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Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 August 2023) | Viewed by 21255

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sang Choi

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Guest Editor

Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Interests: global/community health, environmental health and safety; public health and safety; ergonomics/human factors; aging workforce; fall protection/prevention; work-related musculoskeletal disorders; prevention through design; research to practice to research; construction ergonomics; human–systems integration; health and safety disparities; work analysis and design; wellness/wellbeing
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Dr. John A. Staley

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Guest Editor

NC Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Interests: public health practice and collaboration; workforce development; first responder health and safety; health care worker health and safety; disaster preparedness and response; occupational health and safety; total worker health ®; future of work; aging and other vulnerable worker populations; sustainable workplace safety and wellbeing measures; research to practice; construction safety and wellbeing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue entitled “Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice” in Sustainability, a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes articles and communications in the inter/multi-disciplinary areas of occupational health and safety, human factors, behavioral/systems, and physical and mental wellness/wellbeing.

The sustainability of occupational health and wellness is a growing concern among various organizations and industrial sectors, including agriculture/fishing, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, etc. Specifically, as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, the concern with occupational health and wellbeing is that it no longer emphasizes physical health/wellbeing in the workplace, but rather cognitive/mental health and overall worker wellbeing, both inside and outside the workplace. Psychosocial/socioecological issues have emerged as prevailing research areas. Cognitive/mental workload challenges (e.g., fatigue, stress, and anxiety) are usually intangible and workers may struggle to recognize the symptoms (e.g., musculoskeletal disorders, opioid abuse/overdoses, suicide ideation, etc.). Meanwhile, the repercussions of cognitive/mental health problems can be unpredictable and severe. Physical and cognitive/mental wellbeing and occupational health interact with each other. Therefore, it is vital to acknowledge prevention methods to minimize the occurrence of both physical and cognitive health and safety problems.

To exchange information and ideas about occupational health and wellbeing/wellness, articles may address a variety of research areas, such as risk perception/assessment, workplace safety and health, health/safety culture/climate, work performance, underserved subgroups/workforces, healthy and productive aging, organizational/systems safety, human–systems interfaces, physical and virtual work environments, and workers’ wellbeing and wellness. Submissions on newly emerging/contemporary research areas and practices in regard to physical and cognitive health and wellbeing, human/ergonomic risk factors assessment and controls/management, in different occupational or community settings and/or industry-specific occupational health, wellness, ergonomics, and safety issues, etc., are also welcome.

This Special Issue is open to several subject areas related to occupational health, safety and wellness/wellbeing, human-centered design, the future of work, Total Worker Health ® and workplace health and safety. The listed keywords suggest just a few of the many possibilities. Please consult the editors for further information.

Prof. Dr. Sang Choi
Dr. John A. Staley
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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 health
wellness/wellbeing
safety and health
injury prevention
healthy and productive aging
musculoskeletal disorders
chronic pain
occupational ergonomics
safety culture
safety climate
human factors
physical ergonomics
cognitive ergonomics
organizational systems/behavioral
prevention through design
slips, trips, and falls
risk assessment/management
human–systems interaction
work environment
future of work
total worker health®
stress/anxiety
remote working
reactive and proactive ergonomics
employee quality of life
morale
perception
sustainability

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 2526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Migrant Workers Perceived Working Conditions and Speculative Opinions on Possible Uptake of Exoskeleton with Respect to Tasks and Environment: A Case Study in Plant Nursery

by Rebeca Villanueva-Gómez, Ornwipa Thamsuwan, Ricardo A. Barros-Castro and Lope H. Barrero

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12839; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712839 - 24 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1434

Abstract

Seasonal migrant farmworkers are essential to the success of agriculture in Quebec as they provide the labor needed to produce crops and animals. Notwithstanding, these workers are often at risk of occupational health and safety hazards, while only a few interventions have been implemented to improve the situation. Modern engineering interventions like exoskeleton devices have been introduced to reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in other industries, but nothing much has been done in agriculture. This paper employed a mixed-method approach to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions and physical activities on farmworkers’ bodies and sensations and explore their speculative opinions about exoskeletons for their tasks. This study took place in a large plant nursery. Data were collected through field observations, written questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. The analysis showed heat, humidity, cold, and rain affect farmworkers in feeling sore, worn out, tired, weak, and suffocated. The arms and the back were the body parts most affected by the repetitive bending over and carrying the load. Farmworkers’ exoskeleton perceptions were positive, remarking benefits such as making the task easier, improving posture, reducing fatigue, and protecting the body. The barriers that emerged were concerning the exoskeleton weight, being uncomfortable to wear, causing heat, restricting mobility, not allowing flexibility to change tasks, and not allowing space to work in tight workplaces. The study includes strategies to ensure credibility, reliability, and transferability. Future investigations could test exoskeletons on farmworkers and conduct the cost benefits of exoskeletons in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

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11 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Roles of Training, Fit Testing, and Safety Climate on User Confidence in Respiratory Protection: A Case Example with Reusable Respirators in Health Delivery Settings

by Mihili Edirisooriya and Emily J. Haas

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12822; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712822 - 24 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1119

Abstract

A lack of confidence in the efficacy of respiratory protection can contribute to uncertainty among workers and cast doubt on workplace safety. To date, no research has been conducted to study and understand the introduction of elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs)—without exhalation valves (EVs) or with exhalation valve filters (EVFs), both representing new designs that address source control—in the workplace. To study this issue, researchers collaborated with partners at 32 health delivery settings that received EHMRs from the Strategic National Stockpile during the COVID-19 pandemic. EHMR users (n = 882) completed an online survey between October 2021 and September 2022. Analyses demonstrated that employees were statistically significantly more confident in the efficacy of EHMRs with no EV/with an EVF (including the efficacy in protecting the user from COVID-19) if they had been fit tested and received training. Respondents were also statistically significantly more confident in the efficacy of their EHMR if they had a more positive perception of their organization’s safety climate. The results provide insights for tailored fit testing and training procedures as manufacturers continue to improve respirator models to enhance worker comfort and use. Results also show that, even during a public health emergency, the role of safety climate cannot be ignored as an organizational factor to support worker knowledge, attitudes, and participation in health and safety behaviors specific to respirator use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

24 pages, 13443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementing the Integrated Social Sustainability Assessment to Norway: A Citizen-Centric and Expert-Weighted Approach

by Tahmineh Akbarinejad, Alenka Temeljotov Salaj and Agnar Johansen

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612107 - 8 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1384

Abstract

To achieve sustainability, more economic and environmental initiatives, projects, and policies must have a positive impact on society, advance social justice, and enhance the general well-being of people and communities. This study proposes a quantitative and qualitative framework to assess social sustainability in different urban regions. A multi-category approach is used to determine what categories and indicators of social sustainability city governments and academia should consider to ensure that their policies and projects align with community values. The next step involves assessing residents’ satisfaction through citizen participation. This framework, entitled the “Integrated Social Sustainability Assessment (ISSA)”, was applied in three zones of the Furuset area in Oslo. The results of the three diagrams show how community strengths and weaknesses can be identified, allowing projects to be prioritized in a way that benefits citizens in the long term and provides a comparative score. This framework provides policymakers with useful tools and guidelines for creating policies and projects that are sustainable, equitable, and capable of meeting the needs of their communities in a measurable manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

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10 pages, 251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occupational Burnout among Nursing Professionals: A Comparative Analysis of 1103 Polish Female Nurses across Different Hospital Settings

by Dominika Gniewek, Weronika Wawro, Michał Czapla, Dorota Milecka, Krystyna Kowalczuk and Izabella Uchmanowicz

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8628; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118628 - 25 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2681

Abstract

Burnout is common in public trust professions that help people, particularly in healthcare. Professional burnout is a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lowered sense of personal achievement in individuals who work with other people. Research has also shown that occupational burnout can result from the incompetence of employees. This study aimed to examine the occupational burnout and coping strategies among nurses working in different hospital settings. A study group consisted of 1103 Polish female nurses working in non-invasive, intensive care, and surgical units. The following validated tools were used: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Mini-COPE questionnaire. The largest contribution in occupational burnout was depersonalization (mean score of 51.57) and, to a lesser extent, emotional exhaustion (mean score of 47). The smallest impact was recorded for job satisfaction (mean score of 28.76). Nurses in surgical departments were younger, less burned out, and dealt with stress better than nurses in non-invasive and intensive care units. Nurses in non-invasive wards were the most burned out among the study sample. Nurses in intensive care experienced the least satisfaction from work. In conclusion, professional burnout in nurses depends on the hospital settings, and this specification should be considered in recognizing this problem among nurses. Considering coping strategies, the results suggest a need for tailored coping interventions and support programs specifically designed for nurses working in high-stress environments such as the intensive care unit and non-invasive ward. Given that surgical nurses demonstrated better coping strategies, there is an opportunity to share their best practices with nurses in the intensive care unit and non-invasive ward. In the long-term perspective, investing in the well-being of healthcare workers can lead to a more sustainable healthcare system. By reducing turnover rates and improving the quality of care, sustainable practices can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

22 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Construction of Critical Factors for Successfully Introducing Chatbots into Mental Health Services in the Army: Using a Hybrid MCDM Approach

by Ming-Ching Hsu

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7905; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107905 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

Previous research has shown that although military personnel are at high risk of developing mental disorders because of the excessive stress caused by their work, they also display low levels of intention to seek assistance because of the military culture. This, in turn, creates exorbitant costs for their respective countries. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI)-related digital technologies, chatbots have been successfully applied to mental health services. Although the introduction of chatbots into the military to assist with mental health services is not common, it may become a future trend. This study aims to construct the critical factors for introducing chatbots into mental health services in the military, the relationships between the effects, and a weighting system, to ensure that the introduction of chatbots complies with sustainable practices. This includes four stages. In the initial stage, in accordance with the AI-readiness framework, in combination with the findings of previous research and specialist recommendations, preliminary indicators and items were developed. In the second stage, Fuzzy Delphi was used to confirm each dimension and indicator. In the third stage, using DEMATEL, an influential-network-relation map (INRM) of dimensions and indicators was created. In the fourth stage, using DANP, the relationships between the effects of the indicators and the weighting system were established. The findings of this study indicated that: (1) the key to success includes four dimensions and twenty-one indicators; (2) there is an interdependent relationship between the four dimensions and twenty-one indicators, and they influence each other; and (3) the four dimensions are technologies, goals, boundaries, and activities, in order of importance. Finally, specific suggestions are put forward to provide references for future practical applications and research, drawing on the results of this research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

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17 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges in Effective Implementation of Saudization Policy in the Restaurant Sector

by Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7654; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097654 - 6 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3394

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the countries that heavily rely on expatriates, especially in the private sector, which includes restaurants. However, to overcome the increasing rate of unemployment, the government has adopted new quota up to 50% Saudi Arabian people in restaurants. Notwithstanding, Saudization has been more successful in public sectors than it has been in the private sector. The current study undertook a sequential mixed method approach, starting with a questionnaire for newly joined local workers in restaurants and supplemented with in-depth interviews with managers. The main purpose of the questionnaire was to understand how new local workers perceive their new jobs/careers in restaurants, while the managers’ interviews explored the challenges encountered in the effective implementation of the new quota in restaurants. The results of questionnaire showed that local workers had negative perceptions about their new jobs/careers. They perceived it as a “bad” and “disrespected” job and reported overall dissatisfaction with their new job. Newly joined local workers consider restaurant positions as a “transit job”, with no intention to continue it as a career or even recommend it to their friends and family members. Managers, on the other hand, identified six main challenges that are associated with this, albeit they are linked to the absence of a clear strategic framework and executive plan by the government for the effective implementation of the new quota. The plan has to clearly focus on the employability and mitigate the wrong assumption about working in restaurants due to cultural and social impacts. The plan should consider the needs of both employers and employees to promote sustainable career among local workers, which ultimately influences the sustainable development of restaurants in the KSA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

19 pages, 638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Local versus Foreign Worker Perceptions, Commitment and Attitudes toward Careers in Restaurants and Cafés: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

by Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih and Ahmed E. Abu Elnasr

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5244; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065244 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3450

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) heavily relies on expatriates to meet the needs of their labor market, especially in the private sector. Nonetheless, to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment the government has recently implemented a new Saudization quota in restaurants/cafés. The new Saudization policy aims to replace foreign workers with up to 50% locals. This research takes the first attempt to examine the perceptions, commitment, and attitudes of local workers, who newly joined this career after the new quota in October 2021, versus foreign workers toward careers in restaurants/cafés. A quantitative research approach was used, including a self-administered questionnaire for a sample of 408 local workers and 455 foreign workers in a random sample of restaurants/cafés. The results showed statistically significant differences between local and foreign workers in relation to nature of work, perceived social status, working conditions, career development, relationship with managers and co-workers and commitment to a career in restaurants/cafés. Despite foreign workers having higher education and experience in comparison to their local counterparts, they received less compensation, albeit they have positive perceptions, attitudes, and commitment to a career in restaurants/cafés. The negative perceptions, attitudes and commitment to a career in restaurants and cafés held by newly joined local workers have several implications for scholars and practitioners in the restaurant business. It is crucial that restaurant managers in KSA recognize the heterogeneity of their restaurant/café workers, especially after the new Saudization quota, for proper management of their human assets and sustainable performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

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13 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Musculoskeletal Acute and Chronic Pain Surveyed among Construction Workers in Wisconsin, United States: A Pilot Study

by Oscar Arias, Gabe Koenig and Sang D. Choi

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13279; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013279 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3682

Abstract

This pilot study assessed work-related acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, identified how workers deal with musculoskeletal pain and recognized work-related factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in 23 commercial construction workers. Workers answered a survey about musculoskeletal pain, pain severity, functional limitations, and perceived exertion at work (Borg RPE scale). Eighty-six percent reported acute musculoskeletal pain and 24% chronic pain in the last 12 months. Among those reporting acute pain, 67% sought treatment from a healthcare professional, 64% had prescribed medication, and 39% modified their work habits to handle pain at work. About 80% of the workers reporting chronic pain sought healthcare treatment, had prescribed medication, and modified their work habits to manage pain. Almost 60% of the participants experienced pain in the last seven days. Among them, 46% reported moderate pain in their legs or knees, 31% in their low back, and 23% severe pain in their arms, shoulders, or hands. The assessment of the functional limitations indicated they experienced moderate to severe limitations in performing activities of daily living (ADLs). The logistic regression models suggested a direct relationship between workers’ work physical exertion and their Body Mass Index (BMI) with the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain. Construction workers are dealing with acute and chronic pain at work that negatively impacts their work and ADLs. Work-related and individual factors such as work physical exertion and BMI seem to play a significant role in the presence of acute and chronic pain associated with MSDs. This study’s findings can help guide sustainable ergonomic interventions and future research to alleviate acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain while promoting workers’ health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Application and Practice)

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