Occupational Health Practice Research Articles

Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Awareness among Healthcare Workers at the Pediatric Hospital in Benghazi City

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an essential area concerned with the protection, health, and safety plus the welfare of individuals involved in any kind of occupation. This study aimed at assessing the occupational health and safety awareness and practices among the healthcare workers in the pediatric hospital in Benghazi city, Libya. The study adopted descriptive survey research in the Benghazi pediatric hospital. The study randomly selected 246 healthcare workers and the response rate was 96%. A questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument. The data were coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics; frequencies and percentages and inferential analysis of correlation. Around 50% of the participants reported a lower level of awareness regarding occupational health and safety (OHS). The study proposes that the ministry of health should conduct specialist training in occupational health and safety for their staff, they also should confirm provisions of this policy and technical guidelines apply to all health institutions and administrative units within the health sector. Further hospital risk management should put in place a regular monitoring team who will certify that workers notice in firm terms safety measures put in place to avoid any accidents/injuries. Lastly, the study recommends that further research on the factors determining the implementation of occupational health and safety awareness and practices at public health care facilities in Libya.

ORGANOPHOSPHATE EXPOSURE, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AND EXPOSURE RISK ASSESSMENT AMONG VEGETABLE FARMERS IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

Uncontrolled use of pesticides in agriculture may result in increased health risks. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are widely used among vegetable farmers to control pests and increase productivity. The aim is to determine the organophosphate exposure, associated risk factors, and exposure risk assessment among vegetable farmers in Sabah. A cross-sectional study design in Kundasang, Sabah, Malaysia. We took a blood sample from participants for blood cholinesterase concentration measurements of pesticide exposure using the rapid test kit model Lovibond AF267. A validated questionnaire was used to collect the associated risk factors of vegetable farmers. The Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk Control (HIRARC) guidelines were used for exposure risk assessment of OP exposure. The response rate was 91.1%. About 23.3% (38 out of 163) have abnormal blood cholinesterase. The significant associated risk factors were age [aOR=1.07, 95%CI (1.02,1.13)], Body Mass Index [aOR=8.60, 95%CI (2.80,26.51)], frequency of exposure a month [aOR=5.99, 95%CI (1.29,27.76)], had not attended pesticide safety training [aOR=9.08, 95%CI (2.97,27.74)], no designated pesticide storage [aOR=6.92, 95%CI (1.70,28.25)] and low practices scores on pesticide handling [aOR=6.01, 95%CI (1.97,18.36)]. The exposure risk assessment level for vegetable farmers was at low-medium risk. Organophosphate exposure among the vegetable farmers in Kundasang was higher than in other settings. The risk factors associated with organophosphate exposure were related to inadequate compliance to the standard occupational safety and health practices in agriculture. Exposure assessment revealed the opportunity for improvement by implementing the recommended control measures. Vegetable farmers need continuous support from relevant authorities. Further research is required to understand better the health risks among vegetable smallholder farmers in Sabah.

Leveraging Strategic Foresight to Advance Worker Safety, Health, and Well-Being.

Attending to the ever-expanding list of factors impacting work, the workplace, and the workforce will require innovative methods and approaches for occupational safety and health (OSH) research and practice. This paper explores strategic foresight as a tool that can enhance OSH capacity to anticipate, and even shape, the future as it pertains to work. Equal parts science and art, strategic foresight includes the development and analysis of plausible alternative futures as inputs to strategic plans and actions. Here, we review several published foresight approaches and examples of work-related futures scenarios. We also present a working foresight framework tailored for OSH and offer recommendations for next steps to incorporate strategic foresight into research and practice in order to advance worker safety, health, and well-being.

Working with Chronic Illness: Investigating Individual Health Status and Burnout

Although chronic illnesses are prevalent and increasing among the workforce in the US and Europe, their consequences are rarely attended to in theoretical considerations and empirical analyses on work and health. In this paper, we analyze the impact of chronic illnesses and their perceived severity on employee burnout in two studies including employees with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. In the first study, we show that people with a chronic illness report more higher burnout levels compared to employees without any chronic medical conditions. Furthermore, we show that the perceived severity of the illness is associated with higher levels of exhaustion burnout in two cross-sectional analyses. In the second study, we show that the perceived severity of the illness predicts exhaustion burnout 6 months later. Our results strongly imply the inclusion of health status and chronic illness into occupational health research and practice.

Rational emotive occupational health coaching for quality of work-life among primary school administrators.

Background:This study aimed at investigating the effect of rational emotive occupational health coaching on quality of work-life among primary school administrators.Method:This is a double blinded and randomized control design study. A total of 158 administrators were sampled, half of them were exposed to rational emotive occupational health treatment package that lasted for 12 sessions. Two self-report measures were utilized in assessing the participants using quality of work life scale. Data collected were analyzed using MANOVA statistical tool.Result:The results showed that rational emotive occupational health coaching is effective in improving perception of quality of work-life among public administrators. A follow-up result showed that rational emotive occupational health coaching had a significant effect on primary school administrators’ quality of work life.Conclusion:This study concluded rational emotive occupation health coaching is useful therapeutic strategy in improving quality of work of primary school administrators, hence, future researchers and clinical practitioners should adopt cognitive-behavioral techniques and principles in helping employers as well as employees. Based on the primary findings and limitations of this study, future studies, occupational psychotherapists should qualitatively explore the clinical relevance of rational emotive occupational health practice across cultures using different populations

Antinociceptive and Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Six Novel Psychoactive Opioid Substances in Male Rats.

Compounds with novel or fentanyl-like structures continue to appear on the illicit drug market and have been responsible for fatalities, yet there are limited preclinical pharmacological data available to evaluate the risk of these compounds to public health. The purpose of the present study was to examine acetyl fentanyl, butyryl fentanyl, 3,4-dichloro-N-[[1-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]methyl]benzamide (AH-7921), 1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine (MT-45), 4-chloro-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-2-piperidinylidene]-benzenesulfonamide (W-15), and 4-chloro-N-[1-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-2-piperidinylidene]-benzenesulfonamide (W-18) for their relative potency to reference opioids and their susceptibility to naltrexone antagonism using the 55oC warm-water, tail-withdrawal assay of antinociception and a morphine drug discrimination assay in male, Sprague-Dawley rats. In the antinociception assay, groups of 8 rats per drug were placed into restraining tubes, their tails were immersed into 40o or 55oC water, and the latency for tail withdrawal was measured with a cutoff time of 15 seconds. In the drug discrimination assay, rats (n = 11) were trained to discriminate between 3.2 mg/kg morphine and saline, subcutaneously, in a two-choice, drug discrimination procedure under a fixed ratio-5 schedule of sucrose pellet delivery. Morphine, fentanyl, and four of the synthetic opioids dose dependently produced antinociception and fully substituted for morphine in the drug discrimination assay with the following rank order of potency: fentanyl > butyryl fentanyl > acetyl fentanyl > AH-7921 > MT45 > morphine. All drugs that produced antinociception or morphine-like discriminative stimulus effects were blocked by naltrexone. W-15 and W-18 did not show antinociceptive or morphine-like discriminative stimulus effects at the doses tested supporting a lack of opioid activity for these two compounds. These findings suggest that butyryl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, AH-7941, and MT-45 have abuse liability like other opioid agonists. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: As novel psychoactive substances appear on the illicit drug market, preclinical pharmacological testing is required to assist law enforcement, medical professionals, and legal regulators with decisions about potential public health risks. In this study, four synthetic opioids, acetyl fentanyl, butyryl fentanyl, AH-7921, and MT-45 produced effects similar to fentanyl and morphine and were blocked by naltrexone. These data suggest the four synthetic opioids possess similar abuse liability risks as typical opioid agonists.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Occupational Health and Safety of Municipal Solid Waste Workers in Telangana, India.

Background:The occurrence of workplace hazards, occupational diseases, and deaths contribute significantly to the increase in the global burden of diseases. The Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) workers experience occupational stressors throughout the process of waste management that affects their well-being and results in high rates of occupational health problems. It is vital to understand the workplace practices and occupational morbidities of the MSW workers to ensure their safety and well-being. In this context, the study aimed to explore the occupational health and safety practices at the place of work among the MSW workers in Karimnagar and Hyderabad in Telangana, India.Methodology:A cross-sectional study was conducted in two cities of Telangana. A total of 394 MSW workers were surveyed. The number of MSW workers in Karimnagar and Hyderabad were 152 and 194, respectively. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to the MSW workers to study the occupational morbidities and workplace safety practices. Focused group discussions were conducted among the MSW workers in both cities. In-depth interviews of sanitary supervisors in Karimnagar were conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides were used with questions on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, work environment, protection strategy, and healthcare utilization. MS Excel and NVivo-12 were used for data analysis.Results:Musculoskeletal problem was the major reported morbidity among the MSW workers (76.6%). Injuries were reported more among the MSW workers in Hyderabad (39.7%) along with a fear of being hit by vehicles while working on the main roads. About 88.7% of the MSW workers had less than secondary education. There was a wage difference between the contract and permanent MSW workers. There was a lack of provision of personal protective equipment and poor working conditions, overall. Lack of basic amenities such as the provision of drinking water and toilets apart from inadequate social security and healthcare facilities was reported.Conclusion:This paper highlights the unsatisfactory working environment and high-occupational morbidities among the MSW workers in Telangana. There was a lack of basic amenities at the workplace making it difficult for the MSW workers. A comprehensive approach which focuses on the health and safety with social security for the MSW workers is required.

A case of risk assessment by using Fine-Kinney method in sub-leather processing

One of the most hazardous industries in the district of Bolu-Gerede of Turkey, leather-processing industry, takes an important place for the economy of the district and the country. The study was carried out in a medium-sized company operating in the leather processing sector in Bolu. Preventing the occurrence of industrial accidents and occupational diseases is one of points to be emphasized in terms of companies and laborers in the industry. Occupational health and safety are concepts that increasingly become more important in today’s societies. Awareness is raised and legal issues come to the fore regarding these concepts comprising a dimension of human health. Scientists are studying on occupational health and safety and looking for ways to prevent the accidents before they occur. In the study, Fine-Kinney risk analysis method has been applied in the sub-processes of a sample manufacturing company in the district; and the activities whose risk scores are very high after the study and high-risk activities have been handled in the first place; and it is observed that the risk-scores decreased after the regulatory and preventive practices. As for other activities, whose risk scores are lower, action plans were implemented. With this study, it is stated that the risk assessment is a proactive approach in occupational health and safety practices and the company's risk scores have been significantly reduced.

Solid waste management practices and challenges in seven cities of Nepal before and during lockdown against COVID-19 pandemic

The nationwide lockdown imposed to control the spread of novel coronavirus induced dramatic alterations in different sectors of the Nepalese governance, including Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. The study identifies SW collection gaps in seven major cities of Nepal and highlights the municipal and public households on SW management practices before and during the lockdown to emphasize the linkage between COVID-19 and SWM. It includes information on solid waste status, collection frequency and coverage, workers' safety practices, types of vehicles operated for collection and alternative methods adopted by households to manage SW during the lockdown. For this, 1329 households survey and key informant interviews were conducted in seven cities of Nepal during the lockdown. It was found that although the coverage of the collection service was similar during the pandemic in surveyed households, there was a drastic decrease in the collection frequency leading to a collection gap of around 570 tons/day. More than 50% of the surveyed households adopted no proper alternative measures as they claimed that they stored solid waste with proper management so that municipal authorities can take it. While other 50% adopted practices such as open burning, throwing in streets or composting. The study reveals poor occupational health and safety practices among solid waste workers due to the unavailability of safety gear and equipment despite being aware of the modes of transmission of the virus. The pandemic exacerbated the challenges of smooth SWM as it is an essential and needy service. This study highlights the need for a timely strategic management framework to be developed by the government to continue the smooth SWM practices during the lockdown.

Screening of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Upper Limb Disorders Using the SALTSA Protocol: A Work-Site Study in Belgium.

Long-term absenteeism continues to rise in Belgium and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been considered a primary cause. However, there is still uncertainty about the prevalence of MSDs, and about the contribution of work-related factors in the etiology of MSDs. SALTSA, which was developed in 2001, is a European diagnostic criterion document that aims to standardize the reporting of work-related upper limb MSDs (ULMSDs). The purpose of this work-site study was to implement SALTSA in daily occupational health practice and to determine the prevalence of ULMSDs in a Belgian company. During health examinations, occupational health nurses and an occupational health physician screened employees in a company with ergonomically high-risk activities for the occurrence of ULMSDs using the SALTSA protocol. In order to explore associations between ULMSDs and lifestyle and work-related factors, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Three hundred and eight (94.0%, 308/328) employees were screened resulting in an ULMSD prevalence of 20.5% (95% CI = [16.0-25.3]). Rotator cuff syndrome was the most common condition. Prevalence varied significantly between men (9.6%, 95% CI = [5.6-14.9]) and women (35.0%, 95% CI = [26.9-43.9]). Being female (p < .001) and working in the cabling assembly unit (p = .002) were found to be significant predictors of ULMSDs. By using the SALTSA protocol in occupational health practices, ULMSDs can be screened unequivocally, enabling comparisons between different occupational sectors and countries. Occupational health nurses can play an important role in detecting and screening MSDs among workers.

The Moral Distress-Appraisal Scale: Scale development and validation study.

Moral distress-arising when one is constrained from moral action-has been receiving increased attention in nursing research. The phenomenon is associated with negative outcomes and is shown to impact a broad range of healthcare professions. The context-specific nature of existing measures, however, makes it difficult, if not impossible, to compare the prevalence and impact of moral distress across nursing settings and healthcare professions. This study presents an appraisal approach to the assessment of moral distress. The aims of this study were to develop and to investigate the reliability and validity of the Moral Distress-Appraisal Scale as a context-independent assessment instrument for moral distress. This is a cross-sectional correlational validation study. Between September 2018 and June 2019, a total of 406 healthcare employees (mainly nurses) completed a quantitative survey consisting of a standard moral distress measure (Moral Distress Scale-Revised) and the Moral Distress-Appraisal Scale. A subsample (n=164) received extra questions on work characteristics, well-being and attitudinal outcomes. Confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlations and regression analyses were conducted in order to evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly developed scale. Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the predicted structure of the 8-item Moral Distress-Appraisal Scale. As expected, the scale is positively correlated with the Moral Distress Scale-Revised and with job demands, burnout, depressive symptoms, and turnover intentions and negatively with job resources and job satisfaction. Furthermore, the scale showed incremental validity in predicting wellbeing and attitudinal outcomes above and beyond both known predictive work characteristics and the Moral Distress Scale-Revised. This study provides first empirical evidence for the reliability and validity of the Moral Distress-Appraisal Scale. The Moral Distress-Appraisal Scale can be used across healthcare professions and contexts. The proposed appraisal approach may facilitate integration of the scale into occupational health research and practice.

Occupational Safety Practices and Associated Factors among Employees In Jinmao and Philip Van Heusen Textile, Hawassa Industrial Park, South Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Occupational health and safety practice in the textile factory was neglected and in Ethiopia, there is little evidence on occupational safety practice and associated factors in a textile factory. This study aimed to assess the occupational safety practices and associated factors among employees in Jinmao and Philip Van Heusen textile, Hawassa Industrial Park, South Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2019. A total of 345 participants were included in the study using a stratified random sampling method. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews and an observational checklist. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: Among the total of 345 (96%) respondents recruited, more than four-fifths (82%) were single. About more than (63.8%) were in the age range of 21-24 years. Attending safety training (Adjusted odds ratio: 1.73, 95% Confidence Interval [1.05-2.81]), orientation on occupational safety practice (AOR: 2.18, 95% CI [1.15-4.14]), and working in the weaving section (AOR: 3.58, 95% CI [2.09-6.12]) were independent predictors of safety practice. Conclusions: The level of occupational safety practice was very low as compared to studies in developing countries.

Coronavirus Risk Assessment and Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Workplaces During Normalization Process

The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has unprecedented effects worldwide and the extent of infection, illness, and fatalities have forced governments to take more stringent measures. This study aims to identify the risk factors to stop the spread of the virus, develop preliminary plans, and determine applicable measures in workplaces, in summary, to determine new normals in workplaces in the context of the Corona virus challange, utilizing lessons learned from the past pandemics. The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sources, and Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were reviewed comprehensively to identify transmission methods, protection methods and risk factors. “Anticipate, Recognize, Evaluate, Control, Confirm (ARECC)”, an industrial hygiene decision making method, was used to manage the risk of pathogens in workplaces and hierarchy of hazard control method by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was implemented to determine measures. This study identifies hazards, assesses risks, and suggests control measures in changing pandemic conditions with a systematic approach, and presents the suitable ways minimizing the risk to prevent new waves for the pandemics.

Clinical Utility and Validity of the Occupation-Centered Intervention Assessment for Occupational Therapy Mental Health Practice

Clinical Utility and Validity of the Occupation-Centered Intervention Assessment for Occupational Therapy Mental Health Practice

Biological risk assessment: A challenge for occupational safety and health practitioners during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

The COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. One of these is the need to (re)assess the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks. The purpose of this work is to promote guidance to occupational safety and health practitioners when conducting a biological risk assessment in this context. The main steps of the biological risk assessment are explained with some inputs regarding the novelty posed by SARS-CoV-2 and an example of a qualitative risk assessment method is presented. Also, its application to two different activities was exemplified. In both cases, the assessment considered that vulnerable workers were working from home or in medical leave. The results showed low or medium risk level for the assessed tasks. For medium risk level, additional controls are advised, such maintain social distancing, sanitize instruments/equipment before use, use proper and well-maintained PPE (when applicable), and promote awareness sessions to spread good practices at work. Employers must be aware of their obligations regarding biological risk assessment and OSH practitioners must be prepared to screen and link the abundance of scientific evidence generated following the outbreak, with the technical practice. This paper could be an important contribution to OSH practice since it highlights the need to (re)assess occupational risks, especially biological risk, to ensure a safe return to work, providing technical guidance.

Perception of risks and safe handling practices of corpses among morticians in Ibadan, Oyo state

Background: It is well known in many Sub-Saharan countries that many morgues that are designed and built to earlier standard are no longer compatible with current occupational health and safety practices. This study therefore aimed to investigate the perception of risks involved and safe handling of corpses among morticians in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 42 morticians in Ibadan in 2017 using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from morticians. A key informant interview was also conducted with each supervisor of the various facilities.Results: Respondents’ mean age was 42.1±11.4 years, 39 (95.1%) were males, and 14 (35%) had no formal education. The most dangerous communicable diseases that the respondents were aware of included Lassa fever among 38 (95.0%), Ebola among 35 (87.5%), tetanus among 34 (85.0%), tuberculosis among 31 (77.5%), and hepatitis B among 25 (62.5%). In all, 36 (90%) of the respondents had inhaled chemicals during work leading to cough, excessive sneezing and eye irritation. Protective gown was well known among all 42 (100%) respondents. Work-associated injuries such as sharp injury, splash of chemicals, slip, trip and falls were least ranked. Some of the facilities (33%) had written program based on the requirement of the World Health Organization.Conclusions: Government, stakeholders and bodies responsible for managing mortuaries should not only pass law and enforce them but also provide avenues (seminars, lectures, webinars etc.) where knowledge can be shared and modern industry safe practices can be achieved.

Rethinking the Paradigm and Practice of Occupational Health in a World Without Decent Work: A Perspective From East and Southern Africa.

The global political economy is generating new forms and growing shares of informal, insecure, and precarious labor, adding to histories of insecure work and an externalization of social costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the consequences of ignoring such signals in terms of the increased risk and vulnerability of insecure labor. This paper explores how such trends are generating intersecting adverse health outcomes for workers, communities, and environments and the implications for breaking siloes and building links between the paradigms, science, practice, and tools for occupational health, public health, and eco-health. Applying the principle of controlling hazards at the source is argued in this context to call for an understanding of the upstream production and socio-political factors that are jointly affecting the nature of work and employment and their impact on the health of workers, the public, and the planet.

Improving the Safety-Performance Nexus: A Study on the Moderating and Mediating Influence of Work Motivation in the Causal Link between Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSM) Practices and Work Performance in the Oil and Gas Sector.

The preventive systems required to ensure workers are protected from occupational accidents and injuries dwell heavily on effective occupational health and safety management (OHSM) systems and practices. In this study, the concepts of the job demand-resource model (JD-R), self-determination theory (SDT), and perceived organizational support for safety (POSS) theory were adopted to develop a holistic conceptual model that seeks to unravel moderating and mediating effects of work motivation on the causal link between OHSM practices and work performance in the oil and gas sector. The study measured OHSM practices from six distinct safety dimensional perspectives and work performance using a two-dimensional distinct construct that assesses different aspects of positive work behaviours. A quantitative research approach through the structural equation modelling analysis technique was applied. A total of 1310 participants were selected across three major organizations that represent downstream, upstream, and middle stream of the Ghanaian oil and gas sector. Respondents were recruited through stratified, purposive, and convenient sampling techniques. The findings from the path estimate through the SEM analysis suggested that OHSM practices positively and significantly influenced both safety performance and task performance of employees. However, OHSM practices indicated a higher positive significant influence on task performance than safety performance. The significant influence of OHSM practices on both task and safety performance was significantly moderated and partially mediated by work motivation, while both task performance and safety performance were significantly determined by work motivation. In this study, the dimensions for assessing work performance extend the performance theories established in previous literature, whereas the integrated multifaceted OHSM practices employed diverge from the traditional individualistic approach by providing insights into more flexible managerial practices that are employee-centred and outcome-oriented. The findings from this study address the need for organizations to appreciate the importance of managing workers’ perception of OHSM practices as a motivational drive that induces work performance.

Occupational health practices among dental care professionals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial burden on dental care professionals. While dentistry is known as one of the most exposed and high-risk professions, dental care professionals are indeed at even greater risk. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, occupational health practices, personal protective equipment usage, and mental stressors during COVID-19 pandemic among dental care professionals. A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental care professionals who were subscribers to a dental hygiene journal using a self-administered online survey (n = 1047 respondents). Cross-tabulations were performed to determine differences in the responses to the statements related to different domains. COVID-19 impacted the healthy work-life balance (p < 0.001) and caused sleeping difficulty among the respondents (p < 0.001). Moreover, a lower response on changing respirators and gloves for each patient compared with before viral pandemic was observed (p < 0.01). Ongoing training on infection control, occupational health practices, and PPE usage can prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among dental care professionals and the public. Lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a burden for applying occupational health practices in dental clinics and present a risk to the public. COVID-19 may contribute to developing psychological stress and disrupt healthy work-life balance among dental professionals.

Safely Returning America to Work Part II: Industry-Specific Guidance.

Safely Returning America to Work Part II: Industry-Specific Guidance.