Ergonomic Evaluation of Current Advancements in Blueberry Harvesting

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32% of days-away-from-work cases in private industry in 2016. Several factors have been associated with MSDs, such as repetitive motion, excessive force, awkward and/or sustained postures, and prolonged sitting and standing, all of which are required in farm workers’ labor. While numerous epidemiological studies on the prevention of MSDs in agriculture have been conducted, an ergonomics evaluation of blueberry harvesting has not yet been systematically performed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of MSDs for several types of blueberry harvesting (hand harvesting, semi-mechanical harvesting with hand-held shakers, and over-the-row machines) in terms of workers’ postural loads and self-reported discomfort using ergonomics intervention techniques. Five field studies in the western region of the United States between 2017 and 2018 were conducted using the Borg CR10 scale, electromyography (EMG), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), the Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) index, and the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting equation. In evaluating the workloads of picking and moving blueberries by hand, semi-mechanical harvesting with hand-held shakers, and completely mechanized harvesting, only EMG and the NIOSH lifting equation were used, as labor for this system is limited to loading empty lugs and unloading full lugs. Based on the results, we conclude that working on the fully mechanized harvester would be the best approach to minimizing worker loading and fatigue. This is because the total component ratio of postures in hand harvesting with a RULA score equal to or greater than 5 was 69%, indicating that more than half of the postures were high risk for shoulder pain. For the semi-mechanical harvesting, the biggest problem with the shakers is the vibration, which can cause fatigue and various risks to workers, especially in the upper limbs. However, it would be challenging for small- and medium-sized blueberry farms to purchase automated harvesters due to their high cost. Thus, collaborative efforts among health and safety professionals, engineers, social scientists, and ergonomists are needed to provide effective ergonomic interventions.

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A Comparison of Work-Exacerbated Asthma Cases from Clinical and Epidemiological Settings

Canadian Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1155/2013/495767 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 159-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paul K Henneberger ◽

Xiaoming Liang ◽

Catherine Lemière

Keyword(s):

Health Maintenance Organization ◽

The United States ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Case Definitions ◽

Health Maintenance ◽

Work Related ◽

Screening And Surveillance ◽

Asthma Patients ◽

Surveillance Programs ◽

Doctor's Office

BACKGROUND: Clinical and epidemiological studies commonly use different case definitions in different settings when investigating work-exacerbated asthma (WEA). These differences are likely to impact characteristics of the resulting WEA cases.OBJECTIVES: To investigate this issue by comparing two groups of WEA cases, one identified using an intensive clinical evaluation and another that fulfilled epidemiological criteria.METHODS: A total of 53 clinical WEA cases had been referred for suspected work-related asthma to two tertiary clinics in Canada, where patients completed tests that confirmed asthma and ruled out asthma caused by work. Forty-seven epidemiological WEA cases were employed asthma patients treated at a health maintenance organization in the United States who completed a questionnaire and spirometry, and fulfilled criteria for WEA based on self-reported, work-related worsening of asthma and relevant workplace exposures as judged by an expert panel.RESULTS: Using different case criteria in different settings resulted in case groups that had a mix of similarities and differences. The clinical WEA cases were more likely to have visited a doctor’s office ≥3 times for asthma in the past year (75% versus 11%; P<0.0001), but did not seek more asthma-related emergency or in-patient care, or have lower spirometry values. The two groups differed substantially according to the industries and occupations where the cases worked.CONCLUSIONS: Findings from both types of studies should be considered when measuring the contribution of work to asthma exacerbations, identifying putative agents, and selecting industries and occupations in which to implement screening and surveillance programs.

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The Occupational Safety and Health of Pornography Performers

10.1093/oso/9780190075477.003.0012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 187-208

Author(s):

Emily F. Rothman

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Well Being ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

Health Hazards ◽

Independent Contractors ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Work Related ◽

Safety And Health ◽

Health Related

This chapter focuses on the work-related hazards faced by pornography performers and other laborers in the adult entertainment industry workforce. The chapter reviews demographics and characteristics of pornography performers, what health-related and other challenges those in the industry face because of their work, which organized groups support their collective health and safety on the job, and what policies have been drafted that seek to address pornography performers’ health and safety. The chapter details health hazards, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), violence on set, stigma, the challenges of working as independent contractors, and lack of wage transparency in the industry. The chapter emphasizes that occupational safety and health hazards faced by performers are undoubtedly compounded when performers are Black, Latinx, transgender, or identify as belonging to another marginalized group. Public health advocates should focus on promoting the well-being of those who work in the pornography industry by establishing meaningful, long-term, trusting partnerships with those presently working in the industry.

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Proceedings from the CIHLMU occupational safety and health symposium 2019 “Protecting workers’ health: global challenges and opportunities in work-related respiratory diseases”

BMC Proceedings ◽

10.1186/s12919-020-00197-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (S14) ◽

Author(s):

Netsanet Workneh Gidi ◽

Anna Suraya ◽

Beatrice Mutayoba ◽

Bernarda Espinoza ◽

Bindiya Meggi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Occupational Diseases ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

Work Related ◽

Global Challenges ◽

Safety And Health ◽

Challenges And Opportunities

AbstractThe international CIHLMU Occupational Safety and Health Symposium 2019 was held on 16th March, 2019 at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany. About 60 participants from around the world representing occupational health and safety professionals, students, instructors from several institutions in Germany and abroad, attended the symposium.The main objective of the symposium was to create awareness on global challenges and opportunities in work-related respiratory diseases. One keynote lecture and six presentations were made. While the keynote lecture addressed issues on occupational diseases in the twenty-first century, the six presentations were centered on: Prevention and control of work-related respiratory diseases, considerations; Occupational health and safety in Mining: Respiratory diseases; The prevention of TB among health workers is our collective responsibility; Compensation and prevention of occupational diseases and discussion on how artificial intelligence can support them: Overview of international approaches; Work-related Asthma: Evidence from high-income countries; and The role of imaging in the diagnosis of work- related respiratory diseases. A panel discussion was conducted following the presentations on the importance and challenges of data acquisition which is needed to have a realistic picture of the occupational safety and health status of workers at different levels. The current summary is an attempt to share the proceedings of the symposium.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

ASME 1972 Citrus Engineering Conference ◽

10.1115/cec1972-1806 ◽

1972 ◽

Author(s):

Theodore F. Schoenborn

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Coal Mine ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

The United States ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

Health Programs ◽

Safety And Health ◽

Health Laws ◽

Mine Health And Safety

It is a pleasure to be here today to speak to you about the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which is landmark legislation by any measure applied to it. The Act applies to every employer affecting commerce in the United States and its territories which was not covered by other Federal occupational safety and health laws, such as the Metal and Non-metallic Mine Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. By 1973 a study is to be completed containing recommendations for combining all Federal occupational safety and health programs. Paper published with permission.

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Managing Workplace Safety and Health

The Oxford Handbook of Managerial Economics ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199782956.013.0023 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 512-536

Author(s):

Thomas Kniesner ◽

John D. Leeth

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Well Being ◽

Workplace Safety ◽

Economic Incentive ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

Market Forces ◽

Work Related ◽

Worker Health ◽

Safety And Health

This entry explicates how market forces incent managers to be concerned with worker health and safety. It also notes how supplementing market forces are government actions intended to improve work-related health and safety. These include the legal system under tort laws, states’ workers’ compensation insurance Programs, research into the causes of health hazards at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the federal government’s workplace regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). An important empirical conclusion emerging is that the labor market, via the additional compensation workers require for exposure to health and safety risks, provides the largest economic incentive for managers making workplace decisions involving worker health-related well being.

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Penerapan Fungsi Ergonomi di Dapur pada Warmindo di Sekitar UNS

10.31227/osf.io/52xkf ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Eva Arifiani Widyawati

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Research Effort ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Occupational Health And Safety ◽

The Public ◽

Work Related ◽

Work Accidents ◽

Save Energy

Cooking is an activity that is repeatedly every day. Cooking by applying occupational health and safety will ease and simplify the process, the time and energy needed will also be more efficient. The purpose of this research is to raise public awareness of the importance of implementing occupational health and safety, specifically ergonomics and physiology in all activities, especially when cooking. The method that I used in this research is qualitative descriptive with data collection techniques through direct case studies in "Warmindo" around UNS. The result of this research is to inform the whole community about the importance of implementing occupational health and safety, specifically ergonomics and physiology. This research effort, so that the public knows and aware of the importance of implementing occupational health and safety, because if people apply occupational health and safety in their activities it will reduce the number of work accidents in Indonesia and the community will also save energy and time. this research can introduce the public to work that is safe, healthy, and avoid work-related diseases in accordance with existing standards in occupational safety and health regulations. If the community apply it to their lives so that it can have an impact by reducing the level of work accidents or injuries due to improper work positions.

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Analysis of COVID-19 Concerns Raised by the Construction Workforce and Development of Mitigation Practices

Frontiers in Built Environment ◽

10.3389/fbuil.2021.688495 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Makram Bou Hatoum ◽

Ali Faisal ◽

Hala Nassereddine ◽

Hadi Sarvari

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

The United States ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Health Administration ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Health Trends ◽

Safety And Health ◽

The Impact

The coronavirus outbreak has created a global health crisis that has disrupted all industries, including the construction industry. Following the onset of the pandemic, construction workers faced and continue to face unprecedented safety and health challenges. Therefore, construction employers established new safety precautions to protect the health and safety of the workforce and minimize the spread of the virus. The new precautions followed the advice and guidelines offered by different health and safety agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). With construction projects resuming operations, it becomes important to analyze the coronavirus-related health and safety concerns of construction workforce and understand how the new safety procedures can assist on jobsites. Existing studies mostly focused on interviews and surveys with construction companies to understand the impact on project performance and supply chains. However, no study has yet to analyze the United States construction workforce. This paper fills the gap by providing a qualitative descriptive analysis of the COVID-19 complaints data gathered by OSHA from construction jobsites. Information gathered by OSHA includes the jobsite location, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) of the construction company, the type of the complaint (i.e., formal or non-formal), and a thorough description of the complaint. N-grams were employed to analyze the complaints, detect trends, and compile a list of the most frequent concerns reported by the workforce. The analysis of the complaints data identifies safety practices that were most violated, highlights major safety and health concerns for construction workers, and pinpoints geographical areas that have seen a surge in complaints. The study also synthesized the existing research corpus and compiled a list of 100 best practices that construction employers can adopt to mitigate the concerns of the workforce. The findings of this study provide insights into the safety and health trends on construction sites, lay the foundation for future work of academicians and practitioners to address the concerns faced by construction workers, and serve as lessons learned for the industry in the case of any future pandemic.

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The neglected millions: the global state of aquaculture workers’ occupational safety, health and well-being

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2019-105753 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 15-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew Watterson ◽

Mohamed Fareed Jeebhay ◽

Barbara Neis ◽

Rebecca Mitchell ◽

Lissandra Cavalli

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Good Practice ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Well Being ◽

Limited Information ◽

Marine Aquaculture ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Related Data ◽

Work Related

A scoping project was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization in 2017 on the health and safety of aquaculture workers. This project developed a template covering basic types of aquaculture production, health and safety hazards and risks, and related data on injuries and occupational ill health, regulations, social welfare conditions, and labour and industry activity in the sector. Profiles using the template were then produced for key aquaculture regions and nations across the globe where information could be obtained. These revealed both the scale and depth of occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in terms of data gaps, a lack of or poor risk assessment and management, inadequate monitoring and regulation, and limited information generally about aquaculture OSH. Risks are especially high for offshore/marine aquaculture workers. Good practice as well as barriers to improving aquaculture OSH were noted. The findings from the profiles were brought together in an analysis of current knowledge on injury and work-related ill health, standards and regulation, non-work socioeconomic factors affecting aquaculture OSH, and the role of labour and industry in dealing with aquaculture OSH challenges. Some examples of governmental and labour, industry and non-governmental organisation good practice were identified. Some databases on injury and disease in the sector and research initiatives that solved problems were noted. However, there are many challenges especially in rural and remote areas across Asia but also in the northern hemisphere that need to be addressed. Action now is possible based on the knowledge available, with further research an important but secondary objective.

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A Preliminary Analysis of Immigrant Cattle Feedyard Worker Perspectives on Job-Related Safety Training

Safety ◽

10.3390/safety4030037 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 37 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Athena Ramos ◽

Gustavo Carlo ◽

Kathleen Grant ◽

Casper Bendixsen ◽

Axel Fuentes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Safety Information ◽

Health And Safety ◽

The United States ◽

Safety Training ◽

Health Administration ◽

Agricultural Labor ◽

Equipment Safety ◽

Injury Reporting ◽

Job Site

Immigrants comprise a large percentage of the agricultural labor force in the United States. They are a vulnerable worker population and often have fewer occupational and social protections. Latino immigrant cattle feedyard workers (N = 68; 59 men; mean age = 38.7 years) in the central Midwest reported on their perceptions and preferences for job-related safety training and practices. Preliminary findings indicate that approximately 40% of workers reported that they had not received any health or safety training from their current employer, and only about 13% had ever participated in any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety training program. In-person training, videos, or shadowing another worker were the most frequent methods of safety training reported by those who had received training. More than 90% were interested in receiving more information about health and safety related to their job. Workers preferred that safety information be provided through in-person training at the job site, videos (particularly those accessible through media sources such as YouTube), and written materials. Specific topics that workers were interested in obtaining more information about included zoonoses, low-stress cattle handling, injury prevention, hazard and injury reporting, chemical and equipment safety, and teamwork. Furthermore, a majority of participants preferred to receive information in Spanish. Results may help guide the development of future materials and training strategies to better suit the needs of the growing immigrant workforce in production agriculture.

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Recent Developments in Health Law

The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics ◽

10.1111/j.1748-720x.1994.tb01278.x ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 83-92

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

The United States ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

Working Environment ◽

Health Administration ◽

Bloodborne Pathogens ◽

Work Related ◽

Safety And Health

In American Dental Association v. Martin, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reviewed a challenge to a rule of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In December, 1991, OSHA passed a standard to protect health care workers from viruses transmitted by blood—bloodborne pathogens—including the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodeficiency virus, the virus known to cause AIDS. Three health care organizations, whose members are dentists, medical personnel firms, and home health employers, petitioned the court to review OSHA's rule.The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed to assure employees that they would have as safe and healthy a working environment as feasible. Congress sought to ensure this by vesting the Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health with the authority to promulgate mandatory safety and health standards. In promulgating standards concerning toxic materials or harmful physical agents, the secretary sets rules that most adequately assure that an employee will not suffer a material impairment of health or functional capacity while performing work-related duties.

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