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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2008.01.001 Byline: Kristian S. Gould (a), Bjarte K. Roed (b), Evelyn-Rose Saus (c), Vilhelm F. Koefoed (d), Robert S. Bridger (e), Bente E. Moen (a) Keywords: Navigation; High-speed ships; Workload; Performance Abstract: This study examines mental workload and performance in simulated high-speed ship navigation. Two navigation methods were compared based on an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) and a conventional system using paper charts. Twenty naval cadets navigated in high-fidelity simulators through a 50 nautical mile course with varying levels of difficulty. Results showed that ECDIS navigation significantly improved course-keeping performance, but reduced the total amount of communication on the bridge. No differences were observed in subjective workload between groups. Heart rate variability and skin conductance measurements indicated higher workload in conventional navigation, but the differences between groups were not significant. Author Affiliation: (a) Section for Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Kalfarveien 31, NO-5018 Bergen, Norway (b) Human Factors Solutions ANS, Ski, Norway (c) Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway (d) Royal Norwegian Navy Medical Office, Bergen, Norway (e) Human Factors Division, Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, UK Article History: Received 25 May 2007; Accepted 4 January 2008

A study was conducted to determine the probable differences in the drinking habits between seaman exposed to organic solvents and hydrocarbon compounds and unexposed seamen. The investigation was carried out using randomly selected groups of exposed and unexposed ship crews. Results show that seamen with chemical exposures have greater tendencies to become heavy drinkers and experience more alcohol-related problems than do unexposed seamen. However, other fators should also be considered before a final conclusion is reached.

In this essay for the collection on Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Health, Elena Ronda-Perez and colleague discuss ways occupational health services can detect and address labour trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pesticide exposure is an important public health concern in Ethiopia, but there is limited information on pesticide intoxications. Residents may have an increased risk of pesticide exposure through proximity of their homes to farms using pesticides. Also the pesticide exposure might be related to employment at these farms. This study investigated the prevalence of acute pesticide intoxications (API) by residence proximity to a nearby flower farm and assessed if intoxications were related to working in these farms or not.Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 516 persons was conducted. Participants were grouped according to their residence proximity from a large flower farm; living within 5 kilometers and 5-12 kilometers away, respectively. In a structured interview, participants were asked if they had health symptoms within 48 h of pesticide exposure in the past year. Those who had experienced this, and reported two or more typical pesticide intoxication symptoms, were considered as having had API. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Confounding variables were adjusted by using binomial regression model.Results: The prevalence of API in the past year among the residents in the study area was 26 %, and it was higher in the population living close to the flower farm (42 %) compared to those living far away (11 %), prevalence ratio (PR) = 3.2, 95 % CI: 2.2-4.8, adjusted for age, gender & education. A subgroup living close to the farm & working there had significantly more API (56 %) than those living close & didn't work there (16 %), adjusted PR = 3.0, 95 % CI: 1.8-4.9. Flower farm workers reported more API (56 %) than those not working in the flower farm (13 %,), adjusted PR = 4.0, 95 % CI: 2.9-5.6.Conclusion: Our study indicates a 26 % prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributable to API. The residents living closer than 5 kilometers to the flower farm reported significantly higher prevalence of self-reported API than those living 5-12 kilometers away. This increased risk of API was associated with work at the flower farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article reports a qualitative interview study of 31 employees, with and without leadership responsibility, employed in a Norwegian petroleum company. Health, safety and environment (HSE) culture was a new concept and the aim of this study was to gain insight into how the workers conceptualized the concept, different aspects of HSE culture and differences between the informants. The informants used the concept HSE culture in three ways. The most common way was descriptive, and the informants gave both positive and negative descriptions. Also a causal way of using the concept and a systemic way was used. Safety was the topic mentioned most, especially by informants from the operational units. However, occupational health and the working environment were also mentioned as important. Managers and employees differed little in the use of the concept of HSE culture and their opinions about the HSE challenges. Management was frequently mentioned as being important by all. Behaviour, competence, collaboration, procedures and the physical environment were found to be important in a sound HSE culture. These results are illustrated as an HSE culture umbrella in the discussion for further communication on the topic. This figure illustrates the important results of the study; managers and employees are partners in a system of interrelationships and they have different roles and actions in the HSE work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several studies indicate health problems among hairdressers to be related to their chemical exposure at work. The purpose of this study was to describe the exposure of chemical compounds in the air of Spanish hairdresser salons, and to study differences between salons in central and suburban areas. Ten hairdresser salons were examined for two days, by recording number and type of customers, ventilation and size of salon. Both stationary and personal borne samples for organic compounds were collected, as well as stationary samples of ammonia. TVOC was calculated. Air temperature, relative humidity, CO and CO2 were logged for 48 h in each salon. Fifty-six personal and 28 stationary samples were analysed for organic compounds. Thirty-five different air-borne compounds were found in the working environment of the hairdressers. All levels were well below the limit values in Spain and USA, both for ammonia and organic compounds. TVOC ranged from 48.37 mg/m3 to 237.60 mg/m3, meaning that many salons had levels above suggested comfort values of 25. There were only minor differences in exposure between central and suburban salons. No salons had ventilation systems, and the CO2 was increasing during the day. The exposure was higher for several chemical compounds when hair dying was performed. Hairdressers were exposed to low air levels of a large number of chemical substances mostly related to work related to hair dying. There were no differences between exposure levels in salons in central and suburban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several studies demonstrate adverse health effects among hairdressers that may be related to their working environment, relatively few studies have described the chemical exposure levels in hairdresser salons. This paper shows the exposure level of isopropanol, ethanol, toluene, phenylendiamines, diaminotoluene and ammonia in six hairdresser salons, and the effect of local exhaust ventilation on these exposure levels.Stationary measurements were performed at the mixing location in the hairdresser salons. At this location isopropanol was found to be in the range from 0.7–15mg/m3, ethanol in the range from 4–36mg/m3 and toluene from 0.04–0.11mg/m3, The range of ammonia in the same area was from 0.1–1.2 mg/m3.Personal monitoring of the hairdresser showed an exposure level of ammonia in a range from 0.3–10mg/m3. Phenylendiamines and diaminotoluene were not detected.The exposure level was significantly lower in the salons with local exhaust ventilation than in the salons with no ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]