Hygienic Assessment of Work Intensity in Different Occupational Groups for Individuals Doing Mentally and Visually Demanding Jobs

Introduction: Nowadays, emotional and intellectual workloads and work-rest schedules are neglected when evaluating work intensity within special assessment of working conditions (SAWC). This leads to underestimation of work stress resulting in burnout of workers from various occupational groups.

Objective: To assess work intensity of various occupational groups based on emotional and intellectual loads and work schedule to substantiate appropriate preventive measures.

Materials and Methods: We examined working conditions of 200 employees of the Moscow Region managing jobs with high work intensity, such as teachers, programmers, civil servants (heads of Rospotrebnadzor Offices and Centers for Hygiene and Epidemiology), research scientists of Rospotrebnadzor research institutions (hygienists, geneticists, biologists, microbiologists, and chemists), clinical laboratory specialists, laboratory technicians and assistants in accordance with R 2.2.2006–05, Russian Guidelines for Hygienic Assessment of Factors of the Work Environment and Process. Criteria and Classification of Working Conditions. Time studies were conducted from February 5 to December 15, 2025. The collected data were processed using variation statistics and correlation analysis. Then we compared the results of evaluating work intensity using the Special Assessment of Working Conditions (SAWC) methodology and R 2.2.2006–05.

Results: Working conditions of the occupational groups under study are noted for significant intellectual, neuro-emotional, and sensory stress, as well as irregular working hours. In terms of work intensity and according to R 2.2.2006–05, they are classified as harmful: of the first degree (Class 3.1) for managers and teachers and of the second degree (Class 3.2) for researchers (geneticists and microbiologists), clinical laboratory personnel, and programmers.

Conclusions: To prevent burnout syndrome, it is essential to improve indicators of a comprehensive hygienic assessment of work intensity so that they consider not only sensory parameters and monotony of work, but also emotional and intellectual workloads, work/rest schedules, and irregular working hours.

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