International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Occupational Health and Safety Hazards among Workers in Laboratory Animal Research Facilities in Singapore and Philippines
No full textIntroduction: All workers, regardless of occupation are vulnerable to various hazards present at work. This study was carried out to determine the commonly encountered occupational hazard of laboratory animal workers in Singapore and the Philippines. Moreover, to determine the percentage of hazard exposure according to the workers’ personal profile, work profile, and frequency of exposure.
Methods: All members of the Association for Laboratory Animal Science of Singapore (n=150) and the Philippines (n=130) were invited in an online survey administered anonymously via email. Only those respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (i.e. 18 years old and above and working in direct contact to animals and its environment) were included in the analysis.
Results: Laboratory animal workers experienced all hazards identified in the laboratory animal facilities. The three most common hazards encountered by workers based on the mean (M) and median (Mdn) number of exposures were animal-related injuries (M= 1.269, Mdn= 1), ergonomics (M= 1.067, Mdn= 0) and sharp-related injuries (M= 0.885, Mdn=1). There was no significant difference noted between these three hazards when compared to one another. These hazards were consistent regardless of age, gender, education, job, biosafety level of the facility, years of experience and type of animal exposures.
Conclusion: Laboratory animal workers in Singapore and the Philippines are exposed to various hazards in the workplace. Younger workers, and workers with higher day-to-day exposure to laboratory animals, should be prioritized for information dissemination, training, and supervision
The Relationship Between Organizational Safety Culture and Organization Safety Performance. The Mediating Role of Safety Management System
Get PDFIntroduction: Safety performance is defined as efforts undertaken by organizations with the crucial aim of curtailing accidents and injuries to workers. It plays a crucial role in an organization aiming to achieve an anticipated outcome. A plethora of studies have found positive association between safety culture and safety performance of organizations. However, little is known on how the mechanism through which organizational safety culture exerts its influence on safety performance. Thus, this study investigates the indirect effect of safety management system in the relationship between organizational safety culture and safety performance.
Methods: This study employs the use of a 5-point Likert questionnaire to collect data from 134 respondents who are head of safety officers in F&B industries located in Lagos, Nigeria. SmartPLS 2.0 was used for data analysis.
Results: Results from path analysis revealed that safety culture and safety management system positively relate to safety performance. Furthermore, the mediation analysis indicated an indirect effect of safety management system in the relationship between safety culture and safety performance.
Conclusion: It is concluded that though safety culture has a significant positive relationship on safety performance, however its effect will be more if F&B organizations create and constantly implement a robust safety management system
Use of Nutritional Supplements Among Gym Clubs Participants in Sulaymaniyah City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Get PDFIntroduction: Using dietary supplements has gained interest amongst people who desire to enhance their body composition. However, there are scant published data regarding the use of nutritional supplements and gym users. This study is to assess the intake of nutritional and dietary supplements among gym members in Sulaymaniyah city, Iraqi Kurdistan.
Methods: The results of this study are based on the responses of one hundred gym members (aged over 18 years) to a self-manage questionnaire.
Results: Almost half of the sample reported taking nutritional supplements and hormones. Thirty percent of the participants were consuming different protein powders. Most dietary supplement users noticed some side effects. Supplement users should always consult their physicians and been under the supervision of professional trainers and medical practitioners. In this manner, dietary supplements should not cause any side effects such as hypertension, hepatic disturbance, kidney disorders, hepatic, kidney disturbance, and muscle pain. However, some people (gym participants) may experience allergies, upset stomach/abdominal pain, and frequent urination.
Conclusion: The usage rate of fitness supplements is very high, and the users are not aware of the potential consequences or dangers of unsupervised practice or unprescribed products. Therefore, there is an immediate need to promote consumers’ awareness of this issue, and the latest scientific data must be provided to users and coaches concerning consuming supplements.
 
Low back pain and associated factors among civil service sectors office workers in Southern Ethiopia
Get PDFBackground: Low back pain is one of the most common work-related health problems among office workers. Low back pain has been identified as one of the most costly disorders among the worldwide working population. However, there is a lack of information on associated factors with low back pain which makes people not to work properly.
Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among civil service sectors office workers in Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 625civil service sectors office workers, who work in the sitting position, in Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia from March 10 to June 20, 2017. The sampling frame was obtained from civil service office and simple random sampling technique was used for each stage. Data was collected by using a pretested structured questionnaire adapted from Standardized Nordic musculoskeletal Questionnaires and modified Oswestry through face to face interview and by using checklist for observations, which was measured by diploma nurses. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage, mean, median and standard deviation were conducted. Also, binary logistic regression was conducted and variables with p<=0.20 in bivariate analysis were fitted into the multiple logistic regression models to identify factors associated with low back pain. Variables with P value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant predictors of low back pain.
Results: Out of the calculated sample size, 625 participants responded making a response rate of 99%. The 12-month prevalence of low back pain among civil service sectors office workers in this study was (38.4%) 95% CI: (0.34, 0.42).This study found that, being obese (AOR [95%CI] =6.3[4.29 - 9.09]), having smoking history (AOR [95%CI] =5.2[2.57 - 10.82]), poor sitting posture (AOR [95%CI] =2.6[1.61-4.30]), having job stress (AOR [95%CI] =5.9[3.44-10.25]), having no rest break during workday (AOR [95%CI]=3.2[1.82-5.62]), sitting >6 hours per day (AOR [95%CI]=16.08[14.4-19.3]) and frequently using computer (AOR [95%CI]=4.3[2.09-5.47]) are significantly associated with low back pain.
Conclusion and recommendations: The 12-month prevalence of low back pain in this study is high (38.4%).Therefore, healthy lifestyle habits, good awareness of sitting posture and better ergonomic facilities and psychosocial support to workers were recommended to decrease the effects of predisposing factors of low back pain
Importance of consent in the research
Get PDFResearch involving human participants needs to be scientifically valid and should be conducted according to accepted ethical standards. Research ethics provides guidelines for responsible conduct of research on human participants. It primarily protects the human participants of research and also educates and monitors researchers conducting health research to ensure a high quality of ethical standard.
Consent is a research process of information exchange between the researcher and the human participants of research. Information provided to the human participants of research should be adequate, clearly understood by the participant of research with decision-making capacity and the research participant should voluntarily decide to participate. Respect for persons requires that the participants of research should be allowed to make choices about whether to participate or not in the research
Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV Among Allied Workers in Rural Area of Nigeria: Evaluation of Community-Based Interventions
Get PDFBackground: Knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus status is a key tool in the fight against the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic.
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the impact of community-based intervention towards the prevention and control of human immunodeficiency virus on the voluntary testing for human immunodeficiency virus among allied workers in rural Bonny Kingdom of Rivers, State, Nigeria.
Methods: The study comprised two quantitative surveys; the baseline survey conducted before a three years human immunodeficiency virus prevention intervention programs and the post-intervention survey conducted after the interventions. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect information from a representative sample of the allied workers aged 15–49 years. The questionnaire item for this survey is broadly divided into six categories comprising the basic socio-demographic information, the knowledge of HIV testing, desire for HIV testing, self and solution efficacy; access to products and services including voluntary counselling and testing. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: The study comprised 419 participants in the baseline and 587 in the post-intervention survey. The overall knowledge of voluntary counselling and testing services was 76.8% of which 37.5% have been tested and 88.9% of which 68.0% have been tested at both surveys. Three of every 5(67.0%) had the desire to be tested at baseline while- 4 of every 5(81.1%) were willing to be tested at post-intervention. The major reasons for unwillingness to be screened include poor perception about voluntary counselling and testing and feeling of not being at risk. The prevalence of human immunodeficiency at baseline was 8.5% and 2.0% at the post-intervention survey with a prevalence ratio of 4.3 (p<0.0001]. HIV prevalence was 12.4% among women compared 4.8% in men at baseline. The prevalence among adolescents was12.0% and 10.1% among singles.
Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that the struggle to prevent and control human immunodeficiency can be successful if intervention programs are put in place, particularly in rural communities where acquired immunodeficiency syndrome related information is limited
Pulmonary Function of Petrol filling Workers from West Bengal, India
Get PDFBackground: There are many petrol filling stations in an urban and semi-urban area of Hooghly District of West Bengal and a large number of attendants work in these stations. They are constantly exposed to petrol vapour as well as motor vehicle fuel which might lead to respiratory problems in workers.
Objectives: To assess the pulmonary function of Petrol Filling Workers of West Bengal and to evaluate the effect of duration of exposure on those Parameters.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design. Pulmonary function test was done among 52 Petrol filling workers and 20 office workers of college as well as students of those institutions of Hooghly district and nearby area of Kolkata by simple random sampling method. Pulmonary function parameters were assessed by digital expirograph (Spirovit SP1) and Wright’s Peak Flow Meter. A questionnaire was filled up by invigilator regarding years of exposure, respiratory abnormalities, smoking habit and any other diseases. All the study protocol was approved by the Human Ethical Committee of Raja Peary Mohan College and Serampore college
Results:-From the above survey, it was observed that respiratory volume and capacities significantly(p<0.05-0.001) decreased with an increase in years of exposure. Odds ratios of different respiratory diseases (OR ranges from 1.12-3.12) indicate the risk of developing a cough, phlegm, asthma, skin diseases among petrol filling workers.
Conclusion:- Safe threshold level of benzene VOC exposed in Petrol station is needed to protect the health of workers. Besides periodic health check-up, use of protective gadgets, improvement of technology and control strategies to reduce air emission of benzene VOC is essential to protect the health of Petrol filling workers of West Bengal
Assessment of workers’ knowledge and views of occupational health hazards of gold mining in Obuasi Municipality, Ghana
Get PDFBackground: Small-scale mining in Ghana has been a major community and national concern due to its contribution to the destruction of farmlands and bodies of water, and to the loss of human life. Small-scale mining exposes workers to varying degrees of health hazards and problems.
Objectives: The study aimed to assess the knowledge and views of workers about the occupational health hazards and problems related to small-scale gold mining in Obuasi Municipality, Ghana, to help improve workers’ safety at the mining sites.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done between May and December 2011. Simple random sampling was used to select 150 small-scale miners take part in this study. The workers were asked about their knowledge and views of occupational health hazards and problems related to gold mining. Data were entered with EpiData Entry 3.1 and analyzed using Stata 11.
Results: Most workers (63.3%) had low knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that knowledge about regulations was associated with level of education (OR = 8.5; 95% CI: 7–10.5). The common effects of mining that workers expressed awareness of were land pollution (30%), water pollution (28%), air pollution (18.7%), and noise pollution (16%). The factors influencing exposure to health hazards related to mining were low educational levels (14%), little work experience (30.7%), incorrect handling of equipment or chemicals (26%), poor law enforcement (12.7%), and negligence (16.7%). In general, occupational lung disease (16%), occupational hearing loss (14%), heat illnesses (12%), eye infections (16%), malaria (24%), and skin infections (18%) were the most common health problems study participants mentioned.
Conclusion: High levels of occupational health hazards and problems related to gold mining exist among workers in private mines. Safety program should be offered as part of associated public health programs to limit the most significant risks. We further recommend education and training on regulations and the use of personal protective equipment
Occupational Health Problems, Workplace Environment and Utilization of Personal Protective Equipment among Welders of Banepa Municipality, Nepal
Get PDFIntroduction: Welding is a hazardous occupation where welders expose to a variety of work-related hazards. These hazards might cause occupational health problems. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of occupational health problems, workplace environment and utilization of personal protective equipment among welders.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for the study. Data was collected from purposively selected 130 welders of 35 metal workshops in Banepa Municipality in May-June, 2019. An observational checklist was used to collect information on the workplace environment of selected metal workshops. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and described by using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.Results: The study identified that 129 welders (99.2%) experienced accidents and injuries followed by eye and ear problems (128, 98.4%). Amongst all personal protective equipment, protective goggles were available in all 35 metal workshops and insulated gloves in 25 workshops (71.4%). Similarly, 118 welders (90.6%) always used safety goggles, 53 (41%) sometimes used facemasks and 85 (65.4%) never used helmets while working. Only 9 workshops (25.7%) had first aid kits available with no expired products and 4 (11.4%) had kept fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations. Among 35, 34 workshops (97.1%) did not have safety guidelines for their workers.Conclusion: Welders who worked in metal workshops experience different types of occupational health problems (OHP) and do not use all types of PPE for their protection. Hence, metal workshops should develop safety guidelines for their workers and strictly implement them to prevent OHP
Non-invasive Measurement of Thoracic Kyphosis and Lumber lordosis among Agricultural workers and Corporate Professionals( IT) using Flexicurve Ruler
Get PDFBackground: This study was undertaken to introduce a non- invasive technique for clinical diagnosis of spinal cord deformities. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the postural deformities and onset of thoracic Kyphosis and lumber Lordosis among agricultural workers and Information Technology workers.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out on thirty Agricultural workers (41-45 years) and twenty-five Information Technology workers (21-25 years) and their age matched control groups. The subjects were taken from their respective population by simple random sampling method. Measurements were made by Flexicurve Ruler in special standing posture. Kyphosis and Lordosis angles and Indices were calculated.
Results: It indicates that maximum percentage of subjects had kyphotic angle between 400 -600. Twenty-three out of 30 agricultural workers (76.66%) and 22 out of 25(88%) information technology workers had kyphosis angle between 400- 600 but the same in case of control groups were 60% and 64% respectively. Maximum subjects had lordotic angle between 300 - 500. Thirteen out of 30 agricultural workers (43.33%) and 17 out of 25 information technology workers (68%) had lordotic angle in between 300 -500.The same in case of control groups were 43.33% and 56% respectively. Kyphosis index, Kyphosis angle and lordosis index, lordosis angle are significantly lower (p<0.05) in agriculture workers in comparison to its control group but the differences are not significant in case of information technology workers as well as between agriculture group and information technology group. But information technology workers show higher values of Kyphosis and lordotic index than agriculture workers, probably due to prolong sitting posture at work. Again 47% agricultural workers and 11% IT workers reported lumbar pain when compared to control groups (10% and none respectively).
Conclusion: Although no significant deviation of kyphotic and lordotic angle has been observed in agricultural and information technology workers but significantly higher percentage of these 2 groups reported shoulder and lumbar pain indicating risk of dysfunction in shoulder, pelvic girdle and spine. Thus measurement of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis may be useful in examining the degree of spinal cord deformities. By utilizing these information therapeutic and ergonomic intervention can be applied and application of modern sophisticated machine for improvement in postural condition can reduce their work stress and disabilities.