Occupational Health Research Research Articles

Call for Manuscripts on Occupational Health Research.

Call for Manuscripts on Occupational Health Research.

Method for detection of pathogenic bacteria from indoor air microbiome samples using high-throughput amplicon sequencing

The exposure of the air microbiome in indoor air posed a detrimental health effect to the building occupants compared to the outdoor air. Indoor air in hospitals has been identified as a reservoir for various pathogenic microbes. The conventional culture-dependent method has been widely used to access the microbial community in the air. However, it has limited capability in enumerating the complex air microbiome communities, as some of the air microbiomes are uncultivable, slow-growers, and require specific media for cultivation. Here, we utilized a culture-independent method via amplicon sequencing to target the V3 region of 16S rRNA from the pool of total genomic DNA extracted from the dust samples taken from hospital interiors. This method will help occupational health practitioners, researchers, and health authorities to efficiently and comprehensively monitor the presence of harmful air microbiome thus take appropriate action in controlling and minimizing the health risks to the hospital occupants. Key features;•Culture-independent methods offer fast, comprehensive, and unbias profiles of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria from the air microbiomes.•Unlike the culture-dependent method, amplicon sequencing allows bacteria identification to the lowest taxonomy levels.

Recruitment strategies in marginalized industries for occupational health research: an example in a pilot study of cleaning staff during COVID-19.

This commentary describes challenges in recruiting workers from marginalized industries with examples from a pilot study of janitors, custodians, and maids and their experiences of cleaning and disinfection protocols during COVID-19 and potentially associated respiratory symptoms. Recruitment strategies included contacting a local hospital, national workers' unions, and a large Arizona employer; using online Facebook groups; and contacting Arizona maid service companies and a school district. English and Spanish online and hard copy surveys about cleaning protocols and respiratory symptoms were used. Participants could also participate in online/phone interviews. Worker's compensation, liability, and confidentiality were concerns across organizations. Online surveys yielded unreliable data. Hard copy surveys were used due to workers' limited technology access. We reflect upon these challenges and discuss other strategies for recruiting from marginalized populations for occupational health research. Building trust with organizations and workers and considering technology access may ultimately increase recruitment feasibility.

Exploring the relationship between adverse working environments and poor psychological states of Chinese workers: A comprehensive study

BackgroundEmployee mental health is linked with job satisfaction and productivity. However, there is a notable lack of empirical evidence regarding the adverse effects of Hazardous Work Environments (HWE) on employee mental health, indicating a significant gap in occupational health research. MethodsData from the China Family Panel Studies involving 9972 participants were utilized. Mental health was assessed using the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale at baseline and the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale at follow-up. Associations between HWE exposure and mental health were explored cross-sectionally at baseline plus mediation analyses for the influence of sleep duration. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the longitudinal implications of HWE exposure. FindingsParticipants exposed to HWE showed a higher risk of having serious psychological distress (OR (95%CI): 1.47 (1.29–1.69)) cross-sectionally at baseline, and this risk rose with increased number of HWE elements (1.30 (1.11–1.52) and 2.18 (1.75–2.72) for 1–2 and ≥ 3 elements, respectively). Longitudinally, HWE exposure was associated with an increased risk of depression (HR (95%CI): 1.10 (1.07–1.14)). Similarly, this risk risen with increased number of HWE elements (1.08 (1.06–1.09) and 1.20 (1.05–1.38) for 1–2 and ≥ 3 elements, respectively) and longer duration of exposure (1.01 (1.00–1.01)). Short sleep duration emerged as a significant mediator between HWE exposure and psychological distress. InterpretationThis study illuminates a robust association between HWE exposure and psychological distress, especially under prolonged and multiple exposures. We advocate for rigorous mental health monitoring and interventions for workers in adverse working environments. FundingCSTB2023NSCQ-BHX0042 and cffkyqdj.

Interactions between work-related factors, perceived fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders among handicraft artisans: structural equation model analysis

The cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-related factors, perceived work fatigue (PWF) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among handicraft artisans. 364 artisans participated in a questionnaire survey, and a structural equation model (SEM) was developed to explore the direct and indirect relationships between these factors using partial least squares analysis. The SEM explained 98.2% of the variance in MSDs and revealed that exposure to biomechanical factors had a direct impact on PWF and MSDs, with PWF mediating the effect of biomechanical factors on MSDs. Additionally, job demand was found to be positively associated with MSDs, while job control and social support reduced the risk of MSDs. The findings underscore the importance of strategic initiatives to mitigate the risk of developing MSDs among artisans. The study also highlights the potential of SEM as a novel framework for understanding the complex pathogenesis of MSDs in occupational health research. Practitioner summary: The study sought to comprehensively examine the intricate relationships among work-related factors, PWF, and MSDs. To achieve this, an SEM approach was employed to capture both direct and indirect relationships between these factors, employing partial least squares analysis. Findings revealed SEM as an innovative framework for understanding the intricate development of MSDs.

Identifying employee, workplace and population characteristics associated with COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace: a population-based study

ObjectivesTo identify risk factors that contribute to outbreaks of COVID-19 in the workplace and quantify their effect on outbreak risk.MethodsWe identified outbreaks of COVID-19 cases in the workplace and investigated...

On-Site Risk Analysis is possible with drones...

The 66th period events of the 1 Topic 1 Guest event organized by Üsküdar University Occupational Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Health Application and Research Center ÜSGÜMER were held.

Characterizing the Burden of Occupational Chemical Exposures by Sociodemographic Groups in the United States, 2021.

Objectives. To estimate the number and prevalence of workers in the United States exposed to chemical hazards available in the Canadian job-exposure matrix (CANJEM) database and examine exposure disparities across sociodemographic groups. Methods. We merged US worker demographic data from the Current Population Survey with CANJEM to characterize the burden and sociodemographic distribution of 244 chemical exposures in the United States in 2021. An interactive version of the full data set is available online (https://deohs.washington.edu/us-exposure-burden). Results. Of the chemical exposures examined, the most prevalent were cleaning and antimicrobial agents (14.7% of workforce estimated exposed), engine emissions (12.8%), organic solvents (12.1%), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (10.1%), and diesel engine emissions (8.3%). Racial and ethnic minoritized groups, persons with lower educational attainment, foreign-born noncitizens, and males were generally overrepresented in exposure to work-related chemical hazards. Conclusions. In the United States, marginalized sociodemographic groups are estimated to experience an inequitable burden to many chemical exposures because of occupational segregation. Data from this analysis can inform occupational and public health research, policy, and interventions aimed at reducing the burden of disease and health inequities in the United States. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(1):57-67. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307461).

A Study of Handgrip Strength in the South Indian Male Population

Background: The anatomical system of the hand is complex and includes both static and moving parts. For the most part of our lives, we take our grip strength for granted. It is necessary to preserve the integrity of the handgrip and provides information regarding general muscle strength, endurance, and power. Handgrip strength can also serve as a straightforward, cost-effective, and practical tool in occupational health research; it can be used to assess nutritional status, track the loss of muscle strength, and develop prevention or intervention measures. The present study aimed to compare maximal hand grip strength in men of different age groups. Materials and methods: 150 male subjects in total, whose ages ranged from 20 to 60, participated in the study. Subjects in the age group of 40–60 years were taken as Group I, and those in the age group of 20–39 years were taken as Group II. The strength of the dominant hand's grip was compared between the two groups in the current study. The grip strength of the dominant hand was measured three times at an interval of 1 minute, and the mean value recorded was considered to be the maximum hand grip strength. The data was analyzed by paired t tests using SPSS version 22. Results: The handgrip strength in males aged 20–39 years was statistically significant (p < 0.001) as compared to the other group. Conclusion: Handgrip strength is higher in younger males when compared to men over 40, probably due to increased muscle mass. Keywords: hand grip strength, hand dynamometer, male

Development of a Pilot Literacy Scale to Assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors towards Climate Change and Infectious Disease Dynamics in Suriname.

Prior research has shown that climate literacy is sparse among low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, no standardized questionnaire exists for researchers to measure climate literacy among general populations, particularly with regards to climate change effects on vector-borne diseases (VBDs). We developed a comprehensive literacy scale to assess current knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards climate change and VBD dynamics among women enrolled in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) cohort in Suriname. Items were generated by our research team and reviewed by a group of six external climate and health experts. After the expert review, a total of 31 climate change and 21 infectious disease items were retained. We estimated our sample size at a 10:1 ratio of participants to items for each scale. In total, 301 women were surveyed. We validated our scales through exploratory (n = 180) and confirmatory factor analyses (n = 121). An exploratory factor analysis for our general Climate Change Scale provided a four-construct solution of 11 items. Our chi-squared value (X2 = 74.32; p = 0.136) indicated that four factors were sufficient. A confirmatory factor analysis reinforced our findings, providing a good model fit (X2 = 39.03; p = 0.23; RMSEA = 0.015). Our Infectious Disease Scale gave a four-construct solution of nine items (X2 = 153.86; p = 0.094). A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed these results, with a chi-squared value of 19.16 (p = 0.575) and an RMSEA of 0.00. This research is vitally important for furthering climate and health education, especially with increases in VBDs spread by Aedes mosquitoes in the Caribbean, South America, and parts of the southern United States.

Safety and Injury of US-Certified Organic Crop Producers in the Southwest Region

ABSTRACT Objectives Literature on occupational risks among organic farmers is scarce. This study explored safety practices and non-fatal injuries among organic producers, and the role of sociodemographic, work, and farm characteristics on safety and injury. Methods Cross sectional survey of certified organic crop producers in the Southwest (SW) region of the United States (US). The Organic Integrity Database was used for recruitment. Data were collected through an electronic and paper survey. Results Analyses were conducted on 115 cases; response rate was estimated at 25%. A high majority of respondents owned their operation and were younger than 65 years, male, educated beyond high-school, and non-Hispanic whites. Less than half had more than 10 years of experience in organic farming; one-third worked off the farm year-round. Safety practices were very basic despite the widespread use of equipment and machinery, and limited to wearing normal clothing and apparel such hats and glasses. About half of respondents (52.6%) reported non-fatal injuries in the past year; and one-third (32.7%) time lost due to injuries. The overall cumulative incidence rate was estimated at 5.3 injuries per 10 workers within the last year. The injury rate decreased with hours worked. Significant differences were found on gender and education level and safety practices, with female respondents and the more educated being more proactive in practicing safety. Those working less than 40 h/week, in farms smaller than 50 acres, using light machinery or compact utility tractors, and tractors without roll-over protection reported significantly higher injury frequency compared to their counterparts. Conclusion This study contributes unique data on an essential workforce not captured by current occupational injury and illness surveillance systems. It identifies important personal and contextual factors that may contribute to safety and injury in this population. The findings indicate the need to promote safety and prevent injuries that result in work time lost. This study may also inform future occupational safety and health research and practice, including surveillance, injury prevention programs that target certain workers and production practices, and policies that support and protect the organic farmer.

Syndemics of the sea: Adverse disease interactions and the stressors of fisher livelihoods

AbstractThe occupation of commercial fishing is recognized as a comparatively stressful and hazardous job characterized by a myriad of risks to health, including high rates of job‐related injury, morbidity, and mortality. Nonetheless, systematic study of fisher health is limited. This paper examines a particularly understudied aspect of illness among fishers: the physical and social contexts, pathways, and potential for adverse disease interactions. The focus of the paper is on a biosocial disease process called syndemics, which increases the health burdens of this population. The paper is presented as an initial testing of the hypothesis that a “lens” of syndemics improves occupational health research and advocacy for commercial fishermen who face a substantial burden of biosocial challenges.

Heat exposure and heat stress in outdoor workers: a review of measures in published studies

Abstract Background Increased ambient air temperatures resulting from climate change led to higher heat levels for outdoor workers. Heat exposure refers to ambient environmental heat exposures; while heat stress also considers the clothing type and the metabolic rate resulting from physical activity. We reviewed the types of heat exposure/stress measures used in published studies. Methods A literature review was conducted to identify and examine measures of heat exposure and heat stress in outdoor workers. Results The most common indices measuring heat exposure/stress in occupational health include the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), Environmental Stress Index (ESI), Heat Index (HI), Humidex (HD), and Discomfort Index (DI). HI, HD and DI account for ambient air temperature and relative humidity surrounding workers. WBGT accounts for air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, speed of air movement, and adjusts for clothing and metabolic rate. ESI considers factors like WBGT except for speed of air and does not account for clothing and metabolic rate. Both ESI and WBGT fail to consider the risk of dehydration resulting from excessive sweating in hot work environments. HI, HD and DI measure heat exposure but not heat stress as they do not account for the metabolic rate; also, they do not consider radiation and may underestimate the potential danger of working in excessive heat. These indices are considered simpler to use than WBGT. However, WBGT is more precise and covers environmental factors influencing heat exposure/stress. Questionnaires are also used to assess workers’ perceptions of heat exposure and self-reported health impacts. Their findings, in general, have not been comparable due to the heterogeneity of questions used. Conclusions Although WBGT is recommended for accurate measures of heat exposure/stress, its high cost has been a deterrent for workplaces in low-income countries. Projects with low financial resources opt for simpler and cheaper measures of heat. Key messages • The use of reliable devices is necessary to measure and monitor heat exposure in outdoor work. • It is desirable to generate homogenous results for the comparability of study findings in occupational health research.

Autoethnography in workplace safety: Revealing the suffering of unintentional first responders in the Canadian trucking industry and beyond

The author presents evocative and analytical autoethnography as a promising qualitative research methodology for application in occupational health and safety (OHS) practice and research, where it is not currently a commonly used technique. Through an autoethnography, the author discusses OHS in the Canadian trucking industry and trauma as a result of witnessing and responding to collisions as a trucker or other unintentional first responder. Using a personal and traumatic experience of witnessing and then providing assistance at a collision involving a freight train and small car, the author attempts to show the reader what a trucker goes through in such a situation for the purpose of revealing these experiences and humanizing OHS data. The use of autoethnography in this way is presented as an additional and relatively new tool for OHS researchers and practitioners as a way to address, with their OHS management systems, the psychosocial hazards staff may face that may be unknown to the employer for cultural reasons within the trucking industry. The role of employers in addressing psychosocial hazards is explored and autoethnography is positioned as a tool employers may use in expanding their safety management systems into the area of psychosocial hazard mitigation, all within a Canadian trucking OHS context but with applications beyond the trucking industry.

Data Management: The First Step in Reproducible Research.

Reproducibility is a preferred aim in any scientific research, including occupational health research. Datamanagement is an important and essential step in marching towards reproducibility. A good datamanagement helps us stay organized, improve transparency, quality and fosters collaboration. Here we discuss how to organize and prepare for data management, how data management facilitates interoperability and accessibility, followed by storing and dissemination of data. We wrap up by providing pointers on what needs to be included in the data management plans.

Differences in the Effects of Work Environment on Health Problems and Satisfaction of Working Condition by Gender: The 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey.

This study investigated gender differences in exposure to hazardous factors, health problems, and work environment satisfaction and identified the effects of such differences on farmworkers in Korea. Through the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), the raw data on 2347 farmworkers were analyzed to present descriptive statistics for demographic characteristics, exposure to hazardous factors, health problems, and work environment satisfaction. We compared genders using chi-squared tests and investigated the effects of gender-specific working conditions on work-related health problems and work environment satisfaction using multivariate logistic analysis. The results were presented as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval. Job position predicted work-related health problems in male farmworkers and work environment satisfaction in female farmworkers. Furthermore, female farmworkers perceived themselves to have more health problems than male farmworkers. Nevertheless, female farmworkers received less health and safety information and had lower work environment satisfaction compared to male farmworkers. The findings may improve the occupational welfare of farmworkers through continuous enhancement of the agricultural labor environment.

Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction Database, an Industry-Specific Worker Fatality Surveillance System - United States, 2014-2019.

The U.S. oil and gas extraction (OGE) industry faces unique safety and health hazards and historically elevated fatality rates. The lack of existing surveillance data and occupational safety and health research called for increased efforts to better understand factors contributing to worker fatalities in the OGE industry. This report describes the creation of the Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction (FOG) database, presents initial findings from the first 6 years of data collection (2014-2019), highlights ways that FOG data have been used, and describes the benefits and challenges of maintaining the surveillance system. 2014-2019. In 2013, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) created the FOG database, a surveillance system comprising an industry-specific worker fatality database. NIOSH researchers worked with OGE partners to establish inclusion criteria for the database and develop unique database variables to elucidate industry-specific factors related to each fatality (e.g., phase of operation, worker activity, and working alone). FOG cases are identified through various sources, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports, media reports, and notifications from professional contacts. NIOSH researchers compile source documents; OGE-specific database variables are coded by multiple researchers to ensure accuracy. Data collection ceased in 2019 because grant funding ended. During 2014-2019, a total of 470 OGE worker fatalities were identified in the FOG database. A majority of these fatalities (69.4%) were identified from OSHA reports and Google Alerts (44.7% and 24.7%, respectively). Unique database variables created to characterize fatalities in the OGE industry (i.e., phase of operation, worker activity, working alone, and working unobserved) were identified in approximately 85% of OGE worker fatality cases. The most frequent fatal events were vehicle incidents (26.8%), contact injuries (21.7%), and explosions (14.5%). The event type was unknown among 5.7% of worker fatalities. Approximately three fourths of fatalities identified through the FOG database were among contractors. Approximately 20% of cases included workers who were working alone. The FOG database is a resource for identifying safety and health trends and emerging issues among OGE workers (e.g., exposure to hydrocarbon gases and vapors and fatalities resulting from cardiac events) that might not be available in other surveillance systems. The FOG database also helps researchers better identify groups of workers that are at increased risk for injury in an already high-risk industry. Challenges exist when maintaining an industry-specific surveillance system, including labor-intensive data collection, the need for researchers with substantial knowledge of the industry, delays in access to timely data, and missing source file data. Continued surveillance of worker fatalities in the OGE industry is recommended to help identify new safety and health hazards and guide research and prevention activities. Industry, academic institutions, and government can use findings from the FOG database to identify factors contributing to fatal injuries in OGE and develop interventions to improve worker safety and health. The findings in this report also can be used by other industries with high fatality rates to support the development of worker fatality surveillance systems.

Effects of Interventions to Prevent Work-Related Asthma, Allergy, and Other Hypersensitivity Reactions in Norwegian Salmon Industry Workers (SHInE): Protocol for a Pragmatic Allocated Intervention Trial and Related Substudies.

Workers in the salmon processing industry have an increased risk of developing respiratory diseases and other hypersensitivity responses due to occupational exposure to bioaerosols containing fish proteins and microorganisms, and related allergens. Little is known about effective measures to reduce bioaerosol exposure and about the extent of skin complaints among workers. In addition, while identification of risk factors is a core activity in disease prevention strategies, there is increasing interest in health-promoting factors, which is an understudied area in the salmon processing industry. The overall aim of this ongoing study is to generate knowledge that can be used in tailored prevention of development or chronification of respiratory diseases, skin reactions, protein contact dermatitis, and allergy among salmon processing workers. The main objective is to identify effective methods to reduce bioaerosol exposure. Further objectives are to identify and characterize clinically relevant exposure agents, identify determinants of exposure, measure prevalence of work-related symptoms and disease, and identify health-promoting factors of the psychosocial work environment. Data are collected during field studies in 9 salmon processing plants along the Norwegian coastline. Data collection comprises exposure measurements, health examinations, and questionnaires. A wide range of laboratory analyses will be used for further analysis and characterization of exposure agents. Suitable statistical analysis will be applied to the various outcomes of this comprehensive study. Data collection started in September 2021 and was anticipated to be completed by March 2023, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline data from all 9 plants included 673 participants for the health examinations and a total of 869 personal exposure measurements. A total of 740 workers answered the study's main questionnaire on demographics, job characteristics, lifestyle, health, and health-promoting factors. Follow-up data collection is not completed yet. This study will contribute to filling knowledge gaps concerning salmon workers' work environment. This includes effective workplace measures for bioaerosol exposure reduction, increased knowledge on hypersensitivity, allergy, respiratory and dermal health, as well as health-promoting workplace factors. Together this will give a basis for improving the work environment, preventing occupational health-related diseases, and developing occupational exposure limits, which in turn will benefit employees, employers, occupational health services, researchers, clinicians, decision makers, and other stakeholders. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05039229; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05039229. DERR1-10.2196/48790.

Emerging technology in agriculture: Opportunities and considerations for occupational safety and health researchers

Introduction: A variety of factors are driving the development of robotics and automation in the agriculture industry including the nature of work, workforce shortages, and a variety of economic, climatic, technologic, political, and social factors. While some new robotics and automated machines are available commercially, most are still being developed. This provides occupational safety and health researchers an unprecedented opportunity to mitigate risks and benefit the health and safety of agriculture workers. Method: The NIOSH Office of Agriculture Safety and Health (OASH) is working to better understand how the advancements in automation and robotics is affecting workers. OASH is coordinating with the NIOSH Center of Occupational Robotics Research (CORR) to help to increase the understanding of human/machine interactions; improve the ability to identify injuries and fatalities involving automation/ robotics; and provide guidance on working safely with automation/ robotics. OASH also joined a small team of academics and industry to organize the SAfety For Emerging Robotics and Autonomous aGriculture or (SAFER AG) Workshop to identify gaps in knowledge and research needs that connect to issues related to risks and regulations/standards, occupational safety research, and impacts on workforce and society. This workshop was sponsored by USDA NIFA. Practical Applications: Occupational safety and health experts need to engage and collaborate with developers of technology. It is also increasingly important for occupational safety and health researchers and practitioners to not only become familiar with existing manufacturing safety standards, but also the lengthy standards development process. Joining consensus standards groups to help shape new standards for emerging technologies may help to mitigate adverse worker impacts. NIOSH’s Office of Agriculture Safety and Health will continue to identify research gaps, support new research projects, education, outreach efforts and the development of best practices with our partners.

Trends in Robotics Research in Occupational Safety and Health: A Scientometric Analysis and Review.

Robots have been deployed in workplaces to assist, work alongside, or collaborate with human workers on various tasks, which introduces new occupational safety and health hazards and requires research efforts to address these issues. This study investigated the research trends for robotic applications in occupational safety and health. The scientometric method was applied to quantitatively analyze the relationships between robotics applications in the literature. The keywords "robot", "occupational safety and health", and their variants were used to find relevant articles. A total of 137 relevant articles published during 2012-2022 were collected from the Scopus database for this analysis. Keyword co-occurrence, cluster, bibliographic coupling, and co-citation analyses were conducted using VOSviewer to determine the major research topics, keywords, co-authorship, and key publications. Robot safety, exoskeletons and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, human-robot collaboration, and monitoring were four popular research topics in the field. Finally, research gaps and future research directions were identified based on the analysis results, including additional efforts regarding warehousing, agriculture, mining, and construction robots research; personal protective equipment; and multi-robot collaboration. The major contributions of the study include identifying the current trends in the application of robotics in the occupational safety and health discipline and providing pathways for future research in this discipline.