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OBJECTIVE: Leisure-time physical activity (PA) has been hypothesized to reduce the likelihood of occupational injuries, but it is unclear whether this association varies between workplace and commuting injuries. The aim of this study was to examine the association between PA and risk of workplace and commuting injuries. METHODS: Data were derived from the Finnish Public Sector study including 82 716 person-observations (48 116 participants). PA was requested repeatedly in four questionnaire surveys between 2000–2012. The average level of PA from two subsequent questionnaires was used to assess long-term PA. To obtain a 1-year incidence of injuries, participants were linked to occupational injury records from the national register. Logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations was used to examine the association between PA and injury risk. The analysis was adjusted for age, sex, education, work schedule, job demand, sleep difficulties, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression for workplace and commuting injuries, and workplace injuries were additionally adjusted for physical heaviness of an occupation and injury risk by occupation. RESULTS: Higher level of PA was associated with a lower risk of workplace injuries compared to inactive participants [odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73–0.98]. This association was most marked in the ≥50-year-old age group (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.99). No association between the PA and the risk for commuting injuries was observed. CONCLUSION: Higher PA is associated with lower risk of workplace injuries particularly among older employees.

Evaluating the clinical status of concussions using virtual platforms has become increasingly common. While virtual approaches to care are useful, there is limited information regarding the barriers and facilitators associated with a virtual concussion assessment. This study aims to identify the barriers and facilitators associated with engaging in virtual concussion assessments from the perspective of people living with workplace concussions; identify the barriers and facilitators to completing virtual concussion assessments from the perspectives of clinicians; and identify the clinical measures related to 4 clinical domains that would be most appropriate in virtual practice: general neurological examination and vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical spine assessment. We also evaluated effort. Separate online focus groups were conducted with expert concussion clinicians and people living with workplace concussions. A moderator led the focus groups using a semistructured interview guide that targeted a discussion of participants' experiences with virtual assessments. The discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by 2 reviewers using content analysis. Barriers and facilitators associated with completing the physical concussion examination were categorized based on the domain of the concussion examination and more general barriers and facilitators. Clinician-selected measures believed to work best in a virtual practice were described using frequency counts. A total of 4 focus groups with 15 people living with workplace concussions and 3 focus groups with 14 clinicians were completed using Microsoft Teams. Barriers were identified, such as triggering of symptoms associated with completing an assessment over video (mentioned 13/162 (8%) and 9/201 (4%) of the time for patient and clinician participants, respectively); challenges with location and setup (mentioned 16/162 (10%) of the time for patient participants); communication (mentioned 34/162 (21%) and 9/201 (4%) of the time for patient and clinician participants, respectively); and safety concerns (mentioned 11/162 (7%) of the time for patient and 15/201 (7%) for clinician participants). Facilitators were identified, such as having access to support (mentioned 42/154 (27%) and 21/151 (14%) of the time for patient and clinician participants, respectively); implementing symptom management strategies throughout the assessment (mentioned 11/154 (7%) of the time for patient participants); and having access to resources (mentioned 25/151 (17%) of the time for clinician participants). From the perspective of the clinician participants included in this study, the clinical measures recommended most for a virtual practice were finger to nose testing; balance testing; the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening tool; saccades; and cervical spine range of motion within their respective domains (ie, neurological examination, vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical spine assessment). Virtual assessments appear to be useful for both people living with workplace concussions and clinicians. While barriers were identified, such as challenges associated with exposure to screens, virtual assessments have benefits such as improved access to care. The clinician-selected measures that were considered best in a virtual practice will be investigated in an upcoming evaluative study. RR2-10.2196/40446.

Background: Nurses are exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events which can lead to operational stress injuries (OSI). Workplace reintegration after an OSI can be challenging, especially with repeated exposure to potentially traumatic scenarios and workplace demands. A workplace reintegration program (RP) originally developed for police officers may be of benefit for nurses returning to work after an OSI. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived need for an RP for nurses, and its potential contextualization and implementation in the nursing context using an implementation science approach. Methods: This mixed-methods study collected data via questionnaires and focus groups from acute care nurses in Canada (N = 19). Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and an organizational readiness assessment. Results: Study participants indicated that formalized processes were rarely used to support nurses returning to work after time off due to mental health challenges. Themes included (1) “The Perfect Storm”: the current state of return-to-work, (2) Integral Needs, and (3) A Break in the Clouds: hope for health. Conclusions: Exploration of innovative programs such as the RP may provide additional support to nurses affected by OSIs. Further research is needed regarding workplace reintegration for nurses, and contextualization and evaluation of the RP.

Physical hazards are the most common source of health effects among waste recyclers, frequently leading to worker injuries. South Africa’s formal buy-back centres (BBCs) have emerged as key nodes in the recycling chain, yet the burden of non-fatal workplace injuries among BBC recyclers is not characterised. We conducted a cross-sectional study at ten BBCs in Johannesburg, enrolling 160 waste recyclers (median age 32 years; 55.6% female). A structured, interviewer-led questionnaire captured workers’ characteristics and self-reported injuries in the past six months. Robust Poisson regression was fitted to determine associations with frequent workplace injury. Overall, 69.4% of participants reported at least one injury. Cuts and lacerations (67.6%) and sprains or muscle strains (39.6%) predominated. Each additional year of age raised the risk of frequent workplace injury by 1% (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.02), each extra hour worked per day by 22% (aRR 1.22; 95% CI 1.04–1.42), and presence of hearing or vision problems by 45% (aRR 1.45; 95% CI 1.14–1.83). Targeted interventions—such as work hour regulation, sensory-friendly accommodations, and comprehensive, fit-focused PPE programs—are needed to reduce injury risk in this vulnerable workforce.

ObjectiveA workers’ compensation claim may have significant negative impacts on an injured worker’s wellbeing. Wellbeing provides a good global measure of potential effects of a claim on an individual, and is important for contemporary economic modelling. The purpose of this study was to synthesize knowledge about the wellbeing of injured workers after the finalization of a workers’ compensation claim and identify gaps in the current literature.MethodsA systematic scoping review was conducted.Results71 full-text articles were screened for inclusion, with 32 articles eligible for this review. None of the included articles evaluated overall wellbeing. Included articles did evaluate a variety of constructs inherent in wellbeing. Injured workers were generally disadvantaged in some manner following claim finalization. The literature recommends a focus on reducing negative impacts on injured workers after finalization of a compensation claim, with a need for regulatory bodies to review policy in this area.ConclusionThere appears to be potential for ongoing burden for individuals, employers, and society after finalization of a workers’ compensation claim. A gap in knowledge exists regarding the specific evaluation of wellbeing of injured workers following finalization of a workers’ compensation claim.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a participatory training program in preventing accidental occupational injuries in factories in Shenzhen, China. Methods We conducted a cluster randomized study with the worker as the unit of analysis, providing 918 workers from 30 factories participatory training. Two control groups received traditional didactic training, including 907 workers from the same 30 factories and 1654 workers in matched control factories. We used generalized estimating equations to compare the before/after person-based injury rate difference in the three groups and binary logistic regression to compare the re-injury rates. Results The person- and event-based incidence rates of accidental injury in the intervention group reduced from 89.3 to 52.1 per 1000 workers (P=0.002) and from 138.3 to 74.5 per 1000 person-years (P<0.001), respectively. The rate reductions in the two control groups were not statistically significant. Compared with the intervention group, the risk of accidental work injury over time was higher in the control groups, with odds ratios (OR) 1.78 (1.04–3.04) and 1.77 (1.13–2.79) for control_1 and control_2 group, respectively. The re-injury rates were 27.1% (13/48) in the intervention group, and 41.7% (15/36) and 52.6% (51/97) in the two control groups respectively, with the latter being significantly higher than the intervention group. Conclusions Our study documented the effectiveness of a participatory approach to occupational health and safety training in reducing accidental work injuries and re-injuries among frontline workers.

Industrial tasks that involve frequent sitting/standing transitions and squatting activities can benefit from lower-limb industrial exoskeletons; however, their use is not as widespread as their upper-body counterparts. In this review, we examined 23 articles that evaluated the effects of using Wearable Chair (WC) and Squat-assist (SA) exoskeletons. Evaluations mainly included assessment of muscular demands in the thigh, shank, and upper/lower back regions. Both types of devices were found to lessen muscular demands in the lower body by 30–90%. WCs also reduced low-back demands (~ 37%) and plantar pressure (54–80%) but caused discomfort/unsafe feeling in participants. To generalize outcomes, we suggest standardizing approaches used for evaluating the devices. Along with addressing low adoption through design upgrades (e.g., ground and body supports/attachments), we recommend that researchers thoroughly evaluate temporal effects on muscle fatigue, metabolic rate, and stability of wearers. Although lower-limb exoskeletons were found to be beneficial, discrepancies in experimental protocols (posture/task/measures) were discovered. We also suggest simulating more realistic conditions, such as walking/sitting interchangeability for WCs and lifting loads for SA devices. The presented outcomes could help improve the design/evaluation approaches, and implementation of lower limb wearable devices across industries.

Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of a no-cost-to-workers, slip-resistant footwear (SRF) program in preventing workers' compensation injury claims caused by slipping on wet or greasy floors. Methods The study population was a dynamic cohort of food service workers from 226 school districts' kindergarten through 12th grade food service operations. A two-arm cluster randomized controlled study design was implemented, with school districts randomized to the intervention group receiving SRF. Data were analyzed according to the intent-to-treat principle. Logistic regression was used to analyze dichotomous response data (injured based on workers' compensation injury claims data, or not injured, for each month worked). Changes in slipping injury rates from baseline to post-intervention follow-up periods were compared between treatment groups. Results The probability of a slipping injury was reduced significantly in the intervention group, from a baseline measure of 3.54 slipping injuries per 10 000 worker-months to 1.18 slipping injuries per 10 000 worker-months in the follow-up period [adjusted odds ratio (OR ) 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.63]. In the control group, slipping injuries were 2.01 per 10 000 worker-months in the baseline, and 2.30 per 10 000 worker-months in the follow-up. The interaction between treatment group and time period (baseline or follow-up) indicated that the decline seen in the intervention group was significantly different than the increase seen in the control group (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11-0.74, adjusted for age >55 years). Conclusions This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of a no-cost-to-workers SRF program in reducing slipping-related workers' compensation injury claims in food service workers.

This survey paper explores the application of machine learning (ML) techniques in the domain of workplace injuries, focusing on three key areas: risk prediction, return to work (RTW) strategies, and demographic analysis. Through an extensive review of literature from January 2015 to July 2024, this paper examines the latest advancements in ML-driven approaches to workplace safety and identifies important research gaps. This paper highlights how classical ML techniques, such as ensemble models and decision trees, have become essential tools for identifying workplace injury risks, enabling more accurate interventions. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging ML in personalized RTW programs, which use data-driven insights to improve recovery outcomes and reduce economic demands. In the context of demographic analysis, this paper explores how ML algorithms can uncover disparities in injury rates across various age groups, industries, and occupations, underscoring the need for targeted safety measures. Moreover, research gaps are identified, particularly regarding the emerging potential of advanced ML techniques, such as deep learning and large language models (LLMs), for analyzing structured and unstructured safety data, methods that have not yet been widely applied in workplace injury research. As such, future research should apply recent advances in ML, integrating these approaches with comprehensive and accessible datasets to enhance the prediction and prevention of workplace injuries, provide more detailed analytics and insights, and improve safety protocols across all industries. This comprehensive survey is an invaluable resource for researchers and practitioners leveraging ML to address complex challenges in workplace safety.

SAŽETAK: U mnogim razvijenim ekonomijama, posebno na području SAD-a i Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva, postoje razvijeni, često i zakonski regulirani, modeli radničkog dioničarstva i drugih oblika financijske participacije radnika u poslovnim rezultatima društava. Na temelju programa radničkog dioničarstva radnici postaju suvlasnici poslovnog subjekta u kojem su zaposleni. Time dobivaju pravo sudjelovanja u ostvarenoj dobiti poslodavca, ali i mogućnost donošenja odluka na različitim razinama upravljanja. Ulaskom radnika u vlasničku strukturu mijenja se tradicionalni odnos trihotomije interesa radnika, menadžmenta i vlasnika, koji je objašnjen agencijskom teorijom, u smislu poistovjećivanja interesa radnika s interesima vlasnika. S mogućnošću utjecaja radnika na donošenje odluka povećava se i mogućnost utjecaja na pitanja sigurnosti i zaštite na radu. Teoretski okvir ukazuje na moguću povezanost između provedbe različitih modela radničkog dioničarstva na smanjenje gubitka radnih dana zbog korištenja bolovanja, ali i na potencijalnu negativnu povezanost u smislu izgaranja na radnom mjestu zbog povećanog angažmana radnika, što kao posljedicu može imati povećani broj ozljeda na radu. U ovom radu istražuje se utjecaj ESOP-a (plan vlasništva nad dionicama) i drugih modela radničkog dioničarstva na pitanje sigurnosti na radu. SUMMARY: In many developed countries, especially in the USA and UK, different models of employee shareholding and other forms of financial participation of employees exist that make up the overall operative results, so that employees have a right to participate in the earned profit, but also to participate in the organization of the business and decision making on various levels. By including workers in the ownership of the company, traditional interests of workers, management and owners of the company are changing. According to the agency theory, the goals of the workers are identified as being identical to those of the owners. By enabling workers to participate in business decision making, they can have more impact on safety protection issues of the company. Studies have also shown that employee shareholding impacts safety and work protection, and there seems to be a connection between employee shareholding and fewer sick-leave days. However, there are also other possible adverse effects such as burnout syndrome and more workplace injuries caused by excessive strain at work. The paper investigates the impact of the mentioned model of employee decision making to issues of safety and protection of work.