scholarly journals Chemical Pollutants in Closed Spaces of Transportation and Storage of Non-Dangerous Goods: A Combined Qualitative Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szabolcs Lovas ◽  
Orsolya Varga ◽  
Balázs Ádám
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Chemical Safety ◽  
Dangerous Goods ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
Harmful Organisms ◽  
And Storage

Abstract Background: Several chemical pollutants can accumulate in closed spaces of transportation and storage of non-dangerous goods, leading to high concentrations. Pollutants are mainly residues of pesticides used to prevent the spread of harmful organisms in intercontinental transportation, volatile organic compounds and components of diesel engine exhaust. The objectives of this cross-sectional qualitative study were to identify and evaluate the regulations in connection with the occupational chemical exposures caused by chemical pollutants in closed environments of transportation and storage, and to survey the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of occupational health and safety professionals and logistics managers related to this global workplace issue. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search of legal instruments was carried out in international, European Union and Hungarian legislation databases. Legal documents relevant for occupational chemical exposure at workplaces were included in the study and the legal relationships between selected documents were mapped. The systematic search of legal instruments identified 4737 records, of which 16 were included in the in-depth content analysis. According to the second objective, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were carried out with occupational health and safety professionals and warehouse managers at logistics companies located in Hungary. Results: The analysis of the documents highlighted the lack of explicit regulation on prevention from exposures caused by chemical pollutants in closed environments of transportation and storage of non-hazardous materials. The 21 completed interviews revealed that the professionals had very limited knowledge about the potential presence of chemical residues in closed spaces of transportation and storage. They deemed such chemical exposure rare and the related health effects negligible. Although legislation requires the risk assessment of workplaces, the assessment is misleading if potential hazards are not identified. Conclusions: The increasing risk of rapid global spread of harmful organisms due to climate change and dense international traffic results in growing need for fumigation, which, together with increasing temperature and transportation time, generates an emerging occupational and public health challenge. The revealed limitations point out that the chemical safety of transportation and storage of non-dangerous goods should be more specifically regulated and responsible professionals should be better informed about such workplace hazards.

scholarly journals Presumed Exposure to Chemical Pollutants and Experienced Health Impacts among Warehouse Workers at Logistics Companies: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7052
Author(s):  
Szabolcs Lovas ◽  
Károly Nagy ◽  
János Sándor ◽  
Balázs Ádám
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Chemical Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Warehouse Workers ◽  
And Storage

During intercontinental shipping, freight containers and other closed transport devices are applied. These closed spaces can be polluted with various harmful chemicals that may accumulate in poorly ventilated environments. The major pollutants are residues of pesticides used for fumigation as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the goods. While handling cargos at logistics companies, workers can be exposed to these pollutants, frequently without adequate occupational health and safety precautions. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among potentially exposed warehouse workers and office workers as controls at Hungarian logistics companies (1) to investigate the health effects of chemical pollutants occurring in closed spaces of transportation and storage and (2) to collect information about the knowledge of and attitude toward workplace chemical exposures as well as the occupational health and safety precautions applied. Pre-existing medical conditions did not show any significant difference between the working groups. Numbness or heaviness in the arms and legs (AOR = 3.99; 95% CI = 1.72–9.26) and dry cough (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI = 1.09–4.93) were significantly associated with working in closed environments of transportation and storage, while forgetfulness (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.18–0.87), sleep disturbances (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17–0.78), and tiredness after waking up (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.20–0.79) were significantly associated with employment in office. Warehouse workers who completed specific workplace health and safety training had more detailed knowledge related to this workplace chemical issue (AOR = 8.18; 95% CI = 3.47–19.27), and they were significantly more likely to use certain preventive measures. Warehouse workers involved in handling cargos at logistics companies may be exposed to different chemical pollutants, and the related health risks remain unknown if the presence of these chemicals is not recognized. Applied occupational health and safety measures at logistics companies are not adequate enough to manage this chemical safety issue, which warrants awareness raising and the introduction of effective preventive strategies to protect workers’ health at logistics companies.

scholarly journals Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety in Motor Vehicle Repair Workshops in Jeddah

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 901-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ijaz Ahmad ◽  
Mohammad Rehan ◽  
Mansour A. Balkhyour ◽  
Iqbal M. Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

ABSTRACT: This study aims to examine the occupational health and safety (OHS) status in motor vehicle repair workshops (MVRW) industry in the city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An inspection tool composed of 10 OHS components and 69 items was employed through observations, interviews, walk through survey and focused group discussions. The data was collected from local workshops (LWs, N=62) and multinational companies’ workshops (CWs, N=11). The mean positive response for OHS components among surveyed LWs and CWs was as follow; personal protective equipment’s (PPEs) (28% and 61%), fire protection and emergency management (52% and 91%), provision of facilities (69% and 94%), electric safety (44% and 82%), general workshop safety (43% and 82%), housekeeping (18% and 84%), chemical exposure (16% and 69%), maintenance and services (54% and 86%), manual handling (84% and 100%) and tool safety (58% and 91%), respectively. The overall OHS mean positive response, complying best practices and regulations, of all OHS elements in LWs was 47% which was much lower than 84% positive response for CWs. The impact of OHS on workers’ health was also discussed together with recommendations given for further improvement.

Development of a Toolkit for Integrating Occupational Health and Safety and Worksite Health Promotion

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bizarro ◽  
Megan Dove-Steinkamp ◽  
Nicole Johnson ◽  
Scott Ryan ◽  
Michelle Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Worksite Health Promotion ◽  
Worksite Health

135. Integrating Occupational Health and Safety into Pollution Prevention Initiatives for Hospitals

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Herman-Haase ◽  
M. Quinn ◽  
J. Tessler ◽  
L. Punnett ◽  
N. Haiama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety

Drawing the Line between Dismissal for Alcoholism (Incapacity) and Dismissal for Drunkenness (Misconduct). Are the Boni Mores Compromised?

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 57-63
Author(s):  
Thandekile Phulu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Labour Practice ◽  
The Republic

In South Africa employees are protected by various pieces of legislation. Section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 provides for a right to fair labour practice. In its preamble the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (hereafter referred to as the LRA) states that the purpose of the Act is to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace and democratisation of the workplace. The LRA also states that one of its objectives is to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights conferred by section 27 of the Constitution. The Occupational Health and Safety Act as amended by the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act 181 of 1993 provides for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery. The LRA provides for dismissal for incapacity and dismissals for misconduct. It also differentiates between the two. The LRA provides for both substantive and procedural fairness when dismissing an employee for incapacity and misconduct. This paper will examine the rationale behind differentiating between dismissal for drunkenness and dismissal for alcoholism.

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