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The association between janitor physical workload, mental workload, and stress: The SWEEP study
Adam Schwartz1, Susan Goodwin Gerberich1, Thomas Albin2
1Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|April 21, 2020
Summary
Janitors experience moderate stress from physical and mental workloads. This study highlights the impact of ergonomic and cognitive demands on janitorial stress levels, informing workplace safety strategies.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Ergonomics
- Psychology
Background:
- Janitors face high physical demands, contributing to a higher rate of lost workdays compared to other professions.
- Limited research exists on the combined impact of physical and mental workload on janitor stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physical (ergonomic) workload, mental workload, and stress among janitors.
- To quantify the associations between specific workload measures and stress outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Collected questionnaire data on ergonomic workload, mental workload, and stress from janitors over one year.
- Utilized Borg Scales and Rapid Entire Body Assessments (REBA) for physical workload, NASA Task Load Index (TLX) for mental workload, and SISS/PSS-4 for stress.
- Performed descriptive and multivariable analyses with bias adjustment.
Main Results:
- Physical workload measures (REBA, Borg) were associated with increased stress (SISS).
- Higher mental workload correlated with greater perceived stress (PSS-4).
- Each unit increase in SISS was linked to a 3% increased risk, indicating a dose-response relationship.
Conclusions:
- Physical and mental workloads significantly contribute to stress experienced by janitors.
- Findings underscore the need for interventions addressing both physical and cognitive demands in janitorial roles.
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