Workplace Health & Safety最新文献

Background: Cardiovascular events are known to be the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters. Implementing fitness standards may help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular deaths; however, standards vary between firefighter type and states. We aimed to investigate the rate of cardiovascular events among firefighters across states.

Methods: Using publicly available data from the United States Fire Administration, we explored the rates of cardiovascular deaths between firefighter type (e.g., career, volunteer, and wildland) and state. Specifically, we examined rates of cardiovascular deaths between California and Tennessee, which have fitness standards for all firefighters, and New York, which does not have fitness standards for volunteer firefighters. We used descriptive statistics and trend analysis to examine the data.

Findings: Most cardiovascular events occur among volunteer firefighters (60.6%, n = 877). Volunteer firefighters had 7.5 (95% CI = [4.8, 11.7], p < .001) greater odds of cardiovascular events compared to wildland firefighters, who had the lowest incidence of cardiovascular events (1.7%, n = 24). New York reported the most cardiovascular events (n = 161), primarily among volunteer firefighters (73.9%, n = 119). After the passage of legislation mandating fitness standards in California, a downtrend in the number of volunteer firefighter fatalities is observed. However, a null effect was observed in Tennessee after the passage of similar fitness standards as in California.

Conclusions/applications to practice: Volunteer firefighters are significantly more likely to die of a cardiovascular event than career and wildland firefighters, both of which have stricter fitness standards. However, the effect of legislation mandating stricter fitness standards among volunteers did not produce a clear benefit for preventing fatalities. Nurses need to promote cardiovascular health among volunteer firefighters.

Background: The quest to increase safety awareness, make job sites safer, and promote decent work for all has led to the utilization of digital technologies in hazardous occupations. This study investigated the use of digital innovations for safety and health management in hazardous industries. The key challenges and recommendations associated with such use were also explored.

Method: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, a total of 48 studies were reviewed to provide a framework for future pathways for the effective implementation of these innovations.

Findings: The results revealed four main categories of digital safety systems: wearable-based systems, augmented/virtual reality-based systems, artificial intelligence-based systems, and navigation-based systems. A wide range of technological, behavioral, and organizational challenges were identified in relation to the key themes.

Conclusion: Outcomes from this review can inform policymakers and industrial decision-makers about the application of digital innovations for best safety practices in various hazardous work conditions.

Background: Occupational health nursing plays a fundamental role in addressing the health of the working population; however, training in this area differs around the world in terms of levels, duration, content, and requirements, and the current situation in Latin American countries is unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze undergraduate nursing education in occupational health from an international perspective considering Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, descriptive study, based on bibliographic methodology, whose sample was documentary, consulting government databases in Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Findings: Heterogeneity was identified within the training in the countries analyzed, with a small number of courses in the course structures; in most cases, the courses were taught in the last years of training and predominantly as elective courses.

Conclusions: The authors recommend that training centers develop programs associated with occupational nursing, which is considered an imperative to strengthen public health in developing countries and an ethical and equitable response to the working population.

Background: The Baldia Factory (BF) fire incident in Pakistan was among the most tragic workplace fires in the world claiming the lives of more than 259 people.

Methods: A case study was conducted to evaluate the state of the safety measures, firefighting systems, building regulations, employees' documentation, and compensation structures.

Results: The case study found many deficiencies in the fire safety program and lack of adherence to and enforcement of existing fire regulations.

Conclusion: Findings are discussed in the context of fire safety regulations and enforcement in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) faced substantial risk of infection during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a cross-sectional sample of HCWs as well as risk factors associated with exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: The study was conducted between March and May 2021 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), a tertiary hospital located in Lebanon. Socio-demographic and clinical data, as well as data on exposure, PCR results, PPE adherence, and vaccination status, were collected using an online questionnaire. Sera were also collected to determine seropositivity using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) targeting the spike (S) and the nucleocapsid proteins (NCP) of SARS-CoV-2.

Findings: Among 92 recruited HCWs, 72.3% received PPE training, more than 70% were adherent to using appropriate PPEs, and around 80% were vaccinated. Nurses in this study population were at higher risk of exposure compared to medical doctors, technicians, and other HCWs. Among the HCWs who performed a PCR test, 28.6% were infected with SARs-CoV-2 with workplace exposure not associated with COVID-19 infection. All vaccinated HCWs were seropositive for anti-S IgG with high titer (≥384 BAU/mL), with a significantly higher median anti-S IgG titer compared to unvaccinated HCWs with previous infection (384 vs. 140.1 BAU/mL; p = .0043).

Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of implementing strict infection control policies among HCWs and deploying an effective COVID-19 vaccination strategy. More studies are needed in Lebanon to assess risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the workplace.