How does gender and work location impact perceived worker stress during COVID-19? Findings from King County, WA.

Using an online survey, we explored workplace determinants of perceived stress during COVID-19 in n=2910 county government workers, and differences in perceived stress by gender and work arrangement (work from home v. do not work from home). We explored relationships with descriptive statistics and linear regression. Access to health and safety resources, increased workplace safety climate, support for work-life balance, and increased access to sick leave were related to lower stress; dependent care stress and female gender were related to higher stress. Among those working from home, higher stress related to an increase in workload and erosion of work/life boundaries. Findings show how the workplace impacts stress, differential determinants by gender/work arrangement, and areas to intervene to improve employee health and well-being.

Exploring determinants of log truck accidents resulting in injury or fatality in the Northwest United States between 2015-2019 using Motor Carrier Management Information System data.

Log truck drivers represent a high-risk yet understudied worker population. Logging, more generally, is known to be one of the most dangerous industries in the country, but little is known about injury and fatality rates among log truck drivers specifically. Using data from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), this study aims to characterize log truck crashes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Using multiple logistic regression, we estimated the odds of a crash resulting in an injury or fatality by environmental and structural conditions at the time of each crash. Results indicate that the presence of a positive median barrier is strongly associated with a decreased odds of injury or fatality for log truck crashes (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.45, p = 0.03). An increased number of vehicles involved in the crash was significantly associated with an increased odds of injury or fatality (OR = 1.32, p = 0.01). Crashes occurring in Washington or Oregon had significantly decreased odds of resulting in an injury or fatality, in comparison to Idaho and Montana (OR = 0.14, p < 0.001; OR = 0.53, p = 0.01, respectively). These results indicate that the presence of highway safety measures and a state-approved OSHA plan may be beneficial in decreasing the odds of injury or fatality in log truck crashes.

Determinants of Stress, Depression, Quality of Life, and Intent to Leave in Washington State Emergency Medical Technicians During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: This study characterizes determinants of stress, depression, quality of life, and intent to leave among emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the Puget Sound region, Washington, during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies areas for intervention on these outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey measured stress, depression, quality of life, and intent to leave among EMTs ( N = 123). Regression models were developed for these outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 23.8% of respondents were very likely to leave their position in the next 6 months. Job demands predicted stress and depression, and financial security predicted stress and quality of life. Intent to leave was predicted by stress, manager support, and length of employment. CONCLUSIONS: Increased exposure to hazards has impacted EMT mental health. Emergency medical technicians are vital to healthcare, so improving EMT health and well-being is important, as attrition during a pandemic could impact public health.

Health and safety risk perceptions and needs of app-based drivers during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: App-based drivers face work disruptions and infection risk during a pandemic due to the nature of their work, interactions with the public, and lack of workplace protections. Limited occupational health research has focused on their experiences. METHODS: We surveyed 100 app-based drivers in Seattle, WA to assess risk perceptions, supports, and controls received from the company that employs them, sources of trust, stress, job satisfaction, COVID-19 infection status, and how the pandemic had changed their work hours. Data were summarized descriptively and with simple regression models. We complemented this with qualitative interviews to better understand controls and policies enacted during COVID-19, and barriers and facilitators to their implementation. RESULTS: Drivers expressed very high levels of concern for exposure and infection (86%-97% were "very concerned" for all scenarios). Only 31% of drivers reported receiving an appropriate mask from the company for which they drive. Stress (assessed via PSS-4) was significantly higher in drivers who reported having had COVID-19, and also significantly higher in respondents with lower reported job satisfaction. Informants frequently identified supports such as unemployment benefits and peer outreach among the driver community as ways to ensure that drivers could access available benefits during COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: App-based drivers received few protections from the company that employed them, and had high fear of exposure and infection at work. There is increased need for health-supportive policies and protections for app-based drivers. The most effective occupational and public health regulations would cover employees who may not have a traditional employer-employee relationship.

Working Safely in the Trades as Women: A Qualitative Exploration and Call for Women-Supportive Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Construction work offers women economic advancement and self-fulfillment opportunities, but multiple barriers prevent their increased representation in the industry. This study used qualitative methods to identity key physical and psychosocial safety hazards affecting tradeswomen. METHODS: Three focus groups were held in 2015 with 19 tradeswomen in Washington State. Groups discussed workplace hazards and solutions to make the trades safer for women. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and two independent reviewers analyzed themes. RESULTS: Participants identified myriad physical and psychosocial hazards including a dangerous work environment, inadequate personal protective equipment, gender discrimination, and fear of layoff for reporting concerns. Participants identified mentorship as a potential intervention to overcome some of these barriers. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the industry's work environment can be hostile and unsupportive for women, contributing to tradeswomen's injury risk and psychological distress. Future research and interventions should focus on understanding the relationships between and mediating the negative impact of women's physical and psychosocial workplace hazards. Results from these focus groups inspired a randomized control trial to study the impact mentorship has on decreasing physical and psychosocial hazards for women in construction, and improving retention.