scholarly journals Radiographic features of importance in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program: characterising the use of the ‘other symbols’

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e015876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara N Halldin ◽  
Janet M Hale ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
A Scott Laney
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Radiographic Feature ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Radiographic Features ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Lung Abnormalities ◽  
Coal Workers

ObjectiveThe National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) provides radiographic pneumoconiosis screening for US coal miners. Radiographs are classified by readers according to International Labour Office criteria. In addition to pneumoconiotic parenchymal and pleural lung abnormalities, readers document radiographic features of importance (other symbols). Other symbols are not meant to imply a diagnosis or interpretation but are relevant as they provide information beyond a pneumoconiosis classification for features related to dust exposure and other aetiologies. Our objective was to summarise other symbol data from 48 years of CWHSP participants.MethodsChest radiograph classifications obtained from CWHSP participants between July 1968 and July 2016 were analysed. Any ‘other symbol’ indication from any of the readings were counted. Frequencies were tabulated by individual reader and those identified by any reader.ResultsOf the 469 922 radiographs included in this study, nearly 15% had at least one reader identify a radiographic feature of importance. The most commonly identified other symbol was cancer (excluding mesothelioma) (6.83%), followed by emphysema (1.68%). Some features were rarely identified over the 48 years of data collection such as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis (n=46), pneumothorax (n=32), mesothelioma (n=12) and rounded atelectasis (n=4).ConclusionsThis is the largest study to date describing radiographic features of importance as part of routine chest radiographic surveillance. While these symbols are not diagnostic they can be used to describe features associated with dust exposure. One of the most commonly identified radiographic features in our population is emphysema which is associated with respirable dust exposure. These results can be compared with other dust exposed populations.

scholarly journals Evaluation of high blood pressure and obesity among US coal miners participating in the Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Lauren Casey ◽  
Kathleen B. Fedan ◽  
Nicole Edwards ◽  
David J. Blackley ◽  
Cara N. Halldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Coal Workers

Employee Health Surveillance in the Health Care Industry

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 423-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Hood ◽  
Michael Larrañaga
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
Safety And Health

This article provides an overview of the fundamental and inherent challenges in developing a health surveillance program for a health care facility. These challenges are similar to those facing individuals responsible for developing health surveillance programs for multiple industries because several “mini-industries” exist within hospitals. Hazards can range from those that are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to those that are unregulated but pose a threat to health care workers. Occupational hazards that are unique to the health care industry also exist. A health surveillance program can be developed with focused assessment and a strong occupational safety and health program. Implementation can occur within a health care setting with the buy-in of the many stakeholders involved, especially supervisors managing departments where chemical and other hazards are present.

scholarly journals Prevalence of spirometry-defined airflow obstruction in never-smoking working US coal miners by pneumoconiosis status

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-267
Author(s):  
Laura Kurth ◽  
Anthony S Laney ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
Cara N Halldin
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis ◽  
Office System ◽  
Coal Workers

IntroductionThis study estimated the prevalence of spirometry-defined airflow obstruction and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) among never-smoking coal miners participating in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP).MethodsData were from working miners screened by a CWHSP mobile unit who had valid spirometry and chest radiography results. Spirometry-defined airflow obstruction was determined when the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity is less than the lower limit of normal. Chest radiographs were classified according to the International Labour Office system to identify pneumoconiosis, including the most severe form of pneumoconiosis, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).ResultsPrevalence of airflow obstruction among never-smoking coal miners in this sample was 7.7% overall, 16.4% among miners with CWP and 32.3% among miners with PMF. Airflow obstruction was significantly associated with CWP and PMF.ConclusionsThere was a higher prevalence of airflow obstruction among never-smoking coal miners with pneumoconiosis compared with those without pneumoconiosis. These findings support prior research on airflow obstruction and smoking and show pneumoconiosis might present with an obstructive pattern regardless of smoking status.

scholarly journals Continued increase in prevalence of r-type opacities among underground coal miners in the USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 479-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi B Hall ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
Cara N Halldin ◽  
A Scott Laney
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Silica ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Lung Pathology ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
Central Appalachia ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis ◽  
Coal Workers ◽  
Prevalence Ratios

IntroductionRespirable crystalline silica exposure has been implicated in the resurgence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in the USA. A 2010 report found an increasing prevalence of r-type opacities, which are associated with silicosis lung pathology, on the radiographs of working underground coal miners in central Appalachia. This analysis updates that report by assessing the prevalence of r-type opacities during 2010–2018 compared with earlier decades.MethodsData from the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program were used to calculate the prevalence of r-type opacities on radiographs of working underground coal miners. The data were restricted to radiographs taken during 1 January 1980 to 15 September 2018. The presence of r-type opacities was defined as an r-type classification for either the primary or secondary shape/size of small opacities. Prevalence ratios for r-type opacities were calculated using log binomial regression.ResultsRadiograph classifications for 106 506 miners were included in analysis. For the USA overall, the prevalence of r-type opacities among miners with radiographs taken during 2010–2018 compared with 1980–1989 has increased (PR 2.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.0). For central Appalachia, the proportion of r-type opacities observed increased when comparing 1980–1989 to 2010–2018 (PR 6.0; 95% CI 4.6 to 7.9).ConclusionsThe prevalence of r-type opacities on the radiographs of Appalachian underground coal miners continues to increase, implicating exposure to crystalline silica in respirable coal mine dust. The current findings underscore the importance of monitoring and controlling exposure to silica in coal mines.

scholarly journals Pneumoconiosis progression patterns in US coal miner participants of a job transfer programme designed to prevent progression of disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 402-406
Author(s):  
Noemi B Hall ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
Cara N Halldin ◽  
A Scott Laney
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Job Transfer ◽  
Progression Of Disease ◽  
The One

ObjectivesPneumoconiosis prevalence and severity among US coal miners has been increasing for the past 20 years. An examination of the current approaches to primary and secondary prevention efforts is warranted. One method of secondary prevention is the Mine Safety and Health Administration-administered part 90 option programme where US coal miners with radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis can exercise their right to be placed in a less dusty area of the mine. This study focuses on characterising the progression of disease among US coal miners who participated in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Programme (CWHSP) and exercised their part 90 job transfer option.MethodsChest radiograph classifications of working underground coal miners who exercised their part 90 job transfer option during 1 January 1986 to 21 November 2016 and participated in the CWHSP during 1 January 1981 to 19 March 2019 were analysed.Results513 miners exercised their part 90 option and participated in the CWHSP at least once during this time period. Of the 149 miners with ≥2 radiographs available, 48 (32%) showed progression after exercising part 90 and had more severe disease prior to exercising, compared with miners who did not progress (severity score of 2.8 vs 1.7, p=0.0002).ConclusionThe part 90 job transfer option programme is not routinely used as intended to prevent progression of pneumoconiosis among US coal miners. The one-third of miners who participated in part 90 and continued to progress, exercised their part 90 option at a later stage of disease compared with non-progressors.

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