Risk Of Work-related Disorders Research Articles

Results of an Opioid Hazard Awareness Training Intervention for Stone, Sand, and Gravel Miners

In the USA, miners are at higher risk for work-related disorders that could precipitate an opioid prescription, injury-related opioid prescriptions, and opioid overdose. We aimed to support prevention of these outcomes with an “opioid hazard awareness” miner safety training module. In January and February 2020, the training module was embedded within required mining safety and health training for stone, sand, and gravel miners in Massachusetts (USA). Training impact and reception were assessed with a pre- and post-training survey of trainee characteristics, training content knowledge, and attitudes. Over 800 miners were trained and over 600 responded to surveys. We found statistically significant improvements in opioid risk factor knowledge and knowledge of resources to help a coworker. Nonstigmatizing attitudes were high both at baseline and following the training. The training was perceived as relevant and useful by trainees. Improving opioid hazard awareness in high-risk worker populations has potential to reduce opioid dependence and downstream impacts including overdose death. Employer injury-prevention efforts should be reinforced while worker health and safety training enhances awareness of opioid-related harms and prevention strategies for miners and other high-risk worker populations.

Between two stools: occupational injuries and risk factors for temporary agency workers

Purpose Research shows that the risk of work-related disorders is higher among temporary agency workers than among other employees. The purpose of this paper is to describe the working conditions of temporary agency workers and explains which factors contribute towards work-related disorders for this group. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a survey responded to by 482 agency workers in Sweden. The dependent variable is the prevalence of work-related disorders. Independent variables include personal characteristics, job characteristics, employment characteristics and temporary agency work characteristics. Findings The study indicates several risk factors: holding a position as a blue-collar worker; being assigned to more physically demanding work tasks and having fewer opportunities to learn new things than client organization employees; lacking training for work tasks; and lacking clarity regarding which work tasks to do during an assignment. Originality/value The theoretical implications of this study are related to the dual employment-management relationship in temporary agency work where the temporary work agency and client organization follow different logics. The logic in the employment relationship is to contract temporary agency workers out to client organizations, thus there is no time for formal training. The logic in the management relationship lies in making temporary agency workers profitable as soon as possible, encouraging shortcuts in training and instruction; thus, temporary agency workers risk being left with a lack of clarity regarding what to do and how to do it.

Health and safety in waste collection: Towards evidence‐based worker health surveillance

Waste collectors around the world are at risk for work-related disorders and injuries. The aim of this study was to assess work demands, acute physiologic responses, illnesses, and injuries as a starting point for worker health surveillance (WHS). A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase on work demands, acute bodily responses, health, and injuries. A quality assessment and evidence synthesis was performed. From a total of 379 retrieved studies, 50 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Waste collecting varied from informal manual gathering to semi-automated systems. Most studies ("number of studies") on work demands and/or acute bodily responses addressed bioaerosols (14). Studies of health effects addressed respiratory complaints (8), and those on injuries addressed acute musculoskeletal disorders (3). Strong evidence is available that exposure to bioaerosols exceeds recommendations. Moderate evidence is available for an increased risk of respiratory complaints and musculoskeletal injuries, with significant odds ratios reported varying between 1.9-4.1 and 1.5-3.3, respectively. Limited evidence exists for gastrointestinal disorders and hearing loss. WHS in waste collection is warranted for early detection of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders, and hearing loss.

A Computer-Based Job Analysis System Designed to be Used by Operational Personnel in Warehousing Operations

Many people of different background and skill sets are becoming involved with the application of occupational ergonomics. These individuals range from health care professionals with little or no interest or understanding of the operational environments to manufacturing engineers that have had no training or experience in considering the relationship between human operators and the equipment that they design. The person who has both a first-hand understanding of the task requirements and the individual operator's capabilities and limitations is the first line supervisor. The objective of the computer-based system described in this paper is to provide operational personnel with a tool that will allow them to evaluate the workplace layout, work methods, tools and equipment to improve efficiency and product quality, as well as reduce the risk of work-related disorders.