scholarly journals HEALTH AND SAFETY PERCEPTION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muizz O. SANNI-ANIBIRE ◽  
Abubakar S. MAHMOUD ◽  
Mohammad A. HASSANAIN ◽  
Faleh ALMUTAIRI
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Safety Perception

A Field Evaluation of Construction Workers’ Activity, Hydration Status, and Heat Strain in the Extreme Summer Heat of Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 522-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan ◽  
Margaret M Quinn ◽  
David Kriebel ◽  
David H Wegman
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Heat Strain ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Hydration Status ◽  
Summer Heat ◽  
Cardiovascular Strain ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Abstract Objectives Assess the impact of summer heat exposure (June–September) on residential construction workers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia by evaluating (i) heart rate (HR) responses, hydration status, and physical workload among workers in indoor and outdoor construction settings, (ii) factors related to physiological responses to work in hot conditions, and (iii) how well wet-bulb globe temperature-based occupational exposure limits (WBGTOELs) predict measures of heat strain. Methods Twenty-three construction workers (plasterers, tilers, and laborers) contributed 260 person-days of monitoring. Workload energy expenditure, HR, fluid intake, and pre- and postshift urine specific gravity (USG) were measured. Indoor and outdoor heat exposures (WBGT) were measured continuously and a WBGTOEL was calculated. The effects of heat exposure and workload on heart rate reserve (HRR), a measure of cardiovascular strain, were examined with linear mixed models. A metric called ‘heat stress exceedance’ (HSE) was constructed to summarize whether the environmental heat exposure (WBGT) exceeded the heat stress exposure limit (WBGTOEL). The sensitivity and specificity of the HSE as a predictor of cardiovascular strain (HRR ≥30%) were determined. Results The WBGTOEL was exceeded frequently, on 63 person-days indoors (44%) and 91(78%) outdoors. High-risk HRR occurred on 26 and 36 person-days indoors and outdoors, respectively. The HSE metric showed higher sensitivity for HRR ≥30% outdoors (89%) than indoors (58%) and greater specificity indoors (59%) than outdoors (27%). Workload intensity was generally moderate, with light intensity work more common outdoors. The ability to self-pace work was associated with a lower frequency of HRR ≥30%. USG concentrations indicated that workers began and ended their shifts dehydrated (USG ≥1.020). Conclusions Construction work where WBGTOEL is commonly exceeded poses health risks. The ability of workers to self-pace may help reduce risks.

scholarly journals Assessment of Occupational Safety Practices Among Medical Laboratory Staff in Governmental Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz J. Alshalani ◽  
Khaled F. Salama
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Electrical Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Positive Knowledge

Background: workers in laboratories are faced with many occupational risks at work and their health and safety may be severely jeopardized if adequate preventive protective measures are not taken. Objectives: to assess the level of occupational safety practices among laboratory staff in governmental hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: It was a cross sectional descriptive study among 107 laboratory staff, and 28 labs. Data was collected by a self-administered validated structured questionnaire and observation checklist, which were developed, and validated by us using guidelines on universal work precautions and based on previous studies. Results: Overall, there was a positive knowledge of, and attitude towards, occupational safety practices among medical laboratory staff. Nationality and age group were the only two variables that were significantly correlated with occupational safety practices. Almost of the occupational safety practices subscales were followed in the assessed subscales, except for certain parameters including mainly personal protective equipment’s and electrical safety. Conclusion: Overall, a positive knowledge of, and attitude towards, occupational safety practices among medical laboratory staff was reported.

scholarly journals Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV): An Emerging Pathogen

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-163
Author(s):  
H A M Nazmul Ahasan ◽  
Aparna Das ◽  
Mostofa Kamal Chowdhury ◽  
Baharul Minnat
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Single Positive ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus (nCoV) first reported on 24 September 2012 on ProMED-mail by Egyptian virologist Dr. Ali Mohamed Zaki in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He isolated and identified a previously unknown coronavirus from the lungs of a 60-year-old male patient with acute pneumonia and acute renal failure. MERS-CoV is the sixth new type of coronavirus like SARS (but still distinct from it and from the common-cold coronavirus). Until 23 May 2013, MERS-CoV had frequently been referred to as a SARS-like virus, or simply the novel coronavirus, and colloquially on messageboards as “Saudi SARS”. These respiratory viruses are an emerging threat to global health security and have led to worldwide epidemics with substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic consequences. Currently confirmatory testing requires molecular diagnostics including either a positive PCR on at least two specific genomic targets or a single positive target with sequencing on a second. However, the interim recommendations for laboratory testing for MERS-CoV should be consulted for the most recent standard for laboratory confirmation. Hajj and Umrah draws some of the largest crowds in the world, and the large crowds bring some health and safety risks. The virus can spread from person to person when people are touching or very near each other, so pilgrims in crowds may be at risk. Symptoms of MERS include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Most people infected with MERS have had severe illness and pneumonia, and about half of them have died. If anyone develops a fever and cough or difficulty in breathing within 14 days after returning from trip, must seek medical care. The Embassy of Saudi Arabia recommends that the following groups should postpone their plans for Hajj and Umrah in 2013: the elderly, the terminally ill, pregnant women, and children.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v14i2.19634 J Medicine 2013, 14(2): 156-163

Adequacy of Health and Safety Training Among Young Latino Construction Workers

2005 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom O’Connor ◽  
Dana Loomis ◽  
Carol Runyan ◽  
Janet Abboud dal Santo ◽  
Michael Schulman
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Construction Workers

scholarly journals Safety Climate Perceptions in the Construction Industry of Saudi Arabia: The Current Situation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Mosly ◽  
Anas A. Makki
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Climate ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Safety Education ◽  
Safety Behavior ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Climate Perceptions ◽  
And Performance

Workers’ wellbeing and safety is important in the construction industry due to the high risk of accidents. Safety climate development is a positive initial step toward raising the safety levels of construction practitioners. This study aims at revealing the factors influencing safety climate perceptions in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia. A set of extracted factors from the literature was validated and used to design a comprehensive questionnaire survey. Data was collected from 401 personnel working on 3 large construction project sites in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics and the crosstabulation algorithm, Kendall’s tau-b correlation test, were used to analyze the data. The study revealed a set of 13 factors influencing safety climate perceptions, which are: Supervision, guidance and inspection, appraisal of risks and hazards, social security and health insurance, workmate influences, management safety justice, management commitment to safety, education and training, communication, workers’ safety commitment, workers’ attitude toward health and safety, workers’ involvement, supportive environment, and competence. The results also indicate the significant and anticipated role of top management in safety climate at sites. Implications of this study include assisting construction industry stakeholders to better understand and enhance safety climate, which in turn will lead to improved safety behavior, culture, motivation, and performance.

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