How labor intensity is divided by type of load. Factors of the labor process that characterize the severity and intensity of work. Characteristics of emotional stress

Labor intensity (LT) is a characteristic of the work process. Determined based on a number of criteria. Used for workplace certification.

What is work intensity?

LT – a value reflecting the load on the central nervous system during performance job responsibilities. The indicator gives an idea of the load on the nervous system, emotional condition, sense organs. It is especially indicative for managers, pilots and drivers. Representatives of these professions experience the greatest load on the central nervous system. The factor of physical fatigue is not taken into account. Work intensity is one of the criteria for professional selection. The indicator is also used when arranging a comfortable workplace.

Labor intensity classes

Three classes of NT are considered:

Optimal. Assumes a weak indicator of labor intensity. Such conditions provide the best level of performance.
Acceptable. Assumes a medium level of tension. These conditions do not contradict the regulations. It is expected that the accumulated stress will be eliminated during the weekend. Second class HT should not cause harm to the employee’s health in the long term.
Tense. Assumes exceeding established standards. this work characterized by the presence of harmful production conditions. The third class of labor stress is an adverse effect on the employee’s body in the long term.

The third class is further divided into three categories:

3.1 . There are deviations from accepted standards. They can provoke reversible changes and increase the risk of developing diseases.
3.2 . Existing harmful conditions may cause permanent disturbances. There is a high risk of developing diseases and the possibility of short-term disability. The appearance of the first stage of occupational pathology is possible.
3 .3 . It has an increased level of harmful effects. There is a very high probability of the appearance and development of pathologies.

The tension class affects the organization of working conditions and the design of the workplace.

Types of loads

Each load is characterized by special evaluation criteria.

Intellectual loads

Highlight the following indicators:

The content of the work. Reflects the degree of complexity of the employee’s activity. For example, one worker solves a simple problem, while another specializes in complex problems without the use of an algorithm. Workers who perform simple tasks are, for example, cleaners. Workers who solve complex problems - surgeons, employees of research centers, etc.
Data perception and evaluation. The first class involves work in which information is compared with norms. This includes, for example, machinists. The second class is the perception of information with a change in actions (laboratory assistants, accountants). Third class - perception of information, comprehensive analysis all parameters (managers).
The number of functions performed by one employee. The more functions an employee performs, the more stressful his work will be considered. The nature of the functions is taken into account: simple, complex.
Nature of the work. Low NT – activity according to an individual plan, medium – work according to an accepted schedule. An increased NT indicator requires working under strict time limits.

When assessing, a whole range of parameters are taken into account. Let's look at some signs of complicated tasks:

Reasoning is used in the process.
The management has set a common goal.
When solving a problem, you need to build a plan.
The task is divided into many stages.
The sequence of actions is chosen by the employee.

These are characteristic features inherent in complex work.

Sensory loads

Sensory loads involve stress on the senses. The following parameters are highlighted:

Duration of observation. Expressed as a percentage of the shift duration.
Frequency of incoming signals (sounds, light) per hour. The greatest tension in this parameter is observed in such professions as air traffic controllers and telegraph operators.
Number of objects subject to simultaneous observation. For each profession, the number of such objects will be different. For example, for air traffic controllers the limit on the number of objects is 13.
Size of object to be observed. The smaller the object, the greater the strain on the eyes.
Labor involving optical equipment (percentage of total shift duration). The higher this percentage, the higher the load.
Monitoring the terminal screen (number of hours per day). The duration of work with the screen is recorded.

A large number of parameters are determined as a percentage.

For example, one worker’s shift is 10 hours. This is 100%. Direct eye strain lasts for 2 hours. That is, sensory load is 20% of the shift.

Emotional stress

The following load values are distinguished:

Responsibility for the results of your business.
The degree of risk to the employee's life.
Responsibility for the safety of people.

The greatest emotional stress is recorded among major managers.

Monotonous loads

The following parameters of load monotonicity are distinguished:

The number of monotonous techniques for solving a problem.
Time to complete one task.
Duration active actions(as a percentage of the entire shift).
The monotony of the process (implies the duration of passive observation).

The greatest loads are observed among participants in conveyor production.

Operating mode

The following parameters can be distinguished:

Actual duration of the working day.
Shift work.
Availability of employee rest breaks and their duration.

Again, the totality of all parameters is taken into account.

How to assess work intensity?

The assessment of labor intensity is carried out in accordance with the following principles:

The working specialty is analyzed from the point of view of all the given values. It is prohibited to use the given indicators selectively.
The class of working conditions is found for each of the given values.
In the event that a working specialty lacks one of the parameters (for example, an employee does not need to monitor screens), it is assigned class 1 NT. You can't just skip a parameter.

Let's consider the criteria by which a certain class is assigned to a specialty:

1 class can be assigned only if 17 or more specialty indicators have received a similar class. However, if there is one value that belongs to class 3, then class 1 cannot be assigned.
Class 2 is assigned only if 6 or more values belong to the second class, the rest - to the first. From 1 to 5 indicators can be classified as 3.1 and 3.2.
Class 3 is established if 6 values deserve a rating of 3.1, the rest - to class 1 or 2. An alternative option is that 3-5 indicators belong to class 3.1, and from 1 to 3 values – to class 3.2.

These rules are enshrined in relevant hygienic standards.

Labor intensity- a characteristic of the labor process, reflecting the load primarily on the central nervous system, sensory organs, and the emotional sphere of labor.

Impact on the human body

Mental work is associated with the perception and processing of large amounts of information. Mental work combines work related to the reception and transmission of information, requiring activation of the processes of thinking, attention, and memory. This type labor is characterized by a significant decrease in physical activity. The main indicator of mental work is tension, which reflects the load on the central nervous system. Energy consumption during mental work is 2500 – 3000 kcal per day.

Picture 1

But energy expenditure varies depending on the working posture. Thus, when working in a sitting position, energy expenditure exceeds the level of basal metabolism by 5–10%; standing - by 10 - 25%, in a forced uncomfortable position - by 40 - 50%. During intense intellectual work, the brain's need for energy amounts to 15–20% of the total metabolism in the body. The increase in total energy costs during mental work is determined by the degree of neuro-emotional tension. Daily energy consumption during mental work increases by 48% when reading aloud while sitting, by 90% when lecturing, and by 90–100% for computer operators. In addition, the brain is prone to inertia, since after stopping work the thought process continues, which leads to greater fatigue and exhaustion of the central nervous system than during physical labor.

Mental work is associated with nervous tension, which depends on the significance, danger and responsibility of the work. Nervous tension causes tachycardia, increased blood pressure, ECG changes, and increased oxygen consumption. For the proper organization of mental activity, it is necessary to: gradually “get into” the work, maintain rhythm and systematicity.

This type of work is characterized by a significant decrease in motor activity (hypokinesia), which leads to cardiovascular pathology; prolonged mental stress depresses the psyche, impairs the functions of attention and memory. The main indicator of mental work is tension, which reflects the load on the central nervous system.

Standardized indicators

All indicators have qualitative or quantitative expression and are grouped by type of load:

intellectual;
sensory;
emotional;
monotonous;
operating loads.

The intensity of the work process should be assessed at each workplace. The assessment of labor intensity is based on an analysis of workers’ work activities, job descriptions, time observations (photographs of the working day) and expert assessment. Classes of working conditions must be determined by all 23 assessment indicators presented in Table 18 of Guidelines R 2.2.2006-05.

Classes of working conditions according to indicators of intensity of the labor process

Indicators of tension in the labor process	Optimal class of working conditions. Mild tension	Acceptable class of working conditions. Moderate tension	Harmful class 3.1	Harmful class 3.2
1.Intellectual loads
1.1 Contents of the work	No need to make a decision	Solution simple tasks according to instructions	Solving complex problems with choice using known algorithms (work according to a series of instructions)	Heuristic (creative) activity that requires solving an algorithm, sole leadership in difficult situations
1.2Perception of signals (information) and their assessment	Perception of signals, but no action correction required	Perception of signals with subsequent correction of actions and operations	Perception of signals followed by comparison of actual parameter values with their nominal values. Final assessment of actual parameter values	Perception of signals followed by a comprehensive assessment of related parameters. Comprehensive assessment of all production activities
1.3 Distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of the task	Job Processing and Execution	Processing, execution of the task and its verification	Processing, checking and monitoring the completion of the task	Control and preliminary work on the distribution of tasks to other persons
1.4 Nature of the work performed	Work according to an individual plan	Work according to a set schedule with possible adjustments as work progresses	Working under time pressure	Working in conditions of shortage of time and information with increased responsibility for the final result
2.Sensory loads
2.1 Duration of concentrated observation (% of shift time)	up to 25	26 – 50	51 – 75	more than 75
2.2 Density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average per 1 hour of operation	up to 75	76 – 175	176 – 300	more than 300
2.3 Number of production facilities for simultaneous observation	up to 5	6 – 10	11 – 25	more than 25
2.4 Size of the discrimination object (at a distance from the worker’s eyes to the discrimination object of no more than 0.5 m) in mm for the duration of concentrated observation (% of shift time)	more than 5 mm – 100%	5 – 1.1 mm – more than 50%; 1 – 0.3 mm – up to 50%; less than 0.3 mm – up to 25%	– 0.3 mm – more than 50%; less than 0.3 mm – 26 – 50%	less than 0.3 mm – more than 50%
2.5 Working with optical instruments (microscopes, magnifying glasses, etc.) during the duration of concentrated observation (% of shift time)	up to 25	26 – 50	51 – 75	more than 75
2.6 Monitoring the screens of video terminals (hours per shift):
with alphanumeric type of information display	up to 2	until 3	up to 4	more than 4
with a graphical type of information display	until 3	up to 5	until 6	more than 6
2.7 Load on the auditory analyzer (if there is a production need to perceive speech or differentiated signals)	Intelligibility of words and signals from 100 to 90%. No interference	The intelligibility of words and signals is from 90 to 70%. There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 3.5 m	The intelligibility of words and signals is from 70 to 50%. There is interference, against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 2 m	The intelligibility of words and signals is less than 50%. There is interference, against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 1.5 m
2.8 Load on the vocal apparatus (total number of hours spoken per week)	up to 16	up to 20	up to 25	more than 25
3. Emotional stress
3.1 Degree of responsibility for the results of one’s own activities. Significance of error	Responsible for completing individual elements of tasks. Involves additional effort in work on the part of the employee	Responsible for the functional quality of auxiliary work (tasks). Requires additional efforts on the part of senior management	Responsible for the functional quality of the main work (task). Involves corrections due to additional efforts of the entire team (group, brigade, etc.)	Responsible for the functional quality of the final product, work, task. Result in equipment damage, shutdown technological process and there may be a danger to life
3.2 Degree of risk to one’s own life	Excluded	–	–	Likely
3.3 Degree of responsibility for the safety of others	Excluded	–	–	Possible
3.4 Number of conflict situations caused by professional activities per shift	None	1 –3	4 – 8	More than 8
4. Monotonous loads
4.1 The number of elements (techniques) required to implement a simple task or in repeated operations	more than 10	9 – 6	5 – 3	less than 3
4.2 Duration (in seconds) of simple tasks or repetitive operations	more than 100	100 – 25	24 –10	less than 10
4.3 Time of active actions (in % of shift duration). The rest of the time - monitoring the progress production process	20 or more	19 – 10	9 – 5	less than 5
4.4 Monotony of the production environment (time of passive observation of the process as a percentage of the shift time)	less than 75	76 – 80	81 – 90	more than 90
5. Operating mode
5.1 Actual working hours	6 – 7 hours	8 – 9 hours	10 – 12 h	more than 12 hours
5.2 Shift work	Single shift work (no night shift)	Two-shift work (no night shift)	Three shift work (work in night shift)	Irregular shifts with night work
5.3 Availability of regulated breaks and their duration	Breaks are regulated and of sufficient duration: 7% or more of working time	Breaks are regulated, of insufficient duration: from 3 to 7% of working time	Breaks are not regulated and of insufficient duration: up to 3% of working time	No breaks

1. Intellectual loads

Example: the simplest tasks are solved by cleaners and loaders (class 1 working conditions), and activities that require solving simple problems, but with a choice (according to instructions) are typical for laboratory assistants, nurses, telephone operators, repairmen, storekeepers, track fitters, inspectors carriages, signalmen, electricians, etc. (2nd grade). Complex problems solved according to a well-known algorithm (work according to a series of instructions) take place in the work of managers (directors, shop managers), foremen, drivers Vehicle, foremen, drivers, train compilers, station attendants, etc. (class 3.1.). The most complex work in content, requiring to one degree or another heuristic (creative) activity, is found among scientists, designers, surgeons, etc. (class 3.2.).

Figure 2

1.2. “Perception of signals (information) and their evaluation” – for this factor of the labor process, the perception of signals (information) with subsequent correction of actions and operations performed belongs to the 2nd class (laboratory assistants, accountants, economists, turners, mechanics, carpenters, cooks). Class 3.1 includes work when the performer must compare signals (the results of his work) with existing standards (norms), the values of which he must keep in memory, bring the results of his own activities into line with these standards and verify the correctness of the work. This nature of work is typical for operator professions, locomotive drivers, foremen, electricians, etc. In the case when work activity requires the perception of signals followed by a comprehensive assessment of all production parameters (information), then labor intensity falls into class 3.2 (enterprise managers (directors, shop managers), scientists, station attendants, etc.).

1.3. “Distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of the task” . Any work activity is characterized by the distribution of functions between workers. Accordingly, the more functions assigned to an employee, the higher the intensity of his work. Thus, work activity containing simple functions aimed at processing and performing a specific task does not lead to significant labor intensity. An example of such activity is the work of a laboratory assistant, cleaner, loader (class 1). Tension increases when processing, execution and subsequent verification of the task (class 2) is carried out, which is typical for such professions as accountant, department engineer, nurse, driver, electrician, telephone operator, repairman, plumber, etc. In this case, verification means checking the results of one’s work (self-control). Processing, checking and, in addition, monitoring the completion of a task indicates a greater degree of complexity of the functions performed by the employee, and, accordingly, in to a greater extent labor intensity is manifested (foremen of enterprises, heads of departments, class 3.1). The most difficult function is the preliminary preparatory work with the subsequent distribution of tasks to other persons (class 3.2), which is typical for such professions as heads of enterprises (directors, shop managers), air traffic controllers, doctors, etc.

1.4. "The nature of the work performed." In the case when the work is carried out according to an individual plan, the level of labor intensity is low (grade 1 - laboratory assistants, cleaners, track fitters). If the work proceeds according to a strictly established schedule with possible correction as necessary, then the tension increases (2nd class - nurses, mechanics, accountants, foremen, shop managers, etc.). Even greater labor intensity is typical when work is performed under time pressure (class 3.1 - drivers, locomotive operators, railway station attendant). At the same time, the work should be characterized by a lack of time in everyday activities, and not in emergency situations. The greatest tension (class –3.2) is characterized by work under conditions of shortage of time and information. At the same time, there is a high responsibility for the final result of the work (surgeons, resuscitators, management engineers nuclear reactor, air traffic controllers).

2.Sensory loads

2.1. “Duration of concentrated observation (as a % of shift time).” The greater the percentage of time during a shift devoted to focused observation, the higher the tension. The total time of the work shift is taken as 100%. Focused observation means that the worker looks at the object of observation without taking his eyes off. The longest duration of concentrated observation of the progress of the technological process is observed in operator professions: telephone operators, air traffic controllers, drivers (more than 75% of the shift - class 3.2). A slightly lower value of this parameter (51 – 75%) was found among doctors, control panel operators, PC operators, accountants (class 3.1) (see Figure 4). From 26 to 50% of the value of this indicator varied among nurses, managers and foremen of industrial enterprises, teachers, and mechanics (grade 2). The lowest level of this indicator is observed among directors, cleaners, loaders, track fitters (1st class - up to 25% of the total shift time).

Figure 3

2.2. “Density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average for 1 hour of operation” . The number of perceived and transmitted signals (messages, orders) allows us to assess the employment and specifics of the employee’s activities. The greater the number of incoming and transmitted signals or messages, the higher the information load, leading to increased tension. According to the form (or method) of presenting information, signals can be sent from special devices (light, sound signaling devices, instrument scales, tables, graphs and diagrams, symbols, text, formulas, etc.) and by voice communication (by telephone, by radio, with direct direct contact of workers).

For example: the largest number of communications and signals with ground services and with aircraft crews is observed among air traffic controllers - more than 300 (class 3.2). The driver's production activity while driving is somewhat lower - on average about 200 signals per hour (class 3.1). The work of telegraph operators belongs to this class. In the range from 75 to 175 signals are received within an hour by telephone operators (the number of served subscriptions per hour is from 25 to 150). For nurses and doctors in intensive care units (urgent call to a patient, alarm from monitors about the patient’s condition) – class 2. The smallest number of signals and messages is typical for such professions as laboratory assistants, managers, foremen, carpenters, plumbers - class 1.

2.3. “Number of production facilities for simultaneous observation” indicates that with an increase in the number of objects of simultaneous observation, labor intensity increases. For the operator type of activity, various indicators, displays, controls, keyboards, etc. serve as objects of simultaneous observation. The largest number of objects of simultaneous observation was installed for air traffic controllers - 13, which corresponds to ticket office 3.1, this number is slightly lower for telegraph operators - 8 - 9 teletypes, for vehicle drivers - 6 - 7 (class 2). Up to 5 objects of simultaneous observation are observed among telephone operators, foremen, managers, nurses, doctors, etc. (class 1). For locomotive drivers, the objects of simultaneous observation are objects located in front of a moving locomotive (signals, track condition, contact wire condition, etc.), but their number, as a rule, does not exceed 8–10.

2.4. “The size of the object of discrimination during the duration of concentrated attention (% of the shift time)” . The smaller the size of the object in question (product, part, digital or letter information, etc.) and the longer the observation time, the higher the load on the visual analyzer. Accordingly, the labor intensity class increases. The categories of visual work from SNiP 23-05-95 “Natural and artificial lighting” were taken as the basis for the size of the object of discrimination.

For example, for a loader we select a size of the discrimination object of more than 5 mm - class 1, for an accountant when working with documents and a personal computer, the size of the discrimination object is 1 - 0.3 mm with observation concentration up to 50% of the shift - class 2, more than 50% of the shift - class 3.1 . The smallest size of the object of discrimination - less than 0.3 mm - is selected when working with a microscope.

2.5. “Working with optical instruments (microscope, magnifying glass, etc.) with the duration of concentrated observation (% of the shift time)”. Based on timing observations, the time (hours, minutes) of working with the optical device is determined. The duration of the working day is taken as 100%, and the time of fixed gaze using a microscope or magnifying glass is converted into %. The greater the percentage of time, the greater the load, leading to the development of tension in the visual analyzer.

2.6. “Monitoring the video terminal screen (hours per shift).” According to this indicator, the time (hours, minutes) of direct work of the VDT user with the display screen throughout the entire working day when entering data, editing text or programs, reading alphabetic, digital and graphic information from the screen is recorded. The longer the time of fixation of the gaze on the screen of the VDT user, the greater the load on the visual analyzer and the higher the labor intensity. The greatest load will be on PC operators and programmers (6–7 hours). For an accountant this is a maximum of 4 hours, because... it also works with documents (the gaze moves from the screen to the document, from the document to the screen, i.e. the time of working with the PC can be conditionally divided in half, this will be the real time of fixed observation of the PC screen).

. The degree of tension of the auditory analyzer is determined by the dependence of the intelligibility of words as a percentage of the ratio between the level of intensity of speech and “white” noise. When there is no interference, word intelligibility is 100% - grade 1. Class 2 includes cases when the noise level is 70 - 80 dBA, and corresponds to word intelligibility equal to 90 - 70% or at a distance of up to 3.5 m. If the noise level is more than 80 dBA, then an assessment is already being made for class 3.1 or 3.2.

2.8. “Load on the vocal apparatus (total number of hours spoken per week)” . The degree of tension in the vocal apparatus depends on the duration of speech loads. Voice overstrain occurs during prolonged vocal activity without rest. The greatest loads (class 3.1 or 3.2) are observed among people in voice-speech professions (teachers, kindergarten teachers, vocalists, readers, actors, announcers, tour guides, etc.). To a lesser extent, this type of load is typical for other professional groups (managers, foremen, doctors, etc. - class 2). The lowest values of the criterion can be observed in the work of other professions, such as laboratory assistants, turners, and vehicle drivers (class 1).

3. Emotional stress

3.1. “The degree of responsibility for the results of one’s own activities . The significance of the error." This indicator indicates the extent to which an employee can influence the result of his own work at various levels of complexity of the activity performed. With increasing complexity, the degree of responsibility increases, since erroneous actions lead to additional efforts on the part of the employee or the whole team, which accordingly leads to an increase emotional stress. Such professions, air traffic controllers, doctors, vehicle drivers, nuclear reactor control engineers, are characterized by the highest degree of responsibility for the final result of the work, and mistakes made can lead to a stoppage of the technological process, the occurrence of dangerous situations for human life (class 3.2). If the employee is responsible for the main type of task, and mistakes lead to additional efforts on the part of the whole team, then the emotional load in this case is already somewhat lower (class 3.1): managers and foremen of industrial enterprises, foremen, shift supervisors, nurses. In the case when the degree of responsibility is related to the quality of the auxiliary task, and errors lead to additional efforts on the part of higher management (in particular, the foreman, shift supervisor, etc.), then such work according to this indicator is characterized by even less manifestation of emotional stress (2nd grade): laboratory assistants, repairmen, equipment installers, electricians, cooks. The least importance of the criterion is noted in the work of a laboratory assistant, cleaner, loader, where the employee is responsible only for the implementation of individual elements of the product, and in case of an error, additional efforts are required only on the part of the employee himself (class 1).

3.2. "The degree of risk to one's own life." Only those workplaces where there is a direct danger, when the risk is present provided that workers comply with safety rules, are characterized by the presence of a risk to one’s own life, that is, potentially hazardous work and plots. Examples include work at heights, work related to the maintenance of electrical equipment under high voltage, work on railway tracks when trains are moving, etc.

3.3. “Degree of responsibility for the safety of others” reflects factors emotional meaning. A number of professions are characterized by responsibility only for the safety of other persons (air traffic controllers, resuscitators, surgeons, electric train drivers, industrial foreman, if they issue permits for special dangerous species work, etc.), or only for personal safety (tower crane operator, miner, electrician of high-voltage power lines, industrial climber etc.) – 3.2 grade. But there are a number of categories of work where a combination of risk for oneself and responsibility for the lives of others is possible (infectious disease doctors, vehicle drivers, assistant electric train drivers, etc.). In this case, the emotional load is significantly higher, so these indicators should be assessed as separate independent stimuli. There are a number of professions where these factors are completely absent (directors, heads of workshops, departments, laboratory assistants, accountants, telephone operators, cooks, nurses, massage therapists, etc.) - their work is assessed as class 1 labor intensity.

Figure 4

4. Monotonous loads

4.1. “The number of elements (techniques) necessary to implement a simple task or repetitive operations”. The smaller the number of techniques performed, the higher the labor intensity caused by repeated loads. The highest tension in this indicator is typical for assembly line workers (class 3.1 – 3.2) (see Figure 6).

4.2. "The duration (in seconds) of simple production tasks or repetitive operations" . The shorter the time, the correspondingly higher the monotony of the loads. This indicator, like the previous one, is most pronounced during assembly line work (class 3.1–3.2).

4.3. “Time of active actions (in % of shift duration)” . Monitoring the progress of a technological process does not constitute “active action”. The shorter the time it takes to perform active actions and more time monitoring the progress of the production process, the correspondingly higher the monotony of the loads. The highest monotony in this indicator is typical for control panel operators chemical production(class 3.1 – 3.2).

4.4. “Monotony of the production environment (time of passive observation of the technical process as a percentage of the shift time)”. The longer the time of passive observation of the technological process, the more monotonous the work. This indicator, like the previous one, is most pronounced in operator types of labor working in standby mode (operators of control panels of chemical plants, power plants, etc.) - class 3.2.

5. Operating mode

5.1. "Actual working hours" . Separated into a separate category, unlike other classifications. This is due to the fact that, regardless of the number of shifts and the rhythm of work in production conditions, the actual duration of the working day ranges from 6 to 8 hours (teachers, doctors, heads of enterprises and organizations, accountants, etc.; it is important to consider that irregular working hours , for example, for directors, heads of departments, is not taken into account; the calculation is based on 40 hours of the working week). A number of professions have shift lengths of 12 hours or more (doctors, nurses, security guards, watchmen, etc.). The longer the work, the greater the total load per shift, and, accordingly, the higher the labor intensity.

5.2. "Shift work" determined on the basis of internal production documents regulating the work schedule at a given enterprise or organization. The highest class 3.2 is characterized by irregular shifts with night work (nurses, doctors, railway station dispatchers, train conductors long distance and etc.).

Figure 5

5.3. “Availability of regulated breaks and their duration (without lunch break)” . Regulated breaks include only those breaks that are included in the working time regulations on the basis of internal production documents ( orders, internal labor regulations), or as required state documents (Labor Code Russian Federation, sanitary standards and rules, labor protection rules and others). They are provided for short-term rest and personal physiological needs and should be introduced for types of work when the performer, according to the adopted technology, cannot leave independently even for a short time workplace (most ticket cashiers, hump operators during intensive work, television surveillance post operators, checkpoint controllers, etc.) or continuation of high-quality work is possible only if there are rest breaks ( work of computer operators, heavy physical work, work in low temperatures environment and etc.). For these purposes, it is considered optimal to have several regulated breaks with a total duration of at least 7% of the shift (the number and duration of breaks should depend on specific conditions).

General assessment of the intensity of the labor process

A general assessment of the intensity of the labor process is carried out as follows:

Regardless of professional affiliation (profession), all 23 indicators listed in Table 8 are taken into account. Guides. Selective consideration of any individual indicators for the overall assessment of labor intensity is not allowed.
For each of the 22 indicators, its own class of working conditions is determined separately. In the event that, due to the nature or characteristics professional activity If any indicator is not presented (for example, there is no work with the video terminal screen or optical instruments), then for this indicator class 1 (optimal) is assigned - light labor intensity.
When making a final assessment of labor intensity:

3.1. “Optimal” (1st class) is established in cases where 17 or more indicators are rated 1st class, and the rest are classified as 2nd class. However, there are no indicators related to the 3rd (harmful) class.

3.2. “Acceptable” (class 2) is established in the following cases:

when 6 or more indicators are assigned to class 2, and the rest - to class 1;
when from 1 to 5 indicators are assigned to 3.1. and/or 3.2. degrees of harm, and the remaining indicators are rated 1st and/or 2nd classes.

3.3. “Harmful” (3rd class) is established when 6 or more indicators are classified as 3rd class.

In this case, intense labor of the 1st degree (3.1.) is established in the following cases:

when 6 indicators have a rating of only 3.1, and the remaining indicators belong to grades 1 and/or 2;
when from 3 to 5 indicators belong to class 3.1, and from 1 to 3 indicators belong to class 3.2.

Stressful work of the 2nd degree (3.2) is established in the following cases:

when 6 indicators are classified as class 3.2;
when more than 6 indicators are classified as class 3.1;
when from 1 to 5 indicators are assigned to class 3.1, and from 4 to 5 indicators - to class 3.2;
when 6 indicators are assigned to class 3.1 and there are from 1 to 5 indicators of class 3.2.

4. In cases where more than six indicators are rated 3.2, the intensity of the work process is rated one level higher - class 3.3.

Methodology for assessing labor intensity

The methodology for assessing labor intensity is carried out in accordance with the “Guide to the hygienic assessment of factors in the working environment and the labor process. Criteria and classification of working conditions" R 2.2.2006-05 Appendix 16.

Measuring instruments

A stopwatch is used as a measuring instrument (see Figure 6).

The assessment of labor intensity of a professional group of workers is based on an analysis of work activity and its structure, which is studied through time-based observations over the course of the entire working day, for at least one week. Assessment of the intensity of the labor process is carried out based on taking into account all 23 indicators. In this case, the class is first established for each assessed indicator, and the final assessment of labor intensity is established for the most sensitive indicator, which received the highest degree of intensity:

class 1 (optimal) is established in cases where 17 or more indicators are rated as class 1, and the rest are classified as class 2. In this case, there are no indicators classified as class 3 (harmful);
class 2 (permissible) is established in the following cases: when six or more indicators are classified as class 2, and the remaining -

to class 1,

- when from one to five indicators are assigned to degrees of harm 3.1 and (or) 3.2, and the remaining indicators have an assessment of classes 1 and (or) 2;
class 3 (harmful) is established in cases where six or more indicators are classified as class 3 - a mandatory condition.

If this condition is met intense work 1st degree (3.1) installed:

when six indicators have a rating of only class 3.1, and the remaining indicators belong to classes 1 and (or) 2;
when three to five indicators belong to class 3.1, one to three indicators belong to class 3.2, and the remaining indicators belong to classes 1 and (or) 2.

Stressful work, 2nd degree (3.2) installed:

when six indicators are classified as class 3.2;
when more than six indicators are classified as class 3.1;
when from one to five indicators are assigned to class 3.1, and from four to five indicators - to class 3.2;
when six indicators are classified as class 3.1 and there are from one to five indicators of class 3.2.

In cases where more than six indicators are rated 3.2, the intensity of the work process is rated one level higher - class 3.3.

Indicators of labor process intensity are assessed consistently.

IN group of indicators “intellectual loads” includes the following indicators: content of work, distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of tasks, work according to instructions - work according to a series of instructions, perception of signals (information) and their evaluation, nature of the work performed.

Index " The content of the work" indicates the degree of complexity of completing a task: from solving simple problems to creative (heuristic) activity with solving complex tasks in the absence of an algorithm. The distribution of this indicator by labor intensity classes is as follows: “when performing a task there is no need to make a decision” - class 1 (optimal), “solving simple problems according to instructions” - class 2 (acceptable), “solving complex problems with a choice but known algorithms (work according to a series of instructions)" - class 3.1 (harmful 1st degree), "heuristic (creative) activity requiring a solution using an unknown algorithm, sole leadership in difficult situations" - class 3.2 (harmful 2nd degree).

In practice, when assessing the “content of work” indicator, you can use some fairly simple evaluation criteria - to divide into classes 2 and 3.1 you can use the evaluation criterion “solving simple (class 2) or complex problems with a choice using known algorithms (class 3.1)” or the evaluation criterion criterion “solving problems according to instructions (class 2) or working according to a series of instructions (class 3.1).”

If the evaluation criterion is applied “distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of tasks” you can use some characteristic features of simple tasks (they do not require reasoning, have a clearly formulated goal, there is no need to build internal ideas about external events, the solution plan is contained in the instructions (instructions), may include several subtasks that are not interconnected or related only by a sequence of actions, the sequence of actions is known or it does not matter) and complex tasks (require reasoning, the goal is formulated only in general, it is necessary to build internal ideas about external events, the solution must be fully planned, includes the solution of logically related subtasks, and the information obtained when solving each subtask is analyzed and taken into account when solving the next subtask; the sequence of actions is chosen by the performer and is important for solving the problem).

Since any work activity is characterized by the distribution of functions between workers, the more functional responsibilities assigned to the employee, the higher the intensity of his work.

The distribution of the indicator “distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of tasks” by labor intensity classes is as follows: “processing and performing a task” - class 1 (optimal), “processing, performing a task and checking the result” - class 2 (acceptable), “processing, checking and control over the completion of a task" - class 3.1 (harmful 1st degree), "control and preliminary work on the distribution of tasks to other persons" - class 3.2 (harmful 2nd degree).

When assessing this indicator, it should be taken into account that work activity containing simple functions aimed only at processing and performing a specific task does not lead to significant labor intensity. Therefore, such activities are assessed as class 1.

Tensions increase when there is not only processing and execution of the task, but also subsequent verification of the task. In this case, the indicator is assigned class 2.

At the same time, according to this indicator, class 2 (acceptable) and class 3 (hard work) differ in two characteristics - the presence or absence of a control function and work on distributing tasks to other persons.

Class 3.1 evaluates work, a mandatory element of which is monitoring the completion of the task by other persons. Processing, checking and, in addition, monitoring the completion of a task indicate a greater degree of complexity of the functions performed by the employee, and, accordingly, the intensity of work is more manifested.

Class 3.2 evaluates according to this indicator such work that includes not only control, but also preliminary work on distributing tasks to other persons, since preliminary preparatory work with the subsequent distribution of tasks to other persons is the most complex function.

When applying the evaluation criterion “work according to instructions - work according to a series of instructions” It should be borne in mind that sometimes the number of instructions characterizing the content of the work is not always a sufficiently reliable characteristic of intellectual workload. Therefore, attention should be paid to those cases when general instructions, being formally unique, contains many separate instructions, and in this case the activity must be assessed as work according to a series of instructions.

When dividing into classes 3.1 and 3.2, only one evaluation criterion is used - problems are solved using known (class 3.1) or unknown (heuristic techniques) (class 3.2) algorithms. The main sign in this case is the presence or absence of a guarantee of obtaining the correct result. An additional feature of class 3.2 may be “single leadership in difficult situations.” In this case, it is necessary to consider only those situations that may arise suddenly, as well as in cases where the management of the actions of other persons in such situations is due to job description.

The main feature of the indicator "signal perception (information) and their assessment" from the point of view of differences between classes of intensity of the labor process, this indicator is a setting goal (or reference norm), which is adopted to compare the information received during work with the nominal values necessary for the successful progress of the work process. The distribution of this indicator by labor intensity classes is as follows: “no correction of actions is required” - class 1 (optimal), “with subsequent correction of actions and operations” - class 2 (acceptable), “followed by comparison of the actual values of the parameters with their nominal values and the final assessment of actual parameter values" - class 3.1 (harmful 1st degree), "followed by a comprehensive assessment of related parameters and a comprehensive assessment of all production activities" - class 3.2 (harmful 2nd degree).

When assessing the indicator “perception of signals (information) and their assessment,” the difference between classes 1 and 2 lies in the absence or presence of the need to correct actions and operations. In this case, an action is understood as an element of activity in the process of which a specific, not decomposed into simpler, conscious goal is achieved, and an operation is a completed action (or a sum of actions), as a result of which an elementary technological goal is achieved.

Class 3.1 evaluates work related to the perception of signals with subsequent comparison of the actual values of parameters (information) with their nominal required levels. Signals can also be understood as intermediate or final production indicators that are compared with reference or planned ones. Correction (comparison with the standard) is carried out here according to the type of recognition process, including the processes of decoding, information retrieval and information preparation of a decision based on thinking with the obligatory use of intelligence, i.e. mental abilities of the performer.

Class 3.2 evaluates work related to the perception of signals, followed by a comprehensive assessment of all production activities.

The main characteristics for assessing the indicator "the nature of the work performed" are a lack of time and information and increased responsibility for the final result. The distribution of this indicator by labor intensity classes is as follows: “work according to an individual plan” - class 1 (optimal), “work according to an established schedule with possible correction in the course of activity” - class 2 (permissible), “work under time pressure” - class 3.1 (harmful 1st degree), “work in conditions of shortage of time and information with increased responsibility for the final result” - class 3.2 (harmful 2nd degree).

The criteria for classifying work according to this indicator as class 3.1 is work under time pressure. In this case, an assessment of working conditions should be carried out when carrying out technological processes in accordance with technological regulations. Therefore, class 3.1 according to the indicator “the nature of the work performed” should only evaluate work in which time shortage is its constant and integral characteristic, and at the same time, successful completion of the task is possible only with the correct actions in conditions of such shortage.

Class 3.2 intense work characterizes work that occurs under conditions of scarcity of time and information with increased responsibility for the final result. The concept of time pressure was defined above. The lack of information needs no further explanation. And increased responsibility for the final result should not only be subjectively realized, since in any workplace the performer must be aware and bear such responsibility, but also assigned to the performer by the job description. The degree of responsibility must be high - this is responsibility for the normal course of the technological process, for the safety of unique, complex and expensive equipment and (or) for the safety of people.

Characteristics of intellectual loads are presented in Table. 3.7.

Characteristics of intellectual loads

Table 3.7

Definition characteristics	Characteristic values
	There is no need to make a decision when completing a task
	Solving simple problems according to instructions
	Solving complex problems with choice using known algorithms (work according to a series of instructions)
	Heuristic (creative) activity requiring a decision using an unknown algorithm, sole leadership in difficult situations
Perception of signals (information)	No action correction required
	With subsequent correction of actions and operations
	With subsequent comparison of the actual values of the parameters with their nominal values and the final assessment of the actual values of the parameters
	With subsequent comprehensive assessment of related parameters and comprehensive assessment of all production activities
Distribution of functions according to the degree of task complexity	Job Processing and Execution
	Processing, executing the task and checking the result
	Processing, checking and monitoring the completion of the task
	Control and preliminary work on the distribution of tasks to other persons
Nature of work performed	Work according to an individual plan
	Work according to a set schedule with possible adjustments as work progresses
	Working under time pressure
	Working in conditions of shortage of time and information with increased responsibility for the final result

The group of indicators “sensory load” includes the following indicators: duration of concentrated observation (as a percentage of shift time), density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average per hour of work, number of production objects of simultaneous observation, size of the object of discrimination during the duration of concentrated attention (as a percentage of shift time), work with optical instruments (microscope, moon, etc.) with the duration of concentrated observation (as a percentage of shift time), observation of the video terminal screen (hours per shift), load on the auditory analyzer and load on the vocal apparatus (total number of hours spoken per week).

Index " duration of concentrated observation (as a percentage of shift time)" characterizes the degree of tension - the greater the percentage of time during a shift devoted to concentrated observation, the higher the tension. The total time of the work shift is taken as 100%. The main characteristic for this indicator is concentration, i.e. concentration of attention on any real or ideal object. This characteristic differs significantly from the passive nature of monitoring the progress of a technological process, when the performer periodically, from time to time, monitors the condition of an object.

Long-term concentrated observation is necessary in workplaces where the state of the observed object is constantly changing, and the worker’s activity consists of periodically solving a number of tasks that continuously follow each other, based on received and constantly changing information.

When assessing this indicator, two errors most often occur using this criterion. The first is that this indicator evaluates such work when observation is not concentrated, but is carried out in a discrete mode. The second mistake is that high indicators for the duration of concentrated observation are assigned a priori, only because this characteristic is clearly expressed in the employee’s professional activity.

Index " signal density (light, sound) and messages on average per hour of work" - the number of perceived and transmitted signals (messages, orders) - allows you to assess employment, the specifics of the employee’s activity. The greater the number of incoming and transmitted signals or messages, the higher the information load, leading to increased tension. According to the form (or method) of presenting information, signals can be sent from special devices (light, sound signaling devices, instrument scales, tables, graphs and diagrams, symbols, text, formulas, etc.) and by voice communication (by telephone and radiophone , with direct direct contact of workers). When assessing this indicator, significant errors can be avoided if it is not assigned high values in all cases and only because the perception of signals and messages is a characteristic feature of the work.

The indicator “number of production objects of simultaneous observation” (as the number of objects of simultaneous observation increases, labor intensity increases) is characterized by requirements for the amount of attention and its distribution as the ability to simultaneously focus attention on several objects or actions.

The main criterion for assessing performance according to this indicator is the time spent from receiving information from objects of simultaneous observation to the actions performed. If this time is significantly short and actions must be performed immediately after receiving information simultaneously from all necessary objects (otherwise the normal flow of the technological process will be disrupted or a significant error will occur), then the work must be assessed as intense in terms of the number of production objects of simultaneous observation. If information can be obtained by sequentially switching attention from object to object and there is enough time before making a decision and (or) performing actions, then such work should be assessed according to this indicator as optimal or acceptable.

Index “the size of the object of discrimination during the duration of concentrated attention“is characterized by the fact that the smaller the size of the object in question (product, part, digital or letter information, etc.) and the longer the observation time, the higher the load on the visual analyzer. Accordingly, the labor intensity class increases.

The categories of visual work from SNiP 23-05-95 “Natural and artificial lighting” were taken as the basis for the size of the object of discrimination. In this case, it is necessary to consider only such an object that carries the semantic information necessary to perform this work. In some cases, when the dimensions of an object are small, optical instruments are used to increase these dimensions. If optical instruments are used sporadically, to clarify information, the object of discrimination is the direct information carrier. If the size of an object is so small that it is indistinguishable without the use of optical instruments, and they are used continuously, the size of the enlarged object must be recorded.

Index " work with optical instruments (microscope, magnifying glass, etc.) with a duration of concentrated observation.” Based on timing observations, the time (hours, minutes) of working with the optical device is determined. The duration of the working day is taken as 100%, and the time of fixed gaze using a microscope or magnifying glass is converted into percentages - the greater the percentage of time, the greater the load, leading to the development of tension in the visual analyzer.

Optical instruments include those devices that are used to increase the size of the object under consideration - magnifying glasses, microscopes, flaw detectors, or are used to increase the resolution of the device or improve visibility (binoculars), which is also associated with an increase in the size of the object. Optical instruments do not include various devices for displaying information in which optics are not used - various indicators and scales covered with a glass or transparent plastic cover.

Index “monitoring the video terminal screen.” According to this indicator, the time the video terminal user directly works with the display screen throughout the entire working day when entering data, editing text or programs, reading alphabetic, numeric, and graphic information from the screen is recorded. The longer the user fixes his gaze on the screen of the video terminal, the greater the load on the visual analyzer and the higher the labor intensity. This indicator should be used to characterize the intensity of the labor process at all workplaces that are equipped with means of displaying information on both cathode-ray and discrete (matrix) screens (displays, video modules, video monitors, video terminals).

The distribution of this indicator by labor intensity classes is as follows: “intelligibility of words and signals from 100 to 90%. No interference" - class 1 (optimal); “The intelligibility of words and signals is from 90 to 70%. There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 3.5 m” - class 2 (permissible); “The intelligibility of words and signals is from 70 to 50%. There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 2 m” - class 3.1 (harmful 1st degree), “intelligibility of words and signals is less than 50%. There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 1.5 m” - class 3.2 (harmful 2nd degree).

The indicator “load on the auditory analyzer” must characterize such work in which a worker, in conditions of increased noise levels, must perceive speech information or other sound signals that guide him in the process of work.

The degree of tension in the vocal apparatus depends on the duration of speech loads. Voice overstrain occurs during prolonged vocal activity without rest.

Characteristics of sensory loads are presented in table. 3.8.

Table 3.8

Characteristics of sensory loads

Definition	Characteristic values
Duration of concentrated observation (percentage of shift time)



Density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average per one hour of operation



Number of production facilities for simultaneous observation



Size of the discrimination object during the duration of concentrated attention (as a percentage of the shift time)	More than 5 mm - 100%
	5-1.1 mm - more than 50%, 1-0.3 mm - up to 50%, less than 0.3 mm - up to 25%
	1 -0.3 mm - more than 50%, less than 0.3 mm - up to 26-50%
	Less than 0.3 mm - more than 50%

Definition	Characteristic values
Working with optical instruments (microscope, magnifying glass, etc.) with the duration of concentrated observation (as a percentage of the shift time)



Monitoring the video terminal screen (hours per shift) with alphanumeric (graphic) type of information


	More A (6)
Word and signal intelligibility from 100 to 90%, no interference
The intelligibility of words and signals is from 90 to 70%, there is interference, against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 3.5 m
The intelligibility of words and signals is from 70 to 50%, there is interference, in the lobby of which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 2 m
The intelligibility of words and signals is less than 50%, there is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 1.5 m

The group of indicators “emotional stress” includes the following indicators: the degree of responsibility for the result of one’s own activities, the significance of the error; degree of risk to one’s own life; the degree of responsibility for the safety of other persons and the number of conflict production situations per shift.

Index " degree of responsibility for the results of one’s own activities, the significance of the error" indicates the extent to which an employee can influence the result of his own work at various levels of complexity of the activity performed. With increasing complexity, the degree of responsibility increases, since erroneous actions lead to additional efforts on the part of the employee or the whole team, which accordingly leads to an increase in emotional stress.

This indicator assesses the employee’s responsibility for the quality of elements of tasks of auxiliary work, main work or final products. In this case, the following classification should be used:

class 1 - responsibility for the quality of actions or operations that are an element of the labor process in relation to its ultimate goal, and the error is corrected by the worker himself on the basis of self-control or external, formal control of the “right - wrong” type;
class 2 - responsibility for the quality of an activity that is a technological cycle or a large element of a technological process in relation to its final goal, and an error is corrected by a superior manager according to the type of instructions “how to do it right”;
class 3.1 - responsibility for the entire technological process or activity, the error is corrected by the entire team if this does not entail more severe consequences;
class 3.2 - responsibility for the quality of products produced by everyone structural unit, or increased responsibility for the result of one’s own error, if it can lead to a stop in the technological process, breakdown of expensive or unique equipment, or a danger to the lives of other people.

Index “the degree of risk to one’s own life.” A measure of risk is the probability of an undesirable event occurring, which can be identified with sufficient accuracy from statistical data industrial injuries at this enterprise and similar enterprises in the industry. Therefore, at a specific workplace, the presence of traumatic factors that may pose a danger to the lives of workers is analyzed, and the possible zone of their influence is determined. The indicator “degree of risk to one’s own life” characterizes only those workplaces where there is direct danger, i.e. the working environment poses a threat of a direct damaging reaction (explosion, impact, spontaneous combustion), in contrast to an indirect danger, when the working environment becomes dangerous due to improper and imprudent behavior of the employee.

Index " degree of responsibility for the safety of others.” When assessing tension, it is necessary to take into account only direct and not indirect responsibility (the latter is distributed among all managers), i.e. such as is required by the job description.

Index “the number of conflict production situations per shift.” The presence of conflict situations in the production activities of a number of professions significantly increases the emotional load and is subject to quantitative assessment. The number of conflict situations is taken into account based on timing observations.

Characteristics of emotional stress are presented in table. 3.9.

Table 3.9

Characteristics of emotional stress

Definition	Values
	Responsible for the functional quality of the main work (task); entails corrections due to additional efforts of the entire team
	Bears responsibility for the functional quality of the final product, work, task; entails damage to equipment, interruption of the technological process, and may pose a danger to life
The degree of risk to your own life	Excluded


	Likely
Degree of responsibility for the safety of others	Excluded


	Possible
Number of conflict production situations per shift	None

To the indicator group "monotonicity of loads" includes the following indicators: the number of elements (techniques) necessary to implement a simple task or repetitive operations, the duration of simple production tasks or repetitive operations, the time of active actions (as a percentage of the shift duration), the monotony of the production environment (the time of passive observation of the progress of the technological process, as a percentage of shift time).

Index "number of elements (techniques), necessary for the implementation of a simple task or repeatedly repeated operations" - the smaller the number of techniques performed, the higher the monotony of the loads.

Index “the duration of simple production tasks or repetitive operations” - The shorter the time it takes to complete simple production tasks, the higher the monotony of the loads.

The number of elements (techniques) necessary to implement a simple task or repetitive operations, and the duration of the execution of simple production tasks or repetitive operations characterize the so-called motor monotony. High values of these indicators are most pronounced during assembly line work (classes 3.1, 3.2).

Index "time of active action." Monitoring the progress of a technological process does not constitute active actions. The shorter the time for performing active actions and the longer the time for monitoring the progress of the production process, the correspondingly higher the monotony of the loads.

Index "Monotony of the production environment." A necessary condition to classify operations and actions as monotonous is not only their frequent repetition and small number of techniques, which can also be observed in other works, but also their monotony and, most importantly, their low information content, when actions and operations are performed automatically and require virtually no close attention, information processing and decision making, i.e. practically do not use “intelligent” functions.

Characteristics of load monotonicity are presented in Table. 3.10.

Table 3.10

Characteristics of load monotony

Definition	Values
The number of elements (techniques) necessary to implement a simple task or repeatedly repeated operations



Duration of simple production tasks or repetitive tasks



Time of active actions (as a percentage of shift duration)	20 or more



Monotony of the production environment (time of passive observation of the technological process, as a percentage of the shift time)

The group of indicators “working mode” includes the following indicators: the actual duration of the working day, work shifts, the presence of regulated breaks and their duration (excluding lunch breaks).

Index " actual duration of the working day" highlighted in a separate section, since regardless of the number of shifts and the rhythm of work, the actual duration of the working day ranges from 6-8 to 12 hours or more. The longer the work, the greater the total load per shift and, accordingly, the higher the labor intensity.

Index "shift work" determined on the basis of internal production documents regulating the work schedule at a given enterprise or organization.

Index " availability of regulated breaks and their duration (excluding lunch break).” Regulated breaks should include only those breaks that are included in the working time regulations on the basis of official internal production documents, such as a collective agreement, an order from the director of an enterprise or organization, or on the basis of government documents - sanitary norms and rules, industry rules on labor protection, etc. .

Insufficient duration or absence of regulated breaks aggravates labor tension, since there is no element of short-term protection by time from the influence of labor process factors and production environment.

Characteristics of the operating mode are presented in table. 3.11.

Table 3.11

Operating mode characteristics

Definition	Values
Actual duration of the working day, hours



Shift work	Single shift work (no night shift)
	Two-shift work (no night shift)
	Three-shift work (night shift work)
	Irregular shifts with night work
Availability of regulated breaks and their duration (excluding lunch break)	Breaks are regulated and of sufficient duration: 7% or more of working time
	Breaks are regulated, of insufficient duration: from 3 to 7% of working time
	Breaks are not regulated and of insufficient duration: up to 3% of working time
	No breaks

METHODOLOGY

ASSESSMENTS OF WORK INTENSION

The intensity of the labor process is assessed in accordance with these “Hygienic criteria for assessing working conditions in terms of the harmfulness and danger of factors in the working environment, the severity and intensity of the labor process.”

The assessment of labor intensity of a professional group of workers is based on an analysis of work activity and its structure, which is studied through time-lapse observations over the course of the entire working day, for at least one week. The analysis is based on taking into account the entire complex of production factors (stimuli, irritants) that create the prerequisites for the occurrence of unfavorable neuro-emotional states (overstrain). All factors (indicators) of the labor process have a qualitative or quantitative expression and are grouped by types of loads: intellectual, sensory, emotional, monotonous, routine loads.

Example:the simplest problems are solved by laboratory assistants* (class 1 working conditions* *), and activities that require solving simple problems, but with a choice (according to instructions) are typical for nurses, telephone operators, telegraph operators, etc. (2nd grade). Complex problems solved using a well-known algorithm (work according to a series of instructions) occur in the work of managers, foremen of industrial enterprises, vehicle drivers, air traffic controllers, etc. (class 3.1). The most complex work in terms of content, requiring heuristic (creative) activity to one degree or another, is found among scientists, designers, doctors of various profiles, etc. (class 3.2).

1.2. “Perception of signals (information) and their evaluation”- for this factor of the labor process, the perception of signals (information) with subsequent correction of actions and operations performed belongs to class 2 ( laboratory work). Perception of signals with subsequent comparison of actual values of parameters (information) with their nominal required levels noted in the work of nurses, masters, telephone and telegraph operators, etc.. (class 3.1). In the case where work activity requires the perception of signals followed by a comprehensive assessment of all production parameters (information), then the labor intensity belongs to class 3.2 ( managers industrial enterprises, vehicle drivers, air traffic controllers, designers, doctors, scientists, etc.)

* - As examples, the results of an assessment of some professional groups of performing, managerial, camera and creative types of work are given.

* * - Classes of working conditions in accordance with these “Hygienic Criteria” are indicated in brackets.

1.3. “Distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of the task.” Any work activity is characterized by the distribution of functions between workers. Accordingly, the more functions assigned to an employee, the higher the intensity of his work. Thus, work activity containing simple functions aimed at processing and performing a specific task does not lead to significant labor intensity. An example of such activity is the work of a laboratory assistant (class 1). Tension increases when processing, execution and subsequent verification of task completion are carried out (class 2), which is typical for such professions as nurses, telephone operators, etc. Processing, checking and, in addition, monitoring the completion of a task indicates a greater degree of complexity of the functions performed by the employee, and, accordingly, the intensity of work is manifested to a greater extent ( industrial foremen, telegraph operators, designers, vehicle drivers - class 3.1). The most complex function is preliminary preparatory work with the subsequent distribution of tasks to other persons (class 3.2), which is typical for such professions as managers of industrial enterprises, air traffic controllers, scientists, doctors, etc.

1.4. “Nature of work performed”- in the case when the work is carried out according to an individual plan, the level of labor intensity is low (grade 1 - laboratory assistants). If work proceeds according to a strictly established schedule with possible correction as necessary, then tension increases (grade 2 - nurses, telephone operators, telegraph operators, etc.). Even greater labor intensity is typical when work is performed under time pressure (class 3.1 - masters of industrial enterprises, scientists, designers). The greatest tension (class 3.2) is characterized by work under conditions of shortage of time and information. At the same time, there is a high level of responsibility for the final result of the work ( doctors, industrial managers enterprises, vehicle drivers, air traffic controllers).

2.1. “Duration of concentrated observation (as a % of shift time)”- The greater the percentage of time during a shift devoted to focused observation, the higher the tension. The total time of the work shift is taken as 100%.

Example.The longest duration of concentrated observation of the progress of the technological process is observed in operator professions: telephone operators, telegraph operators, air traffic controllers, vehicle drivers (more than 75% of the shift - class 3.2). The value of this parameter was slightly lower (51-75%) among doctors (class 3.1). The value of this indicator ranged from 26 to 50% among nurses and industrial foremen (grade 2). The lowest level of this indicator is observed among enterprise managers, scientists, and designers (1st grade - up to 25% of the total shift time).

2.2.“Density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average per 1 hour work” - the number of perceived and transmitted signals (messages, orders) makes it possible to assess employment and the specifics of the employee’s activities. The greater the number of incoming and transmitted signals or messages, the higher the information load, leading to increased tension. According to the form (or method) of presenting information, signals can be sent from special devices (light, sound signaling devices, instrument scales, tables, graphs and diagrams, symbols, text, formulas, etc.) and by voice communication (by telephone and radio background, with direct direct contact of workers).

Example.The largest number of connections and signals with ground services and with aircraft crews is observed among air traffic controllers - more than 300 (class 3.2) The driver's production activity while driving vehicles is somewhat lower - on average about 200 signals per hour (class 3.1) This class also includes the work of telegraph operators. In the range from 75 to 175 signals are received within an hour by telephone operators (the number of served subscriptions per hour is from 25 to 150). For nurses and doctors in intensive care units (urgent call to a patient, alarm from monitors about the patient’s condition) - class 2. The smallest number of signals and messages is typical for such professions as laboratory assistants, managers, foremen, scientists, designers - 1st class.

2.3. “Number of production facilities for simultaneous observation”- indicates that with an increase in the number of objects of simultaneous observation, labor intensity increases.

Example.For the operator type of activity, various indicators, displays, controls, keyboards, etc. serve as objects of simultaneous observation. The largest number of objects of simultaneous observation is installed among air traffic controllers - 13, which corresponds to class 3.1, this number is slightly lower among telegraph operators - 8-9 teletypes, and among vehicle drivers (class 2). Up to 5 objects of simultaneous observation are observed among telephone operators, foremen, managers, nurses, doctors, designers, etc. (class 1).

2.4. “The size of the object of discrimination during the duration of concentrated attention (% of the shift time). The smaller the size of the object in question (product, part, digital or letter information, etc.) and the longer the observation time, the higher the load on the visual analyzer. Accordingly, the labor intensity class increases. As a basis for the size of the object of distinction, the categories of visual work from SNiP 23-05-95 “Natural and artificial lighting” were taken.

2.5. “Working with optical instruments (microscope, magnifying glass, etc.) with the duration of concentrated observation (% of the shift time).” Based on timing observations, the time (hours, minutes) of working with the optical device is determined. The duration of the working day is taken as 100%, and the time of fixed gaze using a microscope or magnifying glass is converted into percentages - the greater the percentage of time, the greater the load, leading to the development of tension in the visual analyzer.

The degree of tension of the auditory analyzer is determined by the dependence of the intelligibility of words as a percentage of the ratio between the level of intensity of speech and “white” noise. When there is no interference, word intelligibility is 100% - grade 1. Class 2 includes cases when the speech level exceeds noise by 10-15 dBA and corresponds to word intelligibility equal to 90-70% or at a distance of up to 3.5 m, etc.

2.8.“Load on the vocal apparatus (total number of hours spoken per week).” The degree of tension in the vocal apparatus depends on the duration of speech loads. Voice overstrain occurs during prolonged vocal activity without rest.

Example.The greatest loads (class 3.1 or 3.2) are observed among people in voice-speech professions (teachers, kindergarten teachers, vocalists, readers, actors, announcers, tour guides, etc.). To a lesser extent, this type of load is typical for other professional groups (air traffic controllers, telephone operators, managers, etc. - class 2). The lowest values of the criterion can be observed in the work of other professions, such as laboratory assistants, designers, and vehicle drivers (grade 1).

3.1. “The degree of responsibility for the results of one’s own activities. Significance of the error"- indicates the extent to which an employee can influence the result of his own work at various levels of complexity of the activity performed. With increasing complexity, the degree of responsibility increases, since erroneous actions lead to additional efforts on the part of the employee or the whole team, which accordingly leads to an increase in emotional stress.

Example.For such professions as managers and foremen of industrial enterprises, air traffic controllers, doctors, vehicle drivers, etc. characterized by the highest degree of responsibility for the final result of the work, and mistakes made can lead to a stop in the technological process and the emergence of dangerous situations for human life (class 3.2).

If the employee is responsible for the main type of task, and mistakes lead to additional efforts on the part of the whole team, then the emotional load in this case is already somewhat lower (class 3.1.): nurses, scientists, designers. In the case where the degree of responsibility is related to the quality of the auxiliary task, and errors lead to additional efforts on the part of senior management (in particular, the foreman, shift supervisor, etc.), then such work according to this indicator is characterized by even less manifestation of emotional stress (grade 2): telephone operators, telegraph operators. The least significance of the criterion is noted in the work of a laboratory assistant, where the employee is responsible only for the implementation of individual elements of the product, and in case of an error, additional efforts only on the part of the employee himself (class 1).

3.2 “The degree of risk to one’s own life” and

3.3. “Degree of responsibility for the safety of others” reflect factors of emotional significance. A number of professions are characterized by responsibility only for the safety of others ( air traffic controllers, resuscitators, etc.) personal safety (astronauts, pilots, etc.) - 3.2 grade. But there are a number of categories of work where a combination of risk is possible, both for oneself and responsibility for the lives of others. (infectious disease doctors, drivers vehicles, etc.). In this case, the emotional load is significantly higher, so these indicators should be assessed as separate independent stimuli. There are a number of professions where these factors are completely absent ( laboratory assistants, scientists, telephone operators, telegraph operators, etc.) - their work is assessed as class 1 labor intensity.

4.1. “The number of elements (techniques) necessary to implement a simple task or repeated operations” - the smaller the number of techniques performed, the higher the labor intensity caused by repeated loads. The highest tension in this indicator is typical for assembly line workers (class 3.1-3.2).

4.1.1. “Duration (s) of simple production tasks or repetitive operations”- the shorter the time, the correspondingly higher the monotony of the loads. This indicator, like the previous one, is most pronounced during assembly line work (class 3.1-3.2).

4.1.2. “Time of active actions (in % of shift duration).” Monitoring the progress of a technological process does not constitute “active action”. The shorter the time for performing active actions and the longer the time for monitoring the progress of the production process, the correspondingly higher the monotony of the loads. The highest monotony in this indicator is typical for operators of control panels of chemical production plants (class 3.1-3.2).

4.1.3. “Monotony of the production environment (time of passive observation of the progress of the technological process as a percentage of the shift time)” - the longer the time of passive observation of the progress of the technological process, the more monotonous the work is. This indicator, like the previous one, is most pronounced in operator types of labor working in standby mode (operators of control panels of chemical plants, power plants, etc.) - class 3.2.

5.1. “Actual working hours”- allocated to a separate category in contrast to other classifications. This is due to the fact that, regardless of the number of shifts and the rhythm of work in production conditions, the actual duration of the working day ranges from 6-8 hours (telephone operators, telegraph operators and so on.) up to 12 hours or more (managers of industrial enterprises). A number of professions have shift lengths of 12 hours or more (doctors, nurses, etc.). The longer the work, the greater the total load per shift, and, accordingly, the higher the labor intensity.

5.2.“Shift work” determined on the basis of internal production documents regulating the work schedule at a given enterprise or organization. The highest class 3.2 is characterized by irregular shifts with night work (nurses, doctors, etc.).

5.3 “The presence of regulated breaks and their duration (without a lunch break).” With proper organization of work, the introduction of regulated rest breaks against working time helps to improve the functional state of the worker’s body and ensures high productivity of his work. Insufficient duration or absence of regulated breaks aggravates labor tension, since there is no element of short-term protection by time from the influence of factors of the labor process and the production environment.

Example.Existing work schedules for air traffic controllers, doctors, nurses, etc. are characterized by the absence of regulated breaks (class 3.2), in contrast to foremen and managers of industrial enterprises, whose breaks are not regulated and are not long (class 3.1). At the same time, breaks do occur, but they are not of sufficient duration for designers, scientists, telegraph operators, telephone operators, etc. (grade 2).

6.1. Regardless of professional affiliation (profession), all 22 indicators listed in table 4.11.9 are taken into account. Selective consideration of any individual indicators for the overall assessment of labor intensity is not allowed.

6.2.For each of the 22 indicators, its own class of working conditions is determined separately. If, due to the nature or characteristics of professional activity, any indicator is not presented (for example, there is no work with a video terminal screen or optical instruments), then for this indicator class 1 (optimal) is assigned - light labor intensity.

6.3.When making a final assessment of labor intensity:

6.3.1. “Optimal” (1st class) is established in cases where 17 or more indicators are rated 1st class, and the rest are classified as 2nd class. However, there are no indicators related to class 3 (harmful).

6.3.2. “Acceptable” (class 2) is set in the following cases:

· when 6 or more indicators are assigned to class 2, and the rest - to class 1;

· when from 1 to 5 indicators are classified as 3.1 and/or 3.2 degrees of harmfulness, and the remaining indicators are rated as 1st and/or 2nd classes.

6.3.3. “Harmful” (3) class is established when 6 or more indicators are assigned to the third class. In this case, intense work of the 1st degree (3.1) in those cases:

· when 6 indicators have a rating of only class 3.1, and the remaining indicators belong to classes 1 and/or 2;

· when from 3 to 5 indicators belong to class 3.1, and from 1 to 3 indicators belong to class 3.2.

Stressful work 2nd degree (3.2):

· when 6 indicators are assigned to class 3.2;

· when more than 6 indicators are classified as class 3.1;

· when from 1 to 5 indicators are assigned to class 3.1, and from 4 to 5 indicators - to class 3.2;

· when 6 indicators are assigned to class 3.1 and there are from 1 to 5 indicators of class 3.2.

6.4. In cases where more than 6 indicators are rated 3.2, the intensity of the work process is rated one level higher - class 3.3.

PROTOCOL

assessment of working conditions based on indicators of intensity of the labor process

FULL NAME. ___________ Sidorov V.G. floor ___ m

Profession _____ master Production ____ Machine-building plant

Brief description of the work performed ____ _monitors the work of the team, controls the quality of work, ensures the availability of materials and monitors the efficiency of use of equipment, works on machines and measuring instruments, works with technical documentation, draws up reports, etc. ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Indicators	Class of working conditions

1. Intelligent loads




2. Sensory loads








3. Emotional stress



4. Monotonous loads




5. Operating mode



Number of indicators in each class
General assessment of labor intensity

Note: more than 6 indicators belong to class 3.1, therefore the overall assessment of the intensity of the master’s work corresponds to class 3.2 (see clause 6.3.)

The intensity of the labor process is assessed in accordance with the “Guide to the hygienic assessment of factors in the working environment and the labor process. Criteria and classification of working conditions" R2.2.2006-05 Assessment of labor intensity of a professional group of workers is based on an analysis of work activity and its structure, which are studied through time-lapse observations over the course of the entire working day, for at least one week. The analysis is based on taking into account the entire complex of production factors (stimuli, irritants) that create the prerequisites for the occurrence of unfavorable neuro-emotional states (overstrain). All factors (indicators) of the labor process have a qualitative or quantitative expression and are grouped by types of loads: intellectual, sensory, emotional, monotonous, routine loads.

Indicators of labor intensity and the criteria by which the class of working conditions is determined for each indicator are presented in Table 1.

Classes of working conditions according to indicators of intensity of the labor process

Table 1

Indicators of tension in the labor process	Classes of working conditions
Optimal (light labor intensity)	Acceptable (average work intensity)	Harmful (Hard work)
1st degree	2 degrees

1. Intellectual loads:
1.1. The content of the work	No need to make a decision	Solving simple problems according to instructions	Solving complex problems with choice using known algorithms (work according to a series of instructions)	Heuristic (creative) activity that requires solving an algorithm, sole leadership in difficult situations
1.2. Perception of signals (information) and their assessment	Perception of signals, but no action correction required	Perception of signals with subsequent correction of actions and operations	Perception of signals followed by comparison of actual parameter values with their nominal values. Final assessment of actual parameter values	Perception of signals followed by a comprehensive assessment of related parameters. Comprehensive assessment of all production activities

Continuation of Table 1


1.3. Distribution of functions according to the degree of task complexity	Job Processing and Execution	Processing, execution of the task and its verification	Processing, checking and monitoring the completion of the task	Control and preliminary work on the distribution of tasks to other persons.
1.4. Nature of work performed	Work according to an individual plan	Work according to a set schedule with possible adjustments as work progresses	Working under time pressure	Working in conditions of shortage of time and information with increased responsibility for the final result
2. Sensory loads
2.1. Duration of concentrated observation (% of shift time)	up to 25	26 – 50	51 – 75	more than 75
2.2. Density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average per 1 hour. Work	up to 75	76 – 175	176 – 300	more than 300
2.3.Number of production facilities for simultaneous observation	up to 5	6 – 10	11 – 25	more than 25
2.4. Size of the discrimination object (at a distance from the worker’s eyes to the discrimination object of no more than 0.5 m) in mm for the duration of concentrated observation (% of shift time)	more than 5 mm – 100%	5 – 1.1 mm - more than 50%; 1 – 0.3 mm - up to 50%; less than 0.3 mm - up to 25%	1 – 0.3 mm - more than 50%; less than 0.3 mm - 26 – 50%	less than 0.3 mm - more than 50%
2.5. Working with optical instruments (microscopes, magnifying glasses, etc.) with the duration of concentrated observation (% of shift time)	up to 25	26 – 50	51 – 75	more than 75

Continuation of Table 1


2.6. Monitoring the screens of video terminals (hours per shift): with an alphanumeric type of information display: with a graphic type of information display:	up to 2 to W	to 3 to 5	to 4 to 6	more than 4 more than 6
2.7. Load on the auditory analyzer (if there is a production need to perceive speech or differentiated signals)	The intelligibility of words and signals is from 100 to 90%. No interference	The intelligibility of words and signals is from 90 to 70%. There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 3.5 m	The intelligibility of words and signals is from 70 to 50%. There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 2 m	The intelligibility of words and signals is less than 50% There is interference against which speech can be heard at a distance of up to 1.5 m
2.8. Load on the vocal apparatus (total number of hours spoken per week)	up to 16	up to 20	up to 25	more than 25
3. Emotional stress
H.1.Degree of responsibility for the results of one’s own activities. Significance of error	Responsible for completing individual elements of tasks. Involves additional effort in work on the part of the employee	Responsible for the functional quality of auxiliary work (tasks). Involves additional efforts on the part of higher management (foreman, foreman, etc.)	Responsible for the functional quality of the main work (task). Involves corrections due to additional efforts of the entire team (group, brigade, etc.)	Responsible for the functional quality of the final product, work, task. Causes damage to equipment, interruption of the process and may pose a danger to life.
3.2. The degree of risk to your own life	Excluded			Likely
3.3. Degree of responsibility for the safety of others	Excluded			Possible

Continuation of Table 1


3.4. Number of conflict situations caused by professional activities per shift	None	1 – 3	4 – 8	More than 8
4. Monotonous loads
4.1. The number of elements (techniques) required to implement a simple task or in repetitive operations	more than 10	9 – 6	5 – 3	less than 3
4.2. Duration (in seconds) of simple tasks or repetitive operations	more than 100	100 – 25	24 – 10	less than 10
4.3. Time of active actions (in % of shift duration). The rest of the time - monitoring the progress of the production process	20 or more	19 – 10	9 – 5	less than 5
4.4. Monotony of the production environment (time of passive observation of the technical process as a percentage of the shift time)	less than 75	76–80	81–90	more than 90
5. Operating mode
5.1. Actual working hours	6 – 7 hours	8 – 9 hours	10 – 12 h	more than 12 hours
5.2. Shift work	Single shift work (no night shift)	Two-shift work (no night shift)	Three-shift work (night shift work)	Irregular shifts with night work
5.3. Availability of regulated breaks and their duration	Breaks are regulated and of sufficient duration: 7% or more of working time	Breaks are regulated, of insufficient duration: from 3 to 7% of working time	Breaks are not regulated and of insufficient duration: up to 3% of working time	No breaks

Methodology
assessing the intensity of the labor process

1. Intellectual loads

The differences between classes 2 and 3.1 practically come down to two points: “solving simple” (class 2) or “complex problems with choice using known algorithms” (class 3.1) and “solving problems according to instructions” (class 2) or “working in a series instructions" (class 3.1).

In the case of applying the evaluation criterion “simplicity - complexity of the problems being solved,” you can use the table, which shows some characteristic features of simple and complex problems.

Some signs of the complexity of the problems being solved

Simple tasks	Complex tasks
1. Does not require reasoning	1. Requires reasoning
2. Have a clearly stated purpose	2. The goal is formulated only in general (for example, managing the work of a team)
3. There is no need to build internal ideas about external events	3. It is necessary to build internal ideas about external events
4. The plan for solving the entire problem is contained in the instructions (instructions)	4. The solution to the entire problem must be planned
5. A task may include several subtasks that are not interconnected or related only by a sequence of actions. Information obtained when solving a subtask is not analyzed and is not used when solving another subtask	5. The task always includes the solution of logically related subtasks, and the information obtained when solving each subtask is analyzed and taken into account when solving the next subtask
6. The sequence of actions is known, or it does not matter	6. The sequence of actions is chosen by the performer and is important for solving the problem

For example, in a laboratory assistant’s task chemical analysis includes subtasks (operations): sampling (usually), preparation of reagents, sample processing (using chemical solutions, combustion) and quantitative assessment of the content of analyzed substances in the sample. Each subtask has clear instructions, clearly formulated goals and a predetermined final result with a known sequence of actions, i.e., according to the above characteristics, it solves simple problems (class 2). The work of a chemical engineer, for example, is of a completely different nature. First, he must determine the qualitative composition of the sample, using sometimes complex methods of qualitative analysis (task planning, choosing a sequence of actions and analyzing the results of the subtask), then develop a work execution model for laboratory technicians, using the information obtained from solving the previous subtask. Then, based on all the information received, the engineer makes a final assessment of the results, i.e. the problem can only be solved using an algorithm as a logical set of rules (class 3.1).

When applying the evaluation criterion “work according to instructions - work according to a series of instructions,” you should pay attention to the fact that sometimes the number of instructions characterizing the content of the work is not a sufficiently reliable characteristic of intellectual load.

For example, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant can work according to several instructions, while the head of a chemical laboratory works according to one job description. Therefore, here you should pay attention to those cases when the general instruction, being formally unique, contains many individual instructions, and in this case, evaluate the activity as work according to a series of instructions.

The differences between classes 3.1 and 3.2 in terms of “work content” (intellectual load) are only in one characteristic - whether solutions to problems using known algorithms (class 3.1) or heuristic techniques (class 3.2) are used. They differ from each other in the presence or absence of a guarantee of obtaining the correct result. An algorithm is a logical set of rules that, if followed, always leads to the correct solution to a problem. Heuristics are some rules of thumb (procedures or descriptions), the use of which does not guarantee successful completion of a task. Consequently, class 3.2 should evaluate work in which the methods for solving the problem are not known in advance.

An additional feature of class 3.2 is “single leadership in difficult situations.” Here it is necessary to consider only those situations that can arise suddenly (as a rule, these are pre-emergency or emergency situations) and are of an emergency nature (for example, the possibility of stopping the technological process, breakdown of complex and expensive equipment, danger to life), and also, if management the actions of other persons in such situations are determined by the job description in force at the certified workplace.

Thus, class 3.1 should be used to evaluate work where decisions are made on the basis of necessary and sufficient information according to a known algorithm (as a rule, these are diagnostic or selection tasks), and class 3.2 should be used to evaluate work when decisions need to be made in conditions of incomplete or insufficient information (as a rule, these are decisions under conditions of uncertainty), and there is no solution algorithm. Consistency in solving such problems is also important.

For example, a power system dispatcher usually solves problems rated as class 3.1, and when emergency situations- and problems of class 3.1, if the problem is typical and encountered before, and class 3.2, if such a situation is encountered for the first time. Since tasks of class 3.2 are much less common, the work of the dispatcher should be assessed according to the “content of work” criterion of class 3.1.

Examples. The simplest problems are solved by laboratory assistants (1st class of working conditions**), and activities that require solving simple problems, but with a choice (according to instructions) are typical for nurses, telephone operators, telegraph operators, etc. (2nd class). Complex problems solved using a well-known algorithm (work according to a series of instructions) occur in the work of managers, foremen of industrial enterprises, vehicle drivers, air traffic controllers, etc. (class 3.1). The most complex work in terms of content, requiring heuristic (creative) activity to one degree or another, is found among scientists, designers, doctors of various profiles, etc. (class 3.2).

1.2. “Perception of signals (information) and their evaluation.” The criterion from the point of view of differences between classes of intensity of the labor process is the setting goal (or reference norm), which is adopted to compare the information received during work with the nominal values necessary for the successful progress of the work process.

Class 2 includes work in which the perception of signals involves subsequent correction of actions or operations. In this case, an action should be understood as an element of activity in the process of which a specific, not decomposed into simpler, conscious goal is achieved, and an operation should be understood as a completed action (or a sum of actions), as a result of which an elementary technological goal is achieved.

For example, in a turner, the processing of a simple part is carried out through a series of operations (fastening the part, processing the outer and inner surfaces, cutting off ledges, etc.), each of which includes a number of elementary actions, sometimes called techniques. The correction of actions and operations here consists of comparison with certain simple and unrelated “standards”; the operations are separate and complete elementary components technological process, and the perceived information and the corresponding correction are of a “right-wrong” nature according to the type of identification process, which is characterized by operating with integral standards. Typical examples include the work of a controller, a machine operator, an electric and gas welder and most representatives of mass working professions, the basis of which is substantive activity.

“Standard” for work characterized by this indicator as tension class 3.1. is a set of information characterizing the current state of the object of labor during work, the basis of which is intellectual activity. Correction (comparison with the standard) is carried out here according to the type of recognition process, including the processes of decoding, information retrieval and information preparation of a decision based on thinking with the obligatory use of intelligence, i.e., the mental abilities of the performer. Such jobs include most operator and dispatcher-type professions, as well as the work of scientists. The perception of signals with the subsequent comparison of the actual values of parameters (information) with their nominal required levels is noted in the work of nurses, foremen, telephone operators and telegraph operators, etc. (class 3.1).

Class 3.2 evaluates work related to the perception of signals, followed by a comprehensive assessment of all production activities. In this case, when

work activity requires the perception of signals followed by a comprehensive assessment of all production parameters (information); accordingly, such work in terms of intensity belongs to class 3.2 (managers of industrial enterprises, vehicle drivers, air traffic controllers, designers, doctors, scientists, etc.).

1.3. "Distribution of functions according to the degree of complexity of the task." Any work activity is characterized by the distribution of functions between workers. Accordingly, the more functional responsibilities assigned to an employee, the higher the intensity of his work.

According to this indicator, class 2 (acceptable) and class 3 (hard work) differ in two characteristics - the presence or absence of a control function and work on distributing tasks to other persons. Class 3.1 is characterized by work, a mandatory element of which is monitoring the completion of the task. Here we mean control over the completion of a task by other persons, since control over the completion of one’s tasks should be assessed by class 2 (processing, execution of the task and its verification, which, in essence, is control).

An example of work that includes monitoring the completion of tasks may be the work of a labor protection engineer, a production and technical department engineer, etc.

Class 3.2 evaluates according to this indicator such work that includes not only control, but also preliminary work on distributing tasks to other persons.

Thus, work activity containing simple functions aimed at processing and performing a specific task does not lead to significant labor intensity. An example of such activity is the work of a laboratory assistant (class 1). Tension increases when processing, execution and subsequent verification of the task (class 2) is carried out, which is typical for such professions as nurses, telephone operators, etc.

Processing, checking and, in addition, monitoring the completion of a task indicates a greater degree of complexity of the functions performed by the employee, and, accordingly, the intensity of labor is more manifested (industrial foreman, telegraph operators, designers, vehicle drivers - class 3.1).

The most complex function is preliminary preparatory work with the subsequent distribution of tasks to other persons (class 3.2), which is typical for such professions as managers of industrial enterprises, air traffic controllers, scientists, doctors, etc.

1.4. "Nature of the work performed"- in the case when the work is carried out according to an individual plan, the level of labor intensity is low (grade 1 - laboratory assistants). If the work proceeds according to a strictly established schedule with its possible correction as necessary, then the tension increases (2nd class - nurses, telephone operators, telegraph operators, etc.). Even greater labor intensity is typical when work is performed under time pressure (class 3.1 - industrial foremen, scientists, designers). The greatest tension (class 3.2) is characterized by work under conditions of shortage of time and information. At the same time, there is a high level of responsibility for the final result of work (doctors, managers
industrial enterprises, vehicle drivers, air traffic controllers).

Thus, the criteria for classifying work according to this indicator as class 3.1 (intense work of the 1st degree) is work under time pressure. In practice, time shortage is usually understood as a high workload, on the basis of which almost any work is assessed according to this indicator as class 3.1. Here it is necessary to be guided by the requirements of this

guidelines, according to which the assessment of working conditions must be carried out when carrying out technological processes in accordance with technological regulations. Therefore, class 3.1 according to the indicator “the nature of the work performed” should only evaluate work in which time shortage is its constant and integral characteristic, and at the same time, successful completion of the task is possible only with the correct actions in conditions of such shortage.

Hard work of the 2nd degree (class 3.2) characterizes work that occurs in conditions of a shortage of time and information with increased responsibility for the final result. With regard to time shortages, one should be guided by the considerations outlined above, and as for increased responsibility for the final result, such responsibility should not only be subjectively realized, since in any workplace the performer is aware of and bears such responsibility, but also assigned to the performer by the job description. The degree of responsibility must be high - this is responsibility for the normal course of the technological process (for example, a dispatcher, operator of boilers, turbines and units at an energy enterprise), for the safety of unique, complex and expensive equipment and for the lives of other people (foremen, foremen).

As an example of the degree of responsibility, let us cite the work of doctors. The work of not all doctors is characterized by the same level of tension due to the nature of the work: for example, the work of emergency doctors, surgeons (operating), traumatologists, anesthesiologists, resuscitators, without a doubt, can be assessed according to the indicator under consideration as class 3.2 (lack of time, information and increased responsibility for the final result), while the work, for example, of clinic doctors - therapists, ophthalmologists and others - does not meet such criteria, just like the work of, for example, hygienists.

2. Sensory loads

2.1. “Duration of concentrated observation (in % of shift time)”-The greater the percentage of time during a shift devoted to concentrated observation, the higher the tension. The total time of the work shift is taken as 100%.

Example. The longest duration of concentrated observation of the progress of the technological process is observed in operator professions: telephone operators, telegraph operators, air traffic controllers, vehicle drivers (more than 75% of the shift - class 3.2). The value of this parameter was slightly lower (51-75%) among doctors (class 3.1). The value of this indicator ranged from 26 to 50% among nurses and industrial foremen (grade 2). The lowest level of this indicator is observed among enterprise managers, scientists, and designers (grade 1 - up to 25% of the total shift time).

The basis of this process, which characterizes the intensity of work, is concentration, or concentration of attention on any real (driver) or ideal (translator) object, therefore this indicator should be interpreted more broadly as the “duration of concentration of attention,” which manifests itself in depth in the activity . The defining characteristic here is precisely the concentration of attention, in contrast to the passive nature of monitoring the progress of the technological process, when the performer periodically, from time to time, controls the state of an object.

The differences here are defined as follows. Long-term concentrated observation is necessary in those professions where the state of the observed object is constantly changing, and the performer’s activity consists of periodically solving a number of tasks that continuously follow each other, based on received and constantly changing information (surgeons during an operation, proofreaders, translators , air traffic controllers, drivers, radar operators, etc.).

The most common errors encountered in this criterion are two. The first is that this indicator evaluates such work when observation is not concentrated, but is carried out in a discrete mode, such as, for example, by dispatchers at process control panels, when from time to time they note instrument readings during the normal course of the process. The second mistake is that high indicators for the duration of concentrated observation are assigned a priori, only because in professional activities this characteristic is clearly expressed, as, for example, among drivers.

Thus, for vehicle drivers, the duration of concentrated observation while driving a vehicle averages more than 75% of the shift time; on this basis, the work of all drivers is assessed according to this indicator with class 3.2. However, this is not true for all drivers.

For example, this indicator is significantly lower for drivers of rotational and firefighting vehicles, as well as vehicles on which special equipment is installed (drilling, steam installations, cranes, etc.). Therefore, this indicator must be assessed in each specific case according to its actual value, obtained either using timing or another method.

For example, for welders, the duration of concentrated observation can be determined quite accurately by measuring the combustion time of one electrode and counting the number used per work shift electrodes. For car drivers, it can be easily determined by the shift mileage indicator (in km) divided by the average vehicle speed (km per hour) in a given area, information about which can be obtained from the relevant branch of the Russian Transport Inspectorate. In practice, quite often such calculations show that the total driving time and, accordingly, the duration of concentrated observation do not exceed 2-4 hours per work shift. Good results are also obtained by using technological documentation, for example, process maps, workplace passports, etc.

2.2. “Density of signals (light, sound) and messages on average for 1 hour of operation”- the number of perceived and transmitted signals (messages, orders) makes it possible to assess employment and the specifics of the employee’s activities. The greater the number of incoming and transmitted signals or messages, the higher the information load, leading to increased tension. According to the form (or method) of presenting information, signals can be sent from special devices (light, sound signaling devices, instrument scales, tables, graphs and diagrams, symbols, text, formulas, etc.) and by voice communication (by telephone and radiophone , with direct direct contact of workers).

Example. The largest number of connections and signals with ground services and with aircraft crews is observed among air traffic controllers - more than 300 (class 3.2) The driver's production activity while driving vehicles is somewhat lower - on average about 200 signals per hour (class 3.1) This class also includes the work of telegraph operators. In the range from 75 to 175 signals are received within an hour by telephone operators (the number of served subscriptions per hour is from 25 to 150). For nurses and doctors in intensive care units (urgent call to a patient, alarm from monitors about the patient’s condition) - class 2. The smallest number of signals and messages is typical for such professions as laboratory assistants, managers, foremen, scientists, designers - 1st class.

Significant errors can be avoided if high values for this indicator are not assigned in all cases and only because the perception of signals and messages is a characteristic feature of the work. For example, a city transport driver perceives about 200 signals per hour. However, this figure may be significantly lower for drivers, for example, intercity buses, truck drivers, crew car drivers, or in cases where the traffic density is low, which is typical for rural areas. In the same way, telegraph operators and telephone operators of a communication center in a large city will differ significantly in this indicator from their colleagues working in a small communication center.

2.3. “Number of production facilities for simultaneous observation”- indicates that with an increase in the number of objects of simultaneous observation, labor intensity increases. This characteristic of work places demands on the volume of attention (from 4 to 8 unrelated objects) and its distribution as the ability to simultaneously focus attention on several objects or actions.

A necessary condition for work to be assessed by this indicator is the time spent from receiving information from objects of simultaneous observation to actions: if this time is significantly short and actions must be performed immediately after receiving information simultaneously from all necessary objects (otherwise the normal course of the technological process will be disrupted process or a significant error occurs), then the work must be characterized by the number of production objects of simultaneous observation (pilots, drivers, drivers of other vehicles, operators controlling robots and manipulators, etc.). If information can be obtained by sequentially switching attention from object to object and there is enough time before making a decision and/or performing actions, and a person usually moves from distribution to switching attention, then such work should not be assessed by the indicator “number of objects of simultaneous observation » (on-duty electrical mechanic for instrumentation and automation, inspector-inspector, order picker).

Example. For the operator type of activity, the objects of simultaneous observation are various indicators, displays, controls, keyboards, etc. The largest number of objects of simultaneous observation is installed for air traffic controllers - 13, which corresponds to class 3.1, this number is slightly lower for telegraph operators - 8-9 teletypes, for drivers of motor vehicles (class 2). Up to 5 objects of simultaneous observation are observed among telephone operators, foremen, managers, nurses, doctors, designers and others (class 1).

2.4. “The size of the object of discrimination during the duration of concentrated attention (% of the shift time)”. The smaller the size of the object in question (product, part, digital or letter information, etc.) and the longer the observation time, the higher the load on the visual analyzer. Accordingly, the labor intensity class increases.

The categories of visual work from SNiP 23-05-95 “Natural and artificial lighting” were taken as the basis for the size of the object of discrimination. In this case, it is necessary to consider only such an object that carries the semantic information necessary to perform this work. So, for inspectors this is the minimum size of the defect that needs to be identified, for PC operators - the size of a letter or number, for an operator - the size of the instrument scale, etc. (Often only this characteristic is taken into account and another, equally necessary one, is not taken into account - the duration of concentration of attention on a given object, which is equivalent and mandatory.)

In a number of cases, when the dimensions of an object are small, they resort to the help of optical instruments that increase these dimensions. If optical instruments are resorted to from time to time to clarify information, the object of differentiation is the direct information carrier. For example, radiologists, when viewing fluorographic images, must differentiate dark spots with a diameter of up to 1 mm (class 3.1), and from time to time they use a magnifying glass to clarify information, which increases the size of the object and transfers it to class 2. However, the main work on viewing images is carried out without optical instruments, therefore such work should be assessed according to this criterion as class 3.1.

If the size of the object is so small that it is indistinguishable without the use of optical instruments, and they are used constantly (for example, when counting blood cells, the sizes of which are in the range of 0.006-0.015 mm, the laboratory doctor always uses a microscope), it must be recorded size of the enlarged object.

2.5. “Working with optical instruments (microscope, magnifying glass, etc.) with the duration of concentrated observation (% of the shift time).” Based on timing observations, the time (hours, minutes) of working with the optical device is determined. The duration of the working day is taken as 100%, and the time of fixed gaze using a microscope or magnifying glass is converted into percentages - the greater the percentage of time, the greater the load, leading to the development of tension in the visual analyzer.

Optical instruments include those devices that are used to increase the size of the object under consideration - magnifying glasses, microscopes, flaw detectors, or used to increase the resolution of the device or improve visibility (binoculars), which is also associated with an increase in the size of the object. Optical devices do not include various devices for displaying information (displays) in which optics are not used - various indicators and scales covered with a glass or transparent plastic cover.

2.6. “Monitoring the video terminal screen (hours per shift).” According to this indicator, the time (hours, minutes) of direct work of the VDT user with the display screen throughout the entire working day when entering data, editing text or programs, reading alphabetic, numeric, and graphic information from the screen is recorded. The longer the time the VDT user fixates his gaze on the screen, the greater the load on the visual analyzer and the higher the labor intensity.