physical work conditions

Question 1

impact of physical work conditions on productivity

Answer 1

increased worker job satisfaction-> positive relationship to manufacturing output at work

Question 2

environmental factors relating to productivity:

Answer 2

temperature
noise
light

Question 3

physical conditions affecting work

Answer 3

illumination
temp
noise
pollution
aesthetic
posture

Question 4

hawthorne effect:

Answer 4

phenomenon in which ppl change behaviour bc being investigated, rather than due to variables being manipulated

Question 5

relay test room exp (hawthorne effect poor exp)

Answer 5

mayo conducted series of exps where 1 ppt of work environment changed(rest periods, working day, other physical conds)
-> regardless of work environment manipulation, women worked harder+more effectively

Question 6

other interpretations of factors affecting studies

Answer 6

1. work relationships (good relation between worker+management)
2. special privileges(for ppt in study)
3. workers altered roles: Kohn- genuine transfer of power
4. avoid harm/harsh treatment from supervisor- ppts worked harder to avoid harsh suspicion
5. issues with OG studies
6. great depression
7. incentive pay system

Question 7

Kompier- 5 reasons why Hawthorne Effect is a myth

Answer 7

myth of:
1. scientific worth: low methodological validity(small number ppts), uncontrolled variables
2. continuous improvement(periods of unproductivity, but was donwplayed)
3. social factors more important than physical+pay: incentive pay increased productivity
4. wholehearted cooperation: was worker resistance+disciplinary action taken
5. neurotic worker: conflicts arose within workforce were blamed upon mental health of worker/situations outside of factory control

Question 8

design of workplace environment: Oldham+Brass aim

Answer 8

changing from multi-cellular -> open plan office space

Question 9

Oldham and Brass found employee satisfaction->

Answer 9

decreased dramatically after change

Question 10

why did management consider changing office location(newspaper office)

Answer 10

1. current office FAR from railway- additional time+Expenses for moving papers
2. current office practicality probs- lack air con/limited storage
3. current office layout hinders communication between ind + department

Question 11

Oldham and Brass: what was new open plan office like

Answer 11

• typical open plan design w/ NO internal walls
• no private offices except for 2 meeting rooms
• department members still grouped tgt, control was (pressroom)

Question 12

temporal conditions of work environment

Answer 12

common- 8 hrs, 5 days a week
self employed- often more hours than employed
24hr basis- shiftwork

Question 13

design of work(rotation)
Pheasant: 2 main approaches

Answer 13

1. rapid rotation
2. slow rotation

Question 14

rapid rotation- frequent shift changes include 2 types

Answer 14

day->afternoon->night->days off
1. metropolitan: 2,2,2,2. 8 day pattern moves 1 day ahead weekly
2. continental: 2,2,3,2 followed by 2,3,2,3

Question 15

slow rotation- INfrequent shift changes

Answer 15

1. several weeks- day shifts
2. several weeks- night shifts
   allows employee circadian rhythm to adapt + keep ‘in sync’ w/ work pattern

Question 16

work patterns- ON CALL- what is it

Answer 16

(aviation, medicine, engineering) 24/7 coverage
workers on standby to respond to time-critical situations

Question 17

types of on call work pattern

Answer 17

1. leaving workplace: during evenings+weekends but can be called back. only time spent at workplace counted.
   restrictions:
   - need to get to workplace within certain time
   - must live close
   - no alcohol consumption
   awake at set times
   contactable by phone
2. remaining at workplace
   during on call periods, counted as working
   - associated with increased stress, decreased mental health, sleep qual+quantity, disruption to fam+social life

Question 18

work patterns: flexi time

Answer 18

• workers complete set of hours daily
• starting times, lunch, finish times chosen within employer-set limits
• workers adjust work hours to fit personal circumstances+commitments out of work
• total hours worked remain unchanged
  employer policies: some organisations allow complete flexibility/others have core times

Question 19

benefits of flexi time

Answer 19

• increased satisfaction+morale: more freedom
• decreased fatigue: adapt schedule to needs
• avoidance of traffic rush-hours
• balancing work+family commitments: providers work opportunity whilst managing family commitments

Question 20

challenges of flexi time

Answer 20

discipline+tracking: of hours+locations

Question 21

effects of shift work on health

Answer 21

Knutsson: relation between night shifts+specific serious medical disorders

Question 22

health disorders as effect of shift work

Answer 22

1. gastrointestinal
2. cardiovascular
3. cancer
4. diabetes+metabolic
5. disturbances in pregnancy
6. exacerbation of existing disorders

Question 23

Gold et al conducted

Answer 23

survey of Massachusetts nurses asking ab shiftwork, sleep, accidents 1986

Question 24

Gold et al: sample

Answer 24

878 nurses (687 completed questionnaires)
mean age=33.9 years

Question 25

Gold et al: groups 1+2

Answer 25

1: day+evening shift work (no circadian disruption) 2: night shift workers + 'rotators' (frequent changes)

Question 26

Gold et al: procedure. 6 diff shifts

Answer 26

day/evening night rotator day/evening night with occasional day/evening part time rotator

Question 27

Gold et al: what questions asked

Answer 27

- sleep quality - use of alcohol - use of prescription/non prescription meds -sleeping aids - times fell asleep/nodded off-> at work OR driving to work

Question 28

Gold et al: results

Answer 28

- anchor sleep (4/more hours during same clock hours) present in day/evening nurses - most disturbed sleep in rotators - rotators 2.8x more likely got poorer quality sleep compared to night nurses 1.8x compared to day/evening shifts - accidents reported: rotators TWICE as many factors contributing to errors: length of time at hospital, age, alcohol use

Question 29

Gold et al: CONC

Answer 29

results consistent with lab demonstrations of sleep deprivation+effects on cognitive errors - principles of work SCHEDULE improve healthy+safety for nurses+patients

Question 30

health and safety- accidents at work include 2 types of errors

Answer 30

human errors system errors

Question 31

human errors

Answer 31

errors of omission: don't do smth they should errors of commission: does smth they shouldn't sequencing error: does smth in wrong order timing errors: does smth at the wrong time

Question 32

human factors

Answer 32

operator(on their senses, info-processing, ability to make decisions+control) error by humans machine(largely replaces many tasks previously done by human workers) tech errors accidents ( unplanned, unforeseen, uncontrolled event having -ve consequences)

Question 33

system errors in operator-machine systems (machine controls+displays) - displays - controls

Answer 33

VISUAL(monitor screens/lights) - match displays for controls (digital accuracy) - colour for enhancement+warnings AUDIO (pre-recorded messages) - using sounds for warnings -> useful in dark room/tracking movement ________________________________________________ CONTROLS (levers, handles) - group controls logically by order+frequency of use -> ensures easy operation

Question 34

monitoring accidents- why do we do this

Answer 34

accident monitoring+reporting risk management strategies learning from accidents training opportunities employee wellbeing

Question 35

Dekker: 4 reasons for engaging in accident investigation+monitoring

Answer 35

epistemological(understanding) preventative moral existential reason