National Occupational Safety Research Articles

Safety and health at work as fundamental rights: A comparative‐historical study of the ILO's strategy of realistic vigilance

This article is a comparative‐historical study of ILO action on occupational safety and health (OSH) as fundamental rights. In the two decades following the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the ILO used a realist lens and prioritized the idea that OSH were dependent upon economic preconditions for their protection. This history is revisited in the light of the new complex of global health uncertainty and the addition of OSH to the framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. The analysis highlights the applicability of a realistic vigilance approach to the ILO's current work on OSH.

Ent Manifestations in Sculptors of South Chennai, India: A Cross Sectional Observational Study.

Despite the National Occupational Safety and Legislation Act 2020's implementation, reports of workplace accidents are rising in India. Various ear, nose, and throat conditions have been linked to a wide range of physico-chemical variables. Due to a lack of training, inadequate knowledge, a lack of awareness of occupational health and safety risks, or a lack of accessibility to or use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sculptors are frequently exposed to a variety of physical, compound and unplanned risks, chemical, and accidental hazards. The study aimed to assess the various ear, nose and throat manifestations like noise induced hearing loss, occupational rhinitis and non-infectious pharyngitis among the sculptors working in the southern part of Chennai. This observational study was performed in a total of 110 sculptors. Demographic data like age, education, duration of occupation, use of PPE like face mask, ear plug during work hours, whether sculpting is a family occupation or first generation sculptor. A detailed history and thorough ENT examination was performed with pure tone audiometry (PTA), diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) and videolaryngoscopy (VLS). If any problem is detected they will be treated accordingly. Most of them (70%) were in the age group of 21-40years but 71% of them are sculptors for more than 15years which infers introduction to the occupation at an early age. The reason for this could be more than 80% of them possessed the heritage of sculpting as their family occupation. Duration of occupation was significantly associated with chronic rhinitis (P value was 0.002) and NIHL (P value was 0.002) whereas education and use of PPE like face mask or ear plugs were not associated with ENT manifestations. This study focuses on the sculptors' working habits, their ignorance of safety precautions, and an assessment of the numerous ENT ailments. These manifestations showed a strong correlation to exposure time. To prevent the issues from becoming more severe, regular medical monitoring is required for early detection and intervention.

Implementation Determinants of Zimbabwe National Occupational Safety and Health Policy in Willowvale Industrial Area, Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe introduced the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy (ZNOSHP) in August 2014 with the vision and mission to eliminate occupational accidents, injuries, diseases, and fatalities and to promote Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This study was therefore aimed at exploring the individual- and organizational-level determinants of ZNOSHP’s implementation. Data were collected from 309 workers in the Willowvale industrial area in Harare, Zimbabwe. Negative binomial regression models were used to explore the determinants of ZNOSHP’s implementation. After adjustment, participant’s knowledge of ZNOSHP (Incidence Rate Ratio, IRR = 1.32; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 1.19–1.46; p ≤ 0.001), production department (IRR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03–1.26; p ≤ 0.05), company years of operation (IRR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.21–1.46; p ≤ 0.001), participants who identified several implementation barriers (IRR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.25; p ≤ 0.001), and agricultural industry were associated with higher rates of ZNOSHP’s implementation. In conclusion, individual- and organizational-level determinants of implementation of OSH standards were explored, and positive associations were found. Policy implementation, enforcement, and follow up strategies need to be developed in order to ensure adherence to safety measures. This study should be extended to other parts of Zimbabwe in order to develop evidence-based policy.

A study of plans to establish governance for execution of national occupational safety and health policies

A study of plans to establish governance for execution of national occupational safety and health policies

Knowledge and Practices Towards Occupational Health and Safety Management Strategies Among Sculptors

Reports of occupation-related accidents are on the increase in India despite the enforcement of the National Occupational Safety and Legislation Act 2020. On the other side, many accidents go unreported. It is time to shift the focus of the research towards the small-scale industries to monitor the occupational environment to protect the minority group as a large workforce. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices towards occupational health and safety management strategies among sculptors in selected sculpture sites of selected villages in Kanchipuram district. A descriptive research design was used. A total of 50 sculptors from four sculpture sites were included in this study. Results showed that the majority of the study participants were illiterate, between 20 and 35 years of age, males and alcohol consumers, had a moderate level of knowledge on occupational health and were exhibiting a moderate level of practice towards occupational safety. It is also reported that there was a lack of basic facilities for the workers in the work environment. Importance of having frequent monitoring and inspection of worksites to keep the workforce safe from adverse health outcomes are suggested.

Risk assessment at work and prevention strategies on COVID-19 in Italy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide, with considerable public health and socio-economic impacts that are seriously affecting health and safety of workers, as well as their employment stability. Italy was the first of many other western countries to implement extended containment measures. Health workers and others employed in essential sectors have continued their activity, reporting high infection rate with many fatalities. The epidemiological trend highlighted the importance of work as a substantial factor to consider both when implementing strategies aimed at containing the pandemic and shaping the lockdown mitigation strategy required for sustained economic recovery. To support the decision-making process, we have developed a strategy to predict the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace based on the analysis of the working process and proximity between employees; risk of infection connected to the type of activity; involvement of third parties in the working processes and risk of social aggregation. We applied this approach to outline a risk index for each economic activity sector, with different levels of detail, also considering the impact on mobility of the working population. This method was implemented into the national epidemiological surveillance model in order to estimate the impact of re-activation of specific activities on the reproduction number. It has also been adopted by the national scientific committee set up by the Italian Government for action-oriented policy advice on the COVID-19 emergency in the post lockdown phase. This approach may play a key role for public health if associated with measures for risk mitigation in enterprises through strategies of business process re-engineering. Furthermore, it will make a contribution to reconsidering the organization of work, including also innovation and fostering the integration with the national occupational safety and health (OSH) system.

Psychosocial Risk Prevention in a Global Occupational Health Perspective. A Descriptive Analysis

This study aimed to find out which countries around the world require psychosocial hazards and workplace violence to be assessed by employers through a mandatory occupational risk assessment process and to compare the type of legislation between countries. We systematically searched the International Labour Office (ILO) “LEGOSH” database for documents published during the period between December 2017 and February 2018. The search included 132 countries, of which 23 were considered as developed and 109 as developing according to the United Nations. Our review showed that most countries (85, i.e., 64%) have not included mandatory psychosocial risk assessment and prevention in their national occupational safety and health legislation. Moreover, we found differences between developed and developing countries, showing that developed countries more frequently have legislative measures. Within developed countries, we also found differences between countries following the Scandinavian model of workplace health and safety culture and other countries. Moreover, in many countries, workplace violence was prohibited only if it involves an offence to moral or religious customs. In conclusion, the marked difference in psychosocial hazards and workplace violence regulations among countries leads to unequal levels of workers’ protection, with adverse effects on global health.

How Reliable Variables That Entered on SGK Accident e-Notice?

It is possible to analyze occupational accident statistics, the modeling of risks that cause accidents and identification of accident causes, to decrease occupational accidents. Occupational accidents started to be reported considering ESAW (European Statistics on Accidents at Work) standards with e-notice since 2013. Occupational accident notifications started to be reported with new standard caused to perform a comparative analysis of accidents and within the scope of a standard. Therefore, these notifications and analyzes can give direction guide national occupational safety strategy activities. Although the obligation to make such notifications is in the employer in our country, the online notification system has enabled all variables of occupational accidents to be sent to relevant public institution in the easiest and most accurate way. This study aims to analyze the reliability of the variables in the ESAW methodology at the practice level. In this context, 264 occupational accident occurred between 2015-2017 were analyzed in an industrial workplace. In this study, the variables reported both by the human resources department responsible for making necessary notifications to official institutions and by the occupational safety specialist responsible for ensuring occupational health and safety at workplace where the accident is experienced will be used. The reliability of the ESAW methodology variables in the accident reports will be analyzed by the reliability coefficient (Kappa Test). The results of the analysis will be examined and the recommendations will be given to be more reliable of variables.

A VISION FOR OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE IN EGYPT, EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS (REVIEW)

In Egypt occupational medicine (OM) continues to be one of medicine’s smallest specialties facing challenges both in terms of demand for consultants and trainees in occupational medicine, occupational health and safety practice. The decline in the number of occupational physicians is surprising when occupational health is such an important aspect of health. Occupational injuries and illnesses are among the five leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Future vision for occupational medicine in Egypt needs multilevel and multisystem cooperation. Evaluation of the current situation of the discipline as a scientific specialty is needed. Indeed the legal and health systems reforming are a corner stone in development of the discipline, especially that “occupational diseases” is more a legal definition than scientific. The Labor Law (12/ 2003) introduces some quite important changes. However, the enforcement of labor legislations in Egypt has always been rather weak. It is recommended to redefine and assess the competencies of occupational physicians. Education, training and information mechanisms and institutions play a vital role in the progressive construction of a national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) system. As part from the general research fields, the research in occupational medicine generally faces the same challenges that faces other specialties with some difficulties related to the unique nature of the discipline. Safety culture promotion, and revitalization of the Supreme Advisory Council on OSH are also needed. Occupational rehabilitation and therapy are part of the discipline that should be focused on. In addition, Egypt being a country where micro and small and medium sized enterprises, together with agriculture, employ the majority of labor force, identification of priorities for the development of a national OSH action program for this category of industrial activity is crucial.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS OF LIVESTOCK WORKERS IN PAKISTAN

One third of the world's population is engaged in agriculture sector that makes it the second largest source of employment worldwide including the female population. In developing countries, the agriculture holds 44% of employment share. While agriculture sector in South Asia employs 40% of the people. Livestock workers have to be in close contact with animals and different types of the machinery resulting in high risks of accidents and occupational hazards/ diseases. Environmental factors are also not optimal. Ergonomic difficulties are common i.e. bad working postures, repetitive movements and forceful exertions. A National Occupational Safety and Health Council could be established to protect the health of working folk by legislation and its implementation throughout the country.

A global survey on occupational health services in selected international commission on occupational health (ICOH) member countries

BackgroundThe United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), and the European Union (EU) have encouraged countries to organize occupational health services (OHS) for all working people irrespective of the sector of economy, size of enterprise or mode of employment of the worker. The objective of this study was to survey the status of OHS in a sample of countries from all continents.MethodsA questionnaire focusing on the main aspects of OHS was developed on the basis of ILO Convention No. 161 and several other questionnaire surveys used in various target groups of OHS. The questionnaire was sent to 58 key informants: ICOH National Secretaries.ResultsA total of 49 National Secretaries responded (response rate 84.5%), from countries that employ 70% of the total world labour force. The majority of the respondent countries, 67%, had drawn up an OHS policy and implement it with the help of national occupational safety and health (OSH) authorities, institutes of occupational health or respective bodies, universities, and professional associations. Multidisciplinary expert OHS resources were available in the majority (82%) of countries, but varied widely in quantitative terms. The average OHS coverage of workers was 24.8%, with wide variation between countries. In over two thirds (69%) of the countries, the content of services was mixed, consisting of preventive and curative services, and in 29% preventive only. OHS financing was organized according to a mixed model among 63% and by employers only among 33% of the respondents.ConclusionsThe majority of countries have drawn up policies, strategies and programmes for OHS. The infrastructures and institutional and human resources for the implementation of strategies, however, remain insufficient in the majority of countries (implementation gap). Qualitatively, the content and multidisciplinary nature of OHS corresponds to international guidance, but the coverage, comprehensiveness and content of services remain largely incomplete due to a lack of infrastructure and shortage of multiprofessional human resources (capacity gap). The estimated coverage of services in the study group was low; only a quarter of the total employed population (coverage gap).

The perspective of European researchers of national occupational safety and health institutes for contributing to a European research agenda: a modified Delphi study

ObjectivesThis study, developed within the frame of the Partnership for European Research on Occupational Safety and Health joint research activities and based on the frame designed by the 2013 European...

Path forward: Emerging issues and challenges

The NIOSH Construction Program worked with industry stakeholders to develop a National Occupational Safety and Health Construction Agenda to target future research and activities. The Program and its partners are also cognizant that new developments can emerge over time and that research can play an important role in helping to understand and address these emerging issues. Examples of emerging issues relevant to construction safety and health are described. These include: (a) climate change and energy considerations; (b) green construction developments and opportunities; (c) new materials; (d) changes in industry structure and practice; (e) workforce developments and disparities; (f) injury underreporting and cost and risk shifting; and (g) increased interest in addressing root causes. Responding to emerging issues while maintaining a focus on fundamental longstanding issues represents an ongoing challenge for researchers and industry organizations. Additional research to understand the diffusion and adoption of research by the industry is also needed. Research accomplished to date provides a strong foundation for addressing future industry needs and trends.

Understanding the Programme Theories Underlying National Strategies to Improve the Working Environment in Small Businesses

AbstractLittle is known about how knowledge of the particular features of small businesses can be transformed into national occupational safety and health programmes that can successfully prevent accidents and occupational diseases. This paper describes a theoretical framework for an analysis of occupational safety and health programmes aimed at small businesses, based on ‘programme theory’ — the fundamental rationale and driver(s) underlying what makes a programme work. It describes the existing programmes in New Zealand and an in-depth analysis of three specific types of programme — general (the Workplace Safety Discount scheme), sector (FarmSafe) and local (the Waitakere City Council Cleaner Production: Boat Building Project) — each representing a particular strategy for reaching out to small businesses. In doing so, the rationales and mechanisms underlying each programme were sought and described in order to make them transparent. The programme theory for each was further examined through analysis of ...

La vigilancia de la salud de los trabajadores expuestos al amianto: ejemplo de colaboración entre el Sistema de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales y el Sistema Nacional de Salud

The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs and the Autonomous Governments of Spain have designed and agreed by consensus with the sanitary professionals and major employer's organizations and Unions a Integral Health Surveillance Programme of asbestos-exposed workers, in order to assure appropriate, uniform and harmonized action throughout the national territory with relation to these workers. This initiative started from the Occupational Health Working group of the Interterritorial Council, with inputs from the Asbestos Working Group of the National Occupational Safety and Health Commission. It was agreed with occupational medicine and infirmary professionals and was approved by the Health and Labour authorities. The program is organised in seven main activities. two years after the Programme approval a total of 5778 workers are included in the Registry of asbestos-exposed workers. 208 workers have COPD, 198 benign pleural disease, 8 lung cancer, 10 mesothelioma and 7 workers have other cancers possibly related to asbestos (gastric, larynx and colon cancer). the agreement and participation reached in this Programme allow achieving much higher coverage of occupational prevention policies than those obtained with a mere law approval, as we could see during the second year of implementation of the Programme in which the number of attended workers has doubled.

Work organization research at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

For 25 years, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted and sponsored laboratory, field, and epidemiological studies that have helped define the role of work organization factors in occupational safety and health. Research has focused on the health effects of specific job conditions, occupational stressors in specific occupations, occupational difference in the incidence of stressors and stress-related disorders, and intervention strategies. NIOSH and the American Psychological Association have formalized the concept of occupational health psychology and developed a postdoctoral training program. The National Occupational Research Agenda recognizes organization of work as one of 21 national occupational safety and health research priority areas. Future research should focus on industries, occupations, and populations at special risk; the impact of work organization on overall health; the identification of healthy organization characteristics; and the development of intervention strategies.