International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Effects of lift-assist device on trunk and shoulder kinematics
Get PDFBackground: Repetitive handling of heavy concrete blocks has been associated with the risk of low back and shoulder injuries among the masons. Several interventions have been proposed to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among the masons. A new intervention, a lift-assist handle, was tested in this study. Objective: The effectiveness of the lift-assist handle in masonry work was assessed using the shoulder and low back kinematics during block lifting/lowering tasks performed at two heights. Methods: In a laboratory setting, seven male subjects performed with- and without-lift handle assisted block lifting tasks at two different heights. Optical motion capture system and biomechanical modeling software were used to record and model each dynamic trial. Effect of lifting height and use of a lift-assist handle on range of motion of the shoulder and trunk were tested. Results: The use of lift-assist handle significantly reduced trunk motion and increased shoulder motion. Lifting height had a significant effect on shoulder kinematics only. When height was increased from 17to 29 inches, the ranges of motion of shoulder abduction-adduction and internal rotation significantly increased. Additionally, block lifting/lowering task duration decreased by 26% when the lift-assist handle was used. Conclusions: While potential benefits to lower back health were found with the lift-assist handle, increased shoulder motion may increase the risk of shoulder injuries. The findings of this study emphasize the need for an in-depth analysis of assistive devices prior to implementation to ensure that there are no unintended consequences of their use that could negate their benefit.
A study on morbidity profile of lignite miners in western India
Get PDFBackground: Mining is a hazardous occupation in which workers are exposed to adverse conditions. In India, there are nine working lignite mines, producing about 30 million tons annually. The mines are located in the states of Tamilnadu, Rajasthan and Gujrat. Objective: The present study was carried out in a lignite mine in India to determine the health status of the miners. Methods: 143 workers engaged actively in mining activities were included. The health status of the employees was evaluated by well defined medical questionnaire along with pulmonary function test (PFT) and Audiometry. Result: Findings of the study showed poor literacy rate amongst the miners. Pulmonary impairment was present in 11.88% and noise induced hearing impairment in about 12.15% of the miners. Conclusion: The study findings indicate the need for regular health checkups, health education, personal protective devices and engineering control.
A Preliminary Investigation into Multiple Pollutant Exposures and Nephrotoxicity Injury Among Goldsmiths
Get PDFBackground: Goldsmiths are known for using potent toxic chemicals which pose a health risk to workers which occur either by inhalation or by dermal contact. Chemicals taken up by the body causes damage to vital organs of body such as kidneys, lungs etc., there by affecting their normal physiology and function. Objective: Present study reports the assessment of Nephrotoxicity among goldsmiths who are employed from 4 years-50years in jewellery making units. Methods: The study involved various environmental parameters such as determination of TSPM for air pollutant analysis, biological parameters such as urinary β-2-microglobulin, urinary Creatinine, urinary albumin, urinary total protein concentrations, and serum concentrations of Glutathione-S-Transferase, Catalase, extracellular Super Oxide Dismutase and total protein in both control and test samples.Result: Environmental, biological parameters of exposure and renal dysfunction were examined in a group of goldsmith workers (n=22) and in an un-exposed control group (n=22).The parameters examined were compared between the two groups and related to different exposure parameters. The TSPM concentrations ranged between 75-664 µg/m3. The concentrations of β-2-microglobulin were 0.14-1.2 mg/g of Creatinine, In exposed group Serum concentration of Glutathione-S-Transferase was 1.19 ± 0.48, Catalase 5.1 ± 0.61, extracellular Super Oxide Dismutase 281.2 ± 90.8, and total protein 5.9 ±0.83. However there were no significant changes in the urinary albumin and urinary total protein concentrations between the exposed and the control population
Optimizing Health and Safety Inspections in Canada
Get PDFBackground: Each year, the Canadian government assigns inspectors to visit firms and ensure compliance to the occupational health and safety provisions of the Canada Labour Code. This paper presents evidence supporting the hypothesis that assignments reduce the number of disabling injuries. It also presents a mathematical technique improving the performance of how firms are chosen for inspection.
Methods: By combining two administrative databases covering worksites under federal jurisdiction, the impact of assignments on injuries is estimated using instrumental variables. The instruments are the exogenous part of the government’s assignment rule for inspectors.
Results: The impact of one assignment on injuries is estimated to be -0.33 in the year following the assignment. Furthermore, by introducing a measure of diminishing marginal returns of assignments by sector, a more efficient assignment rule to help further minimize the number of injuries resulting from non-compliance with the Labour Code is suggested. This improved rule includes a reallocation of assignments across industries compared to the current allocation. In particular, assignments are transferred from the sectors of Air Transport and Road Transport to the sectors of Banking, Postal Contractors and Crown Corporations.
Conclusions: A counterfactual experiment with the new allocation of assignments suggests an 18% decrease in the number of injuries for the same yearly average number of assignments. Based on available estimates of the cost of injuries, the suggested change in the targeting tool would lead to annual savings of 72 million dollars in workers’ compensation claims
The Duke Employee Weight Loss Program: Report of a Duke Diet and Fitness Center Pilot Study
No full textBackground: Obesity is increasingly prevalent in the industrialized world. Obese workers have two times the number of workers’ compensation claims as those of non-obese workers. Worksite interventions may be especially effective because employees spend a large part of their day in the work environment, and both employee and employer have incentives to improve the employees’ health.Objective: To assess the impact of a 4 week employee intervention in participant’s weight, body fat and blood pressure.Methods: This was a pilot study. We assessed feasibility and impact compared to baseline at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months post-program. The primary outcomes were weight and body mass index. Secondary outcomes included percent body fat and blood pressure. Results: Forty participants consented to be part of the study. Baseline weight was 97.8 kg [SD ± 17.05]. Twelve months post-intervention weight loss averaged 2.7 kg [SD ± 6.35]. One-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant effect of participation on weight, body mass index, and percent body fat.Conclusion: Significant improvements in the primary outcomes were observed in participants completing our worksite pilot study, indicating that a worksite weight loss intervention is potentially effective.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 44– 5
An Assessment of Socio-Economic Factors on Nutritional Status in Primary School - A Cross Sectional Study in Purulia of West Bengal
Get PDFBackground: Child malnutrition is one of the most vital global health problems concerning in most of the poor communities leading to high morbidity and mortality. Various studies have highlighted the relation-ship between socioeconomic status and nutrition levels of primary school children. The present study focuses on socioeconomic inequality resulting in risk of malnutrition. Objectives of the Study were to find the Impact of socio-economic factors on nutritional status in primary school children. Methods: A cross sectional survey of 281 children, aged 6-10 years were selected from remote primary school in Purulia were used in the study. the primary schools were randomly selected. The studied variables included; Age, sex of the pupils, parents’ socio-economic status and family size of selected House Holds. Interview of pupils and parents was carried out using prepared Nordic questionnaire template. Weight and height of the children were measured. and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by standard method. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel, SPSS version 8.0 .The chi-square significance of association was deter-mined at Level of significance less than 0.05. Results: The proportion of girls and boys are 55.8% and 44.2% respectively. The nutritional status of children from lower socio economic class was poor as com-pared to their counter parts came from upper socio economic class. Children with BMI <5th percentile were 30.9% in low class while in high class it was only 12.1%. Prevalence of malnutrition was 41.9% among children of family size>4 as compare to 16.4% in those of House Holds had family size<5. During comparison of the studied children with children of same age group of overall West Bengal from NNMB survey, 2002, the first group had lower BMI than the second group. Conclusion: Poverty, low literacy rate, large families, food insecurity, food safety, appears to be the important factors responsible for poor health status of children from low socioeconomic class. Efforts should be given for exploring knowledge about nutritional needs during childhood, and creating nutritional and health awareness among young rural children to ensure a better quality of life for the next generation.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 15 – 1
Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Steel Factory Workers
Get PDFBackground: Industrial noise is usually considered mainly from the point of view of environmental health and safety, rather than nuisance, as sustained exposure can cause permanent hearing damage. Objective: To assess the Noise induced hearing loss in steel factory workers.Methods: It was a cross sectional study done to evaluate the hearing status of factory workers, working nearby a rural hospital, which were then correlated with the duration of work and SPL (in dBA) of exposure at their workplace. Results: In this study, Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) was calculated in the workers by taking the average of the 4 frequencies i.e. 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz in right and left ear separately. Results showed that 129 (37.83%) workers were having Mild SNHL in Right ear i.e. between 26- 40 dB. 203 (59.54%) of the workers were having normal hearing i.e. hearing loss not exceeding 25 dB. Only 9 (2.63%) workers had moderate (41-60 dB) hearing loss in right ears. Whereas in case of left ears results showed that 145 (42.52%) workers were having Mild SNHL in left ear i.e. between 26- 40 dB. 185 (54.25%) of the workers were having normal hearing i.e. hearing loss not exceeding 25 dB. Only 11 (3.23%) workers had moderate (41-60 dB) hearing loss.Conclusion: Duration of exposure of individuals was found in the range from 6 years to 20 years. Maximum number of workers i.e. 235 (68.92%) were exposed to a time duration of 16 to 20 years followed by 96 (28.15%) who were exposed to 11-15 years. There were 10 (2.93) workers who were having the exposure of 6 to 10 years.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2(2015) 34 – 4
An Epidemiological Study Of Mechanical Health Hazards Amongst Agricultural Workers In Rural India
Get PDFBackground: Agricultural work is subject to the health risks inherent to a rural environment and at the same time to those deriving from the specific work process involved. India being a country of agriculture, majority of its population is engaged in agriculture based activities in a varied manner either directly or indirectly. This sector of activity being most unorganized, very little attention has been given to the occupational health problems of these workers; though the need of investigation and intervention towards these problems has repeatedly been mentioned. Objective: 1)To find out the demographic distribution of agriculture related mechanical health hazards 2)To find out the magnitude of agriculture related mechanical health hazards 3) To find out the protective measures being used by the agricultural workers for the prevention of mechanical health hazards. 4) To give the necessary recommendations for the prevention of mechanical health hazards. Methods: It is a Cross-Sectional study. The study was conducted from the period of June 2009 to December 2011.. Data Collection: A pilot study was conducted on 10 patients. Data collection was done through asking questionnaire from the patients/relatives (AWs); clinical examination and clinical case records of the patients. Analysis of Data: Data was analyzed in the form of percentage (%) and presented in the tabular form. Chi- square (χ2) test was applied as a test of significance with the help of statistical software SPSS statistics (version- 17)Results: Out of total 53 cases 42 (79.25) were males and 11(20.75) were females. Majority (75.48%) of the respondents were hired laborers followed by own land workers (24.52%). Males (79.25%) were more addicted than females(20.75%). Majority of the cases were due to equipment/ instrument induced (64.15%), followed by animal induced (35.85%) injuries. It was revealed that maximum number of the cases (83.02%)were not using PPE and only 16.98% were using any kind of PPE.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 19– 23
Screening for cervical dysplasia and reproductive tract infections among coffee plantation workers in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India.
Get PDFBackground: Cervical dysplasia is a pre malignant condition and cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women in developing countries. This study was undertaken to coffee plantation workers to assess the prevalence of cervical dysplasia and reproductive tract infections (RTI) and its associated ethological factors among women aged 40 years and above.Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted among female plantation workers aged 40 years and above and employed in coffee estates in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India. The tools in this study included an interview schedule to help collect socio demographic details and the procedures included per vaginal and per speculum examination along with Pap smear test. Results: A total of 141 women aged 40 years and above were screened for cervical dysplasia and reproductive tract infections. The prevalence of cervical dysplasia on Pap smear was seven percent and that of RTI was 12.05%. In this study there was no statistically significant association between cervical dysplasia or RTI with socio demographic variables like age, education, per capita in-come, age at marriage, age at first pregnancy or number of children.Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical dysplasia on Pap smear was seven percent and that of RTI was 12.05%. Regular screening of women in the reproductive age group with Pap smear and prevention and treatment of both partners with RTI may help reduce the chances of developing cervical cancer.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 01 – 0