Occupational medicine is the branch of clinical medicine most active in the field of occupational health. Occupational health physicians work closely with the occupational health team which consists of Occupational Health Nursing Professional, Industrial Hygienists, Biostatisticians, Public Health Specialists, and Biomedical Engineers (namely those specializing in Ergonomics). In the United States it is one of the three medical specialties (also including aerospace medicine and public health and general preventive medicine) encompassed by the American Board of Medical Specialties recognized specialty of preventive medicine. Its principal role is the provision of health advice to organisations and individuals to ensure that the highest standards of health and safety at work can be achieved and maintained. Occupational physicians must have a wide knowledge of clinical medicine and be competent in a number of important areas.

Occupational health should aim at: the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention among workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions; the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; placing and maintenance of a worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological equipment and, to summarise, the adaption of work to man and of each man to his job.

Areas of focus

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Occupational hazards to health

Occupationally related disease and ill-health are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The occupational health team must be aware of the work hazards, understand how to assess the risks in a particular workplace and how these should be controlled, as well as be able to recognise, treat and control occupational disease should it occur.

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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health (Online First™)

Comparison between the first and second versions of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire: psychosocial risk factors for a high need for recovery after work
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:12:54 -0000
Abstract Purpose  The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ I) was developed as a tool to assess a broad range of psychosocial work environment factors and was recently revised (COPSOQ II). The research question in this study was: Do COPSOQ II-scales predict a high need for recovery (NFR) after work better than COPSOQ I-scales? Methods  A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in 990 subjects (84.5% response), employed in the public sector. Psychosocial factors were assessed by COPSOQ I and COPSOQ II. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios for the presence of a high NFR, controlled for gender, age, physical workload and other relevant occupational and non-occupational factors. Analyses were performed for COPSOQ I and COPSOQ II separately. Results  In both COPSOQ versions, ‘quantitative demands’ (p < 0.001) and ‘job insecurity’ (p < 0.005) were significantly associated with a high NFR. Additionally, in the COPSOQ I model, ‘demands for hiding emotions’ (p < 0.05) and ‘degrees of freedom’ (p < 0.05), and in the COPSOQ II model ‘emotional demands’ (p < 0.05) and ‘commitment to the workplace’ (p < 0.005) were significant as well. ‘Degrees of freedom’ was omitted by the developers in the revised COPSOQ II. Reintroducing it into the COPSOQ II model did not alter the existing associations, but pointed out ‘degrees of freedom’ to be an additional important dimension (p < 0.05). The COPSOQ II model with ‘degrees of freedom’ included also had the best data fit. Conclusions  The results suggested the COPSOQ II to be better predictive than COPSOQ I for a high NFR, but also indicated that ‘degrees of freedom’ should be included into the COPSOQ II when studying the NFR as outcome parameter. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0741-0Authors Philippe Kiss, Securex, Occupational Health Service, Brouwerijstraat 1, 9031 Ghent, Drongen, BelgiumMarc De Meester, Securex, Occupational Health Service, Brouwerijstraat 1, 9031 Ghent, Drongen, BelgiumAndré Kruse, Securex, Occupational Health Service, Brouwerijstraat 1, 9031 Ghent, Drongen, BelgiumBrigitte Chavée, Securex, Occupational Health Service, Brouwerijstraat 1, 9031 Ghent, Drongen, BelgiumLutgart Braeckman, Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Lung function decline and blood lead among residents nearby to industrial complex
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:00 -0000
Abstract Purpose  This study was to ascertain the risk factors of pulmonary function decline (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC]) among those exposed to lead in the vicinity of industrial complex. Methods  In total, 263 men and women, aged over 30, were recruited from two cities during a 2-year follow-up. Spirometry testing was conducted first at baseline and then after 2-years of follow-up. The change in FVC and FEV1 during the study period was analyzed according to blood lead (BPb), urinary cotinine, and 1-hydroxypyrene, after controlling for sex, height, baseline FVC or FEV1, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Results  With increase in age, both FEV1 and FVC declined. More marked decline in FVC was noted for men than for women (p < 0.05), while the decline in FEV1 was not. Biological variables, especially height (p < 0.05) and pulmonary status (p < 0.0001), were associated with the decline in both FEV1 and FVC. Even after controlling these other variables, blood lead level was also significantly associated with the decline of FVC. Conclusions  Even though the decline in FEV1 and FVC with aging was within a normal range, people with smaller height were more vulnerable to the decline of both FEV1 and FVC and especially higher level of BPb was accompanied with larger decline of FVC. Oxidative stress in relation to lead accumulation in adult may contribute to rapid aging of pulmonary function. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0743-yAuthors Yun-Suk Pak, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742 KoreaAeri Oh, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742 KoreaYoung Lim Kho, School of Human and Environmental Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, KoreaDomyung Paek, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742 Korea Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Sickness presenteeism is more than an alternative to sickness absence: results from the population-based SLOSH study
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:04 -0000
Abstract Purpose  Sickness presenteeism, defined as ‘going to work despite judging that one should have reported in sick’, is usually considered to be a complementary alternative to sickness absence. Nonetheless, several studies have reported a positive association between sickness absence and sickness presenteeism. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the contemporaneous positive association between sickness absence and sickness presenteeism can be explained by illness, work incapacity, and/or work environment. Methods  A cross-sectional study based on answers to a comprehensive questionnaire from 8,304 working women and men, those in the second wave of the nationally representative Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between sickness presenteeism and sickness absence. Results  Sickness absence was strongly associated with sickness presenteeism. Sickness absence of 1–7 days during a 12-month period more than doubled the odds of also having sickness presenteeism of more than 8 days during the same 12-month period (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.79–2.49). Adjusting for age and sex did not attenuate the association; further adjustment for work environment, self-rated health, chronic diseases, and work capacity reduced the odds somewhat, but they remained highly significant (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.56–2.25). Conclusions  The results suggest that sickness presenteeism is not, as earlier hypothesised, just an alternative to sickness absence, given a certain level of health or work incapacity. Other, so far unknown explanations for both sickness absence and sickness presenteeism must be sought. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0735-yAuthors Constanze Leineweber, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, SwedenHugo Westerlund, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, SwedenJan Hagberg, The Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, SwedenPia Svedberg, Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, SwedenKristina Alexanderson, Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Worrying exposure to trace elements in the population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:03 -0000
Abstract Background and objectives  The particularly high rate of urbanization in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) is associated with environmental degradation. Outdoor and indoor air pollution, as well as water pollution and waste accumulation, are issues of major concern. However, little documented information exists on the nature and extent of this pollution. A biomonitoring study was conducted to document exposure to trace elements in a representative sample of the population in Kinshasa. Methods  Fifteen trace elements were measured by ICP-MS, CV-AAS, or HG-AFS in spot urine samples from 220 individuals (50.5% women) aged 6–70 years living in the urban area and from 50 additional subjects from the rural area of Kinshasa. Data were compiled as geometric means and selected percentiles, expressed without (μg/L) or with creatinine adjustment (μg/g cr). Results  Overall, living in urban Kinshasa was associated with elevated levels of several parameters in urine as compared to the population living in the rural area (Asi, Ba, Cd, Cr, and V) as well as compared to an urban population of the southeast of Congo (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn). Elevated levels were also found by comparison with the reference values in databases involving American, Canadian, French, or German populations. Conclusions  This study provides the first biomonitoring database in the population of Kinshasa, revealing elevated levels for most urinary TE as compared to other databases. Toxicologically relevant elements such as Al, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg reach levels of public health concern. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-13DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0733-0Authors J. Tuakuila, Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoD. Lison, Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 53, box 52.02.12, 1200 Brussels, BelgiumA.-C. Lantin, Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 53, box 52.02.12, 1200 Brussels, BelgiumF. Mbuyi, Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoG. Deumer, Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 53, box 52.02.12, 1200 Brussels, BelgiumV. Haufroid, Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 53, box 52.02.12, 1200 Brussels, BelgiumP. Hoet, Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 53, box 52.02.12, 1200 Brussels, Belgium Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Is work engagement related to work ability beyond working conditions and lifestyle factors?
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:03 -0000
Abstract Purpose  To examine the associations of age, lifestyle and work-related factors, and particularly work engagement with the work ability index (WAI) and its sub-dimensions. Methods  Step-wise regression analysis with a sample of Finnish firefighters (n = 403) was used. The outcome variables were the WAI and its six sub-dimensions. The independent variables consisted of age, lifestyle variables (alcohol consumption, BMI, smoking, physical exercise, and sleep problems), working conditions (job demands, physical workload, supervisory relations, and task resources), and work engagement. The outcome variables and all the variables related to lifestyle, working conditions, and work engagement were measured in 2009. Work ability at baseline 10 years earlier was adjusted for in the models. Results  Work engagement, age, physical exercise, sleep problems, and physical workload were associated with the WAI. All independent variables, except BMI and alcohol consumption, were associated with at least one sub-dimension of the WAI after controlling the baseline WAI. Lifestyle variables, working conditions, and work engagement were more strongly related to the subjective WAI sub-dimensions than to the two more objective WAI sub-dimensions. Conclusions  Work engagement was significantly associated with work ability even after adjusting for various factors, indicating its importance in promoting work ability. Other key factors for good work ability were frequent exercise, good sleep, non-smoking, low job demands, low physical workload, and high task resources. More specifically, this study suggests that in maintaining work ability, it is valuable not only to promote lifestyle factors or working conditions, but also to enhance employees’ positive state of work engagement. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0732-1Authors Auli Airila, Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandJari Hakanen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Work Organizations, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, FinlandAnne Punakallio, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Work Organizations, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, FinlandSirpa Lusa, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Work Organizations, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, FinlandRitva Luukkonen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Work Organizations, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, Finland Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Variation in benchmark dose (BMD) and the 95% lower confidence limit of benchmark dose (BMDL) among general Japanese populations with no anthropogenic exposure to cadmium
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:03 -0000
Abstract Background  The use of benchmark dose (BMD) and the 95% lower confidence limit of benchmark dose (BMDL) have been gaining popularity not only in experimental studies but also in epidemiological studies including those on toxicology of cadmium (Cd), a ubiquitous hazardous element in the environment. However, the reproducibility of BMD and BMDL values has seldom been examined. Objectives  This study was initiated to determine whether consistent BMD and BMDL values are obtained for similar non-exposed populations, i.e., the populations with no anthropogenic exposure to Cd in a single nation of Japan. Methods  Cd (an exposure marker), α1-microglobulin (α1-MG), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) (three effect markers of tubular dysfunction) levels in the urine of adult Japanese women from five previous publications of this study group were examined. Overall, data were available for 17,375 cases (in 16 prefectures) regarding Cd, α1-MG and β2-MG, and 6,409 cases (in ten prefectures) regarding NAG. The data were used to calculate BMD and BMDL values taking advantage of the hybrid approach (Budtz-Jǿrgensen et al. in Biometrics 57:698–706, 2001). It was possible to calculate BMD and BMDL values for α1-MG and β2-MG for all of the 16 prefectures with 17,375 cases, whereas the values for NAG were successfully calculated for nine prefectures with 5,843 cases. Results  The application gave BMD values of 1.92, 2.46 and 2.32 μg Cd/g cr for α1-MG, β2-MG and NAG, respectively, and BMDL values of 1.83, 2.32 and 2.09 μg Cd/g cr. Large inter-prefectural variations were observed in the BMD and BMDL; there was about fourfold difference both in BMD and in BMDL calculated for α1-MG and β2-MG in 16 prefectures, and the variation was greater (i.e., by about sevenfold) in BMD and BMDL for NAG in nine prefectures. A survey of relevant literature revealed variation in BMD and BMDL values of similar folds as observed in the present analyses in five studies of Japanese populations. Multiple regression analyses taking BMD or BMDL as a dependent variable and age, CR concentration and Cd concentration as independent variables showed both BMD and BMDL were significantly influenced by Cd concentration in cases of α1-MG and β2-MG, whereas BMD and BMDL for NAG was by CR. Conclusions  Even when the analysis was conducted in a single nation, both BMD and BMDL for the Cd effect markers varied by ca. fourfold when examining α1-MG or β2-MG and the values varied by ca. sevenfold for NAG among Cd-non-exposed populations. The most influential factors in the study population may include urine density and Cd levels in the urine. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0734-zAuthors Sonoko Sakuragi, Kyoto Industrial Health Association (Mibu Office), 4-1 Mibu-Shujaku-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8871 JapanKen Takahashi, Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555 JapanTsutomu Hoshuyama, Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555 JapanJiro Moriguchi, Kyoto Industrial Health Association (Mibu Office), 4-1 Mibu-Shujaku-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8871 JapanFumiko Ohashi, Kyoto Industrial Health Association (Main Office), 67 Nishinokyo-Kitatsuboicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8472 JapanYoshinari Fukui, Kyoto Industrial Health Association (Main Office), 67 Nishinokyo-Kitatsuboicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8472 JapanMasayuki Ikeda, Kyoto Industrial Health Association (Main Office), 67 Nishinokyo-Kitatsuboicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8472 Japan Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131

Occupational Medicine - current issue

In this issue of Occupational Medicine
Mounstephen, A. Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:24:47 -0800

Gustave Caillebotte The House Painters 1877
McKiernan, M. Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:24:47 -0800

Health and safety of the older worker
Farrow, A., Reynolds, F. Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:24:47 -0800
Background In the UK, increasing numbers of paid employees are over 60 years with further increases expected as the state pension age rises. Some concern surrounds possible increased work-related illness and accidents for people working beyond the age of 60. Aims To identify the available evidence for health and safety risks of workers over age 60 years with respect to factors associated with injuries and accidents. Methods Databases searched included PUBMED, OSHUpdate, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSHTIC-2), SafetyLit, the UK The Health and Safety Executive (HSELINE) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety until December 2009. Inclusion criteria were workers aged over 60 years. Findings were grouped into occupational accidents and injuries and individual and workplace factors that may have influenced risk of injury to the over-60s. Results Very little direct evidence was found concerning safety practices and health risks of workers over age 60. Some safety risks were associated with specific physical declines such as age-related hearing loss. Overall, these workers had fewer accidents and injuries but these were more likely to be serious or fatal when they occurred. There was no strong evidence that work patterns, including shift work or overtime, affected safety. Protective, compensatory strategies or experience may maintain safe working practices. Conclusions Implications for health and safety risks cannot be assessed without longitudinal research on workforces with substantial numbers of workers over age 60 in order to address the healthy worker effect.

pubmed: 0355-3140

Bullying at work and onset of a major depressive episode among Danish female eldercare workers.
Rugulies R, Madsen IE, Hjarsbech PU, Hogh A, Borg V, Carneiro IG, Aust B Bullying at work and onset of a major depressive episode among Danish female eldercare workers. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2012 Feb 2; Authors: Rugulies R, Madsen IE, Hjarsbech PU, Hogh A, Borg V, Carneiro IG, Aust B Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether exposure to workplace bullying among 5701 female employees in the Danish eldercare sector increases the risk of onset of a major depressive episode (MDE). METHODS: Participants received questionnaires in 2004-2005 and again in 2006-2007. MDE was assessed with the Major Depression Inventory. We examined baseline bullying as a predictor of onset of MDE at follow-up using multiple logistic regression. We further conducted a cross-sectional analysis at the time of follow-up among participants who at baseline were free of bullying, MDE, and signs of reduced psychological health. Finally, we analyzed reciprocal effects, by using baseline bullying and baseline MDE as predictors for bullying and MDE at follow-up. RESULTS: Onset rates of MDE in the groups of no, occasional, and frequent bullying were 1.5%, 3.4%, and 11.3%, respectively. Odds ratios (OR) for onset of MDE were 2.22 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.31-3.76] for occasional bullying and OR 8.45 (95% CI 4.04-17.70) for frequent bullying, after adjustment for covariates. In the cross-sectional analysis, OR were 6.29 (95% CI 2.52-15.68) for occasional bullying and 20.96 (95% CI 5.80-75.80) for frequent bullying. In the analyses on reciprocal effects, both baseline bullying [occasional: OR 2.12 (95% CI 1.29-3.48) and frequent: OR 6.39 (95% CI 3.10-13.17)] and baseline MDE [OR 7.18 (95% CI 3.60-14.30] predicted MDE at follow-up. However, only baseline bullying [occasional: OR 7.44 (95% CI 5.94-9.31) and frequent: OR 11.91 (95% CI 7.56-18.77)] but not baseline MDE [OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.47-1.84)] predicted bullying at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace bullying increased the risk of MDE among female eldercare workers. MDE did not predict risk of bullying. Eliminating bullying at work may be an important contribution to the prevention of MDE. PMID: 22298126 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Annals of Occupational Hygiene - current issue

Harmonization of Measurement Strategies for Exposure to Manufactured Nano-Objects; Report of a Workshop
Brouwer, D., Berges, M., Virji, M. A., Fransman, W., Bello, D., Hodson, L., Gabriel, S., Tielemans, E. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:21:20 -0800
The present paper summarizes the outcome of the discussions at the First International Scientific Workshop on Harmonization of Strategies to Measure and Analyze Exposure to (Manufactured) Nano-objects in Workplace Air that was organized and hosted by the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) (Zeist, The Netherlands, December 2010). It reflects the discussions by 25 international participants in the area of occupational (nano) exposure assessment from Europe, USA, Japan, and Korea on nano-specific issues related to the three identified topics: (i) measurement strategies; (ii) analyzing, evaluating, and reporting of exposure data; and (iii) core information for (exposure) data storage. Preliminary recommendations were achieved with respect to (i) a multimetric approach to exposure assessment, a minimal set of data to be collected, and basic data analysis and reporting as well as (ii) a minimum set of contextual information to be collected and reported. Other issues that have been identified and are of great interest include (i) the need for guidance on statistical approaches to analyze time-series data and on electron microscopy analysis and its reporting and (ii) the need for and possible structure of a (joint) database to store and merge data. To make progress in the process of harmonization, it was concluded that achieving agreement among researchers on the preliminary recommendations of the workshop is urgent.
Does Daily Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration and Mechanical Shock Relate to the Prevalence of Low Back and Neck Pain in a Rural Workforce?
Milosavljevic, S., Bagheri, N., Vasiljev, R. M., Mcbride, D. I., Rehn, B. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:21:20 -0800
Objectives: To determine whether whole-body vibration (WBV) and mechanical shock exposure from quad bike use are associated with the prevalence of neck and low back pain (LBP) in New Zealand farmers and rural workers. Methods: Full-day WBV and mechanical shock exposures were gathered from 130 farmers and rural workers. Participants were surveyed for a history of neck or LBP in the past 7 days and in the past 12 months. Anthropometric, personal, and workplace data were also gathered. Results: Physical exposures (mechanical shocks), employee status, and low levels of workplace satisfaction are all significantly associated with the 12-month prevalence of LBP in this rural workforce that regularly use quad bikes. Both vibration and mechanical shock exposure were strongly associated with 12-month prevalence of neck pain. The 7-day prevalence of neck pain showed a non-significant association with mechanical shock and vibration. Conclusions: Knowledge of these findings will be valuable information for those who teach and advise on safe driving techniques for such vehicles in the rural workplace where reduction of physical exposures and injury rates is of high importance.
Electric and Magnetic Field Measurements in a High Voltage Center
Safigianni, A. S., Spyridopoulos, A. I., Kanas, V. L. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:21:20 -0800
This paper investigates the electric and magnetic fields inside a large high voltage center constituted both of 400/150 and 150/20 kV substation areas. Results of previous field measurements and calculations in substations, made by the authors of this paper or other researchers, are presented first. The basic data distinguishing the examined center from previously examined substations follow. The main results of the field measurements in the areas of the above-mentioned center are presented in relevant diagrams. General conclusions arising from the comparison of the measured field values with relevant reference levels in force for safe public and occupational exposure as well as with the results of previous research are finally given.
Exposure to Grain Dust in Great Britain
Spankie, S., Cherrie, J. W. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:21:20 -0800
Airborne grain dust is a complex mixture of fragments of organic material from grain, plus mineral matter from soil, and possible insect, fungal, or bacterial contamination or their toxic products, such as endotoxin. In the 1990s, grain workers in Britain were frequently exposed to inhalable dust >10 mg.m–3 (8 h), with particularly high exposures being found at terminals where grain was imported or exported and in drying operations (personal exposure typically ~20 mg.m–3). Since then, the industry has made substantial progress in improving the control of airborne dust through better-designed processes, increased automation, and an improved focus on product quality. We have used information from the published scientific literature and a small survey of industry representatives to estimate current exposure levels. These data suggest that current long-term exposure to inhalable dust for most workers is on average less than ~3 mg.m–3, with perhaps 15–20% of individual personal exposures being >10 mg.m–3. There are no published data from Britain on short-term exposure during cleaning and other tasks. We have estimated average levels for a range of tasks and judge that the highest levels, for example during some cleaning activities and certain process tasks such as loading and packing, are probably ~10 mg.m–3. Endotoxin levels were judged likely to be <104 EU m–3 throughout the industry provided inhalable dust levels are <10 mg.m–3. There are no published exposure data on mycotoxin, respirable crystalline silica, and mite contamination but these are not considered to present widespread problems in the British industry. Further research should be carried out to confirm these findings.
Assessment of Exposure to PCDD/F, PCB, and PAH at a Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) and an Iron Ore Sintering Plant in the UK
Jackson, K., Aries, E., Fisher, R., Anderson, D. R., Parris, A. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:21:20 -0800
An assessment was carried out at a UK integrated steelworks to investigate the exposure of workers via inhalation to dioxins [polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD/F)], polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Investigations focused on a basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) plant and an iron ore sintering plant. The highest concentrations of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB were found at the BOS vessels and sinter strand area at the BOS and sinter plant, respectively. A risk assessment was carried out by comparing the daily intake of PCDD/F and PCB via inhalation with the recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) proposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). For the most exposed category of worker in this study (i.e. sinter plant workers inside the strand area), the estimated daily intake via inhalation was estimated to be 0.25 pg WHO-toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ) kg–1 body weight (bw). Considering that the average UK adult exposure to PCDD/F from the diet is 1.8 pg WHO-TEQ kg–1 bw day–1, the results indicated that the estimated daily intake of PCDD/F and PCB via inhalation for sinter plant workers would not result in the recommended range of the TDI (1–4 pg WHO-TEQ kg–1 bw day–1) being exceeded. Canc Subscribe to Occupational_Medicine RSS feed