Emily H Sparer1,2,3, Leslie I Boden4, Glorian Sorensen1,2, Jack T Dennerlein5, Anne Stoddard1, Gregory R Wagner3, Eve M Nagler1,2, Dean M Hashimoto6,7, Karen Hopcia6, Erika L Sabbath8. 1. Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. 2. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. 4. Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. 5. Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. 6. Workplace Health and Wellbeing, Partners HealthCare System, Boston, Massachusetts. 7. Boston College Law School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. 8. School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We examined relationships between organizational policies and practices (OPPs) (safety practices, ergonomic practices, and people-oriented culture) and work limitations in a sample of hospital workers. METHODS: We used the 6-item Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) to assess workers' perceptions of health-related work limitations. Self-reported OPPs and the WLQ were collected from workers in Boston, Massachusetts (n = 1277). We conducted random-intercept multi-level logistic regression models for each OPP using stepwise selection of covariates. RESULTS: As the unit-average ergonomic practice score increased by one, the odds of a worker reporting work limitations decreased by approximately 39% (P-value = 0.018), adjusted for job title, age, and body mass index. A similar relationship existed for people-oriented culture (P-value = 0.038). The association between safety practices and work limitations was similar, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the importance of workplace OPPs. OPPs that promote positive and supportive environments and that foster improvements in ergonomics may help reduce work limitations.
OBJECTIVE: We examined relationships between organizational policies and practices (OPPs) (safety practices, ergonomic practices, and people-oriented culture) and work limitations in a sample of hospital workers. METHODS: We used the 6-item Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) to assess workers' perceptions of health-related work limitations. Self-reported OPPs and the WLQ were collected from workers in Boston, Massachusetts (n = 1277). We conducted random-intercept multi-level logistic regression models for each OPP using stepwise selection of covariates. RESULTS: As the unit-average ergonomic practice score increased by one, the odds of a worker reporting work limitations decreased by approximately 39% (P-value = 0.018), adjusted for job title, age, and body mass index. A similar relationship existed for people-oriented culture (P-value = 0.038). The association between safety practices and work limitations was similar, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the importance of workplace OPPs. OPPs that promote positive and supportive environments and that foster improvements in ergonomics may help reduce work limitations.
Authors: Amber Bielecky; Cynthia Chen; Selahadin Ibrahim; Dorcas E Beaton; Cameron A Mustard; Peter M Smith Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2015-09-22 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Jack T Dennerlein; Karen Hopcia; Grace Sembajwe; Christopher Kenwood; Anne M Stoddard; T Helene Tveito; Dean M Hashimoto; Glorian Sorensen Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2011-11-23 Impact factor: 2.214