A multicomponent ergonomic intervention involving individual and organisational changes for improving musculoskeletal outcomes and exposure risks among dairy workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 103159
Author(s):  
Azim Karimi ◽  
Iman Dianat ◽  
Abdullah Barkhordari ◽  
Iman Yusefzade ◽  
Marzieh Rohani-Rasaf
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Menger ◽  
Florencia Pezzutti ◽  
Andrew Ogle ◽  
Flor Amaya ◽  
John Rosecrance ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda A. Lee ◽  
Maia Ingram ◽  
Carolina Quijada ◽  
Andres Yubeta ◽  
Imelda Cortez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Throughout the United States, low-wage, minority workers are disproportionately affected by occupational illnesses and injuries. Chronic exposure to hazardous chemicals at work can lead to serious illnesses, contributing to health inequities. In this article, we expand on theories of ‘responsibilization’ in an occupational health context to reveal how responsibilities for workplace chemical exposures are negotiated by workers and owners in Latinx-owned small businesses. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with a total of 22 workers and owners in auto repair shops and beauty salons – two high-risk industries – in Southern Metropolitan Tucson. Participants were asked about their insights into workplace chemical exposures and health. A qualitative analysis team with representation from all study partner organizations collectively coded and reviewed the interview data in QSR International’s NVivo 11 and identified overarching themes across the interviews. Results We identified three primary themes: 1) ambivalence toward risks in the workplace; 2) shifting responsibilities for exposure protection at work; and 3) reflections on the system behind chemical exposure risks. Participants discussed the complexities that small businesses face in reducing chemical exposures. Conclusions Through our analysis of the interviews, we examine how neoliberal occupational and environmental policies funnel responsibility for controlling chemical exposures down to individuals in small businesses with limited resources, obscuring the power structures that maintain environmental health injustices. We conclude with a call for upstream policy changes that more effectively regulate and hold accountable the manufacturers of chemical products used daily by small business workers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Ranjana K.C. ◽  
Ganga Timilsina ◽  
Anjana Singh ◽  
Supriya Sharma

Objectives: To isolate methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from anterior nares of dairy workers and dairy products and assess the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates. Methods: Swab samples collected from anterior nares of dairy workers and dairy product (butter) were inoculated into mannitol salt agar and incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. Identification was done based on colony characteristics, Gram's staining, catalase, oxidase and coagulase test. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. MRSA was confirmed by using cefoxitin disc. Results: A total of 109 S. aureus (98 from dairy workers and 11 from butter samples) were isolated. Out of them 32 MRSA were isolated from dairy workers and 4 from butter samples. The association between age group and MRSA was found insignificant (p = 0.115). The association of MRSA between male and female workers was found significant (>0.05). About 86% of the MRSA isolates were susceptible to Gentamicin (86.11%) followed by Ciprofloxacin (77.78%). Conclusion: Detection of MRSA among dairy workers and dairy products warrants proper handling and adequate control measures to prevent transmission of MRSA from dairy industry.


2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Kase ◽  
Maria T. Correa ◽  
Mark D. Sobsey

Recent findings of almost genetically indistinguishable swine and human strains, have suggested swine play a role in the transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV). The extent to which HEV may be present and persist in the faecal waste generated from intensive swine operations is largely unknown. The fate of swine waste liquid is often land application, possibly resulting in unintentional seepage into groundwater or run-off into surface waters, hence validating concerns of human exposure risks. Freshly passed swine faeces, barn flush liquid waste, and lagoon liquid from production sites in North Carolina were surveyed periodically for HEV using RT-PCR primers located in ORF2. On three farms where HEV RNA was detected in swine faeces, it was also found in stored liquid waste on several occasions. HEV presence was related to swine age but not to animal management and waste management procedures, which varied amongst the farms. Seasonal patterns of HEV prevalence could not be established as viral RNA was isolated at all time points from two farms. Phylogenetic analysis of 212 bases of the genomic RNA indicated that isolates resembled the known US swine and human strains (percentage nucleic acid homology 91 to 94%), with one amino acid substitution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1957
Author(s):  
Maria De Nazaré Alves Lima ◽  
Dilton Luis Soares de Farias ◽  
Edson Samuel Rodrigues Da Cunha ◽  
Alcione De Souza Oliveira

RESUMOObjetivo: analisar a utilização do equipamento de esfigmomanômetro aneroide pelos técnicos de Enfermagem. Método: estudo qualitativo, do tipo descritivo, com nove técnicos de Enfermagem. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado, com dados transcritos e analisados pela técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: após a análise das falas, emergiram as categorias “A rotina adoece o trabalhador”; “Em casa de ferreiro, o espeto é de madeira” e “Santo de casa não faz milagre”. Percebe-se um trabalhador adoecido pela falta do cumprimento de política à saúde do trabalhador em que se faz necessária uma intervenção ergonômica. Conclusão: o trabalhador entende dos seus direitos, mas, ainda sim, de alguma forma, não os requer em relação às melhorias nas condições de trabalho. Quanto à instituição gestora, cabe adotar medidas de melhorias e absorver a participação dos trabalhadores para que aconteçam as devidas mudanças no seu cenário de trabalho. E se torna necessária a substituição do aparelho aneroide pelo digital em benefício à saúde do trabalhador. Descritores: Saúde do Trabalhador; Enfermagem do Trabalho; Unidade Básica de Saúde; Riscos Ocupacionais; Pessoal de Saúde; Política de Saúde do Trabalhador.ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the use of aneroid sphygmomanometer equipment by nursing technicians. Method: qualitative study, of the descriptive type, with nine nursing technicians. A semi-structured questionnaire was used, with data transcribed and analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. Results: after the analysis of the speech, the following categories emerged "The routine sickens the worker"; "In the blacksmith's house, the skewer is made of wood" and "The House Saint does not work miracles". A worker is affected by the lack of compliance with the worker's health policy in which an ergonomic intervention is necessary. Conclusion: the worker understands his rights, but, somehow, does not require them in relation to improvements in working conditions. As for the management institution, it is necessary to adopt improvement measures and absorb the participation of the workers so that the necessary changes in their work scenario happen. And it is necessary to replace the aneroid apparatus with digital for the benefit of the worker's health. Descritores: Occupational health; Occupational Health Nursing; Health Centers; Occupational Risks; Health Personnel; Occupational Health Policy. RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la utilización del equipo de esfigmomanómetro aneroide por los técnicos de Enfermería. Método: estudio cualitativo, del tipo descriptivo, con nueve técnicos de Enfermería, se utilizó un cuestionario semiestructurado, con datos transcritos y analizados por la técnica de Análisis de Contenido. Resultados: después del análisis de las conversaciones, surgieron las categorías: “La rutina enferma al trabajador”; “En casa de herrero, el asador es de madera”; “Santo de casa, no hace milagro”. Se percibe un trabajador enfermo por la falta del cumplimiento de política a la salud del trabajador en que se hace necesaria una intervención ergonómica. Conclusión: el trabajador entiende de sus derechos, pero sí, de alguna forma, no los requieren en relación a las mejoras en las condiciones de trabajo. En cuanto a la institución gestora, cabe adoptar medidas de mejora y absorber la participación de los trabajadores para que ocurran los debidos cambios en su escenario de trabajo. Y se hace necesaria la sustitución del aparato aneroide por el digital en beneficio de la salud del trabajador. Descritores: Salud Laboral; Enfermería del Trabajo; Centros de Salud; Riesgos laborales; Personal de Salud; Política de Salud Ocupacional.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom May ◽  
Henry Aughterson ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton

Aims: Non-healthcare keyworkers face distinct occupational vulnerabilities that have received little consideration within broader debates about ‘essential’ work and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the impact of the pandemic on the working lives and mental health and wellbeing of non-healthcare keyworkers in the UK.Methods: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants employed in a range of non-healthcare keyworker occupations, including transport, retail, education, postal services and the police force. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Results: Keyworkers experienced adverse psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, including fears of COVID-19 exposure, contagion and subsequent transmission to others, especially their families. These concerns were often experienced in the context of multiple exposure risks, including insufficient PPE and a lack of workplace mitigation practices. Keyworkers also described multiple work-related challenges, including increased workload, a lack of public and organisational recognition and feelings of disempowerment. Conclusion: In efforts to reduce psychosocial concerns among non-healthcare keyworkers, there is a need for appropriate support during the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for other infections (e.g. seasonal influenza) in the future. This includes the provision of psychological and workplace measures attending to the intersections of personal vulnerability and work conditions that cause unique risks and challenges among those in frontline keyworker occupations.


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