Workplace Risk Research Articles

Development of a Knowledge Base for Construction Risk Assessments Using BERT and Graph Models

As a significant percentage of disasters and fatal accidents still occur in the construction sector, it is legally obligatory to conduct workplace risk assessments to avoid accidents and enhance safety. Identifying harmful and hazardous elements is crucial to discern the distinctive characteristics of potential accidents. However, conventional risk-assessment approaches, which rely on the skills and experience of safety managers, may overlook important factors, leading to inconsistencies in the procedures employed across different sites. Such unstructured safety knowledge reduces accessibility and utility, increases reliance on individual skills, and renders information management inefficient. Recently, the focus has shifted from efficient data storage to obtaining valuable knowledge tailored to specific use-cases. Knowledge-graph-based systems integrate and manage the relationships between knowledge entities, thereby enhancing the development of knowledge bases. Research on automatically extracting and managing predefined knowledge from various forms of data through natural language processing (NLP) is ongoing. This study proposes a novel method that uses NLP and graph models to automatically extract predefined knowledge from unstructured construction data and build an entity-relationship-based risk-assessment knowledge base. We developed an entity-name recognition and keyword-extraction engine that defines the core knowledge related to construction safety and risk assessments. This engine can automatically extract predefined knowledge from unstructured data by learning from NLP data. The extracted risk-assessment knowledsge was used to create a knowledge base, and its efficiency and effectiveness were validated through comparisons with existing methods. The results of this study are significant because they lay the foundation for an automatic knowledge-management system for construction safety and risk assessment, offering both practical and academic contributions to the field of construction safety.

Prevalence and association of musculoskeletal disorders with various risk factors among older Indian adults: Insights from a nationally representative survey.

Globally, Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the biggest contributor (17%) to years lived with disability. For offering diagnosis and appropriate health interventions options along with follow-up care, it is pertinent to have a thorough awareness of its associated risk factors. The study aims to assess the prevalence and association between MSDs and risk factors among the Indian older adults above 45 years. Prevalence of MSDs among 28,436 participants was estimated using nationally representative survey on older Indian adults. Spatial distribution maps were created to display the magnitude of MSD prevalence at Indian sub-national level. Association between presence of MSDs and associated risk factors (such as occupation, employment duration, physical activity, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, tobacco usage, and alcohol consumption) was explored through Multivariate logistic regression. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. MSD was prevalent in over half of participants (53.5 (52.9-54.1)%), with more among females and in those aged >60 years (60.4 (59.3-61.4)%). Overall, joint pain (41.9 (41.3-41.4)%) was more common than back pain (32.6 (32.0-33.1)%). Prevalence was highest in Manipur (81.1 (77.9-83.9)%) and lowest in West Bengal (33.1 (30.7-35.5)%). MSD presence was positively associated with certain occupational groups, pre-obesity (BMI 25-29.9 Kg/m2), currently hypertensive, vigorous physical activity among overall population. Tobacco usage was positively associated, while alcohol consumption was linked to a lower occurrence of MSDs for 45-60 years age group. Customised policy interventions can be developed for specific age category of older Indian adults and musculoskeletal health can be improved by addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, tobacco usage, avoiding workplace risks in occupations requiring manual labour as revealed by this study.

Does Occupational Exposure to Chemicals/Carcinogens Affect the Hematological Parameters of Workers?

Background/Objectives: Chemical and carcinogenic risk in workplace are linked to an increase of the incidence of cancer in exposed workers. The aim of this observational study was to identify an association between exposure to chemical risk and changes in hematochemical parameters of workers exposed. Methods: The study examined blood count parameters performed on 4523 employees of Sapienza University of Rome from September 2019 to February 2020. A total of 1402 workers in research laboratories, exposed to chemical risk and carcinogens, was compared with a cohort of 3121 blood donors, in apparently good health, matched for age, sex, and period of blood collection. Results: Multivariate analysis demonstrated acrylamide is the most frequently associated chemical with significant changes between the groups. It is related to an increase in monocytes and MPV, a reduction of lymphocytes, platelets, and red series values, while MCH remained unchanged. Formaldehyde reveals the same changes as acrylamide, with the exception of the percentage of lymphocytes, red blood cells, and HB, which remain unchanged. Other chemicals and carcinogens show variations for few blood count parameters. Conclusions: The present study found out a significant change in blood count values in workers exposed to acrylamide and formaldehyde. It also showed an increase in the mean monocyte value in employees exposed to carcinogenic risk, compared to non-exposed, with the exception of Trypan Blue. The implementation of efficient health surveillance remains of critical importance. These data should be compared with those from follow-up studies.

‘New mining scheme, same old problems?’; risk factors and health challenges in underground community mining in Ghana

Abstract Ghana’s small-scale mining sector has long been a cornerstone of its economy and a vital source of livelihood for many communities. However, the sector is plagued by significant challenges, including environmental degradation, health and safety risks, and illegal practices. In response, the Ghanaian government introduced the Community Mining Scheme (CMS), a new mining model designed to promote local community participation in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). This study examines the workplace risk factors and associated health challenges faced by ASGM miners under the CMS, drawing on interviews with fifty underground CMS miners in Ghana. Our findings reveal that miners continue to face numerous health and safety challenges, including inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, exposure to noise and odors, unsupported or poorly supported loose materials, non-use of personal protective equipment, high dust levels, and unsafe blasting practices. Additionally, health concerns such as skin rashes, musculoskeletal injuries, and the risk of mercury poisoning persist. These challenges mirror those reported in the literature on unregulated and illegal ASGM in Ghana, indicating that existing issues remain unresolved under the CMS. To prevent the undermining of this initiative, it is crucial to adopt progressive practices, such as localized coping strategies and the recruitment of trained professionals to lead ASGM operations within the CMS. Enhancing miners’ risk perception through targeted outreach and awareness campaigns is also essential. Further recommendations for mitigating safety risks and health challenges are discussed in the article.

The Moderating Effect of App Trustworthiness and User Attitudes on Intention to Use Adopt Mobile Applications Among Employees in The Oil and Gas Industry

In today’s technologically advanced world, the adoption of mobile applications has become a transformative force across various industries, significantly impacting the way businesses operate and manage their processes. One area where mobile applications are making a remarkable impact is in the realm of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). The integration of mobile applications in OHS practices has ushered in a new era of efficiency, accessibility, and data-driven decision-making, elevating workplace safety standards to unprecedented heights. Occupational health and safety are paramount concerns for organizations as they strive to create safe and healthy work environments for their employees. Historically, OHS management relied on manual and paper-based processes, which could be time-consuming, error-prone, and challenging to track comprehensively. However, with the advent of mobile technology, organizations now have the opportunity to streamline their OHS protocols, enhance communication, and proactively manage workplace risks, all through the convenience of mobile applications. This research aims to analyze the effects between perceived ease of use and the attitude towards the use of the mobile application. Perceived usefulness of applications on Attitude towards the use of the app, attitude towards the use of the app on intention to use the application. The population of this research is the employees from the oil and gas industry in Malaysia. The theory of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied. Perceived danger, perceived utility, perceived ease of use, and perceived intention to use were the antecedents for mobile apps. Employees’ intentions to use mobile applications were shown to be significantly influenced by their satisfaction with the information system and their inventiveness. In this study, devices were categorized as large or small according to their screen size, while respondents were categorized as young (&lt;30 years old) or old (&gt;30 years old) according to their age. A data collection of 545 responses to an online survey with 32 questions was obtained for analysis. The survey was distributed via email to respondents using a Survey among employees. The factors impacting the intention to use mobile applications were investigated using structural equation modeling. We looked at the moderating impact of the app’s trustworthiness on users’ intentions to use/adopt it. The variables’ responses for perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards the use of the App, trust (integrity) of the App, and intention to use/adopt the application varied significantly between the subgroups, according to the results. The study also showed the existence of moderating effects on the intention to use/adopt an app related to the trust integrity of the app. This paper discusses the survey, the findings, and the ramifications of the observations. This research contributes to the current literature by presenting empirical evidence on the importance of trustworthiness and user attitudes in mobile app adoption in the oil and gas industry. It also discusses the broader implications for improving workplace safety through the strategic use of mobile devices in OHS practices.

Workplace Risk Associated Activities: Case Study of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)

In the study of the Workplace Risk Associated Activities, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Case Study, a descriptive survey research design was adopted. The research method used for the primary data collection was structured closed and opened–ended questionnaire created with Epi-Info version7 based on the research aim and objectives of the study. The collected data was analysed using Epi-Info version7. Results indicated that: high number of person-to-person contacts (83.3%), high number of respondents/staff encounter with sharp materials during work (55.7%), presence of snakes (3.8%) and rodents (39.2%) In or around offices, presence of mosquitoes bite (43.0%), low number of immunized respondents/staff (24.4%), low number of trained respondents/staff on workplace risks (33.3%), working space (67.1%), job schedule orientation (66.7%), respondents/staff that cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (66.6%) and respondents/staff that wash hands before eating in the office (89.6%). These trends amount to high risks with high likelihood and consequences calling for urgent attention. Though the organization scored high (98.7%) in assess control by making sure that all offices had lock and keys and were locked when leaving office, in switching off electrical appliances when leaving office (94.8%), washing hands before eating in office (89.6%) and in work environment cleanliness and conduciveness (88.5%) yet more hard work is needed to enable attainment of 100% in all workplace safety areas. The logistic regression analysis of training (outcome variable) and covariates: washing hands before eating in the office, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing and switching off light when leaving office indicated significant results (p&amp;lt;0.5) with likelihood of about 90.0% There are high workplace risks associated activities in MLSCN calling for urgent attention.

The effect of the risk-based maintenance approach in reducing workplace risks Comparative research in a number of laboratories in Nineveh Governorate

Abstract. The research sought to measure the nature of the role of the risk-based maintenance approach in reducing workplace risks in a number of the researched laboratories. The research problem is represented by the presence of different types of workplace hazards, and according to the common classification, there are seven types in the researched laboratories. The research problem was defined by the following question: Does the methodology contribute Risk-based maintenance reduces workplace risks in the researched laboratories? The questionnaire was relied upon to collect the required data in three production laboratories: the Mishraq Sulfur Plant, the Qayyarah Refinery, and the Mosul Gas Power Station, with a sample size of (33,34.25), respectively. A comparison was made between the results achieved in these researched laboratories with the aim of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each. A field of supporting and enhancing strengths and developing solutions and treatments for weaknesses . The research concluded that there is a degree of interest in risk-based maintenance procedures according to the response rates achieved by the fields investigated, in addition to the presence of somewhat acceptable correlations and influence between the research variables. The research suggested making more efforts to support and implement the risk-based maintenance methodology. Color: It is one of the modern concepts in the field of maintenance and plays a vital and important role in preventing many types of work risks in the investigated environments.

Perceived mental health skills and competence among occupational health physicians.

Mental-health-based consultations in occupational health (OH) are increasing due to ongoing changes in working life. We studied the self-assessed mental health competence of trainees and trainers in OH specialist physician training. We conducted an online survey from June to August 2022. We analysed how trainees and trainers in OH assessed their own competence in mental health practice with N (%) and means (standard deviation [SD]). We analysed the underlying assumptions about competences specific to OH using an explanatory factor analysis. We applied the Kruskal-Wallis test to determine differences between trainees and trainers using the variables in the factor analysis. Respondents' perceptions of mental health competence were more positive among trainers (mean 3.97, SD 0.72) than trainees (mean 3.66, SD 1.08, P = 0.2123). Based on trainee physicians' own assessments, more experience increases competence, until after 7 years, when the perceived competence seems to decrease. The trainer physicians' self-assessed mental health competence decreased over time. With factor analyses, we identified five competence factors: general mental health, workplace risks and resources, rehabilitation, promotion and prevention, and special skills. In our results, individual-level mental health competences such as work ability evaluation and to manage return-to-work processes were evaluated better than community-based proactive processes. Physicians in OH specialist physician training self-assessed their mental health competence better at the employee level than at the workplace level. Based on our results, we need to develop the curriculum of OH specialist physician training to meet the needs of working life in support of mental health.

Occupational inequalities in mortality from cardiovascular disease, 2020-2021.

In recent years previous declines in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have stalled. There are occupational risk factors for CVD mortality. This study seeks to examine inequalities in CVD mortality for working-age adults in the United States by occupation. Death certificate data for CVD deaths were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. Occupation data from these death certificates were coded to major occupation groups. Using information about the number of workers employed in these occupations obtained from the American Community Survey, we calculated mortality rates and rate ratios (RRs), adjusted for covariates associated with CVD mortality. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment, workers in 11 occupations had significantly elevated RRs: food preparation and serving; construction and extraction; arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media; life, physical, and social science; farming, fishing, and forestry; legal; protective services; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; healthcare practitioners and technical; personal care and service; and community and social services. Occupation appears to be a significant predictor of CVD mortality. Further research is needed to assess how occupational risk factors contribute to changing trends for CVD mortality. Interventions are needed to address workplace risk factors for CVD.

Museum Professionals’ Perceptions of Chemical and Biological Hazards and Risks in Museum Work Environments in Finland

Limited research has explored museum professionals’ perceptions of workplace hazards and risks, despite the presence of various health threats in museum work environments. This study aims to identify perceived chemical and biological hazards and contributing factors in Finnish museum workplaces. Utilizing data from two surveys and qualitative content analysis, it uncovers a range of perceived hazards, often linked to collection storage facilities, historical buildings, and museum collections. Mold, indoor air quality, and dust are central concerns. While recognizing chemical hazards in collections proves challenging, accident-related and ergonomic hazards receive broad recognition. Workplace hazards are perceived to be rooted in systemic and cultural factors, encompassing haphazard management, recurring themes of neglect, limited safety knowledge, and negative attitudes. Enhancing workplace safety in museums necessitates a comprehensive approach, including support and education for leaders and other professionals, improved work practices and storage facilities, and increased budgetary support.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Sustainable Shipyard Floating Dock Operations: An Integrated Spherical Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy CoCoSo Approach

Background: This study investigated the process of selecting sustainable safety protocols for floating dock operations in shipyards by identifying potential workplace risks in emergency situations. Thirteen occupational hazards for shipyard floating dock operations were identified through a literature review and expert discussions. Methods: We incorporated four risk elements (consequence: C, frequency: F, probability: P, and number of people at risk: NP) from the Fine–Kinney and Hazard Rating Number System (HRNS) approaches as the risk assessment criteria. We obtained the importance weights of the risk assessment criteria via the Spherical Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (SF-AHP) and extended the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method within the fuzzy framework to prioritize occupational hazards. This study demonstrated the practicality and efficiency of the proposed emergency risk assessment model for shipyard floating dock operations through a case example of occupational risk assessment. Results: The analysis results show that H4 is the occupational hazard with the highest priority, with a score of 3.553. H4 represents the hazard associated with insufficient access to the entire pool area. The second and third most important hazards are the inability of cranes to move freely in and out of the berthing dock and the inability to dispatch emergency teams. These hazards, denoted H1 and H12, follow closely behind with scores of 3.391 and 3.344, respectively. H10 is deemed the least concerning hazard, with a score of 1.802. Conclusions: Professionals can handle complex and uncertain risk assessment data more flexibly using the proposed system, which excels in accurately organizing occupational hazards.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Work Accidents Among Workers at Exploitation Facilities and Offshore Oil and Gas Production at PT X from 2018 – 2023

Background: The workplace risks faced at PT X oil and gas company, located offshore Natuna, are relatively high evidenced by fluctuations in accidents from 2018 – 2022. In 2018, recordable injury attributable to accidents was recorded, then in 2019-2020, there were no accidents, and the prevalence increased in 2021-2022. The company analyzed the main causes responsible for work accidents during this period and carried out intervention measures in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program to reverse the trend in 2023. By implementing OHS program, the number of accidents in recordable injury category fell from 4 (2021- 2022) to 1 (2023). This shows that the program has been successful in managing work accidents. Considering that the investigation and analysis identified unsafe acts as the direct causes, Human Factor Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) method was used to analyze other factors associated with accidents. Objective: This study aimed to investigate OHS program actions at PT X in responding to increased work accidents in 2021-2022, and compare with recommendations for improvements from HFACS method. Method: A qualitative design was used with secondary data, comprising 10 work accidents records and investigation reports for recordable injury cases from 2018 – 2022 available in PT X information system. Subsequently, the secondary data were then classified according to four failure stages in HFACS, namely unsafe acts, the precondition of unsafe acts, unsafe supervision, and organizational influence. This classification produced recommendations for improvement, which were then compared with the prevention intervention program for accidents at PT X. Results: The results showed that OHS program intervention to reduce the number of accidents in 2023 was in accordance with the recommendations of HFACS analysis. Conclusion: The application of HFACS in analyzing accidents records and investigation reports produced relatively comprehensive recommendations by focusing on the component stages. Several additional recommendations from the analysis of latent conditions will further improve OHS performance at PT X.

Assessment of Occupational Hazards and Health Status (Respiratory and Non-respiratory) Among Sawmillers in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Sawmilling exposed workers to diverse occupational mishaps and subsequent health complications. Investigating workplace risk and health status can help mitigate morbidness and death among this group. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the occupational hazards and health status of sawmill workers in Akure, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted on 304 sawmill workers in Akure metropolis selected via multi-stage sampling methodology. Data were collected using a pre-tested, standardized questionnaire. In addition, the body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (mmHg), and respiratory function parameters (spirometry) were measured. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square) were used to evaluate and summarize the data, with a significance level of P &lt; 0.05. Results: The respondents' average age was 42.0 ± 2.8 years. The common reported workplace hazards included noise 273 (89.8%), manual lifting of objects 221 (72.7%), heat 192 (63.2%), and wood dust 192 (63.2%), while common reported injuries were bruises 292 (96.1%), hearing impairment 281 (92.4%), electric shock 250 (82.2%), and fainting attack 232 (76.3%). The common prevalent ailments suffered by respondents in the last month were cough 158 (52.0%), phlegm production 149 (49.0%), chest pain 63 (20.7%), skin problems 100 (32.9%), and eyes irritation 111 (36.5%). The anthropometric measurement showed that most 272 (89.5%) sawmill workers are overweight and obese. Spirometry measurements revealed that one-third of the respondents had a forced expiratory ratio (FER) measurement below 70.00% and an abnormal respiratory rate. The bivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between the respondents' self-reported prior workplace injury, knowledge of workplace dangers, and sociodemographic characteristics (job category and educational level). Conclusions: The results showed that the respondents suffered from impaired respiratory function related to workplace hazard exposure and the non-usage of protective devices during operational activities. In addition, the majority are at risk of developing diverse cardiovascular and respiratory diseases due to workplace exposures.

Do inexperienced nurses in the lactation period experience workplace violence? A qualitative study.

Among clinical healthcare personnel, nurses face the highest proportion of workplace violence, which has a significant impact on their physical and mental well-being as well as their personal and professional lives. However, little is known about the effects of workplace violence on inexperienced breastfeeding nurses and their experiences during and after breastfeeding when they return to work. This study aimed to explore the experiences of inexperienced breastfeeding nurses who encountered workplace violence and its resulting impacts. This study employed a descriptive qualitative design. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 nurses working in various positions and departments at three tertiary hospitals. Purposive and maximum variation sampling techniques were employed. The interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method, and the research findings were reported according to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ)standards. Inferences regarding workplace violence and risks for inexperienced breastfeeding nurses included physical labor (such as lifting heavy objects and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation), conflicts, inadequate job skills, role confusion, occupational exposure risks, patient violence, and pressure from older adults. An inductive thematic investigation revealed the "Challenges faced during breastfeeding," "Conflicting professional and family roles," "Out of balance," and "Coping strategies." Inexperienced breastfeeding nurses experience several negative consequences due to workplace violence. Therefore, it is essential to plan and implement preventive strategies and management programs that specifically target workplace violence among inexperienced breastfeeding nurses.

Ergonomic analysis in nuclear decommissioning: A comprehensive path planning strategy for workers well-being

Recent studies on path planning in nuclear decommissioning focus on efficient algorithms, often overlooking workers’ physical and cognitive well-being. However, there is a need to consider the effect of the paths recommended by algorithms on workers’ health to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study introduces a computational dynamic body map tool designed to assess and monitor musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers in high-risk decommissioning environments. Utilizing color-coded body maps, the study identifies key ergonomic risk factors and their impact on different body parts. The strategy begins by identifying job tasks requiring ergonomic assessment, distilling the tasks into different activities and the time spent on each activity, and using the result to dynamically compute the average pain severity experienced by workers across different body parts. Subsequent body mapping, hazard surveys, and structured interviews are used to rank workplace risks and worker-specific risk factors. The major contribution of this work is the development of a computational dynamic tool to regularly track worker body maps regularly, ensuring optimal performance. To evaluate the proposed strategy, the study utilized data from a 35-response online MSD questionnaire for safety professionals. To demonstrate the methodology across diverse roles, 10 worker examples were analyzed, aligning with 5 key IAEA nuclear decommissioning categories. Analysis of the computational dynamic body map data reveals specific pain distributions among workers. The most severe pain occurs in the lower back (13.08 %), followed by the right wrist/hand (10 %), the right shoulder, the left elbow (8.46 % each), the left shoulder, the upper back (7.69 % each), the neck and the left wrist/hand (6.92 % each). The findings further reveal that the 36–45 years age category experiences the most pain. In addition, awkward posture was found in the study to be the most likely ergonomic risk factor affecting workers. The results show that incorporating ergonomics into path planning aids risk-informed decision-making for ergonomic interventions and continuous monitoring to maintain a safe and healthier workplace. Integrating the tool presented in this work with a conventional path-planning algorithm provides a comprehensive path-planning strategy for nuclear decommissioning.

Promoting Knowledge Dissemination and Sharing Via Interactive Research: Pioneering an EvidenceBased Approach to Enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Implementa-tion

Effective occupational health and safety (OHS) practices play a crucial role in preserving the health and safety of employees in the workplace. In this context, the effectiveness and efficiency of OHS practices require the continuous integration of up-to-date and evidence-based information. Occupational health and safety are constantly faced with new threats, making it vital for OHS practices to remain current and adaptable. In this regard, this study aims to explore the potential of interactive research methods to support knowledge transfer and exchange within the field of OHS. Compared to traditional methods of sharing information, interactive research encourages a more profound exchange of knowledge among OHS practitioners. This fosters the rapid adaptation and more effective implementation of OHS strategies in workplaces. Particularly noteworthy is the promotion of real-time information sharing among OHS practitioners, enabling swift responses to emergencies or emerging risks. Interactive research methods also have the capacity to establish a collaborative platform among OHS professionals, decision-makers, and researchers. This approach not only encourages more informed decision-making in OHS matters but also enhances the more effective management of workplace risks. The continuous improvement and updating of OHS practices further contribute to providing better protection for the health and safety of employees. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the need for OHS professionals, decision-makers, and researchers to embrace interactive research methods to create safer and healthier work environments. These methods contribute to the ongoing enhancement of OHS practices and aid in minimizing workplace risks. This innovative approach within the field of OHS plays a pivotal role in achieving the goal of creating safer and healthier workplaces in the future.

Magnitude and associated factors of occupational hazard exposures among sanitary workers: Propose RASM model for risk mitigation for the public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia

BackgroundHospital sanitation workers (SWs) are exposed to numerous occupational hazards due to workplace conditions such as unsafe and unhygienic working environment in the hospitals. Therefore, knowing magnitude, types and source of occupational hazard exposures with their determinants are very significant for further mitigations.MethodsHospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia from 1st May to August 30th, 2023. 809 SWs participated. Data was entered into Epi Data Version 3.1 and Stata 17MP version used for analysis. Descriptive analysis was applied to describe the data. While, multilevel logistic regression was explored to determine the association between outcome and independents among at individual level (model 1), at hospitals (model 2) and combination of the two (model 3). The crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for models 2 and 3 were reported. Variables with an AOR with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value < 0.05 were reported.ResultOut of 809 SWs, 729 (90.11%) responded. The overall magnitude of self-reported occupational hazard exposures among SWs was 63.65% (95% CI 0.60–0.67). Of this, biological, chemical, and ergonomic hazards accounted for 82.44%, 74.76%, and 70.92%, respectively. The multilevel logistic regression shows that having social recognition (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.14, 0.91), neutral attitude (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI 0.17, 1.41) as compared to negative attitude. The model also found that SWs those supervised could reduce the likelihood of occupational hazard exposures by 50% times (AOR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.18, 1.38) as compared to non-supervised SWs. The final model predicted the variation of occupational hazard exposures among sanitary workers from the hospitals to hospitals was 26.59%.ConclusionsThe concluded that hospital sanitary workers are facing biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychological, mechanical, and electrical hazards. This study’s findings predicted that dissatisfied with their environment, working more than 8 hr per a day, a negative attitude towards workplace risks and inadequate supervision may serve as contributing factors for the likelihood of occupational hazard exposures among these groups. Thus, the study suggested that hospitals could reduce these hazard risks if they implement the Risk Assessment and Safety Management (RASM) model, which includes multi-modal strategies, indicators and tripartite philosophy.

Risk Perception and Occupational Health and Safety: Evaluation in National and Global Context

Risks can be prevalent problems both within national borders and beyond. Examples of recent global infectious diseases such as natural disasters, man-made disasters (such as exposure to radiation), Covid, H1N1, and Ebola viruses can serve as examples of this. Interpretations and subjective judgments about risk are called risk perceptions and are important determinants of health and risk-related decisions (such as policy decisions about nuclear power plants, genetically modified foods, processed meats). We conducted research on studies on perception around the world, trends and what can be studied in the future. In this study, we identified 137 relevant publications from the SCOPUS database between 1987 and 2023. All the data obtained were analyzed using the Bibliometrix computer program based on R-studio. Analyses included the analysis of co-occurrences of networks, thematic maps, and trending topics. According to the findings of the present study, all reports were published in 101 sources since 1987. These documents have an annual growth rate of 5.55, increasing significantly after 2009. The countries with the highest number of publications are Australia, followed by Canada, Italy, Portugal, and the United States. Due to the nature of the topic, the occurrence of joint publications among countries is quite low. Individuals’ awareness of occupational health and safety issues increases their awareness of workplace risks and, therefore, the likelihood of preventing workplace accidents and occupational illnesses.

EMPOWERING MANUAL HANDLERS: A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMIC AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAM IN PLASTIC MANUFACTURING KULAI, JOHORE

Background: Ergonomic awareness training programs are known for their methodical approach to identifying and mitigating workplace risks and have been associated with decreased Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs were prevalent in manufacturing including the plastic industry, causing significant health and economic impacts. However, research on ergonomic interventions in this sector is limited. Objective: The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of ergonomic awareness programs among manual handling workers in the plastic tray manufacturing industry, with a focus on tasks related to forming and packing. Methods: This study was conducted in a plastic tray manufacturing facility in Kulai, Johor, that targeted workers involved in high-risk ergonomic tasks such as forming and packing, with exposure to ergonomic hazards for up to 12 hours daily. A total of 108 workers participated, receiving ergonomic awareness training and completing survey questionnaires. Results: The results revealed that post-training showed significant improvement (p&lt;0.01) in workers' ergonomic awareness, indicating the effectiveness of the ergonomic training program in enhancing knowledge (t=12.92), attitudes (t=14.77), and practices (t=16.29). Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of enhanced ergonomic awareness in emphasizing the necessity for industry-specific, customized ergonomic training in the plastic tray manufacturing industry. It is suggested the implementation of these focused training programs to strengthen workplace safety and health, encourage ergonomic awareness, and lessen the long-term development of MSDs.

Distribution of COVID-19 mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement-US blood donors, May 2021-December 2021.

To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation measures in workplaces of employed US blood donors by industry and work arrangement. During May-December 2021, blood donors responded to a survey; we describe the distribution of reported workplace mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement, organized using the hierarchy of controls. Of 53,433 respondents representing 21 industries, ventilation upgrades were reported by 4%-38% of respondents (overall: 20%); telework access ranged from 14%-80% (53% overall). Requiring masks (overall: 84%; range: 40%-94%), physical distancing (77%; 51%-86%), paid leave for illness (70%; 38%-87%), and encouraging vaccination (61%; 33%-80%) were common. Independent workers reported fewer mitigation measures than those in traditional employment settings. Mitigation measures varied by industry and work arrangement. Some mitigation measures may be challenging to implement or irrelevant in certain industries, supporting the idea that mitigation is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Tailored strategies to mitigate workplace risks of disease transmission are vital. Strategies should rely on effective methods for identifying workplace controls (e.g., through the hierarchy of controls) and account for industry-specific characteristics and workplace environments.