Work-related falls among union carpenters in Washington State before and after the Vertical Fall Arrest Standard

2003 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hester J. Lipscomb ◽  
Leiming Li ◽  
John Dement
Keyword(s):  
Washington State ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fall Arrest

scholarly journals Analysis of work-related accidents and ill-health in Brazil since the introduction of the accident prevention factor

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Eri Shimizu ◽  
Josierton Cruz Bezerra ◽  
Luciano José Arantes ◽  
Edgar Merchán-Hamann ◽  
Walter Ramalho
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Accident Prevention ◽  
Multiplication Factor ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
External Causes

Abstract Background Since 2004, Brazil has had a national policy for occupational health and safety. This policy means companies’ tax burden is altered according to the numbers of work-related accidents and ill-health amongst their workers. In 2010, a multiplication factor was introduced to this policy, called the Accident Prevention Factor. The idea of this new multiplication factor is to encourage individual employers to take initiatives to prevent accidents and ill health in the workplace. This study was designed to investigate the incidence of work-related accidents and ill-health in Brazil according to their causes, their severity, and the economic activity in which they occur, and to compare the data before and after the introduction of the Accident Prevention Factor. Methods An ecological study was conducted by analyzing the time series of work-related accidents/ill-health between 2008 and 2014 from the Brazilian social security system (Previdência Social) statistical yearbooks. Incidences were calculated per cause, economic activity, and severity of the accident/ill-health. Data from before and after the introduction of the Accident Prevention Factor were compared using the Mann-Whitney test per cause and per economic activity. Statistical analyses were made using the SPSS software, with significance set at 5%. Results A reduction in the incidence of work-related accidents/ill-health was found across all the groups of causes analyzed, except for the groups “external causes of morbidity and mortality” and “factors influencing health status and contact with health services.” Greater reductions were found for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and diseases of the nervous system. Reductions in work-related accidents/ill-health were found in the different economic activities and in the different severity groups. The highest reduction after the introduction of the Accident Prevention Factor was in manufacturing and production (p < 0.05). Conclusions Overall, the incidence of accidents/ill-health was found to be on decline, except those with external causes of morbidity and mortality and those involving factors influencing health status and contact with health services. The biggest reduction was found in manufacturing and production. However, generally speaking progress still needs to be made in accident prevention and occupational health across a whole range of work environments.

State Recreational Marijuana Laws and Dispensaries: Chronic School Absenteeism in Washington State

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxim Gakh ◽  
Courtney Coughenour ◽  
Brooke Kleven ◽  
Brian Labus
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Washington State ◽  
School Absenteeism ◽  
Chronic Absenteeism ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recreational Marijuana

Objective: Whereas states continue to experiment with liberalized marijuana laws, how these laws impact health, education, and social factors is not yet fully understood. In this study, we examined whether chronic school absenteeism rates changed in Washington State in the presence of recreational marijuana dispensaries pursuant to implementation of the state’s recreational marijuana laws. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using school district chronic absenteeism rates before and after the presence of recreational dispensaries. Results: The results of the independent samples t-test showed no statistically significant difference in chronic absenteeism rates among districts with or without recreational marijuana dispensaries. Conclusions: The finding of no statistical significance for chronic absenteeism in districts with and without recreational dispensaries – a pattern that largely persisted among at-risk groups – supports that the presence of recreational marijuana dispensaries seems neither to exacerbate nor improve chronic school absenteeism rates. This finding is important for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers trying to understand the changing marijuana legal landscape.

Development of Industry-Specific Physical Job Evaluation Tool

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1629-1630
Author(s):  
Ninica Howard ◽  
Stephen Bao ◽  
Jia-Hua Lin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Job Evaluation ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Job Assessment

Background According to Washington State workers’ compensation data, construction as an industry ranked first in its compensable claims rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) injuries (Anderson, Adams, Bonauto, Howard, & Silverstein, 2015). Many current physical job assessment tools available for ergonomics practitioners to evaluate work-related musculoskeletal disorder risks of the back, shoulder, hand/wrist and knee are mostly of general purposes. This project sought to identify risk factors pertinent to given industries. The construction industry is used as an example in this demonstration. Approach Four hundred thirty-six construction employees from sixteen companies in the State of Washington were observed and evaluated using commonly used exposure assessment tools: Washington State Checklists (Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 2004a, b), Strain Index (Moore & Garg, 1995), American Congress of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Lifting Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH, 2005), Liberty Mutual Manual Materials Handling Guidelines (Snook & Ciriello, 1991), Quick Ergonomics Checklist (David et al, 2005; David et al, 2008), and the European Union Vibration Directives (EU, 2002). The physical risk factors that were evaluated are those that have been associated with WMSDs. These risk factors included: awkward postures of the back, shoulder, hand/wrist; lifting; pushing, pulling, carrying; high hand forces (pinching, griping); highly repetitive motions of the hand/wrist; repeated impacts of the hand or knee; vibration (whole body, hand); and any specific tasks with potential WMSD risks but were otherwise not covered in any of the common assessment tools. Following the results of the exposure assessments, a comprehensive physical job evaluation checklist was created by retaining items sensitive to differentiate levels of risks within jobs in the construction industry. From our job evaluations, WMSD risk factors may not be the same between industry groups and as such, industry-specific tools may simplify the evaluation process by focusing on unique exposures. The final Physical Job Evaluation Checklist is currently presented in the form of a spreadsheet available for download and use ( www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Wmsd/WMSD2010.asp ). Accompanying reference guide is also available to provide instructions how data fields can be obtained or measured. The user can print out a paper form first, record the assessment at a job site, then enter the necessary data into the spreadsheet. The algorithm then generates all the evaluation reports and highlight areas that should receive attention. The goals are to raise general awareness of industry-specific physical factors that contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), and help identify specific aspects of the job that pose a risk for back, shoulder, hand/wrist and knee injury common in the construction industry. Using the Physical Job Evaluation Checklists can help prioritize injury prevention efforts by identifying the jobs, or the aspects of the job that pose the greatest risk of injury. It is also possible to evaluate the impact that proposed jobsite changes have on WMSD risk (before and after exposures). And finally, it is possible to compare exposures between workers performing the same or different tasks. Limitation Due to the study design, the Physical Job Evaluation Checklist IS NOT intended to predict the occurrence of WMSDs or to provide guidance or suggestions on how to mitigate exposure to risk factors of WMSDs.

Increment of Fatigue, Depression, and Stage Fright During the First Year of High-Level Education in Music Students

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horst Hildebrandt ◽  
Matthias Nübling ◽  
Victor Candia
Keyword(s):  
Music Performance ◽  
Music Students ◽  
Stage Fright ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Freshman Year ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Before And After ◽  
High Level

BACKGROUND: Public opinion associates music performance with pleasure, relaxation, and entertainment. Nevertheless, several studies have shown that professional musicians and music students are often affected by work-related burdens. These are closely related to stress and anxiety. OBJECTIVE: Scrutinizing specific health strains and work attitudes of music students during their freshman year of high-level education. METHODS: One hundred five students in three Swiss music universities were part of a longitudinal study using standardized assessment questionnaires. Before and after their first study year, some custom-made questionnaires designed to fit the particular work environment of musicians were used together with the already validated inquiry instruments. RESULTS: Fatigue, depression, and stage fright increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate more study is needed and attempts should be made to minimize the stress level, improve the students’ ability to cope with stress, and otherwise reduce their risk for injury. This appears particularly important considering the long-term negative effects of stressors on individuals’ health as revealed by modern research.

scholarly journals Do individual and work-related factors differentiate work participation trajectories before and after vocational rehabilitation?

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e0212498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taina Leinonen ◽  
Svetlana Solovieva ◽  
Kirsti Husgafvel-Pursiainen ◽  
Mikko Laaksonen ◽  
Eira Viikari-Juntura
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Work Participation ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Before And After

scholarly journals The Impact of a Policy-Based Multicomponent Nutrition Pilot Intervention on Young Adult Employee’s Diet and Health Outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Désirée Schliemann ◽  
Michelle McKinley ◽  
Jayne V. Woodside
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
P Value ◽  
Insurance Company ◽  
Diet Intervention ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Strict Diet ◽  
Pilot Intervention ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Evaluate the effect of a policy-based, multicomponent workplace diet intervention on young adult employees’ diet and health. Design: A 6-month, single-armed pilot study with before and after assessments. Setting: Insurance company in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Participants: Employees who worked at the company throughout the intervention period were included. Employees were excluded if pregnant, breast-feeding, or following a strict diet. Intervention: Multicomponent diet intervention: ban of unhealthy foods brought into the premises, free fruit, education, individual advice, and further support. Measures: Mixed-methods approach: Diet-, health-, and work-related measures were assessed quantitatively. The campaign was evaluated quantitatively (via questionnaire) and qualitatively (via semistructured interviews). Analysis: Changes in measures were analyzed using paired samples t tests. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Sixty (75.9%) staff completed all assessments. Males reduced their sugar intake on working days (−8.7% of total energy standard deviation [SD]: 20.1; P value <.01). Systolic blood pressure reduced in males and females (−3.3 SD: 9.9; P value <.05 and −8.0 SD: 7.7; P value <.001, respectively); 85.2% of staff strongly agreed/agreed that they appreciated the healthy eating ethos. This was supported by the qualitative analysis which furthermore suggested that the education, team support, individual advice, and free fruit were beneficial. Conclusion: Influencing workplace policies and offering additional dietary support could lead to meaningful changes in employees’ diet and health and may change workplace culture.

scholarly journals Allergic and Respiratory Symptoms in Employees of Indoor Cannabis Grow Facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 754-764
Author(s):  
Coralynn Sack ◽  
Niloufar Ghodsian ◽  
Karen Jansen ◽  
Brynne Silvey ◽  
Christopher D Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Skin Prick Testing ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background While little is known about the occupational hazards associated with Cannabis cultivation, both historical research in the hemp industry and preliminary data from modern grow houses, suggest that Cannabis workers may be at increased risk of respiratory and allergic diseases. Objectives We sought to investigate the association between workplace exposures and health symptoms in an indoor Cannabis grow facility in Washington State, USA. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study with all consenting employees in an indoor Cannabis grow facility in Seattle, WA using a questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered data on respiratory, ocular, nasal, and dermal symptoms. A subset of employees with work-related symptoms underwent repeated cross-shift and cross-week measurement of spirometry, fractional exhaled nitrogen oxide (FeNO), and skin prick testing for Cannabis sensitization. Exposure to Cannabis dust was classified based on self-described tasks, expert opinion, and exposure monitoring of particulate matter. Multivariable logistic regression was undertaken to examine associations between exposure to Cannabis dust (classified as low, medium, and high) and health symptoms. Linear mixed effects models examined the relationship between cross-shift and cross-week changes in spirometry and FeNO. Results Ninety-seven percent (97%) of the employees (n = 31) surveyed were recreational cannabis users, with 81% (n = 25) smoking cannabis multiple times per day. Twenty-two (71%) employees reported one or more work-related symptoms: 65% respiratory, 39% ocular, 32% nasal, and 26% dermal symptoms. There was a trend toward increased likelihood of work-related symptoms with increasing exposure to Cannabis dust, although none of these results were statistically significant. Of the 10 employees with work-aggravated symptoms, 5 had borderline-high or high FeNO, 7 had abnormal spirometry, and 5 had evidence of Cannabis sensitization on skin prick testing. FeNO increased by 3.78 ppb (95% confidence interval 0.68–6.88 ppb) across the work-week and there was a trend toward cross-week and cross-shift reduced airflow. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of work-related allergic- and particularly respiratory symptoms in the employees of one indoor Cannabis grow facility in Washington State. A high proportion of employees with work-aggravated symptoms had findings consistent with probable work-related asthma based on high FeNO, airflow obstruction on spirometry, and Cannabis sensitization on skin prick testing. However, due to the high incidence of recreational cannabis use among these workers, the relative influence of occupational versus recreational exposure to Cannabis dust on the respiratory health and sensitization status of these workers could not be resolved in this study.

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