scholarly journals Evaluation of an Occupational Safety and Health Training for Cannabis Cultivation Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 765-769
Author(s):  
Carol E Brown ◽  
Erin Shore ◽  
Mike V Van Dyke ◽  
Joshua Scott ◽  
Roberta Smith
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Health Hazards ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Repetitive Motion ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Safety And Health

Abstract Objectives As the commercial cannabis industry grows, there is an increased need to characterize potentially hazardous workplace exposures and provide training to workers to mitigate these exposures with the goal of reducing accidents and injuries from cannabis cultivation, processing, and manufacturing. Public health and safety stakeholders in Colorado developed a worker-focused training designed to improve hazard awareness, recognition, and controls related to commercial cannabis cultivation. This paper describes the evaluation of this training. Methods The training was a full day, in-person educational experience directed to workers in the cannabis cultivation industry. Training topics included an overview of occupational safety and health hazards, chemical exposures, slip, trips, and falls, repetitive motion, the application of the hierarchy of control including lockout/tagout, machine guarding, personal protective equipment, among others. Evaluation surveys assessed attendee demographics, perceived job hazards, confidence to change workplace practices, knowledge, training relevancy and quality, intent to change behavior, as well as barriers and resources. Results A total of 208 people attended the safety trainings. One hundred and thirty-four participants (64%) completed the pre-training survey and 107 (51%) completed the post-training survey. Respondents provided high ratings for the quality and relevance of the training, with 91.3% of respondents rating the training very good or excellent. Before the training, the attendees listed their most concerning safety and health issues as exposure to pesticides and other chemicals (65.7%), absorbing chemicals through the skin (56.7%), slips, trips, and falls (52.2%), and respiratory hazards (50.7%). After the training, they reported the most concerning hazards to be slips, trips, and fall hazards (65.4%), ergonomic problems (64.5%), and respiratory issues (61.7%). There was a statistically non-significant increase in knowledge scores from 67.1% correct to 76.0% correct. Finally, 88.5% of respondents felt extremely or very confident that they could change their own health and safety practices at work. Conclusions The training successfully reached cannabis employees in cultivation, compliance, and management. Survey respondents felt that the training was of high quality and addressed gaps in their knowledge related to safety and health hazards in the cannabis industry. The workplace safety and health concerns shifted from pre- to post-training. There was a statistically non-significant increase in knowledge. Additional follow-up of training attendees would be beneficial to measure sustained impact of training.

The Occupational Safety and Health of Pornography Performers

2021 ◽  
pp. 187-208
Author(s):  
Emily F. Rothman
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Health Hazards ◽  
Independent Contractors ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Related

This chapter focuses on the work-related hazards faced by pornography performers and other laborers in the adult entertainment industry workforce. The chapter reviews demographics and characteristics of pornography performers, what health-related and other challenges those in the industry face because of their work, which organized groups support their collective health and safety on the job, and what policies have been drafted that seek to address pornography performers’ health and safety. The chapter details health hazards, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), violence on set, stigma, the challenges of working as independent contractors, and lack of wage transparency in the industry. The chapter emphasizes that occupational safety and health hazards faced by performers are undoubtedly compounded when performers are Black, Latinx, transgender, or identify as belonging to another marginalized group. Public health advocates should focus on promoting the well-being of those who work in the pornography industry by establishing meaningful, long-term, trusting partnerships with those presently working in the industry.

Managing Workplace Safety and Health

2013 ◽  
pp. 512-536
Author(s):  
Thomas Kniesner ◽  
John D. Leeth
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Economic Incentive ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Market Forces ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
Safety And Health

This entry explicates how market forces incent managers to be concerned with worker health and safety. It also notes how supplementing market forces are government actions intended to improve work-related health and safety. These include the legal system under tort laws, states’ workers’ compensation insurance Programs, research into the causes of health hazards at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the federal government’s workplace regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). An important empirical conclusion emerging is that the labor market, via the additional compensation workers require for exposure to health and safety risks, provides the largest economic incentive for managers making workplace decisions involving worker health-related well being.

scholarly journals A descriptive analysis of 2020 California Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19-related complaints

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn D Thomas ◽  
Ellicott C Matthay ◽  
Kate A Duchowny ◽  
Alicia R Riley ◽  
Harmon Khela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
California Department ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Per Capita

COVID-19 mortality disproportionately affected specific occupations and industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protects the health and safety of workers by setting and enforcing standards for working conditions. Workers may file OSHA complaints about unsafe conditions. Complaints may indicate poor workplace safety during the pandemic. We evaluated COVID-19-related complaints filed with California (Cal)/OSHA between January 1, 2020 and December 14, 2020 across seven industries. To assess whether workers in occupations with high COVID-19-related mortality were also most likely to file Cal/OSHA complaints, we compared industry-specific per-capita COVID-19 confirmed deaths from the California Department of Public Health with COVID-19-related complaints. Although 7,820 COVID-19-related complaints were deemed valid by Cal/OSHA, only 627 onsite inspections occurred and 32 citations were issued. Agricultural workers had the highest per-capita COVID-19 death rates (402 per 100,000 workers) but were least represented among workplace complaints (44 per 100,000 workers). Health Care workers had the highest complaint rates (81 per 100,000 workers) but the second lowest COVID-19 death rate (81 per 100,000 workers). Industries with the highest inspection rates also had high COVID-19 mortality. Our findings suggest complaints are not proportional to COVID-19 risk. Instead, higher complaint rates may reflect worker groups with greater empowerment, resources, or capacity to advocate for better protections. This capacity to advocate for safe workplaces may account for relatively low mortality rates in potentially high-risk occupations. Future research should examine factors determining worker complaints and complaint systems to promote participation of those with the greatest need of protection.

scholarly journals Descriptive Study of Safety and Health Training Content in Iranian Universities and Higher Education Institutes

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
MASOOMEH VAHABI ◽  
MOSTAFA POUYAKIAN ◽  
ZAHRA MOHAMMADI ◽  
GHASEM HESAM ◽  
HOSSEIN AFIFEHZADEH KASHANI
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
General View ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Related

The root cause of many workplace incidents is the lack of knowledge on occupational safety and health principles. Despite the safety and health authorities in organizations, safety and health is the general responsibility of all other experts working in an organization. Experts and managers are expected to think, decide and work safely in workplaces. However, we don’t have enough information about the level of safety and health-related education when they were in universities. In addition, there is not too much reliable published reports on the academic teaching of safety and health courses and syllabus in higher education in Iran. Therefore, the current study was aimed to provide a general view of the status of occupational safety and health teaching subjects in different academic disciplines (excluding specialized fields in occupational safety and health) in the Iranian higher educational system. Firstly, the latest edition of the entire program (curricula) of all academic disciplines held in Iranian universities was downloaded. Secondly, the required information, including discipline title, program’s degree, number of required (core) and elective (non-core) courses, and program’s date of approval, were recorded in an Excel sheet. Every course’s title and syllabus were then studied to find out any safety and health-related topics. Finally, data were analyzed and reported. 251 academic disciplines in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) and 771 disciplines in the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) were investigated. Most of the curriculums have been revised by both ministries since 2011. Results showed that 20 percent of the MOHME‎ ‎disciplines and 10.4 percent of MSRT‎ disciplines were included in the occupational safety and health courses. The number of courses with health and safety content (syllabus outline) in the MOHME ‎‎and the MSRT‎ were 168 and 173. Most health and safety courses presented in the MOHME academic majors were in the basic medical sciences category of disciplines. A majority of MSRT covered academic safety and health courses and topics were presented in the engineering category of disciplines. Presenting lessons with health and safety content at the MOHME ‎was more practical than that of the MSRT. The quality and quantity of teaching on safety and health topic were not at satisfactory levels. Revising the course syllabus of the academic disciplines and adding theoretical and practical courses related to each field's specific health and safety curriculum can make a significant contribution in improving the general knowledge of the safety and health of the university graduates. In turn, it improves future workplace safety and health conditions, managers’ insights and decision-makers on the importance of safety and health at work. It protects the people's life and the property of the organization.

Injury narratives in occupational safety and health prevention in Italy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Fubini ◽  
O Pasqualini ◽  
E Ferro ◽  
M Marino ◽  
S Santoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Prevention ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Story Collection

Abstract Background Storytelling is an effective information source when coupled with technical-scientific evidence. It can promote a structured relationship between evidence-based knowledge and field experience of workplace safety and prevention services (WSPS) inspectors. This is key to identifying the causes of workplace injuries and to set priorities for prevention strategies. Aims The main aim was to describe and report how story collection can be used for deriving validated indications for injury prevention. The specific objectives were to report the results of the creation and dissemination on the web of the story collection and the experience of setting up a community of practice (CoP) to develop preventive recommendations. Methods WSPS inspectors from local health boards in Piedmont (northwest Italy) were asked to write injury stories. They identified the key elements of their stories and developed a narrative of witness accounts to explore the critical issues identified during the investigation. In sessions with the CoP, the inspectors validated the indications for prevention elaborated in each story to reduce bias and standardize recommendations. Results Between 2012 and 2017, 60 WSPS inspectors wrote 53 injury stories which were collected and published on the institutional website. Twenty-two stories were selected for discussion during peer review sessions in the CoP and the indications for prevention were transformed as preventive solutions. Conclusions Occupational safety and health prevention can benefit from a narrative-based approach that provides a more comprehensive look at health and safety by facilitating knowledge improvement and sharing.

scholarly journals SYMPOSIUM: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY: Introduction: New Zealand Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Viewed Against the World Scene

1970 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian B. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
Safety And Health

Recent issues of this journal have contained articles dealing with safety and health issues in industrial relations (Benson, 1981; Hamilton and Penney, 1982; Beaumont and Leopold, 1982). These articles reflect an awareness of occupational safety and health issues which has been developing over the last decade; both in New Zealand and overseas. This development prompted the journal to advertise for papers for a symposium on occupational safety and health. The response was very great indeed. Of the papers offered, 6 were selected for publication. These papers provide an interesting mix of case studies, national surveys and international cotnparisons.

Occupational Safety and Health of Laundry Employees in Hotel Industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankush Ambardar
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Employee Safety ◽  
Employee Protection ◽  
Chemical Hazards ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Day To Day Operations ◽  
And Performance

Employee safety and health is considered to be one of the major important human resource functions for any hotel organization. The current paper focuses on the application of occupational safety and health of laundry employees looking at the nature of the tasks performed in day to day operations. OSH is one of the significant factors responsible for employees inspiration and moreover retention in a hotel organization. Health, safety and performance of the employees are dependent on understanding and application of ergonomic practices followed during laundry operations. The paper explores laundry employee protection against various critical factors such as injuries, accidents, work postures, chemical exposure, heat, fire, noise, etc. A questionnaire was used to perpetuate perception of laundry employees in regard to protection from factors concerning safety and health issues from hotels of India. The results reveal that some of the OSH practices are been followed in hotels, while some were missing from hotels such as training, periodical audit and protection against chemical hazards. The present study suggests need for adopting OSH practices and enforcing periodical check for the same in every hotel besides of its categorization.

scholarly journals Legal Framework as a Determinant of Implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Programmes in the Manufacturing Sector in Kenya.

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Wanjiku Ndegwa ◽  
Wario Guyo ◽  
George Orwa ◽  
Robert Ng’ang’a ◽  
Elishba Muthoni Murigi
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Safety And Health

Recent trends in the organization of work have increased the risk of occupational safety and health (OSH) in Kenyan industries through exposure to hazardous substances, work related accidents and increased stress-related illnesses. According to International lab our organization (ILO) everyone is entitled to the right to safe and healthy working conditions and therefore the corpus of law in Kenya dealing with occupational safety and health should be embedded in the international OSH legal instruments. Specifically the occupational health and safety Act (2007) is expected to provide for safety, health and welfare of workers and all persons lawfully present at workplaces. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate legal framework as a determinant of implementation of occupational health and safety programmes in the manufacturing sector in Kenya. It focused on six legal areas predicted as affecting implementation of OSH. These factors were national OSH policy, OSHA (occupational safety and health Act) familiarity with OSHA, government OSH inspections and audits, ease of implementation of OSHA, Government support in the implementation of OSH and OSHA implement ability. The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional survey design but however intended to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 257 OSH officers drawn randomly from 735 manufacturing industries registered by Kenya manufacturers association. 252 questionnaires were received back and analyzed with the help of SSPS window version 21. Both correlation and regression analysis were conducted and the results showed that there was a positive significant relationship between legal framework and implementation of OSH programmes. 

scholarly journals The role of health and safety experts in the management of hazardous and toxic wastes in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 07011
Author(s):  
Supriyadi ◽  
Hadiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Hazardous Waste ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Toxic Waste ◽  
Hazardous Waste Management ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Experts

Occupational Safety and Health Experts in Indonesia have an important role in integrating environmental health and safety factors, including in this regard as human resources assigned to undertake hazardous waste management. Comprehensive knowledge and competence skills need to be carried out responsibly, as an inherent professional occupational safety and health profession. Management leaders should continue to provide training in external agencies responsible for science in the management of toxic waste to enable occupational safety and health experts to improve their performance in the hierarchy of control over the presence of hazardous materials. This paper provides an overview of what strategies and competencies the Occupational Safety and Health expert needs to have in embracing hazardous waste management practices.

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