Occupational Health Risks For Workers Research Articles

Hygienic assessment of the tension of the labor process and emotional state of the teaching staff of a medical university

The medical condition of the higher-education teaching personnel of the university is reflected in the quality of the educational process in the educational institution and, as a consequence, in the formation of professional competencies of future graduates. It is known that workers in the fields of education and health care more than others are subject to stress, physical inactivity and, as a result, professional (emotional) burnout. The present study is devoted to the study of the state of health, activity, mood, professional (emotional) burnout of the teaching staff of a medical university, assessment of the intensity of their work process, professional risk. The study of well-being, activity, mood, professional (emotional) burnout was carried out using a questionnaire survey using well-known methods. The assessment of the intensity of the labor process was carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for the assessment of occupational health risks for workers. The assessment of occupational risk categories was carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for Assessing Occupational Risk for Workers' Health, as well as using a matrix of consequences and probabilities according to GOST Risk Management. Risk assessment technologies. It was found that the working conditions of the teaching staff of a medical university are tense 2 degrees. Evaluation of the functional emotional state showed that the teaching staff of a medical university has moderate emotional burnout, against the background of a high level of psychoemotional exhaustion. Indicators of well-being and mood have high (favorable) levels, while the activity indicator, on the contrary, has a low (unfavorable) value, presumably against the background of increasing employee fatigue. The occupational health risk of employees is medium (significant), the risk class according to the severity of the possible consequences of identified hazardous events is medium (T3), the probability of the consequences of a hazardous event is high (B4), the risk class is medium (C12).

Working conditions and occupational health risks for workers employed at bakeries

Introduction. Workers employed at bakeries are exposed to hazardous occupational factors at their workplaces; however, issues related to occupational health disorders occurring in them have not been given sufficient attention.Material and methods. We accomplished complex hygienic research on working conditions and the health of workers employed at a bakery using a procedure for occupational health risk calculation.Results. Workers employed at a bakery are exposed to a set of adverse factors (heating microclimate, flour dust, in-plant noise, poor luminance in work areas, hard labor process) that make their working conditions hazardous (belonging to 3.1 – 3.3 hazard degree). It means their occupational risks rank from insignificant (moderate) to high (intolerable). Heating microclimate and physical overloads were determined as priority risk factors. We revealed a positive average correlation (r=0.56) between chronic somatic pathology prevalence in general and work experience. We also detected direct authentic correlations between work experience under hazardous working conditions and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues (r=0.34); upper respiratory tracts (r=0.31); circulatory system (r=0.26) (р<0.01, р<0.001, р<0.001, accordingly). We established a strong cause-and-effect relation between occupation and diseases of the eye and its adnexa (RR=2.2; EF =54.59; CI=1.66-2.92) and diseases of the circulatory system (RR=2.29; EF =56.38; CI=1.77-2.97); there was also an average cause-and-effect relation with diseases of the respiratory organs, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, as well connective tissue, as the genitourinary system and it means these pathologies are occupational. We substantiated a system of activities aimed at managing occupational health risks for workers employed at bakeries.Conclusion. Workplaces at contemporary bakeries involve exposure to a set of adverse occupational factors that cause occupational health risks for workers. It requires immediate measures aimed at reducing such risks.

Analysis of individual occupational health risks for workers with basic occupations typical for oil processing enterprises

At present a systemic approach based on occupational risk assessment methodology is a key to adequate detection of cause-and-effect relations between a disease and working conditions. Our research goal was to calculate and assess individual occupational health risks for operators and drivers employed at an oil processing enterprise. Our research object were parameters revealed via special assessment of working conditions and data obtained via periodical medical examinations performed on 198 operators and 160 drivers employed at an oil processing enterprise. A procedure for calculating individual occupational health risks took into account working conditions, individual health, working experience, and workers’ age. Influence exerted by working experience duration on health of workers from the examined occupational groups was estimated in three groups: working experience shorter or equal to 5 years; working experience equal to 6–10 years; working experience being longer than 10 years. Integral assessment of working conditions was obtained taking into account impacts exerted by occupational factors with different hazard categories, assessed risks of injuries and assessment of workers’ protection with individual protection means. We calculated integral parameters of working conditions assessment, hazard parameters at workplaces, and one-number integral values of individual occupational risks. We determined that 91 % drivers and 34.9 % operators ran high and extremely high occupational risks of diseases; those risks changed individually depending on hazard occupational factors at workplaces, age, working experience, and a worker’s health. It was shown that high individual occupational risks were much more frequent among drivers and operators with long working experience (6–10 years and longer) who had III–IV health groups and worked under hazardous conditions.

Health condition of employees of the test laboratory center

Objective : The assessment of health state and occupational health risk to employees of the test laboratory center (TLC) of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor). Methods : The main group included 263 employees of TLC, the comparison group included 60 administrative managers of Rospotrebnadzor. Data on morbidity with temporary disability were analyzed for 2015–2017. The technique of N.V. Dogle and A.Ya. Yurkevich (1984), and guidelines of V.Z. Kucherenko (2004) were used. The assessment of the degree of industrial conditionality of health disorders was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of P 2.2.1766–03 “Guidelines for assessing occupational health risks for workers. Organizational and methodological foundations, principles and evaluation criteria.” Results : The average incidence rate was revealed among employees of the department of sanitary-hygienic laboratory research and the microbiological laboratory. It is proved that respiratory diseases in TLC employees are of occupational nature. Priority occupational factors affecting the incidence rate were identified (occupation, employment experience in the same occupation, harmful working conditions by chemical factor, harmful working conditions by biological factor). Conclusions : The results of assessing the health state and occupational health risks to employees of the main structural divisions of the TLC are consistent with previously obtained data on the harmful conditions of their work and serve as the basis for the scientific justification, development and practical implementation of a set of priority preventive measures.

Occupational risks related to the exposure of the noise and vibration factor on workers extracting fuel and nonfuel minerals. Preventive measures

Extraction of minerals with noise and vibration to be a priority harmful occupational factor, is one of the industries with a high risk of workers’ health, disorders. This is an occupational morbidity rate. In accordance with the regulatory and methodological documents, an assessment of the a priori and a posteriori occupational risks related to the impact of the noise-vibration factor was carried out for workers of the main occupations of the largest enterprises extracting fuel, energy and ore minerals of the Republic of Bashkortostan.An analysis of occupational health risks for workers has shown a rather high a priori risk, since the general hygienic assessment of working conditions is within the limits of Сlasses 3.2–3.4. Levels of occupational risk in accordance with occupational disease index ranged from «high» for vibrational disease in occupational groups of drifters, rig drivers, excavator drivers to «above average» for sensorineural hearing loss in installers, underground mining machine drivers, excavator drivers and aggregates. Based on the studies, measures have been developed aimed at reducing the levels of exposure to the noise-vibration factor and maintaining the health of workers engaged in mining.

Level of occupational health risk for workers exposed to aerosols containing chrysotile asbestos

Introduction. The presence of asbestos-containing aerosols in the workplace is one of the main occupational carcinogenic risks in the world. In view of the absence of registered cases of occupational diseases related to exposure to asbestos dust in the Republic of Belarus, it is relevant to study morbidity with temporary disability and to assess occupational health risks using these data. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics of the dynamics and structure of the morbidity with temporary disability and the assessment of occupational health risks for workers exposed to aerosols containing chrysotile in the building materials manufacturing. Materials and methods . The studies were carried out on the basis of a workshop for the production of asbestos-cement products based on chrysotile. An in-depth analysis of the morbidity with temporary disability was conducted over a four-year period. The influence of the gender, age, and experience composition of groups on the levels of the morbidity with temporary disability was evaluated using standardized indicators. The assessment of the production conditionality of morbidity was carried out in a comparative analysis with the control group (workshop for the production of blocks made of cellular concrete and composite materials), national indicators and indicators of the construction materials industry. The risk assessment was carried out using the occupational risk index calculated based on the relative risk index and the total coefficient of working conditions. Results. The dynamics of the overall intensive indicators of morbidity with temporary disability in the study group shows a tendency to decrease due to a decrease in labor losses in the class of “Respiratory Diseases”, however, the duration of 1 case increases. The overall average long-term indicators of temporary disability are significantly higher in the control group. However, the incidence rates for the class of endocrine diseases, diseases of the circulatory system and diseases of the digestive system are significantly higher in the study group. The average long-term morbidity rates of the study group do not have statistically significant differences with national and industry indicators. Standardization of general indicators of morbidity by gender, age and experience does not change their ratio, but the incidence rates differ in different age, experience and gender groups. The occupational risk index for employees of the asbestos cement products workshop is estimated as average, and the level of occupational health losses of employees is 33.7% (significant, class 3) in the study group and 45.7% (high, class 4) in the control group. Conclusions. Morbidity with temporary disability of workers exposed to chrysotile asbestos dust does not differ significantly from the national and industry levels, and in comparison with the control group shows lower indicators; the level of occupational health risk of workers exposed to chrysotile asbestos is significant; the highest incidence rates are registered in young and least trained employees of the workshop of asbestos — cement products, and by gender-in men, which should be taken into account when planning preventive measures.

Polymorphism of folate cycle genes as a criterion of occupational health risk of petrochemical production workers

Engineers and operators of petrochemical production identified features of polymorphism of genes responsible for blood coagulation and biochemical reactions of folate metabolism and showed that drivers have the greatest number of mutations, which can create additional occupational health risks for workers of this profession under the influence of production factors.

Оценка профессионального риска здоровью работников в современных производствах резиновых изделий

Оценка профессионального риска здоровью работников в современных производствах резиновых изделий

Assessment of occupational health risk for workers employed at contemporary rubber production

Assessment of occupational health risk for workers employed at contemporary rubber production

Peculiarities of morbidity and assessment of occupational health risks for workers who contact aerosols of man-made mineral fibers

Peculiarities of morbidity and assessment of occupational health risks for workers who contact aerosols of man-made mineral fibers

Antineoplastic drug occupational exposure: a new integrated approach to evaluate exposure and early genotoxic and cytotoxic effects by no-invasive Buccal Micronucleus Cytome Assay biomarker

Health-care personnel handling antineoplastic drugs could be at risk for adverse health effects. We aimed to evaluate genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of antineoplastic drug exposure of personnel preparing and administering such drugs in three Oncology Hospitals in Italy enrolling 42 exposed subjects and 53 controls. Furthermore, we aimed to study the possible influence of XRCC1 and hOGG1 DNA repair genes polymorphisms on genotoxicity induced on buccal cells. We performed workplace and personal monitoring of some drugs and used exposure diary informations to characterize the exposure. Urinary 5-FU metabolite (α-fluoro-β-alanine) was measured. Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay was used to evaluate DNA damage and other cellular anomalies. GEM and 5-FU contamination was found in 68% and 42% of wipe/swab samples respectively. GEM deposition was found on workers’ pads while no α-fluoro-β-alanine was found. BMCyt-assay showed higher genotoxicity and cytotoxicity on nurses administering antineoplastics than on preparators and controls. Among micronucleus (MN) positive (with MN frequency higher than 1.5‰) exposed subjects, the percentage of those carrying XRCC1 mut/het genotype was higher than in MN positive-controls. Using the sensitive BMCyt assay, we demonstrated that handling antineoplastics still represents a potential occupational health risk for workers that should be better trained/informed regarding such risks.

Современное состояние условий труда и оценка профессионального риска здоровью работников мукомольного производства

Современное состояние условий труда и оценка профессионального риска здоровью работников мукомольного производства

Contemporary working conditions and assessment of occupational health risk for workers employed at flour-grinding productions

Contemporary working conditions and assessment of occupational health risk for workers employed at flour-grinding productions

Risk assessment of occupational and occupationally conditioned diseases connection to noise when exceeding maximum permissible levels

In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 3.2.6 of sanitary rules and norms «Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for physical factors at workplace», in the event of exceeding noise level at workplace above 80 dBA, an employer is obliged to assess the health risk of workers and confirm an acceptable risk to their health. The connection between the incidence of occupational and occupationally conditioned diseases with noise exposure exceeding the maximum permissible levels (80 dBA) was estimated. The assessment was carried out at a food industry enterprise of Perm Region. Assessing the relationship between morbidity and noise exposure is the first step in evaluation of occupational health risks for workers exposed to noise exceeding MAL. If a reliable relationship between morbidity and noise exposure is established, an assessment of occupational risk is conducted. The odds ratio (OR) for diseases characterized by high blood pressure and disorders of autonomic nervous system was <1 (confidence interval CI=0.11–1.61 and CI=0.08–2.78, respectively). The relative risk (RR) for diseases characterized by high blood pressure and disorders of autonomic nervous system was <1. The received data testify absence of connection of morbidity with exposure to industrial noise, calculation of etiological share of responses and levels of risk is not required.

Evaluating biologic factor at workplaces: questions and suggestions

Introduction.Special evaluation of work conditions sometimes fails in identifying biologic factor as an occupational hazard in work with infected and (or) potentially infected materials (including field, clinical, autopsy samples) suspicious for presence of pathogenic biologic agents, as well as considering allergic component in biologic factor’s influence on workers exposed.Objectiveis to improve methods of identification and evaluation of biologic factor, criteria and classification of work conditions for workers exposed to pathogenic biologic agents, for more objective assessment of their work conditions.Materials and methods.Based on Rospotrebnadzor data, the authors analyzed occupational morbidity caused by exposure to biologic factors over 2005–2017. Analysis also covered work conditions of workers exposed to biologic factors, according to results of workplace certification by work conditions, performed by Testing Laboratory FGBNU «NII MT» over 2001–2013 at 1024 workplaces of medical and non-medical personnel in medical institutions of Moscow, 26 workplaces of FGBNU «N.F. Gamaleya National Research Institute of epidemiology and microbiology» with RF Health Ministry, 32 workplaces in purification facilities MGUP «Promotkhody». Analysis of the work conditions over 2014–2017 was based on results of special evaluation of work conditions at 326 workplaces (data by FGBNU «NII MT»).Results and discussion.The authors scientifically justified ways to improve quality and adequacy of work conditions evaluation by biologic factor at workplaces of individuals exposed to biologic pathogens. To objectify the work conditions evaluation by biologic factor, the authors suggested a «Classification of work conditions under exposure to biologic factor» that helped to identify and evaluate health risks with consideration of all biologic objects at the workplaces.Conclusion.Suggested «Classification of work conditions under exposure to biologic factor» helps to identify and evaluate biologic factor as an occupational hazard at all workplaces with pathogenic microbes, as well as analyze occupational health risks for workers and justify measures to minimize those risks.

PROFESSIONAL RISK OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DERMATOLOGICAL DISEASES IN WORKERS OF PRODUCTION OF SECONDARY PRECIOUS METALS

Introduction. Working conditions in the metallurgical industry are characterized by the impact of unfavorable production factors on the workers of the complex. This leads to a high level of the occupational and general morbidity rate in metallurgists. The production of secondary metals is an intensively developing direction of metallurgy, which determines the urgency of studying the labor and health conditions of workers in this industry at the present stage. Material and methods. A comprehensive assessment of the working conditions of the workers of Shchelkovsky Secondary Precious Metals Plant was conducted. The occupational risk for the health of the core occupations of secondary precious metals was quantified, there were estimated the profile of occupational risk and the main unfavorable factors of the production process, making a significant contribution to the formation of dermatological morbidity of personnel. Results. Priority occupational risk factors for the formation of dermatological diseases in workers of secondary precious metals production is the impact of a multicomponent industrial aerosol and a heating microclimate. The chemical factor contributes a significant share contribution (20 - 25%) to the occupational risk profile and gives high indices of individual occupational health risks for workers in the main occupations of this production. The occupational risk of the incidence rate with a temporary disability (TD) in the enterprise as a whole is regarded as super-high. The incidence of diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in workers reaches the highest level in the main production divisions and makes up in the structure of the total morbidity rate with TD of 12.3 to 14.5%. Discussion. The personal occupational risk of the secondary production of precious metals is determined by a significant proportion of employees in the core occupations with harmful working conditions on a chemical factor. The specific labor conditions of the main professional groups determine the high level of the relative risk of dermatological diseases (RR = 2.31), and the etiological share of occupational factors in their formation ranges from 56.79 to 88.84%, which proves their production conditionality.

Exposure to Airborne Noroviruses and Other Bioaerosol Components at a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Denmark

Exposure to bioaerosols associated with wastewater treatment processes may represent an occupational health risk for workers at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A high frequency of acute symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract among the wastewater workers at a Danish WWTP has been reported. The objective of the study was therefore to examine the exposure of the workers to aerosolised microorganisms. Sampling of inhalable endotoxin, bacteria, moulds and viruses was performed on one occasion using personal samplers. Noroviruses (NoVs) and endotoxin were detected at concentrations that could pose an occupational health risk and possibly contribute to the increased frequency of gastrointestinal illness among the workers and should therefore be investigated further. In addition, positive correlations between exposure to endotoxin, bacteria, moulds and NoVs were found and indicate that the exposure to bioaerosols may be related to work tasks. This is the first study directly showing an occupational exposure to airborne NoVs by its detection in airborne dust.