Association of perceived work pace and physical work demands with occupational accidents: a cross-sectional study of ageing male construction workers in Denmark

Background Occupational accidents continue to be a significant public health challenge worldwide. Construction workers in particular are at high risk of occupational accidents, and thus it is of major importance to identify possible predictors of occupational accidents among construction workers. We aimed to investigate the association between self-reported work pace and physical work demands and occupational accidents among ageing male construction workers in Denmark. Methods Data on perceived work pace, physical work demands, and occupational accidents was acquired from questionnaires sent to ageing construction workers in Denmark in 2016 as part of the ALFA project (ALdring og Fysisk Arbejde; Ageing and Physical Work). A sample of 1270 Danish male construction workers above 50 years of age was included in the present study. Multiple logistic regression models were applied, with adjustments for age, smoking, body mass index, musculoskeletal disorders, occupation, work experience, and support at work. Results Of 1270 construction workers, 166 (13.1%) reported an occupational accident within the last 12 months. There was no significant association between perceived work pace and occupational accidents, but physical work demands were associated with higher odds for occupational accidents, with an odds ratio of 2.27 (95% confidence interval 1.26–4.10) for medium physical work demands and 2.62 (95% confidence interval 1.50–4.57) for high physical work demands. Conclusions Ageing male construction workers with high physical work demands had statistically significant higher odds of having an occupational accident. By contrast, perceived work pace was not associated with occupational accidents in this large cross-sectional study.

Work environment risk indicators for pharmacists in the preparation of extemporaneous medicines

The pharmaceutical sector is one of the leading sectors of the Latvian economy, but the extemporary prepared medicines still occupy a small market share. The study involved 44 pharmacists and pharmacist assistants preparing extemporal medicines, while the control group included pharmacists and pharmacist assistants who only attend customers in pharmacies. The aim of this study was to identify work environment risk indicators for pharmacists preparing extemporal medicines in open-type pharmacies. In the research, we used methods of observation and survey to identify the views of pharmacists and pharmacist assistants preparing medicines in open-type pharmacies. The study concluded that pharmacists and pharmacist assistants who prepare medicinal products in open type pharmacies are exposed to a wide range of work environment risks, especially to the chemical risks. During our investigation, we identified the main work environment risk indicators: occupational accidents, workload, lack of information, exposure to chemicals, length of service, work environment quality, and use of personal protective equipment.

Prevalence and Determinants of Occupational Injuries among Solid Waste Collectors of Zoomlion Ghana Limited

Background. Globally, occupational injuries account for 15% of the mortalities associated with occupational accidents. The work of the solid waste collectors exposes them to numerous occupational hazards, which results in injuries. Increasing rates of occupational injuries from 43.7% to 63.9% among solid waste collectors in sub-Saharan Africa opens room for more research to be done. The study assessed the magnitude of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors of Zoomlion Ghana Limited in the Accra Metropolis. Methods. A cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out among the solid waste collectors. The occupational injuries and their associated factors among the solid waste collectors were assessed using questionnaires. Multistage sampling approach was used to select study respondents. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results. In this study, 21.79% (78/358) with 95% CI (0.1749, 0.2608) among the solid waste collectors reported having at least one work-related injury in the last 6 months. The factors that were significantly associated with at least one occupational injury among the solid waste collectors in the Accra Metropolis were work duty (collection and transportation), the zone of assignment for respondents, and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Conclusion. This study showed that the prevalence of occupational injuries among municipal solid waste collectors in the Accra Metropolis was lower as compared to similar research conducted in Ethiopia, Egypt, and India. Working in the collection and transportation category and lack of PPE for use at work were significantly and positively associated with occupational injury among the solid waste collectors. Again, working in the La Dade Kotopon zone had reduced odds of sustaining injuries as compared to those in the Ablekuma South zone. The result of the study demonstrated that cuts/puncture was the injury that was mostly sustained by the municipal solid waste workers, while the leg was the body part that was mostly injured followed by the hands. Public health education in the municipality should target solid waste collectors with the aim of improving their health-seeking behaviour.

Prediction model of seasonality in the construction industry based on the accidentality phenomenon

The construction industry is an economic sector that is characterized by seasonality. Seasonal factors affect the volume of production, which in turn affects the accident rate. The aim of the research presented in the article was to develop a model for predicting the number of people injured in occupational accidents in the construction industry. Based on the analysis of statistical data and previous studies, the occurrence of certain regularities of the accidentality phenomenon was found, namely the long-term trend over many years, as well as seasonality and cyclicality over the course of a year. The found regularities were the basis for the assumptions that were made for the construction of the model. A mathematical model was built in the non-linear regression dimension. The model was validated by comparing the results of prediction errors generated by the developed model with the results of prediction errors generated by other known models, such as ARIMA, SARIMA, linear and polynomial models, which take into account the seasonality of the phenomenon. The constructed model enables the number of people injured in accidents in the construction industry in selected months of future years to be predicted with high accuracy. The obtained results can be the basis for making appropriate decisions regarding preventive and prophylactic measures in the construction industry. Commonly known mathematical tools available in the STATISTICA package were used to solve the given task.

Analysis of Falls from Height Variables in Occupational Accidents

Fall-from-height accidents are linked to severe and fatal consequences for impacted workers. A better understanding of the related variables is necessary to improve worker safety. This study analyzed all fall-from-height occupational accidents recorded in Spain from 2009 to 2019, selected significant variables, and evaluated the influence concerning the seriousness of the falls from height. Based on a total of 290,583 fall-from-height accidents, the study shows that a male inexperienced worker in a small company working in a non-habitual workplace is more likely to suffer fatal consequences once the accident happens. An improved knowledge of fall-from-height accidents will improve safety conditions. The workers should be trained and informed about their specific risk depending on the variables analyzed. Safety training should consider more risky profiles. Results from the current study can help identify suitable fall prevention and risk mitigation actions in safety programs for companies.

Latent class analysis for identification of occupational accident casualty profiles in the selected Polish manufacturing sector

The objective of the analysis is identifying profiles of occupational accident casualties as regards production companies to provide the necessary knowledge to facilitate the preparation and management of a safe work environment. Qualitative data characterizing employees injured in accidents registered in Polish wood processing plants over a period of 10 years were the subject of the research. The latent class analysis (LCA) method was employed in the investigation. This statistical modelling technique, based on the values of selected indicators (observed variables) divides the data set into separate groups, called latent classes, which enable the definition of patterns. A procedure which supports the decision as regards the number of classes was presented. The procedure considers the quality of the LCA model and the distinguishability of the classes. Moreover, a method of assessing the importance of indicators in the patterns description was proposed. Seven latent classes were obtained and illustrated by the heat map, which enabled the profiles identification. They were labelled as follows: very serious, serious, moderate, minor (three latent classes), slight. Some recommendations were made regarding the circumstances of occupational accidents with the most severe consequences for the casualties.

Strengthening Inspection and Audit of Occupational Safety and Health in Coal Mining Enterprises in Vietnam

Coal mining is one of the heavy, hazardous industries. Therefore, workers in this industryalways face high risks of occupational accidents and diseases. According to the annual report of theMinistry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the situation of occupational accidents andillnesses in the mining sector in recent years has increased both in terms of number and severity, and thisincludes fatal occupational accidents in the coal mining industry. Currently, the authorities have beenimplementing inspection of occupational safety and health (OSH) to prevent and limit the situation. In thescope of this article, the author focuses on clarifying the position and the role of OSH inspecting whilepresenting and analyzing the results of the inspection of OSH legislation compliance within the coalmining industry nationwide. From there, proposing several solutions to strengthen inspection of OSH,prevent and limit occupational accidents and diseases in the coming time, contributing to improving theefficiency of state management of OSH in the coal mining industry in Vietnam today.