Association between occupational physical activity and quantitative bone ultrasound in sawmill workers

A small number of studies have examined the relationship between bone health and level of physical load. We explored the effect of occupational physical activity on skeletal status in younger sawmill workers using ultrasonic indices of bone density. In a cross-sectional study, we measured bone density with quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in 128 sawmill workers (89 men and 39 women), mean age 39.1 +/- 10.8 years. Back strength was measured by dynamometry. Information on occupational and leisure physical activity, joint pain, education and smoking were obtained with the questionnaire. All QUS bone parameters and back strength were significantly higher in men than in women. A T score for quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) of − 2.2 or lower was found only in two men and one women. QUI did not significantly differ based on presence of parameters of physical occupational activity (carrying loads exceeding 5 kg, repetitive movements, physical exertion while working and non-sitting position at work). When controlling for age, gender and body mass index, participants with higher smoking index had significantly lower QUI (p=0.004). Physical workload was not significantly associated with QUI. In our working population, some lifestyle habits, such as smoking, had a greater impact on bone health than physical occupational activity.

Occupational Ocular Injuries and Utilization of Eye Protective Devices among Sawmill Workers in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

In this work, we carried out a cross-sectional study to assess occupational ocular injuries and utilization of eye protective devices among sawmill workers in the Ojo local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria A structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews among the sawmill workers. Pearson’s chi-squared test and t-test were used to test associations between variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 215 sawmill workers with a mean age of 37.08 ± 12.07 years participated in the study. A majority (55.8%) of the participants were male (93.7%), and a majority were 21–40 years old (55.8%). Of the participants, 78.6% were aware of occupational ocular injuries and 17.7% used ocular safety devices. The major barrier to the use of eye protective devices was unavailability (43%). Workers who were ≥20 years old (p < 0.001), who received a monthly salary of less than USD 100 (p < 0.043), who had work experience of ≥10 years (p < 0.04), who were aware of ocular hazards (p < 0.03), and who did not use protective eye devices (p < 0.02) were significantly associated with occupational ocular injuries compared to others. The prevalence of occupational ocular injuries and the utilization of eye safety devices among the sawmill workers in the current study were comparable to findings from other studies. Based on the results of our study, we advise the provision of ocular protective devices for sawmill workers and policies to enforce regular utilization.

Type, effects and cause of injuries suffered by workers in the sawmill industry of El Salto, Durango, Mexico

Introduction: Sawmill work is a dangerous occupation because it involves handling materials and equipment that exposes workers to many risks that can affect their health and safety.Objective: To identify injuries, parts of the body affected and agents that cause accidents in sawmill workers in the region of El Salto, Durango.Materials and methods:A structured survey was applied to 300 workers in 26 sawmills and pallet mills to determine typology, damages and cause of injuries suffered in the last five years.Results and discussion: In the sawmills of El Salto, the most important positions are occupied by people of older age and work experience, regardless of their level of schooling; they have suffered one to five accidents in the last five years and only 32 % have received occupational safety training. The most frequent injuries were caused by hits and crushing body parts of assistants (57 %), open wounds in operators (16 %) and sprains (15 %). The mechanisms causing these injuries were getting stuck by moving objects (30 %), hitting against moving objects (23.3 %), falling objects (14.3 %) and false moves (13.7 %). Fingers were the most affected (35 %) due to a hit and by getting stuck. Conclusions: Safety training is limited, leading to 95 % of workers with injuries with different degrees of severity. It is necessary to implement actions to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

Assessment of Air Pollution and Health Hazard Associated with Selected Sawmills in Port Harcourt Metropolis

This study aimed to assess air pollution and health hazards around selected sawmills within Port Harcourt metropolis. The physicochemical parameters of the air at the sawmilling sites were determined using onsite air quality analysers. The microbiological parameters were determined using the settling plate technique and the isolates identified based on their cultural and biochemical characteristics. Results showed that estimates of the monitored physicochemical parameters varied with prevalent human activity, time of exposure and atmospheric conditions. At Rumosi, SO2, VOCs and TSP with a concentration 1.250 ppm, 550.500 ppm, 323.200 µg/m3 respectively exceeded the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEv) & World Health Organization (WHO) limit irrespective of the atmospheric condition, time and day of sampling, while the temperature, PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 with a concentration of 39.450oC, 209 µg/m3, 348.350 µg/m3, 0.181ppm respectively varied and was within the FMEv acceptable standard. At SARS Road Sawmill 1, VOCs, PM10 and TSP exceeded the FMEv limit while at SARS Road Sawmill 2, SO2, NO2, VOCs, PM10 and TSP exceeded the FMEv limits. Microbiological analysis revealed that the bioaerosols contained 12 bacterial genera (Aeromonas, Citrobacter, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Providencia, Shigella, Enterobacter and Bacillus) and 7 fungal genera (Penicillium, Fusarium, Geotrichium, Cladosporium, Rhizopus and Trichophyton and Aspergillus) with total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC) and total fungal count (TFC) ranging from 2711-26980 CFU/m3 and 373-12851 CFU/m3 respectively. The study also showed that sawmills within Port Harcourt do not pay much attention to the provision and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as they were generally not provided. The sawmill workers commonly reported cough and chest pain which they admitted could be associated with their jobs. This study has shown that air around sawmill sites contains inhalable chemical and biological agents which could cause respiratory problems to workers with prolonged exposure and dose response. Sawmill operators should provide and enforce the use of PPE within their facility. It is recommended that sawmill workers and other visitors wear personal protective gadgets in the processing area of the sawmill factories. Further study to relate workers symptoms with emission is recommended.

Revolution of 1917 and the Civil War in the memoirs of a Norwegian businessman. Review to: Abrahamsen E. From Seregov to Onega: Memories of the Norwegian forest business in Russia / trans. with Norv. E. I. Tevlin, V. V. Tevlina, E. S. Kotlova, M. Bjerking. Arhangelsk: North. (Arctic) Feder. Lomonosov state University, 2016

The book of memoirs of Norwegian entrepreneur Egil Abrahamsen about his work in Arkhangelsk province in 1908—1928 is analyzed. The author highlights stories related to the revolutionary events of 1917, foreign intervention, and the establishment of the Soviet regime in the European North of Russia. Attention is drawn to the description of the life and traditions of the inhabitants of the White Sea area: the Pomors, representatives of the Orthodox clergy, Old Believers, peasants, lumbermen and sawmill workers. It is concluded that the book expands readers’ understanding of the history and culture of Russia and forms a respectful attitude to the citizens of Russia and Norway.

Validation of Noise Induced Hearing Loss Questionnaire Among Malay Sawmill Workers in Kelantan Malaysia

Introduction: Exposure to excessive noise is the major avoidable cause of permanent hearing impairment. Sawmill is one of the workplaces where workers are exposed to hazardous noise level. This study was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of noise-induced hearing loss questionnaire among sawmill workers. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in March 2007 among 35 consented sawmill workers. A total of 40 items; 10 items for knowledge (8 areas), 20 items for attitude (7 areas) and 10 items for practice (2 areas) were assessed. Statistical analysis for reliability analysis was test by internal consistency and construct validity by exploratory factor analysis using principal components and Varimax rotation method. Results: Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were acceptable for attitude (0.90) and practice (0.75). However, it was low for knowledge (0.67). Exploratory factor analysis showed three meaningful exploratory factors that could explain the three dimensions in the questionnaire. Conclusion: The results of the validation study suggested that the noise-induced hearing loss questionnaire is reliable and valid tool for assessing knowledge, attitude and practice among sawmill workers.

Microbial Diversity in the Sawmill Environment: Implications on the Health of Sawmill Workers and Merchants, Nigeria

There is an increasingly high suspicion of occupational health diseases amongst workers in sawmill factories. Hence this study aimed to determine the microbial diversity in some sawmill factories in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria to evaluate potential implications of the factory’s processing area on the health of the workers and wood merchants. Bacteria and fungi count in the bioaerosols within the processing area of each factory was performed with the passive air sampling technique. While in the sawdust samples, microbial counts were carried out with the pour plate technique. Identification of the microbes was performed with macroscopic and microscopic examinations as well as standard phenotypic tests. Mean total viable count (TVC) and total fungi count (TFC) of bioaerosols in the air within the processing area of the sawmill factories were found to be greater than 4162.99 CFU/m3 while mean total coliform count (TCC) was reported as 756.28 CFU/m3. Fisher (F) one-way ANOVA test of the TVC and TCC dataset of bioaerosols from the four sawmill factories indicated no significant difference (p = 0.77 and 0.83 for TVC and TFC respectively) in the mean TVC and TFC of the bioaerosols. Bacterial (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Klebsiella and Serratia) and fungal (Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium) species were isolated from the bioaerosols and sawdust samples. Results of this study indicated that workers in the sawmill factories and other wood merchants who visit sawmill processing area are most likely exposed to airborne contaminants that may cause occupational diseases such as ophthalmic irritations and dermatitis. Hence it is recommended that sawmill workers and other visitors wear personal protective gadgets in the processing area of the sawmill factories.

Perception of Sawmill Workers towards Occupational Health and Safety at Linden/Soesdyke Highway, Guyana

Aims: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is very important for sawmills just like any other occupation. Therefore, this study aims to assess the measures taken by sawmills to ensure safety is maintained at the workplace and to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) exhibited by woodworkers. Methodology: Using observation checklists and questionnaires, a cross-sectional survey design was used for the study. A total of 8 sawmills located on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and 84 woodworkers were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results. Analysis was done is SPSS software. Results and Discussion: A total of 37.5% of sawmill workers scored above average. Workers showed inadequate knowledge, negative attitude and poor practice towards OSH as the overall mean scores for these were found to be 71%, 71.5% and 61.4% respectively. These were below the cut-off level (75%). There was a significant linear correlation between knowledge, attitude and practice. Conclusion: It was concluded that employers need to put extra effort in providing workers with safety education and personal protective equipment’s (PPE). Education programs and training sessions need to be put in place as adequate knowledge results in positive attitude which results in good practice.