Journal articles on the topic 'Hazardous occupations – Case studies'
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Dable, Rajani A., Pradnya B. Wasnik, Sunilkumar L. Nagmode, and Mukkaram Faridi Ali. "A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge involving a case of dysphagia in association with cervical osteophytosis and a dental pain." Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice 04, no. 03 (July 2013): 334–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0976-3147.118799.
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ABSTRACTHerein, presenting a case of a 42-year-old female with the chief complaint of dysphagia. The problem was assumed to be of dental origin, due to the onset of dental pain followed by dysphagia. A cervical radiograph revealed the presence of osteophytic lipping which proved to be the cause of dysphagia. Confusing and overlapping disease entities showing similar symptoms need thorough investigation. Dysphagia related to cervical spondylosis may have a direct connection with the person′s occupation. Dentistry is considered a potentially hazardous occupation with regard to musculoskeletal disorders. However, additional studies are required to understand the occupational hazards faced by dentists.
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Soliman, Magdi R. I., Christopher T. Derosa, Howard W. Mielke, and Kofi Bota. "Hazardous Wastes, Hazardous Materials and Environmental Health Inequity." Toxicology and Industrial Health 9, no. 5 (September 1993): 901–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/074823379300900511.
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This paper reviews issues associated with the equity of locating hazardous waste sites and hazardous materials. Reports and case studies indicate that hazardous waste sites and the locations of hazardous materials are disproportionately situated near minority communities, especially African-American communities. This inequitable placement of hazardous waste sites is of concern, since exposure to toxic waste can adversely affect human health. Proximity to these sites may place these minority communities at higher risk of developing cancers and respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, and of incurring increased levels of individual and family stress. The health of persons in minority communities near hazardous waste sites is further compromised by their lack of access to adequate health care. The potential health risks borne by racial and ethnic minorities and by low income communities as a consequence of exposure to toxic waste constitutes environmental inequity. In order to decrease the burden of these risks, we recommend developing environmental policies that address environmental inequity; conducting detailed demographic and health studies that assess the impact of exposure to toxic waste on minority populations; and devising educational programs to sensitize professional service providers and prevent exposure by community residents. This paper identifies research needs and opportunities.
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Ahmed, Aref, Mohammed Alkahtani, Abdulaziz M. El-Tamimi, Husam Kaid, and Mustufa Haider Abidi. "Developing a Model for Safety Risk Assessment under Uncertainty for the Manufacturing Industry: A Case Study of Pole Factory Hazards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia." Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2021 (March 18, 2021): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6691124.
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Many occupational injuries occur in the manufacturing industry due to hazardous events. The available studies and statistics on occupational safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrate the need for improving the work environment by introducing effective techniques for analyzing and assessing safety risks to control the most hazardous events. This study aims to develop a general model for assessing safety risks by integrating Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and fuzzy set theory (FST) to overcome the uncertainty and unavailability of data on the severity and likelihood of hazards. MCS uses the ModelRisk software for modeling hazards that exhibit randomness and uncertainty and have historical data. In contrast, FST uses a Matlab code to assess expert judgment about hazards featuring epistemic uncertainty or unavailable historical data. The Al-Babtain Pole Factory in Riyadh was selected as a case study in the manufacturing environment to prove the applicability and effectiveness of the developed model. From the 371 hazards identified using the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001, only five were analyzed using the two model techniques. The likelihood and severity of these five hazards were collected and analyzed to obtain the risk levels. A list of hazards and their processing priorities were then produced. According to the risk values calculated using both techniques, Hazard5 was found to be the most hazardous event, followed by Hazard1. The results of the proposed model demonstrated the distributions, statistics, percentiles, and risk limits for the selected hazards. These outputs support decision-making and increase the effectiveness and flexibility of safety risk assessments, which means that the proposed model is reliable and applicable for SRA under uncertainty and data unavailability in the manufacturing industry.
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Wu, Jiangyue, Guodong Xu, Haoshuang Guo, Yao Zhang, Fang Xia, and Gang Fang. "Study on Risk Assessment Methods and Zoning of Hazardous Chemicals Leaking into Seas." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 22 (November 9, 2022): 14713. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214713.
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In China, studies on the regional risk assessment of hazardous chemicals have been carried out for only a few years, and there are few studies on hazardous chemicals leaking into seas. Previous regional-risk-assessment methods considered a single risk factor for most assessment targets, and comprehensive considerations of risk sources and sensitive resources for a study area are not sufficiently included. Based on previous work, this study established a regional-risk-assessment method for hazardous chemicals leaking into seas. This method considered the hazards of hazardous chemicals and the tolerance of the regional environment by means of a case study in Tianjin. The results showed that the risk level of the enterprise was Grade I, classified as a high-risk source of hazardous chemicals; the main reasons were the strong toxicity and large quantity of hazardous chemicals. This method provides technical support for scientifically assessing marine-environmental-risk levels for hazardous-chemical-leakage areas and for carrying out risk-prevention and restoration assessments of hazardous chemicals leaking into seas.
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Pleus, Richard C., and Kathryn E. Kelly. "Health Effects from Hazardous Waste Incineration Facilities: Five Case Studies." Toxicology and Industrial Health 12, no. 2 (March 1996): 277–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/074823379601200215.
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Georgopoulos, Panos G., and Paul J. Lioy. "Exposure Measurement Needs for Hazardous Waste Sites: Two Case Studies." Toxicology and Industrial Health 12, no. 5 (September 1996): 651–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/074823379601200505.
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Norredine, Doha, Kamal Wifaq, Loubna Tahri, Fadwa Darid, Meriem Jbara, and Abdeljalil El Kholti. "O-214 OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS DURING PREGNANCY IN A PATHOLOGY LABORATORY CASE OF A PREGNANT TECHNICIAN EXPOSED TO TOLUENE." Occupational Medicine 74, Supplement_1 (July 1, 2024): 0. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae023.1011.
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Abstract Introduction The profession of pathology laboratory technician exposes various risks, notably chemical. Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals during pregnancy can lead to foetotoxicity. The aim is to evaluate the work ability of a pregnant pathology laboratory technician. Methods To answer this request, an analysis of the state of health, a study of the workstation and exposure to hazardous chemicals and an evaluation of the physical load were carried out. Results A 37-year-old laboratory technician assigned to the anatomopathology laboratory’s sample reception room, treated for rheumatoid arthritis from 2020, 5 months pregnant and exposed to formaldehyde, ethanol, toluene and paraffin. Discussion According to the classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures, toluene is classified as toxic for reproduction, Category 2, H361. Occupational exposure to toluene may lead to an increased incidence of spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, central nervous system anomalies and neural tube closure defects, cognitive and behavioral problems associated with developmental delays, including mental retardation, language impairment, and hyperactivity, hydranencephaly and other congenital malformations. These effects appear to depend upon the level of occupational exposure. Workstation modification was recommended with avoidance of exposure to foetotoxic substances. Conclusion Further evaluation of the potential toxicity of hazardous chemicals exposure is merited. Studies designed to clarify exposure effects, dose levels, and timing of exposure will be most valuable
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Tripathy, Tridibesh, and Anjali Tripathy. "Situation of Brick Klins in eastern UP - A case study of three Brick Klins." Cross Current International Journal of Medical and Biosciences 2, no. 8 (August 20, 2020): 116–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.36344/ccijmb.2020.v02i08.002.
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The article is regarding the development of a project proposal of Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS), Gorakhpur - a Diocesan partner of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), State Office, Lucknow on interventions in brick kilns of eastern UP. The Ministry of Labour, Government of India has categorized the unorganized labour force under four groups viz. occupation, nature of employment, especially distressed categories & service categories. Workers in brick klins come under the terms of occupation category under the unorganized sector in India (GoI, 2008). The unorganized sector plays a significant role in the economy in terms of employment opportunities & poverty alleviation. The sector has a crucial role in our economy in terms of employment & its contribution to the ‘National Domestic Product (NDP), savings & capital formation. (Vikkraman, P, Basakaran, S, May, 2009). The case study brings out the reality of the workers of brick klins, their vulnerability, social insecurity, potential health risks, migration issues & the hazardous atmosphere that they thrive in their day-to-day lives. Thus, one can gauge the importance of the enactment of various acts related to the unorganized sector, social welfare schemes for this sector & the role of Non-Government Organizations for the welfare of the sector.
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Carpenter, Rebekah. "RISKY WORK ENVIRONMENTS AND METABOLIC DISEASE: CUMULATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF BAD JOBS IN EARLY AND MID LIFE." Innovation in Aging 7, Supplement_1 (December 1, 2023): 133–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.0436.
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Abstract Approximately one in three adults in the United States have a metabolic disease or illness. Metabolic diseases and illnesses are particularly costly for older adults, often resulting from decreased human capital and increased health care-based costs in later life. Social contexts have been hypothesized to be a key contributor to later-life health; however, work environments are often understudied as a critical social factor shaping health over the life course. Utilizing new data from the Health and Retirement Study’s Life History Mail Survey linked to occupational work context data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), we examine how exposure to dangerous work environments over one’s working career relates to the likelihood of developing a metabolic disease or illness between the ages of 50 and 62. Results from logistic regressions suggest that dangerous work environment exposures, such as exposures to contaminants or hazardous conditions, are associated with increased risk of developing metabolic disease and illnesses between ages 50 and 62; however, these associations are dependent upon when in the life course people are exposed to dangerous work contexts and for how long people are exposed to dangerous work contexts. This study speaks to the growing need for understanding the role of occupations as an important social and contextual factor shaping population health. Specifically, findings from this study may better inform the development of social and organizational policies targeted at improving work environments in the US, thereby helping to reduce the risk of developing health-related challenges, including metabolic diseases and illnesses.
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Kim, Kisung, and Dongwoo Song. "Estimation of the Hazardous Chemical Leakage Scale Inside Buildings Using CFD." Buildings 14, no. 7 (July 9, 2024): 2094. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072094.
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Increased industrialization and aging infrastructure have resulted in leaks of hazardous chemicals, such as CO. Leak modeling is crucial to developing emergency response strategies. Therefore, we simulated the time to criticality (TTC), which is the time to reach the threshold limit for occupational exposure, of a CO leak. The basis of the study is a fire dynamics simulator, a computational fluid dynamics model that was used to investigate the movement of CO in various scenarios, including using different building layouts and areas, temperatures, and leak diameters. Multiple regression analysis was performed to obtain regression equations for the TTC as a function of the independent variables. Ultimately, we found that the type of dispersion varies with respect to the temperature-dependent density of CO, and, among the independent variables, the leak diameter had the strongest effect on the TTC. The regression equations with logarithmic conversion were validated and found to have higher accuracy than those without logarithmic conversion. The findings provide useful information for developing emergency response plans regarding leak size in the case of hazardous chemical leakage. However, empirical studies of different gas types and leakage scenarios are required.
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Clarke, Sara M., Salome M. Thurlow, and Duane E. Hilmas. "Application of Beryllium Antibodies in Risk Assessment and Health Surveillance: Two Case Studies." Toxicology and Industrial Health 11, no. 4 (July 1995): 399–411. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/074823379501100403.
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This paper demonstrates that current standards used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to establish an area free from potential beryllium contamination may be inadequate. Using the Beryllium Antibody Assay, it was shown that workers exposed to former beryllium work areas, thought to be sanitized and to meet OSHA standards, experienced statistically significant rises in blood beryllium antibody titers. This finding raises the question of whether the equipment currently required to protect workers in beryllium-laden environments is sufficient. The project mission of decommissioning/decontaminating the former nuclear weapons plant at Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), instituted in 1992, has necessitated development of new technology directed toward safe and responsible cleanup. Challenges have been posed not only by the need to dispose of radioactive and chemical waste, but also by the problem of cleaning up hazardous metals such as the element beryllium. Beryllium was used extensively in research and the manufacture of nuclear weapons components at Rocky Flats for over 40 years. Since inhalation of this element can induce chronic beryllium disease (Eisenbud and Lisson, 1983), an antibody assay was developed to screen workers for internal exposure to beryllium. Exposure is indicated by a titer of antibodies greater than twostandard deviations above a normal population control (defined as the mean titer of pooled samples from 51 individuals with no known exposure to beryllium) and a p-value of < 0.05. This paper uescribes two new applications for the assay: risk assessment and health surveillance. Case study 1 involves a team of three workers who cleaned a beryllium plenum and whose beryllium antibody titers provided a quantitative assessment of their exposure. Case study 2 describes the use of the antibody assay to determine the probable manner in which one worker was exposed to beryllium while performing his duties as an architectural engineer.
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Jones, Kate, and Peter Baldwin. "79 PDC: Biological monitoring for chemical exposures at work." Annals of Work Exposures and Health 68, Supplement_1 (June 1, 2024): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.275.
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Abstract Biological monitoring is the analysis of hazardous substances, or their metabolites, in a worker’s urine, blood or breath and is used to assess their exposure to chemicals by inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin. It is particularly valuable where the control of exposure relies on personal protective equipment or to investigate the behavioural aspects of exposure controls. This course provides an introduction to biological monitoring, the practicalities associated with it and how it can be a useful and cost-effective tool for occupational hygiene and health professionals to assess and control exposure to substances in the workplace. Delegates will be shown how to use biological monitoring to assess chemical exposures and how to interpret biological monitoring results in order to protect worker health. The course includes practical, interactive learning elements using relevant case studies to enhance learning. Agenda •Introduction to Biological Monitoring •Practicalities of setting up a biological monitoring programme •View from a hygienist – case studies from actual site visits •Practical session – group work around a case study •Interpreting BM results – including guidance values and when to take action •Monitoring in Practice – examples of how to implement a biological monitoring programme Learning outcomes •Understand the fundamentals of biological monitoring •Understand the practicalities of establishing a biological monitoring programme •Understand how biological monitoring can enhance the services that occupational hygiene and health professionals offer •Be able to use biological monitoring to assess chemical exposures •Know how to interpret and act on results from biological monitoring reports
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Heacock, Michelle, Brittany Trottier, Sharad Adhikary, Kwadwo Ansong Asante, Nil Basu, Marie-Noel Brune, Jack Caravanos, et al. "Prevention-intervention strategies to reduce exposure to e-waste." Reviews on Environmental Health 33, no. 2 (June 27, 2018): 219–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2018-0014.
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Abstract As one of the largest waste streams, electronic waste (e-waste) production continues to grow in response to global demand for consumer electronics. This waste is often shipped to developing countries where it is disassembled and recycled. In many cases, e-waste recycling activities are conducted in informal settings with very few controls or protections in place for workers. These activities involve exposure to hazardous substances such as cadmium, lead, and brominated flame retardants and are frequently performed by women and children. Although recycling practices and exposures vary by scale and geographic region, we present case studies of e-waste recycling scenarios and intervention approaches to reduce or prevent exposures to the hazardous substances in e-waste that may be broadly applicable to diverse situations. Drawing on parallels identified in these cases, we discuss the future prevention and intervention strategies that recognize the difficult economic realities of informal e-waste recycling.
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Moebus, Susanne, and Wolfgang Boedeker. "Case Fatality as an Indicator for the Human Toxicity of Pesticides—A Systematic Scoping Review on the Availability and Variability of Severity Indicators of Pesticide Poisoning." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 16 (August 5, 2021): 8307. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168307.
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Objective: To investigate if case fatality and other indicators of the severity of human pesticide poisonings can be used to prioritize pesticides of public health concern. To study the heterogeneity of data across countries, cause of poisonings, and treatment facilities. Methods: We searched literature databases as well as the internet for studies on case-fatality and severity scores of pesticide poisoning. Studies published between 1990 and 2014 providing information on active ingredients in pesticides or chemical groups of active ingredients were included. The variability of case-fatality-ratios was analyzed by computing the coefficient of variation as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean. Findings: A total of 149 papers were identified of which 67 could be included after assessment. Case-fatality-ratio (CFR) on 66 active ingredients and additionally on 13 groups of active ingredients were reported from 20 countries. The overall median CFR for group of pesticides was 9%, for single pesticides 8%. Of those 12 active ingredients with a CFR above 20% more than half are WHO-classified as “moderately hazardous” or “unlikely to present acute hazard”. Two of seven pesticides considered “unlikely to present hazard in normal use” showed a CFR above 20%. The cross-study variability of reported case fatality was rather low. Studies most often utilized the Glasgow Coma Score for grading the severity of poisoning. Conclusion: Although human pesticide poisoning is a serious public health problem, an unexpectedly small number of publications report on the clinical outcomes within our study period. However, CFRs of acute human pesticide poisoning are available for several groups of pesticides as well as for active ingredients showing moderate cross-study variability. Our results underline that CFR is an indicator of the human toxicity of pesticides and can be utilized to prioritize highly hazardous pesticides especially since there is limited correspondence between the animal-test-based hazard classification and the human CFR of the respective pesticide. The reporting of available poisoning data should be improved, human case-fatality data are a reasonable tool to be included systematically in the periodic statutory review of pesticides and their regulation.
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Wang, Xinhao, Xifei Huang, Yingju Zhang, Xuhai Pan, and Kai Sheng. "A Data-Driven Approach Based on Historical Hazard Records for Supporting Risk Analysis in Complex Workplaces." Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2021 (November 2, 2021): 1–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/3628156.
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Risk analysis, as an important prerequisite of risk management, is critical to reducing occupational injuries and other related losses. However, suffering greatly from incomplete hazard identification and inaccurate probability analysis, risk analysis is considered the weakest link in risk management, which seriously affects risk evaluation and control in complex workplaces. To improve the performance of hazard identification and analysis, a data-driven risk analysis approach is established, which consists of an improved equivalent class transformation (Eclat) algorithm, a sliding window model, and a change pattern mining algorithm. Through this approach, a large number of historical hazard records are transformed into association rules composed of object keywords and deviation keywords, and information such as potential keyword combinations, conditional probabilities of potential deviations, and the change pattern of potential hazards can be extracted. The function of the approach is threefold. Firstly, the data-driven risk analysis process is designed to identify the association rules between different hazard keywords. Secondly, Eclat algorithm is optimized to calculate the frequency and probability of potential hazards, which is conducive to improving the accuracy of probability estimation. Thirdly, the change pattern is developed to analyse the hazard change trend to support the cause analysis. A practical application in a Chinese hazardous chemical manufacturer is presented. Case studies have shown that the efficiency of the improved algorithm is increased by 13.68%, and 59.66% of potential hazards can be identified in advance, and relevant information can be extracted to support risk analysis.
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Bader, Michael, Rüdiger Bartsch, Hans Drexler, Thomas Göen, Julia Hiller, Thomas Jäger, Bernd Roßbach, and Andrea Hartwig. "67 Criteria for the assessment of the percutaneous absorption of hazardous substances at the workplace – The German MAK Commission approach." Annals of Work Exposures and Health 68, Supplement_1 (June 1, 2024): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.025.
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Abstract The uptake of hazardous substances at the workplace through the skin can be one major route of exposure and therefore add to the occupational health risk for employees. More than one third of all substances with a limit value in workplace air in Germany have been designated with ‘H’ by the MAK Commission of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), indicating that the percutaneous absorption under workplace conditions can make a significant contribution to the systemic exposure of an employee. The recommendations of the MAK Commission are one major source for regulatory decisions taken by the German Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for sustaining health and safety in the work area. This presentation summarizes the general approach of the MAK Commission’s working group on percutaneous absorption, the selection and ranking of data (workplace studies, animal studies, in vitro studies, mathematical models or algorithms) as well as the quantitative criteria for an assignment with ‘H’. For the final assessment, the estimated absorbed amount of a substance is compared with the systemically tolerable amount extrapolated from the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). A designation with ‘H’ is recommended if the percutaneous uptake accounts for approximately 25 % or more of the tolerable quantity. Only in the case of genotoxic substances without limit values is the ability of a substance to cross the skin barrier sufficient in itself to recommend designation with an ‘H’. The assessment process as well as its merits and challenges are illustrated by some examples.
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Godderis, Lode, Jelena Bakusic, Sara Pauwels, Henk Van der Molen, and Annet Lenderink. "O5E.4 Bridging the gap between clinical cases and epidemiological evidence." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 76, Suppl 1 (April 2019): A50.1—A50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem-2019-epi.135.
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One of the current gaps in the prevention of work-related diseases (WRDs) is the missing link between the assessment of occupational hazards introduced at the workplace, clinical alerts, epidemiological studies and policy actions. Alert systems aim to bridge this gap, by collecting information on diseases and exposures to raise alerts to different stakeholders and trigger timely prevention.This project started with a review of international alert systems to identifying good practices and learning about prerequisites, drivers and obstacles to implement alert and sentinel systems. Next, the findings led to the implementation of an integrated approach consisting of alert systems on three levels in the Belgian context:Signal detection and assessment: suspected clinical cases of new WRDs (new exposure–disease combinations) can be reported though an online platform called ‘SIGNAAL’. Each reported case is followed by an extensive assessment of exposure– and work–relatedness performed by clinical experts. Since the start, 22 cases have been reported to the platform.Signal strengthening though a network of occupational health physicians. This sentinel approach has been introduced though the PROBE system, in which 47 occupational physicians participated. During the periodic health examinations of workers, the physicians filled in a web survey regarding occupational exposure of a random sample of workers to 22 selected hazardous chemicals during the last working week. Results of the first study showed that 47% of workers were exposed to at least one chemical product from the list, with diesel exhaust being the most frequently reported substance (n=91; 14% of workers).Alerts to public health authorities are mainly communicated though collaboration with Federal Public Services and Federal Agency for Occupational Risks.These agencies provide support in the maintenance of systems and in turn, data from the systems is used as input for potential preventive strategies on company and societal level.
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Maia, Margarida Braga, Jorge De Brito, Isabel M. Martins, and Jose D. Silvestre. "Toxicity of Recycled Concrete Aggregates: Review on Leaching Tests." Open Construction and Building Technology Journal 12, no. 1 (June 14, 2018): 187–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874836801812010187.
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Background:The toxicity of building materials can be addressed in the areas of occupational and environ-mental toxicology. In the first case, the harmful effects to workers caused by exposure to a specific substance during building materials production are analysed. In the latter case, the toxic effects of that substance on living organisms is examined.Several studies analysed the environmental impact of concrete production, considering a significant number of concrete constituents and compositions, in order to find ways of minimizing it. However, some of the traditional constituents of concrete may be potentially hazardous, presenting different levels of toxicity, but only a few studies are focused on this area. Still, and in order to reduce the potential environmental impact, studies have already started on the incorporation of alternative raw materials, which may affect concrete toxicity.It is important to develop more concrete toxicity studies analysing different mixes and constituents, in order to identify several ways of minimizing the potential toxicity of this construction material.Objective:Different procedures and results of the leaching tests of Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) from previous studies will be presented and discussed in this paper.Method:The ecotoxicological characterization of materials is based on the analysis of the eluates resulting from leaching tests. There are several researches that apply different experimental leaching procedures according to existing standards and others with some variations in the standard test conditions: particle size, duration of the test, among others.Results and conclusion:The main characteristics of RCA that affect the results of the leaching tests will be identified.
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Haas, Emily J., Brianna Eiter, Cassandra Hoebbel, and Margaret E. Ryan. "The Impact of Job, Site, and Industry Experience on Worker Health and Safety." Safety 5, no. 1 (March 14, 2019): 16. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/safety5010016.
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A debate exists about the impact of mineworker experience on health and safety (H&S). Studies often assert that length of time on the job (tenure) is negatively associated with accidents (i.e., new employees have a higher accident rate). However, inferences are all made based on reported incidents, whereas we know that underreporting is a problem in high-risk occupations. To that end, this study sought to examine how worker experience may impact a variety of H&S outcomes on the job. Comprised of three separate case studies with different H&S outcome variables, researchers broke down the results of several data sets that were collected from 3400 miners who worked in either underground coal, surface sand, stone, and gravel, or metal/non-metal to reveal any underlying trends among differing levels of experience on a specific job, with a specific company, and in the mining industry. Each case study is described in turn, using Kruskall-Wallis tests to determine the impact miners’ experience on hazard recognition accuracy (Case 1), self-escape confidence (Case 2), and safety compliance (Case 3). The results show that workers with more job experience possess higher levels of perceived health and safety skills, including the identification of hazards on the job. We discuss the impact of experience on several predictors of incidents, including perceived job knowledge and hazard identification, and perceived compliance on the job. Practitioners can expect to gain a greater understanding of their workforce, including actual differences and similarities to consider, when communicating pieces of their health and safety management system to training workers of all experience levels.
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Schenk, Linda. "Risk Perception and Its Foundation among Swedish Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Air Pollutants and Chemicals: A Comparison of 1975 and 2011." ISRN Public Health 2013 (July 31, 2013): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/469714.
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Although work environment conditions have improved much in the last decades, occupational exposures to chemicals and air pollutants still cause adverse health effects. The risk perception of occupational exposures to hazardous substances and the motivations for it have been investigated through a questionnaire study. These results have also been compared to previous studies performed by the largest trade union confederation in Sweden in 1975. In the current survey, 30% of the respondents believe to be at risk, 48% not, and 22% state to be unsure. The proportion of persons experiencing to be at risk due to exposures to chemicals or air pollution at work is unexpectedly similar to that of 1975. The explanations offered for the risk perception were in many cases vague and of a subjective nature, but again results are similar to those of 1975. References to more solid justifications such as performed exposure measurements or medical health checks are scarce, with the latter case being as scarce today as in 1975. There are only a few indications that a more systematic management of work environment issues has developed at Swedish workplaces; for instance, managers were more commonly stated as a source of information in 2011 than in 1975.
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Jangam, Apurva, Daniel Cheriyan, and Jae-Ho Choi. "A BIM-Based Approach for Assessing Occupational Health Risks in a Building Construction Project." Buildings 14, no. 2 (February 8, 2024): 476. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020476.
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Construction work sites and the surrounding built environments are notable contributors to atmosphere dust particulate matter (PM) emissions. PM produced in construction processes contain a range of chemically hazardous substances, posing significant health risks (HR) to individuals. As such, the evaluation of occupational HR in construction has become a focal point of interest internationally. Initiated in the early 2000s, there has been a growing demand within the construction research community for the creation of a unified PM database that encapsulates a wide array of construction activities. Previous studies have endeavored to establish a PM database for various construction contexts, yet they have fallen short in thoroughly addressing the diversity of construction materials and the levels of toxic substances (TS) within the PM. This research introduced a comprehensive PM and TS dataset and conducted a case study to measure the HR associated with diverse construction processes. This was accomplished by implementing a semi-automated Building Information Modeling (BIM) version 2020-based plugin, which streamlines the assessment of occupational HR in construction projects. This system provides construction supervisors with a tool to visually assess the HR of daily operations, thereby facilitating the adoption of preemptive measures to protect the health of construction workers.
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Nwaru, Chioma Adanma, Ailiana Santosa, Stefan Franzén, and Fredrik Nyberg. "Occupation and COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission among foreign-born and Swedish-born employees: a register-based study." Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 76, no. 5 (January 7, 2022): 440–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2021-218278.
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BackgroundResearch on occupation and risk of COVID-19 among foreign-born workers is lacking. We investigated whether working in essential occupations was associated with COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission and whether foreign-born workers in similar occupations as Swedish-born individuals had a higher risk of the studied outcomes.MethodsOccupational data (2018–2019) of 326 052 employees (20–65 years) who were resident in Sweden as of 1 January 2020 were linked to COVID-19 data registered from 1 January 2020 to 28 February 2021. We analysed the risk of COVID-19 outcomes in different occupational groups and in four immigrant/occupation intersectional groups using Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustments for sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and pre-existing comorbidities.ResultsWe identified 29797, 1069 and 152 cases of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisations and ICU admissions, respectively, in our cohort. Workers in essential occupations had an elevated risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation, and ICU admissions. Healthcare workers had a higher risk of all the outcomes compared with other essential workers. Relative to Swedish-born workers in non-essential occupations, foreign-born workers in essential occupations had 1.85 (95% CI 1.78 to 1.93), 3.80 (95% CI 3.17 to 4.55) and 3.79 (95% CI 2.33 to 6.14) times higher risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission, respectively. The corresponding risks among Swedish-born workers in essential occupations were 1.44 (95% CI 1.40 to 1.49), 1.30 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.56) and 1.46 (95% CI 0.90 to 2.38).ConclusionOccupation was associated with COVID-19 outcomes and contributed to the burden of COVID-19 among foreign-born individuals in this study.
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Zarus, Gregory, Patricia Ruiz, Rae Benedict, Krystin Carlson, and Thais Morata. "SS64-04 CHARTING THE EVIDENCE OF OTOTOXICITY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES." Occupational Medicine 74, Supplement_1 (July 1, 2024): 0. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0372.
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Abstract Introduction Ototoxicity is an important public health concern. Few studies involve non-pharmacological substances. Auditory problems in workers exposed to toxic substances have been frequently documented. However, hearing is seldom measured in case-control exposure studies involving these substances. Methods The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) develops hundreds of toxicological profiles on substances frequently found in the environment, including volatile organic substances, pesticides, herbicides, metals, inorganic substances, and radionuclides. Each peer-reviewed profile reflects an extensive evaluation, summary, and interpretation of the available toxicological and epidemiological information. Although not presented as “ototoxicity” in the profiles, there are several signs and symptoms associated with “ototoxicity”, such as hearing loss, tonal alteration, and effects to the hair cells of the Organ of Corti. Similarly, association of exposure to chemical substances with vestibular effects such as dizziness, vertigo, visual problems, and headaches are non-specific making them hard to discern from other neurological causes. Study data on tinnitus are rarer still. While literature searches document tinnitus among the frequent complaints of populations exposed to toxic substances, dose-response studies are lacking for this reported affect. Discussion and Conclusion Here we systematically present the evidence of ototoxicity associations of several hazardous substances that people are exposed to, both in the environmental and in an occupational setting. Disclaimer The conclusions in this presentation are those of the presenter and do not necessarily represent the official position of the NIOSH, CDC and ATSDR.
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Patel, Aastha N., and Shankar S. Ganvit. "Workplace eye safety: a neglected essential." International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health 7, no. 11 (October 26, 2020): 4518. http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204754.
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Background: An occupational hazard is a hazard experienced in the workplace. This includes many types of hazards like chemical hazards, biological hazards, psychosocial hazards and physical hazards. Occupational ocular trauma holds significant proportion of visual morbidity worldwide. This can be prevented with the use of proper protective eyewear and strict compliance. This survey was conducted to study occupational related ocular hazard in our tertiary health care system hospital having patients involved in various occupations.Methods: A total of 90 occupational ocular injuries were recorded during study period. The age group of the patients to be studied was between 20 to 60 years. Brief history of present complaints, detailed clinical history and occupation history as like type of work, working environment, place, working hours was recorded. Required ophthalmological check-up was done. All valid responses were tabulated and analysed. Appropriate treatment was given.Results: Our study showed that majority (85.6%) of patients were not wearing protective eye equipment. Male to female ratio was approximately 3:1. Major age group affected was between 31-40 years (41.1%). Welders (40%) were more prone to injury occupation wise.Conclusions: Occupational eye injury is often severe and it contributes to significant loss. Incompliance of appropriate protective eye wear can lead to potential eye damage and permanent blindness.
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Leite, Lady Daiane Pereira, Isabela Maria Martins, Suzelei Rodgher, Vivian Silveira dos Santos Bardini, Luis Miguel Gutiérrez Klinsky, Cristiane Yumi Koga Ito, and Fabiana Alves Fiore. "Microbiological composition of sludge generated in water treatment plants." Ambiente e Agua - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science 18 (September 8, 2023): 1–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.4136/ambi-agua.2930.
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Studies that focus on the microbiological composition of water treatment plants (WTP) sludge, as well as its pathogenicity, are extremely necessary, especially with regard to environmental regulations, where the microbiological characterization of WTP waste can encourage new policies related to its management. In Brazil, few studies address WTP sludge, which, in general, is classified as non-hazardous and non-inert waste, with the microbiological characterization of this material being little explored. This case study performed the microbiological characterization of sludge samples from two WTPs located in the state of São Paulo, before and after the centrifugation process. The determination of microbial density and morphology, Gram staining, and the identification of the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms were performed with samples produced in two different years, in WTPs that used different coagulants (liquid aluminum sulfate or polyaluminum chloride and ferric chloride). Results were evaluated along with the physicochemical analysis of the composition of this waste. The presence of microalgae and protozoa in non-centrifuged WTP sludge and the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms in WTP sludge before and after centrifugation are among the main results of this study.
Keywords: beneficial use, microbiological composition, water treatment plant sludge.
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Yılmaz Kaya, Burcu. "Minimizing OHS Risks with Spherical Fuzzy Sets as a Verdict to Inventory Management: A Case Regarding Energy Companies." Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society 2022 (September 1, 2022): 1–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/9511339.
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As one of the vital ergonomics operations, occupational health and safety (OHS) measures are important for each and every production environment. Furthermore, the severity of adverse impacts or occurrence probability of OHS risks can be much higher, especially for particular companies dealing with hazardous or dangerous materials or products. Although eminent instances exist in the OHS literature, studies linking OHS to operational supply chain management (SCM) activities and aim to embed ergonomics sentiment into decision procedures in a way that reduces OHS risks are unfortunately lacking in the literature. In this point of view, a novel approach grounding on inventory control aiming OHS risk minimization was developed, and a case study regarding a gas distribution energy company was performed as demonstration. Integrated ABC-VED matrix was developed and employed to handle the inventory management problem by emphasizing OHS risks’ influence as well as proposing cost-effective solutions, while spherical fuzzy sets (SFS) and simple additive weighting (SAW) method were used to enlighten the best SCM-related decisions in terms of ABC-VED results, to minimize the OHS risks of maintenance employees and possible adverse impacts on human health. Three different actors participated as decision makers (DMs) by the employment of SFS-SAW group decision making approach, where computed categories and delineated research outcomes were scrutinized in details by benchmarking of the results in terms of varying DM assessments and supplier company driven inventoried item groups, where sensitivity analysis on overall results were also performed. 103 out of 270 items of a protoset were analyzed, a subset of 51 items listed in Category I was determined to be used in further analysis. Illustrative explanations of diversification of criteria weighting scores regarding different parties in the decision making process were also presented with several schematic representations of research outcomes in the light of multidimensional benchmarking debates.
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Choi, Sangjun, Kwang Min Lee, Hyunhee Park, Gyu-Beom Shim, Sun Woo Lee, Yoon-Ji Kim, Youngki Kim, Dongmug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, and Ju-Hyun Park. "272 Development of job exposure matrix for construction workers based on experts’ judgment using the 60 consolidated occupations." Annals of Work Exposures and Health 68, Supplement_1 (June 1, 2024): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.255.
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Abstract Background The aim of this study was to develop a new Korean Construction Job Exposure Matrix (KoConJEM) for the construction industry based on 60 occupations consolidated by the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association. Methods Evaluation of the probability, intensity, and prevalence of exposure as binary (Yes/No) or four categories (1–4) to 26 hazardous agents for 60 consolidated occupations was performed by 30 industrial hygiene experts. The risk score (1 to 16) was calculated by multiplying the exposure intensity by the prevalence of exposure. The JEM was expressed on a heatmap and a web-based dashboard to facilitate comparison of exposure characteristics according to each occupation and hazardous agent. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied for identification of similar patterns in exposure characteristics of different agents across occupations. Results Hazardous agents evaluated as exposure is probable by at least one or more experts in all occupations included awkward posture, heat/cold, heavy lifting, and noise. The hazardous agent with exposure in the smallest number of occupations (n = 5) was asphalt fumes. The highest risk value of 16 for awkward posture was observed for almost all occupations except safety officer. The results of HCA using risk values showed that the pattern for the welding-related occupational group differed the most from that of other occupational groups. Conclusion The KoConJEM provides information on the probability, intensity, and prevalence of exposure to harmful factors. It might be useful in the conduct of epidemiological studies on health risk assessment of construction workers.
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Onosakponome, Evelyn Orevaoghene, Tamunonengiye-Ofori Lenox-Prince, Amalachukwu Okwukwe Ike, Clement Ugochukwu Nyenke, and Ibiso Bruce. "Association between Risk Factors and Occupational Hazards among Health Workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria." Asian Journal of Medicine and Health 21, no. 12 (December 20, 2023): 54–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.9734/ajmah/2023/v21i12960.
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Occupation is a labour routinely engaged in by individuals, often as a result of training, and for the purpose of making or earning a living. A hazard is something that could cause harm. The aim of this study was to study the association between risk factors and occupational hazards. A well-structured questionnaire was used for the collection of details from the respondents about their socio-demographic data, risk assessment data and hazard occurrence. The risk assessment data (risk factors) studied include: PPE provision, PPE usage, working at multiple facilities, working overtime, sleep adequacy, exercise, waste segregation, processing of biohazard specimen in closed chamber, disposal of biohazard according to set standard, and good work posture. These risk factors were studied based on physical, biological and chemical hazards. The result showed that out of 10 studied risk factors, only 8 had significant associations (p-values<0.5) with occupational hazards; working overtime, sleep adequacy were the two risk factors amongst the 8 that had significant association with all the studied occupational hazard (physical, biological and chemical hazards). PPE provision, working at multiple facilities, and waste segregation had significant association with two occupational hazards. While use of PPE, exercise and processing of specimen in closed chamber had significant associations with physical, biological and chemical hazards respectively. Disposing of biohazard according to set standard and good posture had no relationship (p-values>0.05) with occupational hazard. This study has shown occupational hazards may have varying or shared risk factors, therefore, care must be taken to ensure risk at work place is minimally reduced.
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Pallapies, Dirk, Peter Welge, and Thomas Bruening. "P.1.31 Limit values for metals: discrepancies between derivation from animal experiments and epidemiological studies/workplace observations without effects at higher exposures." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 76, Suppl 1 (April 2019): A85.3—A86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem-2019-epi.232.
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Risk assessment/limit value setting for metals at the workplace is often based primarily on animal data. Epidemiological data providing information on quantitative exposure-response relationships is rarely available, but should be used preferentially if of sufficient quality, as in the case of chromium(VI). In Germany, the Committee of Hazardous Substances has derived an assessment criterion for chromium(VI) of 1 µg/m³ reflecting a tolerable risk of 4 additional cancer cases in 1000 workers exposed over their whole working life. For various metals human data is less informative. Thus, for cobalt, a tolerable concentration of 5 µg/m³ (respirable fraction) as been calculated based on inhalation studies in rats and mice which developed lung tumors after exposure to more than 1 mg/m³. However, recently published epidemiological studies among more than 30 000 hardmetal and cobalt production workers do not provide any evidence for carcinogenicity in humans at exposures in the range from 10–100 µg/m³ - between the tolerable concentration based on animal data and the concentration used in the animal experiments. The implications for risk assessment will be discussed also taking into account additional epidemiological data addressing potential inflammatory or fibrogenic effects with impairment of lung function at higher workplace exposures. Copper is another compound for which in Germany a limit value has been proposed by the MAK (maximal workplace concentration) commission based on animal data. Based on a 28 day rat inhalation study with copper(I) oxide which demonstrated inflammatory effects at concentrations starting around 200 µg/m³ a MAK value of 10 µg/m³ (respirable fraction) has been derived. However, copper has been used at workplaces for centuries at concentrations even in the mg range without observation of clear health effects. Potential explanations for these discrepancies as well as requirements of additional health data will be presented.
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Mekonnen, Besufekad, Nahom Solomon, and Wondimagegn Wondimu. "Healthcare Waste Status and Handling Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Tepi General Hospital, Ethiopia." Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2021 (January 30, 2021): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6614565.
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Background. Mismanagement of healthcare waste (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic can facilitate the transmission of coronavirus. Regarding this problem, there is gap of evidence in Ethiopia, and this study aimed to assess the HCW generation rate and management in Tepi General Hospital, southwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional and case studies were conducted. The total amount of waste generated and its type among various case teams were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between the total numbers of patients and the total amount of HCW generated. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed with Open Code version 4.02 software, and content analysis was followed. Results. The total mean weight (±SD) of waste generation rate in all service units of the hospital was 492.5 ± 11.5 kg/day. The higher proportion (61.9%) of the total HCW produced was general waste and the remaining (38.1%) was hazardous waste. There was a statistically significant (X2 = 82.1, p < 0.001 ) difference in daily HCW generation rate among different case teams. Similarly, the hospital waste generation amount and total patient flow had a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.7, p = 0.032 ). COVID-19-related medical wastes were not properly handled, segregated, stored, and disposed. There was a scarcity of resources needed to manage HCW, and available resources were utilized poorly. Overall, healthcare wastes were managed as usual (pre-COVID-19). Conclusion. The mean HCW generation rate in Tepi General Hospital was high. Overall, wastes were mismanaged, and COVID-19-related HCWs have been managed as usual. Availing of important resources and training the concerned bodies should be considered during the crisis of COVID-19.
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Krishnamoorthy, Yuvaraj, Vijayageetha M, Manikandanesan Sakthivel, and Gokul Sarveswaran. "Emerging public health threat of e-waste management: global and Indian perspective." Reviews on Environmental Health 33, no. 4 (December 19, 2018): 321–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2018-0021.
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Abstract Background Electrical and electronic waste or e-waste is emerging as a major public health threat worldwide because of rapid advances in technology leading to the generation of large amount of wastes and a lack of knowledge in handling of these wastes. Objective The current review discusses the current e-waste problem worldwide, as a public health concern, with a specific focus on India and recommendations to have effective e-waste management. Methods This is a traditional review study. The burden of e-waste, regulations and its impact on health and the environment at the global and country level were identified using various search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and ScienceDirect. Books, case studies, legislation documents, reports, original articles and other documents from international organizations and specific governmental agency websites were retrieved. In total, 33 original articles, reports, case studies and documents were used for this review. Results In 2016, 44.7 million tonnes of e-waste was generated with 2 million tonnes produced in India alone. Out of this, only 20% of the e-waste generated globally was handled properly. The situation is worse in India where more than 90% of the e-waste was handled by informal sector workers. An important problem with the process is that they do not take necessary precautionary measures before handling e-waste. Components which are not suitable for reuse are burnt openly or disposed of through open dumping. Most of the informal sector workers are illiterate making them unaware of the hazardous chemicals that can be released later into the water sources and the environment. Conclusion The current review shows that the e-waste poses a serious global public health threat leading to significant environmental and health risks. Most of the developing countries including India were found to be lagging behind in the implementation of environmentally sound formal recycling processes. Hence, a better life cycle assessment model which have been successfully implemented in other developing countries should be introduced in India.
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DeGraff, Deborah S., Andrea R. Ferro, and Deborah Levison. "Kids at risk: children's employment in hazardous occupations in Brazil." Estudos Econômicos (São Paulo) 44, no. 4 (December 2014): 685–721. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0101-41612014000400002.
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While the literature on child labor in Brazil is large, it is not comprehensive: in particular, there are few studies on children's work in risky occupations, and those that exist tend to be qualitative and based on limited samples. In this paper, we aim to paint a broader picture of children's engagement in risky labor force work, based on quantitative evidence from PNAD data. We document associations between parental characteristics and children's work, using both descriptive statistics and multivariate modeling to understand the determinants of child participation in risky labor force work. Brazilian children engaged in risky occupations are less likely than other employed children to be enrolled in school, and more likely to work long hours and experience a variety of working conditions that may be unsafe. Parental education, indicators of household wealth and owning a family farm are particularly strongly associated with the incidence of risky work among children, and girls are over-represented in risky jobs due to their work in domestic service.
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Kravchuk, O. P., P. G. Zhminko, V. I. Medvedev, A. P. Grynko, S. G. Sergeev, L. P. Ivanova, O. M. Bagatska, et al. "Assessment of hazard and hygienic rating of flubendiamide in agricultural food products of the plant origin, industrial and environmental objects." Ukrainian Journal of Modern Toxicological Aspects 82-83, no. 2-3 (September 27, 2018): 13–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.33273/2663-4570-2018-82-83-2-3-13-23.
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Flubendiamide is recommended for use as an insecticide for corn, sunflower, soybean, cabbage, and tomatoes. The State Enterprise “L.I. Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety” of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine conducted a study on toxicological and hygienic assessment of flubendiamide and insecticide Belt 480 SC on its basis; the justification of flubendiamide PDE (permitted daily exposure) to human, hygienic rates of the substance and the rules for safe use of the drug. Objectives. Toxicological and hygienic assessment of the use of insecticide on the basis of flubendiamide, assessment of the risk of its impact on agricultural workers and population. Methods. Expert-analytical, toxicological, physical and chemical, and hygienic. Results. According to the toxicity parameters, flubendiamide and Belt 480 SC are pesticides of the second class of hazard. The mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic activity, embryo and reproductive toxicity of flubendiamide are not limiting in assessing its hazard. The results of field studies showed that residual amounts of flubendiamide were not found in the crop of corn and soybean, sunflower seeds, cabbage and tomatoes. The degree of possible occupational risk of exposure to flubendiamide in case of intake by agricultural workers via inhalation and dermal routes does not exceed the permissible level. Conclusion. Insecticide Belt 480 SC, based on flubendiamide in agriculture of Ukraine in corn, sunflower, soybean, cabbage and tomatoes under adherence to hygienic rates and regulations is not hazardous from the point of view of the possibility of contamination of agricultural crops and environmental objects with flubendiamide. Key words: insecticide, flubendiamide, toxicology, hygienic rates and regulations, assessment of hazard.
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Tolera, Thewodros Bekele. "OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: CASE STUDIES FROM HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AT ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA." International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH 4, no. 9 (September 30, 2016): 84–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v4.i9.2016.2539.
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The status of occupational injuries in workplaces in general is ill defined in Ethiopia. Pocket studies indicate that occupational injury due to an unsafe working environment is increasing. Construction industries are growing industries region wise that has higher rate of work-related injuries. Knowing the associated factors of work-related injuries can be a critical step for improving the working condition of workers in the sector.
Objective: This mini research aimed to evaluate occupational hazards and to describe factors affecting its happening among construction workers’ in Addis Ababa housing and construction project sites.
Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed to assess occupational injuries among randomly selected construction workers from June 30 –July 20, 2014. A structured questionnaire based interviews, work environment observation were used to collect the data.
The response rate of this study was 82.7%. The majority of respondents were male which account 74.7% and 60 (96.8%) respondents were not using personal protective devices all the time while they are on duty. Out of the total participants, 67.7% of the workers experienced occupational injuries at least once in the last 12 months. Moreover, the three leading cause of injuries were puncture (21.0%) followed by hand injury (11.3%), and back pain (9.7%).
Increased rate of work related injury in construction workers was observed and implementation of basic occupational health and safety services is required together with regular supervision to ensure and promote work place safety. So Preventive measures concerning functional occupational health and safety programs are essential to safeguard the health and safety condition of workforce in construction industries.
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Kezic, Sanja, Roberto Nunez, Željka Babić, Sarah Hallmann, Martin S. Havmose, Jeanne D. Johansen, Swen M. John, et al. "Occupational Exposure of Hairdressers to Airborne Hazardous Chemicals: A Scoping Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 7 (March 31, 2022): 4176. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074176.
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Introduction: Exposure to hazardous chemicals released during hairdressing activities from hair care products puts hairdressers at risk of adverse health effects. Safety assessments of hair products are mainly focused on consumers, but exposure for professional hairdressers might be substantially higher. Objective: To identify and assess available research data on inhalation exposures of professional hairdressers. Methods: A systematic search of studies between 1 January 2000 and 30 April 2021 was performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and in Cochrane registry, toxicological dossiers of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Commission as well as the German MAK Commission. Studies reporting quantitative data on airborne concentrations of chemicals in the hairdresser’s workplace were considered. The outcome was an airborne concentration of chemicals in the working environment, which was compared, when possible, with current occupational exposure limits (OEL) or guidance levels. Results: In total, 23 studies performed in 14 countries were included. The average number of hairdressing salons per study was 22 (range 1–62). Chemicals most frequently measured were formaldehyde (n = 8), ammonia (n = 5), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) (n = 5), and toluene (n = 4). More than fifty other chemicals were measured in one to three studies, including various aromatic and aliphatic organic solvents, hydrogen peroxide, persulfate, and particulate matter. Most studies reported environmental air concentrations, while personal exposure was measured only in seven studies. The measured air concentrations of formaldehyde, ammonia, and TVOC exceeded OEL or guidance values in some studies. There was large variability in measuring conditions and reported air concentrations differed strongly within and between studies. Conclusion: Hairdressers are exposed to a wide spectrum of hazardous chemicals, often simultaneously. Airborne concentrations of pollutants depend on salon characteristics such as ventilation and the number of customers but also on used products that are often country- or client-specific. For exposure to formaldehyde, ammonia, and TVOC exceeding OELs or guidance values for indoor air was observed. Therefore, occupational exposure should be taken into account by safety regulations for hair care products.
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Rai, Rajni, Sonia El-Zaemey, Nidup Dorji, Bir Doj Rai, and Lin Fritschi. "Exposure to Occupational Hazards among Health Care Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 5 (March 5, 2021): 2603. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052603.
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Health care workers are exposed to numerous workplace hazards. The implementation of safety measures in high-income countries has largely mitigated these risks. However, in many low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), resources to institute safety measures are lacking, increasing the risk of occupational exposures to these hazards. The aim of this scoping review is to map and synthesize the available research on occupational hazards among health care workers in LMICs, identify research gaps and inform policy. Searches for relevant articles were conducted in five electronic databases using a broad range of search terms. The inclusion criteria were: quantitative observational or experimental studies which examined exposure to one or more occupational hazards among health care workers in a LMCI; and the article was published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. A total of 99 studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted from these studies. Large proportions of health care workers in LMICs were exposed to biological hazards (bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis), psychosocial hazards (workplace violence, burnout, job dissatisfaction), ergonomic hazards (musculoskeletal complaints), and chemical hazards (exposure to latex and antineoplastic drugs). The implementation of risk reduction strategies was suboptimal. The majority of the literature was on biological hazards (48%), and research on other hazards was limited in comparison. Occupational safety needs to become a priority public health issue to protect health care workers in LMICs. More research is needed to understand the magnitude of the problem in these countries.
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Gurvich, V. B., A. S. Shastin, V. G. Gazimova, E. G. Plotko, and T. S. Ustyugova. "Causes of lost vocational fi tness for work in jeopardy and (or) hazardous work conditions." Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology, no. 2 (March 14, 2019): 107–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2019-2-107-112.
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Workers’ health should be considered as a strategically important component of governmental economic policy. Nowadays society economic damage due to lost vocational fi tness because of medical causes results mostly from general somatic diseases, but not from occupational diseases. In stable tendency to ageing able-bodied population, studies of medical causes of vocational unfi tness is a topical problem. To analyze causes of lost vocational fitness for work in jeopardy and (or) hazardous work conditions, to determine quantitative parameters of vocational unfi tness in mandatory medical examinations, to evaluate nosologic structure of medical contraindications to work in jeopardy and (or) hazardous work conditions, the authors studied demographic data of Federal service of governmental statistics and data on fi rst diagnosed occupational diseases by materials of Governmental reports of Federal service on supervision in consumers’ rights protection and human well-being. Studies also covered data of FBUN “Ekaterinburg medical research center of prevention and health care for industrial workers” of Rospotrebnadzor (EMNTs): database on fi rst diagnosed occupational diseases in Sverdlovsk region, conclusion reports on periodic medical examination results, and medical records of workers underwent periodic medical examination in EMNTs. Th e data were analyzed with descriptive and inductive statistic methods. In constant medical contraindications structure by nosologic types, according to periodic medical examinations in EMNTs, major part of refused permission to the work was associated with diseases in ICD–10 class VII “Diseases of eye and its appendages”, on the 2nd place — diseases of ICD–10 class VIII “Diseases of ear and mastoid process”, on the 3rd place — diseases of ICD–10 class XI “Digestion diseases”. Recommendations are in Russian Federation Health Ministry to consider necessity of workers’ possibility to receive additional examination and special medical care within governmental program of guaranteed free medical care in cases when the diagnosed disease causes refused permission to work.
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Hansen, Johnni, Kajsa Petersen, Jens Peter Bonde, and Niels Ebbehøj. "O1B.5 Infertility in a cohort of male danish firefighters." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 76, Suppl 1 (April 2019): A6.1—A6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem-2019-epi.16.
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IntroductionFirefighters are exposed to many hazardous agents, including heat, stress, nightwork and chemicals, which may have negative impact on their fertility. Despite this, there is a lack of epidemiologic studies in the field. We aimed to examine infertility among male Danish firefighters.MethodsWe established a cohort of 4710 male Danish firefighters born from 1964 to 1992 based on historical records from employers and trade unions. The firefighter’s unique personal identification number, applied to all residents in Denmark, was used as a key identifier for linkage of information from nationwide registers. Information on vital status and female partners was obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System. Information on diagnoses of, conditions related to and treatments for infertility was retrieved from the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Register and the National Patient Register (NPR). Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for both male factor and overall infertility were estimated through cox regression analyses comparing the firefighters to two reference groups: a) a random sample of employees and b) military employed men.ResultsAmong the full time firefighters (n=1,253), male factor infertility was significantly increased compared to the sample of employees (IVF model HR=1.5, 95% CI 1.1–1.9 and NPR model HR=1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.). Results were less consistent using the military employees as reference. Further, the increase in infertility seemed restricted to the time employed as firefighter and, thus disappeared when the men quit firefighting. No increase in risk of either male factor or overall infertility was seen among the part time/volunteer firefighters (n=3,497).ConclusionFull time firefighting was associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with male factor infertility. This was not the case for part time firefighters. The increased risk seemed confined to actual firefighting time, indicating an occupational association,
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Tania, Fatema, and Nasrin Sultana. "Health Hazards of Garments Sector in Bangladesh: The Case Studies of Rana Plaza." Malaysian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 2, no. 1 (June 30, 2015): 23–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.18034/mjmbr.v2i1.384.
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Readymade garments are the most important export item from Bangladesh, yet the working conditions and fire safety records in the factories are often not up to the standard. The sector draws global attention to its quality production and women workers are employed. Worker deaths are not new in Bangladesh, and while they have led to recriminations and some vital changes, fires, and other tragic accidents continue. The safety record of the Bangladesh garment industry is one of the worst in the world. The study analyzed the types and extent of occupational health hazards of the garment workers. This study aims to give an overview of what action needs to be taken by the different actors involved in order to improve the safety of garment factories in Bangladesh, what has been achieved so far both in preventing future tragedies and compensating the victims of previous incidents. Study finding shows that participants in the study reported a lack of consciousness about occupational safety and health issues. They are unaware of their fundamental rights at workplaces.
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Lifanova, Rano Z., Valentina S. Orlova, and Vladimir V. Tsetlin. "Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the organism as a whole and structural units (Literature review)." Hygiene and sanitation 100, no. 2 (March 30, 2021): 123–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.47470/0016-9900-2021-100-2-123-128.
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This work presents a review of the available experimental and theoretical data on the effects of electromagnetic radiation from the global mobile communications system (GSM) on a living organism. Radiation exposure has long been a problem for the public, health policymakers, and researchers. Recently, the effect of radiofrequency radiation on biological objects has increased significantly. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reviewed the published literature and classified this type of radiation as a potent (group 2B) carcinogen for humans. To date, research results indicate a wide range of adverse effects on human health associated with radiation in the radio range. Of particular concern is the effects of this factor on reproductive function and the nervous system, particularly in children’s developing brains. Radiation from a cell phone, leaning against the head of a child, has a more detrimental effect on brain structures than in the case of an adult. Experimental studies also show men wearing cell phones in their trouser pockets lead to a significant decrease in sperm cells and the deterioration of mobility and morphology. Based on the accumulated evidence, we suggest Federal Service on Customers’ Rights Protection and Human Well-being Surveillance (Rospotrebnadzor) and Federal Agency for the Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor) introduce control over the use of cell phones by children under 16 years of age and pregnant women and review the place of radiofrequency radiation in the systematics of hazardous environmental factors.
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Stanevich, Rebecca S., and Christine Romani-Ruby. "Case Studies: Hazardous Exposures among Dog Groomers." Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 12, no. 2 (February 1997): 91–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1047322x.1997.10389464.
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Elhadidy, Mohamed, Mohamed El-Tholoth, and Anne-Sophie Brocard. "Implementation of Active Learning Approach to Teach Biorisk Management and Dual-Use Research of Concern in Egypt." Applied Biosafety 24, no. 2 (April 3, 2019): 100–110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1535676019836998.
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Introduction: Frequent reports of laboratory- and hospital-acquired infection in Egypt suggested a deficiency in handling hazardous samples and microorganisms among different researchers and professionals. The most common cause of laboratory incidents and potential exposure is often identified as a lack of biosafety training. Methods: In this study, we designed and implemented an effective laboratory biorisk management (BRM) training. Two workshops were delivered to 42 faculty members working in laboratories handling biological material in Egypt. The workshop modules were based on the global biorisk management curriculum developed by Sandia National Laboratories, with some modifications. The content was delivered to actively engaging participants in the learning process that included group work, case studies and scenarios, short presentations, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and questions and answers that created analytical thinking situations. These workshops introduced the concept of biorisk management, which combines risk assessment, risk mitigation, and performance systems and dual-use research of concern. Results: Results of pre-tests/post-tests revealed significant ( P < .001) improvement in knowledge acquisition among participants. Course evaluation surveys indicate that most participants felt that these teaching methods met their needs and that their personal laboratory practices would change as a result of the training course. Conclusion: We conclude that using varied hands-on strategies in teaching biorisk management provided the participants with the skills, tools, and confidence to guide their laboratory staff and colleagues on sustainable biorisk management to reduce the risks associated with infectious disease research in a laboratory setting.
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Kupczewska-Dobecka, Małgorzata. "Doxorubicine and doxorubicine hydrochloride – inhalable fraction. Documentation of proposed values of occupational exposure limits (OELs)." Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy 36, no. 1(103) (March 30, 2020): 5–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.1070.
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Doxorubicin (CAS: 23214-92-8) and its hydrochloride (CAS: 25136 40 9) are organic chemicals soluble in water. It is a cytostatic drug from the group of anthracycline antibiotics, used in antimitotic antitumor chemotherapy, primarily by intravenous, intravesical, and also in the case of lung cancer in the form of an aerosol for inhalation. In Poland, according to data from the Central Data Register on Exposure to Chemicals, Mixtures Thereof, Factors or Technological Processes with Carcinogenic or Mutagenic Effect, conducted at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź, the number of people exposed to doxorubicin and its hydrochloride in 2016 totaled 587. Administration of doxorubicin or its hydrochloride to patients at therapeutic doses may lead to myelosuppression, cardiomyopathy and myocardial fibrosis as well as neurotoxicity. Adverse effects of doxorubicin administration included cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness, hemoptysis, and bronchospasm. Systemic toxicity was defined as mild and transient and included sore throat, anorexia, dysgeusia, fatigue, nausea, tongue pain, tachycardia. Doxorubicin manufacturers state in their safety data sheets that inhalation of dust or aerosol is hazardous to health, may cause discomfort and nuisance, nausea, vomiting, bone marrow suppression, stomatitis, hair loss, and cardiotoxicity. Animal carcinogenicity studies have shown that doxorubicin was carcinogenic to rats after intravenous and subcutaneous administration, mainly causing mammary gland tumors. Doxorubicin has been shown to have genotoxic effects on somatic and embryonic mouse cells. Doxorubicin is toxic for reproduction. It may damage fertility and the unborn child. In Poland and in other countries, the highest permissible concentrations of doxorubicin and its hydrochloride in the work environment have not yet been determined. Occupational exposure limits are recommended by its manufacturers: FormuMax Scientific, Inc. and Pfizer at 0.0005 mg/m3. It was proposed to set up the MAC value for doxorubicin and its hydrochloride at the equivalent concentration level up to 0.1% of the lowest inhalational therapeutic dose found in the literature Dw = 0.04 mg/kg, i.e., 0.0003 mg/m3 – inhalable fraction. There are no substantive grounds to determine the STEL value. It is recommended to label the substance with the notation “skin” – the absorption of the substance through the skin may be just as important as when inhaled. The letters “Ft” should also be used – toxic for reproduction, Carc. 1B – carcinogen category 1B and Muta. 1B – germ cell mutagen category 1B. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.
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Sharma BGH, Carol, Sugata Das (Kumar), and Subrata Ghosh. "Prospects and retrospects of occupational hazards amongst healthcare workers." Biomedicine 43, no. 1 (February 26, 2023): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.51248/.v43i1.2562.
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Introduction and Aim: Several studies showed that exposed health care workers are prone to numerous workplace hazards. Safety measure implementation in high-income countries, mostly neutralize these risks. But in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), lack of resources and by-passing essential safety measures mostly increase the risk of occupational exposure to these hazards. This study attempts to map and synthesize the available research activities on occupational hazards among health care workers in India (LMIC) and to identify the research gaps and information policy. Methods: Amongst 190 female health care workers including nursing staff and other caregivers, this humble work attempts to quantify observational and/or experimental studies in various categories of different parameters namely, physical, physiological, biochemical, ergonomic and chronobiological aspects. Results: Several specific biological hazards including blood-borne pathogenic disease, psychological hazards (workplace violence, burn-out, job dissatisfaction), ergonomic hazards including musculo-skeletal disorders and chemical hazards including biochemical abnormalities (example, exposure to latex and anti-neoplastic drugs) were observed. Several unique cross-talks between parameters of different categories were observed. Implementation of risk reduction strategies was found to be sub-optimal. Conclusion: Most of the recorded hazards are of biological type (more than 52%). Occupational safety needs to become a priority public health issue for protection of health care workers in India and other LMICs. Much more research activities are needed to understand the magnitude and the cross-talks between different hazards of the concerned profession.
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Bien, Elizabeth, Kermit Davis, Susan Reutman, and Gordon Gillespie. "Occupational Exposures in the Homecare Environment: Piloting an Observation Tool." Home Health Care Management & Practice 33, no. 3 (January 16, 2021): 162–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1084822320986917.
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The population of home healthcare workers (HHCWs) is rapidly expanding. Worker tasks and the unique home care environments place the worker at increased risks of occupational exposures, injury, and illness. Previous studies focusing on occupational exposures of HHCWs are limited to self-reports and would benefit from direct observations. The purpose of this study is to describe the occupational hazards observed in the unique work environment of home healthcare. HHCWs and home care patient participants were recruited from one home care agency in the Midwest to be observed during a routine home visit. This cross-sectional study used a trained occupational health nurse for direct observation of the occupational setting. Standardized observations and data collection were completed using the Home Healthcare Worker Observation Tool. The observer followed a registered nurse and occupational therapist into 9 patient homes observing visits ranging from 22 to 58 minutes. Hazards observed outside of and within the home include uneven pavements (n = 6, 67%), stairs without railings (n = 2, 22%), throw rugs (n = 7, 78%), unrestrained animals (n = 2, 22%), dust (n = 5, 56%), and mold (n = 2, 22%). Hand hygiene was observed prior to patient care 2 times (22%) and after patient care during 5 visits (56%). Observations have identified hazards that have the potential to impact workers’ and patients’ health. The direct observations of HHCWs provided opportunities for occupational safety professionals to understand the occupational exposures and challenges HHCWs encounter in the home care environment and begin to identify ways to mitigate occupational hazards.
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Tsai, Chi-Hung, Yun-Hwei Shen, and Wen-Tien Tsai. "Sustainable Material Management of Industrial Hazardous Waste in Taiwan: Case Studies in Circular Economy." Sustainability 13, no. 16 (August 22, 2021): 9410. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13169410.
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In recent years, the rapid economic development in Taiwan has resulted in greater complexity in handling industrial hazardous waste. The main aim of this paper was to present a trend analysis of the online reported amounts of industrial hazardous waste from the official database over the past decade (2010–2020). In addition, this study focused on the environmental policies and regulatory measures for the mandatory material resources from industrial hazardous waste according to the promulgation of the revised Waste Management Act. It was found that the annual reported amounts of industrial hazardous waste ranged from 1200 thousand metric tons to 1600 thousand metric tons, reflecting a balanced relationship between the industrial production and waste management. Based on the principles of resource recycling and circular economy, some case studies for specific types of industrial hazardous waste (including spent acid etchant, spent pickling liquid, and spent dimethyl formamide-contained liquid) were compiled to echo the government efforts in sustainable material management. In Taiwan, recycling amounts in 2020 were recorded up to 92,800, 130,460, and 54,266 metric tons, respectively. It was suggested to be a successful circular economy model in the printed circuit boards, steel/iron processing, and synthetic leather industries. In order to effectively reduce the environmental loadings and conserve material resources from industrial hazardous waste, some recommendations were also addressed to provide for the policy makers, environmental engineers and process manager.
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Pankov, V. A., N. V. Efimova, M. V. Kuleshova, and V. R. Motorov. "Carcinogenic risk assessment in aircraft construction workers." Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology, no. 2 (March 14, 2019): 122–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2019-2-122-126.
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Individual carcinogenic risk (ICR) was assessed in workers of main occupations in aircraft construction industry of East Siberia. Levels of ICR were evaluated for the main occupations workers during 1 to 30 years of service. Th e workers’ exposure was assessed according to longstanding average shift concentrations in the air of workplace, for the population — by average annual concentrations in the ambient air. To evaluate the risk not associated with occupation, the dose was taken for a period of 70 years life. Calculating dose of toxic chemicals in the air of workplace, the authors used “standard” parameters of pulmonary ventilation for adults, weight, days of exposure (240), working time (8 hours as a working day). Individual carcinogenic risk for Irkutsk population equaled 3.0E–04, in Ulan-Ude — 4.8E–04. Th e risk value for the general population is due to formaldehyde and chromium VI. Th e workers of main occupations in enterprises with carcinogenic jeopardy have ICR dozens of times higher than the general urban population. Considering a share in ICR, leading carcinogens for the aircraft construction enterprise workers are: formaldehyde — vulcanizers, chromium and nickel — for other occupations. ICR is considered as unacceptable for occupational groups in 5–15 years aft er starting work under hazardous conditions. Despite high level of ICR, the occupational control incompletely covers monitoring of carcinogens. Existing system of occupational studies fails to disclose etiologic role of occupational factors in occurrence of malignancies.
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Onofrejová, D., and M. Balážiková. "Simulation model for evaluation of ergonomic load in the use of exoskeletons." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1199, no. 1 (November 1, 2021): 012011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/1199/1/012011.
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Abstract For the analysis of musculoskeletal workload and associated potential hazardous working conditions as well as musculoskeletal symptoms in worker populations among various occupations different approaches are taken, and extensive data collection studies are being accomplished. Questions are targeted on musculoskeletal workload and associated potentially hazardous working conditions can be categorized into seven indices (force, dynamic and static load, repetitive load, climatic factors, vibration and ergonomic environmental factors). Evaluation focus on standing, sitting, walking and uncomfortable postures, the indices constitute a brief overview of the main findings on musculoskeletal workload and associated potentially hazardous working conditions. The validity of the findings is fair when compared with an index of psychosocial working conditions and discomfort during exposure to physical loads. Worker groups with contrasting musculoskeletal loads can be differentiated on the basis of the indices and other factors. It appears that most indices and factors show significant associations with low back and/or neck-shoulder symptoms. This simulation model NIOSH analysis can be used as a simple and quick approach to identify worker groups in which a more thorough ergonomic analysis indicates possible improvements in load factor using particular exoskeletons at work.
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Srikhamjak, Tiam, Kanyarak Yanawuth, Kornkamon Sucharittham, Chitsanucha Larprabang, Patcharaporn Wangsattabongkot, Tanyathorn Hauwadhanasuk, Chirathip Thawisuk, Peeradech Thichanpiang, and Anuchart Kaunnil. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Lifestyle in Thai Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Method Study." European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 12, no. 11 (November 18, 2022): 1682–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12110118.
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The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to global reports of hazards to mental health. However, reports regarding lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking. Using a convergent mixed methods design, we conducted individual interviews with twelve occupational therapy students and interpreted the results by content analysis. We completed a survey of Thai Sensory Patterns Assessment (TSPA) concerning perspectives from occupational therapy students (n = 99). They identified two major themes: (i) adaptive responses were consistent with areas of occupation during the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) multidimensional challenges were related to sensory patterns of purposeful and meaningful activities. The participants reported both positive and negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives. It had both positive and negative effects on the lifestyle of students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive effect was that most students learned better ways to protect and care for themselves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students were most concerned about their online learning activities, economic problems, isolation from society, and lifestyle. The negative effects of this include stress, anxiety, loneliness, frustration, boredom, and exhaustion for occupational therapy students. As an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students adapted to new lifestyles and experienced mental health issues related to their studies, families, friends, economics, social climate, and future job opportunities. Educators may use the findings of this study to prevent negative impacts on mental health and promote academic achievement in the future, as well as general well-being, efficacy, and empowerment of students in the new normal post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
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Bukhtiyarov, Igor V., and Svetlana S. Zemlyakova. "Medical activity in the health care system of workers in the Russian Federation." Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology 62, no. 6 (July 15, 2022): 362–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2022-62-6-362-376.
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Introduction. One of the most important directions in the development of health care in the Russian Federation is the improvement of approaches to maintaining the health of workers. In order to achieve this aim measures are being taken to prevent the development of occupational diseases, ensure the proper quality and availability of medical care in the occupational medicine and the staffing of medical organizations. Particular attention is paid to preventive measures, a healthy lifestyle and its promotion, and the identification of early signs of occupational diseases. The aim of the article is to determine perspective directions for the development of the health care system for workers with harmful (or) hazardous factors and working conditions, including an analysis of volumetric and structural indicators of medical activity as well as existing and developing legal acts regulating medical care for occupational medicine. Materials and methods. The legal acts regulating the health care of the workers, data from scientific research and scientific publications, statistical reports (form No. 30 "Information about the medical organization"; reporting materials of occupational medicine centers of the Russia's federal constituent entities) for the period 2016-2020 were studied and analyzed. Results. Today measures to improve the legal regulation of the health care of workers are one of the priority tasks of the state. Medical activity in the health of workers consists in carrying out preventive measures (determining a list of harmful and(or) dangerous production factors and work during the performance of which mandatory preliminary medical examinations are carried out upon admission to work and periodic medical examinations; a special assessment of working conditions; mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations), examinations of professional suitability, examinations of the connection between the disease and the occupation; medical care in occupational medicine; medical rehabilitation for medical reasons, medical and social expertise, social rehabilitation, spa and sanatorium treatment. In accordance with statistical data 654 occupational pathologists worked in the Russian Federation in 2020. In medical organizations 1961 full-time positions of occupational pathologists were organized, while the number of occupied positions was 1311, i. e. the staffing of occupational pathologists was 66.8%. A downward trend in the staffing of medical organizations with occupational pathologists has been noted over the past few years. Only 18.2% of all occupational pathologists had the highest category; 74% of occupational pathologists do not have a qualification category. The insufficient level of staffing and qualification of occupational pathologists has led to an increase in the burden on doctors and a decrease in the quality of preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic measures. The number of persons subjected to mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations amounted to 8.9 and 9.5 million people in 2018 and 2019 respectively. 7.43 million people were subject to inspections in 2020. The proportion of those examined within 3 years (from 2018 to 2020) remains at the same level and ranges from 98.2 to 98.6%. The share of examined persons with temporary/permanent medical contraindications to work in 2019 and 2020 did not change and amounted to 1.4%. In 2018 this index was 1.8%. At the same time the volumetric and structural indicators of medical activity in occupational medicine are poorly understood because occupational diseases are not socially significant and they are not recorded in the Unified State Health Information System. In this regard it is advisable to optimize approaches to statistical analysis: take into account the volumetric and structural indicators of medical activity in the system of protecting the health of workers including examinations of professional suitability and examinations of the connection between the disease and the occupation, mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations. Limitations. The study examined the results of a limited number of statistical forms. Conclusion. The regulatory legal acts in the Russian Federation makes it possible to provide workers with high-quality and affordable medical care. Currently, serious work is underway to modernize the legal acts regulating the protection of the health of workers in order to save the health of workers and their efficiency by obtaining and analyzing objective information sufficient to develop evidence-based tactical and strategic management decisions for the prevention of professional, professionally conditioned and general morbidity, reducing disability due to occupational diseases, reducing labor losses due to illness, maintaining working longevity. Volumetric and structural indicators of medical activity in occupational medicine are currently little studied, in this regard it is advisable to optimize approaches to statistical analysis. Special attention should be paid to the quality of staffing of medical organizations: the quality of continuous professional education of occupational pathologists. It is advisable to continue work to increase the availability of medical care in occupational medicine and the effectiveness of organizing mandatory medical examinations including telemedicine technologies and mobile medical teams. Mandatory medical examinations of workers must be carried out including using technical means and medical devices that provide automated remote transmission of information about the health status of workers and remote monitoring of their health status. Ethics. The authors were guided by the ethical principles of medical research as outlined in the latest revision of the Declaration of Helsinki by the World Medical Association.