The impact of harmful and dangerous production factors on the functional state in certain categories of workers, according to a questionnaire survey

Introduction. Fatigue and occupational injuries are closely related to the influence of harmful and dangerous production factors, which can be identified through a questionnaire survey and the development of preventive measures based on employee opinions.

The purpose of the study. To assess the functional state in individuals working under the influence of harmful and dangerous production factors based on remote questionnaire data, and to propose measures to prevent fatigue and occupational injuries.

Materials and methods. The results of a questionnaire survey of thirty nine eight hundred seventy eight employees in 19 types of economic activity (104 occupational groups) were analyzed. The questionnaire included 39 questions divided into four research blocks: age, work experience, and occupational characteristics; risk factors related to physical and emotional stress; signs of fatigue, existing health problems, and information about injuries; assessment of the current system for preventing fatigue and injuries, and suggestions for improving it. The average values were calculated based on quantitative and categorical indicators, and the significance of the differences between the groups was assessed using the Fisher test.

Results. A questionnaire survey showed a change in the functional state in employees in response to the influence of harmful and dangerous production factors, especially those over the age of 45 years. The change in the funcional state (fatigue and stress) under the influence of physical and emotional stress was recognized by the respondents as the main cause of injury (about 40% in both fields) and was considered more significant than technical and managing causes. More than half of the respondents in the production sector and a significant portion in the non-production sector considered the existing measures for preventing fatigue and injury to be insufficiently effective.

Limitations. The results are valid for this sample, but given the large number of respondents, they may be applicable to the general cohort of employees. It should also be noted that the respondents’ responses are subjective.

Conclusion. Recommendations have been developed to reduce fatigue and injuries, taking into account the specific features of the production and non-production sectors.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee. All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Tovstiy M.A. – research concept and design, data collection, and editing;
Mazhkenov S.A. – research concept and design, questionnaire development, data collection, writing the text;
Zibarev E.V. – research concept and design, methodology of the study, questionnaire development, and editing;
Kravchenko O.K., Nikonova S.M. – data processing, questionnaire development, writing the text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was carried out as part of a government assignment.

Received: October 22, 2025 / Accepted: December 2, 2025 / Published: January 15, 2026

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