International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders among aquaculture workers in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study
Full text linkIntroduction: Aquaculture work is a physically demanding occupation with numerous risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including exposure to cold water, heavy lifting, and repetitive tasks. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of MSDs among aquaculture workers in Vietnam.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving 768 aquaculture workers aged 20 to 65 years. Participants were interviewed and clinically examined to assess their MSD status. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was utilized to assess symptoms of MSDs.
Results: The prevalence of MSDs within the past seven days among aquaculture workers was found to be 61.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.1%–64.9%). The most commonly affected body regions were the lower back (43.6%), knee joints (35.2%), and wrists/hands (31.6%). Identified associated factors for MSDs included female gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.64–2.97), work experience of 10 to 19 years (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01–2.05) and over 20 years (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.45–3.19) compared to less than 10 years, being overweight or obese (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.26–2.79), working underwater (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 2.17–4.16), frequently lifting heavy loads (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.07–4.03), and regularly feeding seafood (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.83–3.33).
Conclusion: MSDs are common health problems among aquaculture workers. To alleviate the burden of MSDs among aquaculture workers, its prevention should be integrated into occupational health policies, and evidence-based ergonomic interventions and improvements in working conditions must be implemented. Particular attention should be given to high-risk groups, including female workers, those with prolonged work hours, overweight individuals, and those performing physically demanding tasks
Digital transformation in accident prevention: Enhancing efficiency using the VICTORIA 4.0 digital form in the construction sector in Barranquilla.
No full textIntroduction: Occupational safety in the construction sector is a critical challenge, especially in high-risk tasks. In this context, digital transformation offers new tools, such as the VICTORIA 4.0 form, designed to improve accident prevention. The objective of the research is to determine the potential efficiency of using the VICTORIA 4.0 digital form in accident prevention during high-risk tasks in the construction sector in Barranquilla.
Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted using a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. Data were collected in May 2024 from 15 construction workers in Barranquilla, Colombia, through a structured questionnaire of 29 items. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and linear regression using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.
Results: Linear regression analysis showed that variables such as the understanding of accident sequences (β = 0.650, p = 0.009), the effectiveness of corrective measures (β = 0.650, p = 0.009), and the promotion of safety culture (β = 0.747, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with an improved perception of workplace safety. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between educational level, prior accident experience, and perception of safety, though results were limited by small sample size.
Conclusion: The VICTORIA 4.0 digital form proved to be a useful tool for enhancing occupational safety in the construction sector. Its effectiveness, however, may vary depending on educational background and previous accident experience. These findings support the integration of digital tools in occupational safety strategies and highlight the importance of adapting their implementation to workers’ contexts
The effectiveness of training on occupational safety and health behavior among rubber tappers in Indonesia
No full textIntroduction: Rubber tappers are faced with various health risks during their work. So far, the previous interventions still use one stage. Meanwhile, behavior change is not instantaneous but goes through stages. So this research aims to improve occupational health and safety behavior through the use of PPE based on the multi-stage model.
Methods: This quasi-experimental research involved 32 rubber tappers divided into intervention groups (n= 16) and control groups (16). The intervention group received educational and training interventions related to OSH. Meanwhile, the control group only received educational intervention. Each group was assessed for scores on knowledge, skills, intention, self-efficacy and behavior regarding PPE in every stage of multi-stage model with 3 times data collections on each stage. The data was then analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA to determine the significance of differences in all score between data collection and between groups with p value 0.05.
Results: There were significant differences (p<0.05) between measurements in scores of knowledge skills, intention, self-efficacy, and behavior regarding PPE in the intervention group. Meanwhile, in the control group, significant differences between measurements occurred in the scores of knowledge, skills, intention, and behavior regarding PPE. When compared between the two groups, there were significant differences between groups in the scores of knowledge, skills, intention, and behavior regarding PPE.
Conclusion: Providing education and training can significantly increase the use of PPE. Providing interventions and assessing the achievements of interventions in stages at each stage of MSM is seen as positive in significantly increasing the use of PPE
Prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus among Vietnamese seafarers aboard merchant vessels
No full textIntroduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a non-communicable, chronic disease that poses a leading burden of morbidity and mortality globally. Seafarers are specific labor exposed to various risk factors for diabetes, such as prolonged journeys, imbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity, and stress. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of DM among Vietnamese seafarers aboard merchant vessels.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by measuring fasting blood glucose levels of 1,290 male Vietnamese seafarers before they went to sea, from February to October 2024. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants regarding their age, work experience, education level, work site, rank, smoking habits, family history of DM, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, and symptoms of depression to identify associated factors.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.2 ± 10.6 years. The prevalence of DM and pre-diabetes was 5.4% and 22.3%, respectively. Associated factors with DM include having an age of 40 or more (OR = 2.83; 95%CI: 1.51-5.12); work experience ranging from 10 to 19 years (OR = 2.32; 95%CI: 1.25-4.31), work experience ≥ 20 years (OR = 3.05; 95%CI: 1.61-6.22) compared with less than 10 years, family history of diabetes (OR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.04-3.22), non-officer (OR =1.98; 95%CI: 1.01-3.92), obesity (OR = 2.28; 95%CI: 1.56-3.89), hypertension (OR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.04-2.79), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.10-3.31), abdominal obesity (OR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.25-3.81), symptoms of depression (OR =1.66; 95%CI: 1.02-2.73), regular exercise (OR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.41-0.93), alcohol consumption in moderation (OR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.41-0.83).
Conclusions: DM and pre-diabetes are public health problems affecting Vietnamese seafarers. It is necessary to implement educational programs, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage regular health check-ups to enable the early detection of diabetes and its complications
Self-reported occupational hazards among waste management staff in Lalitpur Metropolitan City: A pilot study from Nepal
Full text linkIntroduction: Solid waste management is a major environmental and public health concern in Nepal. Workers face occupational health and safety concerns due to the materials they handle, the emissions from those materials, and the equipment they use. This study aimed to study the health status and occupational hazards existing among municipal waste collectors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 municipal waste collectors working in Lalitpur Metropolitan City. Three organizations were selected randomly by using simple random sampling and the census method was applied to interview the respondents. Data entry was done in Epi Info 7, and analysis was in the SPSS 23 version. The chi-square test was used to measure the strength of the association.
Results: Majority of respondents 99(95.2%) faced physical hazard, 65(62.5%) biological hazards. Likewise, 69(55.2%) had knowledge of its health effects, and 106(84.8%) had knowledge of occupational hazards. Nearly one-third 38(30.4%) used personal protective equipment (PPE) and 55(44%) had been vaccinated for tetanus. The health check-up in the past year of respondents was low 49(39.2%). A statistically significant association was found between the job category and the presence of physical, chemical, and biological hazards (p=0.041, 0.003, and 0.001 respectively).
Conclusion: The study highlights inadequate utilization of PPE among respondents, particularly concerning given their strenuous work. While most workers had good mental health, more than half showed poor physical health. The study recommends organizations actively promote PPE use, administer tetanus and hepatitis vaccinations, and provide workplace training
Association between occupational stress and mental health in an automobile manufacturing factory in Iran
Full text linkIntroduction: This study aimed to assess the relationship between occupational stress and the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among the employees of an automobile manufacturing factory in Iran.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study of employees in the automobile manufacturing industry. OSIPOW occupational stress and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) questionnaires were used to collect data.
Results: In our survey, 4565 employees with a mean age of 42.59 ± 4.45 years were evaluated. All the participants had some degree of job stress, 33.3% were in low-stress group and 66.7% were in high-stress group. White collar workers had higher job stress compared to blue collar workers. The prevalence of the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms was 22.6%, 24%, and 29.3%, respectively. The participants with high job stress reported higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress [OR=3.40, CI 95% (2.83-4.10)], [OR=2.35, CI 95% (1.99-2.78)], [OR=2.26, CI 95% (1.94-2.63)]. In linear regression analysis, being white collar, having higher work experience, exposure to noise and stressors in the workplace, and having symptoms of depression are recognized as the factors that might be involved in creating occupational stress.
Conclusion: This research provides further support regarding the negative effects of the psychosocial hazards of the work environment on the mental health of the workers which was evaluated by measuring depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. There is a need to manage employee’s occupational stress to maintain the general health of human resources, as well as mental health
Stretching exercises for low back pain among dump truck operators in Indonesia
Full text linkIntroduction: Dump truck operators are at a greater risk of developing low back pain due to their occupational exposures. This study aimed to determine the effect of stretching exercises, especially pain intensity and flexibility, on low back pain among dump truck operators.
Methods: A non-randomized controlled study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted, involving 76 dump truck operators with low back pain. A total of 38 operators were assigned for the control and intervention groups through purposive sampling. The control group only received an educational video for low back pain prevention, while the intervention group received an educational video with additional low back stretching exercises. Pain intensity and flexibility were assessed at baseline and weekly using the Numeric Rating Scale and the V-Sit and Reach Test. The collected data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and general linear models.
Results: At the end of the intervention, a significant difference was found in pain intensity and flexibility between the control and intervention groups (p<0.001). Pain intensity reduction and increased flexibility were greater in the intervention group. There is no significant relationship between pain intensity reduction and increased flexibility during stretching exercises (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Low back stretching exercises can significantly reduce pain intensity and increase flexibility in low back pain. Dump truck operators or heavy equipment operators with low back pain should routinely do low back stretching exercises
Profiling occupational exposure and associated health risks among employees across the petroleum supply chain in Chennai: a cross-sectional study
No full textIntroduction: The petrochemical industry poses a significant health risks to its employees due to constant exposure to toxic chemicals generated throughout its complex production processes. This study aimed to identify the presence of occupational health hazards and precautionary measures in petrochemical industry in Chennai.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 employees from petrochemical industries in Chennai recruited using stratified random sampling techniques. The study was conducted for the period of 18 months from June 2023 to November 2024. The Occupational Health Hazards Standard Assessment tool was used to identify the physical, chemical mechanical, biological, psychosocial health hazards as well as precautionary measures taken across all the sites. A multivariate logistic regression was used to explore impact of occupational health hazards on health using SPSS Software version 27.0.
Results: The study identified chemical health hazards such as solvent, mist, fumes, and gas substances, OR = 3.14, 95% CI [1.92, 5.14] (p < 0.001). The poor illumination was identified as a potential physical health hazard in an oil refinery ([OR] = 2.74, 95% CI [1.72-4.35]). The evaluation of precautionary measures, including pre-employment health examinations, a Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policy, and an active occupational health and safety system, was significantly implemented (p < 0.05) in the oil refinery.
Conclusion: Despite the high level of health risk inherent to the petrochemical industry, this study found a limited presence of health hazards, suggesting that current safety precautions remain effective. However, it is advised to continuously monitor the precautionary measures and safety health systems in the petroleum industries
Application of Delphi technique and analytic hierarchy process to prioritize the occupational health and safety management system requirements
Full text linkIntroduction: Occupational health and safety (OH&S) in small organizations are still unable to meet OHS requirements. This may have an impact on the health and safety of employees. There are many requirements for ISO 45001implementation. Many organizations lack sufficient evidence regarding which requirements are important and must be prioritized for system implementation. This study aimed to determine the importance of weights (IW) from OHS requirements including setting new optional requirements for use as OHS guidelines.
Methods: The study was conducted from August and September 2023. Data collection involved using standardized questionnaires related to ISO 45001 requirements and additional requirements based on expert’s opinions. Delphi technique and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were used for data analysis.
Results: The IW from ISO45001 requirements included the context of the organization (IW=0.203), leadership and worker participation (IW=0.254), planning (IW=0.184), support (IW=0.100), operation (IW=0.102), performance evaluation (IW=0.076) and improvement (IW=0.081). The leadership and worker participation were the highest of IW, while the performance evaluation indicated the lowest of IW. In addition, the new optional requirement apart from ISO 45001 indicated that there were nine essential requirements of significance. These requirements included business competition in the market, product safety development, product pricing cost, modern machinery and equipment used for production processes, work experience, budget allocation for safety control and system supervisor, operations, compliance with laws and regulations, safety recommendations and hazard control.
Conclusion: Prioritization of ISO 45001 requirements could use the implementation guidelines effectively. In addition, the inclusion of relevant new requirements also increased confidence in protecting the safety of employees
Knowledge on lead exposure among Paint workers in Kirtipur Municipality, Nepal
Full text linkIntroduction: Lead exposure is a serious threat to public health. Among various occupational groups, paint workers are at increased risk to lead exposure. This study aims to assess the knowledge on lead exposure, identify symptoms of lead toxicity and to estimate the blood hemoglobin level among paint workers in Kirtipur Municipality.
Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used among 108 paint workers having at least 2 years of exposure. Data collection period was from June-August 2024. Data were collected using convenient sampling through interviews. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as a tool for data collection. Study has been approved by ethics committee. Data entry and analysis was done in SPSS. Bivariate analysis was done using chi-square test.
Results: The mean age ± SD of the participants was 37.61 ±9.75 years. The mean years of exposure was 15.27 ±8.87 years, and mean duration of working was 9.39 ±2.07 hours/day. Headache was the most common symptoms of lead toxicity. Only 10 (9.3%) of the paint workers had good knowledge on lead exposure. Those who have taken formal training on hazards and safety measures have good knowledge on lead exposure and the association was also statistically significant (P≤0.001). However, age, work duration, work experience, and education did not show any significant association. On blood hemoglobin estimation, 28(25.9%) were found to be anemic.
Conclusion: Study shows that only 9.3% of paint workers have good knowledge on lead exposure. So, awareness program on lead exposure and regular training programs on hazards and safety measures should be conducted.