Physical workload, ergonomic problems, and incidence of low back injury: a 7.5-year prospective study of San Francisco transit operators.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:The etiologic role of biomechanical factors for low back injury (LBI) needs to be confirmed in prospective studies that control for psychosocial factors. METHODS:Complete baseline information on 1,233 vehicle operators was gathered during medical examinations and by questionnaire. First LBI during 7.5 years of follow-up was ascertained from insurance records. Hazard ratios and etiologic fractions were analyzed with Cox regression models stratified by injury severity and controlling for age, sex, height, weight, ethnicity, and biomechanical and psychosocial job factors. Severe LBI was defined as medically diagnosed postlaminectomy syndrome, spinal stenosis, herniated lumbar disc, sciatica, or spinal instability. RESULTS:An exponential dose-response relationship was found between weekly driving hours and incidence of first LBI. Indicators of physical workload were more strongly associated with more severe low back injuries compared to less severe injuries. Rates of severe LBI increased 39% for every 10-hr increase in weekly driving (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.68). Higher risks of severe LBI were also found among operators performing heavy physical labor on cable cars (hazard ratio 2.76, 95% confidence intervals 1.24-6.14) or reporting more ergonomic problems at baseline (HR for upper quartile 1.65 (95% confidence interval 1.08-2.50). Estimates of etiologic fractions suggest that reduction of ergonomic problems to the low level currently experienced by 25% of drivers would result in a 19% reduction of severe LBI among all drivers. A change from full- (more than 30 hr) to part-time driving (20-30 hr) could reduce the number of severe LBI by 59%, although this gain would be reduced to 28% at the company level if injuries expected among additional employees, hired to maintain full service are included. CONCLUSIONS:Duration of professional driving and ergonomic problems are independent and preventable risk factors for LBI even after adjustment for psychosocial factors.

journal_name

Am J Ind Med

authors

Krause N,Rugulies R,Ragland DR,Syme SL

doi

10.1002/ajim.20094

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2004-12-01 00:00:00

pages

570-85

issue

6

eissn

0271-3586

issn

1097-0274

journal_volume

46

pub_type

杂志文章
  • Lead exposure in ironworkers.

    abstract::In adults, lead toxicity is most commonly caused by occupation in a lead industry. Whereas lead toxicity has been described in workers who are involved in bridge rehabilitation, as of this date there has been no systematic evaluation published regarding the conditions responsible for lead toxicity in ironworkers. This...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199711)32:5<540::aid-ajim1

    authors: Forst L,Persky V,Freels S,Williams R,Conroy L

    更新日期:1997-11-01 00:00:00

  • Exposure assessment for occupational epidemiology.

    abstract::Exposure evaluation for epidemiology has special requirements, which can be derived from the pharmacological processes that determine the exposure-effect relationship. Since environmental concentrations of toxic agents typically are highly variable over time, the tissue concentrations they produce will vary over time,...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700120303

    authors: Smith TJ

    更新日期:1987-01-01 00:00:00

  • Effect of repeated occupational exposure to lead, cessation of exposure, and chelation on levels of lead in bone.

    abstract::A sensitive K-X-ray fluorescence (K-XRF) instrument was used to measure lead levels in the tibia and patella on a series of twelve subjects who had relatively well-documented histories of lead exposure and blood lead levels. For some subjects, K-XRF measurements were taken at multiple points in time, and before and af...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700200603

    authors: Hu H,Pepper L,Goldman R

    更新日期:1991-01-01 00:00:00

  • An investigation of noise levels in Alberta sawmills.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Noise exposure in the sawmill industry is an area of concern. This study documents the level of noise exposure in nine sawmills in the province of Alberta, Canada. METHODS:Personal noise monitoring data were collected in nine Alberta sawmills, in winter and in summer (n = 213). Exposures were considered in ...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.10173

    authors: Koehncke N,Taylor M,Taylor C,Harman L,Hessel PA,Beaulne P,Guidotti T

    更新日期:2003-02-01 00:00:00

  • Potential genotoxic risk related to simultaneous exposure to radionuclides and cytostatics.

    abstract::The aim of the study was to evaluate the genotoxic risk to medical personnel concurrently exposed to ionizing radiation and antineoplastics, using changes in their lymphocyte cell genome as a bioindicator. The study comprised 12 female nurses employed in the nuclear medicine hospital department and an equal number of ...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700270610

    authors: Brumen V,Horvat D,Trosić I

    更新日期:1995-06-01 00:00:00

  • Work environment effects on labor productivity: an intervention study in a storage building.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Although increased attention has been focused on the relationship between occupational health and productivity, solid scientific data on this topic are sparse. The purpose of the present case study was to assess the relationship between productivity and work environment in a storage building. MATERIALS AND ...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.10119

    authors: Niemelä R,Rautio S,Hannula M,Reijula K

    更新日期:2002-10-01 00:00:00

  • Prevention of dust exposure.

    abstract::Dust exposure on farms can be prevented by changes in work practices and by informing and educating farmers. Ventilation control during handling and prevention of growth of microbes are feasible measures and could be included in regulation schemes. Apart from information on existing work practices, an increased awaren...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700100307

    authors: Watson RD

    更新日期:1986-01-01 00:00:00

  • Workers' compensation cost shifting: an empirical study.

    abstract::It has been suggested that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) overdiagnose work-related injuries and illnesses to increase their income. This study compared the Workers' Compensation experience of 2,176 Boston postal employees enrolled in a large HMO with that of 3,473 employees enrolled in a large fee-for-servic...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700190306

    authors: Zwerling C,Ryan J,Orav EJ

    更新日期:1991-01-01 00:00:00

  • Histologic differences in occupational risks of lung cancer incidence.

    abstract::A five-year total community study of lung cancer incidence by occupation revealed that 1) virtually all the cases occurred in smokers; 2) all major histologic types of lung cancer were strongly associated with smoking behavior; 3) in most high-risk occupations the significant elevations of risk were limited to one or ...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700030409

    authors: Morton WE,Treyve EL

    更新日期:1982-01-01 00:00:00

  • Use of provincial health insurance plan billing data to estimate carpal tunnel syndrome morbidity and surgery rates.

    abstract::Following a work refusal at a plant manufacturing ice cream novelties in Ontario, we were asked to document cases of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in this workplace. There were 17 employees with possible hand and wrist problems identified from Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Form...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700220312

    authors: Liss GM,Armstrong C,Kusiak RA,Gailitis MM

    更新日期:1992-01-01 00:00:00

  • High prevalence of silicosis among stone carvers in Brazil.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:In the city of Petrópolis, Brazil, artisans carve souvenirs from a variety of silica-containing minerals. The finding of pulmonary massive fibrosis in one of the workers motivated an investigation of the prevalence of silicosis in this group. METHODS:Between January 2000 and June 2002, a cross-sectional stu...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.10331

    authors: Antão VC,Pinheiro GA,Kavakama J,Terra-Filho M

    更新日期:2004-02-01 00:00:00

  • Leveraging existing databases to study vehicle crashes in a combat occupational cohort: epidemiologic methods.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:The US military is a large, well-defined occupational cohort offering tremendous opportunities to study risk factors for important health outcomes. This article describes our nested case-control methods to evaluate risk factors for fatal motor vehicle crashes (MVC) within all Service branches in a 1991 Gulf ...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.20190

    authors: Hooper TI,DeBakey SF,Lincoln A,Kang HK,Cowan DN,Gackstetter GD

    更新日期:2005-08-01 00:00:00

  • Cross-shift peak expiratory flow changes are unassociated with respirable coal dust exposure among South African coal miners.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:The objectives of this study were to determine whether cross-shift changes in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were related to respirable dust exposure in South African coalminers. METHODS:Fifty workers were randomly selected from a cohort of 684 miners from 3 bituminous coalmines in Mpumalanga, South Afric...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.20513

    authors: Naidoo RN,Robins TG,Becklake M,Seixas N,Thompson ML

    更新日期:2007-12-01 00:00:00

  • Occupational bladder cancer mortality among racial and ethnic minorities in 21 states.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Occupational bladder cancer mortality among minority racial/ethnic groups is not well described compared to occupational bladder cancer mortality among non-minority males in the United States. METHODS:Race/ethnicity- and sex-specific bladder cancer mortality (1985-1992) of workers employed in 21 states was ...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/1097-0274(200007)38:1<90::aid-ajim10>3.0.c

    authors: Schulz MR,Loomis D

    更新日期:2000-07-01 00:00:00

  • Occupational factors and carpal tunnel syndrome.

    abstract::Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most commonly reported nerve entrapment syndrome. The prevalence of CTS among 652 active workers in jobs with specific hand force and repetitiveness characteristics was estimated. The prevalence of CTS ranged from 0.6% among workers in low force-low repetitive jobs to 5.6% among wor...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700110310

    authors: Silverstein BA,Fine LJ,Armstrong TJ

    更新日期:1987-01-01 00:00:00

  • Indirect assessment of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) exposure by evaluation of specific humoral immune responses to MDI conjugated to human serum albumin.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:A study of occupational asthma among workers exposed to 4,4'-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (MDI). OBJECTIVE:To demonstrate if serum concentrations of MDI-specific IgG or IgE are sensitive biological markers of disease or of MDI exposure. METHODS:The study group consisted of nine MDI-exposed workers and nine...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199805)33:5<471::aid-ajim6

    authors: Lushniak BD,Reh CM,Bernstein DI,Gallagher JS

    更新日期:1998-05-01 00:00:00

  • Pregnancy abnormalities among personnel at a virological laboratory.

    abstract::Observations on an increased spontaneous abortion rate initiated a study among personnel working at a laboratory for diagnostic virology. Personnel at a bacteriological laboratory and at another virological laboratory served as controls. Seventy-seven female employees at the laboratory for virology were interviewed, a...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700010203

    authors: Axelsson G,Jeansson S,Rylander R,Unander M

    更新日期:1980-01-01 00:00:00

  • Occupation-level automation probability is associated with psychosocial work conditions and workers' health: A multilevel study.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:Work automation is increasing worldwide, and the probability of job automation has been associated with workers' adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association of occupation-level automation probability with work stress and workers' health. METHODS:We used data from a national survey of...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.23210

    authors: Cheng WJ,Pien LC,Cheng Y

    更新日期:2021-02-01 00:00:00

  • Rheumatoid arthritis in low-level toluene-exposed workers based on nationwide medical surveillance data in Korea.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:There is growing evidence that exposure to organic solvents can play a role in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between RA and toluene exposure. METHODS:The study cohort consisted of Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency data...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.23226

    authors: Min YS,Lee S,Kim M,Ahn YS

    更新日期:2021-01-29 00:00:00

  • Psychosocial aspects of interventions in occupational safety and health.

    abstract::Attention to psychosocial hazards in work environments should become an increasingly important component of occupational safety and health interventions. Research findings have linked a number of measurable psychosocial characteristics with negative psychological and physiological consequences. Some serious physical h...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199604)29:4<308::AID-AJIM6

    authors: Cahill J

    更新日期:1996-04-01 00:00:00

  • Estimation of the global burden of disease attributable to contaminated sharps injuries among health-care workers.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:The global burden of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection due to percutaneous injuries among health care workers (HCWs) is estimated. METHODS:The incidence of infections attributable to percutaneous injuries in 14 geographical regions on the basis of the pro...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.20230

    authors: Prüss-Ustün A,Rapiti E,Hutin Y

    更新日期:2005-12-01 00:00:00

  • Salivary cortisol and psychosocial hazards at work.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that stress can lead to ill-health through the disregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Studies to date have produced equivocal results likely due to different methodologies and failure to account for confounding factors. This investigation ai...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.20659

    authors: Maina G,Palmas A,Bovenzi M,Filon FL

    更新日期:2009-03-01 00:00:00

  • Outcome of pregnancy in women engaged in laboratory work at a petrochemical plant.

    abstract::The aim of the investigation was to study whether laboratory work or other types of chemical work at one petrochemical plant were associated with an increased risk for miscarriage or reduced birthweight. The study was based on questionnaire data for 95% of the women working at the plant between 1973 and 1987. A statis...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700160507

    authors: Axelsson G,Rylander R

    更新日期:1989-01-01 00:00:00

  • Effects of smoking and drinking habits on urinary o-cresol excretion after occupational exposure to toluene vapor among Chinese workers.

    abstract::The relationship between the time-weighted average intensity of exposure to toluene and o-cresol concentration in shift-end urine was investigated in nearly 500 factory workers of both sexes in China, together with a similar number of nonexposed control subjects. Toluene concentration (25 ppm as geometric mean and 550...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.4700250509

    authors: Inoue O,Seiji K,Watanabe T,Chen Z,Huang MY,Xu XP,Qiao X,Ikeda M

    更新日期:1994-05-01 00:00:00

  • Respiratory effects of exposure to low levels of concrete dust containing crystalline silica.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Dusts containing crystalline silica are generated in mining, construction, glass, granite and concrete production industries. The association between exposure to low levels of concrete dust containing crystalline silica and reduction in lung function, was evaluated in a cross-sectional study. METHODS:The st...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.1080

    authors: Meijer E,Kromhout H,Heederik D

    更新日期:2001-08-01 00:00:00

  • Associations between a safety prequalification survey and worker safety experiences on commercial construction sites.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:While assessment of subcontractors' safety performance during project bidding processes are common in commercial construction, the validation of organizational surveys used in these processes is largely absent. METHODS:As part of a larger research project called Assessment of Contractor Safety (ACES), we de...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.23143

    authors: Dennerlein JT,Weinstein D,Huynh W,Tessler J,Bigger L,Murphy L,Manjourides J

    更新日期:2020-09-01 00:00:00

  • Test-retest reliability of an icon/calendar-based questionnaire used to assess occupational history.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Self-reported work histories can be critical for both epidemiologic and clinical purposes. However, the complexity of some work histories, such as those of migrant farm workers, can hamper recall, resulting in inaccurate reporting. Memory aids may reduce such error. This study assesses the reliability of wor...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.1119

    authors: Engel LS,Keifer MC,Thompson ML,Zahm SH

    更新日期:2001-11-01 00:00:00

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: validation of an interview questionnaire on occupational exposure.

    abstract::The objectives of this study were 1) to summarize in a clinically meaningful way information on occupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and 2) to test a questionnaire on risk factors that could be used by physicians with their patients. For the two objectives, a systematic literature review was per...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章,评审

    doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199803)33:3<224::aid-ajim3

    authors: Rossignol M,Patry L,Sacks S

    更新日期:1998-03-01 00:00:00

  • Safety climate and the distracted driving experiences of truck drivers.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:For truck drivers, distracted driving is a workplace behavior that increases occupational injury risk. We propose safety climate as an appropriate lens through which researchers can examine occupational distracted driving. METHODS:Using a mixed methods study design, we surveyed truck drivers using the Safet...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.22473

    authors: Swedler DI,Pollack KM,Agnew J

    更新日期:2015-07-01 00:00:00

  • Inflammatory markers and secondhand tobacco smoke exposure among U.S. workers.

    abstract:BACKGROUND:Self-reported exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) has been associated with elevated inflammatory markers in adults. The association between SHS indicated by serum cotinine and markers of inflammation has not been investigated in adult workers. METHODS:Using the subpopulation of employed participants (20 year...

    journal_title:American journal of industrial medicine

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1002/ajim.20591

    authors: Clark JD 3rd,Wilkinson JD,LeBlanc WG,Dietz NA,Arheart KL,Fleming LE,Lee DJ

    更新日期:2008-08-01 00:00:00