Adequate Personal Protective Equipment Research Articles

Healthcare workers' experiences protecting themselves and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.

We characterized experiences and strategies used by frontline healthcare workers to prevent severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-related coronavirus transmission at work and to household members during the coronavirus disease pandemic. Alongside an online questionnaire (n = 234), remote semi-structured interviews (n = 23: 15 clinicians, 8 non-clinicians) were conducted in 2021. Mitigation challenges and facilitators were identified from data to represent experiences as a process considering the before, during, and after work shifts. Journey mapping was utilized to visually describe how healthcare workers experienced the stages of the work environment, leaving work, commuting home, and the home environment, and strategies implemented to stay safe. Major facilitators included the uptake of coronavirus disease vaccines and testing, information regarding virus transmission, and adequate personal protective equipment. The most critical challenges identified included a lack of designated areas for end-of-day disinfection, changing rooms, showers, and lockers in the leaving work stage. Psychosocial and environmental factors must be considered in future hospital pandemic preparations.

Quality improvement collaborative for improving patient care delivery in Argentine public health sector intensive care units

BackgroundThe demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was excessive for less-resourced settings, with intensive care units (ICUs) taking the heaviest toll.ObjectiveThe aim was to achieve adequate personal protective...

Factors Affecting Nurses’ Use of Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: A critical preventive measure during the rapid global spread of COVID-19 was the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare professionals, especially nurses. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the factors that influenced nurses' use of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 and 2022. A convenience sample of 423 nurses was selected from those working in teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS software version 26. Descriptive statistical tests, such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to analyze the data. Additionally, inferential tests such as the independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: Females constituted 70.20% of the sample. The means and standard deviations for individual and organizational factors were 3.41 ± 0.65 and 3.64 ± 0.83, respectively. The relationships between gender and individual factors, as well as education and organizational factors, were found to be statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant relationship between departments and both individual and organizational factors, and between marital status and organizational factors (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Organizational factors, including the provision of adequate PPE, were the most significant contributors to nurses' use of PPE. Conversely, the non-use of PPE was partly influenced by physical complications, such as skin issues, associated with PPE usage. Managers and policymakers can use the results of this study as a guide for future policy and decision-making to reduce or eliminate the factors inhibiting and to strengthen the factors contributing to the proper use of PPE.

Chemotherapy safe handling practices in Ethiopia: A comprehensive multi-center evaluation.

The increasing incidence of cancer and capacity for cancer care in Ethiopia has led to an upsurge in chemotherapy use in the country; however, studies indicate that there is a gap in the safe handling of chemotherapy by healthcare workers. There exists a need to understand if such unsafe practices occur in Ethiopia and, if so, which areas along the chemotherapy life cycle need the most improvement. This study utilized a multi-method design through an online survey administered to health care professionals and evaluative site visits of eight cancer units in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to understand the current conditions of chemotherapy handling. In addition, a survey was conducted among Ethiopian health care professionals from across the country. Fifty-five percent of survey participants disagreed or strongly disagreed that there are systems in place to identify, prevent, and address chemotherapy hazards in their workplace, and 71% of respondents denied having an active and effective health and safety committee and/or worker health and safety representative where they work. At evaluative site visits, only 30% of health care workers met the minimum guidelines for proper hand hygiene, and 20% of health care workers used adequate Personal Protective Equipment according to guidelines across the chemotherapy lifecycle. Results of this study indicate an urgent need for implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve chemotherapy handling in Ethiopia so that all patients and health care workers are protected from the hazardous toxicities of these drugs.

Physical survey on the health hazards of welding activities on welding operators in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Welding operators are subjected to several forms of hazards during welding activities. Aim: The study aimed to identify the common practices in welding operations, assess the potential health hazards associated with these practices, and propose recommendations for improving the well-being of welding operators. Methodology: The survey was conducted at different welding workshops in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 100 welding operators were observed and interviewed to gather data on their working practices and the health effects they experienced. Results: The findings revealed that the most common welding practices included manual metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. These practices involved exposure to various hazards such as fumes, gases, noise, and ultraviolet radiation. The survey also found that a significant number of welding operators reported experiencing health issues such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, eye injuries, and hearing loss. These health effects were attributed to the lack of proper ventilation, inadequate personal protective equipment, and poor ergonomic practices in the welding workshops. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlights the importance of addressing the health hazards associated with welding operations to ensure a safer and healthier work environment for improved work conditions and well-being of welding operators. In light of the findings, several recommendations including the implementation of proper ventilation systems, provision of adequate personal protective equipment, regular health screening for welding operators, and training programs on safe welding practices is proposed in order to improve the well-being of welding operators

Risk behaviors associated with the handling of chemical pesticides by farmers in northern Sinaloa, Mexico

The predominant agriculture in the state of Sinaloa is conventional agriculture, which implies intensive use of pesticides and exposure of many farmers to harmful chemicals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify those risk behaviors in farmers from northern Sinaloa, Mexico when handling pesticides. Surveys were conducted with farmers from the populations located in Irrigation District 075, including 40 questions related to occupational health and personal hygiene practices. Results show that the majority of farmers (86%) know the health risks to which they are exposed by inadequate handling of pesticides. However, due to economic constraints and lack of knowledge and inspection by authorities, they do not use adequate personal protective equipment and their hygiene practices are inadequate. Consequently, it is essential to develop strategic plans to reduce the risk of intoxication by agrochemicals in rural communities, considering their direct impact on the environment.

Assessment of buccal mucosa genotoxicity in insecticide-exposed urban fumigators in Cali, Colombia.

This study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic damage in the buccal mucosa of non-exposed subjects (N = 33) and insecticide-exposed fumigators (N = 31) in the urban area of Cali, Colombia. Through a questionnaire sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, state of health, and lifestyle were collected. Buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay was using for evaluate cytogenetic damage. The study showed that all fumigators used adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and had low alcohol consumption. The authors did not find significant differences in BMCyt biomarkers between the groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed a 13% increase in micronucleus (MN) frequency for every year of increasing age (OR = 1.13, p = 0.029), and higher MN with the decrease in daily fruit consumption (OR = 4.71, p = 0.084), without statistical significance. The results between groups could be related to healthy habits and PPE use among the subjects. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):128-37.

Preventive measures for injuries in physical education training for students at Tan Trao University

Participation in physical education activities is an indispensable component of the holistic educational curriculum for students at Tan Trao University. In addition to enhancing physical health, developing physical skills, these activities also play a crucial role in training soft skills such as teamwork spirit, discipline, patience, and resilience. However, injuries during training are a major concern for both students and the university. These injuries can have serious consequences on students' health, mentality, and academic performance, and may even lead to long-term effects if not detected and treated promptly. Therefore, this study aims to propose effective preventive measures to enhance the safety and health of students participating in sports activities. The research methodology encompasses surveying the opinions of lecturers, students, and medical experts, as well as assessing the current safety measures at Tan Trao University. The research findings indicate that the provision of adequate personal protective equipment, such as helmets, gloves, and padding, is the top priority. Additionally, ensuring the safety of the physical infrastructure, including training grounds, gymnasiums, and practice areas, is an essential prerequisite. Furthermore, intensifying the training of injury prevention skills for lecturers and students is a key solution. Through comprehensive training programs, they can enhance their awareness and ability to handle injury situations, thereby contributing to maximum safety during the training process. Based on these research findings, the study provides specific and feasible recommendations for Tan Trao University to implement. The comprehensive deployment of injury prevention measures will not only ensure the safety of students but also contribute to the sustainable development of sports activities in the future, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education at the university.

Compliance with measures among actors and lessons learnt in the management of COVID-19 institutional quarantine in Uganda

IntroductionTo support COVID-19 containment measures, several countries implemented quarantine protocols. This study determined the level of compliance to COVID-19 quarantine measures, associated factors, and lessons learnt in institutional quarantine management in Uganda. MethodsThis concurrent mixed methods study involved a cross-sectional survey among individuals who were in institutional quarantine and interviews with key informants, who were reached mostly through phone calls. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analysis were conducted to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data were analysed thematically with the aid of Atlas ti 7. ResultsCompliance with quarantine measures at the individual level was moderate at 65.4 %. Factors associated with high compliance with measures were: older age (above 40 years) [APR = 1.30 (95 % CI: 1.04–1.63)], spending 14–15 days in quarantine [APR = 1.39 (95 % CI: 1.00–1.92)] and reporting a high Ministry of Health compliance [APR = 1.33 (CI: 1.11–1.58)]. The positive factors included the availability of guidelines, inspection of facilities and training of personnel. The challenges were related to long turnaround time for results and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). ConclusionEfforts to improve training, supervision and inspection of facilities, and provision of adequate PPE would improve compliance with quarantine measures.

The Gordian Knot of C. auris: If You Cannot Cut It, Prevent It.

Since its first description in 2009, Candida auris has, so far, resulted in large hospital outbreaks worldwide and is considered an emerging global public health threat. Exceptionally for yeast, it is gifted with a profoundly worrying invasive potential and high inter-patient transmissibility. At the same time, it is capable of colonizing and persisting in both patients and hospital settings for prolonged periods of time, thus creating a vicious cycle of acquisition, spreading, and infection. It exhibits various virulence qualities and thermotolerance, osmotolerance, filamentation, biofilm formation and hydrolytic enzyme production, which are mainly implicated in its pathogenesis. Owing to its unfavorable profile of resistance to diverse antifungal agents and the lack of effective treatment options, the implementation of robust infection prevention and control (IPC) practices is crucial for controlling and minimizing intra-hospital transmission of C. auris. Rapid and accurate microbiological identification, adherence to hand hygiene, use of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), proper handling of catheters and implantable devices, contact isolation, periodical environmental decontamination, targeted screening, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs and communication between healthcare facilities about residents' C. auris colonization status are recognized as coherent strategies for preventing its spread. Current knowledge on C. auris epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and its mechanisms of pathogenicity are summarized in the present review and a comprehensive overview of IPC practices ensuring yeast prevention is also provided.

Emotions, Perceived Stressors, and Coping Strategies Among Nursing Staff in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in heightened stress for nurses and other healthcare workers, particularly during the initial phase of the crisis. Despite the adoption of various coping strategies, psychological distress persisted, affecting nurses' well-being and jeopardizing the overall resilience of the healthcare system. This study assessed the emotional response, perceived stressors, and coping strategies among nurses' staff who worked during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out among nurses who worked during the initial phase of the COVID-19 crisis (June - August 2020), at a tertiary care center in Western Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire explored five main sections. The first section (15 items) assessed emotions experienced during the initial wave of COVID-19, capturing both positive and negative sentiments, such as "joy"or "fear." The second section (20 items) examined the presence of stressors, like "lack of protective equipment" or "fear of infection." The third section (14 items) evaluated the perceived effectiveness of certain stress-reducing factors, including "peer support" or "training." In the fourth section (13 items), participants rated their usage frequency of various coping strategies, such as "meditation" or "seeking advice." Lastly, the fifth section assessed the hypothetical impact of 10 incentives, like "financial bonuses" or "additional training," in motivating nurses' involvement in future epidemic responses. The questionnaire was completed with demographic and professional data. A convenience sampling method was employed, and 315 nurses participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were carried out using SPSS version 24 for Windows(IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Result The most commonly experienced emotion was a feeling of responsibility and ethical duty, reported by 97.5% of the participants, followed by nervousness and fear (83.8%), anger (73.3%), and stigma (70.2%). On the other hand, 86.7% were expecting a financial compensation. The most common stressors were related to the nurses' own safety, or the safety of their families and colleagues, reported by 92.4-95.2% of the participants. The perceived uncontrollability of COVID-19 was also a significant stressor. The improvement of the health status of infected colleagues (98.1%) or patients (97.5%) were the most common factors associated with the reduction in nurses' stress. Among the coping strategies, five were almost systematically deployed by the nurses (>95%), all consisting of cognitive and behavioral mechanisms to enhance own knowledge and safety and avoid being infected. The most crucial determinants for commitment in future pandemics are the availability of a cure or vaccine (93.3%), family support (91.4%), adequate personal protective equipment from the hospital (90.8%), and exemption from overtime (90.2%). Conclusion The first wave of COVID-19 exerted a tremendous psychological stress on nurses, due to concerns about safety, disease uncertainties, and social isolation. Analyzing these impacts offers insights for enhancing institutional and national crisis strategies, emphasizing staff safety and psychological well-being, especially for first responders like nurses. Policy implications include prioritizing mental health support and preparedness in future crisis plans. Additionally, ensuring continuous training and strategic workload management is crucial for maintaining frontline commitment.

Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Pandemic; did we achieve our aims? A developing country's experience.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of tracheostomy on COVID positive patients and the risk included in the procedure for the patient and health care workers. Study Design: Retrospective Observational Study. Setting: Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan. Period: 30th May 2020 to 15th February 2022. Material & Methods: The tracheostomies were performed in COVID ICU at bed side by ENT team. This is a study of 22 patients mostly with multiple comorbidities who presented to the hospital with symptoms of SARS-COVID-19. The changes in their ventilation were recorded before and after the tracheostomy. The health care workers included in the study were also kept under observation for any possible cross infection. Results: Eight out of twenty two patients were weaned off from ventilator. There was decrease in partial pressure of oxygen after the procedure but the mortality rate was high. None of the members of operating team, ICU team, anaesthesia team was infected with the virus. Conclusion: Our study shows that although tracheostomy helps in weaning off from ventilator, it has no role in weaning off COVID patients. There is no benefit of tracheostomy for a COVID positive patients. Furthermore, if adequate personal protective equipment’s are used, there is no risk of spread of infection from patient during the procedure of tracheostomy.

코로나19 팬데믹 상황에서 근무환경이 작업치료사의 직무 스트레스에 미치는 영향

Objective: This study investigated the effects of work environment on the job stress of occupational therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We surveyed occupational therapists providing face-to-face occupational therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent variables included 11 items on general characteristics and 11 items on work environment, whereas the dependent variable consisted of 24 items on job stress. The survey, comprised of a total of 46 items, was conducted using a shared link to an online questionnaire. Online surveys were collected over a three month period beginning from September 2022, and a final amount of 216 surveys were analyzed. The data were analyzed through their descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis to identify factors influencing job stress, including variables showing a correlation. Results: As the results of the correlation analysis indicate, the working institution, patient, increased musculoskeletal pain, difficulties in intra-departmental communication, difficulties in co-work with other departments, difficulties in the use of personal protective equipment, insufficient personal protective equipment, and an increase in the burden of infection risk were significant correlation factors. Through a multiple regression analysis, insufficient personal protective equipment and an increased burden of risk of infection were identified as factors affecting job stress. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that insufficient personal protective equipment and an increased burden of infection risk affected the job stress of occupational therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore necessary to provide adequate personal protective equipment to occupational therapists who work face-to-face with patients under situations of infectious disease outbreaks in order to help them reduce their risk of infection.

Use of in silico and in vitro methods as a potential new approach methodologies (NAMs) for (photo)mutagenicity and phototoxicity risk assessment of agrochemicals

The increased use of agrochemicals raises concerns about environmental, animal, and mainly human toxicology. The development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for toxicological risk assessment including new in vitro tests and in silico protocols is encouraged. Although agrochemical mutagenicity testing is well established, a complementary alternative approach may contribute to increasing reliability, with the consequent reduction of false-positive results that lead to unnecessary use of animals in follow-up in vivo testing. Additionally, it is unreasonable to underestimate the phototoxic effects of an accidental dermal exposure to agrochemicals during agricultural work or domestic application in the absence of adequate personal protection equipment, especially in terms of photomutagenicity. In this scenario, we addressed the integration of in vitro and in silico techniques as NAMs to assess the mutagenic and phototoxic potential of agrochemicals. In the present study we used the yno1 S. cerevisiae strain as a biomodel for in vitro assessment of agrochemical mutagenicity, both in the absence and in the presence of simulated sunlight. In parallel, in silico predictions were performed using a combination of expert rule-based and statistical-based models to assess gene mutations and phototoxicity. None of the tested agrochemicals showed mutagenic potential in the two proposed approaches. The Gly and 2,4D herbicides were photomutagenic in the in vitro yeast test despite the negative in silico prediction of phototoxicity. Herein, we demonstrated a novel experimental approach combining both in silico and in vitro experiments to address the complementary investigation of the phototoxicity and (photo)mutagenicity of agrochemicals. These findings shed light on the importance of investigating and reconsidering the photosafety assessment of these products, using not only photocytotoxicity assays but also photomutagenicity assays, which should be encouraged.

Perceptions of the Availability of Personal Protective Equipment and Its Association With Burnout Among US Healthcare Personnel During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic, 2020-2021.

The aim of the study is to explore associations among personal protective equipment (PPE) availability, workplace environment, and burnout among US healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used an online healthcare provider (HCP) survey (December 2020-February 2021) regarding PPE confidence, availability, burnout, and workplace environment. Lack of appropriate PPE was reported by 27% of 799 US HCP surveyed. Burnout, reported by 77% of HCP, was more likely among females, those with fewer years of professional experience, and those with a higher desire to quit, and less likely for those who perceived PPE was adequate or their employer took all steps to minimize workplace risks. This study suggests that lack of adequate PPE can lead to HCP burnout, which may result in employees quitting. A pandemic preparedness plan that includes adequate PPE is essential for HCP well-being, patient health, and employer fiscal health.

A Study of the Current Scenario of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residency of gynecology and obstetrics in São Paulo. Cross-sectional study developed by representatives of residents of the Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the State of São Paulo (SOGESP, in the Portuguese acronym). Data were collected from questionnaires applied to gynecology and obstetrics residents registered on the SOGESP website in February 2022. The interviewees answered about the repercussions of the pandemic on medical residency and whether they had technical and psychological support during the period. A total of 247 questionnaires were collected from residents of gynecology and obstetrics. The residents had an age of 28.3 ± 3 years old, and most of them were female (88.4%). The displacement to COVID care was reported by 62.34% of the students, but only 35.6% reported completely adequate personal protective equipment and only 7.7% reported complete theoretical and technical instruction to support these patients. Almost all of the interviewees stated that the gynecology sector was the most affected. The majority of the interviewees considered that the second-year residents had the greatest loss, and more than half of the residents in the 1st and 2nd year said they wished to give up their residency during the pandemic. More than 80% of the residents reported online theoretical classes and/or presentation of articles, reinforcing the fact that virtual activities gained a greater space within the medical residency. The pandemic impacted the residency in greater proportion in outpatient clinics and gynecological surgeries, also interfering with the physician's desire to continue with the program.

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and chronic autoimmune disease involving the joints disorder as the main manifestations. Methotrexate (MTX) is currently still the drug of choice for RA treatment due to the good clinical response. However, there was a case reported by the American Geriatric Society in 2015 regarding the presence of reversible dementia after treatment with low-dose

Introduction. Doctors have greater risk of acquiring COVID-19 due to occupational exposure. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential factor in reducing COVID-19 transmission. We aimed to evaluate the behavior changes of PPE usage among doctors in Indonesia before and after getting COVID-19 infection in early pandemic. Methods. This was a descriptive online survey with cross-sectional design. This survey was conducted from October-December 2020 among Indonesian doctors who were COVID-19 survivors. Results. A total of 389 doctors who survived COVID-19 infection across Indonesia were included in the final analysis. Most participants were general practitioners and residents (69.2%) with a median age of 40 (22-28) years. After being infected, there was an improvement in the use of N95 respirator masks in isolation rooms (always: 80.9% from 70.2%; sometimes: 13.2% from 15.8%). An improvement in the use of other PPE before and after being infected with COVID-19 was also shown by the use of other PPE such as headcap (93.9% from 83.3%), face shield (90.4% from 83.3%), goggles (70.2% from 62.3%), gown (61.4% from 53.6%), hazmat suit (88.6% from 81.6%), boots (82.5% from 71.1%), and gloves (91.3% from 86.8%). Similar results were also shown in the use of PPE in other non-isolation rooms. Conclusion. After recovering from COVID-19 infection, these doctors showed an increase usage of adequate PPE both while on duty in isolation and non-isolation rooms.

The economic value of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

In this paper, we examine the cost effectiveness of investment in personal protective equipment (PPE) for protecting health care workers (HCWs) against two infectious diseases: Ebola virus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This builds on similar work published for COVID-19 in 2020. We developed two separate decision-analytic models using a payer perspective to compare the costs and effects of multiple PPE use scenarios for protection of HCW against Ebola and MRSA. Bayesian multivariate sensitivity analyses were used to consider the uncertainty surrounding all key parameters for both diseases. We estimate the cost to provide adequate PPE for a HCW encounter with an Ebola patient is $13.04, which is associated with a 97% risk reduction in infections. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is $3.98 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted. Because of lowered infection and disability rates, this investment is estimated to save $132.27 in averted health systems costs, a financial ROI of 1,014%. For MRSA, the cost of adequate PPE for one HCW encounter is $0.88, which is associated with a 53% risk reduction in infections. The mean ICER is $362.14 per DALY averted. This investment is estimated to save $20.18 in averted health systems costs, a financial ROI of 2,294%. In terms of total health savings per death averted, investing in adequate PPE is the dominant strategy for Ebola and MRSA, suggesting that it is both more costly and less clinically optimal to not fully invest in PPE for these diseases. There are many compelling reasons to invest in PPE to protect HCWs. This analysis examines the economic case, building on previous evidence that protecting HCWs with PPE is cost-effective for COVD-19. Ebola and MRSA scenarios were selected to allow assessment of both endemic and epidemic infectious diseases. While PPE is cost-effective for both conditions, compared to our analysis for COVID-19, PPE is relatively more cost-effective for Ebola and relatively less so for MRSA. Further research is needed to assess shortfalls in the PPE supply chain identified during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure an efficient and resilient supply in the face of future pandemics.

Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health among Selected Factories in Ethiopia: Existing Evidence, Current Gaps and Future Directions

Workers who are working in dusty environments might be associated with respiratory health problems. In Ethiopia, factories processing wood, textile, coffee, flour, cement and other materials are associated with dust emission. Furthermore, despite the adoption of the International Labor Organization (ILO) convention, the available constitution and labor proclamation, there are a lot of gaps in terms of occupational health and safety measures in Ethiopia. The current review aims to examine the existing evidence, current challenges and future direction regarding dust exposure and respiratory health in selected Ethiopian factories. Searches of peer-reviewed articles with full-length papers were made in online databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar with a key words “Dust exposure”, “Respiratory health”, “Respiratory symptom”, “Ethiopia” and “Factory workers” from January 2000 to March 2023. The review found that excessive dust exposure is associated with a high prevalence of respiratory health problems. Lack of personal protective equipment and absence of safety and health training were the main occupational health deficits identified in most factories. Actions that focus on these deficiencies are commendable. Interventions focused on safety and health trainings, and the provision of adequate personal protective equipment of the required quality is recommended. In addition, administrative solutions and longitudinal studies on dust exposure and respiratory health are suggested.

Substation Safety Awareness Intelligent Model: Fast Personal Protective Equipment Detection Using GNN Approach

Federal regulations require employees to protect themselves from electrical hazards when working at substations. Such protections, commonly called personal protective equipment (PPE), vary with the hazard types and nature of exposure or delivery. Over the past decades, personal injuries and fatalities from electrical hazards have remained relatively common despite regular risk assessments and controls. One reason for this is that adequate PPE is not appropriately used. Easy-to-deploy strategies to detect proper use of PPE for electrical hazards are not available. Here, an intelligent detection model is developed to check whether PPE is appropriately worn or not; warning alarms would be triggered when the usage does not follow safety regulations. Arc-flash analysis is employed to determine a reasonable and safe PPE guideline. Eight types of PPE are considered, which cover the major PPE categories utilized in practice, including medical masks recommended for the Covid-19 pandemic. The model's framework utilizes a few-shot based graph neural network (GNN) technique to detect PPE. In contrast to prior data-driven models, only 50 images were collected for each PPE type, a relatively small number compared with state-of-the-art research. The proposed model was trained with diversified samples within multiple environments, resulting in a robust, efficient, intelligent detection model with probability of similarity in the range of 79% - 100%. To tackle the existing issues of computer-vision based PPE detection models, some technical suggestions on preserving personal privacy and PPE labels are provided.