Search

Introduction OHS management audits are one means of obtaining data that may serve as leading indicators. The measurement properties of such data are therefore important. This study used data from Workwell audit program in Ontario, a Canadian province. The audit instrument consisted of 122 items related to 17 OHS management elements. The study sought answers regarding (a) the ability of audit-based scores to predict workers' compensation claims outcomes, (b) structural characteristics of the data in relation to the organization of the audit instrument, and (c) internal consistency of items within audit elements. Method The sample consisted of audit and claims data from 1240 unique firms that had completed one or two OHS management audits during 2007–2010. Predictors derived from the audit results were used in multivariable negative binomial regression modeling of workers' compensation claims outcomes. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the instrument's structural characteristics. Kuder–Richardson coefficients of internal consistency were calculated for each audit element. Results The ability of audit scores to predict subsequent claims data could not be established. Factor analysis supported the audit instrument's element-based structure. KR-20 values were high (≥ 0.83). Conclusions The Workwell audit data display structural validity and high internal consistency, but not, to date, construct validity, since the audit scores are generally not predictive of subsequent firm claim experience. Audit scores should not be treated as leading indicators of workplace OHS performance without supporting empirical data. Practical applications Analyses of the measurement properties of audit data can inform decisionmakers about the operation of an audit program, possible future directions in audit instrument development, and the appropriate use of audit data. In particular, decision-makers should be cautious in their use of audit scores as leading indicators, in the absence of supporting empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: This study sought to examine provincial variation in work injuries and to assess whether contextual factors are associated with geographic variation in work injuries. Methods: Individual-level data from the 2003 and 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey was obtained for a representative sample of 89,541 Canadians aged 15 to 75 years old who reported working in the past 12 months. A multilevel regression model was conducted to identify geographic variation and contextual factors associated with the likelihood of reporting a medically attended work injury, while adjusting for demographic and work variables. Results: Provincial differences in work injuries were observed, even after controlling for other risk factors. Workers in western provinces such as Saskatchewan (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.55), Alberta (AOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.13–1.51), and British Columbia (AOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.26–1.71) had a higher risk of work injuries compared with Ontario workers. Indicators of area-level material and social deprivation were not associated with work injury risk. Conclusions: Provincial differences in work injuries suggest that broader factors acting as determinants of work injuries are operating across workplaces at a provincial level. Future research needs to identify the provincial determinants and whether similar large area–level factors are driving work injuries in other countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The relative importance of region, workplace, and individual determinants of health burden is debated. Objective: To model the contribution of hospital characteristics to employee mental and musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: We linked employment records of nurses and support services’ staff with health records, neighbourhood census, and hospital administrative data. We conducted multi-level logistic regression analyses with three levels: year (I), employee characteristics (II), and hospital characteristics (III). Results: Northern region hospitals experienced lower disorder prevalences (odds ratios (OR) 0.58, 95% confidence intervals (0.40, 0.82) for mental and 0.56 (0.44, 0.73) for musculoskeletal disorders). Hospitals with yearly workloads of the highest versus lowest quintiles of inpatient days/1000 employee hours (>86.0 vs. <42.6) and surgical cases/1000 employee hours (>10.5 vs. <3.9) had greater odds of mental (1.29 (1.05, 1.57); 1.22 (1.05, 1.42)) and musculoskeletal (1.38 (1.21, 1.58); 1.21 (1.09, 1.34)) disorders. Conclusion: Opportunities exist for reduction in burden with hospital workload reduction. Further exploration of regional effects is needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effects of low level maternal and paternal persistent contaminant exposures on fecundability among couples from the general population. Methods: About 41 couples having their first pregnancy completed questionnaires and provided blood samples for analysis of metals, organochlorine pesticides, and polychorinated biphenyls. Associations of personal consumption and contaminant measures for mothers, fathers, and couples overall were analyzed through fecundability odds ratios (fOR, probability of pregnancy per month in more versus less exposed) in multivariable analyses. Findings: Couples with higher reported caffeine consumption (couple consumption ≥111drinks/month, fOR 0.25, 95% CI, 0.10, 0.63) and higher mercury concentrations in maternal blood (>1.2μg/L or 0.24ppm in hair, fOR 0.22, 95% CI, 0.07, 0.72) had lower fecundability, after adjustment for intercourse frequency. Conclusion: Reduced fecundability at levels below the mercury reference dose warrants further research and prudent reduction in persistent toxic substances exposure among women and men of reproductive age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]