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Focuses on the control of scrap paper baler crushing hazards in the United States. Reference to the study made by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the safeguarding requirements of balers; Description of controls; Performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy.

The fumes created from welding activities present a unique occupational hazard. Due to the complex processes which govern fume formation, the characterization of welding fumes is difficult. Emission factors (EFs) are one method to characterize fume formation from different processes and scenarios. This paper reviews the development of EFs and similar metrics both historic research which contributed to the US EPAs AP-42 summary of welding emission factors released in 1995, and more recent research initiatives. Through a critical analysis of what research has been done in this area and the strength of the emission factors developed, this paper proposes a set of recommendations for future research. Research on emission factors for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is the most complete amongst the different types of electric arc welding. Despite it being generally known that flux core arc welding (FCAW) creates significant fume emissions compared to some of the other processes few studies have looked at FCAW since the AP-42. Shielded metal arc welding is also under-researched particularly in terms of metal-specific emission factors. The influence of different welding activity parameters such as welding location, speed or current is well defined for GMAW but requires more attention for other welding processes. Further effort towards compiling and comparing available emission factor data of quality, evaluating the available data statistically and organizing this data in a practically useful way is required. The availability of reliable emission factors will allow the development or improvement of exposure modelling tools that would be very useful for exposure assessment when monitoring is not practical.s [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report on the annual incidence of sharps injuries in the U.S. with nationally weighted data. While most needlestick and sharps injury papers focus on healthcare workers, this paper also seeks to understand reported exposures to sharps across industries. Objective: To examine sharps injury (SI) rates among US workers treated in hospital emergency departments. Methods: A national probability-based sample of approximately 67 US hospital emergency departments from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System—Occupational Supplement was used to examine annual national estimates of SI rates (number of injuries/10,000 full-time equivalents) for US workers from 2006 to 2020. Results: Among the general US worker population, the 25- to 34-year age group experienced the highest annual SI rate. Health care industry workers experienced SI rates up to 16 times the rate of all US workers. Conclusion: Younger age (≤34 years) is associated with increased SI risk. Tailored prevention efforts should be developed to address the specific needs of these workers, especially among health care workers. Continual occupational surveillance will maximize the health and safety of US workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life expectancy inequities between more‐ and less‐educated groups have grown by 1 to 2 years over the last several decades in the United States. Simultaneously, employment conditions for many workers have deteriorated. Researchers hypothesize that these adverse conditions mediate educational inequities in mortality. However, methodological barriers have impeded research on the role of employment conditions and other hazards as mediating factors in health inequities. Indeed, traditional mediation analysis methods are often biased in occupational health settings, including in those with exposure‐mediator interactions and mediator‐outcome confounders that are caused by exposure. In this paper, we outline—and provide code for—a marginal structural modeling (MSM) approach for estimating total effects and controlled direct effects originally proposed elsewhere, which can be applied to common mediation analysis settings in occupational health research. As an example, we apply our approach to assess the extent to which disparities in employment quality (EQ)—a multidimensional construct characterizing the terms and conditions of the worker‐employer relationship—explained educational inequities in mortality in a 1999–2015 US Panel Study of Income Dynamics sample of workers with mortality follow‐up through 2017. Under certain strong assumptions described in the text, our estimates suggest that over 70% of the educational inequity in mortality would have been eliminated if EQ had been at the 80th percentile (100th = best) across exposure groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over recent decades, Americans have transitioned from working in active jobs to working in sedentary jobs, and there have been dramatic increases in hours worked for certain demographic groups. While a body of research documents that time spent working is associated with increased body mass index (BMI), this paper explores possible mechanisms for that relationship using time use data. This paper finds that, for workers in non-strenuous jobs, 10 additional hours spent working are associated with an increase in BMI of 0.424 for women and 0.197 for men, representing an increase of 2.5 and 1.4 pounds, respectively. The paper does not find a relationship between working time and BMI for workers in strenuous jobs. For workers in non-strenuous jobs, the effect of time spent working on BMI becomes smaller after accounting for time spent sleeping for both men and women and time spent in exercise and food preparation for women only; the effect becomes larger after accounting for screen time for both men and women and time spent in secondary eating and commuting for women only. Screen time is the single time use channel associated with the largest differences in the estimated effect of time spent working on BMI for both women and men employed in non-strenuous jobs. After controlling for all time use channels, the effect of hours worked on BMI decreases for women, but increases for men. These findings suggest plausible mechanisms for the association between time spent working and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last responders constitute an occupational category that includes all those who are involved in the postmortem care of deceased persons and their families. The work of last responders is often considered "dirty work" and, as a result, stigmatized. Last responders are aware of this stigma, and stigma consciousness has been associated with negative health outcomes. Despite the wide acknowledgment of stigma among last responders, specific risk, or protective factors for experiencing stigma have not been investigated. This paper aims to identify determinants of stigma among last responders in the United States. The data for this study were obtained from a national cross-sectional survey of last responders. The survey included a measure of stigma and multiple sociodemographic characteristics. A hurdle model was used to assess the association between the characteristics of last responders and their perceived stigma. Respondents were predominantly male (55.1%), White non-Hispanic (90.2%), and employed full-time (96%). Seventy-seven percent reported having experienced at least one form of occupation-related stigma. There was no significant association between the experience of stigma and any socio-demographic variables. The experience of stigma is nearly ubiquitous among last responders—>75% of last responders in the sample experienced at least one form of stigma. Another aspect of its ubiquitous nature is the lack of evidence that stigma was experienced differentially across sex, race/ethnicity, employment type, and length of years as a last responder. Interventions are needed to decrease stigma among last responders and to support last responders in managing the consequences of the stigma they experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Occupational stress is a phenomenon affecting people worldwide. Investigating occupational stress among immigrant worker populations will unravel some of the intricacies of this condition and its psychological effects on this population. Aim. This paper conceptually examined occupational stress within the context of immigrant workers' mental health and offer an operational definition to aid nurse researchers, educators, and practitioners in assessing and managing patients and developing culturally appropriate interventions for this population. Design. Walker and Avant's eight-step concept analysis is used as an organizing framework. Data Source. MEDLINE, CINAHL, OVID, PubMed, and APA Psych Info. Review Methods. Keywords job stress, immigrant work stress, occupational stress scale, immigrant work-related stress, and mental health were used. The search yielded 142 articles; 17 were selected based on the effect of work stress on mental health. Results. This analysis found that occupational stress can be attributed to communication problems, alienation, discrimination, and barriers to work-life balance can cause negative consequences among immigrants. An operational definition is also provided. Conclusion. There is a growing need to examine closely and differentiate between occupational and acculturative stress to navigate a more profound understanding of how these conditions negatively complement each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite widespread discussion and public policy support for workplace wellness programs in the United States, their diffusion has been slow. Using data from the 2017 Workplace Health Administration Survey, this paper explored the importance of establishment characteristics, unionization, and strategic choice in the adoption of workplace health initiatives and employee participation in these programs. An ordinary least squares analysis revealed that unionization (β = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.20–1.97, p < 0.001) and management support (β = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.25–2.10, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of the number of programs adopted by an establishment. In logistic regression analyses of nine workplace wellness programs, it was also found that unionization and management were the strongest predictors of the adoption of these programs. Management support was also correlated with employee participation of in nutrition (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.23–5.71, p < 0.05) and obesity programs (OR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.03–12.97, p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores how paid and unpaid labor history over the life course influence women's cardiovascular disease. U.S. women comprise about 50% of the paid workforce and perform the majority of unpaid labor. However, the influence of women's work on their health is under-researched. Our sample was drawn from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, a cohort of post-menopausal women in the U.S. aged 50–79 at recruitment. Women were categorized into five groups according to paid labor history: worked in paid jobs consistently throughout adult life; left the workforce early; entered the workforce later; discontinuous work history; never worked outside the home. Live birth history (none, at least one, missing) served as a proxy for unpaid labor in prime age. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratio of CVD associated with different paid work histories. We then assessed the effect of unpaid labor on the relation between paid labor and CVD. Paid labor participation was not associated with CVD risk among women without unpaid labor after adjusting for age, education, and birth cohort. Among those with unpaid demands, leaving the workforce early or having discontinuous work history was protective. In this U.S. sample, the association between paid work participation history and CVD risk depends on the presence of unpaid labor. Our results demonstrate the necessity of including work – paid and unpaid – in consideration of women's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvesting timber for lumber produces is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. While not exhaustive, the literature on these dangers is substantial. However, several other smaller harvesting forest based industries put workers at risk in unique ways. Relatively little research has been published on these activities, but preliminary exploratory research, summarized here, suggests that besides the risks inherent in being in the forest, workers face some unique workplace risks, the frequency and consequences of which are augmented by the social determinants that characterize the workforce. This paper provides a brief overview of the workplace safety risks to forest green and mushroom harvesters and cedar block cutters in the Northwest. We also point out the social characteristics of these workforces that potentially aggravate these risks and the health impacts therefrom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one by Fisher on a national AgriSafe training program in the U.S., one by Blanco-Muñoz and Lacasaña on personal protective equipment use among employees who work with pesticide and one by Depczynski on the hearing status of Australian farmers.

Ethnic minority and immigrant workers comprise a sizable proportion of the low-wage workforce. They are surprisingly understudied despite their workplace prominence. Factors such as workplace policies, structures, worker-related characteristics, and research designs preclude their comprehensive research participation when studies are conducted in work settings. Consequently, ethnic minority and immigrant workers continue to be under-represented in inquiry and simultaneously over-represented with compromising occupational health risks. The purpose of this paper is to provide strategies to promote the inclusion of ethnic minority and immigrant workers in occupational health research. Using three different research-based examples, we illustrate the benefit of conducting occupational health research in non-workplace settings as a way to ensure research representation of ethnic minority and immigrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the health and safety in on-farm biomass processing and production in the U.S. It shows the knowledge biomass production health and storage factors for health and safety. It determines the standard development areas necessary in the biomass industry from the agricultural safety and the health community.

This article explores the mentoring relationship between Alice Hamilton and Harriet Hardy, two female physician-researchers who had a tremendous impact on the development of the field of occupational health in the United States during the 20th century. The article relies on letters the women wrote to each other. Hamilton, the elder, supported and furthered Hardy's career by asking her to coauthor the second edition of a seminal occupational health text. After beginning this intellectual collaboration, Hamilton remained a mentor to Hardy, and a decades-long friendship ensued. The article explores their relationship within the historical, political, and social context in which the women worked and made remarkable contributions to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the report concerning the "American Journal of Public Health" in the U.S. The report includes the manuscripts that were received by the Journal. The author mentions the publications of more papers that focus on the environmental and occupational health, as well as the desire to publish papers about maternal and child health. It is also asserted in the report that the rejection of around 80% of the submissions as stated in the publication standards and space limitations should not discourage the contributors to the Journal.

Copyright of Revista Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Like many disciplines, modern occupational, safety, and health (OSH) in the US is the result of years of professional maturation by three main drivers: practitioners/best practices, professional associations (i.e., certifications, education standards, etc.) and a series of external events (law, policy, accidents, etc.) i.e., that continue to influence the collective development of the profession. This paper reviews each driver and its contribution to the evolution of OSH in the US. In the US, what is recognized as the OSH profession was originally a sub-discipline in the engineering field. However, defining the scope and function of OSH, laying the foundation for OSH as a unique discipline did not begin until the early 1960's when the ASSP launched the Professionalism Project. It took several years for higher education to eventually create academic degree programs in OSH that focused on developing a capable and adequate workforce. Till that time, the discipline had been unregulated (i.e., anyone could claim to be a safety professional, with or without an education and with or without a professional credential) and unstructured (i.e., it was impossible to identify standardized approaches to identify and mitigate workplace life and health risks). Education standards for degree programs and professional standards for practitioners were significant responses to the lack of structure. For example, ABET accreditation and the creation of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and its CSP credential became the first bona fide metrics against which to determine professional competence. The paper culminates with a roadmap for OSH to follow to achieve occupation closure as an ultimate expression of professionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Aquaculture encompasses a variety of species in both freshwater and marine settings and can combine elements of agriculture and fishing, two recognized hazardous occupations. Efforts are underway to expand the aquaculture sector in the United States (U.S.), and should be informed by occupational safety and health (OSH) research. The objectives of this review paper are to: i) describe the U.S. aquaculture sector, ii) summarize statistics, peer-reviewed studies, and reports focused on U.S. aquaculture OSH, and iii) describe the policy landscape specific to U.S. aquaculture OSH. Methods: Literature searches employed databases and Internet search engines to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles, reports, and other resources. Due to the expected U.S. expansion of marine aquaculture and paucity of peer-reviewed U.S.-based OSH literature in this sector, additional searches for international research on marine aquaculture were conducted. Results: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated high rates of illness and injury among U.S. aquaculture workers in 2014 and 2015. Peer-reviewed literature on aquaculture OSH identified numerous physical, chemical, and biological OSH risks depending on production methods and settings. Significant policy gaps exist regarding U.S. aquaculture OSH surveillance, reporting, and regulation. Conclusion: This review identifies a critical need for research, surveillance, and best practices information, specific to the major types of aquaculture in the U.S., to augment and inform worker safety and health efforts in this expanding sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grounded in ecosocial theory, this paper discusses the mental health disparities of working-class Latinas from multiple perspectives. An overview of working-class Latinas' prevalent mental health disorders, barriers to care and suggestions for interventions and future studies are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature pertaining to occupational health disparities experienced by Latino immigrant workers in the USA and to advance a general framework based on systems science to inform epidemiological and intervention research. Design/methodology/approach – Using papers and other sources from 2000 to the present, the authors examined the employment conditions and health outcomes of Latino immigrant workers and critically analyzed the pervasive evidence of health disparities, including causal mechanisms and associated intervention programs. Findings – The occupations, including the work environment and resultant living conditions, frequently performed by Latino immigrants in the USA represent a distinct trigger of increased injury risk and poor health outcomes. Extant intervention programs have had modest results at best and are in need of more comprehensive approaches to address the complex nature of health disparities. Practical implications – An integrated, systems-based framework concerning occupational health disparities among Latino immigrant workers allows for a holistic approach encompassing innovative methods and can inform high-leverage interventions including public policy. Originality/value – Reductionist approaches to health disparities have had significant limitations and miss the complete picture of the many influences. The framework the authors have provided elucidates a valuable method for reducing occupational health disparities among Latino immigrant workers as well as other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the acceptability of bodyweight resistance exercise breaks (REB) to disrupt prolonged sedentary behavior in the workplace. Twenty-nine individuals completed a REB, where they performed 3-min REB 4, 8, and 16 times on days 1–2, 3–4, and 5 of the workweek, respectively, and a control condition (i.e., SIT). Productivity was assessed on days 1 and 5 each week. The acceptability of each REB frequency was assessed. When asked to complete 4, 8, and 16 REB, participants completed (mean values) 3.2, 6.2, and 9.2 REB/day, respectively. Moreover, 88%, 40%, and 9% of participants expressed that the 4-, 8-, and 16-REB frequencies were acceptable, respectively. Decision-making ability and concentration levels increased from day 1–5 of the REB week (p=0.048) but were stable during SIT. REB (4/day) are highly acceptable and could be a promising intervention strategy for reducing occupational sitting, thus decreasing sedentary-behavior-induced risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine discourse in public deliberations in pre-development locales in the UK and US about advantages and disadvantages of future shale development ('fracking'). We aimed to understand how people anticipate potential health effects, broadly construed, of environmental toxicity and disturbance in the context of planned, but not yet implemented, energy development. In day-long deliberations with small, diverse groups in two cities in each country (London, Cardiff in the UK; Los Angeles, Santa Barbara in the US), participants discussed impacts on health and well-being using three main rubrics: 'It's money or health', 'Why take chances?' and 'Beyond the tipping point'. Throughout, participants framed health as an intrinsically moral issue, with collective responsibility as a dominant normative frame. We identify the concept of compound risk to underscore effects of multiple risks and hazards on people's sensibilities about anticipated future health and environmental harm. The findings demonstrate how and why diverse publics in pre-impact sites in both countries saw shale extraction as high stakes development that poses significant, often unacceptable, risks to human and environmental health and well-being. Risks extended beyond toxicity to broad threats to health, including, for some, the end of life as we know it on the planet. Overall, participants' discussions of health were more connected to social categories and their underlying moral principles than to technological details. This work contributes evidence of blurred boundaries between environment and health as well as the importance people place on social risks in the context of proposed energy system change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, worksite wellness programs are more often offered by larger employers. The Massachusetts Working on Wellness (WoW) program is an innovative, statewide capacity-building model designed to increase the number of smaller employers (200 or fewer workers) adopting health promotion initiatives. This article describes the WoW program design and approaches to recruitment, implementation, and evaluation.Methods/design: WoW provides employer training, technical assistance and seed funding, utilizing a Wellness Program Development framework based on recognized good practices. For-profit employers with 200 employees or fewer are eligible for and encouraged to apply for a Massachusetts Small Business Wellness Tax Credit. During the phase described in this paper, employer organizations applied to the program and committed to designating a champion responsible for program implementation. Interventions were to include policy and environmental supports, as well as those targeting individual behavior change through raising awareness and education. Supports provided to employers included seed grants for qualifying activities (up to $10,000 with matching required), community linkages, data collection and organization-specific feedback tools, an on-line curriculum supplemented with technical assistance, and an expert webinar series. Data collection at multiple time points, from the initial application through program completion, provides information for evaluation of recruitment, planned and completed activities.Discussion: This model is grounded in literature on good practices as well as in local knowledge about Massachusetts employers. It does not directly address the influence of working conditions, which can affect both worker participation and health behaviors. Implementation may be less successful with some organizations, such as those with many workers who are part-time or geographically distributed rather than in a centralized physical location. Program evaluation will assess the extent to which WoW achieves its goals. The data are expected to increase understanding of the needs of smaller employers and industries not traditionally implementing employee wellness programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the literature on migrant farm worker child and adolescent health. It highlights current health issues and suggests methods to improve research and clinical practices with this underserved and vulnerable population. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology for this narrative review included a search of articles published between 2000 and 2012. From the primary search, 76 articles met the search criteria. A secondary search revealed three additional articles. Findings – The various methodologies used in the current literature have limited rigorous analysis of the health of pediatric migrant populations. The findings highlight the complex factors that influence migrant pediatric health. Despite the many challenges migrant farm worker children and their families face, they exhibit enormous resilience and strengths that may help counterbalance these challenges. Study categories that emerged from the analysis include health perspectives and behaviors, occupational health, access to care, utilization and satisfaction with health services, health outcomes and health disparities, and oral health. This review provides a strong foundation from which to work toward improving migrant pediatric health. Originality/value – This paper provides an original review of the unique health needs and the complex factors influencing the health of migrant farm worker children and adolescents. This will be of value to clinicians and researchers since migrant farm worker families are part of communities across the country. It offers public health professionals insight into services and programs that can improve the health and well-being of children, families, and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Like "second hand smoke," the harmful repercussions of racial harassment may extend well beyond the target to impact others at work. This study seeks to examine the "second hand smoke effect", or ambient racial harassment, which involves exposure to racial harassment aimed at others. The paper examines race differences in awareness of racial harassment and explored work and health-related outcomes associated with exposure to racial harassment. It also examines organizational tolerance for harassment as a moderator of these relationships. Design/methodology/approach – A diverse sample of 245 employees from three data sources were surveyed. One data source involved White and Black employees in the same organization; the others worked in a variety of organizations across the USA. Findings – Whites were less likely than Blacks to be aware of racial harassment, even when employed in the same workplace. However, awareness of racial harassment predicted negative job attitudes and psychological strain for both Whites and Blacks. These relationships were amplified by perceptions of organizational tolerance for racial harassment. Research limitations/implications – The study documents ramifications of ambient racial harassment and illuminates a racial divide in awareness of harassment at work that may exacerbate racial conflict and prevent needed organizational change. Originality/value – The paper extends the construct of ambient racial harassment by measuring a range of overt and subtle forms that vary in type and intensity, and by examining the role of organizational tolerance for racial harassment as a moderator of the relationship between ambient racial harassment and work and health-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In predominately immigrant neighborhoods, the nuances of immigrant life in the ethnic enclave have important, yet underappreciated impact on community health. The complexities of immigrant experiences are essential to unpacking and addressing the impact of acculturative processes on observed racial, ethnic, and class-based health disparities in the United States. These insights because they are largely unexplored are best captured qualitatively through academic-community research partnership. We established the participatory mixed method Little Village participatory community health assessment (CHA) to explore community health in an ethnic enclave. In this paper, we share findings from our qualitative component exploring: how do Residents in a Predominately Immigrant Neighborhood Perceive Community Health Needs and Assets in Little Village. Three major themes emerged: rich, health promoting community assets inherent in the ethnic enclave; cumulative chronic stress impacting the mental health of families and intra-familial strain; and, work and occupation as important but underappreciated community health determinants in an immigrant neighborhood. These nuanced findings enhanced our community health assessment and contributed to the development of two additional tailored CHA methods, a community member-administered Community Health Survey, and an oral history component that provided deeper insight on the community’s health needs and assets, and a focus for action on work as a social determinant of health at the community level. Conducting trusted community-driven health assessments that are adaptive and flexible to capture authentic needs and assets are critical, given health consequences of the new anti-immigrant rhetoric and growing socio-political tensions and fear in immigrant neighborhoods in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon monoxide poisoning remains a leading cause of accidental poisoning worldwide (both at home and at work), and it is also a cause of suicidal poisoning. Such poisoning can arise following prolonged exposure to low levels of CO or following brief exposure to high concentrations of the gas. In fact, despite exposure limits, high safety standards, and the availability of CO alarms, nearly 50,000 people in the United States visit the emergency department each year due to poisoning. Additionally, CO poisoning in the United States causes up to 500 deaths each year. Despite the widespread nature of this form of poisoning, known about for centuries and whose damage mechanisms have been recognized (or rather hypothesized about) since the 1800s, early recognition, especially of late complications, and treatment remain a medical challenge. A well-designed therapeutic diagnostic process is necessary so that indication for hyperbaric or normobaric therapy is correctly made and so that patients are followed up even after acute exposure to diagnose late complications early. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider that in the setting of emergency medicine, CO poisoning can be part of a differential diagnosis along with other more frequent conditions, making its recognition difficult. The last thirty years have been marked by a significant increase in knowledge regarding the toxicity of CO, as well as its functioning and its importance at physiological concentrations in mammalian systems. This review, taking into account the significant progress made in recent years, aims to reconsider the pathogenicity of CO, which is not trivially just poisonous to tissues. A revision of the paradigm, especially as regards treatment and sequelae, appears necessary, and new studies should focus on this new point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildland fire dispatchers play a key role in wildland fire management and response organization; however, to date, wildland fire studies have largely focused on the physical hazards and, to a lesser extent, mental health hazards of wildland firefighting operational personnel, and dispatcher studies have primarily focused on 911 and police dispatchers. Studies of other dispatchers have provided some limited insight into potential strains impacting this workforce, including work-related fatigue, burnout, and traumatic exposure. However, the specific job hazards that are faced by wildland fire dispatchers are poorly understood. In 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 510 wildland fire dispatchers with questions about their occupational health, general health, and well-being. We used validated screening instruments to measure the rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts and ideation. Here, we also present the results of mental health and trauma exposure questions that were asked as part of a larger survey. We found that demographic factors were significant indicators of anxiety, depression, and binge/restrictive eating. Our data indicate that rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts and ideation are significantly higher for both the wildland fire dispatching workforce and other emergency responder populations than those of the general United States population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular events are known to be the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters. Implementing fitness standards may help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular deaths; however, standards vary between firefighter type and states. We aimed to investigate the rate of cardiovascular events among firefighters across states. Methods: Using publicly available data from the United States Fire Administration, we explored the rates of cardiovascular deaths between firefighter type (e.g., career, volunteer, and wildland) and state. Specifically, we examined rates of cardiovascular deaths between California and Tennessee, which have fitness standards for all firefighters, and New York, which does not have fitness standards for volunteer firefighters. We used descriptive statistics and trend analysis to examine the data. Findings: Most cardiovascular events occur among volunteer firefighters (60.6%, n = 877). Volunteer firefighters had 7.5 (95% CI = [4.8, 11.7], p <.001) greater odds of cardiovascular events compared to wildland firefighters, who had the lowest incidence of cardiovascular events (1.7%, n = 24). New York reported the most cardiovascular events (n = 161), primarily among volunteer firefighters (73.9%, n = 119). After the passage of legislation mandating fitness standards in California, a downtrend in the number of volunteer firefighter fatalities is observed. However, a null effect was observed in Tennessee after the passage of similar fitness standards as in California. Conclusions/Applications to Practice: Volunteer firefighters are significantly more likely to die of a cardiovascular event than career and wildland firefighters, both of which have stricter fitness standards. However, the effect of legislation mandating stricter fitness standards among volunteers did not produce a clear benefit for preventing fatalities. Nurses need to promote cardiovascular health among volunteer firefighters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of voluntary Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) certification (i.e. OHSAS 18001) on fashion and textiles-related companies' financial performance. Design/methodology/approach – From all US-listed fashion and textiles-related companies, 44 companies that obtained OHSAS 18001 certification were used as samples. A long-horizon event study was conducted to estimate the sample companies' abnormal changes of sales and return-on-assets (ROA) over non-OHSAS 18001 adopters in the same industry. Findings – The authors found that OHSAS 18001 adoption has a positive impact on fashion and textiles-related company's sales performance. Nevertheless, the OHSAS 18001 adoption has a negative impact on the company's ROA performance. Originality/value – Because of the increasing fashion customers' attention on the occupational health and safety (OHS) issues on personal goods, such as fashion, apparel and beauty products, major fashion brands and retailers often require their suppliers to implement a voluntary OHSMS, in order to avoid any OHS scandal, such as sweatshops and child labour. However, the impacts of OHSMS on fashion and textiles-related manufacturers have never been examined empirically. The paper provides the first empirical evidence of impacts of OHSAS 18001 on fashion and textiles-related companies' financial performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we examine the impacts of toxic chemical releases on labor productivity. The hypothesis is that exposure to releases results in chronic or acute illnesses, which increases number of work days lost. To test the hypothesis we combine data from the National Health Interview Survey with data from US Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory, using an instrumental variable approach to control for endogeneity of subjective binary health status. We find that the survey respondents are significantly more likely to have increased work days lost as their exposure to toxic releases increases and that work days lost increase at an increasing rate with diminished health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been few studies that analyse the impact of OHS on the value of Australian firms; yet this is an important area of business for both small and large businesses. In this paper we pay particular attention to the impact of Victorian Workcover Authority prosecutions of listed Australian firms. USA based research shows that OHS prosecutions have a negative impact on firm value and we find some evidence to support the existence of negative share price reaction to OHS prosecution in our sample of listed Australian firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the summary of the 61st annual meetings of the American Industrial Hygiene Association held in New Orleans. Summary of developments on industrial hygiene; Bioaerosol sampling and analysis problems; Regulations to limit chemical exposures; Applied epidemiology and risk assessment of chemical contaminants.

There is increasing recognition of the value added by integrating traditionally separate efforts to protect and promote worker safety and health. This paper presents an innovative conceptual model to guide research on determinants of worker safety and health and to inform the design, implementation and evaluation of integrated approaches to promoting and protecting worker health. This model is rooted in multiple theories and the premise that the conditions of work are important determinants of individual safety and health outcomes and behaviors, and outcomes important to enterprises such as absence and turnover. Integrated policies, programs and practices simultaneously address multiple conditions of work, including the physical work environment and the organization of work (e.g., psychosocial factors, job tasks and demands). Findings from two recent studies conducted in Boston and Minnesota (2009-2015) illustrate the application of this model to guide social epidemiological research. This paper focuses particular attention on the relationships of the conditions of work to worker health-related behaviors, musculoskeletal symptoms, and occupational injury; and to the design of integrated interventions in response to specific settings and conditions of work of small and medium size manufacturing businesses, based on a systematic assessment of priorities, needs, and resources within an organization. This model provides an organizing framework for both research and practice by specifying the causal pathways through which work may influence health outcomes, and for designing and testing interventions to improve worker safety and health that are meaningful for workers and employers, and responsive to that setting's conditions of work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Evidence suggests that shiftwork results in adverse occupationa! health outcomes. This paper contributes to the literature by estimating the separate health effects of night and irregular shiftwork on a longitudinal panel of US workers. Methods: Data from a 20-year panel of worker surveys from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were used to predict self-reported health limitations related to night and irregular shiftwork using a series of random effects logit models. Results: Separate and combined specifications of shiftwork as night and irregular effort significantly increase the odds of health limitations compared with working a regular daytime schedule, with more pronounced effects for irregular work (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09 to 1.52) over night shift (OR = 1.03 to 1.14). Conclusions: The The results suggest that both night and irregular shiftwork may have important negative implications on occupational health. with the deleterious effects particularly pronounced for irregularly scheduled work effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The routine use of heat-producing tools in the perioperative setting generates surgical smoke. Surgical smoke poses a known health hazard for perioperative staff working in the operating room. Objective: The objective of this best practice project was to promote evidence-based practices regarding surgical plume management in a pediatric operating room. Methods: This project was guided by the JBI Model of Evidence-Based Healthcare and used the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and the Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback strategy to promote evidence-based practices regarding surgical smoke management in a pediatric operating room. Seven audit criteria representing best-practice recommendations were used. A baseline audit was conducted, followed by the implementation of multiple strategies developed by the key stakeholders. The project was finalized with a follow-up audit to determine any changes in compliance with best-practice recommendations. Results: Baseline audit data indicated an average of 41% compliance with best practices across all audit criteria, revealing the need for significant improvement in five of the seven criteria. Three barriers were identified and strategies were implemented, including the development and implementation of an educational module and a surgical smoke exposure risk assessment tool. Follow-up audits showed an overall improvement of 30% among five of the seven audit criteria. Conclusions: This project yielded improvements with best practices for surgical smoke management in the perioperative setting. However, additional work is required to ensure the sustainability of best practices in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : A healthy physician performs better clinically and provides superior care to patients than a physician struggling with burnout. Objective : The purpose of this study is to assess the physician perception of "health" and "burnout," to identify successful wellness-promoting behaviors, and to build a model characterizing the successful transition from poor health to wellness. Methods : Utilizing a qualitative approach, the team conducted one-on-one, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with physicians from different specialties. Questions focused on behaviors, beliefs, and system changes that facilitated their transition from poor health/burnout to wellness. Interviews were recorded and responses qualitatively coded from a set of definitions of wellness and burnout. These coded responses were quantified, and code prevalence was analyzed. Results : Fourteen physicians completed interviews. The codebook consisted of 74 total themes, with nine occurring in more than 10 (71%) of the interviews. Most themes yielded to categories of Wellness, Unwell, and Burnout, with several themes related to individual agency in facilitating wellness. Highly prevalent themes included support systems, nutrition, exercise, and cognitive health. Subjects generally described comprehensive approaches to successfully transitioning to wellness. Conclusion : This study describes strategies for the successful transition to wellness: physician-level factors such as a healthy support system, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and developing consistent daily routines. These findings support the importance of physician autonomy and individual-level wellness-promoting strategies for a physician's transition to wellness. More research should investigate the overall effect of individual-level strategies versus system-level interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies show conflicting evidence on the association of age and occupational injury in agriculture, and few studies have addressed the effect of age on work-related chronic conditions or preventive practices among farmers. Methods: We examined the probability of injury, work-related stress, musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), and preventive practices for MSS as a function of aging using surveillance data of 7,711 farm and ranch operators in the central United States. Findings: Segmented regression analyses of men (85% of sample) indicated that the probability of all four outcomes increased up to a certain age and then decreased; the changepoints in years of age being 59.6 for injury, 55.4 for work-related stress, 59.6 for MSS, and 67.9 for MSS preventive practices. Female operators had an increasing trend for stress up to age 29.7, while they showed no changepoints across their age spectrum in the proportion of injury, MSS, and prevention techniques. Conclusion/Application to Practice: These findings emphasize the need for preventive efforts particularly among younger and middle-aged farmers and ranchers, and the need to modify work duties to match work abilities at older ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]