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Background: Our aim was to analyse the incidence of reported occupational hearing loss in the Norwegian offshore industry over the period 1992 to 2003. This industry has for many years focused on noise as a risk factor, and workers are regularly screened for hearing loss., Materials and Methods: In 1992 the Petroleum Safety Authority in Norway established a reporting system for occupationally related diseases in the petroleum industry. The information gained might be helpful in preventing occupational hearing loss. A descriptive analysis of this register is presented., Results: Hearing loss and musculoskeletal disorders were the most frequently reported work-related diseases. A total of 1709 cases of occupational hearing loss were reported from 1992 through 2003. The incidence of reported hearing loss varied, from 1 per 1000 in 1992 to 9 per 1000 in 2002. Most cases were found in the age group 50 to 59 years. The largest number of reported hearing losses was found among mechanics, painters and building structure cleaners, electricians, process technicians, and roughnecks., Interpretation: The reported number of occupational hearing loss among workers in the Norwegian offshore industry in the period 1992 to 2003 shows that hearing loss is an important health challenge. Control measures are still needed. Continuous improvement in the reporting system and further research on risk factors and control measures should be discussed.

Background: The eyes are among the organs most frequently hurt in occupational injuries. The characteristics of eye injuries were studied in order to suggest preventive measures., Material and Methods: Analyses were performed on work-related eye injuries reported to the Norwegian Injury Surveillance System from a selection of emergency centres during the period 1990-2002, and on injuries reported by employers to the National Insurance Administration 1998-2001., Results: The occurrence of injuries was stable over the period. Men sustained 94.4% of the injuries registered in injury surveillance system. The highest incidence was among those 20 to 24 years of age. Metal cutters and tools for polishing were involved in 25.7% of cases. Analyses of the injuries reported to the National Insurance Administration showed an odds ratio of 8.8 (95% CI 7.6-10.1) for injuries to workers in metal industry, 18.8 (95% CI 17.0-20.8) in automotive industry, and only 0.5 (95% CI 0.1-3.4) in oil refineries. Workers in oil refineries have a potentially hazardous work environment, but there, eye protection is mandatory., Interpretation: There was no decline in the incidence of work-related eye injuries from 1990 to 2002. Workers in metal industry have a high risk of injuries and employers should consider requiring the use of eye protection.

Background: Norway has been an oil-producing nation for more than thirty years and a large number of Norwegians have been or are working on oil rigs. There are several chemical substances present on the oil platforms, and these factors may influence workers' health., Material and Methods: The international literature on offshore chemical exposure and health is summarised., Results: The most important groups of chemical substances used on oil rigs are described: crude oil, production chemicals, asbestos and drilling chemicals. Different types of exposure during maintenance work are described as well. Very few exposure data are published. Acute, irritative health effects from chemical exposure are described, as well as chronic health effects like skin disorders and cancer. These workers seem to have a higher risk, that may be related to benzene exposure, of developing acute myelogenous leukemia., Interpretation: Physicians who are treating patients working in the oil industry are advised to be aware of possible adverse health effects from the work environment on the rigs. Further exposure studies and research in this area are highly recommended, as the literature is scarce.