Occupational Health Research Research Articles

Navigating a Context of Severe Uncertainty: The Effect of Industry Unsafety Signals on Employee Well-being During the COVID-19 Crisis.

Complex disaster situations like the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) create macro-level contexts of severe uncertainty that disrupt industries across the globe in unprecedented ways. While occupational health research has made important advances in understanding the effects of occupational stressors on employee well-being, there is a need to better understand the employee well-being implications of severe uncertainty stemming from macro-level disruption. We draw from the Generalized Unsafety Theory of Stress (GUTS) to explain how a context of severe uncertainty can create signals of economic and health unsafety at the industry level, leading to emotional exhaustion through paths of economic and health anxiety. We integrate recent disaster scholarship that classifies COVID-19 as a transboundary disaster and use this interdisciplinary perspective to explain how COVID-19 created a context of severe uncertainty from which these effects unfold. To test our proposed model, we pair objective industry data with time-lagged quantitative and qualitative survey responses from 212 employees across industries collected during the height of the initial COVID-19 response in the United States. Structural equation modeling results indicate a significant indirect effect of industry COVID-19 unsafety signals on emotional exhaustion through the health, but not economic, unsafety path. Qualitative analyses provide further insights into these dynamics. Theoretical and practical implications for employee well-being in a context of severe uncertainty are discussed.

A tutorial on a marginal structural modeling approach to mediation analysis in occupational health research: Investigating education, employment quality, and mortality.

Life expectancy inequities between more- and less-educated groups have grown by 1 to 2 years over the last several decades in the United States. Simultaneously, employment conditions for many workers have deteriorated. Researchers hypothesize that these adverse conditions mediate educational inequities in mortality. However, methodological barriers have impeded research on the role of employment conditions and other hazards as mediating factors in health inequities. Indeed, traditional mediation analysis methods are often biased in occupational health settings, including in those with exposure-mediator interactions and mediator-outcome confounders that are caused by exposure. In this paper, we outline-and provide code for-a marginal structural modeling (MSM) approach for estimating total effects and controlled direct effects originally proposed elsewhere, which can be applied to common mediation analysis settings in occupational health research. As an example, we apply our approach to assess the extent to which disparities in employment quality (EQ)-a multidimensional construct characterizing the terms and conditions of the worker-employer relationship-explained educational inequities in mortality in a 1999-2015 US Panel Study of Income Dynamics sample of workers with mortality follow-up through 2017. Under certain strong assumptions described in the text, our estimates suggest that over 70% of the educational inequity in mortality would have been eliminated if EQ had been at the 80th percentile (100th = best) across exposure groups.

Occupational Safety and Health of Women in Mining.

The mining industry plays a critical role in the U.S. economy, with active mines in every state producing materials such as those used to construct houses and roads, make medicines, and manufacture cars and electronics. Throughout its history, mining has been a male-dominated industry. Recent estimates indicate that between 10% and 17% of miners are women. Previous occupational safety and health (OSH) research has focused primarily on the male experience. In more recent years, the mining industry has engaged in efforts to increase workforce diversity through the recruitment and retention of women miners. To meet the needs of a diverse workforce, it is critically important to identify OSH concerns that are unique to populations that have been understudied and to develop work-related policies and practices that improve their work experiences and health outcomes. The purpose of this article is to describe the specific OSH challenges women as miners face and to discuss how the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Mining Program is situated to address these challenges through its Mining Program Strategic Plan.

Poor adherence to dust, noise and safety regulations predict injury rates in underground coal mines

BackgroundWhile safety in US coal mining has improved over the past two decades, general occupational health research shows that risk of injury varies across individual worksites and is influenced by...

Examining the challenge-hindrance-threat distinction of job demands alongside job resources.

Previous research conducted on the Job Demands-Resources model has mostly ignored the newly introduced Challenge-Hindrance-Threat distinction of workplace stressors. Thus, to better understand the nature of job demands, the present study aimed to explore this distinction of job demands within the framework of the Job Demands-Resources model. Moreover, it examined competing theoretical frameworks by investigating the associations between job characteristics and psychological health variables (i.e., burnout, vigor). Data were collected via computer assisted telephone interview among a representative sample of employees working in Luxembourg (n = 1,506). Structural Equation Modeling supported the distinctiveness of the proposed demand categories in terms of their effects. The health impairing nature of threats, hindrances, and challenges, as well as the motivational potential of resources was supported. Yet, scarce support was found for the moderating effects of demands and resources on employees' well-being. Based on these findings, we argue for an extended framework of job characteristics, which will more accurately describe their nature and effects on employees. In order to promote employee's well-being, occupational health advisors need to be aware of the distinct demand-wellbeing relations when implementing job redesign measures. Combining multiple theoretical frameworks is considered a leading principle in occupational health research. The present study implements an extended classification framework of workplace stressors into one of today's most influential theoretical framework of job characteristics.

Geographic differences in exposures to metals and essential elements in pregnant women living in Suriname.

In Suriname, 20% of pregnancies end in adverse birth outcomes. While prenatal exposure to metals may lead to adverse health outcomes, exposure assessments in Suriname are scant. Environmental contamination from mercury (Hg) used in artisanal goldmining in the Amazonian Interior, and the uncontrolled use of pesticides in suburban regions are of particular concern. This study assessed geographic differences in exposures to metals and essential elements in pregnant Surinamese women. This study is a subset (n = 400) of the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) cohort study. Sector-field inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine concentrations of lead (Pb), Hg, selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn) and tin (Sn) in whole blood of the pregnant women. High vs. low exposures to Pb and Hg were determined and were based respectively on CDC (3.5 ug/dL) and USEPA (3.5 ug/L) action levels. Differences in geographic exposures were tested with the Mann-Whitney U-test, and differences between blood elemental concentrations and action levels for Pb and Hg with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The association between demographics and high exposures of Pb and Hg was examined with multivariate logistic regression models. The median concentrations of Pb, Hg and Se (5.08 μg/dL, 7.87 μg/L, and 228.26 μg/L respectively) in Interior women, were higher than the Urban and Suburban regions (p < 0.001), and higher than internationally accepted action levels (p < 0.001). The median concentrations of Mn and Sn found in Suburban women (17.55 and 0.97 ug/L respectively) were higher than Urban and Interior regions (p < 0.02). Pregnant women living in Suriname's Amazonian Interior are exposed to Hg and Pb at levels of public health concern. Urgently needed is a comprehensive source characterization assessment and the development, implementation and monitoring of environmental health policies, specifically addressing the chemicals of concern. In a subset of participants enrolled in the CCREOH environmental epidemiology cohort study elevated levels of Hg and Pb were identified. This is the first comprehensive exposure assessment in the Surinamese population. Health concerns include adverse birth- and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Geographic differences require a tailored approach to health intervention and comprehensive source characterization. Future research should ascertain the role of Se as a potential protective factor. Environmental policy development, implementation and monitoring is pivotal to mitigate exposures to these neurotoxicants.

Exploring predictors of welfare dependency 1, 3, and 5 years after mental health-related absence in danish municipalities between 2010 and 2012 using flexible machine learning modelling

BackgroundUsing XGBoost (XGB), this study demonstrates how flexible machine learning modelling can complement traditional statistical modelling (multinomial logistic regression) as a sensitivity analysis and predictive modelling tool in occupational health research.DesignThe study predicts welfare dependency for a cohort at 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up using XGB and multinomial logistic regression (MLR). The models’ predictive ability is evaluated using tenfold cross-validation (internal validation) and geographical validation (semi-external validation). In addition, we calculate and graphically assess Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) values from the XGB model to examine deviation from linearity assumptions, including interactions. The study population consists of all 20–54 years old on long-term sickness absence leave due to self-reported common mental disorders (CMD) between April 26, 2010, and September 2012 in 21 (of 98) Danish municipalities that participated in the Danish Return to Work program. The total sample of 19.664 observations is split geospatially into a development set (n = 9.756) and a test set (n = 9.908).ResultsThere were no practical differences in the XGB and MLR models’ predictive ability. Industry, job skills, citizenship, unemployment insurance, gender, and period had limited importance in predicting welfare dependency in both models. On the other hand, welfare dependency history and reason for sickness absence were strong predictors. Graphical SHAP-analysis of the XGB model did not indicate substantial deviations from linearity assumptions implied by the multinomial regression model.ConclusionFlexible machine learning models like XGB can supplement traditional statistical methods like multinomial logistic regression in occupational health research by providing a benchmark for predictive performance and traditional statistical models' ability to capture important associations for a given set of predictors as well as potential violations of linearity.Trial registrationISRCTN43004323.

Development of an intervention program to reduce whole-body vibration exposure based on occupational and individual determinants among dumper operators

ABSTRACT Objectives. Studies related to a systematic approach for intervention design to reduce whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure are scarce. This study presents a systematic approach to identifying, selecting and prioritizing safety interventions to fulfill that research gap. Methods. A total of 130 vibration readings for dumper operators were taken from two surface iron ore mines to identify significant determinants of WBV exposure. Initially, age, weight, seat design, awkward posture, machine’s age, load tonnage, dumper speed and haul road condition were hypothesized as determinants. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires and field-based observation. A multivariate statistical approach was applied for the practical use of the intervention program. Results. As some of the hypothesized factors were correlated, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) was used to investigate their association with WBV exposure. As per EFA results, hypothesized factors were clubbed under individual, ergonomics and occupational factors. Occupational and ergonomics factors were found to be significantly associated with WBV exposure through MLR and used to form safety interventions to reduce WBV exposure. Conclusions. Our methodological approach is original in the occupational health research area and can be helpful to tailor the safety interventions for the unit level with minimum effort.

Data resource profile: the Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

The Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) is a state-approved statistical survey that has been conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) every 3 years since 2006 to monitor changes in the working conditions of Koreans. This cross-sectional national survey involves a sample of 50,000 employed people aged 15 or older. KWCS measures various working conditions through > 130 survey questions, including questions regarding working hours, labor intensity, work-life balance, degree of exposure to risk factors, and subjective health status. Professional survey interviewers visit households and conduct face to face interviews. KWCS provides data and statistics for occupational safety and health polices and research in Korea. Furthermore, OSHRI holds academic conferences every year, awards high-quality academic papers, and supports researchers using data. Microdata is publicly available through the OSHRI website (https://oshri.kosha.or.kr).

‘Mobbing’ was discussed in the 1 Topic 1 Guest event

Üsküdar University Occupational Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Health Application and Research Center (ÜSGÜMER) organized the 62nd edition of the 1 Topic 1 Guest event. A session was held. Human, Culture and Change Management Consultant Lerzan Erkan participated in the program as a guest.

Comparison of health inequalities according to socioeconomic status: findings from the fourth Korean working condition survey: a cross-sectional study

this study aims to examine health inequalities among Korean workers by sex, age, education, monthly income, occupation, and employment type and identify groups of workers who may be neglected in the process of resolving health inequalities. we used data from the Fourth Korean Working Condition Survey conducted by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute and compared the number of health symptoms among various groups using the t-test and one-way analysis of variance to determine their health status. We also calculated the Gini index of the number of health symptoms of each group and plotted the Lorenz curve to illustrate health inequalities. we found that the number of health symptoms was higher in groups with lower socioeconomic status (e.g., female, blue-collar workers, older, low education, low monthly income, and self-employed workers). However, the Gini index and Lorenz curve with respect to socioeconomic status indicated that health inequalities were higher among white-collar and permanent workers vis-à-vis blue-collar and self-employed workers, respectively. Further, it was found that health inequalities were higher among males than females with respect to the same occupational groups and employment types. general health policies are often targeted at the socially and economically vulnerable group, but according to the results of this study, it can be considered that there may be subjects who are vulnerable to health problems even in groups that are not socioeconomically vulnerable.

Evaluation of a self-cleaning portable dust collector for reducing worker exposures to silica at hydraulic-fracturing sites

ABSTRACT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers continue to study worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and develop interventions to reduce these exposures. Occupational overexposures to RCS continue to cause illness and deaths in many industries and RCS has been identified as a serious exposure risk associated with hydraulic- fracturing operations during oil and gas extraction. In 2016 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reduced the permissible exposure limit (PEL) to 0.05 milligrams of silica per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour day. This mandate requires hydraulic-fracturing operations to implement dust controls and safer work methods to protect workers from silica exposures above this PEL by June 23, 2021. At hydraulic-fracturing sites utilizing sand movers, pneumatic transfer of fracking sand is the primary source of aerosolized RCS. Currently, there are limited commercially available engineering controls for the collection of dust emitted from thief hatches on sand movers. The goal of this research is to develop a robust, cost-effective, weather resistant, portable, self-cleaning dust collection system that can be retrofitted onto sand mover thief hatches. A prototype was designed, built, and tested, and it was determined that the system could handle flows in the range of 600 to 1300 cfm with loading/cleaning cycle times of 40 and 5 minutes respectively and demonstrated operating efficiencies of 97–99%. Further development of this NIOSH prototype is being done in collaboration with an industry partner with the goal of developing a commercially viable, cost-effective solution to reduce RCS at hydraulic-fracturing sites around the world. Implications: This research has verified that airborne dust created by pneumatic transfer of fracking sand can be effectively collected using a passive cartridge filter system, and that the filters can be cleaned using blasts of air. Mounting these units to the thief hatches of sand movers will significantly reduce dust emissions from sand movers on hydraulic fracturing sites. Thus, this system offers the Oil and Gas Industry a method to reduce worker exposure to RCS on hydraulic fracturing sites that utilize sand movers. The success of this prototype has led researchers to devise a modified version for collecting dust at conveyor transfer points.

Total Worker Health® and Organizational Behavior Management: Emerging Opportunities for Improving Worker Well-being

ABSTRACT We draw artificial boundaries between our lives at work, at home, and in the community. Each person is living an integrated life where all of their environments (resources, physical environment, psychosocial environment, responsibilities/demands) interact to impact their safety, health, and well-being. Total Worker Health® is an approach developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to address such interactions, and to advance science and practice for protecting workers’ safety, health, and well-being. The Total Worker Health (TWH) approach represents an expansion of traditional occupational safety and health research and practice, with strong safety protections for workers as its foundation. The current paper provides an introduction to TWH, including: (1) Significance, (2) Historical Background, (3) Hierarchy of Controls, (4) Review of TWH Interventions, and (5) Future Opportunities. The reciprocal and interactive perspective of TWH is consistent with Skinnerian and other approaches to behavioral science, as well as organizational systems analysis approaches. With its behavioral and systems analysis roots, and associated historical emphasis on environmental conditions and interventions, the Organizational Behavior Management community can make great and important contributions in the TWH domain.

Occurrence and trends of musculoskeletal pain among ski instructors

Background and Study Aim. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are incredibly common and are often related to work load. For any occupational or public health intervention, injury prevention is preferred to injury treatment. Occupational health and injury prevention research has the potential to help mitigate MSD in the workplace. The aim of this study was to determine how the work demands of ski instructors may affect the health of their musculoskeletal system. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study involved the participation of 87 ski instructors (age = 34.61 ±10.67) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ATUS in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Observed variables were the prevalence of MSD measured using a modified Nordic questionnaire about injuries during the previous ski season (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrist, upper back, lower back, one or both hips, one or both knees, and ankle). Means and standard deviations for each of the variables were calculated, and differences between genders were examined using an independent sample t-test. Results. Prevalence of MSDs in ski instructors was most common in neck (13.8%), shoulders (12.6%), elbows (4.6%), wrist (9.2%), upper back (10.3%), lower back (46.0%), one or both hips (9.2%), one or both knees (29.9%), and ankle (9.2%). The results showed statistically significant differences in MSD between genders in the neck (p=.034); shoulders (p=.017); upper back (p=.027); one or both knees (p=.003) and in the ankle joint (p=.011). Conclusions. MSD’s are common in ski instructors, especially in the low back and knees of female employees. Future research or injury prevention programs would benefit these populations.

Scientometric evaluation of trends and global characteristics of published research on occupational public health

The objective of this scientometric study was to assess the global trends and characteristics of published occupational health research from 2016 to 2020. The SciVal tool (Elsevier) was used to perform the corresponding bibliometric analyses such as the Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI), Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP), CiteScore, and SCImago Journal Rank (SJR). Most of the manuscripts (46.5%) had national collaboration, with an average of 6.1 citations per paper. However, only 71 manuscripts (5.4%) presented single authorship (without collaboration). It was found that 486 manuscripts related to occupational health were published in Q2 journals (top 26–50%). Scientific publications on occupational health have increased remarkably worldwide, especially in Europe, and have mainly been published in Q1 and Q2 journals with a total of 292 and 289 scientific manuscripts in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

The Emergence of Precarious Employment as a Determinant of Health in Europe and the Relevance of Contextual Factors: A Critical Research Synthesis.

Precarious employment as a determinant of health remains on the rise in Europe, in contrast to the European Pillar of Social Rights. Research in epidemiology, public health, and occupational health research has debated the health impacts of precarious employment. A number of studies have concluded that precarious employment contributes to poor health. More recent research has focused on the contextual influences of the association between precarious employment and health. Accordingly, we argue that the welfare state and the specific institutional arrangements on the national level determine and mediate the extent of the association between precarious employment and health. This research synthesis: (a) debates explanations for the rise of precarious employment in Europe, (b) illustrates how precarious employment has risen in Europe since the 1980s, (c) indicates empirical findings of the association between precarious employment and health in Europe, (d) discusses how research explains between-country differences of the association between precarious employment and health, and (e) presents empirical findings on the contextual determinants of the association between precarious employment and health in Europe.

Characterization of Urinary Pesticide Metabolite Concentrations of Pregnant Women in Suriname.

Prenatal exposure to pesticides and the association with adverse health outcomes have been examined in several studies. However, the characterization of pesticide exposure among Surinamese women during pregnancy has not been assessed. As part of the Caribbean Consortium of Research in Environmental and Occupational Health research program, 214 urine samples were collected from pregnant women living in three regions in Suriname with different agricultural practices: capital Paramaribo, the rice producing district Nickerie, and the tropical rainforest, the Interior. We used isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry to quantify urinary concentrations of biomarkers of three pesticide classes, including phenoxy acid herbicides and organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides, all of which are commonly used in agricultural and residential settings in Suriname. We observed that participants residing in Nickerie had the highest urinary metabolite concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and pyrethroids compared to those from Paramaribo or the Interior. Paramaribo had the highest concentrations of organophosphate metabolites, specifically dialkyl phosphate metabolites. Para-nitrophenol was detected in samples from Paramaribo and the Interior. Samples from Nickerie had higher median urinary pesticide concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1.06 μg/L), and the following metabolites, 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (1.26 μg/L), 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (0.60 μg/L), and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (1.34 μg/L), possibly due to residential use and heavy rice production.

A review of occupational safety and health research for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Introduction: To better understand what is known about issues affecting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) workers, authors conducted a literature review of publications specific to AI/AN and occupational safety and health. Methods: Search criteria included: (a) American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages in the United States; (b) First Nations and aboriginals in Canada; and (c) occupational safety and health. Results: Results of two identical searches in 2017 and 2019 identified 119 articles and 26 articles respectively, with references to AI/AN people and occupation. Of the 145 total articles, only 11 articles met the search criteria for addressing occupational safety and health research among AI/AN workers. Information from each article was abstracted and categorized according to National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) sector, resulting in: four articles related to agriculture, forestry, and fishing; three related to mining; one related to manufacturing; and one related to services. Two articles reported on AI/AN people and occupational well-being in general. Conclusions: The review was limited by the small number and age of relevant articles, reflecting the likelihood that findings could be out of date. General themes across the reviewed articles point to the need for increased overall awareness and education regarding injury prevention and risks associated with occupational injuries and fatalities among AI/AN workers. Similarly, increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended for the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries, as well as for workers exposed to metals dust. Practical Applications: The lack of research in most NORA sectors indicates the need for heightened research efforts directed toward AI/AN workers.

Using Core Elements of Health and Safety Management Systems to Support Worker Well-Being during Technology Integration.

Research studying the intersection of occupational safety and health (OSH) and direct reading and sensor technologies (DRST) is sparse, with a specific lack of research available that has empirically considered ways that DRST may impact worker well-being. In this paper, the authors examine how organizations could utilize core elements of their health and safety management system (HSMS) to coordinate and execute DRST in the workplace to support worker well-being. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers developed a 39-item questionnaire targeting OSH professionals to understand attitudes toward DRST and the current and intended uses of DRST at their place of employment. Eighty-eight OSH professionals completed the questionnaire between August and December 2021. Descriptive results of the study sample are provided but the focus of the study applies the open-ended responses to two questions, which was deductively analyzed. Descriptive results show that reliability and validity of data was a top concern while the open-ended qualitative feedback revealed three primary themes: (1) acceptability and trust in technology; (2) ease of use; and (3) support and guidelines. Results provide an opening to use core HSMS elements (i.e., management commitment and leadership, communication and coordination, and employee involvement) during DRST integration to demonstrate support for workers during times of ambiguity and change.

The Association between Mercury and Lead Exposure and Liver and Kidney Function in Pregnant Surinamese Women Enrolled in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) Environmental Epidemiologic Cohort Study.

Exposure to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) may have an effect on pregnant women. We assessed the effect of exposure to mercury and lead on liver and kidney functions in a subcohort of pregnant women who participated in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH)—Meki Tamara, study. From 400 women aged 16–46 living in rural, urban, and interior regions of Suriname, we measured blood mercury and blood lead levels. Creatinine, urea, and cystatin C were measured to assess kidney function, and aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured to assess liver function. Education, region, and ethnicity showed significant differences for both blood mercury and lead levels, which all had p-values < 0.001. Creatinine and urea were elevated with higher mercury blood levels. Our findings also suggest a relationship between high mercury blood levels and potential harmful effects on liver and kidney function.