Average Duration Of Employment Research Articles

Underdiagnosis of silicosis revealed by reinterpretation of chest radiographs in Thai ceramic workers.

In Thailand, epidemiological data on silicosis in the ceramic sector is lacking and the underdiagnosis of silicosis remains an extensive concern. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of silicosis and the extent of underdiagnosis among Thai ceramic workers by reinterpreting chest radiographs previously taken by a health check-up unit. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on ceramic workers undergoing health surveillance using chest radiographs in one ceramic factory in September 2018. All chest radiographs were done retrospectively, then were reinterpreted by professional readers specially trained in using the ILO International Classification of Radiograph of Pneumoconioses (ILO/ICRP). Chest radiographs with a profusion of 1/1 or greater were suggestive of silicosis. Out of the 244 participants undergoing chest radiography, the prevalence of silicosis was 2.9%. Overall, the mean age of the participants was 41 years, and 72.1% were female. Among individuals with silicosis, the median age was 43 years; 71.4% were male; the average employment duration was 26.9 years; while the male sex was the significant variable associated with silicosis with an odds ratio of 7.01 (95% confidence interval 1.31 to 37.4). Regarding the underdiagnosis, the health check-up unit failed to recognize all individuals with silicosis, and could not detect any radiographic chest abnormalities in 57.1% of those with silicosis. Despite the low prevalence of silicosis among Thai ceramic workers, this finding indicates ongoing exposure to silica in the ceramic industry. In addition, a significant proportion of the silicosis cases were underrecognized. Future efforts to prevent underdiagnosis and improve an occupational health surveillance service in Thailand are needed.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Length of Stay at Work after Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Longitudinal Study in Brazil.

Vocational rehabilitation is an intervention to enhance the return to work and improve quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate sociodemographic and occupational factors associated with the length of stay at work among workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) who had undergone rehabilitation through the Brazilian public social security system. This was a longitudinal study among 680 workers with histories of disability due to WRMDs who returned to the formal job market after vocational rehabilitation between 2014 and 2018. Survival analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing permanence in work. Job dismissal occurred for 29.26% of the workers. The average duration of employment after returning to the formal job position was 56 months. The following factors were associated with shorter length of employment: living in the southeastern region (HR: 2.78; 95% CI 1.12-6.91) or southern region (HR: 2.68; 95% CI 1.04-6.90) of Brazil; working in transportation, storage or postal services (HR: 2.57; 95% CI 1.07-6.17); or working in financial activities, insurance or related services (HR: 2.70; 95% CI 1.05-6.89). These findings may contribute to the discussion about prevention of disability and interventions to ensure health care for workers with WRMD disabilities who undergo rehabilitation.

An Index to Assess Overwork-Related Adverse Effects on Employees Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Taiwan

BackgroundThe present study aimed to digitally evaluate the risk of overwork-related adverse effects (OrAEs) among employees from various occupational categories in Taiwan. MethodsAnonymous data of employees from seven companies/factories providing occupational health services were analyzed. The studied population comprised 5505 employees, and the data analyzed included employment duration, working hours, shift work schedules, and health checkup results. The risk for OrAEs was assessed by an index, Karo index (0-4, the larger the value, the higher the risk for OrAEs) obtained using a risk matrix made up of cardiocerebral and occupational risk factors. Karo index values of 3 and 4 were categorized as at high risk for OrAEs (h-OrAEs). ResultsThe 5505 employees had an average employment duration of 8.5 years and a mean age of 39.4 years. The prevalence rates for h-OrAEs of the seven companies/factories ranged from 3.9% to 34.2%. There were significant differences in prevalence rates for h-OrAEs between employees of retail stores and high-tech manufacturing factories. Multivariate analysis results indicated that workers of high-tech manufacturing factories had significantly higher risk for h-OrAEs compared with retail store workers. ConclusionIn terms of satisfying health risk management and legal requirements in Taiwan, the newly issued Karo index, which covers a wide range of occupational risk factors, can serve as an assessment and a warning tool for managing the risk of OrAEs in workplaces. To reduce risks for h-OrAEs, active and prudent control of cerebrocardiovascular risks and working hours is recommended.

’HYPERTENSION PREVALENCE, AWARENESS, TREATMENT AND CONTROL STATUS AMONG THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS OF BANGLADESH WORKING AT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE LEVEL

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and awareness, treatment and control status of hypertension among the primary healthcare providers of Bangladesh. Design and method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 1912 senior stuff nurses (SSN) and para-health professionals who came to attend a 3-day training in Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) during November 2017 to April 2018. The study population was selected by the Government from all districts of Bangladesh. Data were collected using STEPS questionnaire of World Health Organization. Two blood pressure measurements were obtained by trained observers by use of a mercury sphygmomanometer. Information on history of hypertension and use of antihypertensive medications was obtained by use of a standard questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure equal or more than 140/90 mmHg or a self-reported diagnosis of hypertension and/or use of antihypertensive medications according to JNC 7 guidelines. Results: The mean age of the population was 37.63 ± 9.5 years and their average duration of employment was 13.8 ± 9.5. Among the total, 29.7% (95% CI, 2 7.7–31.7) of the healthcare providers had hypertension, 67.4% were aware of their hypertension and 88.7% of them were taking antihypertensive medication. But only 40.8% attained blood pressure control. The overall prevalence of hypertension was slightly higher among men than among women. The prevalence of hypertension was found increased with age. The age specific prevalence of hypertension was 16.3% (95% CI, 14.6–18.0), 22.9% (95% CI, 21.0–24.8), 42.1% (95% CI, 39.9–44.3) and 49.8% (95% CI, 47.6–52.0) among 20–29, 30–39. 40 49 and equal or more than 50 years age groups respectively. Added salt intake, diabetes mellitus, central obesity and generalized obesity were significantly associated with hypertension (p < 0.05). Age and diabetes mellitus was two significant predictors of hypertension. Conclusions: Hypertension is highly prevalent among the healthcare providers of Bangladesh working at primary healthcare level. More than two-third are aware that they have hypertension but controlled rate by anti-hypertensive is low. These results underscore the urgent need to develop national strategies for detection and treatment of hypertension among these service providers.

L’effet des coûts de licenciement sur la durée des emplois des travailleurs peu qualifiés en France

Jusqu’en septembre 2017, les employeurs devaient verser au moins six mois de salaire aux employés dont l’ancienneté était supérieure à deux ans en cas de licenciement sans cause réelle et sérieuse dans les entreprises de plus de 11 salariés. À partir des données du ministère de la justice, nous observons que cette réglementation entraîne une hausse des indemnités de licenciement à deux ans d’ancienneté, ce qui engendre une augmentation significative du taux de destruction d’emplois avant le seuil des deux ans et une baisse juste après. Les coûts de licenciement et leur composante procédurale sont évalués grâce à l’estimation d’un modèle de recherche et d’appariement reproduisant l’évolution du taux de destruction d’emplois. Nous constatons que le coût total des licenciements augmente avec l’ancienneté et qu’il est environ quatre fois plus élevé que les indemnités légales et conventionnelles à deux ans d’ancienneté. Des exercices contre-factuels montrent que la fragilité des emplois de faible ancienneté implique que les coûts de licenciement réduisent la durée moyenne de l’emploi pour un large éventail de paramètres empiriquement pertinents.

Outcomes of an individual placement and support programme incorporating principles of the collaborative recovery model.

Engaging in employment enhances mental health recovery and is therefore of central focus for many occupational therapists working in mental health. Individual placement and support (IPS) is an evidence-based, supported employment model specifically designed for individuals with severe mental illness who have the desire to work. Despite strong support for IPS in Australia, implementation challenges have been encountered. This study evaluates outcomes achieved by participants engaged with WorkWell, an IPS programme delivered by a large Australian non-government organisation. In addition to following IPS principles, WorkWell was informed by principles of the collaborative recovery model (CRM). De-identified outcomes data for each participant were analysed by an independent research team. The proportion of individuals engaged with the programme who achieved a competitive employment placement was calculated. Average employment duration and weekly wages were calculated for individuals who achieved a competitive employment placement. Finally, the proportion of individuals who achieved some form of vocationally relevant outcome was calculated. Ninety-seven participants were engaged with the programme. Forty-eight participants (49.5%) gained a competitive employment position. Average employment duration was 151days (21.6weeks) and average weekly wage was $478. Overall, 62 participants (63.9%) were supported to achieve some kind of vocationally relevant outcome (e.g. competitive employment, education, work trial or voluntary work) as a result of their engagement with the programme. While the addition of CRM principles appears to have supported positive outcomes for participants, especially in terms of employment duration, results for employment placement rates were lower than expected. While the employment placement rate compares favourably to results from the international literature and numerous programmes in Australia, more development is required to increase the proportion of individuals who are supported into competitive employment positions. Future research should focus on the specific elements of CRM that most contribute to enhancing IPS processes.

First mortality analysis in the French cohort of uranium millers, period 1968-2012.

Introduction: Uranium is a heavy metal naturally omnipresent in the environment known to have chemical and radiological toxicities. To better characterize potential health effects of uranium, studying the population of uranium millers (workers processing uranium ore) is highly pertinent. Compared to miners, they experienced much lower levels of radon exposure, so that uranium exposure contributes a larger percentage of their total radiation exposure. A new retrospective cohort of millers was set-up in France to assess the risk of cancer and non-cancer mortality related to uranium exposure. Methods: The cohort includes permanent contract workers employed during at least 6 months between 1955 and 2001 as uranium millers by SIMO (Societé Industrielle des Minerais de l’Ouest) and SMJ (Société des Mines de Jouac). Personal files and employment records were obtained from AREVA archives. Vital status and causes of death were obtained from French national registries between 1968 and 2012, in order to perform comparisons with French national and local mortality rates by computing standardized mortality ratios. Results: The cohort includes 1291 workers (8.6% women) with a median year of birth of 1941. The average duration of employment was 14.5 years and the mean age at the beginning of follow-up was 34.1 years old. At the end of follow-up (31/12/2012), 434 millers were deceased and 14 were lost to follow-up. Detailed mortality analyses using French national mortality rates as reference will be presented. Conclusions: This is the first cohort of uranium millers ever set-up in France. Those mortality analyses will help to improve current knowledge on the health effects of uranium and contribute to the validation or evolution of international radiation protection standards. In the future, undertaking combined analyses of cohorts of uranium millers, but also of miners and other uranium fuel cycle workers should help further refine risk estimates for uranium exposure.

Comparison of Rate and Progression of Myopia Among Carpet Weaver and Non-Weaver Members of the Weaver's Families in Birjand

Background: Refractive error is a common abnormality and the most common refractive error is myopia. Objectives: The aim of this study was To Comparison of rate of myopia among carpet weaver and non-weaver members. Methods: In this case- control study, all members of the weavers have been refracted objectively and subjectively by only one person. Results: The relative frequency of moderate and severe myopia in carpet weaving significantly more than non-weavers (P < 0.001). The result of Variance Analysis (ANOVA) showed that by increasing the average duration of employment and working hours daily in carpets, Myopia significantly more. Conclusions: Sustained close distance working could have an effective role in progression and amount of myopia.

Implementation of the enhanced intersectoral links approach to support increased employment outcomes for consumers of a large metropolitan mental health service

Introduction The purpose of this article is to describe the outcomes of the enhanced intersectoral links (EIL) approach to supporting employment outcomes for individuals accessing a large mental health service. Method Based on individual placement and support (IPS) principles, features of EIL included: strong service-level relationships between mental health and local disability employment services; monthly joint meetings to share information; resources to assist mental health clinicians in supporting consumers to access employment services; and provision of training. Programme fidelity was evaluated against IPS principles. Outcome measures included: time from referral to commencement; time to first employment placement; employment placement rate; and duration of employment. Results Seventy-nine consumers were referred to the programme. At the close of data collection, 60 participants remained in the programme and 38 of these (63%) had gained at least one employment placement. Average duration of employment was 10.9 weeks. As expected, the EIL programme demonstrated ‘fair’ fidelity against IPS principles. The average time from referral to commencement was 47 days and from commencement to first placement was 81 days. Conclusion This project demonstrated how EIL can be implemented in a large mental health service. Further development is required to avoid delays in consumers’ commencement with employment services and support better job tenure.

The Assessment of Work Places of Nurses on Occupational Safety

Aim: Through occupational health safety implementations, it is possible to provide safe working environments, protect the working staff from occupational accidents and diseases, and improve the physical, mental and social health. The aim of this study is to assess the services given within the scope of occupational health and safety implementations at hospitals where nurses work. Methods: The population of the study consisted of 184 nurses working at Namýk Kemal University, Research and Development as well as at two private hospitals in Tekirdað central district. 162 of the nurses, who were actively working at those hospitals during the research and agreed to participate, were included in the study. Data was collected through personal information forms and Occupational Safety Scale (OSS) and was evaluated by using descriptive and comparative analysis. Results: The average of age of participants was 38.23±7.07, and the average duration of employment was 16.62±5.78. The woman population was 85.5%, the percentage of employees with bachelor’s degree was 47.5%, and 44.4% of the subjects stated that they got in-service training on occupational health and safety. The total OSS score in the study was found out as 135.33±33.23. The difference between OSS total score and sub-dimension score averages was found out to be significant according to the ward, occupational position, and in-service training received. Conclusion: This study assessing the occupational safety implementations at the workplace of nurses, has determined that occupational safety implementation is insufficient at nurses’ occupational environment. Occupational environment at hospitals which is approved to be at very dangerous level among fields of operations according to the related legislations, it is essential that workplace health units be built, in-service training programmes be implemented for both employees and administrative staff in order to set up individual and institutional safety culture.

Control system analysis of labour supply flows in production systems

This paper examines the effects of the labour supply chain on the control of a two tier VMI inventory model based on the work of Towill and Disney for the case of an individual company.An extended labour plus the VMI model is used to produce an analytic expression for the combined system.A discrete z transform model of inventory is obtained using conventional algebra. This is then analysed to produce an algebraic expression and then the general stability solution is derived from the unit circle condition.The labour model alone is shown to be stable with the average employment duration and time to recognise a staff deficiency found to be the key parameters to achieve quick response to a labour shortage. Using MATLAB, the extended model incorporating the labour supply has been found to have a wider range of gains for stability, than without the labour component.The system is described by a linear control model of the production process and does not include production limits or other resource limitations. It also does not include any past history of sales demand and responses.Using the control measure integral of the time multiplied by the absolute error (ITAE), the combined labour and VMI model has been found to have different gains for optimum inventory than VMI alone, allowing a more flexible response to recruitment since labour costs are key cost parameters in the real world.This work extends the original control system model of Towill and Disney to include the effects of the Labour supply chain. This has not been published before.

0184 Mortality profile of the French cohort of uranium processing workers

ObjectivesA cohort of nuclear workers employed in the fuel processing cycle was set-up in France in 2009 to assess the risk of cancer and non-cancer mortality related to uranium, in...

CZYNNIKI RYZYKA CHORÓB UKŁADU KRĄŻENIA (CVD) A STRES ŻYCIOWY I ZAWODOWY U POLICJANTÓW

Several studies have shown an association between work-related stress and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ever, only a few studies concerned the police. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the general and work-related stress, and the functioning of the circulatory system in the police staff. The study group consisted of 126 policemen (aged 37.8 +/- 7.3 years), with average employment duration of 14.4 +/- 7 years. The study comprised the assessment of health status based on the medical examination and medical history of identified diseases, cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms, dietary habits, physical activity, intake of drugs, data on the family history, determinations of serum total cholesterol, HDL and LDL fractions, triglycerides, and fasting glycemia . The stress level was assessed using the Questionnaire for the Subjective Assessment of Work and Perceived Stress Scale. On medical examination hypertension was found in 36% of the people under study. Chest discomfort was reported by 60% of the subjects. Average body mass index (BMI), serum cholesterol and LDI, were elevated (22.7 +/- 4.1, 222.6 +/- 41.7 mg/dl and 142.7 +/- 39.7 mg/dl, respectively). Mean triglyceride, HDL fraction and fasting glucose levels were normal in the whole group. The levels of general and occupational stress were 34.914.8 and 128.0+33.3, respectively, being higher than in other occupational groups. In the group with the highest level of stress, there were significantly more people with circulatory problems (81%), drinking strong alcohol at least once a week (27%), working in a 3-shift system (40.5%) and working overtime (44%). The results show that the police are a group at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to work-related stress.

WIEK I STAŻ ZAWODOWY PRACOWNIKÓW OCHRONY ZDROWIA Z ZAWODOWYM WIRUSOWYM ZAPALENIEM WĄTROBY TYPU B I C

In this paper we present the study of the incidence of hepatitis B and C among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship in the years 1999-2009. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the certified occupational HCV and HBV infections and the age and duration of employment of infected health care workers. To analyze the epidemiological situation of occupational hepatitis among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship, the data 338 occupational disease certificates were obtained. Of the 338 certified cases of occupational viral hepatitis during this period 222 (65.7%) cases were diagnosed with hepatitis B, and 116 (34.3%) with hepatitis C. The total number of health care workers included 301 (89%) women, and 37 (11%) men. The majority of occupational hepatitis cases occurred in the following age groups 45-49, 40-44, 50-54 and 35-39 years. The mean age for the whole population was 46.20 years. The average duration of employment was 18.34 years, and it was lower for women than for men by 1.71 years (18.15 vs. 19.86). The cases of hepatitis mostly occurred during the periods of 15-19, 20-24 and 25-29 years of employment (50% of cases). These data suggest that the employees used to postpone the procedure of occupational disease certification. Short work experience confirms a higher risk of infection among employees of analytical laboratories and dental offices. The relationship between a higher risk of infection in workers and a shorter duration of employment (little work experience) was evidenced.

Work-ordered day as a catalyst of competitive employment success.

This purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in the Work-Ordered Day program of the Clubhouse model has a positive effect on vocational outcomes. The longitudinal study followed a group of individuals with severe mental illness who were randomly assigned either to a Clubhouse program or a Program of Assertive Community Treatment team. Study participants were tracked for 135 weeks. These analyses evaluated the relationship between Work-Ordered Day participation and employment duration for the 43 study participants enrolled in the Clubhouse program who were active throughout the study and competitively employed during the study. Participation in the Work-Ordered Day program had a significant positive impact on average duration of employment. On average, a 1-hr increase in participation prior to employment led to an increase of 2.3 weeks in competitive employment. Participants with more Work-Ordered Day program participation prior to employment had significantly longer average competitive employment duration even when controlling for prior work history. Participation in the Work-Ordered Day program is likely to improve work readiness. Further research is warranted to study which elements of the program may foment employment success. This could lead to increased implementation of the Work-Ordered Day program and its elements as precursors to employment for adults with severe mental illness.

Bus drivers' mental conditions and their relation to bus passengers' accidents with a focus on the psychological stress concept.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the psychological factors of bus drivers' instability that were related to bus passengers' accidents according to the hypothesis model based on the stress concept of Lazarus and Folkman (1984). This research was carried out in 2006. Participants of the study were 39 Japanese male bus drivers. Their average age was 40.2 (SD: 11.1). The average duration of employment was 4.5 (SD:6.1) years. A questionnaire was used that was composed of items concerning the frequency of bus passengers' accidents, performance of safe driving, job stressors, stress reaction and recognition from others. Based on the results, a model assuming that stress reaction caused by job stressors disturbed the bus driver's safe driving and was associated with passengers' accidents in the bus was verified to some degree. Especially, melancholy and tired feeling toward passengers showed a strong relation to the passengers' accidents in the bus. This suggested much room for intervention. Moreover, the recognition from others of their job was confirmed to act as a control factor of the stress reaction.

A working reality: Evaluating enhanced intersectoral links in supported employment for people with psychiatric disabilities

Supported employment (SE) programmes have been found to improve the rates of competitive employment for people with severe mental illness. Evidence has suggested that the most effective SE model is one in which the employment specialist is co-located with mental health services. However, this may not always be achievable. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the enhanced intersectoral links approach to SE. A total of 43 people with a mental illness participated in the programme in which formal links were created between a community mental health team and three employment services. The outcomes of the programme were evaluated over 24 months. Of all participants, 77% achieved a competitive employment outcome, with 60.6% remaining in employment at the end of the evaluation period. The average duration of employment was 44.8 weeks. For those who were unable to maintain a job, the average period of employment was 14.2 weeks. The study found that participants with less severe symptoms at baseline were more likely to obtain employment and those who had worked in the year preceding entry into the programme were employed for a higher proportion of time. The factors related to job loss were the short-term nature of the position, cognitive difficulties and social skills. The study found that the enhanced intersectoral links approach was effective in achieving outcomes consistent with international studies of SE programmes and may offer a viable alternative to the co-location of employment specialists with community mental health teams.

Effects of Changes in the Unemployment Insurance Eligibility Requirements on Job Duration — Swedish Evidence

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of the unemployment insurance (UI) entrance requirement on employment duration among earlier unemployed in Sweden. I exploit changes in the rules taking place in 1994 and 1997 to study behavioural adjustments in the timing of job separation in 1992, 1996, and 1998, respectively. Performing across‐year analyses with years involving different working requirements, I find some evidence of clustering of job exits at the time of UI qualification. By using predicted hazard rates for each week, I calculate an approximate 2.3‐week extension in average employment duration between 1996 and 1998, due to the 5‐week prolonging of the entrance requirement.

TRIAD II: Do Living Wills Have an Impact on Pre-Hospital Lifesaving Care?

Background: Living wills accompany patients who present for emergent care. To the best of our knowledge, no studies assess pre-hospital provider interpretations of these instructions. Objectives: Determine how a living will is interpreted and assess how interpretation impacts lifesaving care. Design setting: Three-part survey administered at a regional emergency medical system educational symposium to 150 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Part I assessed understanding of the living will and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. Part II assessed the living will's impact in clinical situations of patients requiring lifesaving interventions. Part III was similar to part II except a code status designation (full code) was incorporated into the living will. Results: There were 127 surveys completed, yielding an 87% response rate. The majority were male (55%) and EMTs (74%). The average age was 44 years and the average duration of employment was 15 years. Ninety percent (95% confidence interval [CI] 84.6–95.4%) of respondents determined that, after review of the living will, the patient's code status was DNR, and 92% (95% CI 86.5–96.6%) defined their understanding of DNR as comfort care/end-of-life care. When the living will was applied to clinical situations, it resulted in a higher proportion of patients being classified as DNR as opposed to full code (Case A 78% [95% CI 71.2–85.6%] vs. 22% [95% CI 14.4–28.8%], respectively; Case B 67% [95% CI 58.4–74.9%] vs. 33% [95% CI 25.1–1.6%], respectively; Case C 63% [95% CI 55.1–71.9%] vs. 37% [95% CI 28.1–44.9%]), respectively. With the scenarios presented, this DNR classification resulted in a lack of or a delay in lifesaving interventions. Incorporating a code status into the living will produced statistically significant increases in the provision of lifesaving care. In Case A, intubation increased from 15% to 56% ( p < 0.0001); Case B, defibrillation increased from 40% to 59% ( p < 0.0001); and Case C, defibrillation increased from 36% to 65% ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Significant confusion and concern for patient safety exists in the pre-hospital setting due to the understanding and implementation of living wills and DNR orders. This confusion can be corrected by implementing clearly defined code status into the living will.

Do Changes in Regulation Affect Employment Duration in Temporary Help Agencies?

The employment duration of workers in temporary help agencies is seen as an important indicator of their job quality. Most of the countries that regulate temporary agency employment do so to ensure at least a minimal level of employment stability. Over the past three decades Germany has repeatedly liberalized the law on temporary agency employment. These successive reforms should have affected the employment duration in the temporary employment sector. Applying a mixed proportional hazard rate model to administrative data, the authors examine whether employment duration changed in response to these reforms. They find that successive extensions of the maximum assignment period significantly increased average employment duration, while “liberalizing” legislation, such as that allowing fixed-term contracts, tended to reduce it.