BackgroundWork-related stress is widely recognized as one of the major challenges to occupational health and safety. The correlation between work-related stress risk factors and physical health outcomes is widely acknowledged. This study investigated socio-demographic and occupational variables involved in perceived risk of work-related stress.MethodsThe Italian version of the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool was used in a large survey to examine the relationship between work-related stress risks and workers’ demographic and occupational characteristics. Out of 8,527 questionnaires distributed among workers (from 75 organizations) 6,378 were returned compiled (74.8%); a set of mixed effects models were adopted to test single and combined effects of the variables on work-related stress risk.ResultsFemale workers reported lower scores on control and peer support and more negative perceptions of relationships and change at work than male workers, most of them with full-time contracts. Age, job seniority, and educational level appeared positively correlated with control at work, but negatively with job demands. Fixed-term workers had positive perceptions regarding job demands and relationships, but more difficulties about their role at work than permanent workers. A commuting time longer than one hour and shift work appeared to be associated with higher levels of risk factors for work-related stress (except for role), the latter having more negative effects, increasing with age.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the assessment and management of work-related stress risk should consider specific socio-demographic and occupational risk factors such as gender, age, educational level, job status, shift work, commuting time, job contracts.

Indoor and outdoor formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels were assessed to characterize pollution in dwellings in the city and the Province of Bari, also taking into account seasonal variability, and to investigate health effects of aldehyde exposure on the general population. In 2007, passive environmental monitoring was performed, for 24 hours, in the kitchen of 59 dwellings, as well as outdoors for 27 of them. A questionnaire probing personal and home characteristics was administered to all 182 subjects habitually resident in the homes. During the period January-June 2008, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels were monitored monthly in 20 of the investigated dwellings inhabited only by non smokers. Indoor formaldehyde and acetaldehyde concentrations were significantly higher (16.0 +/- 8.0 and 10.7 +/- 8.8 microg m(-3)) than outdoor concentrations (4.4 +/- 1.7 and 3.4 +/- 2.0 microg m(-3)), showing a correlation between indoor levels of the two aldehydes (r = 0.41; p = 0.001). In dwellings inhabited only by non smokers, formaldehyde concentrations were higher in the presence of furniture bought new or restored less than one year before (p = 0.03). Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels were significantly higher in winter months than in spring-summer months (F = 2.86, p = 0.02; F = 5.39, p < 0.001) and seemed to be influenced by the time that kitchen windows were kept open. As regards the effects on human health, a low prevalence of allergic disease and no association between any irritant or allergic complaints and indoor levels of the two aldehydes was observed. In conclusion, the results showed low indoor and outdoor concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, not generally posing a risk for human health.

Cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, are historically considered diseases of old adults so only in a few studies has “return to work” (RTW) been considered as an index of rehabilitative outcome. At the moment, data on RTW in patients with stroke are highly variable: four different reviews reported the following ranges: 11–85%, 19–73%, 22–53%, and 40–45%. The absence of re-integration to work after a stroke is shown to be associated with an increase of cardiac disorders and depression, with a higher level of mortality, with social isolation and with insufficient adaptive skills. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of technological treatment, performed with optic (SonicHand) and wearable (Riablo™) systems providing auditory and visual biofeedback, on RTW in patients with stroke. RTW was found to be associated with a higher independence in the activities of daily living (assessed by the Modified Barthel Index). No significant differences were found between technological versus conventional rehabilitation in terms of RTW, despite the former showing a higher odds ratio than the latter (OR = 9 vs. 6). Assistive devices were mainly used in patients who had not returned to work. Finally, quality of life was found higher in those patients who returned to work with the same conditions (work duties and time) as before stroke.

BackgroundWork-related stress is one of the major causes of occupational ill health. In line with the regulatory framework on occupational health and safety (OSH), adequate models for assessing and managing risk need to be identified so as to minimize the impact of this stress not only on workers' health, but also on productivity.MethodsAfter close analysis of the Italian and European reference regulatory framework and work-related stress assessment and management models used in some European countries, we adopted the UK Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Management Standards (MS) approach, adapting it to the Italian context in order to provide a suitable methodological proposal for Italy.ResultsWe have developed a work-related stress risk assessment strategy, meeting regulatory requirements, now available on a specific web platform that includes software, tutorials, and other tools to assist companies in their assessments.ConclusionThis methodological proposal is new on the Italian work-related stress risk assessment scene. Besides providing an evaluation approach using scientifically validated instruments, it ensures the active participation of occupational health professionals in each company. The assessment tools provided enable companies not only to comply with the law, but also to contribute to a database for monitoring and assessment and give access to a reserved area for data analysis and comparisons.

This paper contributes to the literature on organizational interventions on occupational health by presenting a concept study design to test the efficacy of a Participatory Organizational-level Intervention to improve working conditions and job satisfaction in Healthcare. The Participatory Organizational-level Intervention is developed using the Italian methodology to assess and manage psychosocial risks tailored to Healthcare. We added an additional step: evaluation, aiming to examine how the intervention works, what worked for whom and in which circumstances. This ongoing study is conducted in collaboration with two large Italian hospitals (more than 7000 employees). The study design comprises a quasi-experimental approach consisting of five phases and surveys distributed pre- and post-intervention aiming to capture improvements in working conditions and job satisfaction. Moreover, to evaluate the efficacy of the Intervention in terms of process and content, we use a realist evaluation to test Context-Mechanisms-Outcome (CMO) configurations. We collect contextual factors at baseline and during and post-intervention process data on the key principles of line manager support and employees participation. This study is expected to provide insights on methods and strategies to improve working conditions and employees’ job satisfaction and on national policies in the occupational health framework.