scholarly journals The Italian National Surveillance System for Occupational Injuries: Conceptual Framework and Fatal Outcomes, 2002–2016

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Campo ◽  
L Cegolon ◽  
D De Merich ◽  
U Fedeli ◽  
M Pellicci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
National Database ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Injured Person ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fatal Injuries

ABSTRACTBackgroundA national database of work related injuries was established in Italy since 2002, collecting information on the injured person, his/her work tasks, the workplace as well as risk factors contributing to accident dynamics, according to a model called Infor.Mo.MethodsThe present is a qualitative description of occupational fatal injuries, excluding work-related fatal traffic injuries, that occurred in Italy from 2002 to 2016 (15 years).Results4,874 victims were registered, all were males, mainly of >51 years of age (50.5%), predominantly self-employed (27.8%) or workers with non-standard contracts (25%). About 18.4% and 17.3% of fatal accidents occurred in micro-enterprises belonging to, respectively, Construction and Agriculture. A wide range of nationalities (59 countries in addition to Italy) was identified. 18.9% work related fatal injuries were due to some form of dangerous energy □ mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical □ freely present in the workplace. Fall of workers from height (33.5%), heavy bodies falling on workers from height (16.7%) and vehicles exiting their route and overturning (15.9%) were the accidents causing the greatest proportion of occupational fatal injuries. The activity of the injured person made up 43.3% of 9,386 risk factors identified in 4,874 fatalities. Less common risk factors were related to: work equipment (20.2%); work environment (14.9%); the activity of third parties (9.8%); personal protective equipment/clothing (8.0%) and materials (3.7%). The activity of the injured person remained the most relevant contributing factor even when the accident was caused by two or more risk factors.DiscussionOccupational fatal injuries occurred mainly in small size firms. Small companies generally have less resources to catch up with the continuously evolving health and safety at work regulations; moreover, they tend to be less compliant with occupational health and safety regulations since are less likely to be inspected by occupational vigilance services. As a result, the enforcement of regulations to control the occupational risk factors of occupational injuries is seemingly costly and scarcely effective. An alternative approach that is being introduced in Italy relies on the use of economic incentives to promote safe and healthy workplaces.

scholarly journals The Italian National Surveillance System for Occupational Injuries: Conceptual Framework and Fatal Outcomes, 2002–2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7631
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Campo ◽  
Luca Cegolon ◽  
Diego De Merich ◽  
Ugo Fedeli ◽  
Mauro Pellicci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Third Party ◽  
National Database ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Injured Person ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fatal Injuries

Background: A national database of work-related injuries has been established in Italy since 2002, collecting information on the injured person, his/her work tasks, the workplace and the risk factors contributing to incident dynamics, according to a model called Infor.Mo. Methods: A descriptive study of occupational fatal injuries, excluding work-related fatal traffic injuries, that occurred in Italy from 2002 to 2016 (15 years) was performed. Results: Among 4874 victims involved, all were males, mainly >51 years of age (43.2%), predominantly self-employed (27.8%) or workers with non-standard contracts (25%). About 18.4% and 17.3% of fatal events occurred in micro-enterprises belonging to, respectively, construction and agriculture. A wide range of nationalities (59 countries in addition to Italy) was identified. Overall, 18.9% of work-related fatal injuries were due to some form of hazardous energy—mechanical, thermal, electrical or chemical—that was normally present in the workplace. Workers’ falls from height (33.5%), heavy loads falling on workers from height (16.7%) and vehicles exiting their route and overturning (15.9%) were the events causing the greatest proportion of occupational fatal injuries in the present study (from 2002 to 2016) and in the initial pilot phase, focused on years 2002–2004, with a similar distribution of fatal events between the two time periods. The activity of the injured person made up 43.3% of 9386 risk factors identified in 4874 fatalities. Less common risk factors were related to work equipment (20.2%), work environment (14.9%), third–party activity (9.8%), personal protective equipment/clothing (8.0%) and materials (3.7%). The activity of the injured person remained the most relevant contributing factor even when the incident was caused by two or more risk factors. Discussion: Occupational fatal injuries occurred mainly in small size firms (up to nine employees) in hazardous workplaces. Small companies, which account for 68% (2888/4249) of all firms in the present study, generally have fewer resources to remain current with the continuously evolving health and safety at work regulations; moreover, these firms tend to be less compliant with health and safety at work regulations since they are less likely to be inspected by occupational vigilance services. Perspectives: An approach being introduced in Italy relies on the use of economic incentives to promote safe and healthy workplaces. The comparison of pre-intervention and post-intervention rates of work-related injuries by means of interrupted time series analyses could detect whether the intervention will have an effect significantly greater than the underlying secular trend.

Occupational physical risk factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the traditional lacquerware toy makers of South India

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar Hanumegowda ◽  
Sakthivel Gnanasekaran ◽  
Shankar Subramaniam ◽  
Adarsh Honnappa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
South India ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Study Results

BACKGROUND: The majority of handicraft workers in India falls under the informal sector, which plays a prominent role in the employment generation. Artisans in handicraft sectors encounter various hazards and risks causing occupational diseases. OBJECTIVE: The key objective of the study is to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and occupational risk factors among the artisans involved in making traditional lacquerware toys in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, South India. METHODS: The subjects considered in this study are 177 artisans who work in mechanized lathes at Channapatna of Karnataka and Etikoppaka of Andhra Pradesh, South India. The information regarding the reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) symptoms from 7 days to 12 months are collected through modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and by direct observations. Moreover, the intervention of WMSD in their day-to-day life and the overall comfort of their body are also determined. The questionnaire survey is conducted through face-to-face interviews and by direct field study. RESULTS: From the statistical analysis, it is found that about 76.83%of the study population (77.4%male and 74.28%female) has self-reported WMSDs. The prevalence of WMSD is most common in the age group of 30–40 years. Physical factors like workplace adaptability, stress at work, body postures, health status, body mass index, active and enough breaks during work and body condition at the end of work have a significant association with WMSD. CONCLUSION: In this study, many of the work-related and lifestyle/health-related factors show a significant association with WMSD in artisans. The sub-standard working environment and the nature of work expose artisans to many occupational risks in their day-to-day life. To mitigate the occupational risks and musculoskeletal disorders, the workspace needs to be resigned ergonomically.

Work-Related and Behavioral Risk Factors of Diseases of the Circulatory System in Oil Industry Workers

2021 ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
ET Valeeva ◽  
GG Gimranova ◽  
ER Shaikhlislamova
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorders ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Oil Workers

Introduction: In terms of the prevalence and severity of complications, diseases of the circulatory system rank high in the structure of general morbidity among the causes of disability and premature mortality of the working-age population. The main reasons for the increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases are considered to be such behavioral risk factors as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, hypertriglyceridemia, overweight, and physical inactivity. By now, contribution of adverse work-related and occupational factors in the development of cardiovascular disorders has been proven as well. Our objective was to study the relationship between work-related and behavioral risk factors and diseases of the circulatory system in oil workers. Methods: We conducted an assessment of working conditions and health status of oil industry workers that included a questionnaire-based survey to identify unmodified and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, anthropometry, blood pressure measurements, the analysis of lipid metabolism indicators, and examination by a cardiologist. We established that the working conditions of oil production and refinery workers belong to hazard class 3 and may contribute to increased rates of chronic non-communicable diseases including diseases of the circulatory system. The main work-related risk factors for oilmen include vibration, noise, workplace air pollution with saturated hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide, as well as the severity of the labor process. Strong interrelationships of the main risk factors were revealed. The proportion of workers with a high risk of developing cardiovascular disorders was about 30 % of the total number of employees. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the role of work-related and non-occupational risk factors in the development of diseases of the circulatory system in oil workers and indicate the need to develop appropriate preventive measures.

scholarly journals Occupational Health and Safety of Immigrant Workers in Italy and Spain: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Arici ◽  
Elena Ronda-Pérez ◽  
Tishad Tamhid ◽  
Katsiaryna Absekava ◽  
Stefano Porru
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Immigrant Workers ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors

The main aim of the present study was to summarize the available literature on the topic of occupational health and safety (OH&S) among immigrant workers (IMWs) in Italy and Spain. We conducted a scoping review, searching Medline, Social Sciences Citation Index, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, SciELO, and EMBASE for peer-reviewed articles, published in English, Italian, or Spanish, between 1999–2018. 34 studies were included, 28 with quantitative methodology and 6 with qualitative. Main findings were that, compared to natives, IMWs in Italy and Spain showed higher prevalence of low-skilled jobs and of perceived discrimination at work; higher physical demands, poorer environmental working conditions, and more exposure to occupational risks (e.g., ergonomic and psychosocial hazards); a greater risk of occupational injuries; worse general and mental health; and a plausible worsening of their health status, especially in Spain, as a result of the economic crisis. The findings of the present scoping review constitute warning signs that indicate the need for a holistic global response to ensure that adverse OH&S outcomes among IMWs workers are improved and that equitable access to health care is guaranteed. Such a response will require a concrete and evidence-based approach to prevent and monitor occupational risk factors and associated outcomes in the workplaces.

scholarly journals O7C.2 Developing a measuring strategy for monitoring and evaluation of a national occupational health intervention programme in great britain (GB)

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A64.3-A65
Author(s):  
Yiqun Chen ◽  
Andrew Curran
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Over Time

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the GB regulator for health and safety at work. The HSE Health and Work (H&W) program designs and carries out a wide range of interventions; including inspection, enforcement and other regulatory activities as well as prevention; targeting priority health conditions in high-risk sectors. It is anticipated that long-term, sustainable and coordinated actions developed as part of the program will over time improve awareness, behaviors, control of exposures, and, as a result, prevent work-related ill health in GB workforce.An HSE Measuring Strategy, together with measurement framework and principles, has been developed. The measurement framework draws together data systems, covering Attitudes (A), Behaviors (B), Control of exposures (C), and Disease and work-related ill health reduction (D), based on a simple model to provide evidence required for evaluating the short, medium and long term impacts of the large scale and complex H&W program on the GB health and safety system. The Strategy gives a new focus on measuring behavioral changes and risk reductions; and emphasizes longitudinal measurement designs to assess progress over time.For developing the Strategy, workshops were organized to bring stakeholders across HSE to review existing systems for conducting population surveys, collecting exposure intelligence and occupational health surveillance, which have contributed to forming a long-term vision of fit-for-purpose measurement systems.We will present the development of the Strategy and the plans to implement it with the H&W program, which requires close collaborations between epidemiologists and social researchers, policy makers, and other multidisciplinary regulatory specialists. The lessons learnt will help HSE towards building the right evidence base for monitoring and evaluation of a range of national level intervention programs for work-related ill health prevention.©British Crown copyright (2019)

scholarly journals Evaluating the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Technicians of Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-208
Author(s):  
Seyyedeh Haniyeh Mousavibaghi ◽  
◽  
Kamran Ezzati ◽  
Mahmood Abedinzade ◽  
Sadegh MoshtaghiKoojel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Check Method ◽  
One Year

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the prevalent occupational injuries and disabilities in developing countries. Objectives: The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among surgery technicians. Materials & Methods: samples (n=179) of this analytical and cross-sectional study were selected using a census method among the surgical technicians who had at least one year of work experience. The disorders of different parts of their bodies were evaluated by Nordic questionnaire, and the risk of catching the musculoskeletal disorders was assessed using quick exposure check method. Statistical analyses were done in SPSS V. 16. Results: According to the Nordic questionnaire, the most prevalent work-related disorders in the past year were found in the back (71.5%), neck (57%), wrist (50.8%), and shoulder (49.7%) of the study subjects. The quick exposure check results showed that the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was in action level one for 32.4% of the surgery technicians, and action level three for 33% of them. This study showed associations between the prevalence of work-related symptoms in different body regions and some individual and occupational characteristics (P<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) is high among surgical technicians and lumbar disorders are the most common types. Risk factors for MSDs include undesirable physical posture, weight, time spent for shifting loads, excessive force applied by one or both hands at work, working speed, and staff stress levels. among near half of the studied surgical technicians, there were high and very high risks for injury, indicating the vulnerable condition and environment of this job.

scholarly journals Regulation of work-related and occupational impacts on workers employed at railroads: experience gained in Russia and other countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 173-185
Author(s):  
V.A. Loginova ◽  
◽  
Yu.N. Kas'kov ◽  
E.A. Zhidkova ◽  
K.G. Gurevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Federal Law ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Occupational Factors ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Railway Traffic ◽  
Systemic Analysis ◽  
Research Goal ◽  
Railway Workers

The present research is vital as it will allow increasing safety of working conditions for workers employed at railway transport due to reducing impacts exerted by occupational risk factors. Our research goal was to perform comparative analysis of requirements to labor protection provided for railway workers. Our research was performed via non-systemic analysis of literature that involved searching through Elibrary, Pubmed and Cochrane databases as per certain key words. As a result, we showed that railway traffic involved exposure to numerous occupational risk factors; due to it, a significant number of workplaces, including those of enginemen and other railway workers, belonged to the 3rd (adverse) hazard category. Basic occupational risk factors included noise and vibration; psychoemotional loads borne by engine team workers and traffic controllers; exposure to industrial aerosols; electromagnetic irradiation; fluctuations in microclimatic parameters in engines’ cabs. All these occupational factors influence not only workers who are directly employed at railways but also people who live in close proximity to them. Therefore, in most countries there is legislative basis on health protection for people who may be exposed to occupational factors related to railway traffic. Our analysis revealed that in general the existing legislation in Russia corresponded to foreign one. Bases for harmonization of the domestic legislation with foreign one are fixed by the Federal Law issued on December 27, 2002 No. 184-FZ «On technical regulation». Harmonization of domestic and foreign legislation on reducing total exposure to occupational risk factors allows preserving long-term working ability and preventing work-related diseases.

scholarly journals Considerations on Ergonomic Issues in Physiotherapy Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 343 ◽  
pp. 10004
Author(s):  
Vlad Andrei Darabont ◽  
Doru Costin Darabont
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Mental Load ◽  
Repetitive Movement ◽  
Motor Disabilities ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
High Level ◽  
Technical Measures

Nowadays, the ergonomic issues become more and more important in all economic activity domains. Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) represent the main problem generated by the poor ergonomic design of the workplaces. The healthcare domain involves high level ergonomic risks related to physical and mental load of the work which could lead to MSDs. The paper presents an analysis of these ergonomic risks for physiotherapy activity and identifies potential measures to improve the health and safety in this domain. The physical load of the physiotherapist’s work is generated by the risk factors such as awkward postures, repetitive movement or working with patients with motor disabilities. The mental load of the physiotherapist’s work depends on risk factors such as working with patients with cognitive impairment and daily or weekly patient flows. The proposed preventive measures are organisational and technical. The organisational measures are based on the requirements of the occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and on the good practice examples. The technical measures are based on the analysing the documentation of physiotherapy modern equipment. The results of the study can be used to improve the ergonomics and the health and safety of any workplace in physiotherapy activity.

Better musculoskeletal health for anaesthetists

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Yentis ◽  
◽  
K. Asanati ◽  
C.R. Bailey ◽  
R. Hampton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The Body ◽  
Musculoskeletal Health ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Many Sources ◽  
Psychological Risk

3Association of Anaesthetists | Better musculoskeletal health for anaesthetistsSummaryWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are very common amongst healthcare workers, and there is evidence that anaesthetists are at greater risk of upper limb disorders than other groups. This guidance aims to bring together advice and recommendations from a variety of sources in order to inform and support anaesthetists at work, in an attempt to reduce the prevalence and severity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the exacerbation of pre-existing disorders. Mechanical and psychosocial risk factors for work-associated musculoskeletal disorders are summarised, along with general principles for achieving better musculoskeletal health and practices specific to areas of the body most at risk. These include recommended exercises and stretches during sedentary work.RecommendationsAttention must be paid by both employers and anaesthetists to the physical and psychological risk factors that may lead to development and/or exacerbation of musculoskeletal disorders. This requires ongoing risk assessments and adherence to published standards of health and safety at work, including training. Such a programme is best achieved as part of a multidisciplinary approach.What other guidelines are available on this topic? There are many sources of guidance on health and safety in the workplace, across many sectors, much of which is of relevance to anaesthetists. There is no readily accessible guidance specifically aimed at the anaesthetic workplace.Why was this guideline developed?This guidance was developed as part of a wider piece of work by the Association of Anaesthetists based around ergonomics of the anaesthetic workplace, as a result of the increased reported incidence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst anaesthetists. It aims to draw on existing guidance and present a summary of advice relevant to anaesthetists and their practice.How and why does this publication differ from existing guidelines?This guidance summarises other advice and recommendations, and focuses on factors relevant to the anaesthetic workplace

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