[Recommended frequency of preventive psychological tests in selected groups of operators].
BACKGROUND
Psychomotor efficiency, essential in the job as an operator, declines with age. The aim of the present study was to assess the dynamics of changes and to work out recommendations on the frequency of psychological test performed during preventive checkups.


METHODS
Psychological test battery was performed twice at an interval of 3-5 years, in a group of 167 drivers of motor vehicle, and operators of cutting (in surface mining) and earth-digging machines, aged 25-60 years. Performance and paper-pencil tests were used to measure psychomotor and intellectual functions.


RESULTS
The statistical analysis revealed significant age-related decline in attention, cognitive and vital functions and eye-hand coordination. The most advanced deterioration was observed in the group of workers aged 50 years and more.


CONCLUSIONS
As revealed by the study, psychological tests should be performed in operators during all the three types of preventive checkups: (a) pre-placement in candidate workers; (b) control in case of the central nervous system impairment; and (c) periodic, carried out at least every four years in workers aged 50 years and more.
Waszkowska
Małgorzata
M
Zakładu Psychologii Pracy, Instytutu Medycyny Pracy im. prof. I. Nofera w Lodzi. waszko@imp.lodz.pl
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000592:standards; D010465:Perception; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011044:Poland; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception