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Objectives: Employees in non-healthcare occupations may be in several ways exposed to infectious agents. Improved knowledge about the risks is needed to identify opportunities to prevent work-related infectious diseases. The objective of the current study was to provide an updated overview of the published evidence on the exposure to pathogens among non-healthcare workers. Because of the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, we also aimed to gain more evidence about exposure to several respiratory tract pathogens., Methods: Eligible studies were identified in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane between 2009 and 8 December 2020. The protocol was registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019107265). An additional quality assessment was applied according to the Equator network guidelines., Results: The systematic literature search yielded 4620 papers of which 270 met the selection and quality criteria. Infectious disease risks were described in 37 occupational groups; 18 of them were not mentioned before. Armed forces (n=36 pathogens), livestock farm labourers (n=31), livestock/dairy producers (n=26), abattoir workers (n=22); animal carers and forestry workers (both n=16) seemed to have the highest risk. In total, 111 pathogen exposures were found. Many of these occupational groups (81.1%) were exposed to respiratory tract pathogens., Conclusion: Many of these respiratory tract pathogens were readily transmitted where employees congregate (workplace risk factors), while worker risk factors seemed to be of increasing importance. By analysing existing knowledge of these risk factors, identifying new risks and susceptible risk groups, this review aimed to raise awareness of the issue and provide reliable information to establish more effective preventive measures., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

The aim of this research project was to learn more about work-related health risks among dental assistants in Flanders, Belgium. Forty-seven dental assistants completed an extensive questionnaire concerning ionized radiation, protection against infection and exposure to chemicals such as mercury, disinfectants and acrylates. Collective and personal means of protection, musculoskeletal disorders and work-related stress were also evaluated. Pain in the lower back, neck pain and shoulder pain were reported by, respectively, 15%, 17% and 22% of the respondents. Eczema resulting from skin irritation or contact-allergy was reported by 13%. Twenty-three percent of the assistants did not consistently make use ofa radiation badge; 80% wore a mouth mask and 33% wore protective glasses; and 82% was vaccinated against hepatitis B. Almost 10% reported verbal or physical aggression by patients. The mean stress score was 3.95 on a scale from 0 to 10. The results may contribute to the formulation of a number of recommendations for the improvement of the health of dental assistants.