Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Commons^™

¿Qué Futuro Les Espera A Los Trabajadores Latinos? El Calor Extremo, Las Promesas Vacías Y La Incertidumbre Política, Yunior Rivas Garcia

Capstones

Este artículo explora las condiciones mortales que enfrentan los trabajadores latinos en Estados Unidos debido al estrés por calor, un riesgo creciente en sectores esenciales como la construcción, la agricultura y el almacenamiento. A pesar de representar una proporción significativa de las muertes laborales, las protecciones contra el calor son insuficientes, y la falta de regulación federal agrava la vulnerabilidad de estos trabajadores, muchos de los cuales son indocumentados. A través de casos específicos, como la muerte de Esvin Cruz Mateo, y un análisis de las políticas laborales actuales, el texto examina las fallas estructurales que perpetúan la inseguridad laboral …

The Meatpacking Industry Needs Stronger Worker Protections And Enhanced Oversight, India Luxton, Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern

Center for Policy Research

Meatpacking plants are hazardous workplaces with high injury rates and poor working conditions, negatively impacting the health of the industry’s predominately immigrant and refugee workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated ongoing concerns in the industry, including the problems associated with consolidation and concentration, worker safety, and poor public health outcomes. This brief summarizes findings from a study that used data from 39 interviews with local, state, and federal officials and bureaucrats, worker advocates, and workers to analyze meatpacking policymaking and oversight during COVID-19. The authors find that a lack of industry oversight and decreased regulation contribute to unsafe environments, and injustices …

Attachment Styles As Moderators Of Loneliness In Remote Work, Brody Tj Loughlin

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the role of attachment styles in moderating the relationship between remote work and loneliness. Drawing on attachment theory, which posits that early life experiences shape attachment styles and influence social interactions, the study examines whether attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, and secure) moderate the association between remote work and feelings of loneliness. The research targets 394 remote workers, using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design with proportional stratified sampling to reflect the distribution of hybrid and fully remote work arrangements in the U.S. workforce. The Extent of RemoteWork measure, the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, and the Adult Attachment Scale assess …

To Reduce Mental Illness Stigma Among Emergency Medical Service Clinicians, Agencies Must Value Workers’ Psychological Safety And Health, Bryce Hruska, Maria L. Pacella La-Barbara, Marley S. Barduhn

Population Health Research Brief Series

Despite the mental health burdens on emergency medical service (EMS) personnel, most workers do not seek help due to stigma. Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) refers to how much an organization creates an environment that values, supports, and protects workers’ psychological safety and health. This data slice uses data collected in 2023 from EMS workers employed in the Northeastern U.S. Census Region to examine the association between EMS agencies’ PSC levels and mental illness stigma among EMS personnel. The results show that EMS personnel at agencies with high-risk PSC levels report 38% more mental illness stigma in the workplace compared to …

Characterising The Chemical Composition Of Bushfire Smoke And Implications For Firefighter Exposure In Western Australia, Kiam Padamsey, Adelle Liebenberg, Ruth Wallace, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study evaluates bushfire smoke as a workplace hazard for firefighters by characterising its chemical composition and potential health risks in Western Australia. Portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry was used to measure airborne chemical concentrations at prescribed burns across five regions, including peat (acid sulphate) fire events. Samples were collected during both flaming and smouldering phases, as well as in perceived “clear” air resting zones. Results indicated that carbon monoxide (CO) was the dominant gas, reaching concentrations of 205 ppm at the fire front, followed by nitrogen monoxide (26 ppm) and methane (19 ppm). Peat fires produced distinct profiles, …

Hubungan Tingkat Risiko Postur Kerja Dan Faktor Individu Dengan Keluhan Musculoskeletal Disorders Pekerja Mebel Tunjungsekar, Aquila Ghafril Azizah, Mochamad Yusuf, Anita Sulistyorini, Agung Kurniawan

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

The high poverty rate in Indonesia can be addressed through the contribution of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which absorb approximately 57.78% of the workforce in the informal sector. However, this sector faces risks of workplace accidents and occupational diseases that can impact workers' productivity and well-being. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) account for 42% to 58% of all recorded occupational diseases globally. Preliminary observations identified symptoms of MSDs, such as neck stiffness and back pain, among furniture workers in the informal sector of Tunjungsekar. This study aims to determine the relationship between the risk levels of work posture and individual …

Kajian Risiko Kesehatan Terkait Pajanan Benzene, Toluene Dan Xylene Pada Pekerja Kilang Minyak Pt. X, Putri Noer Halizah, Mila Tejamaya

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Workers in oil and gas production units are at risk of exposure to chemical hazards. One of the ingredients in petroleum is volatile organic compounds (VOC), with examples of ingredients known for their toxicity being benzene, toluene and xylene. This study aims to assess health risks related to exposure to benzene, toluene and xylene of oil refinery workers at PT. X. This study will analyze personal exposure to inhalation routes from benzene, toluene and xylene chemicals using the Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) method from the Department of Safety and Health, Malaysia. The study results showed that the risk level …

Gambaran Persepsi Pengawas Terhadap Efektivitas Geotab Dalam Mengendalikan Risiko Kecelakaan Kendaraan Ringan Di Divisi X, Aisyah Yasmin Zafirah, Chandra Satrya

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

This study aims to understand supervisors' perceptions of the effectiveness of Geotab as a control measure for mitigating the risk of collisions involving light vehicles. Conducted in Division X of PT. X, a mining industry, from February to June 2023, this descriptive, semi-qualitative study collected data through control effectiveness questionnaires, interviews, and document review. The variables studied include the relevance, coverage, reliability, reactivity, resource competence, and supervision system of Geotab. Questionnaire results showed supervisor perception scores of 3.09 for relevance (appropriate), 3.10 for coverage (appropriate), 3.06 for reliability (appropriate), 2.99 for reactivity (appropriate), 2.93 for resource competence, and 2.95 for …

Manajemen Rumah Sakit Dalam Kesiapsiagaan Menghadapi Bencana Di Rsud Balaraja: Metode Hospital Safety Index, Puspita Gaharu Nisaa, Robiana Modjo

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Hospitals are required to provide health services under disaster conditions, serving as the front line to help survivors and patients. RSUD Balaraja of Tangerang Regency, the only Type B hospital owned by the Regency Government, is exposed to high potential disaster hazards, including floods, extreme waves, abrasions and tsunamis, as well as moderate risk of earthquakes. This study aims to analyse hospital management in disaster preparedness using a cross-sectional design with quantitative and qualitative approaches through Module 4 of the Hospital Safety Index and a phenomenological approach. The results showed that hospital management was rated as moderately safe in disaster …

Analisis Aktivitas Fisik Pekerja Mal Pelayanan Publik Kota Cilegon, Muhammad Syifa Abdy Mulya, Indri Hapsari Hapsari Susilowati

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Physical activity is important because it has so many benefits. Even so, there are still many workers who are exposed to the risk of lack of physical activity. For this reason, it is necessary to know what affects the implementation of physical activity in workers. Quantitative design was used with a cross sectional study on 58 Cilegon Public Service Mall workers who met the criteria. As a result, 65.5% of workers are classified as active, 34.5% of workers are inactive and 12% of workers do not carry out any physical activity at all. Level of education (p value = 0.005), …

Examining Assessment Tools To Predict Burnout Among Healthcare Practitioners And Students, Robin Hilliard Albertson, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

The U.S. health system is stretched thin by pressures to expand service delivery and improve outcomes while reducing costs. This pressure is intensified by global health crises and other factors, resulting in further reductions in the healthcare workforce due to burnout. The strain leaves healthcare practitioners at risk of experiencing negative consequences of burnout, even death [1]. This study explored the correlations between three validated assessment tools to determine if early signs of burnout in healthcare practitioners and students can be identified succinctly, thus expanding the current body of evidence on the strengths of environments supporting career retention and healthcare …

Beyond The Checklist: Pilot Education, Aviation Resources, And Health Management Skills, Nancy Smith

Pacific Journal of Health

The research study investigates if pilots find aviation health-related materials provided from training or aviation associations to support their own health needs. A mixed methods convergent parallel design was conducted by sampling 27 pilots within general aviation to assess their utilization of aviation health-related materials, health management skills including self-efficacy and prioritization, as well as their views of implementing particular health topics into aviation training. Results of the study indicate that it is unclear if pilots find aviation health materials useful in managing their health, pilots have a relatively high level of self-efficacy and ability to prioritize one’s health and …

Mold And Dampness In The Built Environment, Cheryl Marcham

Publications

This white paper calls on certified industrial hygienists and IH/OEHS professionals who practice in this area to be informed about the important of systematic building inspections and the strengths and weaknesses of sampling methods. It provides information on common misapprehensions in the lay community about such issues as mycotoxins.

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Among Central Sterile Supply Technicians In Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand, Withaya Chanchai Dr, Ratree Nacglud Ms, Keatkongkrai Bunnum Mr., Nureeya Promsorn Mrs., Laddawan Duangmusik Mrs., Warunee Suwanrat Mrs., Wichuda Chantasin, Kritsana Thonnan Ms.

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Central Sterile Supply Technicians (CSSTs) face an elevated risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), notably affecting the back.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among CSSTs in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, assessed WMSDs among CSSTs using self-administered questionnaires on demographics and symptoms. Out of 188 distributed, 179 were completed, evaluating disorder presence and severity during sterilization in 33 hospitals.

Results: The prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in various body regions, particularly the upper back, at the …

Planetary Health Learning Objectives: Foundational Knowledge For Global Health Education In An Era Of Climate Change, Kathryn H. Jacobsen, Caryl E. Waggett, Pamela Berenbaum, Brett R. Bayles, Gail L. Carlson, René English, Carlos A Faerron Guzmán, Meredith L. Gartin, Liz Grant, Thomas L. Henshaw, Lora L. Iannotti, Philip J. Landrigan, Nina Lansbury, Hao Li, Maureen Y. Lichtveld, Ketrell Mcwhorter, Jessica E. Rettig, Cecilia J. Sorensen, Eric J. Wetzel, Dawn Michele Whitehead, Peter J. Winch, Keith Martin

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Planetary health is an emerging field that emphasises that humans depend on a healthy Earth for survival and, conversely, that the sustainability of Earth systems is dependent on human behaviours. In response to member demands for resources to support teaching and learning related to planetary health, the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) convened a working group to develop a set of planetary health learning objectives (PHLOs) that would complement the existing ten CUGH global health learning objectives. The eight PHLOs feature Earth system changes, planetary boundaries, and climate change science; ecological systems and One Health; human health outcomes; …

Preliminary Assessment Of Tunic Off-Gassing After Wildland Firefighting Exposure, Kiam Padamsey, Adelle Liebenberg, Ruth Wallace, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Evidence has previously shown that outer tunics (turnout coats) worn by firefighters at structural fires are contaminated with harmful chemicals which subsequently off-gas from the material. However, there is limited research on whether this phenomenon extends to wildland firefighter uniforms. This pilot study aimed to explore if the tunics of volunteer bushfire and forestry firefighters in Western Australia off-gas any contaminants after exposure to prescribed burns or bushfires, and whether there is a need to explore this further. Nine tunics were collected from firefighters following nine bushfire and prescribed burn events, with a set of unused tunics serving as a …

Risk Factors For Cognitive Impairment In Adult Population Of Coastal Area: A Cross-Sectional Study In Maringkik Island, Indonesia, Herpan Syafii Harahap, Arina Windri Rivarti, Nurhidayati Nurhidayati, Fitriannisa Faradina Zubaidi, Dini Suryani, Legis Ocktaviana Saputri, Yanna Indrayana, Athalita Andhera, Muhammad Hilam, Abiyyu Didar Haq

Kesmas

Cognitive impairment is a medical condition commonly found in elderly populations, which can be due to vascular risk factors in patients. There remains limited data on risk factors for cognitive impairment among coastal region populations. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for cognitive impairment in the adult population of Maringkik Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Data collected were age, sex, education level, hypertension, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and body mass index status. A total of 114 participants were recruited using a consecutive sampling method. The participants’ cognitive function assessment used the Mini-Cog instrument. The cognitive impairment …

Exploration Of Positive Deviance In Prevention Of Underweight In The Under-Five: A Qualitative Study On Low-Income Urban Families, Irwan Budiono, Lukman Fauzi, Dewi Sari Rochmayani

Kesmas

Children under the age of five (the under-five) from low-income families are more vulnerable to experience underweight. This nutritional vulnerability is evident in the preliminary study, where 35.1% of the under-five experience underweight, and 28.48% are low-income families. This study aimed to explore Positive Deviance (PD) behaviors in preventing underweight among the under-five. The study applied a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data collection took place in July-August 2022, focusing on low-income families in the Gunung Brintik area. Data were collected through two focus group discussions, seven in-depth interviews, and five key informant interviews. Coding, subtheme, and theme …

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Problems: A Look At How Employers View Causes, Roger C. Jensen

Safety Health & Industrial Hygiene

Causation concepts for work-related musculoskeletal disorders vary among authors and academic disciplines. The major causation concepts are single-event and repetitive motion. The aim of this short communication is to share findings from a recent survey of United States employers conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics about work-related musculoskeletal cases, and, more specifically, about whether the employers regard the causes of their employees’ musculoskeletal problems as being from a single exposure or from multiple exposures. Recommendations are offered for using terminology consistent with employer understandings.

The Dissemination And Implementation Of N95 Fit Testing Capacities For Nebraska Long-Term Care Facilities: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Using The Re-Aim Framework, Anthony Blake

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Ensuring the proper fit of N95 respirators used by healthcare workers in long-term care facilities (LTCF) is essential for their safety. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services launched a LTCF strike team project (STP) in the summer of 2022, focused on increasing the number of staff trained in infection control and building internal capacity for LTCFs to fit test their employees. This study describes the N95 fit-testing initiative for Nebraska LTCFs.

Methods: Staff from all 19 local health departments (LHD) received “train-the-trainer” training to prepare LTCF staff to perform qualitative fit testing. LTCF administrators were requested to …