WearIT@work: a wearable computing solution for knowledge-based development

Study objective: Occupational structure represents the unequal geographical distribution of more desirable jobs among communities (for example, white collar jobs). This study examines joint effects of social class, race, and...

Information gathered in the "Zutphen study", the Dutch contribution to the Seven Countries Study was used for the present study. Follow up data from 1965 to 1 July 1985 were used. During this follow up, the morbidity state of the participants was verified at regular intervals. In 1965 lung function was measured by spirometry and the vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were available. A complete set of data was available for 668 men. The occurrence of chronic non-specific lung disease (CNSLD) at a specific time was coded by one physician, using strict criteria. Information about the cause of death was obtained and coded by one physician in 1985. Occupation was coded and a distinction between blue and white collar workers was made. For the analysis of the relation between age, lung function, smoking habits, and occupational state with CNSLD incidence and mortality, proportional hazard models were used. Blue collar workers had a significantly raised risk for incidence of CNSLD only. The hazard ratio for blue v white collar workers with CNSLD mortality was 1.4 but not statistically significant. It was concluded that occupation is clearly related to incidence of CNSLD. There were indications that occupation is related to mortality from CNSLD. A reduced FEV1 was a strong predictor of both CNSLD incidence and mortality. It is noteworthy that small differences in age and height standardised lung function were significantly related to incidence of CNSLD, mortality from CNSLD, and total mortality. Although these differences in lung function have no direct clinical importance for the individual subject, they indicate a raised morbidity and mortality risk for the population.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in HR-analytics because of its ability to analyze employee behavior based on HR data. Predicting voluntary turnover of employees is an important topic of study, both in academia and industry. OBJECTIVE: The current study analyzes determinants for turnover, distinguishing between blue and white collar workers. The turnover analyses are based on a dataset from a payroll company, in contrary to previous turnover studies that used survey and interview data. METHODS: The studied dataset contains demographic and work specific factors for more than 380000 employees in 15692 Belgian corporations. Logistic regression is used to estimate individual turnover probabilities, the goodness of the model is tested with the AUC method. RESULTS: The study confirms turnover determinants and differences between blue and white collar workers that were described in previous work based on survey and interview data. Additionally, the study exposes so far unstudied turnover determinants and differences between blue and white collar workers. Confirmed determinants are among others age, seniority, pay and work distance. New determinants are company car, meal vouchers, night work and sickness. Different relationships to turnover are revealed for blue and white collar workers based on gender, number of children, nationality and pay. CONCLUSIONS: The presented dataset-based approach has its merit in analyzing turnover: it enables to study actual turnover instead of turnover intentions, and reveals new turnover determinants and differences between blue and white collar workers.

social standing, one's oral health should never be overlooked. 5Its importance affects our work and life balance.An individual's oral health status directly influences their daily habits, such as their appetite for food, emotional stability, and work productivity. 1,6,7ith the rise of the industrial era, the common people were more drawn toward the good pay and the other benefits associated with being part of the factory work, with neither the knowledge nor the understanding of the health-deteriorating environment that they were a part of.Understandably, every work environment has its IntroductIonThe term oral health refers not only to the absence of any diseases pertaining to the oral cavity but also to the overall well-being of the individual.It also allows him/her to carry out their day-to-day activities without any hassle.There is an underestimation of the impact that one's oral health can have on one's quality of life. 1 Despite having a wide population, various oral health issues are of major concern to the Indian population.The lack of awareness is presumed to be the major factor that leads to poor oral hygiene, resulting in the oral diseases that are observed today. 2 As we address a single person or a sector of society, they are always segmented and segregated into various grades based on their work, educational background, socioeconomic status, and so on.Among them, the ones who are always thought to do filthy, laborious, and demanding work as members of the manufacturing sector of society are deemed to be blue-collar workers. 3Even though society as a whole benefits from their service, blue-collar workers alone suffer the consequences.They have been exposed to adverse conditions and sustained severe oral health issues. 4Thus, at the end of the day, the oral health of blue-collar workers is often brushed off as insignificant, wreaking havoc on their quality of life.Consequently, it is crucial to understand that no matter one's

To investigate the association between sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity (SO), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and occupational history. Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, men more than or equal to 65 years of age (n = 679) were grouped according to occupation. Mean skeletal muscle mass index was higher and mean body fat mass was lower in agribusiness and low-level (AL) workers than white-collar (WC), blue-collar (BC), and pink-collar (PC) workers. The risk of sarcopenia was highest in BC, followed by WC, PC, and AL. The risk of SO was higher in WC than AL and MetS was higher in WC and BC than AL. The development of sarcopenia, SO, and MetS is related to lifetime occupation, with BC workers being most affected by sarcopenia and WC workers being most affected by SO and MetS.

Purpose: In this study, factors of metabolic syndrome and nutritional status were examined according to gender and occupations using the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This study was conducted on 1,750 workers (male : 892, female : 858) aged between 30 and 64, who participated in a health survey, health examination, and nutrition survey using the 6th 2013 KNHANES. Occupations were classified into white collar and blue collar workers, and nutrient intake was analyzed using a food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of complex sample design data through SPSS 19.0 was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome among blue collar (35.1%) was higher than that among white collar workers (26.8%) in male subjects (p < 0.05) as well as in blue collar (24.8%) compared to white collar workers (8.9%) in female subjects (p < 0.001). Intake frequency per week, considering one portion by food category, showed significant differences in cooked rice (p < 0.05) and bakeries and confectioneries (p < 0.05) in make workers as well as stew and casserole (p < 0.01) and fruits (p < 0.05) in female workers. With regard to nutrient intake by occupation and gender, white collar workers consumed a greater amount of nutrients (not including total energy intake) compared to blue collar workers in both male and female workers. With regard to nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) according to gender and occupation, white collar workers showed higher numbers than blue collar workers in both male and female subjects. Conclusions: This study examined the prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome and nutrient intake according to gender and occupation. In both male and female subjects, blue collar workers showed higher prevalence rates compared to white collar workers, and their diet quality was worse than white collar workers" diet quality. Considering this result, customized nutrition education according to gender and occupation should be provided to workers to prevent diseases.

IntroductionEpoxy resin systems are well-known sensitizers of the skin, and sensitization and dermatitis are frequently reported among workers exposed to epoxyObjectivesTo determine the risk of dermatitis associated with epoxy exposure...

Three job stress models and their relationship with musculoskeletal pain in blue- and white-collar workers

In a globalized economy it is relevant to question whether the Nordic Working Environment (WE) model will remain as the basic and implicit framework for the governance of the WE. This paper explores institutional changes in the governance of the WE, and critically examines how a more explicit and market-oriented framework might influence the governance of the WE in the Nordic countries. Firstly, the paper examines the changes in the governance of the WE at the societal level (Denmark) for the period 1954 - 2007, and identifies institutional logics informing these changes. Secondly, the paper examines changes in the governance of the WE at the level of the construction sector, using case material from four of the largest construction projects completed in Denmark in recent years. The analyses reveal three discrete periods, representing distinct logics influencing the governance of the WE, i.e., the logic of the state, the logic of democracy and the logic of the market. The logic of the state and the logic of democracy represent an implicit framework, whereas the logic of the market entails a shift to a more explicit framework. The shift to a more explicit framework for the governance of the WE, is also identified at the level of the construction sector. This leads to a pivotal shift in the clients' and the construction companies' relationship with the institutional environment in the four large construction projects. From worker representatives being the primary stakeholders, to a shift where the fulcrum of the development of the WE lies between management, the state and stakeholders in the companies' environment. This shift opens up a range of new and more market-oriented approaches to the governance of the WE that seems to challenge the extant Nordic WE model.

Cadmium in blood (B-Cd) may be used to assess recent exposure to cadmium in the working or general environment. In a paper published elsewhere pooled reference values using meta-analysis of B-Cd values in general-population studies were calculated. In the present study tentative references intervals were described which can be used for comparison with data from occupationally exposed groups or individuals. The selection of studies was done according to criteria as published by the international project TRACY. For this purpose, 800 publications covering the period 1983-1992 were reviewed on their suitability for establishing tentative reference intervals. From these 800 publications, four finally met the selection criteria. Most important criteria for selection were the check for contamination during sampling of the blood, the storage and pretreatment procedures, and the existence of internal and external quality control programs. Also, stratifications into sex, smoking habits and occupation were important selection criteria. It turned out that for non-smoking white-collar workers in the age range of 19-65 years, B-Cd values were below 0.8 micrograms/l for most areas. All other groups within this age group, e.g., white collar workers in Japan, blue-collar workers, and smokers tend to have higher B-Cd values in these sequences. Blue-collar workers not clearly exposed to Cd have higher values than white-collar workers, indicating still some minor exposure. It is not clear if this small exposure has an occupational or lifestyle (e.g., diet) origin. Geographical regions also show an influence on B-Cd levels, e.g., values in Japan are higher than elsewhere. This influence may be due to differences in diet. The conclusion will be that reference values for B-Cd in fact are area-dependent.

Two-hundred and ninety-nine (299) miners and millers exposed to talc from Montana, Texas and North Carolina were examined in a cross-sectional study of respiratory systems, lung function and chest X-rays. Work histories were taken from personnel records. Personal respirable dust samples were collected for all jobs. Cumulative exposure was calculated by summing the products of the estimated exposure for each job and the length of time worked in that job. The average time worked was 7, 6, and 10 yr and the average exposure (cumulative exposure/total time worked) was 1.2,2.6, and 0.3 mg m~3 in Montana, Texas, and North Carolina respectively. Free silica content of bulk samples was low (below the limit of detection in Montana, 1.5% in North Carolina, and 2.2% in Texas). No fibres were observed under the light microscope. Under the transmission electron microscope, tremolite and antigorite fibres (0.5-3 μm length) were observed on the Texas talc, acicular particles (aspect ratios 5-100 to 1 and some diameters less than 0.1 jum) in North Carolina talc, and no fibres in the Montana talc. The differences in age-corrected symptom prevalences (cough, phlegm, and dyspnea) between regions, when compared by both smoking categories and exposure groups were not statistically significant. None of the symptoms showed any consistent association with years worked or cumulative exposure. Symptom prevalence was not elevated compared with blue collar workers and potash miners. There were two cases (less than 1 %) of grade 1 small rounded opacities. The prevalence of bilateral pleural thickening among workers 40 yr or older was 7,16, and 14% in Montana, Texas, and North Carolina, and 0, 0, and 10% in those less than 40 yr of age. No non-smoker had bilateral pleural thickening and there was a slight tendency for the prevalence to increase with exposure. Workers with bilateral pleural thickening had lung function 10-20% below workers with no pleural thickening. They had also worked twice as long (13 yr) and an average of 13 yr between beginning exposure to talc and the time of the X-ray. The prevalence of bilateral pleural thickening was elevated in workers 40 yr or older compared with blue collar workers and potash miners. There also were no demonstrated differences in prevalence when the subjects in this study were compared with workers exposed to New York talc which contains tremolite and anthophyllite. For the entire study population no association of reduced lung function with exposure was demonstrated. After adjustments for age, height, and smoking, FEVi and FVC were not detectably different compared with potash miners and blue collar workers; however, flow rates at low lung volumes were' reduced 4-19%. There was little difference among these three populations in age coefficients for FEVX, FVC, and flow rates by smoking category. Predicted pulmonary function of the study population was elevated compared with New York talc workers. There were no significant increases in symptoms or pneumoconiosis among the study group of talc workers nor significant reductions in lung function; however, the average amount of time worked by the study group was short. Bilateral pleural thickening was significantly increased and was associated with decreased pulmonary function. The prognostic significance of the pleural thickening awaits prospective evaluation.

Reviewing a conference poses some particular problems. Unlike a book, against which any comments and criticisms can be compared directly, confer ences are ephemeral entities where live people articulate and interpret, ges ticulate, perspire, and fretfully await the intervention of the discussant and audience. In most instances copies of the papers take the form of the proverbial hen's teeth ? a difficulty that becomes compounded when it is acknowledged that the reviewer failed to attend each and every session. Naturally, this was to some extent unavoidable as different sessions ran concurrently and the selec tion process ran its inevitable course: Struggle For Control versus Labour Force Patterns, Industrial Conflict versus State and the Worker, or and Class Consciousness versus Canadian Postal Worker. Taken together such factors make a somewhat subjective process even more personal. The reader of this review is forewarned. The Third Conference on Blue Collar Workers and Their Communities can be assessed in two inter-related ways. The first involves a comparison of the Windsor conference with its 1977 London predecessor. At first glance such an exercise reveals what seems to be some striking similarities. Side by side both programs listed sessions centering on women, unemployment, primary produc tion, class consciousness, and Quebec. (It is an unfortunate similarity that both conferences held the major sessions on Quebec on the last day.) Moreover, both conferences involved men and women from outside the academic com munity thereby allowing for more broad-based and informative discussions. And, finally, many authors in both conferences attempted suggestions for con structive and creative change along with the radical critique. Nevertheless, both conferences did not have equal value; a fact due mainly to a differing orientation that underlay all the nominal similarities. The delineation of such differences begins by observing the of the blue collar orientation of the Windsor conference. Due in part to com plaints stemming from the London meetings, and in part from the increasingly obvious necessity to incorporate such an analysis into any examination of life in capitalist society, two sessions were scheduled on Women and Trade Unions and Women Workers. Such stretching was evident in the latter of these two sessions but was also manifest in the former in which quite diverse papers were woven together into a carefully argued and highly constructive

Smoking among the Asian American workforce has not been extensively researched. This study examines smoking prevalence among a nationally representative sample of Asian Americans with an emphasis on occupational classification. Cross-sectional data come from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine smoking prevalence by occupation, gender, and nativity, among 1,528 participants self-identifying as in the labor force. Blue collar workers reported the highest smoking prevalence (32%) followed by unemployed (19%), other (17%), service (14%), and white collar (10%). Among both employed males and females, blue collar workers had the highest prevalence (45% and 18%, respectively). By nativity, smoking was highest among blue collar workers for immigrants (25%) and highest among the unemployed for U.S. born (16%). Blue collar employment was significantly associated with being a current smoker (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.23-5.16; P < 0.05) controlling for demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnic group, nativity, etc.). Findings reveal that smoking differs by occupation among Asian Americans. Future research should examine factors explaining differences while considering gender and nativity.

Five research thrusts were identified in current stress research: replications and extensions of ISR's work environment and health model, Type A behavior, psychological burnout, social support, and the work-nonwork interface. However, one or more limitations were noted in stress research methodology which limited the value of much of this work. In addition to addressing these short-comings, future stress researchers are encouraged to employ longitudinal designs and include measures of physiological symptoms. Stress researchers should concentrate on: stress as a process, blue and pink collar workers, work stress of women, sex differences in stress dynamics, and the work, family and societal interface. In addition, bridging the gap between the producers and consumers of stress research findings would achieve betterr informed research and practice. Although occupational stress has become a central variable in OB research, our understanding of stress phenomena remains rather limited. Increases in understandin...

Have done analyzing the proposed improvement of product quality by method Seven Tools. From the calculation and analysis tools with seven methods that have been done there are three defects that occur on the production floor with the number of product defects due to a loose assembly of 196 pieces with a percentage of 59.57%, and disability as a result of gluing the loose many as 82 pieces of disability (24, 92%), the smallest of disability by 51 disability (15.50%) which is due to lack of good raw material. The cause product defects occur due to human factors, machine, material, method, and the work environment, so that it can be said that the process is out of control. By using Seven tools in controlling the quality of products, can know and minimize the occurrence of product defects so that the quality and product quality under control.Keywords : Seven tools, product quality, disability.