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Underhill E, Quinlan M. The Struggle to Regulate Precarious Work Arrangements to Minimize Their Adverse Effects on Health and Safety in Australia. Int J Soc Determinants Health Health Serv 2024; 54:87-94. [PMID: 38403975 PMCID: PMC10955779 DOI: 10.1177/27551938241234753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
As in other countries, the growth of precarious work arrangements in Australia from the late 1970s has had significant adverse effects on occupational health and safety (OHS). While there is now a large body of global research on this issue and its connection to the rise of neoliberalism, there has been less investigation of efforts to address these problems. This article reviews regulatory interventions in Australia over the past two decades. It particularly focuses on industrial relations regulation, which can play a critical role in addressing at least some of the underlying reasons why precarious work undermines OHS. The most significant of these changes were passed by the Australian Parliament in February 2024, including a highly controversial but world-leading creation of minimum standards for platform workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Underhill
- Department of Management, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Quinlan
- School of Management and Governance, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Mladenović-Ranisavljević I, Stefanović V, Urošević S, Ilić-Stojanović S. Multiple-criteria analysis of the employee satisfaction level at healthcare facilities during the pandemic. Int J Occup Saf Ergon 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38504493 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2325792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Due to the pandemic, the entire staff employed in healthcare institutions were directly exposed to longer working hours and unstable working conditions. Based on these facts, the research in this article aims to find out more about employees' satisfaction with working conditions and management's engagement in preserving their health and safety. Thus, a multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model based on the analyzed attitudes and opinions of employees was formed to reveal the interdependencies between working conditions resulting from the undertaken management activities, employee satisfaction and workplace safety. The results show that both nurses and drivers were least satisfied with working conditions during the pandemic while indicating those workplaces to be the most endangered. Additionally, the proposed model can be successfully applied to any type of organization to identify insufficiently effective management activities, address them accordingly and thereby improve the level of employee satisfaction.
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Knecht H, Balanay JAG, Langley R, Tutor Marcom R, Richards SL. Retrospective Risk Assessment of Injuries and Fatalities in the Forestry and Logging Workforce in the United States, 2003-2019. J Agromedicine 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38445302 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2024.2325708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study on the forestry and logging workforce are to: 1) Analyze causes of injuries/fatalities to inform future intervention studies focused on risk mitigation, 2) determine whether there are any trends or associations between work-related risk factors and workplace injuries/fatalities over a 16-year period (2003-2019), and 3) identify knowledge gaps related to injuries and fatalities for future studies to address. METHODS Data on fatalities, injuries, and illnesses of the forestry and logging workforce from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics were analyzed. Correlation analysis (p < .05) was conducted to assess the relationship between causes of forestry and logging workforce fatalities by cause of fatality in the United States. Injury and fatality rates were calculated for each year (fatalities: 2003-2018; injuries: 2005-2019) and time span-specific incidence rates were calculated by cause. RESULTS Contact with objects and equipment was the primary cause of injuries and fatalities in the forestry and logging workforce during the study period. Transportation-related incidents ranked second as the cause of fatalities, while the category of falls, slips, and trips was the second leading cause of injuries. CONCLUSION Gaps in occupational health and safety identified by this study should be collaboratively addressed by researchers and the forestry industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Knecht
- Department of Public Health, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Jo Anne G Balanay
- College of Health and Human Performance, Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Ricky Langley
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Robin Tutor Marcom
- NC Agromedicine Institute, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie L Richards
- College of Health and Human Performance, Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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Aggarwal J, Campbell ML, Rehman M, Nguyen KT, Shendell DG. Perspectives and Attitudes of Newer New Jersey High School Teachers towards Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Consumer Products Used in School Classrooms. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21:211. [PMID: 38397700 PMCID: PMC10887922 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased reported use of chemical cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products (CSDPs), which created public concerns about negative health consequences for both children and adults in public schools. A subset of newer teachers shared experiences regarding safety and health (S&H) while working in school-based settings through a series of online surveys. Surveys were provided to teachers who completed work-based learning supervisory trainings provided by the New Jersey Safe Schools Program between October 2021 and June 2023. The participants answered questions focusing on CSDPs purchased for school use, their attitudes towards CSDPs, their use of personal protective equipment, and symptoms employees may have had due to CSDPs. A total of 205 teacher participants successfully completed the surveys. Over 25% of the teachers did not know where their CSDPs originated from, as they were provided by the school. Most participants "sometimes", "not often", or "never" read labels for CSDP ingredients or looked them up on healthy product apps. The participants (60%) tended to wear gloves while cleaning/disinfecting but did not wear masks. A third of the participants experienced respiratory health problems after working at school. Overall, the data suggest that more education on S&H regarding CSDPs needs to be provided to New Jersey teachers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhi Aggarwal
- NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.L.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Maryanne L. Campbell
- NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.L.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Midhat Rehman
- NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.L.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Kimberly T. Nguyen
- NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.L.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Derek G. Shendell
- NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.L.C.); (M.R.)
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Abbott J, Rizan C, Smith JN, Loeken M, Trueba ML, Bhutta MF. Country of Origin of Medical Products and Risk of Labour Rights Abuse: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Four Procurement Datasets. Cureus 2024; 16:e54258. [PMID: 38496098 PMCID: PMC10944331 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Case studies have highlighted labour rights abuse in the manufacture of several healthcare products, but little is known about the scale of the problem or the specific products involved. We aimed to quantify and compare the overall and product-specific risks of labour rights abuse in the manufacture of healthcare products supplied to high-income settings using multiple datasets on the product country of origin (COO). Methods Public procurement data from South-Eastern Norway (n=23,972 products) were compared to datasets from three other high-income settings: procurement data from Cambridge University Hospitals, trade data from UN Comtrade, and registry data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In each dataset, the product COO was matched to the International Trade Union Confederation risk rating for labour abuse and deemed high-risk when rated 4, 5, or 5+. Results In the Norway data, 55.4% of products by value had a COO declared, 49.1% of which mapped as high-risk of labour rights abuses. COO was identified for 70/100 products in the Cambridge data, with COO matching high-risk at 59.9% by value. The level of risk for specific medical product categories varied between the Norway, US FDA, and UN Comtrade datasets, but those with higher proportional risk included medical/surgical gloves and electrosurgical products. Conclusion Evidence of high-risk of labour rights abuse in the manufacture of healthcare products present in these data indicates a likely high level of risk across the sector. There is an urgent need for global legislative and political reform, with a particular focus on supply chain transparency as a key mechanism for tackling this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Abbott
- Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Sussex National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Brighton, GBR
| | - Chantelle Rizan
- Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), Brighton, GBR
| | - James N Smith
- Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, GBR
| | - Merete Loeken
- Category Analysis, The Norwegian Hospital Procurement Trust, South-Eastern Norway Division, Vadsø, NOR
| | - Mei L Trueba
- Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), Brighton, GBR
| | - Mahmood F Bhutta
- Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), Brighton, GBR
- Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Sussex National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Brighton, GBR
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Wright LK, Jatrana S, Lindsay D. Remote area nurses' experiences of workplace safety in very remote primary health clinics: A qualitative study. J Adv Nurs 2024. [PMID: 38186082 DOI: 10.1111/jan.16028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
AIM To explore Remote Area Nurses' experiences of the implementation of workplace health and safety policies and risk mitigation strategies in Australian very remote primary health clinics. DESIGN This qualitative study used online semi-structured interviews, with participants purposively sampled to maximize variation in work location and service type. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Coding was carried out inductively, with NVivo 12 aiding data management. SETTING The interviews were conducted from 24 Februrary 2021 to 06 March 2021 with Remote Area Nurses from very remote primary health clinics in Australia. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen Remote Area Nurses participated in the study. RESULTS Thematic analysis revealed varied approaches to workplace safety among the different health services and regions. While the spread of 'never alone' policies in many clinics addressed one of the significant risks faced by Remote Area Nurses, gaps remained even for hazards specifically highlighted in existing work health and safety legislation. Meaningful collaboration with staff and the community, local orientation, preparation for the role and providing quality care were protective factors for staff safety. Understaffing, unsafe infrastructure and inadequate equipment were common concerns among Remote Area Nurses. CONCLUSION Health services need to prioritize workplace safety and take a continuous quality improvement approach to its implementation. This will include ensuring safety strategies are appropriate for the local context, improving infrastructure maintenance, and establishing sustainable second responder systems such as a pool of drivers with local knowledge. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION Poor personal safety contributes to burnout and high turnover of staff. Nurses' insights into the barriers and enablers of current workplace safety strategies will aid policymakers and employers in future improvements. REPORTING METHOD COREQ reporting guidelines were followed. PIPE STATEMENT A panel of six Remote Area Nurses collaborated in the development of this project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Wright
- James Cook University, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
| | - Santosh Jatrana
- James Cook University, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
- The Australian National University, School of Demography, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Lindsay
- James Cook University, College of Healthcare Sciences, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Padovan M, Cosci B, Petillo A, Nerli G, Porciatti F, Scarinci S, Carlucci F, Dell’Amico L, Meliani N, Necciari G, Lucisano VC, Marino R, Foddis R, Palla A. ChatGPT in Occupational Medicine: A Comparative Study with Human Experts. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:57. [PMID: 38247934 PMCID: PMC10813435 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate ChatGPT's accuracy and reliability in answering complex medical questions related to occupational health and explore the implications and limitations of AI in occupational health medicine. The study also provides recommendations for future research in this area and informs decision-makers about AI's impact on healthcare. A group of physicians was enlisted to create a dataset of questions and answers on Italian occupational medicine legislation. The physicians were divided into two teams, and each team member was assigned a different subject area. ChatGPT was used to generate answers for each question, with/without legislative context. The two teams then evaluated human and AI-generated answers blind, with each group reviewing the other group's work. Occupational physicians outperformed ChatGPT in generating accurate questions on a 5-point Likert score, while the answers provided by ChatGPT with access to legislative texts were comparable to those of professional doctors. Still, we found that users tend to prefer answers generated by humans, indicating that while ChatGPT is useful, users still value the opinions of occupational medicine professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Padovan
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Bianca Cosci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Armando Petillo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Gianluca Nerli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Francesco Porciatti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Sergio Scarinci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Francesco Carlucci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Letizia Dell’Amico
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Niccolò Meliani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Gabriele Necciari
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Carmelo Lucisano
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Riccardo Marino
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Rudy Foddis
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (B.C.); (A.P.); (G.N.); (F.P.); (S.S.); (F.C.); (L.D.); (N.M.); (G.N.); (R.M.)
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Mouazzen AK, Blomberg K, Jaensson M. Perceptions of interprofessional team collaboration among professionals working in the occupational health service in Sweden. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiad009. [PMID: 38258940 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among professionals in occupational health (OH) services is crucial when rendering a service to clients and customers. The aim of this study was to describe and compare perceptions relating to IPC among professionals working as OH providers in Sweden. METHODS This cross-sectional study with a descriptive and comparative design included 456 respondents representing different OH professions in Sweden. Data were collected using the Swedish short version of the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale adapted for OH ([AITCS]-SII[OH]), with its 3 subscales Partnership, Cooperation, and Coordination, and were analyzed and presented descriptively. Items and sum scores were dichotomized into inadequate and adequate and compared between sexes, workplaces, types of employment, and professions. RESULTS According to the responses, items related to openness, honesty, and trust were perceived as adequate among the respondents. The findings show that perceptions about IPC differed among the professions. The perception of IPC also differed between different types of organizations. CONCLUSIONS The results show diverse perceptions between professionals and organizations. The perception of IPC may be influenced by the professional's education in occupational safety and health. Study findings may be used to support further development of IPC in the OH service for the benefit of the clients. To develop IPC in the best interests of both professionals and customers/clients, further studies need to be performed to gain a deeper understanding of IPC in the OH context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Karin Mouazzen
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, SE-70182, Sweden
| | - Karin Blomberg
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, SE-70182, Sweden
| | - Maria Jaensson
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, SE-70182, Sweden
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Webber V. Sex exceptionalism and erasure in porn health protocols. Cult Health Sex 2024; 26:126-141. [PMID: 36995128 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2023.2191262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Porn production, like all forms of labour, entails certain occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. Porn production has generally not been subject to state occupational health oversight, and porn workers have instead implemented self-regulatory OHS systems. However, in California, where the industry is most established, governmental and non-governmental bodies have made several paternalist attempts to legislate standardised OHS protocols. Their proposed legislation exceptionalises sex work as uniquely dangerous while failing to tailor guidance to the specific needs of and practices associated with porn work. This is largely because: 1) regulators are ignorant of porn's self-regulatory processes; 2) industry self-regulation conceptualises the occupational hazard on porn sets as infectious bodily fluids, whereas external regulators perceive the hazard as sex itself; and 3) regulators devalue porn work and so do not take the viability of the labour into account when evaluating protocol effectiveness. Using critical-interpretive medical anthropology involving fieldwork and interviews with porn workers and a critical analysis of porn OHS texts, I argue that porn health protocols should be left to industry self-determination, to be developed by porn workers rather than for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Webber
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Rikhotso O, Morodi TJ, Masekameni DM. Noise risk assessments within the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies. Health SA 2023; 28:2457. [PMID: 38204859 PMCID: PMC10778394 DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The entire risk assessment process is fraught with methodological and technical uncertainties, exacerbated by the introduction in legislation of ambiguous technical terms such as adequately controlled and reasonably practicable. The combination of these factors renders the risk assessment process opaque regarding required employer actions for securing legal compliance within the noise risk assessment context. Aim This study aims to evaluate how companies are applying and interpreting the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies within the context of hearing conservation programmes (HCPs) and noise risk assessment processes. Setting Four manufacturing and utilities companies. Methods The four companies, selected through convenience sampling, submitted noise risk assessment records for evaluation through document analysis to determine the companies' interpretation of the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies. Results In the reviewed noise risk assessment records, the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies were poorly discerned. Specifically, the hierarchical approach for noise control outlined in the noise induced hearing loss regulations, for which the basis for adequately controlled philosophy ensues, remains misinterpreted by employers. Furthermore, cost-benefit analysis, which enables decision-making on the tolerability of risk within the reasonably practicable philosophy, was also omitted in the assessments. Conclusion The adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies were poorly applied and interpreted by the participating companies, to the detriment of tangible noise control. Contribution This study provides insights on company application and interpretation of the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies, and HCPs, which contributes to inaction on noise control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Rikhotso
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thabiso J. Morodi
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Daniel M. Masekameni
- Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Ayoub N, Issa ST, Nassif H, Kosremelli Asmar M. Barriers to the implementation of occupational health and safety regulations in Lebanon. Arch Environ Occup Health 2023; 78:389-399. [PMID: 37897178 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2273930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the barriers that prevent the implementation of occupational health and safety regulations in Lebanon. A qualitative approach was adopted including a document analysis of the available legal documents pertaining to occupational health and safety at the national level and ten in-depth interviews with professionals in the field of occupational health and safety in Lebanon. Our findings show that the implementation of the occupational health and safety regulations in Lebanon is hindered by several barriers including the lack of a holistic legal framework, lack of promotion of a health and safety culture at work, insufficient number of labor inspectors, insufficient training for labor inspectors, lack of necessary tools and equipment, lack of an adequate documentation system, hierarchy within the Ministry of Labor, weak compliance, and the influence of the informal sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narimane Ayoub
- Institut Supérieur de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sahar T Issa
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Communications, Arts and Sciences, Canadian University Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hana Nassif
- Institut Supérieur de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Michèle Kosremelli Asmar
- Institut Supérieur de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
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Wilson K, Freckelton I. Work Stress, Vicarious Trauma and the Public Mental Health Framework: Kozarov v Victoria [2022] HCA 12 and Its Aftermath. J Law Med 2023; 30:641-672. [PMID: 38332600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The Public Mental Health Framework argues that law and policy are important in preventing mental ill-health and promoting wellbeing. Therefore, the 2022 decision of the Australian High Court in Kozarov v Victoria (Kozarov), in which a lawyer from the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) who worked in the Specialist Sex Offences Unit successfully claimed damages for vicarious trauma, has significant implications for the legal profession and those who are employed in emotionally demanding work. This article provides commentary on the Kozarov decision, within the context of other Australian case law including subsequent cases. It explores the significance of Kozarov and post-Kozarov authority for the development of (1) the law in "work stress" cases; (2) employers in the wake of the decision, including the OPP; and (3) the Public Mental Health Framework in relation to work stress and sexual violence as social determinants of health and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Wilson
- Melbourne Post-Doctoral Research Fellow and Co-Convener of the Disability Law Network, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
| | - Ian Freckelton
- Barrister, Castan Chambers, Melbourne, Australia; Professor of Law and Professorial Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne; Honorary Professor of Forensic Medicine, Monash University
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Pinet E, Langlais A, Chouinard A, Bussières JF, Tanguay C. National survey of safe handling of hazardous drugs in hospital settings: Use of an innovative approach. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2023:10781552231216101. [PMID: 37997344 DOI: 10.1177/10781552231216101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Workers can reduce their risk of exposure to hazardous drugs by following safe handling guidelines. Healthcare centers need to dedicate time and resources in order to implement new safety recommendations. The objective was to present the results of a national survey about the safe handling of hazardous drugs in healthcare centers. METHODS Quebec healthcare centers performed an auto-evaluation to the newly updated safe handling guidelines in 2021. Centers rated each criterion as compliant or non-compliant. The guidelines tailored recommendations according to three categories of hazards: G1, consisting mostly of carcinogenic drugs; G2, other hazardous drugs; and G3, those with reproductive toxicity. The questionnaire prompted participants to document their planned corrective measures for non-compliant criteria. RESULTS Most centers participated (28/29, 97%). The overall compliance was 58% (8761/15,216 criteria). The conformity per theme was hygiene and sanitation (1290/1,878, 69%), laundry (221/367, 60%), pharmacy (2658/4,474, 59%), nursing (3436/6,017, 57%), spills and accidental exposure (353/649, 54%), and general measures (803/1,831, 44%). It was higher for recommendations regarding G1s (4226/6,115, 69%) than for G2s (1626/3557, 46%) and G3s (372/916, 41%). CONCLUSIONS This project successfully used an innovative approach that combined a national auto-evaluation survey, an actionable report, and the involvement of a community of practice. Centers were able to benchmark their implementation of safe handling guidelines, and community of practices may help in sharing the best practices. The design of the questionnaire helped in targeting corrective measures. More work is needed for safe handling practices that relate to G2 and G3 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Pinet
- Unité de recherche en pratique pharmaceutique, Pharmacy Department, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Annie Langlais
- Pharmacy Department, CHu de Québec - Université Laval (Québec), Québec, Canada
| | - Audrey Chouinard
- Nursing Department, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Faculté des sciences infirmières, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Bussières
- Unité de recherche en pratique pharmaceutique, Pharmacy Department, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cynthia Tanguay
- Unité de recherche en pratique pharmaceutique, Pharmacy Department, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Jarota M. [Health and safety challenges in medical entities and the powers of the social labor inspector: Lessons related to the COVID-19 outbreak in the context of internal control of employee health and safety]. Med Pr 2023; 74:301-316. [PMID: 37966386 DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.01347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Employees in the medical profession in a situation where the life of a patient is at risk cannot refrain from working due to unsafe working conditions. Therefore, enforcing the right to safe and hygienic working conditions is particularly important so that employees can provide health care services without additional burdens. The purpose of the study is to determine how the social labour inspector can respond to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards and whether the current powers of the social labor inspectorate as the employer's internal OHS control body are sufficient. The study conducted a regulatory analysis and used relevant literature, including recent studies on law enforcement. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted among trade union representatives of medical professionals on the evaluation of social labour inspector activities and OHS hazards during the COVID-19 epidemic period. In this period characterized by many OHS risks in medical entities, the difficulties faced by employers in carrying out their duty to protect the health of their employees became apparent. The system of internal control with the participation of the social labour inspection in this context needs changes, due to the fact that it is used in an inefficient manner. The reasons for this are primarily incomplete legal regulations. The legislator should guarantee the social labour inspector the right to use both methods of rewarding the employer as an incentive for the proper performance of duties and measures to deter violations of the law. Despite the fact that Polish labour law guarantees mechanisms for OHS control by the social labour inspector, it would be appropriate to expand the catalog of measures used by him to effectively motivate employers to protect worker health. This study is a prelude to a broader discussion of OHS monitoring in the context of OHS hazards occurring in healthcare entities. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):301-16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Jarota
- Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II / John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland (Katedra Prawa Pracy i Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, Instytut Prawa / The Department of Labour Law and Social Security Law, Institute of Law)
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15
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Wada A, Nakamura Y, Kawajiri M, Takeishi Y, Yoshida M, Yoshizawa T. Feasibility and Usability of the Job Adjustment Mobile App for Pregnant Women: Longitudinal Observational Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e48637. [PMID: 37962945 PMCID: PMC10685280 DOI: 10.2196/48637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working pregnant women often need to adjust their physically demanding jobs for a healthy pregnancy. However, uncertainty about the extent of these adjustments can hinder their effectiveness. To address this, we developed the Job Adjustment mobile app, which allows users to input job and health details to generate a variety of personalized action plans. As this is the first version of the app, assessing its feasibility and usability is crucial. OBJECTIVE This study aims to verify the feasibility and usability of the Job Adjustment mobile app. METHODS A longitudinal observational study was conducted on pregnant Japanese women who were allowed to use the app anytime from 12 to 34 weeks of gestation; they received reminder emails every 2 weeks encouraging app use. A questionnaire was administered before app use and at 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. Feasibility was evaluated across 4 domains: implementation, demand, acceptability, and adverse events. Implementation was evaluated based on 3 parameters: dropout rate, initial reminder email receipt rate, and adherence rate (measured as pregnant women who used the app at intervals of 2.5 weeks or less). Demand was measured by intervals between use and intervals between log-in, and participants answered 15 questions to assess acceptability. Adverse events were assessed by analyzing the degree of anxiety related to work. Demographic data were analyzed to determine any statistically significant differences in intervals between uses. Usability was evaluated using the System Usability Scale. RESULTS The analysis included 66 pregnant women, and 61% (n=40) of them were multipara. The dropout rate, adherence rate, and initial reminder email receipt rate were 18% (13/71), 44% (29/66), and 79% (52/66) respectively. The median intervals between use and intervals between log-in were 2.94 (IQR 2.00-5.13) weeks and 2.28 (IQR 1.81-4.00) weeks, respectively. Overall, 60% (35/58) to 90% (52/58) of the participants responded positively to all 15 questions assessing acceptability, and no anxiety regarding work was recorded. The mean System Usability Scale score was 66.1 points. Multipara women had significantly longer intervals between app use compared to primipara women (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated acceptable levels of feasibility and usability of the app. However, the low adherence rates, especially among multipara women, suggest the need for modifications to reduce the time burden of the app. Further research should explore more effective and acceptable intervals between use and timing, involving a larger sample and accounting for diverse characteristics of pregnant women. TRIAL REGISTRATION UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000042943; https://tinyurl.com/ydrchfas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Wada
- Physical Fitness Research Institute, Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuka Nakamura
- Department of Women's Health Nursing & Midwifery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Maiko Kawajiri
- Department of Women's Health Nursing & Midwifery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yoko Takeishi
- Department of Women's Health Nursing & Midwifery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mikako Yoshida
- Department of Women's Health Nursing & Midwifery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Toyoko Yoshizawa
- Health Sciences Department of Nursing, Kansai University of International Studies, Miki, Hyogo, Japan
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16
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Nagata T, Odagami K, Nagata M, Adi NP, Mori K. Protocol of a study to benchmark occupational health and safety in Japan: W2S-Ohpm study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1191882. [PMID: 38026287 PMCID: PMC10655078 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1191882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We aim to conduct a prospective cohort study to benchmark occupational health and safety in Japan. Here, we describe the detailed protocol for the baseline survey based on the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys. We conducted the baseline survey for the prospective cohort study in 2022. Our target population was workers in Japan aged 20 years or older, who we sampled to be representative of the Japanese workforce, stratified by sex, age, and region. Among 59,272 registered monitors who answered the initial screening questions, 29,997 completed the survey. After excluding 2,304 invalid responses, we used 27,693 valid participants in our final analysis. The number and mean age of men were 15,201 (55%) and 46 years; those of women were 12,492 (45%) and 45 years. With respect to sex, age, and regional composition, our sampling was representative of Japan's working population. Our sampling for employment status and industry yielded almost the same proportions as a government-led representative sampling of workers in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohisa Nagata
- Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Kiminori Odagami
- Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Masako Nagata
- Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Nuri Purwito Adi
- Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Koji Mori
- Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
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17
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Wendimu DE, Meshesha SG. Factors associated with poor sleep quality among construction workers in Arba Minch town, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1715. [PMID: 38028708 PMCID: PMC10663431 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Sleep is critical for human physical and cognitive health. Even though poor sleep quality had a major negative impact on workers' health and safety, there is a scarcity of study that attempts to demonstrate its magnitude and causative factors in labor-intensive environments. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 423 individuals were selected using a simple random sampling technique, starting from April 1, 2020 to May 1, 2020. Interviews were administered using the validated and pretested Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool. EpiData version 4.4.3.1 was used for data entry and SPSS version 25 for analysis. To associate factors with poor sleep quality binary logistic regression model was fitted at 95% confidence interval (CI). A p < 0.25 and p < 0.05 were used to declare association in bivariable and multivariable analysis, respectively. Results A total of 415 building construction workers take part in this study, with a response rate of 98.1%. A PSQI global score showed 66.3% (95% CI: [0.63, 0.71]) of construction workers suffering from poor sleep quality. Working hours, work experience, previous injury status, managerial support on occupational safety and health, cigarette smoking, and job satisfaction were the factors that were associated with poor sleep quality significantly. Conclusions Two-thirds of construction workers suffer from poor sleep quality. Risk factors include shorter working years, longer working hours, prior injury, lack of managerial support, cigarette smoking, and low job satisfaction. Efficient health education and promotion through taking the identified associated factors into account could help reduce poor sleep quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debisa E. Wendimu
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Disease DirectorateArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI)Addis AbabaEthiopia
| | - Solomon G. Meshesha
- Clinical Trial DirectorateArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI)Addis AbabaEthiopia
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18
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Arsal Yıldırım S, Pekey B, Aydin L, Peker Karatoprak A, Kolaylı F, Argun Barış S, Er DK, Yazıcı Özçelik E, Yapsakli K. Occupational Risks of Podologists: A Combined Assessment of VOCs, Vibration, Noise Levels and Health Complaints. Int J Environ Health Res 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37805703 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2256684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Podologists are exposed to many occupational hazards, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from insole manufacturing and noise/vibration during nail or tissue grinding. In this study, VOCs, noise, and vibration were measured in five podiatry clinics and three offices. Questionnaires were administered to 23 podologists and 19 office workers to inquire about their pain, ocular, skin and respiratory complaints. The results showed that the podologists' exposure to the total VOC concentrations was approximately twice as high as that of the office workers. The podologists' complaints regarding pain were found to be correlated with ambient noise and hand-arm vibration levels. Ocular, skin, and respiratory complaints were also found to be correlated with total VOC concentrations. These results suggest that VOCs, noise and vibration in the working environment may impair podologists' health and that they have an intensifying effect on each other, increasing the severity of health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serap Arsal Yıldırım
- Vocational School of Kocaeli Health Services, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Beyhan Pekey
- Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Levent Aydin
- Vocational School of Kocaeli Health Services, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | | | - Fetiye Kolaylı
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Dept, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Serap Argun Barış
- Faculty of Medicine, Chest Diseases, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Doğanhan Kadir Er
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Institue, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Eda Yazıcı Özçelik
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Dept, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Kozet Yapsakli
- Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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19
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Mangena MC, Matlala SF. Teachers' Lived Experiences of Workplace Violence and Harassment Committed by Learners from Selected High Schools in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2602. [PMID: 37761799 PMCID: PMC10530921 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11182602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite several studies on learner-to-teacher workplace violence and harassment, the problem persists in some South African schools. Learner-to-teacher violence and harassment is a form of workplace violence and harassment, as schools are workplaces for teachers. Learner-to-teacher violence and harassment is therefore an important occupational health and safety issue for teachers. Employers are obliged to provide a safe working environment for teachers to enable quality teaching and learning in schools. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of high school teachers who have been targets of workplace violence and harassment perpetrated by learners at selected schools in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Many teachers were willing to share their lived experiences but, due to data saturation, only eleven participated after being selected through purposive sampling from seven high schools under a chosen sub-district. The research ethics of voluntary participation, informed consent, ethical clearance, and gatekeeper permission were observed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide. The interviews were audio-taped, and field notes were also taken. Voice recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis into themes and sub-themes. The findings were confirmed by an independent coder to achieve trustworthiness. Teachers experienced physical workplace violence and harassment, verbal workplace violence and harassment, and nonverbal workplace violence and harassment from learners. Learner-to-teacher workplace violence and harassment affects teachers emotionally, and in turn, affects the quality of teaching and learning in schools. Some teachers propose the involvement of a community policing forum, the strengthening of schools' governing bodies, and reducing overcrowding in classrooms as possible solutions to deal with learner-to-teacher workplace violence and harassment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sogo France Matlala
- Department of Public Health, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa;
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20
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O’Neill V, Karanikas N, Sav A, Murphy P. Medicinal Cannabis and Implications for Workplace Health and Safety: Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews. Workplace Health Saf 2023; 71:400-410. [PMID: 37077169 PMCID: PMC10467002 DOI: 10.1177/21650799231157086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although medicinal cannabis is prescribed for conditions such as pain, epilepsy, nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment, evidence about associated adverse side effects is still evolving. Because adverse events (AEs) might impact the performance of workers, it is important to consider their implications on workplace health and safety (WHS). This study aimed to map the types and prevalence of the AEs associated with medical cannabis and articulate how those events could impact WHS. METHODS A scoping review of systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses published between 2015 and March 2021 was performed to identify the AEs of medicinal cannabis in adults. Publications in English and full text available online were collected from Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. RESULTS Of 1,326 papers identified from the initial search, 31 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The studies reported various AEs with the most predominant being sedation, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, and euphoria. Acute and chronic pain was the most prevalent disorder under review. CONCLUSIONS Adverse events associated with the use of medicinal cannabis could increase workplace risks, including decreased alertness and reaction times, increased absenteeism, reduced ability to safely drive or operate machinery and an increased probability of falling. Focused research into the risk to workers and workplaces from the use of medical cannabis and related human performance impairment is urgently warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adem Sav
- Queensland University of Technology
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21
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Korshøj M, Allesøe K, Mortensen OS, Siersma V, Kauhanen J, Krause N. Occupational physical activity predicts baseline and 8-year progression of carotid atherosclerosis among women. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023; 33:1792-1806. [PMID: 37329198 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent reviews link higher levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) to cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the evidence for women is inconsistent and studies of activity-limiting symptomatic CVD are prone to healthy worker survivor effect. To address these limitations, this study investigated OPA effects on asymptomatic carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) among women. METHODS Participants include 905 women from the population-based Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study with baseline (1998-2001) data on self-reported OPA and sonographic measurement of IMT. Linear mixed models with adjustment for 15 potential confounders estimated and compared mean baseline IMT and 8-year IMT progression for five levels of self-reported OPA. Analyses stratified by cardiovascular health and retirement status were planned because strong interactions between preexisting CVD and OPA intensity have previously been reported. RESULTS Light standing work, moderately heavy active work, and heavy or very heavy physical work were all consistently associated with greater baseline IMT and 8-year IMT progression than light sitting work. The greatest baseline IMT was observed for heavy or very heavy physical work (1.21 mm), and the greatest 8-year IMT progression for light standing work and moderately heavy active work (both 0.13 mm), 30% above sitting work (0.10 mm). Stratified analyses showed that these differences were driven by much stronger OPA effects among women with baseline carotid artery stenosis. Retired women experienced slower IMT progression than those working at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of OPA predict higher baseline IMT and 8-year IMT progression, especially among women with baseline stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Korshøj
- Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbaek Hospital, part of Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karen Allesøe
- Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbaek Hospital, part of Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Steen Mortensen
- Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbaek Hospital, part of Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Volkert Siersma
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jussi Kauhanen
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Niklas Krause
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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22
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Tetzlaff EJ, Goulet N, Gorman M, Ioannou LG, Kenny GP. Working under the 2021 Heat Dome: A Content Analysis of Occupational Impacts Mentioned in the Canadian Media. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2423. [PMID: 37685459 PMCID: PMC10487058 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11172423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Extreme heat events directly impact worker health and cause additional cascading and transitional workplace impacts. However, current investigations on these impacts often rely on specific datasets (e.g., compensation claims, hospitalizations). Thus, to continue to work towards preventing and mitigating the occupational risks posed by extreme heat events, this study aimed to explore the occupational impacts of the 2021 Heat Dome in Canada using a qualitative content analysis method on a news-based dataset. A systematized review of news articles published before, during, and after the 2021 Heat Dome was conducted on academic (n = 8) and news (n = 5) databases, along with targeted grey literature. Two researchers qualitatively coded the articles in NVivo for occupational impacts or references mentioned within the articles. Overall, 52 different occupations were identified as being impacted by the 2021 Heat Dome. Impacts were diverse and ranged from work cancellations or delays to work modifications and reports of heat-related illnesses. The 2021 Heat Dome impacted the health and safety of many occupational groups and provided new insights into the expanding impacts that extreme heat events can have on the Canadian workforce. With climate projections showing a growing trend of more hot days and intense heat waves in Canada, addressing these concerns should be a critical priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Tetzlaff
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.J.T.)
- Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada;
| | - Nicholas Goulet
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.J.T.)
- Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada;
- Behavioural and Metabolic Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 200 Lees Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Melissa Gorman
- Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada;
| | - Leonidas G. Ioannou
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Glen P. Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.J.T.)
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
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23
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Mausz J, Johnston M, Arseneau-Bruneau D, Batt AM, Donnelly EA. Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence against Paramedics in a Single Canadian Site. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6644. [PMID: 37681784 PMCID: PMC10487157 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Violence against paramedics has been described as a 'serious public health problem' but one that remains 'vastly underreported', owing to an organizational culture that stigmatizes reporting-hindering efforts at risk mitigation in addition to creating a gap in research. Leveraging a novel reporting process developed after extensive stakeholder consultation and embedded within the electronic patient care record, our objective was to provide a descriptive profile of violence against paramedics in a single paramedic service in Ontario, Canada. Between 1 February 2021 and 31 January 2023, a total of 374 paramedics in Peel Region (48% of the workforce) generated 941 violence reports, of which 40% documented physical (n = 364) or sexual (n = 19) assault. The violence was typically perpetrated by patients (78%) and primarily took place at the scene of the 9-1-1 call (47%); however, violent behavior frequently persisted or recurred while in transit to hospital and after arrival. Collectively, mental health, alcohol, or drug use were listed as contributing circumstances in 83% of the violence reports. In all, 81 paramedics were physically harmed because of an assault. On average, our data correspond to a paramedic filing a violence report every 18 h, being physically assaulted every 46 h, and injured every 9 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Mausz
- Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Fernforest Division, 1600 Bovaird Drive East, Brampton, ON L6R 4R5, Canada;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, The University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Mandy Johnston
- Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Tomken Division, 6825 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4, Canada;
| | - Dominique Arseneau-Bruneau
- Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Fernforest Division, 1600 Bovaird Drive East, Brampton, ON L6R 4R5, Canada;
| | - Alan M. Batt
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada;
- Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Building H, 47-49 Moorooduc Hwy, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Donnelly
- School of Social Work, The University of Windsor, 167 Ferry Street, Windsor, ON N9A 0C5, Canada;
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Sowiński P, Rachwał K, Danilenka A, Bogacka K, Kobus M, Dąbrowska A, Paszkiewicz A, Bolanowski M, Ganzha M, Paprzycki M. Frugal Heart Rate Correction Method for Scalable Health and Safety Monitoring in Construction Sites. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:6464. [PMID: 37514757 PMCID: PMC10385062 DOI: 10.3390/s23146464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Continuous, real-time monitoring of occupational health and safety in high-risk workplaces such as construction sites can substantially improve the safety of workers. However, introducing such systems in practice is associated with a number of challenges, such as scaling up the solution while keeping its cost low. In this context, this work investigates the use of an off-the-shelf, low-cost smartwatch to detect health issues based on heart rate monitoring in a privacy-preserving manner. To improve the smartwatch's low measurement quality, a novel, frugal machine learning method is proposed that corrects measurement errors, along with a new dataset for this task. This method's integration with the smartwatch and the remaining parts of the health and safety monitoring system (built on the ASSIST-IoT reference architecture) are presented. This method was evaluated in a laboratory environment in terms of its accuracy, computational requirements, and frugality. With an experimentally established mean absolute error of 8.19 BPM, only 880 bytes of required memory, and a negligible impact on the performance of the device, this method meets all relevant requirements and is expected to be field-tested in the coming months. To support reproducibility and to encourage alternative approaches, the dataset, the trained model, and its implementation on the smartwatch were published under free licenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Sowiński
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
- Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kajetan Rachwał
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
- Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anastasiya Danilenka
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
- Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Bogacka
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
- Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Kobus
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, ul. Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Dąbrowska
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, ul. Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej Paszkiewicz
- Department of Complex Systems, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Marek Bolanowski
- Department of Complex Systems, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Maria Ganzha
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
- Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Paprzycki
- Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
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Tjøsvoll SO, Steiro Fimland M, Gonzalez V, Seeberg TM, Holtermann A, Færevik H, Wiggen Ø. Physical Work Demands of Maintenance Workers on Onshore Petroleum Facilities in Norway: An Observational Study Utilizing Wearable Sensor Technology. Ann Work Expo Health 2023; 67:706-719. [PMID: 37171985 PMCID: PMC10324642 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High physical work demands can cause musculoskeletal disorders and sick leave in petroleum workers. However, our knowledge of their physical work demands is scarce and based on self-report. The objective of our study is to work towards closing this knowledge gap by assessing the physical work demands of onshore petroleum maintenance workers using body-worn sensors. METHODS A total of 46 of 69 eligible maintenance workers (37 mechanics and 9 process technicians) from three onshore petroleum facilities in Norway filled in a questionnaire and diary and wore five accelerometers and a heart rate sensor for up to six consecutive workdays. Work-related physical activity and postures were classified using rule-based modelling in a modified version of the validated Acti4 software. RESULTS The onshore maintenance petroleum workers were working an average of 10 h a day and spent on average this time with 48% (SD = 16.5) sitting, 1% (SD = 2.8) lying down, 39% (SD = 16.2) in light physical activity, and 9% (SD = 3.8) in moderate to vigorous physical activity. During work hours while at feet, we found arm elevation ≥60° to be 11% (SD = 7.1) (68 min), and forward bending of the trunk ≥60° to be 2% (SD = 2.2) (14 min). The workers spent 2% (SD = 2.5) (12 minu) of the workhours kneeling. We observed a high inter-individual variation for all these work exposures. Moreover, 26% (12) of the workers conducted static standing for >30% of the workday, and 17% (8) spent more than half of the work hours >33% of their estimated maximal cardiovascular capacity. CONCLUSIONS While onshore maintenance petroleum workers on average spend about half of the workday sitting or lying down, the remaining worktime is spent with a rather high duration of arm elevation and forward bending. Quite high fraction of the workers spends much of the workhours in static standing and kneeling. We see a substantial variation in these work exposures between the workers. The findings indicate a need for preventive measures in how work is organized and performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svein O Tjøsvoll
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Edvard Griegs gate 8, Trondheim N-7491, Norway
| | - Marius Steiro Fimland
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Edvard Griegs gate 8, Trondheim N-7491, Norway
- Unicare Helsefort Rehabilitation Centre, Rissa, Hysnesveien 11, 7112 Hasselvika, Norway
| | - Victor Gonzalez
- Department of Smart Sensor and Microsystems, SINTEF Digital, SINTEF AS, Dept. of Health Research, P.O. Box 124 Blindern, NO-0314 Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine M Seeberg
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Edvard Griegs gate 8, Trondheim N-7491, Norway
- Department of Smart Sensor and Microsystems, SINTEF Digital, SINTEF AS, Dept. of Health Research, P.O. Box 124 Blindern, NO-0314 Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hilde Færevik
- Department of Health Research, SINTEF Digital, SINTEF AS, P.O. Box 4760 Torgaarden, NO-7465 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Øystein Wiggen
- Department of Health Research, SINTEF Digital, SINTEF AS, P.O. Box 4760 Torgaarden, NO-7465 Trondheim, Norway
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Scott R, Freckelton I. The Duty of Care to Protect Employees against the Risk of Psychiatric Harm from Vicarious Trauma: Kozarov v Victoria. J Law Med 2023; 30:358-389. [PMID: 38303620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
An employer owes every employee a duty to take all reasonable steps to provide a safe place and system of work. Whether an employer will be liable for psychological harm suffered by an employee will depend on the particular circumstances of the case. In Kozarov v Victoria (2022) 273 CLR 115; [2022] HCA 12 (Kozarov), the High Court considered whether the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions had been placed on notice of a risk of "vicarious trauma" to a solicitor employed in the Special Sexual Offenders Unit and whether it was required to make a response by taking active steps including offering a rotation to another section where the solicitor did not to have to manage cases of child rape and other sexual offences of gross depravity. The High Court also considered whether by failing to advise her employer of her developing mental illness in a timely way and not accessing the Employee Assistance Program, the solicitor had failed to take reasonable care of her mental health. The article argues that the Kozarov decision is likely to prove a landmark in terms of employers' occupational health and safety responsibilities in respect of exposure to vicarious trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russ Scott
- Forensic Psychiatrist, West Moreton Prison Mental Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian Freckelton
- Barrister, Castan Chambers, Melbourne, Australia; Professor, Law Faculty, and Professorial Fellow in Psychiatry, University of Melbourne; Honorary Professor of Forensic Medicine, Monash University
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Zhao Z, Tang L, Ma Y, Wu Y, Lin S, Wu Z, Zhou Z, Wang X, Wang X. Fatigue at sea during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative study of two matched samples of seafarers. Mar Policy 2023; 155:105730. [PMID: 37366404 PMCID: PMC10288309 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines seafarers' experience of fatigue during and after the pandemic. A multi-phase mixed methods research design was used, including two quantitative surveys (Nduring-pandemic=501 and Nafter-pandemic=412) and 36 in-depth interviews. Applying propensity score matching the two samples to approximate the conditions of a randomized controlled experiment, the study shows that surprisingly seafarers reported higher levels of fatigue after the pandemic. Qualitative interviews with seafarers and ship managers reveal the underlying reason - the intensified ship inspection regime together with policy and regulatory updates/revisions in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic increased seafarers' workload and made seafarers more fatigued. The results of the two surveys also show that while fatigue risk factors differed between the two periods, fatigue risk can be managed and mitigated in both periods by implementing fatigue risk management policies and practices. Policy and management implications for improving seafarers' occupational health and safety are discussed at the end of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Zhao
- Seafarers Research Institute, Dalian Maritime University
- Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Lijun Tang
- Plymouth Business School, University of Plymouth, Cookworthy Building, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Yunlei Ma
- Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Yueyan Wu
- College Of Sciences, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Shiqi Lin
- Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Zefan Wu
- Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Xinyi Wang
- College Of Sciences, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
| | - Xinjian Wang
- Navigation College, Dalian Maritime University
- Key Laboratory of Navigation Safety Guarantee of Liaoning Province, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, China. 116026
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Mishra J, Acharya S, Taksande AB, Prasad R, Munjewar PK, Wanjari MB. Occupational Risks and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Indian Subcontinent: A Critical Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e41149. [PMID: 37519550 PMCID: PMC10386883 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant public health concern in the Indian subcontinent, with high prevalence rates observed in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and neighboring nations. This review article critically examines the occupational risks associated with COPD in the region and emphasizes the need for comprehensive preventive strategies. The review begins by providing background on COPD and highlighting its impact on individuals and the economy. It then explores the different occupational hazards that contribute to the development and progression of COPD, including exposure to airborne pollutants and chemicals, occupational dust, and smoking and secondhand smoke in the workplace. The existing occupational health and safety regulations in the Indian subcontinent are assessed, along with an evaluation of their effectiveness in addressing occupational risks for COPD. The review also highlights gaps and challenges in implementing and enforcing these regulations. The impact of COPD on occupational health and the economy is examined, emphasizing the burden it places on affected individuals and their ability to work. The economic implications of COPD-related productivity losses are evaluated, underscoring the importance of addressing occupational risks to improve workforce health and productivity. Prevention and mitigation strategies are explored, including an overview of preventive measures to reduce occupational risks for COPD, the significance of early detection and diagnosis of COPD in the workplace, and the implementation of engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and ventilation systems. The role of education and training programs for workers and employers is also discussed. The review identifies research gaps in the current understanding of occupational risks and COPD in the Indian subcontinent and suggests future research directions to address these gaps. It emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to generate evidence, inform policy decisions, and implement effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijnasha Mishra
- Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sourya Acharya
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Avinash B Taksande
- Physiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Roshan Prasad
- Internal Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Pratiksha K Munjewar
- Medical-Surgical Nursing, Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Mayur B Wanjari
- Research and Development, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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Ramos D, Almeida L. Managing Nanomaterials in the Workplace by Using the Control Banding Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6011. [PMID: 37297615 PMCID: PMC10252431 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20116011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials offer new technical and commercial opportunities. However, they may also pose risks to consumers and the environment and raise concerns about occupational health and safety. An overview of the standardization in the area of nanomaterials is presented. Focus is given to the standard ISO/TS 12901-2:2014, which describes the use of a control banding approach for controlling the risks associated with occupational exposures to nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates greater than 100 nm. The article also presents a case study on a textile finishing company that implements two chemical finishes containing nanomaterials. A risk analysis was conducted to assess the hazards associated with workers handling nanomaterials. Control banding was applied, and measures such as appropriate ventilation and use of protective equipment are proposed to mitigate risks. In some cases, additional measures, such as a closed booth and smoke extractor, are required. The safety data sheets are a primary source of information on how to handle and care for products containing nanomaterials, but the information provided is still limited in terms of the specific hazards and risks posed by nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfina Ramos
- ISEP—School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aerospace (LAETA-INEGI), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Algoritmi Research Centre/LASI, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luis Almeida
- Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
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Olkiewicz M. Overview of Activities in the Field of Occupational Health and Safety during the COVID-19 Period Taken by Polish SMEs. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20095630. [PMID: 37174150 PMCID: PMC10178112 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The safety of work, employees, and clients of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is important because it is significantly related to the proper functioning and development of the entity and determines the decision-making process. The purpose of this publication is to show what actions aimed at increasing the sense of occupational safety and health during the COVID-19 pandemic were undertaken by Polish SMEs from the central Pomeranian region. The analysis of the literature most often presents the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions of governments in the field of protecting the public but does not present analyses of activities strictly taken by entrepreneurs. A survey was addressed to 300 business entities, of which 195 took part, determining the effectiveness rate at the level of 65%. Unfortunately, research shows that as many as 56% of the surveyed entities were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations used a number of safeguards aimed at increasing the sense of occupational health and safety, e.g., by using gels or liquids for disinfecting hands and surfaces during working hours (77%); regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment and workstations (84%); and maintaining social distance (76%). The analysis of the collected data covering the year 2021 indicates that this study should be treated as a survey study. This provides an opportunity to expand the area and scope of research. The presented research results indicate that, depending on the type of activity, as well as legal epidemic restrictions, SMEs increased the safety of employees and customers in different ways and with different tools during the development of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Olkiewicz
- Faculty of Economic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, 75-343 Koszalin, Poland
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31
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Stallard C, Heaton K, Montgomery AP, Trimble R, Hammond S. Identifying and Decreasing Sharps Injuries Through Root Cause Analysis in a Large Urban Hospital System. Workplace Health Saf 2023; 71:268-274. [PMID: 37073969 DOI: 10.1177/21650799231156564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite safety mandates and interventions, sharps injuries remain an occupational risk for registered nurses (RNs). Sharps and needlestick injuries increase the risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Post-exposure direct and indirect costs of these percutaneous injuries have been estimated at about US$700 per incident. The goal of this quality improvement project was to identify root causes of sharps injuries for RNs at a large urban hospital system. METHODS A retrospective evaluation of sharps injuries sustained by RNs, identification epsication of themes or root causes, and the development of a fishbone diagram to sort the causes into categories to identify workable solutions were conducted. Fisher's exact tests were performed to identify association between variables and root causes. FINDINGS A total of 47 sharps injuries were reported from January 2020 through June 2020. Among sharps injuries sustained by nurses, 68.1% were among nurses 19 to 25 years of age and 57.4% reported job tenure of 1 to 2 years. There was a statistically significant association between root causes and tenure range, gender, and procedure type (p < .05) with moderate effect size (Cramer's V = 0.35-0.60). Technique also was a primary cause of sharps injuries for blood draw (77%), discontinuing line (75%), injection (46%), intravenous (IV) start (100%), and suturing (50%). CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE Technique and patient behavior were primary root causes of sharps injuries in this study. More sharps injuries caused by technique occurred among nurses with job tenure of 1 to 10 years, female, blood draw, discontinuing line, injection, IV start, and suturing procedures. The root cause analysis identified tenure, technique, and behavior as potential root causes of sharps injuries specifically occurring most during blood draw and injections at a large urban hospital system. These findings will inform nurses, especially new nurses in the proper use of safety devices and behaviors to prevent injury.
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Moore S, Cai M, Ball C, Flynn M. Health and Safety Reps in COVID-19-Representation Unleashed? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20085551. [PMID: 37107833 PMCID: PMC10139226 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The paper explores the role of UK union health and safety representatives and changes to representative structures governing workplace and organisational Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) during COVID-19. It draws upon a survey of 648 UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) Health and Safety (H&S) representatives, as well as case studies of 12 organisations in eight key sectors. The survey indicates expanded union H&S representation, but only half of the respondents reported H&S committees in their organisations. Where formal representative mechanisms existed, they provided the basis for more informal day-to-day engagement between management and the union. However, the present study suggests that the legacy of deregulation and the absence of organisational infrastructures meant that the autonomous collective representation of workers' interests over OHS, independent of structures, was crucial to risk prevention. While joint regulation and engagement over OHS was possible in some workplaces, OHS in the pandemic has been contested. Contestation challenges pre-COVID-19 scholarship suggestingthat H&S representatives had been captured by management in the context of unitarist practice. The tension between union power and the wider legal infrastructure remains salient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sian Moore
- Greenwich Business School, University of Greenwich (Maritime Campus), London SE10 9LS, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Minjie Cai
- Greenwich Business School, University of Greenwich (Maritime Campus), London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Chris Ball
- Greenwich Business School, University of Greenwich (Maritime Campus), London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Matt Flynn
- School of Business, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 1RQ, UK
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Dine G, Reed S, Oosthuizen J, Masaka E. Identifying occupational health and safety risks among environmental health officers in Australia and New Zealand through an online survey. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33270. [PMID: 36961198 PMCID: PMC10035992 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
To identify the occupational health and safety (OHS) risks among environmental health officers (EHOs) in Australia and New Zealand. The objectives were to profile and compare OHS experiences from different countries and regions to gain a regional perspective on OHS hazards that impact EHOs. An online hazard exposure survey was conducted among 339 EHOs (Australia: n = 301, 88.8%; New Zealand: n = 38, 11.2%). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare 2 ordinal data groups, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for more than 2 ordinal groups, and the independent samples t test was used to compare the means of 2 independent groups where the dependent variables were normally distributed. Multiple regression techniques were used to analyze workplace incidents and age groups. A high degree of similarity in the types of workplace exposures and risk perceptions as well as concerns with organizational OHS management commitment were observed among EHOs from the 2 countries. Workplace violence and physical and psychosocial demands were the most commonly reported OHS hazards. Employer type, sex, and age group were significantly related to workplace exposure and OHS experience among EHOs in both countries. This study provides a profile of workplace exposure in the environmental health profession in the 2 countries and offers recommendations for the implementation of preventive action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garry Dine
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sue Reed
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jacques Oosthuizen
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Edmore Masaka
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA, Australia
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Mastrodomenico M, Monaco MGL, Spacone A, Inglese E, Cioffi A, Fabiani L, Garzillo EM. SARS-CoV-2 Emergency Management in the ASL 1 Abruzzo Companies, Italy: An Autumn 2022 Cross-Sectional Investigation. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:5105. [PMID: 36982015 PMCID: PMC10049451 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still represents a public health emergency that affects workplaces and forces employers to develop technical, organizational and procedural measures safeguarding workers' health, particularly 'fragile' ones. This research aimed to assess employers' adherence to the emergency measures planned by the Italian government to hinder COVID-19 during Autumn 2022. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Autumn 2022, with an 18-item questionnaire derived from the Italian State's governmental indications, sent by email to 51 companies of Marsica and Peligna Valley, L'Aquila, Southern Italy. RESULTS A total of 20 recruited companies (65% were micro-enterprises, belonging to the food and financial sector) responded to the questionnaire within a mean time of 18 days (±11.64), which was lower for medium- and large-sized companies as well as for banking sector ones (p < 0.05). As regards intervention strategies, sanitization (92.7% of positive answers) and specific training (83.3%) showed almost full compliance in contrast to working organization (47.5%) and social distancing (61.7%). The companies that reported managing fragility (50%) belong almost exclusively to the banking sector, with predominantly office-based tasks. CONCLUSIONS The study provided insight into critical issues relating to compliance with national legislative directives and the crucial role of occupational physicians as global advisors for all workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Mastrodomenico
- Corporate Service of Penitentiary Medicine, Abruzzo Local Health Unit No.1, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Spacone
- Department of Prevention, Abruzzo Local Health Unit No.1, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Enrica Inglese
- Department of Prevention, Abruzzo Local Health Unit No.1, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Cioffi
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Leila Fabiani
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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Mulholland AM, Yoder HA, Wingo JE. Effect of Work-to-Rest Cycles on Cardiovascular Strain and Maximal Oxygen Uptake during Heat Stress. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4580. [PMID: 36901590 PMCID: PMC10001546 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular drift-a progressive increase in heart rate (HR) and decrease in stroke volume (SV) during prolonged exercise-is exacerbated by heat stress and thermal strain, and often accompanied by a decrease in work capacity (indexed as maximal oxygen uptake [V.O2max]). To attenuate physiological strain during work in the heat, use of work:rest ratios is recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that during moderate work in hot conditions, utilizing the recommended 45:15 min work:rest ratio would result in cardiovascular drift 'accumulating' over consecutive work:rest cycles and accompanying decrements in V.O2max. Eight people (5 women; (mean ± SD) age = 25 ± 5 y; body mass = 74.8 ± 11.6 kg; V.O2max = 42.9 ± 5.6 mL·kg-1·min-1) performed 120 min of simulated moderate work (201-300 kcal·h-1) in hot conditions (indoor wet-bulb globe temperature = 29.0 ± 0.6 °C). Participants completed two 45:15 min work:rest cycles. Cardiovascular drift was evaluated at 15 and 45 min of each work bout; V.O2max was measured after 120 min. On a separate day, V.O2max was measured after 15 min under identical conditions for comparison before and after cardiovascular drift occurred. HR increased 16.7% (18 ± 9 beats·min-1, p = 0.004) and SV decreased 16.9% (-12.3 ± 5.9 mL, p = 0.003) between 15 and 105 min, but V.O2max was unaffected after 120 min (p = 0.14). Core body temperature increased 0.5 ± 0.2 °C (p = 0.006) over 2 h. Recommended work:rest ratios preserved work capacity but did not prevent the accumulation of cardiovascular and thermal strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Mulholland
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Hillary A. Yoder
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
- Department of Kinesiology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Wingo
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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Salguero-Caparrós F, Martínez-Rojas M, Pardo-Ferreira MDC, Rubio-Romero JC. Performance of barrier systems and functions in the construction industry. Int J Occup Saf Ergon 2023; 29:376-385. [PMID: 35306968 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2055867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. Improving knowledge about the mechanism of accident occurrence in the construction industry provides important information to help design and implement appropriate barriers to stop the spread of unexpected events. This study characterizes the sequence of accidents in the construction industry by linking the most commonly identified circumstances, the barriers and barrier functions infringed and the specific way in which each of these functioned. Methods. In order to achieve the proposed objective, an analysis was made of 241 investigations of work accidents that occurred in the construction sector in Spain between 2009 and 2014. The statistical difference between the groups of variables was determined using contingency tables in which the value of the χ2 statistic was calculated. Results. The results obtained show that behavioural factors are fundamentally identified, such as the worker's non-observance of ensuring their own safety or the deficient interpretation of rules. Conclusions. This study illustrates that to understand the performance of barrier systems and functions, efforts must be focused not only on the things that go wrong, i.e., accidents, but also on the things that go right within the variability of daily performance in systems as complex as the construction industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Martínez-Rojas
- Department of Economics and Business Administration, University of Málaga, Spain
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Panumasvivat J, Sirikul W, Surawattanasakul V, Wangsan K, Assavanopakun P. The Urgent Need for Cardiopulmonary Fitness Evaluation among Wildland Firefighters in Thailand. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3527. [PMID: 36834222 PMCID: PMC9967820 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wildland firefighting is a high-risk occupation. The level of cardiopulmonary fitness can indicate whether wildland firefighters are ready to perform their job duties. This study's objective was to determine wildland firefighters' cardiopulmonary fitness using practical methods. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to enroll all 610 active wildland firefighters in Chiang Mai. The participants' cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed using an EKG, a chest X-ray, a spirometry test, a global physical activity questionnaire, and the Thai score-based cardiovascular risk assessment. The NFPA 1582 was used to determine "fitness" and "job restriction". Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare cardiopulmonary parameters. With a response rate of 10.16%, only eight wildland firefighters met the cardiopulmonary fitness requirements. Eighty-seven percent of participants were in the job-restriction group. An aerobic threshold of eight METs, an abnormal EKG, an intermediate CV risk, and an abnormal CXR were the causes of restriction. The job-restriction group had a higher 10-year CV risk and higher systolic blood pressure, although these differences were not statistically significant. The wildland firefighters were unfit for their task requirements and were more at risk of cardiovascular health compared to the estimated risk of the general Thai population. To improve the health and safety of wildland firefighters, pre-placement exams and health surveillance are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjuta Panumasvivat
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Wachiranun Sirikul
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center of Data Analytics and Knowledge Synthesis for Health Care, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Vithawat Surawattanasakul
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Kampanat Wangsan
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Pheerasak Assavanopakun
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Szkudlarek J, Owczarek G, Jachowicz M, Zagrodny B, Sencerek J. Study of The Impact of Users' Features on Dimensional Allowances Resulting from the Use of Personal Protective Equipment. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3380. [PMID: 36834075 PMCID: PMC9961732 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Up-to-date anthropometric data on the human population are needed for designing safe and ergonomically efficient workplaces. An important determinant of safety and ergonomic comfort at work is knowledge of the value of dimensional allowances (DAs) when using personal protective equipment (PPE) as the dimensions and space occupied by workers increase. This is particularly important in environments characterized by spatial constraints. However, it is not well known to what extent the aforementioned DAs are affected by the users' features. The anthropometric dimensions of 200 people (151 males and 49 females) were obtained from 3D scans, and these became the basis for calculating DAs when using PPE kits normally worn by rescue and technical workers. DAs were determined for the entire body shape of a person wearing three types of PPE kits designed for firefighters, mine rescuers, and welders. In the study, maximum and mean values of height, width, and circumference DAs were obtained. In addition, percentage dimensional increments (DIs) were calculated. A three-dimensional analysis of the human body with and without PPE, involving a 3D scanning methodology, was applied to address the research question. Test results clearly indicate that the values of DAs do not depend on the anthropometric features of users, such as sex, age, and body height percentile-they remain constant for a given type of PPE. The presented data are useful for designing PPE products as well as work tools and infrastructure, including machinery, devices, workstations, means of transport, interiors, and building equipment. The results of the presented study indicate that dimensional allowances play a significant role in interactions between persons wearing PPE and their work environments. The obtained results (DAs and percentage DIs) are included in a new anthropometric atlas of human measures developed by the CIOP-PIB in 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szkudlarek
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, 48 Wierzbowa Street, 90-133 Lodz, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Owczarek
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, 48 Wierzbowa Street, 90-133 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Jachowicz
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, 48 Wierzbowa Street, 90-133 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Zagrodny
- Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jędrzej Sencerek
- Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
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Mohammadi H, Rabiei H, Dehghan SF. Editorial: Emerging technologies in occupational health and safety. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1117396. [PMID: 36825139 PMCID: PMC9941698 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1117396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hamzeh Mohammadi
- Faculty of Health and Medical Engineering, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadiseh Rabiei
- Student Research Committee, Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Farhang Dehghan
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Somayeh Farhang Dehghan ✉
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Szkudlarek J, Zagrodny B, Zarychta S, Zhao X. 3D Hand Scanning Methodology for Determining Protective Glove Dimensional Allowances. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2645. [PMID: 36768022 PMCID: PMC9915528 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
There are two types of dimensional allowance (inner and external) related to two distinct areas of occupational health and safety: those being a measure of fit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and those determining the safe and comfortable human interaction with tools and machines, e.g., the latter ones result from wearing PPE increasing the dimensions of the human body and generating limitations in the work environment. In this paper, they are taken to mean the difference between the dimensions of a bare and gloved hand (including glove construction and materials). Dimensional allowances are important in designing the work environment, e.g., machine control panels and tools. The absolute and relative maximum values of dimensional allowances determined in this study for a hand in a firefighter's protective glove for the main anthropometric data are: 16.90 mm (5.90%) for length, 12.00 mm (13.77%) for width, and 15.70 mm (7.96%) for circumference. The obtained results are useful for designers, and especially for designing keys on control panels and LCD touch displays and monitors integrated with machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szkudlarek
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection—National Research Institute, 48 Wierzbowa Street, 90-133 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Zagrodny
- Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Sandra Zarychta
- Division of Dynamics, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-537 Lodz, Poland
| | - Xiaoxue Zhao
- Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
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Pearson J, Machat S, McDermid J, Goldenberg SM, Krüsi A. An Evaluation of Indoor Sex Workers' Sexual Health Access in Metro Vancouver: Applying an Occupational Health & Safety Lens in the Context of Criminalization. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1857. [PMID: 36767222 PMCID: PMC9914303 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The criminalization of sex work has been consistently shown to undermine workers' Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), including sexual health. Drawing on the 'Guide to OHS in the New Zealand Sex Industry' (the Guide), we assessed barriers to sexual health best practices among indoor sex workers in Metro Vancouver, Canada, in the context of ongoing criminalization. Part of a longstanding community-based study, this analysis drew on 47 qualitative interviews (2017-2018) with indoor sex workers and third parties. Participants' narratives were analyzed drawing on a social determinants of health framework and on the Guide with specific focus on sexual health. Our findings suggest that sex workers and third parties utilize many sexual health strategies, including use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and peer-driven sexual health education. However, participant narratives demonstrate how structural factors such as criminalization, immigration, and stigma limit the accessibility of additional OHS best practices outlined in the Guide and beyond, including access to non-stigmatizing sexual health assessments, and distribution of diverse PPE by third parties. Our current study supports the need for full decriminalization of sex work, including im/migrant sex work, to allow for the uptake of OHS guidelines that support the wellbeing and autonomy of all sex workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Pearson
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sylvia Machat
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada
| | - Jennifer McDermid
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Shira M. Goldenberg
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Andrea Krüsi
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Muthelo L, Ntho TA, Mbombi MO, Phukubye TA, Bopape MA, Mothiba TM. A Qualitative Study on Voices of South African Learner Nurses on Occupational Health and Safety during Clinical Learning: Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic. Nurs Rep 2023; 13:96-108. [PMID: 36648984 PMCID: PMC9844308 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep13010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The demanding and complex training of learner nurses in clinical practices requires various occupational health and safety measures to curb occupational health hazards among learner nurses. This paper aimed to explore learner nurses' experiences concerning occupational health and safety during clinical learning. A qualitative descriptive, contextual and exploratory design study was conducted. A total of 31 learner nurses were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and analysed using Tesch's open coding method. Two themes emerged from this study: "The experiences of learner nurses concerning their health and safety during clinical learning" and "The measures to be taken to promote occupational health and safety during clinical learning." Highlighting challenges and measures to mitigate occupational health hazards among learner nurses in the South African context, Limpopo province, would be beneficial. The findings can assist stakeholders in developing specific precautionary guidelines for learner nurses. Effective and innovative occupational health and safety training programmes for learner nurses can be developed despite constrained environmental resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livhuwani Muthelo
- Department of Nursing, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
- Correspondence:
| | - Tshepo Albert Ntho
- Department of Nursing, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
| | - Masenyani Oupa Mbombi
- Department of Nursing, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
| | - Thabo Arthur Phukubye
- Department of Nursing, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
| | - Mamare Adelaide Bopape
- Department of Nursing, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
| | - Tebogo Maria Mothiba
- Faculty of Health Science Executive Dean’s Office, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
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Seaward L, Morgan D, Thomson A. Key issues of health and safety for workers in residential aged care: An expert study. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1041949. [PMID: 36684941 PMCID: PMC9853045 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1041949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Residential aged care (RAC) represents a fast-growing sector within Australia's health care system and is characterized by high levels of workplace injury. To better understand this injury problem, this study investigated key informant perspectives concerning sector occupational health and safety (OHS) focused on key issues associated with the risk of worker injury. Method Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine key informants representing (OHS) specialists, healthcare employers, regulators, worker association representatives, and academic researchers in OHS or healthcare. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results This study identified six themes on OHS within RAC including (i) the physical and emotional nature of the work, (ii) casualization of employment, (iii) prioritization, (iv) workforce profile, (v) OHS role construction, and (vi) clinical standards. The study highlighted differences in OHS roles between RAC and other safety-critical sectors regarding governance and management of OHS. The key informants identified a propensity within RAC to downplay or disregard worker OHS issues justified through prioritizing resident safety. Further, neither OHS professional nor institutional logics are prominent in RAC leadership and decision-making where the emphasis is placed on mandatory standards to maintain funding purposes. Several recommendations are made to address identified issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liz Seaward
- Victorian Institute of Health and Safety, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Damian Morgan
- College of Business, Law and Governance, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Alana Thomson
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Sanchez-Segura MI, Dugarte-Peña GL, Medina-Dominguez F, Amescua Seco A, Menchen Viso R. Digital transformation in organizational health and safety to mitigate Burnout Syndrome. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1080620. [PMID: 37026125 PMCID: PMC10071826 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1080620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified Burnout Syndrome as an occupational risk factor, affecting an estimated 10% of workers, resulting in lost productivity and increased costs due to sick leave. Some claim that Burnout Syndrome has reached epidemic proportions in workplaces around the world. While signs of burnout are not difficult to identify and palliate, its real impact is not easy to measure, generating a number of risks for companies from possible loss of human talent to decreased productivity and diminished quality of life. Given the complexity of Burnout Syndrome, it must be addressed in a creative, innovative and systematic way; traditional approaches cannot be expected to deliver different results. This paper describes the experience where an innovation challenge was launched to collect creative ideas to identify, prevent or mitigate Burnout Syndrome through the use of technological tools and software. The challenge was endowed with an economic award and its guidelines stated that the proposals must be both creative and feasible from an economic and organizational point of view. A total of twelve creative projects were submitted, including each of them, the analysis, design and management plans, to envision an idea that is feasible and with the appropriate budget, implemented. In this paper, we present a summary of these creative projects and how the IRSST (Instituto Regional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo) experts and leaders in OHS in the Madrid Region (Spain) envision their potential impact on improving the OHS landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Isabel Sanchez-Segura
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: María-Isabel Sanchez-Segura
| | | | | | - Antonio Amescua Seco
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Menchen Viso
- Instituto Regional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Yadav OP, Shan D, Sarkar A, Moro L. Occupational noise exposure at sea: A socio-legal study on fish harvesters' perceptions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1092350. [PMID: 37139364 PMCID: PMC10149755 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1092350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Noise is a significant health hazard for fish harvesters. Chronic exposure to hazardous noise levels of 85 dB (A) for an 8-h work shift can have adverse health impacts, including both auditory and non-auditory health problems such as noise-induced hearing loss, stress, hypertension, sleeping disorders, and impaired cognitive performance. Methods A review of legislation and policies governing workplace noise exposure, as well as qualitative, semi-structured interviews, were conducted to assess how fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) manage onboard occupational noise exposure and perceive noise-induced health problems, as well as the barriers and challenges associated with preventing and controlling noise exposure. Results The legal review shows no compulsory noise preventive measure at the fishing vessel design stage in Canada. Limited implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations to control and prevent onboard noise by employers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fishers reported that their workplace is noisy. Over time, fish harvesters adapted to the environment and learned to tolerate loud noise, displaying fatalistic behavior. Fish harvesters reported avoiding using hearing protection onboard due to navigation safety concerns. Fishers reported hearing loss as well as other non-auditory health problems. Inadequate noise control measures adopted by employers, a limited supply of hearing protection onboard, and a lack of regular hearing testing, training, and education were identified as the main barriers to preventing and controlling noise exposure. Conclusion Proper implementation of NL OHS regulations and the development of hearing conservation initiatives by employers are necessary. All stakeholders, including the federal and provincial governments, WorkplaceNL, and not-for-profit fishing organizations in the province, are strongly recommended to initiate training and education campaigns to help fish harvesters understand noise exposure and adopt preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Om Prakash Yadav
- Division of Community Health and Humanities, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
- *Correspondence: Om Prakash Yadav,
| | - Desai Shan
- Division of Community Health and Humanities, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Atanu Sarkar
- Division of Community Health and Humanities, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Lorenzo Moro
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
- SafetyNet Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Research, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
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Okenwa Emegwa L, Gasevic D. Corrigendum: Editorial: Workplace health promotion. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1152675. [PMID: 36908433 PMCID: PMC9994430 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1152675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1090333.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Okenwa Emegwa
- Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Red Cross University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Danijela Gasevic
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Berglund L, Johansson J, Johansson M, Nygren M, Stenberg M. Exploring safety culture research in the construction industry. Work 2023; 76:549-560. [PMID: 36872827 PMCID: PMC10657708 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite numerous regulatory initiatives to improve health and safety in the construction industry, it still ranks as one of the most accident-prone industries worldwide. A dedicated focus on safety culture has been suggested as a complement to laws, regulations and management systems. OBJECTIVE This article explores safety culture research conducted in the construction industry, with the aim to provide insight into the specific themes that tend to be in focus as well as what theoretical and methodological approaches that tend to be favored. METHODS Searches in scientific databases were conducted twice. In a first attempt, searches resulted in 54 hits but only two articles fit the scope of the study. A revision of the search phrase resulted in 124 hits. Ultimately, 17 articles fit the scope of the study and were included. The content of the articles was analyzed and sorted thematically. RESULTS The results show that four themes are prevalent in the existing literature: 1) unique challenges entail a need for situated applications, 2) models developed to operationalize safety culture, 3) measuring safety culture, and 4) safety management and leadership as key factors. CONCLUSION Although research focusing on the construction industry has come to favor certain study designs and definitions of safety culture, further research may be enriched by broadening the theoretical and methodological perspectives. Specifically, researchers should conduct more in-depth qualitative studies that take the complexity of the industry into account, including the interpersonal relations between the actors involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Berglund
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Maria Johansson
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Nygren
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Stenberg
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå, Sweden
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Fan LJ, Liu S, Jin T, Gan JG, Wang FY, Wang HT, Lin T. Ergonomic risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in clinical physiotherapy. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1083609. [PMID: 36605248 PMCID: PMC9809904 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1083609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study was to objectively quantify and evaluate the ergonomic risk of clinical physiotherapy practices and evaluate physiotherapists for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and pain. Methods Twenty-nine physiotherapists in the rehabilitation department of a large-scale tertiary hospital were recruited in this study. The sampling period lasted for 2 weeks for each physiotherapist and interval sampling was adopted to avoid duplication of cases. Therapist posture during physiotherapy was captured, tracked and analyzed in real time using structured light sensors with an automated assessment program. The quantification of ergonomic risk was based on REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) and the RPE (perceived physical exertion) scores of the therapists were recorded before and after treatment, respectively. Results Two hundred and twenty-four clinical physiotherapy cases were recorded, of which 49.6% were high risk and 33% were very high risk, with none of the cases presenting negligible risk. The positioning (p < 0.001) of physiotherapist had a considerable impact on ergonomic risk and pediatric physiotherapy presented a higher risk to physiotherapists than adults (p < 0.001). The RPE score of physiotherapist after performing physiotherapy was greater than before physiotherapy and was positively correlated with the REBA distribution. Conclusion Our study creates an automatic tool to assess the ergonomic risk of physiotherapy practices and demonstrates unacceptable ergonomic risk in common practices. The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and pains recommends that rehabilitation assistance devices should be optimized and standard ergonomic courses should be included in physiotherapists' training plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. J. Fan
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - S. Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - T. Jin
- School of Arts, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - J. G. Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - F. Y. Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - H. T. Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - T. Lin
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Codsi R, Errett NA, Luabeya AK, Hatherill M, Shapiro AE, Lochner KA, Vingino AR, Kohn MJ, Cangelosi GA. Preferences of health care workers using tongue swabs for tuberculosis diagnosis during COVID-19. medRxiv 2022:2022.12.06.22283185. [PMID: 36523414 PMCID: PMC9753790 DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.06.22283185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCW) who come into contact with tuberculosis (TB) patients are at elevated risk of TB infection and disease. The collection and handling of sputum samples for TB diagnosis poses exposure risks to HCW, particularly in settings where aerosol containment is limited. An alternative sample collection method, tongue swabbing, was designed to help mitigate this risk, and is under evaluation in multiple settings. This study assessed risk perceptions among South African HCW who used tongue swabbing in TB diagnostic research during the COVID-19 pandemic. We characterized their context-specific preferences as well as the facilitators and barriers of tongue swab use in clinical and community settings. Participants (n=18) were HCW with experience using experimental tongue swabbing methods at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI). We used key informant semi-structured interviews to assess attitudes toward two tongue swab strategies: Provider-collected swabbing (PS) and supervised self-swabbing (SSS). Responses from these interviews were analyzed by rapid qualitative analysis and thematic analysis methods. Facilitators included aversion to sputum (PS and SSS), perceived safety of the method (SSS), and educational resources to train patients (SSS). Barriers included cultural stigmas, as well as personal security and control of their work environment when collecting swabs in community settings. COVID-19 risk perception was a significant barrier to the PS method. Motivators for HCW use of tongue swabbing differed substantially by use case, and whether the HCW has the authority and agency to implement safety precautions in specific settings. These findings point to a need for contextually specific educational resources to enhance safety of and adherence to the SSS collection method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Codsi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicole A. Errett
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Angelique K. Luabeya
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Hatherill
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Adrienne E. Shapiro
- Departments of Global Health and Medicine (Infectious Diseases) University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Katherine A. Lochner
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexandria R. Vingino
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marlena J. Kohn
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gerard A. Cangelosi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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50
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Batson A, Newnam S, Koppel S. Examining Coroners' Recommendations for Health and Safety Management of Ageing Heavy Vehicle Drivers: A STAMP Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:16112. [PMID: 36498186 PMCID: PMC9740677 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Recommendations were analysed from coronial cases involving ageing heavy vehicle drivers (≥55 years) and mapped onto a Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) control structure to identify the controllers and control actions influential in the heavy vehicle industry with regard to health and safety. A National Coronial Information System (NCIS) database search revealed 38 coroners' recommendations arising from 14 unique cases of ageing driver involvement. There were no ageing themes identified in the analysis of coroners' findings and recommendations. An examination of the STAMP control structure identified that the highest concentration of recommendations was in the level of regulation, the second most senior level of control, although safety constraints were advised for all five levels of the system. In regard to identifying themes of control flaws in the recommendations, the study found that "unidentified hazards" were the most common type of safety failure in the analysis of cases of ageing drivers, concentrated at the regulatory level, which indicates that additional risk identification methods by upper levels of control are needed. Therefore, a recommendation arising from the current study is that additional controls in safety intervention are necessitated in the upper and middle levels of the road freight transportation system; in particular, formalising health and safety education for organisational managers, with a focus on identifying ageing issues, would fill a gap in the system for managing ageing heavy vehicle drivers. In conclusion, this study has found that improving the health and safety of ageing heavy vehicle drivers necessitates additional safety constraints with a focus on formalised safety education for organisational managers, in addition to a means to detect emerging and unforeseen hazards in the road freight transportation industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Batson
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, 21 Alliance Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sharon Newnam
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Sjaan Koppel
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, 21 Alliance Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
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