[How are leisure activity and shiftwork schedule associated with recovery from fatigue in shiftwork nurses?].

Objectives: The period of leisure is an appropriate time to recover from work-induced fatigue, though some recovery takes place during rest breaks at work. Recently, much attention has been paid to the critical role of leisure activity in recovery. However, the findings relevant to shiftwork nurses who cannot take a day-off regularly are limited.

Effects of a modified ambulance night shift system on fatigue and physiological function among ambulance paramedics.

Objectives: In the present study, we modified a night shift system for an ambulance service so that ambulance paramedics were assured of taking a nap, and examined the effects of this new system on the fatigue and physiological function of ambulance paramedics.

Methods: Ten ambulance paramedics at a fire station in the center of a large city in Japan voluntarily enrolled as subjects in this field study. They worked a 24-h shift system.

Effects of adjustable sit-stand VDT workstations on workers' musculoskeletal discomfort, alertness and performance.

Adjustable sit-stand workstations, which are designed to allow workers to sit and stand autonomously while working, were examined to identify the effects on workers' musculoskeletal discomfort, alertness and performance. Twenty-four healthy subjects participated in the study. The subjects were required to do an English transcription task for 150 min under the following conditions: 1) sitting at standard workstations (Standard), 2) sitting on a chair with the work surface elevated to standing position (High-chair) and 3) a combination of 10-min sitting and 5-min standing with the same setting as that in the high-chair condition (Sit-stand).

Impact of ISO/TS 20646-1 "Ergonomic procedures for the improvement of local muscular workloads" on work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a new Technical Specification (TS), ISO/TS 20646-1 "Ergonomic procedures for the improvement of local muscular workloads (LMWL)--Part 1: Guidelines for reducing local muscular workloads" in 2004. However, little is known about whether the ISO/TS is really effective in taking action to improve the work conditions in real workplaces. This paper discussed the impact of preventive activities planned and carried out according to the ISO/TS in 17 enterprises.

Approaches to occupational health based on participatory methodology in small workplaces.

An intervention based on the methodology developed by the International Labour Office, the Work Improvement in Small Enterprises (WISE) was carried out to improve work condition of small-scale enterprises and the informal sector in the Philippines, Thailand and Japan. Through the evaluation of the efficacy of the approaches based on participatory methodology, it is concluded that the method is an efficient measure to improve work condition in small workplaces. It is also pointed out that the activities of supporting experts such as introduction of the methodology and evaluation of the activity are necessary.

[Comparison of the literature on medical accidents from a medical database and articles in daily newspapers in Japan].

Purpose: We analyzed the frequency and content of journal reports on medical accidents over the past 15 years, and compared these findings with related articles in daily newspapers as a means of assessing medical professionals' awareness of current public opinion reflected in daily newspaper coverage.

Methods: A search of medical accident reports was conducted using CD-ROM versions of the medical literature database Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (1987-2001), with the key words "medical accident" and "medical error." The numbers of medical accident articles in newspapers and medical lawsuits were taken as indicators of public opinion.