O8B.4 Exploring occupational injury experiences during hot weather: a national survey of health and safety professionals

IntroductionExposure to extreme heat can lead to adverse health effects and contribute to work-related injuries. However, there is limited understanding of how physical injuries arise in hot weather. A study of the perspectives of stakeholders such as occupational health and safety professionals (HSPs) on injury risk factors during hot weather may assist in informing injury prevention efforts.MethodsA national online survey of HSPs was undertaken. Collected data included perspectives on injury experiences, current preventive measures, training, policies and guidelines, and barriers for prevention. Results were analyzed descriptively and a log-poisson regression was used to identify risk factors associated with reported injuries during hot weather at workplaces the HSPs visited/managed.ResultsIn total there were 307 respondents, the majority of who acknowledged the potential for increased risk of occupational injuries in hot weather. A variety of injury types and mechanisms were reported, including manual handling injuries, hand injuries, wounds or lacerations and loss of control of power tools.Work factors significantly associated with reported injuries included problems with personal protective equipment; lack of shade; inadequate hydration and rest breaks, and problems with supervision.Less than half (42%) of HSPs stated the availability of adequate heat training for staff and 54% reported the provision for outdoor work to cease if temperatures are extreme as a preventive measure in workplaces they visited/managed. HSPs recommended ‘heat stress training’ as the most important preventive measure for outdoor and indoor workers. Reported barriers for prevention include: lack of awareness by workers and supervisors of injury risks, and management concerns about productivity loss and/or deadlines.ConclusionThese findings point to a range of modifiable work and organisational risk factors for injury during hot weather. More attention to these factors, in conjunction with traditional interventions for heat-induced illness, could enhance injury prevention in the workplace.

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O8B.3 Heat and injury in the workplace: perspectives from health and safety representatives

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oem-2019-epi.194 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. A72.2-A72

Author(s):

Blesson Varghese ◽

Alana Hansen ◽

Susan Williams ◽

Peng Bi ◽

Dino Pisaniello

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Occupational Injuries ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Adequate Ventilation ◽

Outdoor Workers ◽

Hot Weather

IntroductionHot weather poses occupational health and safety concerns for outdoor workers or those in non-cooled indoor environments. The risk of occupational injuries increases during hot weather, however limited understanding exists on underlying factors associated with this increase in risk. While recommendations and guidelines for preventing heat-related health impacts include hydration, cooling practices, adequate ventilation and rescheduling work, the extent to which these recommendations are adopted in workplaces is currently unknown.MethodsA national online survey was conducted among health and safety representatives (HSRs) to better understand the nature of heat-related injuries. Responses relating to risk factors and preventive measures associated with reported injuries in workplaces were identified using log-poisson regression models.ResultsIn total, 222 HSRs completed the survey. Overall, more than a third (43%) of HSRs reported that injuries or incidents caused by hot/very humid weather occur sometimes/often in their workplace.Factors found to be positively associated with reported injuries included ‘the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE)’, ‘inadequate resources and facilities’ and ‘new workers’.For outdoor workers, the most frequently adopted preventive measures were provision of PPE, sunscreen and access to cool drinking water. HSRs reported more injuries if certain preventive measures (rescheduling work to cooler times and shaded rest/work areas) were adopted never/rarely/sometimes compared to often/always.Access to cool drinking water and provision of PPE were the most frequently adopted preventive measures for indoor workers. For this group, HSRs reported more injuries if certain preventive measures (self-pacing, shielding of heat sources and adequate ventilation) were adopted never/rarely/sometimes.ConclusionFindings indicate that organisational issues, workplace hazards, personal factors and preventive measures, are all determinants of heat-related injuries in Australian workplaces. Wider adoption of prevention measures such as work rescheduling, self-pacing, provision of shade and adequate ventilation could reduce incidence of heat-related injuries in outdoor and indoor workplaces.

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Injury prevention knowledge, beliefs and strategies in elite female footballers at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2020-103131 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bjsports-2020-103131

Author(s):

Celeste Geertsema ◽

Liesel Geertsema ◽

Abdulaziz Farooq ◽

Joar Harøy ◽

Chelsea Oester ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Risk Level ◽

Attitudes And Beliefs ◽

Implementation Barriers ◽

World Cup ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

High Level ◽

Women's Football

ObjectivesThis study assessed knowledge, beliefs and practices of elite female footballers regarding injury prevention.MethodsA survey was sent to players participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. Questions covered three injury prevention domains: (1) knowledge; (2) attitudes and beliefs; (3) prevention practices in domestic clubs. Additionally, ACL injury history was assessed.ResultsOut of 552 players, 196 women responded (35.5%). More than 80% of these considered injury risk to be moderate or high. Players listed knee, ankle, thigh, head and groin as the most important injuries in women’s football. The most important risk factors identified were low muscle strength, followed by poor pitch quality, playing on artificial turf, too much training, reduced recovery and hard tackles. In these elite players, 15% did not have any permanent medical staff in their domestic clubs, yet more than 75% had received injury prevention advice and more than 80% performed injury prevention exercises in their clubs. Players identified the two most important implementation barriers as player motivation and coach attitude. Two-thirds of players used the FIFA 11+ programme in their clubs.ConclusionsThis diverse group of elite players demonstrated good knowledge of risk level and injury types in women’s football. Of the risk factors emphasised by players, there was only one intrinsic risk factor (strength), but several factors out of their control (pitch quality and type, training volume and hard tackles). Still players had positive attitudes and beliefs regarding injury prevention exercises and indicated a high level of implementation, despite a lack of medical support.

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Shoe cushioning, body mass and running biomechanics as risk factors for running injury: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017379 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. e017379 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Laurent Malisoux ◽

Nicolas Delattre ◽

Axel Urhausen ◽

Daniel Theisen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Body Mass ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Study Groups ◽

Self Report ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionRepetitive loading of the musculoskeletal system is suggested to be involved in the underlying mechanism of the majority of running-related injuries (RRIs). Accordingly, heavier runners are assumed to be at a higher risk of RRI. The cushioning system of modern running shoes is expected to protect runners again high impact forces, and therefore, RRI. However, the role of shoe cushioning in injury prevention remains unclear. The main aim of this study is to investigate the influence of shoe cushioning and body mass on RRI risk, while exploring simultaneously the association between running technique and RRI risk.Methods and analysisThis double-blinded randomised controlled trial will involve about 800 healthy leisure-time runners. They will randomly receive one of two running shoe models that will differ in their cushioning properties (ie, stiffness) by ~35%. The participants will perform a running test on an instrumented treadmill at their preferred running speed at baseline. Then they will be followed up prospectively over a 6-month period, during which they will self-report all their sports activities as well as any injury in an internet-based database TIPPS (Training and Injury Prevention Platform for Sports). Cox regression analyses will be used to compare injury risk between the study groups and to investigate the association among training, biomechanical and anatomical risk factors, and injury risk.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the National Ethics Committee for Research (Ref: 201701/02 v1.1). Outcomes will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at international conferences, as well as articles in popular magazines and on specialised websites.Trial registration numberNCT03115437, Pre-results.

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Student-inflicted injuries to staff in schools: comparing risk between educators and non-educators

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/injuryprev-2017-042472 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 116-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katherine E Schofield ◽

Andrew D Ryan ◽

Craig Stroinski

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Education ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Acting Out ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Educational Assistants ◽

Reduction Methods ◽

Rate Ratios

ObjectiveStudent-inflicted injury to staff in the educational services sector is a growing concern. Studies on violence have focused on teachers as victims, but less is known about injuries to other employee groups, particularly educational assistants. Inequities may be present, as educational assistants and non-educators may not have the same wage, benefits, training and employment protections available to them as professional educators. We identified risk factors for student-related injury and their characteristics among employees in school districts.MethodsWorkers’ compensation data were used to identify incidence and severity of student-related injury. Rates were calculated using negative binomial regression; risk factors were identified using multivariate models to calculate rate ratios (RR) and 95% CIs.ResultsOver 26% of all injuries were student-related; 8% resulted in lost work time. Special and general education assistants experienced significantly increased risk of injury (RR=6.0, CI 5.05 to 7.15; RR=2.07, CI 1.40 to 3.07) as compared with educators. Risk differed by age, gender and school district type. Text analyses categorised student-related injury. It revealed injury from students acting out occurred most frequently (45.4%), whereas injuries involving play with students resulted in the highest percentage of lost-time injuries (17.7%) compared with all interaction categories.ConclusionStudent-inflicted injury to staff occurs frequently and can be severe. Special education and general assistants bear the largest burden of injury compared with educators. A variety of prevention techniques to reduce injury risk and severity, including policy or environmental modifications, may be appropriate. Equal access to risk reduction methods for all staff should be prioritised.

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

10.1101/2020.06.15.20129726 ◽

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.

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COVID-19 and Immigrant Essential Workers: Bhutanese and Burmese Refugees in the United States

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354920971720 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (1) ◽

pp. 117-123

Author(s):

Mengxi Zhang ◽

Ashok Gurung ◽

Philip Anglewicz ◽

Katherine Yun

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sampling Strategy ◽

The United States ◽

Community Leaders ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Asian Immigrant ◽

Related Risk ◽

Increased Risk

Objectives Immigrants are believed to be at high risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A leading suspected risk factor is their role in the essential workforce. We aimed to describe COVID-19–related risk factors among Bhutanese and Burmese refugees in the United States. Methods We administered an anonymous online survey in May 2020 among community leaders of Bhutanese and Burmese refugees. Using a snowball sampling strategy, we invited community leaders to complete the survey and share the link with others who met inclusion criteria (English proficient, aged ≥18, currently living in the United States). We compared respondents with and without recent COVID-19 and identified risk factors for infection. Results Of 218 refugees in 23 states who completed the survey from May 15 through June 1, 2020, fifteen (6.9%) reported infection with COVID-19. Being an essential worker during the pandemic (odds ratio [OR] = 5.25; 95% CI, 1.21-22.78), having an infected family member (OR = 26.92; 95% CI, 5.19-139.75), and being female (OR = 5.63; 95% CI, 1.14-27.82) were risk factors for infection. Among 33 infected family members, 23 (69.7%) were essential workers. Conclusion Although we had a small snowball sample, we found that working in essential industries was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection among Bhutanese and Burmese refugees. We call for larger studies that include Asian immigrant subgroups, as well as immediate attention to protecting immigrant essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Increase in the Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio relates to Injury Risk in Competitive Runners

International Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1055/a-1171-2331 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Talko Bernhard Dijkhuis ◽

Ruby Otter ◽

Marco Aiello ◽

Hugo Velthuijsen ◽

Koen Lemmink

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Team Sports ◽

Training Intensity ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Daily Training

AbstractInjuries of runners reduce the ability to train and hinder competing. Literature shows that the relation between potential risk factors and injuries are not definitive, limited, and inconsistent. In team sports, workload derivatives were identified as risk factors. However, there is an absence of literature in running on workload derivatives. This study used the workload derivatives acute workload, chronic workload, and acute: chronic workload ratios to investigate the relation between workload and injury risk in running. Twenty-three competitive runners kept a daily training log for 24 months. The runners reported training duration, training intensity and injuries. One-week (acute) and 4-week (chronic) workloads were calculated as the average of training duration multiplied by training intensity. The acute:chronic workload ratio was determined dividing the acute and chronic workloads. Results show that a fortnightly low increase of the acute:chronic workload ratio (0.10–0.78) led to an increased risk of sustaining an injury (p<0.001). Besides, a low increase of the acute:chronic workload ratio (0.05–0.62) between the second week and third week before an injury showed an association with increased injury risk (p=0.013). These findings demonstrate that the acute:chronic workload ratio relates to injury risk.

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Incidence and risk factors for pressure injuries in adults in specialised medical care: a prospective observational study

Journal of Wound Care ◽

10.12968/jowc.2021.30.11.945 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (11) ◽

pp. 945-953

Author(s):

Sanna Stoltenberg ◽

Jaana Kotila ◽

Anniina Heikkilä ◽

Tarja Kvist ◽

Kristiina Junttila

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Medical Care ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Target Group ◽

Older Age ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Pressure Injury ◽

Hospital Stays

Introduction: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are one of the most important indicators of quality patient care. It is important to identify high-risk patients to guide the implementation of appropriate prevention strategies. This can be done by using an assessment tool that covers the main risk factors for pressure injuries. Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe the incidence of pressure injuries and the associated risk factors among patients assessed with the Prevent Pressure Injury (PPI) risk assessment tool developed by the Helsinki University Hospital. Method: The study was conducted by selecting six wards from medical, surgical and neurological units. The target group were the patients being treated in the study units who gave their informed consent. The research data were retrieved from electronic patient records. Results: From the target group, 332 patients were eligible to participate in the study. The pressure injury risk was found to increase with longer hospital stays and older age. Surgical patients had an increased risk of pressure injuries compared to other specialty fields. A primary diagnosis of musculoskeletal or connective tissue disease, and secondary diagnoses of hypertension and cerebral haemorrhage, were linked with an increased pressure injury risk. A total of nine pressure injuries occurred in nine patients, with an incidence of 2.5% (stages II−IV). Conclusion: The observation and recording of pressure injuries in specialised medical care remain insufficient. Longer hospital stays, older age and surgery increase pressure injury risk. Also, patients' primary and secondary diagnoses may increase the pressure injury risk. Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Morbidity and Mortality from Farm Tractor and Other Agricultural Machinery-Related Injuries in Arkansas

Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health ◽

10.13031/jash.12828 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 213-225

Author(s):

Victor M. Cardenas ◽

Ruiqi Cen ◽

Melissa M. Clemens ◽

Jennifer L. Conner ◽

Jennifer L. Victory ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

Occupational Injuries ◽

Search Algorithm ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Agricultural Machinery ◽

Hospital Records ◽

Farm Tractor ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Labor Statistics ◽

Bureau Of Labor Statistics

Abstract. This study applied a text string search algorithm to ascertain suspect farm tractor or agricultural machinery-related injuries in data sources available for 2000-2014 in the state of Arkansas. The occurrences of tractor or other agricultural machinery-related injuries were compared with data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). For death certificates that assigned an external cause of death, the authors first collected all those that were coded as related to agricultural machinery, based on search strings for occupation and industry and a description of how the injury occurred. They then inspected each case individually and removed those that were likely unrelated to agricultural machinery. This approach significantly increased (by 7.8 times) the number of suspect agricultural machinery-related fatalities compared to the number reported to CFOI, but there was only a 17% (not statistically significant) increase compared to NCHS. All hospital records with any discharge diagnosis coded as related to agricultural machinery were selected. Descriptive analysis of the fatalities and hospital records showed a significantly increased risk among men above retirement age, peaks during the summer, and an increased risk in the Mississippi delta region. About one-third of the agricultural machinery-related fatalities were due to overturns. The use of the algorithm can improve ascertainment of fatal agricultural machinery-related injuries in Arkansas. The death records were found to be rich in data on the circumstances of the injuries, which can be used to screen for tractor-related fatalities and, if confirmed, translated into action to improve the safety of Arkansas farmers. Keywords: Agricultural machinery, Farm, Farming, Injury, Risk, Statistics, Tractors.

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Effect of Injury Prevention Programs on Lower Extremity Performance in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/1941738119861117 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 12-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Colleen Hanlon ◽

Joseph J. Krzak ◽

Janey Prodoehl ◽

Kathy D. Hall

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

Force Generation ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Youth Athletes ◽

Lower Extremity Performance

Background: Understanding how existing youth injury prevention programs affect specific modifiable injury risk factors will inform future program development for youth athletes. Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the effects of injury prevention programs on the modifiable intrinsic risk factors associated with lower extremity performance in youth athletes. Data Sources: This systematic review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A systematic search of the literature was performed using multiple databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost [including CINAHL, Medline, and SPORTDiscus], and PEDro). Secondary references were appraised for relevant articles. Article types included randomized or cluster randomized controlled trials and randomized cohort designs with youth athletes engaged in organized sports, along with outcomes that included at least 1 physical performance outcome measure. Study Selection: Eight studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers, with a third consulted in the case of disagreement, which was not needed. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: Included studies underwent review of methodological quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Results: Studies included mixed-sex samples of youth athletes who predominantly participated in soccer at different skill levels. The FIFA 11+ series was the most commonly used injury prevention program. Among studies, the mean percentage of improvement identified was 11.3% for force generation, 5.7% for coordination, 5.2% for posture, and 5.2% for balance. The lowest mean percentage improvement was in speed (2.2%). Endurance was not significantly affected by any of the programs. Conclusion: This systematic review shows that injury prevention programs improve several modifiable intrinsic risk factors of lower extremity performance among youth athletes, particularly force generation. However, several intrinsic risk factors were either not significantly affected or specifically addressed by existing programs.

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