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Globalization and structural changes in forestry have changed the content and operating practices of timber harvesting. Furthermore, digitization and new forms of work organization have changed work characteristics, requirements and resources. The importance of knowledge and competence, and the management of new technology, are emphasized more. The purpose of this study was to find out how work resource factors are related to the work ability of forest machine entrepreneurs and drivers. The research material was collected in 2018 through an online survey involving 322 professionals in the timber harvesting industry, 87 forest machine entrepreneurs and 235 forest machine drivers. The Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression analysis have been used for statistical analysis. Effective work organization and social support from co-workers, as well as the perceived meaningfulness of one’s work, were resources that increased the likelihood of good work ability. Based on our results, good management may enhance work resources, and by developing work it is possible to support employee ability amid the pressures of change inherent to a competitive commercial environment and new forms of work.
Hannu Pursio; Anna Siukola; Minna Savinainen; Hanna Kosonen; Heini Huhtala; Clas-Håkan Nygård. Associations between Work Resources and Work Ability among Forestry Professionals. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4822 .
AMA StyleHannu Pursio, Anna Siukola, Minna Savinainen, Hanna Kosonen, Heini Huhtala, Clas-Håkan Nygård. Associations between Work Resources and Work Ability among Forestry Professionals. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (9):4822.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHannu Pursio; Anna Siukola; Minna Savinainen; Hanna Kosonen; Heini Huhtala; Clas-Håkan Nygård. 2021. "Associations between Work Resources and Work Ability among Forestry Professionals." Sustainability 13, no. 9: 4822.
Aim The Abilitator is a self-assessment questionnaire which was developed to evaluate the perceived work ability and different aspects of functioning of working-age people. The present study aimed to explore the concurrent validity of the Abilitator. Subject and methods The participants (n = 177) were patients of a rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Their mean age was 47.1 years. Using Spearman’s correlation coefficients, we assessed the concurrent validity of the Abilitator to compare it to the HAD, RAND-36, EQ-5D, and WHODAS 2.0 (12-item short version) questionnaires. Results The five domains of the Abilitator showed fair to moderate correlation coefficients with the previously validated and accepted measures of functioning. The strongest correlations were found in specific domains measuring similar constructs, namely social inclusion and RAND-36 vitality/fatigue (rs = 0.58), psychological functioning and RAND-36 emotional well-being (rs = 0.67) and HAD depression (rs = −0.65), everyday activities and total score of EQ-5D (rs = 0.63), cognitive functioning and WHODAS 2.0 cognition (rs = 0.57), and physical condition and RAND-36 physical functioning (rs = 0.70). Analysis by subpopulations of gender and age group showed a broadly similar pattern to that of the total sample. In general, stronger correlations were seen among women and among those of a younger age (50 years or under). Conclusion The Abilitator questionnaire has acceptable concurrent validity for assessing different aspects of the functioning of working-age people.
Minna Savinainen; Olli Jauhiainen; Hannu Heikkilä; Matti Joensuu. The concurrent validity of the Abilitator: a self-assessment questionnaire on functioning and work ability. Journal of Public Health 2020, 1 -8.
AMA StyleMinna Savinainen, Olli Jauhiainen, Hannu Heikkilä, Matti Joensuu. The concurrent validity of the Abilitator: a self-assessment questionnaire on functioning and work ability. Journal of Public Health. 2020; ():1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMinna Savinainen; Olli Jauhiainen; Hannu Heikkilä; Matti Joensuu. 2020. "The concurrent validity of the Abilitator: a self-assessment questionnaire on functioning and work ability." Journal of Public Health , no. : 1-8.
Purpose Unemployment has multidimensional effects. This study investigated how the changes in functioning are associated with the changes in perceived work ability among unemployed people. Methods The participants were clients in projects funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) targeted for unemployed individuals. They answered a questionnaire covering work ability (Work Ability Score) and functioning (cognitive, psychological and social functioning, physical condition and everyday activities) and perceived health at the beginning and at the end of the project (mean follow-up 173 days). The study included data from unemployed respondents (N = 502) aged 19–64 years. Results Overall, during the follow-up, both work ability and different aspects of functioning improved, excluding physical condition. Changes in cognitive and psychological functioning, physical condition and everyday activities were significantly associated with the changes in work ability. The physical condition had the strongest association with the changes in work ability. Short unemployment time and especially good perceived health improved WAS over time. Age, gender and follow-up time were not associated with changes in work ability. Conclusions Maintaining or improving health and functioning and shortening the length of unemployment appeared to be important issues in enhancing work ability and thus increasing re-employability potential.
Minna Savinainen; Jorma Seitsamo; Matti Joensuu. The association between changes in functional capacity and work ability among unemployed individuals. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 2019, 93, 503 -511.
AMA StyleMinna Savinainen, Jorma Seitsamo, Matti Joensuu. The association between changes in functional capacity and work ability among unemployed individuals. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. 2019; 93 (4):503-511.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMinna Savinainen; Jorma Seitsamo; Matti Joensuu. 2019. "The association between changes in functional capacity and work ability among unemployed individuals." International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 93, no. 4: 503-511.
In Finland, workplace surveys are used to identify and assess health risks and problems caused by work and make suggestions for continuous improvement of the work environment. With the aid of the workplace survey, occupational health services can be tailored to a company. The aims of this study were to determine how occupational health professionals gather data via the workplace survey and the effect survey results have on companies. A total of 259 occupational health nurses and 108 occupational health physicians responded to the questionnaire: 84.2% were women and 15.8% were men. The mean age of the respondents was 48.8 years (range, 26 to 65 years). Usually occupational health nurses and foremen and sometimes occupational health physicians and occupational safety and health representatives initiate the workplace survey. More than 90% of the surveys were followed by action proposals, and about 50% of these were implemented. The proposals implemented most often concerned personal protective equipment and less often leadership. Survey respondents should have both the opportunity and the authority to affect resources, the work environment, work arrangements, and tools. Teamwork among occupational health and safety professionals, management, and employees is vital for cost-effectively solving today's complex problems at workplaces around the globe.
Minna Savinainen; Panu Oksa. Efficiency of Workplace Surveys Conducted by Finnish Occupational Health Services. AAOHN Journal 2011, 59, 303 -310.
AMA StyleMinna Savinainen, Panu Oksa. Efficiency of Workplace Surveys Conducted by Finnish Occupational Health Services. AAOHN Journal. 2011; 59 (7):303-310.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMinna Savinainen; Panu Oksa. 2011. "Efficiency of Workplace Surveys Conducted by Finnish Occupational Health Services." AAOHN Journal 59, no. 7: 303-310.
In Finland, workplace surveys are used to identify and assess health risks and problems caused by work and make suggestions for continuous improvement of the work environment. With the aid of the workplace survey, occupational health services can be tailored to a company. The aims of this study were to determine how occupational health professionals gather data via the workplace survey and the effect survey results have on companies. A total of 259 occupational health nurses and 108 occupational health physicians responded to the questionnaire: 84.2% were women and 15.8% were men. The mean age of the respondents was 48.8 years (range, 26 to 65 years). Usually occupational health nurses and foremen and sometimes occupational health physicians and occupational safety and health representatives initiate the workplace survey. More than 90% of the surveys were followed by action proposals, and about 50% of these were implemented. The proposals implemented most often concerned personal protective equipment and less often leadership. Survey respondents should have both the opportunity and the authority to affect resources, the work environment, work arrangements, and tools. Teamwork among occupational health and safety professionals, management, and employees is vital for cost-effectively solving today's complex problems at workplaces around the globe.
Minna Savinainen; Panu Oksa. Efficiency of Workplace Surveys Conducted by Finnish Occupational Health Services. AAOHN Journal 2011, 59, 303 -310.
AMA StyleMinna Savinainen, Panu Oksa. Efficiency of Workplace Surveys Conducted by Finnish Occupational Health Services. AAOHN Journal. 2011; 59 (7):303-310.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMinna Savinainen; Panu Oksa. 2011. "Efficiency of Workplace Surveys Conducted by Finnish Occupational Health Services." AAOHN Journal 59, no. 7: 303-310.