Workplace Health & Safety最新文献

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have become the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the differential cardiovascular risk profile among university professionals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1,483 workers from a public university in Madrid. Sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk were calculated using the SCORE2 system. The workers were classified according to their professional category (faculty vs. administrative personnel), sex, or type of contract (government employees vs. non-government employees). Multinomial logistic regression was conducted with the variables professional category, physical activity (PA), and SCORE2.

Findings: The calculated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was lower in women than in men (3.00 ± 1.91 vs. 4.06 ± 2.26; p < .001), higher in the administrative personnel than in the faculty (3.82 ± 2.10 vs. 3.20 ± 2.18; p < .001), and lower in the non-government employees compared to the government employees (3.21 ± 2.05 vs. 3.83 ± 2.22; p < .001). The group that engaged in less PA was the administrative personnel non-government employees. The regression model results corroborate the hypothesis that administrative personnel government employees and non-government employees as well as faculty non-government employees, are at a higher risk of physical inactivity than faculty government employees. Furthermore, the data indicates that administrative personnel government employees are at an elevated cardiovascular risk.Conclusion/Applications to Practice:It is essential to consider the professional category and the type of contract to assess cardiovascular risk in university workers. It is recommended that strategies be implemented to promote PA among university professionals.

Background: In the U.S., opioid-involved overdose deaths rose dramatically from 21,089 in 2010 to 108,000 in 2022. Opioid use and overdoses are increasingly occurring outside clinical settings, necessitating the need for workplace-based interventions. Various industries, including hospitality and service, have reported increased naloxone training to combat workplace overdoses. This study explores the literature on Opioid Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) training by occupation and identifies areas for future intervention through an occupational health lens.

Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and utilized Arksey and O'Malley's five-step framework. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, covering publications from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2023. Studies were included if they reported on the occupational demographics of OEND program participants and the impact of these programs on knowledge, attitudes, and overdose response.

Results: Seventy-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Most OEND training targeted healthcare providers (71%) and first responders (24%). Other occupational groups, such as service industry workers, construction workers, and librarians, were underrepresented. The review highlighted the need for tailored OEND training in these sectors, emphasizing pragmatic implementation measures.

Conclusions: Increased access to naloxone and comprehensive OEND training are crucial for reducing opioid-related overdose mortality, particularly in non-traditional occupational groups.

Application to practice: Occupational health nurses should prioritize expanding OEND programs to underrepresented occupational groups. Tailored training and harm reduction strategies should be incorporated to address the unique needs of these workers and enhance the effectiveness of overdose response interventions in various workplace settings.

Background: Comparing 2018 to 2022, active shooter incidents (ASIs) increased by over 66% from 30 to 50 shootings, respectively. There are limited data on the effectiveness of currently available active shooter preparedness programs. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the effectiveness of the 2022 active shooter training (AST) for staff and faculty of a large southeastern university's School of Nursing (SON).

Methods: Survey participants were SON faculty and staff recruited via emails sent pre- and post-AST. An online survey was used to obtain the participants' demographics, knowledge regarding the recommended actions for responding to ASI, and confidence in their ability to react appropriately. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings: Information was obtained from 141 survey responses (80 pre- and 61 post-survey responses). Overall, group confidence in the ability to react to ASIs increased from pre- to post-training. Correct responses to knowledge-based questions based on the training increased by 7.8% in the post-training survey. Post-survey respondents indicated a 33.6% increased accurate response to the question, "What is the correct response to an active shooter?"

Conclusion: The SON AST effectively improved the readiness and confidence of the trainees in case of such a future shooting incident. Future AST should integrate didactic and simulation aspects into programs for further efficacy.

Application to practice: Active shooter incident instruction in the workplace and further evaluation of the effectiveness of training programs should become a national priority. Occupational health nurses are well suited to help evaluate and improve AST effectiveness.

Background: Individuals living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC; e.g., obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) are at an increased risk for occupational injuries, decreased work productivity, and early departure from the workforce.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 200 working adults with obesity and hypertension, diabetes, and/or dyslipidemia was conducted to examine the relationships across self-efficacy, physical function, and healthy behaviors in addition to their relationship with the work environment.

Findings: Self-efficacy was found to have a statistically significant positive association with physical function (p < .001) as well as with eating behaviors (p < .001). Full-time workers reported greater physical function than part-time workers (p < .001), and those working in active/manual labor positions reported more physical activity compared to those working in sedentary positions (p = .001).

Conclusion: Individuals with greater self-efficacy for managing their chronic conditions also had higher physical function capabilities and healthier eating behaviors. In addition, individuals who work full-time reported higher physical function capabilities, and those in active work positions had higher physical activity scores. Future research is needed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

Application to practice: Occupational health nurses need to work with employees with MCC to help accommodate healthcare provider visits and/or work restrictions to allow employees to maintain full-time work in addition to encouraging sedentary workers to increase physical activity.

Background: Clinician well-being is crucial to the healthcare system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified psychological distress among clinicians. This study examines well-being disparities between rural and urban clinicians using the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 222 clinicians from one urban and three rural hospitals in North Carolina between September and December 2022. The WellBQ assessed well-being across five domains. Data analysis identified concerning thresholds based on positive and negative responses, with discrepancies resolved through independent reviews and focus group validation.

Findings: In the work evaluation and experience domain, rural hospitals reported concerns with time paucity and work overload, while urban hospitals focused on work-related fatigue and job engagement. Rural hospitals noted issues with job benefits, health programs, and schedule flexibility, whereas urban hospitals emphasized the lack of supportive work culture and management trust. Both settings reported concerns in the physical environment and safety climate domain, including sexual harassment, physical violence, and bullying. Health status concerns in rural hospitals included overall stress and poor mental health, while urban hospitals highlighted chronic health conditions and risky drinking.

Conclusion: This study identified significant well-being disparities between rural and urban clinicians, with urban hospitals showing higher concerning thresholds. Future research should refine these thresholds, explore workplace violence causes, and assess long-term impacts on clinician well-being.Applications to Practice:This study reveals significant well-being disparities between rural and urban clinicians, emphasizing the need for tailored occupational health interventions.

Background: The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) prioritizes research and professional development in occupational and environmental health nursing (OEHN) as part of its mission to promote workplace and community health and safety. The AAOHN Foundation plays a critical role in advancing this mission by administering grants and scholarships that empower occupational health nurses (OHNs) to pursue education, research, leadership roles, and professional development within the specialty. These opportunities help keep nurses in the workforce by offering a flexible career path through OEHN. This supports long-term careers and work-life balance, contributing to the stability and growth of the profession. Many resources and financial opportunities remain underutilized due to common barriers, such as lack of awareness about available grants, endowments and scholarships, uncertainty about the application process, and lack of confidence in navigating the process.

Methods: This article addresses these challenges by providing OHNs with practical tools and best practices, including updates on available funding opportunities, grant-writing tips, approaches to build self-assurance, and strategies to navigate applications successfully.

Conclusions/application to practice: By fostering awareness of these resources and utilization of the AAOHN Foundation funding opportunities, OHNs can enhance workplace safety, promote public health, and drive innovation and growth within OEHN. Strengthening individual professional development as OHNs and healthcare providers, researchers, and leaders ultimately amplifies the collective impact of the OEHN community, ensuring its continuing evolution and meaningful contributions to the field.

Background: The textile industry, a vital sector in Türkiye, exposes workers to numerous occupational risks, including physical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards. The weaving stage, in particular, involves prolonged exposure to chemicals, noise, and dust, posing significant health challenges. Identifying workplace hazards is critical to safeguarding employee health and productivity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two textile factories in Türkiye. This research investigated perceived workplace risks and related factors to which weaving workers are exposed. Sociodemographics, work-related characteristics and perceptions of chemical, noise, and dust exposures were analyzed. A total of 355 people participated in the study.

Findings: Nearly three-quarters of participants were male, 40% were smokers, and 55.8% worked over 45 hours weekly. Chemical exposure was reported in 21.1% of workplaces, 75.5% identified noise as a hazard, and 65.9% noted dusty environments. About 19.3% did not use personal protective equipment (PPE), citing discomfort and perceived inefficacy. Health complaints in the past week included skin issues (10.7%), eye irritation (17.5%), hearing problems (12.7%), and respiratory symptoms (11.5%).

Conclusions: Weaving workers face significant occupational risks, particularly from chemical, noise, and dust exposures. Long-term exposure to these hazards may lead to chronic diseases, reducing workers' quality of life. Training and preventive measures are essential to mitigate these risks and improve workplace safety.

Application to practice: Implementing targeted interventions, such as enhanced workplace planning, safer technologies, regular maintenance, ergonomic support, and comprehensive training programs, can improve health and safety conditions for weaving workers while boosting productivity and reducing healthcare costs.

Background: Evidence-based interventions for the prevention of safety incidents at work are most effective when they include a focus on the hierarchy of controls. However, prior studies addressing the effects of safety leadership and safety climate are limited. The determination and adoption of evidence-based interventions specifically in the U.S. Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishing (AgFF) sector can be a challenge, and prior studies have shown a paucity of evidence-based occupational safety and health practices in the AgFF sector.

Methods: We enrolled 73 dairy farm supervisors from 27 U.S. farms to participate in a 12-module dairy leadership training program. We employed the Kirkpatrick Model (KM) to evaluate different levels of training effectiveness.

Findings: Participant reactions to the program were positive (KM level 1), and evaluation of knowledge gained among participants revealed 90% had learned new safety leadership information (KM level 2) that could be applied in their role as a dairy farm supervisor (KM level 3). Nearly 88% reported favorable experiences during their training participation. Post-training group interviews with supervisors (n = 21) provided information regarding training experiences and constructive feedback regarding opportunities for training improvement. Behavior change evaluation revealed nearly 50% of observed safety hazards on farms were related to livestock handling (21.6%), trips/falls (17.1%), and moving machinery (10.4%). The largest percentage of observed workplace conflicts were verbal (27.8%).

Conclusions/application to practice: The application of the Kirkpatrick Model of training evaluation suggests participating dairy farm supervisors had positive experiences with the training program, and acquired safety hazard and workplace conflict identification skills.

Background: With the increasing use of social media, social media addiction (SMA) has become a pressing issue and is associated with multiple negative outcomes. Lack of mindfulness has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of SMA, yet such an association has never been explored among nurses in China.

Methods: From December 4, 2022 to March 14, 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 29 hospitals in Hunan Province, China. A total of 1,141 nurses were recruited and completed the online questionnaires. Mindfulness and SMA were assessed by the Mindful Awareness Attention Scale (MAAS) and Social Networking Service Addiction Scale (SNSAS), respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the association between mindfulness and SMA, and other influencing factors of SMA.

Results: The nurses had an average score of 68.02 ± 11.86 for mindfulness and 46.15 ± 15.09 for SMA. The results of linear regression analysis showed that lower levels of mindfulness (β = -0.06, p < .001), shorter working years (β = -0.21, p = .014), and experiencing more frequent workplace violence (β = 0.21, p =.007) were associated with an increased risk of SMA.

Conclusions/application to practice: Our study shows a generally moderate level of SMA among nurses in Hunan Province, which was influenced by mindfulness, working years, and workplace violence. Mindfulness-based interventions may be effective interventions to alleviate nurses' SMA. Special attention should also be paid to nurses with shorter working years and those who experienced workplace violence.