International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Mental Health at Work Place
Get PDFMental health denotes a symptom free mind and fair level of emotional well being. Be it home or workplace; mental health of an individual is subjected to environmental stressors that may reduce one’s state of well being. The workplace in particular can be a very tiring environment for anyone. The stress of long working hours, ever increasing targets, managing coworkers and subordinates can take a toll on a persons mind and prove very toxic to one\u27s mental and physical health in long run. It is difficult for persons with full blown mental illness to continue at work; but it generally takes a gradual course, before an individual shows full blown symptoms of a particular illness. Thus it becomes necessary to constantly check mental health and stress level of workers. The article discusses mental health, particularly in work place occupational stress and the related issues.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i1.5915 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012) 2-
Epidemiological Study and Estimating of Accidents Distribution in Construction Industry Workers in Yazd City by Appling Time Series until 2011.
Get PDFMillions of construction industry accidents occur in the world cause troubles and injuries to workers and consequently economical loosing every year. The aim of this paper is an epidemiological study and determination of an estimator model for accidents of construction industry until 2011, for the first time, in Yazd city.This study is a descriptive, analytical and modeling. The questionnaire contains the variables such as age, occupation, type of accident, injured part and the results of accident.Fatal rate of workers who hadn’t insurance was more than those who had which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The most rate of accident was falling (48.58%) and the less was chocking (29%). The highest level of injured was related to hands and feet and then head injury (22.27%). The relationships of accident results with kind of occupation and also part of body were statistically significant in construction industry (p<0.001). After testing many models, time series model of quadratic form was the closest model to the trend of data. This model estimation shows that if the situation be the same as now in 1390 the cases will be more than 300 per year. So this model recommended making change in the trend for preventing the accidents in future.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i1.5917 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012) 26-3
Evaluation of Cardiopulmonary Stress of the China Clay Mine Workers
Get PDFBackground: Several risk factors are associated with cardiopulmonary stress of industrial workers. Most important factors are job strain, job demand, physical effort, work station environment etc. In India, study on occupational cardiopulmonary stress among china clay miners is scanty. Objectives: The present study was aimed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary stresses of the china clay mine workers. Methods: The investigation was carried out on male workers from different china clay mines in the Birbhum district, West Bengal. The cardiovascular stress was evaluated by noting pulse rate of the subjects both during rest and during performance of different types of mine tasks. The cardiovascular stress index (CSI) was evaluated in different mine task. The work rest cycle of different china clay mine tasks was analyzed by video-photographic method. Different pulmonary function parameters, viz, FVC, FEV1, FER and PEF were measured by a digital spirometer to assess the severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Results: The results showed that the working pulse rate and CSI vary with different mine task. It was highest in subjects carrying china clay by head mode. The magnitude of CSI was found to vary with the change of work time and the rest time among the workers. Pulmonary function parameters of china clay mine workers were significantly lower (P<0.01) than other industrial workers. About 79% of total population was suffering from different grades of COPD. Among them, 12% were suffering from severe COPD and 60% from moderate COPD. The higher prevalence of COPD among china clay mine workers might be due to exposure of china clay dust in the work place. Conclusion: It was concluded that the china clay mine workers were suffering from high degree of physiological stress while performing different mine tasks.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6594 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 27-3
Occupational Ergonomics in Industrially Developing Countries
Get PDFDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6564 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 1-2
A Subjective and Objective Analysis of Pain in Female Brick Kiln Workers of West Bengal, India
Get PDFBackground: Work related musculoskeletal disorders are a common cause of pain in female workers in brick manufacturing industries involved in sorting and stacking process. Objective: This study aims to categorize the component of neuropathic and/or nociceptive pain with reference to chronic low back pain, its probable causes and its impact on functional variables like hand grip strength, number of man days lost etc. Methods: Female subjects [n=220] in the age range of 28-45 years from different brick fields of Hooghly and Birbhum district of West Bengal ,India with a work experience of more than 10 years participated in this study. Pain categorization was done by PAIN DETECT TOOL .Hand Grip dynamometry done to evaluate grip strength. NIOSH equation was used to standardize RWL. Results: It showed that pain/discomfort was mainly at the low back(90%),neck(72%) and wrist(62%).72% of workers had a pain of >20 in the pain scale of the pain detect tool & 80% of workers were not satisfied with treatments with analgesics/antipyretics which indicate the involvement of neuropathic component of pain in them. The impact of pain was revealed on functional and productivity endpoints like reduced grip strength which also lead to absenteeism, loss of average man days[4.5/month] , injuries[in 33% of workers] and monotony[85% workers] Conclusion: The probable cause of the chronic low back pain may be due to radiculopathy from repetitive lifting of bricks over and above the Recommended Weight Limit [Lifting Index 1.8].DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6597 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 38-43
An ergonomic evaluation of tasks of healthcare unit personnel in different shifts in General Hospitals in West Bengal
Get PDFBackground: The job challenges faced by healthcare unit personnel are psychological, temporal and physically demanding. Studies on psychological stress on nurses are available but unfortunately studies on physiological load or temporal analysis of tasks of nurses or attendants in general hospitals in India have not been reported so far. Objective: The study aims at evaluating the perception of workload in different shifts among healthcare unit personnel and to develop better ergonomic management protocols. Participants: The study population comprised 150 staff nurses and 175 attendants working in three government hospitals in West Bengal, India. Method: The amount of time spent by nurses and attendants performing different tasks were recorded throughout the shifts using an activity analysis chart along with perceived exertion rating and heart rate throughout the shifts. Results: About 26.8% of the total working time throughout the day was spent in “direct care”. In case of general duty attendants 24.4% of the duty time was spent in indirect care. Time spent in different tasks differed by shifts. More leisure time occurs in the night shift compared to the morning and afternoon shifts but duration of shift was longer (11 to 12 hours). Perceived exertion rating of healthcare unit personnel in night shift was more compared to other shifts but physiological response did not reflect that. Conclusion: There were temporal variations of job demand in healthcare units. So, ergonomic orientation of layouts of departments, arrangement of activities, ergonomic way of keeping the records and use of proper communication system, recommended reducing the stress of healthcare unit personnel.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6566 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 14-22
YouTube as a Source of Information on Confined Space Safety
Get PDFSafety professionals looking for information on confined space safety often use the Internet as a resource. YouTube is a popular website that may be used to supplement safety training or as a source of information pertaining to Confined Spaces (CS). YouTube was examined as a source of information on CS safety. YouTube was queried using key phrases “confined space,” “confined space entry,” and “confined space rescue.” Two safety experts reviewed each video and assigned scores for accuracy and view-ability. Of the 220 videos screened, 48 were found to have relevant information about CS safety and were selected for inclusion in the study. Approximately 70.8% of the videos were rated as inaccurate and 87.5% were rated as offering little value. Results of our study suggest that YouTube may currently be an inadequate source of information on CS safety. Safety professionals should verify YouTube video content against trusted agencies such as OSHA before using them as a resource for CS information.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i1.5626International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012) 39-4
Health status of child laborers in Nepal
Get PDFBackgroundAddressing child labor involves ensuring good health of existing child laborers in addition to reducing their number.ObjectiveTo determine different physical and psychological health problems among child laborers in Nepal.Methods and materialThis study compares the status of health between Nepalese child laborers and school going children of similar age. Nineteen different kinds of labors were selected and the child laborers in those work sectors were included in the study. Two medical doctors examined the children individually, and a psychologist assessed the level of stress indicators among the child laborers. Thus, clinical and psychological assessment were done, and compared with the same among school going children.ResultsA total of 313 child laborers and 200 school children were included in the study. Most of the laborers (82, 26.2%) were engaged in overland transportation and vehicle repair works. Child workers had significantly poor health status than the school going children, in term of pallor, absence of BCG vaccination, lack of de-worming, dermatitis, discharge from eyes, and ear – nose – throat problems. Two hundred eighty eight (92.1%) of the child workers had at least one psychological stress symptom.ConclusionsThe health status of child laborers is not satisfactory. Thus, measures to ensure quality health should receive priority while addressing child labor.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i1.5918 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012) 31-3
Physiological changes in cycle rickshaw pullers after strenuous exercise
Get PDFBackground: Cycle Rickshaw is a human-powered transportation device. A large number of people remain engaged in the occupation of pulling cycle rickshaw. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess nutritional status of the cycle rickshaw pullers and their workload by working heart rate and energy expenditure. Methods and Materials: Eighteen rickshaw pullers and eleven control subjects were selected after clinical examination. Subjects were asked to pull the rickshaw in two phases - phase 1 (before lunch) and phase 2 (after lunch) each of 3 cycles of 15 min duration each followed by 15 min rest with two passengers. Heart rate was recorded continuously using a heart rate monitor. Average working heart rate (AWHR), peak working heart rate (PWHR) and energy expenditure (EE) were calculated. Maximal heart rate (HRmax) was also recorded in the laboratory. The control subjects were allowed to work in a cycle ergometer in the laboratory. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean values of rickshaw pullers and those of control subjects in relation to age, BMI, fat% and HRmax (beats/min). The AWHR, PWHR and EE values of rickshaw pullers showed the workload as ‘heavy’ to ‘very heavy’ category. Conclusion: The result of the study will be beneficial for cycle rickshaw pullers, health administrators and manufacturers of cycle rickshaw.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6567 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 23-26
Knowledge of and attitudes to Occupational Health & Safety among tutors of a Vocational Training Institute (IIEK) in Greece: A pilot study.
Get PDFThis study aimed to develop two instruments, one for measuring knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and one for measuring attitudes to OHS, to examine differences in knowledge and attitudes among tutors teaching at a private vocational training institute in Greece (IIEK) and to identify significant predictors of OHS knowledge.For the 9-item knowledge scale developed, a K–R 20 of 0.60 was generated while for the 9-item attitude scale a Cronbach’s alpha (α) of 0.71 was generated. A cross-sectional, comparative research design was followed and the population (N=71) was stratified into “vocational area of expertise” groups. A proportional stratified random sampling strategy was used. It was found that, for the sampled tutors (n=31), “hours of OHS training” was the sole significant predictor of OHS knowledge contributing for 76% of the explained variance. No significant contributions to OHS knowledge were made by “vocational area of expertise”, “years of teaching experience” and “attitudes to OHS”. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i1.5341 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012) 15-2