Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

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 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 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 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-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

Read the last SJWEH issue of 2023. Number 8 is out today with a special focus on sickness absence - https://mailchi.mp/69a2bf5e18ba/sjweh-news-november

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 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 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 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

👥 Did you know that part-time and full-time employment can be a game-changer for people with disability (PWD)? 🌟

A study from Australia has revealed findings that underscore the importance of employment for PWD. The study not only sheds light on the benefits of employment but also highlights some crucial nuances that could revolutionize how we support individuals with disabilities.

The study's key findings:

1️⃣ Employment & Mental Health: Part-time and full-time employment can significantly reduce the need for mental healthcare support among people with disabilities, underscoring the positive impact of work on mental well-being.

2️⃣ The Security Factor: The study has documented more pronounced effects for PWD in more secure job placements. This suggests that job security plays a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being of individuals with disabilities.

3️⃣ Rural & Disadvantaged Areas: The positive effects of employment are even more significant for PWD living in rural and disadvantaged areas. This highlights the potential to address disparities and create more inclusive job opportunities in these regions.

The findings of this study emphasize the importance of creating inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It's not just about finding jobs; it's about ensuring job security and expanding these opportunities to all corners of our communities.

🙌🏼 Let's work together to:

✅ Support part-time and full-time job placements for PWD.

✅ Advocate for secure employment options.

✅ Bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, ensuring everyone has equal access to these opportunities.

Learn more 👇🏼
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4123

In 2012, new checkpoints were introduced in the Finnish sickness absence system to improve early detection of long-term work disability and hasten return to work after illness. In this paper, using interrupted time series analysis, the authors examined whether the reform affected participation in rehabilitation and labor market outcomes over a one-year period.

The study found that the reform increased rehabilitation but had no significant impact on labour market participation. The reform thus was only partially successful in achieving its objectives, highlighting the need for measures that facilitate return to work after rehabilitation.


https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4122

The October issue is out! Read SJWEH news number 7 today - https://mailchi.mp/c87b8d160718/sjweh-news-october

This prospective study from Belgium aimed to investigate the relation between occupational physical activity (OPA), leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and sickness absence.

It is one of the first to confirm on the basis of objectively measured physical activity that the effects of physical activity on sickness absence differ per domain (OPA vs LTPA).

The results show that LTPA and OPA are related to opposite sickness absence outcomes. Moderate-to-vigorous LTPA and work interact in their effect on sickness absence: engaging in moderate-to-vigorous LTPA can lower the risk of taking sick leave. The authors found no interaction effect between LTPA and self-reported physically demanding tasks in determining sickness absence.

The study indicates that LTPA might play a buffering role to mitigate the negative impact of OPA on sickness absence.

Learn more at https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4120

A work-related risk score for clinically diagnosed upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders was developed in this study from France. It was derived from a multivariate penalized regression model and includes physical, psychosocial and organizational work factors. The score showed acceptable but relatively poor discrimination performance (except a high negative predictive value) in diagnostic and prognostic validation samples from a general working population.

Further studies are required to validate this score in higher-risk populations and to assess its practical usefulness.

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4119

The authors of this study from The Netherlands have identified metabolic syndrome (MetS) as an important indicator for future work participation among a large sample of middle-aged and older Dutch workers. MetS is a modifiable early-stage cardio-metabolic risk factor which increased the risk for work disability and unemployment during 4.2 years of follow up in this study.

MetS prevention and greater awareness among employers and occupational health professionals might help to prolong working lives.
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4113

Study from France constructs and evaluates a gender-specific job exposure matrix (JEM) for 27 physical work exposures, based on self-report.

The constructed JEM validation measures were comparable for men and women for all exposures. Further research will examine the predictive ability of this gender-specific JEM for musculoskeletal disorders and the relevance of gender-stratification in this process, knowing accuracy of each exposure.

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4118

Read our latest Editorial by Drs Madsen and Nielsen on sexual harassment in the workplace.

Definitions and concepts related to this occupational exposure are outlined as well as theoretical perspectives on its causes. The Editorial highlights the lack of evidence surrounding prevention efforts in the workplace and calls for research efforts to focus on two areas: conceptual clarity and a greater focus on developing and testing interventions to reduce sexual harassment at work.


https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4121

Read the latest issue of the SJWEH news. Number 6 is out! Special attention is given to the merging evidence on the particular role of the work environment in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 https://mailchi.mp/47886b3ba8bb/sjweh-news-sept-2023

Return to work after long-term sick leave is a complex process where several stakeholders are often involved in the process. This study by Lene Aasdahl et al found little evidence that a short intervention of motivational interviewing offered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration was more effective than usual case management on return to work.

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4117

Do occupational mechanical exposures increase the risk of developing chronic low back pain? This systematic review from Denmark and Germany found indications of increased risk of developing chronic low back when exposed to, e.g., lifting/carrying and awkward postures at work.

Since the global trend points to aging populations and longer working years, occupational health and safety is of the essence.


https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4114

The Norwegian Agreement on a More Inclusive Working Life (IA Agreement) aims to increase work participation and reduce sickness absence (SA). The authors of this study found that individuals working in companies with an IA agreement were less likely to be unemployed/economically inactive compared to those working in non-IA companies and more likely to maintain employment. But they were also more likely to have recurring sickness absence the year after a sickness absence episode.


Learn more
👇
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4112

The results of this study from Santé publique France, the French Public Health Agency, show that occupational exposure to silica dust is an ongoing concern in France, with 975 000 workers exposed in 2017. The EU classified silica dust as carcinogenic in 2017.

These findings provide key information about the continued surveillance of the evolution of exposure to silica dust. In a few years, it will be possible to quantify the impact of the 2021 regulation in terms of proportions and number of workers exposed to silica dust.


h.fi/article/4105

Retinal detachment (RD) is a major cause of visual impairment that can lead to blindness. Past studies have reported that heavy lifting may lead to increased rates of RD, however there is no clear consensus in the literature.

To study the heavy lifting–RD hypothesis, this US-Swedish research team used data from the Swedish Bygghälsan construction worker cohort and the National Patient Register to investigate the association between occupational heavy lifting and rhegmatogenous RD.

Average exposure intensity of heavy lifting was not associated with risk of RD. However, RD risk increased with increasing cumulative exposure to heavy lifting, both in the full cohort and subcohort of those who were ≤25 years old at entry into the construction-worker cohort.

Thus construction workers’ risk of RD appears to increase with time spent exposed to heavy lifting.




https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4100

While psychosocial working conditions have been associated with morbidity, their associations with mortality, especially cause-specific mortality, have been less studied. Additionally, few studies considered the time-varying aspect of exposures. This study from Sweden is among the first to investigate trajectories of job demand-control status in relation to mortality, including all-cause, cardiovascular diseases, su***de, and alcohol-related mortality.

The trajectories identified may suggest stable levels of job control and job demands over time. Poor psychosocial working conditions, such as low control, passive and high strain jobs, are associated with higher mortality. To some extent the associations differ by causes of death and between men and women.

A synthesis of systematic reviews showed that the effects of interventions on psychosocial working conditions, such as increasing job control, tend to be related to less absenteeism and increased financial benefit and productivity or performance. The authors argue would be important to further examine whether such interventions have effect on mortality or specific causes of death.
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4111

This study from Korea suggests that multidimensional employment precariousness (MEP) - which consists of various elements, including temporary employment, income inadequacy, and a lack of rights and protection - can be a key mediator in the association between educational attainment and mental health.

Workers with low educational attainment had high levels of MEP, which in turn was associated with an increased risk of poor mental health.

Policies aimed at reducing MEP are needed to mitigate mental health inequalities among workers.

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4109

This Swedish study compared the effectiveness of a multifaceted implementation strategy versus a discrete implementation strategy for implementing the 'Guideline for the Prevention of Mental Ill-health Problems (MHP) at the Workplace' in schools.

The multifaceted strategy did not demonstrate additional effect, but when schools adhere to the guideline, they are more likely to see improvements in the work environment and health among personnel.

These findings confirm that adhering to evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of work-related MHP can result in improvement in health and organizational and social risk factors in the work environment. Future studies should examine which implementation strategies can lead to better adherence to such guidelines.

https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4108

This study from Taiwan utilized complementary medical claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database to analyze cancer patterns among all agricultural workers under Farmers’ Health Insurance.

The authors found that farmers are at increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially hematological cancers.

Male farmers have a significantly higher risk of lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), oral cancer, lip cancer, esophagus cancer, re**um and rectosigmoid junction cancer, liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer, lung cancer, trachea and bronchi cancer, and other non-melanoma skin cancer. The risk of lymphoma, NHL, other lymphoid, and multiple myeloma increased with the period of insurance enrollment.

As exposure varies by farm operation type, individual farmer exposure may vary widely. Further understanding of the complex relationship between occupational exposure, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors is needed.



https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4106