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Job control and worker health
Abstracts
In the occupational health arena,
the belief that worker control over working conditions is integral to health
To provide readers of Applied Ergonomics with a selection of current ergonomics literature likely to be of direct practical value, abstracts are published selected from the collection held at the Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre. These abstracts are classified in a similar manner to the main articles in the journal; for easy reference, the code number at the head of each abstract (eg, 1.1.21) consists of the volume number, part or issue number and a sequential abstract number.
The published abstracts are only a selection of the Centre's material and readers concerned with specific areas are invited to contact the Centre for further information. Those readers unable to obtain copies of the original articles abstracted here through their usual sources, such as company librarian, may obtain photocopies from the Centre. Details of this service are available from The Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre, Department of Engineering Production, University of Birmingham, PO Box 363, Birmingham 15. Tel. 0 2 1 - 4 7 2 1301.
General ergonomics 21.3.1 (115755)
Pathak, B., Marha, K., and Louch, W.J. An industrial noise levels database.
Annals of Occup Hygiene, 1989, 33.2, 2 6 9 - 2 7 4 , 7 refs. A database of industrial noise levels has been developed and made available through an online system and on compact d~sc. The contents are compiled from the data reported in journals, health and safety reports, and industrial hygiene surveys made by industries, government agencies and independent institutions. Along with measured noise level data, information on engineering controls and use of ear protection is included whenever such data are available. The objective of the database is to facilitate sharing of information on noise level among those concerned with workplace health and safety. 21.3.2 (115761)
Bosman, D. (Ed) Display engineering: Conditioning, technologies, applications. NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1989,405 pp. Designers and end users of systems with electronic displays are now confronted with a choice of available electro-optic technologies and a number of image generation possibilities. All applications have in c o m m o n that, given specific functional and environments, the visual stimuli must be perceived reliably without undue strain and at acceptable cost. To make a well founded selection of a display requires in the first place thorough analysis of its function in its environment, in combination with sufficient understanding of the capabilities and constraints of the triple involved in the visual system-technology interface: image generation techniques, electrooptic conversion technologies, and the
visual system. This b o o k provides general information about these subjects, together with examples of their application. The aim is to acquaint the reader with the necessary background to appreciate the importance of visual display factors, which normally are beyond the traditional discipline boundaries but vital to successful system operation. Neglect will be felt strongly once the display is in operation.
is ubiquitous. Indeed, this belief has resulted in government pronouncements regarding the importance of job control b o t h in Europe and the United States. Increasingly, however, questions are being raised concerning the methods and theory of research linking job control to health. This book attempts systematically to review and appraise this expanding research field. Specifically, the b o o k documents what is currently known about the influence of j o b (i e, worker) control on worker well-being. The contributors address the theoretical bases and mechanisms of this influence and examine the implications of modern work practices for worker control and worker health. The b o o k anticipates a major paradigmatic shift in the stress field towards increased emphasis on the role of 'control' and, with a content which includes theory, research and application, it will appeal to practitioners, researchers and educators alike in the sectors of occupational safety and health, management/ business, industrial engineering and psychology. 21.3.5 (115773)
21.3.3 (115764)
International Labour Office.
Fraser, T.M.
Working with visual display units. ILO, Geneva, Occupational Safety and Health Series No 61, 1989, 57 pp, 72 refs.
The worker at work: A t e x t b o o k concerned with men and women in the workplace. Taylor & Francis, London, 1989, 444 pp, 156 refs. As the title implies, this book is concerned with the totality of human problems in the workplace. It deals with topics that might otherwise be subsumed under the more specific headings of ergonomics, human factors and occupational hygiene, along with various aspects of industrial engineering, toxicology, psychology and medicine. Little or no specific background is required of the reader and there is minimal use of specialised terminology. A deliberately generalist viewpoint is taken by the author. The b o o k is intended for such readers as the student or practitioner in ergonomics requiring knowledge more common to the occupational hygienist (or vice versa), and the industrial engineer, physician or human resources person seeking knowledge in both these areas - anyone with a professional or personal interest in health, safety and well-being in the workplace. 21.3.4 (115769) Sauter, S.L., Hurrell, J.J., and Cooper, C.L. (Eds) Job control and worker health. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1989, 311 pp.
It is barely 25 years since visual display units (VDUs) were introduced into the workplace, yet they have transformed the nature of office work and the industrial environment. Recently, widespread concern has been voiced about the possible adverse effects of VDUs on workers' health and well-being. Drawing on studies already carried out, this practical review includes a summary of the known effects of VDUs on health. It also offers guidance on ways to improve the physical work environment, ensure that equipment is ergonomically sound, design jobs so as to minimise negative effects on health, provide health surveillance, and promote participation by workers and their organisations. Selected examples are given of regulations, guidelines and collective agreements on VDUs. The review will be of interest to all those responsible for ensuring the safety and health of those working with VDUs and for preparing and implementing preventative measures. 21.3.6 (115776)
Armstrong, C.J., and Van der Doelan, J.A. Ergonomics: Designing with workers in
In the occupational health arena,
the belief that worker control over working conditions is integral to health
To provide readers of Applied Ergonomics with a selection of current ergonomics literature likely to be of direct practical value, abstracts are published selected from the collection held at the Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre. These abstracts are classified in a similar manner to the main articles in the journal; for easy reference, the code number at the head of each abstract (eg, 1.1.21) consists of the volume number, part or issue number and a sequential abstract number.
The published abstracts are only a selection of the Centre's material and readers concerned with specific areas are invited to contact the Centre for further information. Those readers unable to obtain copies of the original articles abstracted here through their usual sources, such as company librarian, may obtain photocopies from the Centre. Details of this service are available from The Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre, Department of Engineering Production, University of Birmingham, PO Box 363, Birmingham 15. Tel. 0 2 1 - 4 7 2 1301.
General ergonomics 21.3.1 (115755)
Pathak, B., Marha, K., and Louch, W.J. An industrial noise levels database.
Annals of Occup Hygiene, 1989, 33.2, 2 6 9 - 2 7 4 , 7 refs. A database of industrial noise levels has been developed and made available through an online system and on compact d~sc. The contents are compiled from the data reported in journals, health and safety reports, and industrial hygiene surveys made by industries, government agencies and independent institutions. Along with measured noise level data, information on engineering controls and use of ear protection is included whenever such data are available. The objective of the database is to facilitate sharing of information on noise level among those concerned with workplace health and safety. 21.3.2 (115761)
Bosman, D. (Ed) Display engineering: Conditioning, technologies, applications. NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1989,405 pp. Designers and end users of systems with electronic displays are now confronted with a choice of available electro-optic technologies and a number of image generation possibilities. All applications have in c o m m o n that, given specific functional and environments, the visual stimuli must be perceived reliably without undue strain and at acceptable cost. To make a well founded selection of a display requires in the first place thorough analysis of its function in its environment, in combination with sufficient understanding of the capabilities and constraints of the triple involved in the visual system-technology interface: image generation techniques, electrooptic conversion technologies, and the
visual system. This b o o k provides general information about these subjects, together with examples of their application. The aim is to acquaint the reader with the necessary background to appreciate the importance of visual display factors, which normally are beyond the traditional discipline boundaries but vital to successful system operation. Neglect will be felt strongly once the display is in operation.
is ubiquitous. Indeed, this belief has resulted in government pronouncements regarding the importance of job control b o t h in Europe and the United States. Increasingly, however, questions are being raised concerning the methods and theory of research linking job control to health. This book attempts systematically to review and appraise this expanding research field. Specifically, the b o o k documents what is currently known about the influence of j o b (i e, worker) control on worker well-being. The contributors address the theoretical bases and mechanisms of this influence and examine the implications of modern work practices for worker control and worker health. The b o o k anticipates a major paradigmatic shift in the stress field towards increased emphasis on the role of 'control' and, with a content which includes theory, research and application, it will appeal to practitioners, researchers and educators alike in the sectors of occupational safety and health, management/ business, industrial engineering and psychology. 21.3.5 (115773)
21.3.3 (115764)
International Labour Office.
Fraser, T.M.
Working with visual display units. ILO, Geneva, Occupational Safety and Health Series No 61, 1989, 57 pp, 72 refs.
The worker at work: A t e x t b o o k concerned with men and women in the workplace. Taylor & Francis, London, 1989, 444 pp, 156 refs. As the title implies, this book is concerned with the totality of human problems in the workplace. It deals with topics that might otherwise be subsumed under the more specific headings of ergonomics, human factors and occupational hygiene, along with various aspects of industrial engineering, toxicology, psychology and medicine. Little or no specific background is required of the reader and there is minimal use of specialised terminology. A deliberately generalist viewpoint is taken by the author. The b o o k is intended for such readers as the student or practitioner in ergonomics requiring knowledge more common to the occupational hygienist (or vice versa), and the industrial engineer, physician or human resources person seeking knowledge in both these areas - anyone with a professional or personal interest in health, safety and well-being in the workplace. 21.3.4 (115769) Sauter, S.L., Hurrell, J.J., and Cooper, C.L. (Eds) Job control and worker health. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1989, 311 pp.
It is barely 25 years since visual display units (VDUs) were introduced into the workplace, yet they have transformed the nature of office work and the industrial environment. Recently, widespread concern has been voiced about the possible adverse effects of VDUs on workers' health and well-being. Drawing on studies already carried out, this practical review includes a summary of the known effects of VDUs on health. It also offers guidance on ways to improve the physical work environment, ensure that equipment is ergonomically sound, design jobs so as to minimise negative effects on health, provide health surveillance, and promote participation by workers and their organisations. Selected examples are given of regulations, guidelines and collective agreements on VDUs. The review will be of interest to all those responsible for ensuring the safety and health of those working with VDUs and for preparing and implementing preventative measures. 21.3.6 (115776)
Armstrong, C.J., and Van der Doelan, J.A. Ergonomics: Designing with workers in