Industrial Health最新文献

This study explores the safety culture among chemical laboratory workers in Sri Lanka's academic, industrial, and government sectors, examining how attitudes, practices, and perceptions influence safety practices, mitigate risks, and promote worker well-being. A cross-sectional survey of 267 laboratory workers was conducted between March 14 and July 14, 2024, using the Laboratory Safety Culture Survey. Data analysis involved t-tests, ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc tests, and chi-square tests to evaluate differences in safety culture components and participant characteristics. The findings revealed significant variations in safety attitudes and practices across the three sectors. Industrial laboratories exhibited stronger safety practices, including higher compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols, while academic and government sectors faced challenges due to limited resources and inconsistent safety practices. The study highlighted the need for sector-specific safety training, effective risk communication, and enhanced adherence to safety protocols, particularly in academic and government settings. Additionally, the importance of leadership in fostering a strong safety culture was emphasized, with active involvement from principal investigators and supervisors contributing to better safety outcomes. The results suggest that tailored interventions, adequate resource allocation, and increased leadership engagement are crucial for improving safety practices and sustaining a culture of safety across laboratories.

Over 10,000 Japanese people are estimated to die annually from overwork. Yet, the reasons why some employees in certain cultures persist in exploitative work environments remain unclear. This study investigates psychosocial factors that prevent exploited employees from leaving their organisations, with a specific emphasis on the role of collectivism. We hypothesise that perceptions of an overwork climate and elevated levels of workaholism contribute to employees' feelings of exploitation, subsequently increasing turnover intentions. Additionally, we predict that collectivism exacerbates the effect of overwork climate on workaholism and weakens employees' intentions to leave their exploitative work environment. Data from 147 Japanese employees were collected via online surveys using snowball sampling. Factor score path analysis and mediation tests (5,000 bootstrap samples) were employed to test our hypotheses. Results suggested that feelings of exploitation are positively linked to turnover intentions, which are driven by the perception of an overwork climate and employees' compulsive orientation towards work. Importantly, collectivism weakened the link between perceived exploitation and turnover intentions. This study provides an account of the complex interplay between organisational climate, culture, and the impact of feeling exploited on employees' intentions to quit, highlighting the potential adverse effects of collectivism on employees.

This study examined the associations between workplace telework guidance, self-management behaviors, and health outcomes-specifically ocular and musculoskeletal symptoms and subjective health perception-among Japanese teleworkers in the post-COVID-19 era. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and November 2023, targeting full-time employees in Japan who began teleworking after January 2020. Participants were recruited in collaboration with the Tokyo Federation of the Japan Trade Union Confederation (RENGO Tokyo), a major labor organization representing a wide range of industries. Health status was assessed based on the presence of ocular and musculoskeletal symptoms and subjective health perception, measured using an item from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Among 1,666 valid responses, 48.1% of participants reported receiving telework-related guidance from their workplaces. Those who received guidance were more likely to engage in self-management behaviors, such as taking adequate breaks and obtaining sufficient sleep, which were significantly associated with better health outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of workplace guidance in promoting self-management practices and reducing health risks in telework environments, highlighting the necessity of implementing evidence-based occupational health strategies.

We investigated the occurrence of fractures caused by same-level falls resulting from occupational accidents in the transportation sector, utilizing data on occupational deaths and injuries (2012-2016) collected by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. We analyzed injury cases requiring four or more days of work absence, focusing on same-level falls. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess differences in fracture occurrence across occupations. Fractures occurred in 27.8% of workers in the hired taxi business, 23.0% in general cargo transportation, 21.9% in other road freight forwarding businesses, 18.3% in the railroad and orbital sector, 16.5% in the bus line industry, and 7.5% in the airline industry. After adjusting for covariates, hired taxi businesses showed a 1.76-fold higher fracture occurrence (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.95) compared to the railroad and orbital sector, and 1.4-fold higher occurrence (CI: 1.08-1.85) compared to general cargo transportation. Over 60% of falls in taxi and bus lines involved temporary structures. Taxi drivers experience a high occurrence of fractures, following same-level falls, indicating a significant occupational hazard. This study emphasizes targeted interventions, including measures to prevent falls and lifestyle modifications to mitigate fracture susceptibility, to improve worker safety.

The Working Time Traffic Light (WTTL) recommendations are detailed guidelines aimed at mitigating the health and safety effects of shift work. This paper reviews the development, implementation, and effects of the WTTL recommendations in social and healthcare. Based on the payroll-based Working Hours in the Finnish Public Sector (WHFPS) cohort of over 300,000 employees, we analysed many dose-response associations of different working hour characteristics with health and safety and developed cut-off levels and evaluation tools for the traffic light-based WTTL recommendations. The recommendations were implemented in the social and healthcare sector by embedding the recommendations into shift scheduling software in co-operation with commercial software producers, and by giving feedback on the working hour characteristics to the healthcare organizations and policymakers. Based on a 5-year follow-up, the WTTL recommendations were well-known, and used regularly by 20% of the shift planners. Compared to the non-users, the regular use of the evaluation tool was associated with improved working hour patterns, a lower number of occupational accidents, and a decrease in psychological distress. Based on the established use of the recommendations and their effects on health and safety, the development and implementation of the WTTL recommendations can be regarded as successful.

The rapid expansion of delivery labor platforms in China has driven many people to move from rural to urban areas. Previous studies indicated that platform-based delivery work can be demanding, subject to algorithmic control, and lacking employment protections. While migrant workers are more likely to be exposed to adverse psychosocial working conditions and more vulnerable due to limited social services, few studies have examined the role of migrant status in mental health and its associations with psychosocial working conditions among platform delivery workers. This study employed a cross-sectional online survey to compare the mental health status of platform delivery workers in China and the associations with psychosocial working conditions by migrant status. Of the 923 delivery workers surveyed, 492 (53.3%) were rural-to-urban migrants. The findings indicated that rural-to-urban migrant delivery workers experienced high levels of mental disorders and burnout. Regression analyses revealed that workplace violence and high job demands were significantly associated with mental disorders and high burnout, and these associations were more pronounced among rural-to-urban migrant workers. Greater attention should be paid to this growing urban workforce, and context-specific interventions are essential to protect their mental health and wellbeing.

Research on worker exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during asphalt paving operations remains significantly limited, and regulatory frameworks governing such exposures are also insufficient. Previous studies have primarily focused on a limited number of major VOCs. However, this study employs high-resolution, high-performance Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) to comprehensively evaluate exposure levels to 25 different VOCs. Additionally, Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to assess both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, thereby providing foundational data for future risk mitigation strategies. During asphalt paving operations, the concentrations of most VOCs increased by a factor of 2 to 10 compared to background levels. Nevertheless, none of these compounds exceeded the Occupational Exposure Limits. However, the concentration of acrolein exceeded the Ceiling Threshold Limit Value established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists by approximately tenfold, highlighting the critical need for peak exposure management. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that the maximum Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and acrolein exceeded 1, indicating potential adverse health effects. Furthermore, the Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) values for benzene and 1,3-butadiene surpassed established safety thresholds, confirming a significant increase in carcinogenic risk. Furthermore, this study proposes measures to reduce exposure to hazardous substances.

Jockeys endure considerable physical and psychological demands, rendering them vulnerable to occupational injuries such as fractures, concussions, and soft tissue damage. This descriptive case series presents the medical and occupational histories of three professional jockeys with long-term disabilities following work-related accidents. Each individual commenced their jockey career in early adolescence. All sustained head trauma from horse falls and had histories of hospitalization due to injuries incurred while riding. Documented injuries included rib, vertebral, clavicular, and upper extremity fractures, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, and ligament rupture in the lower extremity. Two of the cases underwent extended periods of physical therapy but reported minimal functional recovery. These findings highlight the insufficient preventive strategies and limited long-term support available to injured jockeys. Enhanced occupational safety measures, regular medical evaluations, and access to physical and mental rehabilitation are essential to address the occupational hazards in this profession. Further studies are warranted to develop targeted interventions for injury prevention and long-term care.

This study aimed to provide information on exposure to welding fume in workplaces in Australia, and the use of control measures in these workplaces. Personal and static samples of welding fume particulates and gases were collected at 20 workplaces whilst welding was being undertaken. Study personnel also recorded observations of the workplace. Total welding fume particulate concentration in the breathing zone was above 1 mg/m³ (the newly established workplace exposure standard). Peak concentrations of ozone were above the peak limitation standard of 0.1 ppm for most workers when they had their head over the welding area. Very few workplaces had active ventilation in place and functioning at the time of the worksite visits, most workplaces relying on natural ventilation coming from the large workspaces, high ceilings and open doors. The use of respiratory protective equipment was sub-optimal; about a quarter of participants used no respiratory protection while welding. This study provides the first comprehensive information on concentration of welding fume particulate and gases in Australian workplaces and the use of relevant control measures. The findings suggest there is considerable scope for improvement in the control of exposure to welding fume.

This study evaluates the sense of belonging and its determinants among standardized training nurses in China. A survey of 133 nurses was conducted using convenience sampling, incorporating the Belongingness Scale-Clinical Placement Experience, Turnover Intention Scale, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. Data were analyzed with T-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The average belongingness score was 3.47 ± 0.43, indicating moderate levels. Alarmingly, 94.0% reported high turnover intentions, and 42.9% experienced anxiety. Significant variations in belongingness were linked to health status, work stress, colleague relationships, preceptor satisfaction, and training benefits (p<0.05). Negative correlations were found between belongingness and turnover intention (rs=-0.195, p<0.05) and anxiety (rs=-0.412, p<0.01). Moderate belonging levels were observed, with recommendations for enhanced preceptorship and psychological support.