

📊 Key findings 📊
Neither intervention had a statistically significant impact on self-reported health outcomes. A notable pattern emerged in the form of decreased sick leave for musculoskeletal diagnoses and increased sick leave for psychological diagnoses, although these changes were not statistically significant.

🔚 Conclusion and considerations 🔚
In sum, this study concluded that labor inspections and guidance-through-workshops did not yield statistically significant effects on employee self-reported health and physician-certified sick leave.

The study faced challenges in terms of low response rates and subsequent attrition, which could impact the findings. It was also conducted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which might have influenced the results and should be taken into account when interpreting the findings.

🌱 Future directions 🌱
This study opens the door for further exploration of how regulatory tools affect employee health and sick leave. It underscores the importance of future research in various industries to build a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between labor inspections and employee well-being.

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between labor inspections and employee health in the municipal home-care services sector in Norway. While it didn't uncover statistically significant effects, it sparks a much-needed conversation about the dynamics of regulatory tools in ensuring employee well-being.



https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4126

🔍🧠 Exploring Parkinson's Disease and Occupational Exposure in Finland 🇫🇮A recent Työterveyslaitos study on possible link...
22/10/2023

🔍🧠 Exploring Parkinson's Disease and Occupational Exposure in Finland 🇫🇮

A recent Työterveyslaitos study on possible links between Parkinson's Disease (PD) and occupational exposure to solvents examined data from individuals born between 1930 and 1950, revealing that while the association of PD with solvent exposure may not be a clear-cut cause, it's essential to consider some important factors. 👨‍🔬📊

1️⃣ The study suggests that there might be a stronger effect in a younger cohort with more robust data. This finding could motivate future research efforts, considering the evolving work conditions in Finland.
2️⃣ Although the study doesn't definitively rule out a causal link, the current evidence does not support the identification of chlorinated solvents as a major, preventable cause of PD in Finland.

This research opens doors to further investigation and emphasizes the importance of continued exploration in understanding the complexities of PD. 🌐🧪


https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4125

Read our latest Editorial on physical exposures in the work environment during pregnancy and how these are a challenge f...
22/10/2023

Read our latest Editorial on physical exposures in the work environment during pregnancy and how these are a challenge for risk assessment.

Dr Jenny Selander from the Karolinska Institutet looks at the potential exposures. While much emphasis has been placed on chemical and particle exposure, it's crucial to recognize that physical factors in the work environment during pregnancy are more common than we think. These factors encompass physical load, temperature, whole-body vibration, and noise. While physical load has received some attention, noise and whole-body vibration remain relatively uncharted territories for pregnant workers.

In addition, adequate data on absence from work is essential for accurate exposure assessment, as well as for understanding the potential benefits of such leave. A well-balanced and evidence-based discussion is crucial, not only for ensuring a safe work environment but also for avoiding the unnecessary exclusion of women from the labor market during pregnancy. This exclusion can hinder career advancement and lead to gender-based disparities in salaries and pensions.

Dr Selander argues there is much to be explored and understood about the impact of physical occupational exposures during pregnancy on children's health. By conducting high-quality research and advocating for safe work environments, we can pave the way for accurate exposure-response functions and provide the necessary guidance to employers, occupational health services, and, most importantly, pregnant workers.

Learn more: https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4128

📊Exploring the Power of Data: Improving Health & Work Life We just published a study that delves into the world of predi...
10/10/2023

📊Exploring the Power of Data: Improving Health & Work Life

We just published a study that delves into the world of predicting long-term sickness absence among shift workers. Comparing prediction algorithms based on employee questionnaires and administrative records, the results are surprising:

🔍 Neither source alone outperformed the other. Instead, the authors discovered that the *highest predictive accuracy* was achieved when data was combined from both sources.

But here's the catch – it's not always easy to implement this combination approach in practice. Occupational health services often lack access to administrative data, and employers may not have the authority to handle sensitive self-report data.

However, there's a silver lining! ✨ Both data sources, when used separately, performed reasonably well. This means they can still be recommended for risk prediction, making it easier to identify individuals at risk of long-term sickness absence.

These findings can be a guide for targeted interventions as making decisions about who needs help often requires the use of risk models. 🎯

And here's a crucial takeaway: The performance of these prediction models matters when allocating resources. Depending on the nature of the intervention, risk thresholds must be wisely chosen.

For cost-effective interventions with no negative side effects, setting low risk thresholds can help us detect those at risk while accepting some false positives. On the other hand, when interventions are costly or have unknown safety profiles, minimizing false positives is key to avoiding potential harm.

The study shows that models which correctly predicted outcomes for most participants had relatively high false positive rates. This suggests they are ideal for implementing inexpensive interventions with no negative side effects.

These findings open up exciting possibilities for improving workplace health and well-being. Let's use data to create better, more effective interventions for everyone! 💪

Learn more
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4124

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