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Background: Work-related traumatic brain injury (wrTBI) is considered a critical injury that can be prevented. Few studies have integrated clinical data and workers' injury narratives to inform sex-specific wrTBI prevention., Objective: To examine sex differences in pre-injury factors and provide recommendations for primary prevention of wrTBI., Methods: Concurrent mixed methods study. The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model served as a theoretical framework for qualitative and quantitative data analyses., Results: The sample consisted of 93 workers (51% female, 67% aged over 40) with wrTBI sustained as a result of being struck by/against an object (SBA, 46%), falls (30%), motor vehicle accident (13%), and assault (11%). Qualitative analysis of injury events revealed distinct patterns between male and female workers in the nature and physical/social load of occupational activities performed at the time of injury. Quantitative analysis enriched interpretation of observed sex differences across PEO factors. New insights emerged by stratifying SBA injury cases, revealing sex differences in Environment- and Occupation-related factors unique to workers struck by an object., Implications: Sex- and cause-specific analysis of injury events is essential for surveillance and prevention of wrTBI. Addressing fitness for duty, supervisor-worker relationships, and industry-specific hazards in prevention strategies is essential to ensure workplace safety.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) in developed countries can be exposed to a wide range of hazards. The systematic identification of working conditions associated with the risk of occupational injury can significantly reduce this risk., Methods: From January 2000 to December 2021, a scoping review was performed using PCC (Population, Concept, and Context) criteria and searching major scientific databases. Studies conducted in Western Countries, defined as member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), were selected., Results: We identified 282 studies for the present review. Studies focused more frequently on biological injuries (59%). Musculoskeletal injuries and injuries due to aggression and violence followed, based on the frequency of the investigated topic., Conclusions: Most studies focused on the risk of bloodborne infections, while a knowledge gap emerged on the epidemiology of accidental exposure to other transmission pathways. Although the proportion of injured workers is not negligible in most studies, the most common determinants and risk factors of injury are entirely preventable.

Background: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are recognised as a major occupational health concern for health care workers, particularly dental assistants who frequently handle sharp instruments. However, little attention has been paid to this vulnerable group. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the prevalence of NSIs among dental assistants and identify associated risk factors to promote the safety level of dental assistants and the development of prevention strategies., Methods: We followed PRISMA guidelines and registered the protocol with PROSPERO (CRD 42023404766), searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Ovid databases for studies published between January 2000 and January 2023. We selected relevant studies by screening titles and abstracts, and then evaluated the full texts. Risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklist for prevalence studies proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI)., Results: Eleven studies involving 2663 dental assistants were included. The pooled NSIs prevalence was 44% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.29-0.59), with significant heterogeneity (I 2  = 98.5%). High-risk procedures were cleaning instrument and handling syringes. Subgroup analysis indicated a declining NSI prevalence trend (53 to 34%). In terms of the degree of national development, NSI prevalence was higher in developed countries (47%) than in developing countries (36%)., Conclusions: The 44% prevalence of NSIs among dental assistants implies a non-negligible risk. Instrument cleaning and the handling of local anaesthetic syringes are the principal procedures and associated factors contributing to their NSI exposure., Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD 42023404766)., Competing Interests: Disclosure of interest: The authors completed the ICMJE Disclosure of Interest Form (available upon request from the corresponding author) and disclose no relevant interest., (Copyright © 2025 by the Journal of Global Health. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Public safety personnel (PSP) are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of communities, often putting their own lives and well-being at risk by performing dangerous and demanding work. As a result, these workers are particularly vulnerable to workplace-related physical and mental traumatic injuries. Research is needed to understand the mental health of PSP following traumatic physical injury to inform effective prevention programmes and interventions. The objective of this study was to investigate whether PSP with traumatic physical workplace injuries requiring surgery with anaesthetic have higher post-injury rates of mental disorders compared with the general population with similar non-workplace injuries., Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study., Setting: Population-based study using linked anonymised administrative data for PSP and the general population in Manitoba, Canada., Participants: This study compared two groups hospitalised for a traumatic physical injury requiring surgery with anaesthetic between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2018: (1) PSP (n=293) injured in the workplace and matched 1:5 on sex, age, geographical region and surgical procedure code with (2) individuals in the general population (GenPop) injured outside the workplace (no Workers Compensation Board claim) (n=1198)., Primary and Secondary Outcomes and Measures: As planned in the study protocol, the prevalence of mental disorders including anxiety, depression and substance use was measured in the cohorts 2 years pre- and post-injury., Results: This study found an elevated unadjusted risk of depression in PSP compared with the general population in the 2 years post-injury, adjusting for pre-injury mental health (rate ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.17; p<0.0001). After adjusting, there were no significant differences in rates between the two cohorts; however, the significant group × care interaction term for depression suggests a greater risk for PSP compared with GenPop over time., Conclusions: Our findings indicate that, compared with a matched cohort, PSP have an increased risk of depression from the pre-injury to post-injury period following a traumatic physical workplace injury. PSP have a unique mental health trajectory following workplace injury that should be considered when developing rehabilitation strategies for this important population., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)

Background: In Tanzania, iron and steel manufacturing industries are based on manual work with minor automation, as workers segregate scrap metals and add them to furnaces for melting. The workers here are exposed to hazardous conditions, posing a risk to their health. Objective: To determine the prevalence of occupational injuries and possible predictors for injuries among workers in the iron and steel industries in Tanzania. Methods: The cross‑sectional study was conducted in 2022 in Tanzania. Workers from the production lines in four iron and steel factories participated in the study. The data were collected by interviews, using a structured questionnaire modified from the International Labour Organization (ILO) manual on occupational injury statistics from household surveys and establishment surveys. Chi‑squared tests and regression analyses were used. Results: Out of 381 invited workers, 321 participated in the study (response rate: 84). Of the respondents, 209 had experienced at least one injury that restricted them from work at least one day in the past year, giving an overall prevalence of occupational injuries of 65.1% per year. Out of the injured respondents, 135 (64.6%) reported being hospitalized or lying on the bed at home due to the injury. Working years, working hours per day, working 12‑hour shifts, and their section at the workplace (rolling mill or furnace) were factors significantly associated with occupational injuries in univariate regression analyses. Working hours of more than 10 hours per day, adjusted for all other factors, gave an odds ratio of 2.54 for experiencing injuries at work, with a 95% confidence interval (1.46-4.41), while no other factors showed significant association with injuries after adjustment. Conclusion: The prevalence of occupational injuries in the Tanzanian iron and steel industries was 65.1%. Working for more than 10 hours per day was a significant predictor of occupational injuries., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s).)

Ethiopia has experienced rapid urbanization over the past three decades, leading to the explosion of building construction. The job created in the construction industry of the country was hazardous due to the nature of the activities involved in the industry. However there is paucity of evidence regarding the prevalence and risk factors of injuries in the industry to make evidence-based policy framework within the country. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the magnitude of non-fatal occupational injuries and the associated factors among building construction sites workers in Aleta Wodo, Sidama, Ethiopia. An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in South Ethiopia from September to October 2023. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select the 613 study participants. The data was collected using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Epi Inf version 7.2 was used to enter data and the data was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 22. Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess association between the outcome and predictor variables. During the multivariable regression p-value less than 0.05 were taken to determine significant association. The annual prevalence of wok-place injury in the current study was 64.1% (95 CI: 60.7, 67.9). Male construction workers [AOR = 3.6, 95% CI (2.12, 6.15)], monthly income of ≤ 1000 [AOR = 4.56, 95% CI (1.56, 13.36)], 1001-3000 [AOR = 9.7, 95% CI (3.45, 27.3)], and 3001-5000 [AOR = 6.56, 95% CI (1.96, 21.9)], working more than eight hours [AOR = 7.9, 95% CI (4.36, 14.64)], drinking alcohol [AOR = 3.28, 95% CI (1.63, 6.6)] and participants unsatisfied with their job [AOR = 3.12, 95% CI (1.36, 7.16)] were significantly associated with non-fatal occupational injury. The magnitude of non-fatal occupational injury among construction workers was high in the study area. The study concluded that sex, monthly income, length of working hours, drinking alcohol and dissatisfaction with job were risk factors for occupational injuries among construction employee., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Importance: Workplace injury is a widespread problem that impacts mental health and quality of life and places a substantial burden on employers and the health care system., Objective: To determine whether mental disorder rates differ following workplace injury compared with injuries outside the workplace., Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study assessed individuals hospitalized for an injury requiring surgery between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2018, with a 2-year follow-up period using population-based administrative data in Manitoba, Canada. Analyses were completed June to July 2021. This study compared 2 cohorts: individuals with a workplace injury matched 1:5 on sex, age, geographical region, and surgical procedure code with individuals with a nonworkplace injury in the general population., Exposure: Traumatic physical injury that required surgery with anesthetic., Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcome of interest was a diagnosis of mental disorder (anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicide attempt, and any mental disorder), measured 2 years prior to and following injury., Results: In this cohort study, 7556 individuals (mean [SD] age, 44.8 [13.3] years; 5721 [75.7%] male; 4624 individuals [61.2%] with urban residence; 4545 individuals [60.1%] with low income) with a workplace injury were compared with 28 901 matches from the general population. The workplace cohort had lower rates of all mental disorders (anxiety: adjusted rate ratio [ARR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77-0.87; depression: ARR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.72-0.84; substance abuse: ARR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.55-0.72; suicide attempt: ARR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.11-0.70; and any mental disorder: ARR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.78-0.86; all P < .0006) before their injury and for depression (ARR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.95) and substance abuse (ARR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.94) after their injury. The group × care period interaction term was significant for anxiety (P < .0001) and any mental disorder (P < .0001), suggesting that individuals with workplace injuries had worse mental disorder outcomes over time than individuals with nonworkplace injuries., Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found that the mental health trajectory from the preinjury to postinjury period was worse for individuals with a workplace injury compared with those injured outside the workplace. These findings suggest that there may be features unique to the workplace and/or injury claims and compensation processes that contribute to this pattern, which warrant further examination.

Introduction: This study aimed to develop a set of broad clinical diagnosis (ClinDx) groups relevant to occupational safety and health. The ClinDx groups are necessary for analysis and interpretation of longitudinal health data that include injury and disease codes from the Ninth and Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Disease, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM, ICD-10-CM)., Methods: Claims data were analyzed for Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation insured employers from 2011 to 2018. We used interrupted time series regression models to estimate level (frequency) and slope (trend) changes to the percentage of each ClinDx group in October 2015. We created ClinDx groups aligned with ICD-10-CM structure and coding principles. Each ClinDx group was counted once per claim (distinct groups). Monthly percentages were calculated based on the injury date. When present, seasonality was assessed separately for each outcome using an autoregressive-moving average model., Results: The final set of ClinDx groups included 57 mutually exclusive and exhaustive groups. The study population included 661,684 claims, with 959,322 distinct ClinDx groups. Among all claims, 96.27% included injury code(s) and 11.77% included disease(s) codes. At the transition to ICD-10-CM, 33 ClinDx groups lacked any statistically significant (P < 0.05) changes between periods. We observed level changes for 17 ClinDx groups and slope changes for nine groups. Eight ClinDx groups had ≥ 20% (+/-) level changes., Conclusion: While the transition to ICD-10-CM is a break in series, about two-thirds of disease groups and half of injury groups were relatively stable across the transition. These findings also underscore the need for characterizing both injury and disease outcomes when analyzing workers' compensation data., Practical Applications: The 57 ClinDx groups created in this study may be a practical starting point for other occupational epidemiologic analyses that include a mixture of ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM data., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: The rise of e-commerce has rapidly increased the proportion of goods delivered directly to customers' homes. These increases have placed notable demands on delivery personnel, with potential health and safety consequences. In this paper, we examined trends in parcel delivery driver injury through analyses of injuries treated in emergency departments (ED) in the United States from 2015 through 2022., Methodology: We explored trends among Couriers and Messengers as well as Postal Service personnel as designated by Bureau of Census (BOC) industry codes. We estimated counts and rates of injuries per 10,000 full time worker equivalents and examined demographics (e.g., age, sex) and other characteristics (e.g., source of injury, injury diagnosis) associated with these injuries., Results: We found that: (1) ED-treated injury rates between 2015 and 2022, among both the Postal Service and Couriers and Messengers, have demonstrated an upward trajectory, contrasting with overall U.S. industry injury rates, which have trended downward; and (2) while ED-treated injury rates for these industries have taken different paths over time, both industries' ED-treated injury rates have converged toward a position much higher than average. Moreover, we found that female personnel and young personnel disproportionately experienced ED injuries., Conclusions: In addition to calling attention to worrying injury trends among delivery drivers, we conclude that the current data landscape prevents the development of a nuanced picture of injury trends and hazards. These limits inhibit exploration of many specific hazards, and therefore preventive measures that would be designed based on such specific exploration., Practical Applications: Our results serve both as a foundation toward improved safety practices in an industry that continues to experience rapid changes and as a step toward motivating updated data collection and dissemination practices that could help understanding of the modern workplace injury landscape., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Women represent a substantial portion of the US workforce. However, injury and fatality rates for female workers have, historically, remained lower than rates for male workers. Fatal occupational data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and nonfatal injury data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Occupational Supplement (NEISS-Work) for the years 1998-2022 were examined to produce rate ratios of male to female fatal and nonfatal occupational injury rates for all workers in the United States. Auto-regressive linear models were developed to analyze rate ratios by sex for fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries by age group, injury event, and select industries to determine if female occupational fatal and nonfatal injury rates were following trends comparable to male rates. Over the 25-year study period, male injury and fatality rates were consistently higher than females. Occupational fatality rates for males were more than nine times higher than female rates, and for nonfatal occupational injuries, male rates were 1.4 times higher than female rates. These analyses indicate that the differences in nonfatal injury rates by sex may be attenuating, however, the large gap by sex in workplace fatalities has remained unchanged. Occupational safety and health research with a more specific focus on these sex differences is needed to gain a clearer understanding of how sex differences affect hiring, job training, task assignment and completion, and injury risk, to identify areas where prevention efforts could be most successful., (Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.)

Background: Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) certification programs have the potential to improve workplace health and safety. In Canada, the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program is an example of such program and has been introduced in many industries and provinces. This study's objective was to identify whether the implementation of the COR program led to greater reduction in firm work-related injuries in Alberta, Canada., Methods: Using firm- and claim-level data from the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta and COR registration data from Government of Alberta, the effect of becoming COR-certified on firm-level injury rates was assessed using a matched difference-in-differences study design with population-averaged negative binomial regression models., Results: A total of 14,377 certified firms were matched with 11,338 non-certified firms during the years 2000 to 2015. Firms that became certified had a greater reduction in the lost-time injury rate (IRR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.83-0.88) and disabling injury rate (IRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-1.00) relative to the change in injury rates among similar non-certified firms. The effectiveness of OHSMS certification was strongest in the transportation, manufacturing and trade sectors, in more recent years, and among firms certified using the standard COR program as opposed to the program adapted for small employers., Conclusions: The findings suggest that COR can be an effective program, but that the effectiveness of this program is dependent on the context in which it is implemented, such as the industry sector, time period, and type of audit program., (© 2024 The Author(s). American Journal of Industrial Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

California has a significant day laborer population, with about one-third of the total U.S. day laborer population working in the state. Day laborers, characterized by a lack of labor protections, low socioeconomic status, English illiteracy, and irregular immigration status, face numerous challenges regarding work-related injuries and limited access to healthcare. Eighty percent of day laborers are undocumented, and most do not have access to healthcare. Despite recent research growth, little is known about their experiences with work-related injuries and healthcare treatment. Our findings reveal that only 8.4% of day laborers have health insurance, and around 26% have experienced work-related injuries. This paper highlights the challenges faced by this population and emphasizes the importance of understanding their experiences to improve occupational health and safety policy. Additionally, we acknowledge the critical role of worker centers and national efforts in addressing health and safety issues among day laborers., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: Occupational injuries have been associated with increased suicide mortality, but prior studies have not accounted for pre-injury depression., Methods: We linked injuries that occurred from 1994 to 2000 in the Washington State workers' compensation system with Social Security Administration data on earnings and mortality through 2018. We estimated the subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR) and 95% confidence interval using competing risks regression of suicide deaths with lost time compared with medical-only injuries separately for men and women, adjusting for age, pre-injury annual earnings, and industry. We further adjusted for pre-injury diagnosis of major depressive disorder by using a quantitative bias analysis (QBA), with the prevalence of this disorder in workers derived from an external health insurance claims data set., Results: Elevated suicide mortality was observed following lost-time injuries compared with medical-only injuries for men (sHR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.14, 1.93]) and women (sHR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.00, 1.69]), adjusting for age, pre-injury earnings, and industry. Adjusted for pre-injury depression using a QBA, elevated suicide risk in men remained statistically significant (median sHR = 1.33, simulation interval [1.18, 1.47]) but not for women., Discussion: Workplace injury requiring time off work appeared to remain influential in increasing suicide risk among men, even after controlling for pre-injury depression. The relationship between mental health before and after occupational injury is complex and studies should better integrate mental health pre-injury., Conclusions: Though many questions remain on the complex relationship between work, depression, injuries, and suicide, employers should work to prevent injuries and consider implementing mental health programs, which could be helpful in reducing suicide risk., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand federal workplace injury/illness trends., Methods: Over 1.5 million federal and Postal Service employee workers' compensation (WC) claims from 2007 to 2022 were linked to employment data and analyzed., Results: From 2007 to 2019, falls, slips, trips represented the highest proportion of claims (30.7%), followed by overexertion and bodily reaction (24.4%), unclassified (16.4%), contact with objects and equipment (13.1%), violence and other injuries by persons or animals (8.8%), transportation incidents (4.0%), exposure to harmful substances or environments (2.5%), and fires and explosions (0.24%). From 2020 to 2022, COVID-19 drove a major shift to exposure to harmful substances or environments representing the highest proportion of claims (44.3%)., Conclusions: Claims data represent a potentially rich data source that employing agencies can use to focus prevention and treatment of injury/illness., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (Copyright © 2024 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.)

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries pose significant challenges to workers' health, productivity, and healthcare systems. Increased working from home since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the incidence and prevalence of work-related MSK injuries. Despite workers' compensation systems providing valuable data, underreporting remains a concern, necessitating additional data sources such as hospital admissions to better understand the burden of MSK injuries., Objective: To determine time trends in the rates of hospitalization due to work-related MSK injuries in Victoria, Australia, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Retrospective administrative data analysis was conducted using data from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED). Adults (aged 15+ years) hospital admissions between July 2012 and June 2022 were included. Interrupted time series analysis was employed to evaluate changes in monthly incidence rates of hospital admissions for work-related MSK injuries before and during the pandemic., Results: A total of 67,689 index hospital admissions for work-related MSK injuries were recorded in the study period, with an average of 6,769 annually. Acute injuries were predominant during the pandemic, accounting for 63.6 % of cases compared to 60.1 % before the pandemic. Over ten years, the average annual incidence rate of acute MSK injuries was 13.20 cases per 10,000 workers, while cumulative injuries showed a rate of 8.62 cases per 10,000 workers. Comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, the average annual incidence rate of acute MSK injuries increased, while cumulative injuries decreased., Conclusion: The study observed a gradual decrease in the overall incidence rate of hospital admissions for cumulative work-related MSK injuries over the last decade. Despite expectations of disruptions, no significant deviations in MSK injury trends were observed following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Few studies have assessed long-term opioid prescribing after a work-related injury. There is limited information about opioid prescriptions before an injury and how receipt of opioids before a work injury is associated with long-term opioid prescribing. We present patterns of long-term opioid prescription among workers after an injury, overall, and by pre-injury opioid use., Methods: We used linked workers' compensation and prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to identify workers injured between July 2019 and June 2020 with an opioid prescription dispensed within 6 weeks after injury. Opioid prescribing was assessed for the 3 months before injury and for 1 year after injury or claim closure, whichever came first., Results: Among injured workers with an opioid in the first 6 weeks, 23% had opioids 6-12 weeks after injury, 19% had opioids 3-6 months, 14% had opioids 6-9 months, and 12% had opioids 9-12 months after injury; 19% had opioids in the 3 months before injury. For workers with opioid prescription prior to injury, the percentage with opioids 9-12 months after injury was 34%, versus 7% among workers with no opioids in the 3 months before injury (p < 0.001). Receipt of chronic opioids (for at least 60 days) 9-12 months after injury was substantially higher among those with prior opioid prescription (20%) than in those with no prior opioids (0.4%) (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: We found a strong relationship between opioid prescription in the 3 months before a work injury and opioid prescribing after an injury. Healthcare providers should be vigilant to the important relationship between prior opioid use and longer-term opioid use after work-related injuries., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Commercial fishing is a multibillion-dollar industry that supports job growth, small- to large- businesses, and port and city revenue. The commercial fishing industry continues to be one of the most dangerous in the US, with a fatality rate nearly 40 times higher than the national average. Dangers of the fishing industry are multi-faceted and include hazardous working conditions, strenuous labor, long work hours, and harsh weather. Moreover, a vast majority of fishermen suffer from economic insecurity, including safe and affordable housing and food insecurity., Methods: We followed the recommendations and standards set by the Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group and the Measurement and Evidence Knowledge Network. The review covered 1992-2022 to assess the state of research and to identify new barriers of and facilitators to injury prevention among commercial fishermen using a social determinants of health lens., Results: Of 292 articles identified, 27 studies met our inclusion criteria. Out of 27 articles reviewed, social determinants of health factors included the built environment, social & community factors, economic stability, health care access, and educational attainment. A major finding was the inability for fishermen to access primary care services, which was often rooted in being a low-wage, im/migrant, or transient worker, and can further escalate injuries. A secondary finding related to injury was a feedback loop where fishermen's unsafe environments led to a culture of accepting risk and downplaying injury, which further created unsafe environments., Conclusion: Our review shows how injury is connected to social factors, such as a lack of health care access, as well as political-economic factors, such as a lack of sick leave benefits., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The project was deemed exempt from IRB review by the University of Texas Medical Branch. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: Occupational injuries (OI) remains a global health issue, claiming approximately 1000 lives daily. More needs to be known about OI burdens among artisans in low-income settings. Therefore, this study assessed the factors influencing OIs among carpenters and bricklayers, who are informal artisans in Nigeria., Methods: This mixed-methods survey was conducted in Osun state, Nigeria. The quantitative component entailed a comparative cross-sectional study of 421 bricklayers and 425 carpenters selected via simple random sampling. Information on socio-demographics and OI prevalence was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. The qualitative aspect comprised 12 focus group discussions (FGD) among artisans who did not participate in the quantitative aspect of the study. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted to identify pertinent themes and subthemes. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors influencing OIs, p-value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant., Results: All respondents were male. The mean age was 51.3.7 ± 14.7 years for bricklayers and 50.0 ± 11.5 years for carpenters. The 3-month prevalence of OI was 39.9% for bricklayers and 51.8% for carpenters. Factors associated with OI among bricklayers included being aged 20-39 years (AOR:6.9, 95% CI:3.1-15.3) and 40-59 years (AOR:2.9, 95% CI:1.5-5.6), earning less than N50,000 (US$67) monthly (OR:2.3, 95% CI:1.2-4.7), earning N50,000-N99,000 (US$67-US$133) monthly (AOR:2.5, 95% CI: 1.2-5.2), and handling ≥ 200 kg per day at work (AOR:2.1, 95% CI:1.3-3.5). For carpenters, factors associated with OI were being aged 20-39 years (AOR:4.1, 95% CI:2.0-8.5), age 40-59 years (AOR:2.1, 95% CI:1.2-3.6) and handling 100-199 kg per day at work (AOR:1.9, 95% CI:1.02-3.4). FGD findings revealed that the use of substandard building materials, poor use of personal protective equipment and working at heights may predispose to OIs., Conclusion: The burden of OI is high among informal construction artisans in Nigeria. Safety interventions should target persons < 60 years, those handling heavy weights at work (> 100 kg) and bricklayers earning < N100,000 (< US$134) monthly. Emphasis should also be placed on the use of safety equipment and ensuring standards of building materials., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics and consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) of the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (M221066) and from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. (IPHOAU/12/1766). In addition, the study was conducted in line with the ethical standards as laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards [63]. Permission to carry out the survey was obtained from the head of the artisans’ association in the selected LGAs. Written informed consent was obtained from all adult persons before participating in the survey after adequate explanation of the purpose of the study and the study risks and benefits. Participation was voluntary and confidentiality as well as data security was ensured. Respondents were informed of their rights decline or withdraw at any time without penalties. Data were stored on a computer that is password-protected and only accessible to the investigator. The clinical impression obtained from available information after survey assessements was communicated to individual repondents. All participants with clinical conditions detected on screening or those with other health complaints were subsequently referred after due counselling, to an appropriate formal healthcare provider of their choice with the aid of a printed study referral form. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Work-related open-globe injuries are a major cause of preventable vision loss worldwide with a significant socioeconomic impact., Aim: To describe the demographics and clinical characteristics, identify the prognostic factors of work-related open-globe injuries and suggest preventive measures to minimize the incidence of these accidents., Methods: A retrospective study of patients hospitalized in the Ophthalmology Department of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, for occupational open-globe injuries, between January 2020 and December 2022. A medical history and a complete ophthalmological examination were performed on all patients. Initial visual acuity (IVA) was systematically measured. We also studied the factors associated with poor final visual acuity (FVA). Poor visual prognosis was defined as an FVA of less than 1/10 six months after the trauma. Statistical analysis was performed using the system of Statistical Products and Services Solution (SPSS 26.0). A p-value less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance., Results: Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with work-related open-globe injuries were analyzed. The mean age was 39 ± 11.75 years, with male predominance. Almost half of them, 48.5% were welders. Mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma in 72.7% of cases. The mean presenting IVA was 1/25. Corneal wounds were present in 20 cases. Traumatic cataract was the most common associated lesion and was found in 36.4% of the patients. Intraocular foreign body was noted in 24.2%. The mean FVA was 1.6/10. Initial VA (p=0.04) and VH (p=0.004) was the significant predictive factors for final visual outcome in work-related open-globe injury patients., Conclusion: Work-related open-globe injuries are a significant problem commonly encountered in healthcare settings throughout the world. It can cause significant morbidity in a young population of patients. This type of injury can be largely prevented with proper education and use of safety equipment.

Background: Occupational injuries impose a substantial global burden, affecting millions of workers annually, which demands urgent attention to enhance workplace safety and health standards. We aimed to outline the frequency, patterns of injury, and clinical characteristics of patients injured by high-rotation cutting tools (grinders) and to pinpoint the neurovascular (nerves and blood vessels) injuries., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted and included all adult patients hospitalized because of grinder-related injuries at the only level I Trauma Center in the country. The characteristics of patients, mechanism of injury, management and outcomes were analyzed based on the anatomical location of injuries., Results: 127 patients were hospitalized with grinder-related injuries over ten years. The incidence of GRIs showed an increasing trend over the years. All patients were males with a mean (SD) age of 34.9 (9.8) years. The majority were general laborers (66.1 %), injured by portable grinders (86.6 %), and direct blade contact (64.6 %). The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 5.0(IQR 4.0-9.0), and the median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at ED was 15 (3-15). The most frequently injured part was the upper extremity (36.2 %), followed by the lower extremity (33.9 %) and the face (27.6 %). One-third of cases had vascular injuries, and 23.6 % had nerve injuries. Suturing was done for all patients; repairs and debridements were performed in 62 % and 58 % of cases, respectively, and 21 % required vascular surgery. Amputations were required in 9.4 % of cases. Thirty patients had nerve injuries involving the median (11 %) and radial (9.4 %) nerves. Among patients who had neurovascular injuries, 30 % (12/40) experienced complications during the hospital stay, while 60 % (24/40) ended up with physical disabilities., Conclusion: Individuals affected by power-tool accidents were predominantly young males, mainly general laborers, with a significant proportion being expatriates. The trend of grinder-related injuries increases over time, with portable grinders being a primary source of injuries due to direct contact with the blade. The anatomical injuries mainly include fractures of the upper and lower extremities. Further studies are warranted to understand the cultural aspects and training requirements of workers handling power tools, aiming to achieve sustainable injury prevention effectively., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest “The authors declare no conflict of interest.”, (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: This study examines ergonomic considerations in bronchoscopic procedures, surveying existing research, injury rates, contributing factors, and practical ergonomic controls., Recent Findings: The field of ergonomics examines the relationship between workers and their workplace to enhance productivity and minimize injuries. Bronchoscopists may face ergonomic hazards due to extended periods of maintaining fixed positions, repetitive actions, and the design of both tools and procedure spaces. Studies on the ergonomics of bronchoscopy have revealed a wide range of musculoskeletal issues among practitioners. Those new to the field, including trainees and early-career professionals, may be particularly vulnerable to injuries compared to their more experienced counterparts. Implementing a systematic approach, such as that proposed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, could help reduce physical stress, discomfort, and the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders for bronchoscopists., Summary: Bronchoscopists increasingly face ergonomic issues in their practice. Despite available measures to address these problems, the field lacks uniform ergonomic guidelines for bronchoscopy. To safeguard bronchoscopists' health and safety from the outset of their careers, more studies and training focused on ergonomics in bronchoscopy are needed., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study assessed the relationship between occupational noise exposure and the incidence of workplace fatal injury (FI) and nonfatal injury (NFI) in the United States from 2006 to 2020. It also examined whether distinct occupational and industrial clusters based on noise exposure characteristics demonstrated varying risks for FI and NFI., Methods: An ecological study design was utilized, employing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for FI and NFI and demographic data, the U.S. Census Bureau for occupation/industry classification code lists, and the U.S./Canada Occupational Noise Job Exposure Matrix for noise measurements. We examined four noise metrics as predictors of FI and NFI rates: mean Time-Weighted Average (TWA), maximum TWA, standard deviation of TWA, and percentage of work shifts exceeding 85 or 90 dBA for 619 occupation-years and 591 industry-years. K-means clustering was used to identify clusters of noise exposure characteristics. Mixed-effects negative binomial regression examined the relationship between the noise characteristics and FI/NFI rates separately for occupation and industry., Results: Among occupations, we found significant associations between increased FI rates and higher mean TWA (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12) and maximum TWA (IRR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.14), as well as TWA exceedance (IRR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07). Increased rates of NFI were found to be significantly associated with maximum TWA (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.09) and TWA exceedance (IRR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05). In addition, occupations with both higher exposure variability (IRR with FI rate: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-1.80; IRR with NFI rate: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.73) and higher level of sustained exposure (IRR with FI rate: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.44; IRR with NFI rate: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.39) were associated with higher rates of FI and NFI compared to occupations with low noise exposure. Among industries, significant associations between increased NFI rates and higher mean TWA (IRR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08) and maximum TWA (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.08) were observed. Unlike the occupation-specific analysis, industries with higher exposure variability and higher sustained exposures did not display significantly higher FI/NFI rates compared to industries with low exposure., Conclusions: The results suggest that occupational noise exposure may be an independent risk factor for workplace FIs/NFIs, particularly for workplaces with highly variable noise exposures. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive occupational noise assessments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coal mining involves heavy physical demand, which is associated with increased risk of injury and long-term musculoskeletal health disorders and chronic pain. Management of chronic or recurrent pain is in turn associated with prescription opioid use and risk of opioid use disorder (OUD)., Methods: We analyzed clinical data from 5463 coal miners evaluated between 2004 and 2015. Using an iterative text mining procedure, we analyzed structured clinical notes to extract information on occupational histories and clinical data. We evaluated associations along the causal chain using a series of multivariable logistic regression models to determine the relationship between (1) specific mining occupations and history of traumatic injury, (2) history of traumatic injury and current pain, and (3) current pain and current prescription opioid use., Results: Among these mostly-former coal miners (mean age 62.4 years), the average coal mining tenure was 27.3 years; 88.4% reported being previously injured, 92.3% reported suffering from current pain and 39.2% reported current prescription opioid use. Occupations involving the most strenuous mining work were associated with a history of traumatic injury. A history of traumatic injury to body regions of the head/neck/back/spine was associated with current pain involving the head/neck/back/spine (adjusted OR = 5.04; CI 95%: 4.46, 5.70; p < 0.001). In a separate model, reported current pain of the head/neck/back/spine was associated with current prescription opioid use (aOR = 2.66; CI 95%: 2.35, 3.01; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: These miners had a high prevalence of self-reported current pain, and certain specific mining occupations were more strongly associated with a history of injury, pain, and prescription opioid use., (© 2024 The Author(s). American Journal of Industrial Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study addresses occupational safety in reinforced concrete construction, an area marked by high accident rates and significant worker injury risks. By focusing on activity-body part (A-BP) combinations, this research introduces a novel framework for quantifying injury risks across construction activities. Reinforced concrete construction tasks are categorized into ten specific activities within three major work types: rebar work, formwork, and concrete placement. These are further analyzed concerning six critical body parts frequently injured on-site: head/face, arm/shoulder, wrist/hand, torso, leg/pelvis, and foot/ankle. Using data from 2283 construction accident reports and expert surveys, the probability and severity of injuries for each A-BP element were calculated. Probability scores were derived from actual incident data, while severity scores were determined via expert evaluations, considering injury impact and the required recovery time. To ensure precision and comparability, scores were standardized across scales, enabling a final risk assessment for each A-BP. Results identified that wrist and hand injuries during rebar work activities, particularly cutting and shaping, exhibited the highest risk, underscoring the need for focused protective measures. This study contributes to construction safety management by providing detailed insights into injury risk based on activity-body part interactions, offering safety managers data-driven recommendations for tailored protective equipment, enhanced training, and preventive protocols. This research framework not only helps optimize safety interventions on conventional construction sites but also establishes a basis for future studies aimed at adapting these strategies to evolving construction methods.

Introduction: The health sector is a field where employees are frequently exposed to occupational injuries due to high-risk working conditions. This study aimed to examine the distribution and causes of occupational injuries experienced by healthcare workers in the last 5 years in Turkey., Materials and Methods: In this population-based and national-scale study, occupational injuries reported to the Ministry of Health from healthcare organizations in 81 provinces of Turkey between 01.01.2019 and 31.12.2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Variables such as age, gender, title, place of employment, types of injuries, causes, and outcomes of occupational injuries were evaluated., Results: A total of 68,563 occupational injuries were reported between the years analyzed. 64.5% of the injuries affected female workers. Occupational injuries occurred most frequently during the summer months and in hospitals. According to age groups, the highest rate of occupational injuries was observed in the 20-29 age group with 39.3%. Among the types of occupational injuries, sharps injuries were the most common, with 55.3%. It was followed by slips, trips, and falls (13.2%). As a result of occupational injuries, 76.2% of healthcare workers were able to return to work without long-term absence. Over the 5 years, 61 healthcare workers lost their lives due to occupational injuries. Nurses and midwives were the occupational groups most exposed to injuries, followed by cleaning staff., Conclusion: Turkey's healthcare workers have a high exposure rate to occupational injuries. Women and young workers are the most affected groups. Strengthening the occupational safety culture and providing safe working environments is necessary., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Medeni, Alagüney and Medeni.)

Introduction: Millions of workers globally experience work-related injuries, leading to fatalities, injuries, job loss, and wider societal implications. This study utilizes both the U.S. database and the General Social Survey (GSS) to delve into the factors linked to occupational injuries., Methods: In this study, 30 questions from the GSS between 2002 and 2014 were used. The sample included 5,914 workers from various sectors, distributed between both female and male, and were of 18 years and above. The analysis encompasses several dimensions: demographics, job-related characteristics, administrative factors, and health and safety measures. The study particularly focuses on assessing the prevalence of three common work-related injuries: nonfatal injuries, back pain and arm pain. Logistic regression models were constructed to gauge the effects of identified factors., Results: Significant insights emerge from the analysis. Factors such as age, gender, race, working hours, overtime work, trust in management, coworker support, and workflow smoothness were identified as having notable impacts on work-related injuries. For each model, the study quantifies these impacts through odds ratio and relative effects. For example, in the nonfatal injuries model, the relative effects of age showed that workers aged 65 years or older experience a 2.56% decrease in the frequency of nonfatal injuries compared to younger workers. Furthermore, in the back pain model, the estimated odds of having back pain in males are 0.90 lower than that in females. Moreover, in the arm pain model, workers who have sufficient time to complete their tasks have estimated odds of experiencing arm pain that are 0.85 lower than those who don't have adequate time, etc. Conclusions: Understanding the intricate interplay of various factors influencing workers' safety and health is vital for addressing occupational injuries. By addressing these factors, there's potential for reducing work-related injuries, enhancing work environment, and minimizing costs., Practical Applications: Organizations can use the study's findings for reducing work related injuries. Flexible work arrangements, tailored training programs, and ergonomic improvements might highlight factors such as age, gender, and working hours. Enhancing communication, fostering a positive work culture, and prioritizing safety and health measures could reduce risks associated with trusting management and coworker support. Cost-benefit analysis and continuous monitoring ensure these interventions' effectiveness, reduce back and hand pain incidents, minimize cost, and create safer workplaces, thereby boosting the overall well-being of workers and organizational success., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The use of zero within construction safety continues, despite a lack of supporting empirical evidence of success. Whether used as a target, a vision, or a journey, zero has its supporters and its critics, and remains popular among construction companies across the world., Method: A critical discussion sets out a number of theoretical considerations of zero, supplemented by statistical analysis of the U.S. SIF incident data for the period 2018-2022, evaluating companies that use zero and those that do not. This work mirrors that previously undertaken in the UK., Results: Cross referencing SIF incidents and firms using zero within their safety management revealed that overall, firms using zero had fewer incidents that firms that were not. However, when the data were examined statistically, no difference in the Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF) outcomes between the zero and non-zero companies was determined. The data therefore are equivocal: it does not prove that zero does not work, but nor does it evidence that it does., Conclusions: Zero remains problematic for occupational safety management. The empirical data from the United States do not evidence any clear success from the use of zero in practice, as was also the case in the equivalent UK dataset. Various debates remain around the use of zero, yet there are potential alternatives already emerging within safety management that may mean it naturally fades from the safety lexicon in the future., Practical Applications: This work adds to the theoretical debates around zero, providing food for thought for safety practitioners around the use of zero in the field. It also presents empirical correlational data that demonstrates a lack of evidence for the beneficial use of zero within occupational safety., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Context: A comprehensive assessment of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and State-based Fatal Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) investigative reports involving landscaping and tree worker fatalities have not been fully examined., Methods: Narrative text from 93 FACE reports from 1987 to 2023 involving landscaping and tree care workers were reviewed, manually coded and analyzed on major variables. Univariate analyses was conducted to summarize results of decedent workers and workplace characteristics., Results: Among the total number of worker fatalities (n = 95), the most commonly reported incidents were, electrocutions from power lines (18.3%), falls from trees (16.1%), and incidents involving a worker being either caught, pulled, or dragged into wood-chipping machine (12.9%). More than 66.0% of fatal incidents occurred among tree care workers that had been on the job for one year or less. Among reports, 60.2% of employers lacked a written safety plan, and 34.4% did not provide job training to their workers., Conclusions: FACE case reports alone are not a valid measure of workplace fatalities. Nevertheless, the codification and descriptive summary of more than three decades of case reports increases understanding of circumstances and contributing risk factors associated with these tragic, and yet largely preventable incidents. A comprehensive approach is urgently needed that includes: (a) taking immediate action to reduce occupational risks while cultivating a robust safety culture across the industry, and (b) increasing research to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and prevention measures., Practical Application: The interconnectedness of safety challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that includes addressing issues related to new and diverse workers, employer commitments to the implementation of safety plans, and comprehensive training and mentorship programs. Intervention strategies and implementation measures are essential to diminishing fatalities in these high-risk jobs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Millions of workers are injured on the job each year. Updated injury reporting regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2014 have resulted in publicly available data on reported severe injuries., Methods: OSHA severe injury reports (SIRs) were analyzed from 2015 to 2022. Severe injury rates were calculated using total employment estimates by industry and state to characterize the distribution of SIRs. Secondary analyses examined how SIRs differed seasonally, as well as before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic., Results: There were 83,338 severe workplace injuries reported across the 29 states that are under federal OSHA coverage. Manufacturing (375.98 per 100,000 workers) and Utilities (277.21 per 100,000 workers) had the highest rates of severe injuries. Despite summertime peaks in SIRs, there were not significant differences between seasons when examining SIRs by industry (p = 0.9763) or various injury factors. 1,846 of the SIRs were heat-related, and Utilities had the highest rate of heat-related severe injuries (13.34 per 100,000 workers). There was a statistically significant difference in the average injury rate when comparing pre- and post-COVID-19 periods (p < 0.001), which was statistically similar across all industries (p = 0.8143)., Conclusions: Although several prior studies have examined the OSHA SIR data, this is the first known analysis of SIRs in relation to state- and industry-specific employment data. Despite the lack of a significant seasonality in SIRs, many industries seem to be impacted by heat-related injuries across all states. The number and rate of SIRs declined during COVID-19 similarly across all industries, with some industries maintaining low injury reporting rates through 2022., Practical Application: Findings of which industries and states may be experiencing a disproportionate burden of SIRs, including heat-related injuries, can inform injury prevention efforts. Additional work is needed to disentangle the drivers behind decreases in reported severe injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: Fall injuries are the second leading cause of traumatic injury and death for all US workers and are a leading injury concern for the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Bundled interventions can improve the likelihood of injury reduction, especially in large, heterogeneous working populations. In 2013, the DAF implemented the "Air Force Fall Prevention Focus," a bundled intervention of prevention efforts designed to reduce occupational fall injury events among DAF members. The purpose of this study is to describe the burden and risk factors associated with fall injuries and evaluate the effectiveness of the Fall Prevention Focus in reducing the burden of fall injuries., Methods: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) partnered with the US Air Force Safety Center (AFSEC) to examine the impact of the Fall Prevention Focus as a bundled intervention. Injury events included a narrative description of the injury event, demographics, work environment, job tasks, and other structured details. Descriptive statistics and pre-post longitudinal modeling were used to evaluate changes in fall injury rates., Results: The Fall Prevention Focus Implementation (2013-2018) resulted in an annual 10.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.5%, 12.2%) reduction, and a 6-year cumulative 48.3% (95% CI: 41.4%, 54.3%) reduction in fall injury event rates by 2018., Discussion: Safety in the DAF involves a comprehensive approach. Documenting the impact of the Fall Prevention Focus may help translate these findings to improve fall prevention efforts in other sectors of the military and high fall-risk industries in the private sector, such as construction., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: This study aimed to use workers' compensation (WC) data to explore the impact of the extreme bushfires on injury/disease claim rates amongst first responders (FR) compared with other occupations and off-seasons., Methods: Data on WC claims for FR (ambulance officers, paramedics, firefighters, police) and other occupations were obtained from WorkSafe Victoria 2005-2022. Negative binomial regression models adjusting for age, gender and number of employed people were used to estimate incident rate ratios of all injury/disease, mental, musculoskeletal and respiratory claims among FR in summer and extreme bushfires compared to off-season/summer and other occupations., Results: There were 120,022 claims in 2005-2022; 54% were musculoskeletal injuries. Claims rates were significantly higher for all injuries/diseases, mental, musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions in FR than other occupations across off-season, summers and extreme bushfires. FR were 1.5-3.9 times more likely to claim for mental health conditions during extreme bushfires than off-season compared with other occupations. Firefighters were at increased risk of all injury/disease and mental and musculoskeletal injury claims during summer and extreme bushfires than off-seasons. Ambulance officers and paramedics had the highest claim rates, particularly in off-seasons, with a higher risk of all injury/disease and mental claims in extreme bushfires than in summers. Respiratory and mental claims were increased amongst police and other occupations during extreme bushfires., Conclusion: Extreme bushfire events were associated with increased mental claims rates in all FR, with the highest in firefighters. Strategies to better prevent and manage injury/disease risk in FR are urgently required, particularly for mental health conditions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: There are no known competing interests. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The research was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee, Project ID 39153. The need for informed individual consent was waived by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee; only de-identified data were used, and results were reported in a non-re-identifiable format., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) have been proposed as a method of managing human health and safety risk and reduce injuries and illnesses. The investigation objective was to determine the association between OHSMS performance, as measured by scores from assessments and inspections, and mishap rates and mishap outcomes. Results for 55 OHSMS assessments/inspections across 15 organizations from the years 2017-2022 were analyzed. Results were paired with 545 mishaps and according to mishap classification, mishap category, and mishap severity. Correlation analysis was conducted to determine strength and significance of association between OHSMS performance and mishap rates. Improved OHSMS performance, as measured by scores from assessments and inspections, was associated with lower severity mishap occurrence such as reduced rates of fatalities, permanent total and partial disability, and property damage. Mishaps involving fatalities and permanent total disability had the strongest association with measured OHSMS performance. This research indicates that higher levels of OHSMS performance may help reduce severe worker injuries and illnesses and reduce mishap costs.

Introduction: Surgeons are expected to work long hours in operating theatres. A high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal (WRMSK) injuries and pain in healthcare professions exists. We aimed to study WRMSK pain and injuries in general surgeons and study their risk in different surgical techniques comprising open, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery., Methods: A systematic search was performed in compliance with The PRISMA checklist. Search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane library databases for 6 years to 2024. The search terms used were "disability and surgeon", "occupational injuries and surgeon", and "musculoskeletal pain and surgeons", in addition to MESH terms in PubMed database. Risk of bias was calculated among studies., Results: The search revealed 3648 citations from which a final list of 24 citations were included after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The citations comprised over 1900 surgeons including consultants and surgical trainees from different subspecialities. Incorporated citations consisted of 21 cross-sectional 3 observational studies. Most common pain sites, risks and preventative measure for MSK injuries were revealed., Conclusion: There is high prevalence of WRMSK pain among general surgeons. Surgeons were primarily affected at physical body parts ranging from the neck, shoulders, upper back and lower back to upper extremity. Robotic-assisted surgery led to lower post-operative discomfort and decreased demanding muscle activity in upper extremities but enhanced static neck position resulting in subjective back stiffness compared with laparoscopic surgery., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The role of work-related injuries as a risk factor for opioid-related harms has been hypothesized, but little data exist to support this relationship. The objective was to compare the incidence of opioid-related harms among a cohort of formerly injured workers to the general population in Ontario, Canada., Methods: Workers' compensation claimants (1983-2019) were linked to emergency department (ED) and hospitalization records (2006-2020). Incident rates of opioid-related poisonings and mental and behavioural disorders were estimated among 1.7 million workers and in the general population. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, adjusting for age, sex, year, and region., Results: Compared to the general population, opioid-related poisonings among this group of formerly injured workers were elevated in both ED (SIR = 2.41, 95% CI = 2.37-2.45) and hospitalization records (SIR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.50-1.59). Opioid-related mental and behavioural disorders were also elevated compared to the general population (ED visits: SIR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.83-1.89; hospitalizations: SIR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.38-1.47). Most occupations and industries had higher risks of harm compared to the general population, particularly construction, materials handling, processing (mineral, metal, chemical), and machining and related occupations. Teaching occupations displayed decreased risks of harm., Conclusion: Findings support the hypothesis that work-related injuries have a role as a preventable risk factor for opioid-related harms. Strategies aimed at primary prevention of occupational injuries and secondary prevention of work disability and long-term opioid use are warranted., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: This study was approved by the University of Toronto Health Sciences Research Ethics Board (reference 39013). Consent to participate: Not applicable Consent for publication: Not applicable Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Operating room (OR) personnel are at a high risk for sharp injuries, which can cause serious side effects. The goals of this study are to analyze OR nurses and surgical technologists' experiences and their current level of sharps education. An anonymous survey was sent to a single institution asking whether the participants have been stuck by a sharp, when they were stuck, and their perspective on sharp safety. Forty-two participants responded to the survey. The authors found 69% had sustained a sharp injury, 58.6% being stuck while handling sharps alone. The majority (90.5%) believed handing back sharps protected was the safest. Forty-five percent reported never attending continuing medication education (CME) regarding sharps. Only 59.4% of those who had CME found it helpful. This is the first study the authors know of that looked at OR personnel's perspectives on sharps handling and CME. The authors recommend re-evaluation of current CME. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 33(4):216-218, 2024).

Objectives: There is conflicting published evidence that unemployment impacts workplace safety. Some studies suggest that the workplace injury rate decreases during economic contractions, while others propose an increased rate of injuries during periods of economic contractions. This study investigated the association between unemployment rates and traumatic work-related non-fatal injury (WRNFI) in Saskatchewan, 2007-2018, in order to provide new insight into injury prevention., Methods: Saskatchewan's retrospective linked workplace claims data from 2007 to 2018 were grouped by year, season, and worker characteristics (e.g., age and sex). Total employment, total labour force, and the number of unemployed workers from the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey were grouped by year, season, sex, and age. These data were linked to the worker's compensation board injury claim data to determine the number of people at risk, serving as the denominator (offset term) for WRNFI rates, calculated as WRNFI cases per total employed workers. A negative binomial generalized additive model was used to examine the association between unemployment rates and WRNFI, adjusted for age, sex, industry types, and seasons., Results: The WRNFI rate has declined since 2007. On average, workers aged 20-29 years had the highest WRNFI rate (541.6 ± 84.8/100,000). Men had 3.2 times higher WRNFI risk than women (RR = 3.2, 95% CI 3.12-3.22), with the highest WRNFI risk observed in the manufacturing (RR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.63-1.73) and construction (RR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.63-1.72) industries. WRNFI risk decreased non-linearly with an increasing unemployment rate, indicating a pro-cyclic pattern., Conclusion: This analysis showed that WRNFI rates tracked unemployment rates. This suggests a need to increase prevention strategies and reduce disincentives for under-reporting during an economic downturn., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: The study secured ethics approval from the University of Saskatchewan Biomedical Ethics Committee (U of S # 16–148). Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive license to The Canadian Public Health Association.)

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the extent to which various unmet social needs (USN) are associated with self-reported injury and illness-related absenteeism (SRIRA)., Methods: The analysis consisted of a retrospective study design of secondary data. Linear regression was used to measure the 2022 association between six measures of USN (both individual and a summary measure) and SRIRA., Results: A greater number of USN is associated with higher SRIRA (b = 0.71, P < 0.001). Self-reported challenges in caregiving, food, healthcare, housing, transportation, and utilities are also individually significantly associated with higher SRIRA., Conclusions: Employers may consider providing comprehensive resource support as part of their strategy to aid in reducing USN and their association with SRIRA., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: B.S.: “Merck—advisory board”; “Pacira—consulting”; “Twin Health—consulting”; “Pittsburgh Business Group on Health—consulting for health equity”; “National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions—payment for conference travel expenses”; “Compass Pathways—advisory board”; “US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prevention Research Center” Emily Stiehl: “US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Research Center U48DP006392”; “US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Total Worker Health, Center for Healthy Work U19 OH011232”; “Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership”; “Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.”, (Copyright © 2024 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.)

This study assessed the manual handling of materials in a local market environment and evaluated workers' awareness of ergonomics and health risks. Of 315 workers surveyed, 308 responded. The findings revealed a high prevalence rate of 96.4% for injuries and musculoskeletal discomfort, attributed to a low ergonomics and health risk awareness rate of only 6.8%. Consequently, 75% of workers resorted to self-medication or drug abuse for relief. The study also explored barriers to using engineering equipment, finding that 26.3% of respondents cited cost as a barrier, while 51% believed that the introduction of engineering equipment would lead to job loss. This research is valuable for practitioners and researchers as it highlights the current state of ergonomics and health risk awareness among workers who handle heavy loads. The study also highlights the need for improved ergonomic practices and health risk awareness to reduce injury rates and promote safer work environments.

Introduction: The worsening life expectancy of middle-aged White Americans due to suicides and substance overdoses has been hypothesized to be caused by various societal conditions. Work is a social determinant of health, but its role in this demographic shift has not been examined. This article describes the characteristics and trends of suicides and overdose fatalities occurring in U.S. workplaces among all workers between 2011 and 2022., Methods: Data originated from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injury database. Fatality rates were calculated using the Current Population Survey. Fatality rates were calculated and compared among demographic and occupational groups. Annual rates were modeled with a first-order auto-regressive linear regression to account for serial correlation. Analyses were conducted in 2023-2024., Results: Between 2011 and 2022, the rate of workplace overdose fatality rates increased from 0.05 per 100,000 workers to 0.33-an increase of 560%. Workplace suicide rates were relatively stable (0.19 per 100,000 to 0.17). Most industries and occupations experienced significant increases in workplace overdose rates and nonsignificant decreases in workplace suicide rates. The largest workplace overdose rates occurred in the transportation and warehousing industry (0.47, 95% CI=0.27, 0.67) and farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (0.68, 95% CI=0.27, 1.08)., Conclusions: Fatal workplace suicides and substance overdoses have different trends and impact industries, occupations, and demographic groups differently. The rise in workplace overdoses deserve immediate attention., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Occupational health and safety surveillance in the US relies primarily on federal and state administrative data sources which all have limitations created by underreporting and different sampling frames. To begin closing data gaps, in 2019 the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration began requiring many US business establishments to submit injury and illness data to the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). We present an example use of these data by characterizing injuries in the California warehousing industry., Methods: Yearly ITA data for 2018-2023 were obtained and cleaned to exclude invalid records, resulting in 3717 records from California General Warehousing and Storage (GWS, NAICS 493110) establishments. Annual rates of total reportable injuries and cases of injuries requiring days of job transfer or restriction (DJTR) were calculated., Results: Total injury rates peaked in 2021, with 5.87 injuries per 100 workers. While total injury rates subsequently declined, 2023 DJTR rates remained elevated over 2018 rates (3.21 vs. 1.84 per 100 workers). The primary analytical limitations were potential bias due to underreporting, and difficulty in identifying warehouse establishments., Conclusion: The ITA data are a valuable addition to existing administrative data sources, with several limitations similar to those in other administrative datasets. The findings of consistently elevated total and DJTR injury rates in California's warehousing industry are consistent with previous research and indicate that outreach and enforcement efforts should be expanded to protect the health and safety of warehouse workers., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: Electronic Health Records (EHRs) can contain vast amounts of clinical information that could be reused in modelling outcomes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Determining the generalizability of an EHR dataset is an important step in determining the appropriateness of its reuse. The study aims to describe the EHR dataset used by occupational musculoskeletal therapists and determine whether the EHR dataset is generalizable to the Australian workers' population and injury characteristics seen in workers' compensation claims., Methods: Variables were considered if they were associated with outcomes of WMSDs and variables data were available. Completeness and external validity assessment analysed frequency distributions, percentage of records and confidence intervals., Results: There were 48,434 patient care plans across 10 industries from 2014 to 2021. The EHR collects information related to clinical interventions, health and psychosocial factors, job demands, work accommodations as well as workplace culture, which have all been shown to be valuable variables in determining outcomes to WMSDs. Distributions of age, duration of employment, gender and region of birth were mostly similar to the Australian workforce. Upper limb WMSDs were higher in the EHR compared to workers' compensation claims and diagnoses were similar., Conclusion: The study shows the EHR has strong potential to be used for further research into WMSDs as it has a similar population to the Australian workforce, manufacturing industry and workers' compensation claims. It contains many variables that may be relevant in modelling outcomes to WMSDs that are not typically available in existing datasets., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of Interest: The authors Melinda Wassell, Andrew Vitiello, Karin Verspoor, Kerryn Butler-Henderson and Henry Pollard have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Melinda Wassell was an employee of Work Healthy Australia prior to May 2021. Work Healthy Australia provided the dataset for the research project. It is not expected that Work Healthy Australia will gain or lose financially from the publication of this research., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Work-related injury is one of the most complex public health challenges globally. Rapid population growth and development in Hawassa City have resulted in increased solid waste generation, a growing complexity of waste with an increasing number of waste collectors, and mounting risks. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of work-related injuries among solid waste collectors in Hawassa City, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia, in 2023. A cross-sectional design was employed with 240 waste collectors using simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Open Data Kit and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted, and associations were determined using odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a significance level of 0.05. The 240 waste collectors, 237 (98.8%) participated in this study. Among them, 104 (43.9%, 95% CI: 37.5-50.3) reported work-related injuries. Factors such as work duty as a recycler (AOR = 6.64; 95% CI: (2.11 to 20.845)), manual handling of waste (AOR: 5.187; 95% CI (2.23 to 12.04)), receiving first occupational health training ((AOR: 3.449; 95% CI (1.328 to 8.96)), on-the-job training (AOR = 7.826; 95% CI (3.08 to 19.839)), and the use of modern waste handling equipment (AOR: 0.251; 95% CI, (0.071 to 0.893)) were found to be significant predictors of work-related injury. The prevalence of work-related injuries among municipal solid waste collectors in Hawassa City is high. Thus, we recommend that pre-employment and on-the-job training be provided to waste collectors, along with the regular provision of appropriate waste-handling equipment., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: Ethical clearance for the research was obtained from ethical review board of Hawassa University under reference number Ref. No: IRB/168/15. Additionally, a support letter was acquired from the Hawassa University School of Public Health and the Hawassa City Municipality to facilitate the research process. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Occupational or work-related injuries are mostly common among hospitals' sanitary workers (SWs) in developing countries like Ethiopia. This is due to improper practiced of devices, unhygienic workplace, neglected and undermined risk factors, as well as due to lack of policy initiatives; but not studied well., Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the occupational injuries and its associated factors among SWs in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia: A Modified Poisson regression Model Analysis., Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from May 2023 to August 30th, 2023. Out of fourteen hospitals, eight of them were selected randomly. Eight data collectors and 4 supervisors were assigned. Face-to-face interview was conducted. Eight hundred hospital SWs were recruited for the study. Occupational injury was measured using Boolean logic questionnaire either YES [1] or NO [0] for the last 12 months and the 7 days. Descriptive statistical was used for means, medians, standard deviations, and frequencies, proportions, and percentages. Modified Poisson regression was used to explore the relationship of outcome and independent variables. Accordingly, bi-variable analysis was performed to estimate unadjusted prevalence ratio (UPR). While, multi-variable model was used adjusted PR(APR) for those variables have significant values of p ≤0.20 at bi-variate analysis with confidence interval of 95% (CI:95%)., Result: Out of eight hundred nine SWs, 729(90.1%) were participated on the study. Self-reported occupational injuries among SWs in the last 12 months were 44.0% (95% CI: 40.4, 47.7). Of these, 92.2% (95%CI: 88.7,94.90%) and 7.8% (95%CI: 5.1, 11.3%) occupational injuries was reported from the cleaners and waste collectors, respectively. The model found that SWs those acquired diseases after recruited in the hospitals (APR:1.3;95%CI:1.1,1.6), those had sleeping disorder (APR:1.2;95%CI:1.0,1.), those had workload (APR:1.3; 95%CI:1.0, 1.8), those exposed with occupational hazards (APR:1.4; 95%CI:1.3, 1.7) were at the risk of occupational injuries as compared to their counter parts. Meanwhile, SWs those didn't get supervision (APR: 1.0;95%CI: 1.0, 1.2) and those non-adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) (APR:1.3;95%CI:1.0,1.5) were more likely to at the risk of occupational injuries., Conclusion: The current study concluded that there was a high prevalence of occupational injuries among SWs in the current selected public hospitals. The study also found that non-compliant with PPE, work load, sleeping disorders, attitude towards workplace safety and unsupervised activities and working in high-risk environment tends to increase the risk for occupational injuries. In addition to occupational injuries the study found that SWs those acquired occupational diseases such as asthma, respiratory tract problems, allergy, infections, kidney problems and dermatology problems after recruited in hospitals., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Tolera et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Hospital cleaners face a complex and varied work environment due to several potentially dangerous circumstances, including the risk of getting injured by sharp objects and being subjected to various ergonomic and physical risks. They thus acquire a combination or co-occurrence of outcomes associated to their line of work. In this study it stands for occurrence of occupational injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during study period, which has not been explored in developing countries like Ethiopia, particularly among hospital cleaners., Objective: To assess the prevalence of co-occurrence of occupational outcomes and associated factors among hospital cleaners, Eastern Ethiopia., Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 741 cleaners in eight hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from May, 2023 to 30th August, 2023. Face-to-face interview was conducted. The data quality was maintained by designing standard questions that preserved both external and internal validity. The entered data was exported from Epi-Data 3.1 to Stata 17MP. Descriptive statistic was used to characterize one variable, While, binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationship of the predictors. At binary analysis variables having a p-value of < 0.20 were candidates for multivariate logistic regression. The crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented. Those variables having < 0.05 were reported. The variance inflation factor used to test multicollinearity. While, Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit-test was applied for model fit., Result: From total of 741 hospital cleaners, 679 (91.63%) of them were responded. The prevalence co-occurrence of occupational outcome among cleaners was 25.04% (95%CI: 21.82, 28.47). The multivariate logistic regression shows that those had workload (AOR:2.78, 95%CI: 1.25,6.17), those worked more than 8r/day (AOR:3.45, 95%CI:2.34,6.32), those have sleeping disorders (AOR: 4.61,95%CI: 2.89, 8.03), those had work stress (AOR:2.05, 95%CI:0.98,4.29), those highly exposed with hazards (AOR: 4.22, 95%CI:2.40, 7.45) and those had poor knowledge of risk (AOR:2.41, 95%CI:1.06, 5.50) were more likely increase the odds of co-occurrence of occupational outcome as compared to their counterparts., Conclusion: The current study concluded that one-fourth of the co-occurrence of occupational outcomes was reported among hospital cleaners. The study also found that lack of supervision, workload, working more hours per a day, severely presence of occupational hazards, lack of regular job rotation, the sleeping disorders and having work stress all increased the odds of co-occurrence occupational outcome., Competing Interests: Declarations Consent for publication Not applicable. Methods The authors declared that all methods were carried out accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and valid previous studies. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: Research characterizing work-related injuries and illnesses (WRII) has predominantly focused on inpatients and deaths, despite evidence that 4% of WRII are admitted as inpatients and deaths are less than 0.2% of acute WRII. Our aim is to determine the usefulness of incorporating emergency department (ED) hospital data into current occupational health surveillance systems., Methods: Data on ED and admitted WRII treated in Illinois hospitals from 2017 to 2021 were analyzed. Demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, procedures undertaken, and unique patient estimates are described. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to evaluate predictors of treatment in the ED and multivariable median regression models determined associations of total hospital charges., Results: Between 2017 and 2021 there were 488,033 hospital presentations (95.9% nonadmissions) for WRII in Illinois, equating to a crude annual population rate of 1502.1/100,000. Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) were disproportionately treated for illnesses, while Hispanic or Latino workers were disproportionately treated for injuries. African-Americans had the highest rate of ED emergent presentations (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.3, ref = NHW) and were less likely to be admitted for emergent presentations (IRR = 0.7, ref = NHW). ED presentations were more likely to be female, present with an injury, and at a rural, versus urban, hospital. Radiological investigations compromised the majority of procedures for nonadmitted patients (n = 403,317), and 94.8% were coded for a body region CONCLUSION: Between 2017 and 2021 in Illinois, there were nearly 500,000 hospital visits charged to workers' compensation totaling over US$ four billion. ED data provide additional insights into work-related chronic conditions, health disparities, and the usage of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for WRII., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Long-term opioid use is related to numerous harms and has uncertain efficacy for chronic, non-cancer pain. Identification of individuals at risk for long-term opioid use can help support treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to determine psychosocial factors associated with opioid use 6 months after a work-related injury., Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study incorporating surveys and administrative data. Eligibility included a workers' compensation claim for an injury between June 2019 and September 2021, no opioid use within 3 months before injury, and opioid use within 6 weeks after injury. The outcome was self-reported opioid use at the 6-month follow-up survey (no use, use some days, or use most or every day). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to calculate relative risk ratios (RRRs) for associations between self-reported psychosocial factors and long-term opioid use., Results: Of the 1724 respondents, 301 (17.5%) reported taking long-term opioids on some days and 87 (5.0%) reported taking long-term opioids on most or every day. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical covariates, workers reporting work fear-avoidance had a higher relative risk of opioid use most or every day, versus no opioid use at the 6-month survey, compared to those without work fear-avoidance (RRR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.08, 3.50). Anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and recovery expectations were not associated with long-term opioid use after covariate adjustment., Conclusions: Work fear-avoidance was associated with long-term opioid use in this study of injured workers. Addressing fears surrounding an injury and returning to work may help deter reliance on long-term opioids., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Surgical specialists experience significant musculoskeletal strain as a consequence of their profession, a domain within the healthcare system often recognized for the pronounced impact of such issues. The aim of this study is to calculate the risk of presenting musculoskeletal injuries in surgeons after surgical practice., Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out using an online form (12/2021-03/2022) aimed at members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. Demographic variables on physical and professional activity were recorded, as well as musculoskeletal pain (MSP) associated with surgical activity. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify risk factors associated with the development of MSP based on personalized surgical activity. To achieve this, a risk algorithm was computed and an online machine learning calculator was created to predict them. Physiotherapeutic recommendations were generated to address and alleviate each MSP., Results: A total of 651 surgeons (112 trainees, 539 specialists). 90.6% reported MSP related to surgical practice, 60% needed any therapeutic measure and 11.7% required a medical leave. In the long term, MSP was most common in the cervical and lumbar regions (52.4, 58.5%, respectively). Statistically significant risk factors (OR CI 95%) were for trunk pain, long interventions without breaks (3.02, 1.65-5.54). Obesity, indicated by BMI, to lumbar pain (4.36, 1.84-12.1), while an inappropriate laparoscopic screen location was associated with cervical and trunk pain (1.95, 1.28-2.98 and 2.16, 1.37-3.44, respectively). A predictive model and an online calculator were developed to assess MSP risk. Furthermore, a need for enhanced ergonomics training was identified by 89.6% of surgeons., Conclusions: The prevalence of MSP among surgeons is a prevalent but often overlooked health concern. Implementing a risk calculator could enable tailored prevention strategies, addressing modifiable factors like ergonomics., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Rotator cuff repair (RCR) is increasingly being performed for both acute traumatic and degenerative tears of the rotator cuff, whereas total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is reserved for osteonecrosis of the humeral head, arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and failed RCR., Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence and patient characteristics of rotator cuff tears (RCTs), RCRs, and TSAs among workers' compensation claimants., Methods: A total of 8347 RCTs indemnity claims filed to Accident Fund Group from 2007 to 2022 were studied., Results: Over the study period, the percentages of RCTs increased from 41% to 65% among shoulder injury indemnity claimants, RCRs increased from 88% to 92% of RCTs, and TSAs increased from 1% to 5%., Conclusions: RCT, RCR, and TSA have increased dramatically among workers' compensation claimants, with age of the injured worker being the primary determinant of the increase., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (Copyright © 2024 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.)

Musculoskeletal injuries during the "Initial Training Phase" (ITP) are a major medical problem faced by law enforcement agencies worldwide. Aiming to develop an injury prevention strategy, we examined the incidence, type, associated factors, and severity of injuries and secondarily tracked their evolution over time by batches in a police academy. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using prospectively collected injury data on 979 newly recruited male police cadets enrolled in eight batches between 2015 and 2023. Among the 376 injured participants (age: 18.1 ± 0.3 years, body-mass: 75.8 ± 12.5 kg, body-height: 173.7 ± 4.0 cm, body mass index [BMI]: 25.1 ± 4.1 kg·m -2 , body-fat percentage: 18.1% ± 5.1%), 405 injuries were recorded during the ITP. Musculoskeletal injury data were analyzed according to type, associated-factors, severity, and evolution across batches. Almost half of the recruits (41.4%) sustained at least one musculoskeletal injury. Based on injury frequency (39-69 case) and exposure time (20,944.5-43,006.5 hours per participant) indices, and with an implication of scientific training tips, the long-term follow-up over-batches showed that the injury incidence was decreased 2.5-fold from Batch 1 to Batch 8 ( p  < .0001). Most injuries occurred between Weeks 2 and 5 (80% cumulative). The most common injury type was medial tibial stress syndrome (36.0%), followed by iliotibial band syndrome (12.6%), and ankle sprain (10.4%). This injury profile aligns with previous studies on law enforcement recruits, although comparisons should be made cautiously due to variations in training programs and recruit characteristics between agencies. The most frequently reported perceived potential contributors of injuries were vitamin and mineral deficiencies (20.7%), overweight/obesity (19.1%), and harsh physical activities (13.0%). During ITP, almost half of the recruits sustained at least one musculoskeletal injury, most of them in the fourth week. Some of the major associated factors of injury could be controlled resulting in a potential reduction of the injury incidence by up to 2.5 times. Implementing tailored fitness programs, incorporating subjective and objective training load assessments, and enhancing monitoring could significantly decrease injury rates, improve recruit readiness, and reduce resource and time waste on injury treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.