The construction industry is known for its inherent risks, contributing to ~170,000 workplace injuries and illnesses annually in the United States. Engaging in prejob safety discussions presents a crucial chance to safeguard workers by proactively recognizing hazards and ensuring that crews are well-oriented with safety protocols before commencing work each day. However, research shows prejob meetings are often conducted hastily without the depth required to fully uncover risks. This study examines the characteristics that distinguish high-impact, high-quality prejob safety conversations from lower- quality counterparts. Strategies are provided for improving engagement, psychological safety, hazard analysis, accountability, and leadership support to transform safety talks into dynamic interactions that empower employees to operate safely. Additionally, this study reviews leading-edge artificial intelligence techniques, enabling construction firms to capture, analyze, and optimize their daily planning conversations at scale to drive safety excellence. Implementing the evidence-based strategies discussed allows organizations to realize the immense potential of prejob conversations for preventing injuries and fatalities.
{"title":"Daily planning conversations and AI: Keys for improving construction culture, engagement, planning, and safety.","authors":"Charles B Pettinger, Barry Nelson","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23619","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23619","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The construction industry is known for its inherent risks, contributing to ~170,000 workplace injuries and illnesses annually in the United States. Engaging in prejob safety discussions presents a crucial chance to safeguard workers by proactively recognizing hazards and ensuring that crews are well-oriented with safety protocols before commencing work each day. However, research shows prejob meetings are often conducted hastily without the depth required to fully uncover risks. This study examines the characteristics that distinguish high-impact, high-quality prejob safety conversations from lower- quality counterparts. Strategies are provided for improving engagement, psychological safety, hazard analysis, accountability, and leadership support to transform safety talks into dynamic interactions that empower employees to operate safely. Additionally, this study reviews leading-edge artificial intelligence techniques, enabling construction firms to capture, analyze, and optimize their daily planning conversations at scale to drive safety excellence. Implementing the evidence-based strategies discussed allows organizations to realize the immense potential of prejob conversations for preventing injuries and fatalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141160311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Drug mortality risks vary among industries, creating distinctive geographic patterns across US counties. However, less is known about how local labor market structure relates to drug overdose mortality amid the synthetic opioid era in the United States. This study investigates the relationship between industry-specific job composition and drug overdose mortality at the county level while exploring how fentanyl's presence in illicit drug supplies may moderate the relationship.
Methods
Data were derived from the National Center for Health Statistics' Multiple Cause of Death files for the rates of drug overdose mortality of any intent, linked with four other sources on industry-specific job shares, drug supply, and county-level sociodemographic characteristics and opioid prescribing rates from the US Census Bureau, the CDC, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Negative binomial regression models were employed to examine associations between county industry-specific job composition and drug overdose mortality, with tests for moderating effects of state-level fentanyl seizure rates.
Results
Our models indicate negative associations between job shares of manufacturing, retail trade, and educational services industries and drug overdose mortality. Positive associations were found for arts/entertainment/recreation and public administration. State-level fentanyl seizure rates had moderating effects on administrative/support/waste management/remediation (A/S/WM/R) and educational services.
Conclusion
Counties with a higher concentration of arts/entertainment/recreation and public administration jobs need targeted efforts to mitigate drug-related overdose risks. Additionally, areas with higher concentrations of A/S/WM/R service jobs, particularly where fentanyl seizure rates are higher, may require proactive harm reduction strategies for reducing overdose risks.
{"title":"County-level industrial composition of the labor force and drug overdose mortality rates in the United States in 2018–2021","authors":"Sehun Oh PhD, Manuel Cano PhD, Yeonwoo Kim PhD","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23612","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23612","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Drug mortality risks vary among industries, creating distinctive geographic patterns across US counties. However, less is known about how local labor market structure relates to drug overdose mortality amid the synthetic opioid era in the United States. This study investigates the relationship between industry-specific job composition and drug overdose mortality at the county level while exploring how fentanyl's presence in illicit drug supplies may moderate the relationship.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data were derived from the National Center for Health Statistics' Multiple Cause of Death files for the rates of drug overdose mortality of any intent, linked with four other sources on industry-specific job shares, drug supply, and county-level sociodemographic characteristics and opioid prescribing rates from the US Census Bureau, the CDC, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Negative binomial regression models were employed to examine associations between county industry-specific job composition and drug overdose mortality, with tests for moderating effects of state-level fentanyl seizure rates.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our models indicate negative associations between job shares of manufacturing, retail trade, and educational services industries and drug overdose mortality. Positive associations were found for arts/entertainment/recreation and public administration. State-level fentanyl seizure rates had moderating effects on administrative/support/waste management/remediation (A/S/WM/R) and educational services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Counties with a higher concentration of arts/entertainment/recreation and public administration jobs need targeted efforts to mitigate drug-related overdose risks. Additionally, areas with higher concentrations of A/S/WM/R service jobs, particularly where fentanyl seizure rates are higher, may require proactive harm reduction strategies for reducing overdose risks.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"636-645"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajim.23612","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141069617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sheri Rowland PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, FNP, Rishad Ahmed MBA, Maria Jose Sanchez Roman MD, MPH, Athena K. Ramos PhD, MBA, MS, CPM
Introduction
Worker trust in employer-provided occupational health services has not been explored in essential industries, such as meatpacking. The purpose of this study was to describe workplace health culture and trust in the occupational health office and highlight meatpacking workers' experiences with the occupational health office.
Methods
Meatpacking workers were surveyed between February 2021 and October 2022. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to explore trust across demographic variables, including workplace health culture. Thematic analysis was used to examine the short-answer qualitative data.
Results
Among workers who completed surveys (n = 731), health culture was rated low (M = 1.3 (0.73); possible range 0-3). Trust in the occupational health office was also rated low (M = 8.2 (5.06); possible range 0–20). Workers' descriptions of interactions with the occupational health office were mostly unfavorable (287 negative opinion units; 97 positive opinion units) and primarily focused on quality of care, communication, the supervisor as gatekeeper to health services, and the prioritization of company interests.
Conclusion
Meatpacking worker health may be improved by building worker trust in the occupational health office. Suggested strategies include enhanced communication, protection of confidentiality, prioritization of worker well-being, and promotion of a stronger health culture in plants and throughout the industry. Supporting workers without a regular healthcare provider to establish a relationship with a primary care provider of their choice is also recommended.
{"title":"Workplace health culture and trust in the occupational health office: A descriptive study of meatpacking workers","authors":"Sheri Rowland PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, FNP, Rishad Ahmed MBA, Maria Jose Sanchez Roman MD, MPH, Athena K. Ramos PhD, MBA, MS, CPM","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23617","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23617","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Worker trust in employer-provided occupational health services has not been explored in essential industries, such as meatpacking. The purpose of this study was to describe workplace health culture and trust in the occupational health office and highlight meatpacking workers' experiences with the occupational health office.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Meatpacking workers were surveyed between February 2021 and October 2022. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to explore trust across demographic variables, including workplace health culture. Thematic analysis was used to examine the short-answer qualitative data.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Among workers who completed surveys (<i>n</i> = 731), health culture was rated low (<i>M</i> = 1.3 (0.73); possible range 0-3). Trust in the occupational health office was also rated low (<i>M</i> = 8.2 (5.06); possible range 0–20). Workers' descriptions of interactions with the occupational health office were mostly unfavorable (287 negative opinion units; 97 positive opinion units) and primarily focused on quality of care, communication, the supervisor as gatekeeper to health services, and the prioritization of company interests.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Meatpacking worker health may be improved by building worker trust in the occupational health office. Suggested strategies include enhanced communication, protection of confidentiality, prioritization of worker well-being, and promotion of a stronger health culture in plants and throughout the industry. Supporting workers without a regular healthcare provider to establish a relationship with a primary care provider of their choice is also recommended.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 8","pages":"723-731"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajim.23617","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141069654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the main contributor to disability levels, which are rising as populations age. Workplace hazard exposures are a major source of this problem, and current workplace risk management practices require substantial changes to tackle it more effectively. Most importantly, the current focus of risk management on “manual handling” tasks must broaden to encompass the whole job. This is necessary because a wide range of psychosocial hazards, most of which operate across the whole job rather than particular tasks, are significant contributors to risk. To ensure that risk-control actions are effective, a recurring risk management cycle that includes worker participation and addresses risk from both biomechanical and psychosocial hazards will be essential. Legislation that mandates workplace management of psychosocial hazards would be helpful. Amendment by regulatory bodies of MSD-related guidance and codes of practice so that they reflect current research evidence would also be helpful in communicating the need for change to workplace stakeholders.
{"title":"Changes needed to reduce risk of musculoskeletal disorders","authors":"Wendy A. Macdonald PhD, Jodi Oakman PhD","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23613","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23613","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the main contributor to disability levels, which are rising as populations age. Workplace hazard exposures are a major source of this problem, and current workplace risk management practices require substantial changes to tackle it more effectively. Most importantly, the current focus of risk management on “manual handling” tasks must broaden to encompass the whole job. This is necessary because a wide range of psychosocial hazards, most of which operate across the whole job rather than particular tasks, are significant contributors to risk. To ensure that risk-control actions are effective, a recurring risk management cycle that includes worker participation and addresses risk from both biomechanical and psychosocial hazards will be essential. Legislation that mandates workplace management of psychosocial hazards would be helpful. Amendment by regulatory bodies of MSD-related guidance and codes of practice so that they reflect current research evidence would also be helpful in communicating the need for change to workplace stakeholders.</p>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"575-581"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajim.23613","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140943816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been quite consistently associated with high physical workload and specific physical factors at work, while for hip OA, fewer studies are available, which still indicate possible associations with heavy lifting and physical workload. The objective of the study was to assess the association between exposure to workplace physical factors and incidence of knee and hip arthroplasty, as markers of severe OA in these joints.
Methods
The study population was composed of employees 25–60 years who participated in the Turin 2011 census. For each job held since 1995, exposure to physical factors was assigned to individuals in the cohort through a Job-Exposure Matrix constructed from the Italian O*NET database. Using Poisson regression models, the incidence of knee and hip arthroplasty for OA, identified through hospitalizations from 2012 to 2018, was examined in relation to cumulative exposure to 7 different physical hazards and a composite indicator of physical workload constructed from 17 physical factors (Ergo-Index).
Results
The risk of knee OA was significantly increased in the highest cumulative exposure quartile of physical workload (incidence rate ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.24–3.16) and of all single hazards examined, compared to the lowest quartile, with significant trends in risk with increasing exposure. In contrast, no association was found with hip OA, whose relative risks were close to or below one in all higher-exposure quartiles of physical workload and of each single hazard.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that exposure to physical hazards at work increases the likelihood of developing knee OA, but not hip OA.
背景：膝关节骨性关节炎（OA）与高体力工作负荷和工作中的特定物理因素有相当一致的关系，而髋关节OA的研究较少，但仍表明可能与重体力劳动和体力工作负荷有关。本研究的目的是评估工作场所物理因素暴露与膝关节和髋关节置换术发生率之间的关系，作为这些关节严重 OA 的标志：研究对象为参加都灵 2011 年人口普查的 25-60 岁雇员。对于自1995年以来从事的每份工作，通过意大利O*NET数据库构建的 "工作-接触矩阵 "为队列中的个人分配了接触物理因素的机会。利用泊松回归模型，研究了因膝关节和髋关节OA而进行人工关节置换术的发病率（通过2012年至2018年的住院情况确定）与7种不同物理危害的累积暴露以及由17种物理因素（Ergo-Index）构建的物理工作量综合指标的关系：结果：与最低四分位数相比，身体工作量累积暴露最高的四分位数（发病率比=1.98，95%置信区间：1.24-3.16）和所有受检单一危害因素的四分位数的膝关节OA风险显著增加，且风险呈显著增加趋势。与此相反，我们没有发现髋关节OA的相关性，在所有暴露于较高体力工作量的四分位数中，以及在每种单一危害中，髋关节OA的相对风险都接近或低于1：我们的研究结果表明，暴露于工作中的体力危害会增加患膝关节OA的可能性，但不会增加患髋关节OA的可能性。
{"title":"Incidence of knee and hip joint replacement associated with cumulative exposure to physical factors at work","authors":"Angelo d'Errico, Dario Fontana, Michelangelo Filippi","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23615","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23615","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been quite consistently associated with high physical workload and specific physical factors at work, while for hip OA, fewer studies are available, which still indicate possible associations with heavy lifting and physical workload. The objective of the study was to assess the association between exposure to workplace physical factors and incidence of knee and hip arthroplasty, as markers of severe OA in these joints.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study population was composed of employees 25–60 years who participated in the Turin 2011 census. For each job held since 1995, exposure to physical factors was assigned to individuals in the cohort through a Job-Exposure Matrix constructed from the Italian O*NET database. Using Poisson regression models, the incidence of knee and hip arthroplasty for OA, identified through hospitalizations from 2012 to 2018, was examined in relation to cumulative exposure to 7 different physical hazards and a composite indicator of physical workload constructed from 17 physical factors (Ergo-Index).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The risk of knee OA was significantly increased in the highest cumulative exposure quartile of physical workload (incidence rate ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.24–3.16) and of all single hazards examined, compared to the lowest quartile, with significant trends in risk with increasing exposure. In contrast, no association was found with hip OA, whose relative risks were close to or below one in all higher-exposure quartiles of physical workload and of each single hazard.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results indicate that exposure to physical hazards at work increases the likelihood of developing knee OA, but not hip OA.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"657-666"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140943817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aviroop Biswas PhD, Cameron A. Mustard ScD, Victoria Landsman PhD
Objectives
Traumatic injury surveillance can be enhanced by describing injury severity trends. This study reports trends in work-related injury severity for males and females over the period 2004–2017 in Ontario, Canada.
Methods
A weighted measure of workers' compensation benefit expenditures was used to define injury severity, obtained from the linkage of workers' compensation claims to emergency department (ED) records where the main injury or illness was attributed to work. Denominator counts were obtained from Statistics Canada's Labor Force Survey. Trends in the annual incidence of injury, classified as low, moderate, or high severity, were examined using regression modeling, stratified by age and sex.
Results
Over a 14-year observation period, there were 1,636,866 ED records included in the analyses. Overall, 57.6% of occupational injury records were classified as low severity, 29.5% as moderate severity, and 12.8% as high severity conditions. There was an increase in the incidence of high severity injuries among females (annual percent change (APC): 1.52%; 95% CI: 0.77, 2.28), while the incidence of low and moderate severity injuries generally declined for males and females. Among females, injuries attributed to animate mechanical forces and assault increased as causes of low, moderate, and high severity injuries. The incidence of concussion increased for both males (APC: 10.51%; 95% CI: 8.18, 12.88) and females (APC: 16.37%; 95% CI: 13.37, 19.45).
Conclusion
The incidence of severe work-related injuries increased among females in Ontario between 2004 and 2017. The methods applied in this surveillance study of traumatic injury severity are plausibly generalizable to applications in other jurisdictions.
{"title":"Trends in severity of work-related traumatic injury and musculoskeletal disorder, Ontario 2004–2017","authors":"Aviroop Biswas PhD, Cameron A. Mustard ScD, Victoria Landsman PhD","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23614","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23614","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Traumatic injury surveillance can be enhanced by describing injury severity trends. This study reports trends in work-related injury severity for males and females over the period 2004–2017 in Ontario, Canada.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A weighted measure of workers' compensation benefit expenditures was used to define injury severity, obtained from the linkage of workers' compensation claims to emergency department (ED) records where the main injury or illness was attributed to work. Denominator counts were obtained from Statistics Canada's Labor Force Survey. Trends in the annual incidence of injury, classified as low, moderate, or high severity, were examined using regression modeling, stratified by age and sex.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Over a 14-year observation period, there were 1,636,866 ED records included in the analyses. Overall, 57.6% of occupational injury records were classified as low severity, 29.5% as moderate severity, and 12.8% as high severity conditions. There was an increase in the incidence of high severity injuries among females (annual percent change (APC): 1.52%; 95% CI: 0.77, 2.28), while the incidence of low and moderate severity injuries generally declined for males and females. Among females, injuries attributed to animate mechanical forces and assault increased as causes of low, moderate, and high severity injuries. The incidence of concussion increased for both males (APC: 10.51%; 95% CI: 8.18, 12.88) and females (APC: 16.37%; 95% CI: 13.37, 19.45).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The incidence of severe work-related injuries increased among females in Ontario between 2004 and 2017. The methods applied in this surveillance study of traumatic injury severity are plausibly generalizable to applications in other jurisdictions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"646-656"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajim.23614","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140943818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erika L. Sabbath ScD, Yixin Pan MS, Melissa L. McTernan PhD, Susan E. Peters PhD, Sharonda M. Lovett MPH, Elisabeth A. Stelson MSW, LSW, MPH, Gregory R. Wagner MD, Karen Hopcia ScD, APRN., Leslie I. Boden PhD
Background
Hospital patient-care workers have high occupational injury rates. While physical hazards within hospital work environments are established determinants of injury, social exposures may also contribute. This study examined how reports of unfair treatment at work, a dimension of work-related experiences of discrimination, were associated with injury among hospital-based patient-care workers.
Methods
We used data from the Boston Hospital Workers Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of nurses and nursing assistants at two Boston-area hospitals. In 2018, we conducted a worker survey asking about three types of unfair treatment at work and occupational injuries during the past year. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models to evaluate associations between specific types, total load, and high-frequency exposure of unfair treatment with injury, adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, job title, and unit type.
Results
Among 1001 respondents, 21% reported being humiliated in front of others at work, 28% reported being watched more closely than other workers, and 47% reported having to work twice as hard as others for the same treatment. For each type of unfair treatment, we observed a monotonic relationship with occupational injury wherein increasing frequency of exposure was associated with increased odds of injury. We also observed monotonic relationships between total load and high-frequency exposure to unfair treatment and odds of injury.
Conclusions
Work-related unfair treatment is associated with injury among hospital workers. Programs and policies that focus on preventing unfair treatment may lessen injury burden in hospital workers.
{"title":"Adding injury to insult: Unfair treatment at work and occupational injury among hospital patient-care workers","authors":"Erika L. Sabbath ScD, Yixin Pan MS, Melissa L. McTernan PhD, Susan E. Peters PhD, Sharonda M. Lovett MPH, Elisabeth A. Stelson MSW, LSW, MPH, Gregory R. Wagner MD, Karen Hopcia ScD, APRN., Leslie I. Boden PhD","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23616","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23616","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Hospital patient-care workers have high occupational injury rates. While physical hazards within hospital work environments are established determinants of injury, social exposures may also contribute. This study examined how reports of unfair treatment at work, a dimension of work-related experiences of discrimination, were associated with injury among hospital-based patient-care workers.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We used data from the Boston Hospital Workers Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of nurses and nursing assistants at two Boston-area hospitals. In 2018, we conducted a worker survey asking about three types of unfair treatment at work and occupational injuries during the past year. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models to evaluate associations between specific types, total load, and high-frequency exposure of unfair treatment with injury, adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, job title, and unit type.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Among 1001 respondents, 21% reported being humiliated in front of others at work, 28% reported being watched more closely than other workers, and 47% reported having to work twice as hard as others for the same treatment. For each type of unfair treatment, we observed a monotonic relationship with occupational injury wherein increasing frequency of exposure was associated with increased odds of injury. We also observed monotonic relationships between total load and high-frequency exposure to unfair treatment and odds of injury.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Work-related unfair treatment is associated with injury among hospital workers. Programs and policies that focus on preventing unfair treatment may lessen injury burden in hospital workers.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"667-676"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajim.23616","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140910844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hannah M. Thompson MD, MPH, Erin Thanik MD, MPH, Ahmad Sabra MS, MPH, Fred Ko MD, William W. Hung MD, MPH, Elena Colicino PhD, Roberto G. Lucchini MD, Ghalib Bello PhD, Michael Crane MD, MPH, Susan L. Teitelbaum PhD, Katherine A. Ornstein PhD, MPH
Background
Given the significant exposures experienced by the World Trade Center (WTC) general responders, there is increasing interest in understanding the effect of these exposures on aging in this population. We aim to identify factors that may be associated with frailty, a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in one's reserve that has been linked to poor health outcomes.
Methods
WTC general responders enrolled in the WTC Health Program aged 50 and older provided informed consent. Validated frailty assessments, the Frailty Phenotype (with the Johns Hopkins Frailty Assessment Calculator) along with the FRAIL scale, categorized nonfrail from prefrail/frail. Fall risk, functional status, and cognition were also assessed. WTC variables, including an identified WTC-certified condition, were utilized. The risk of frailty was estimated using log binomial regression analysis. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR).
Results
One hundred and six participants were included; 38 (35.8%) were classified as pre-frail or frail. More of the pre-frail/frail group were obese (57.9% vs. 25%; p = 0.004) and had a WTC-certified condition (78.9% vs. 58.8%; p = 0.036). Obesity (PR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.31, 4.53), a WTC-certified condition (PR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.89), and risk of falling (PR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.84) were independently associated with frailty.
Conclusions
Obesity and having a WTC-certified condition were found to be risk factors for frailty in our pilot study. Future work may focus on further identifying risk factors for frailty in the larger WTC general responder population.
{"title":"A pilot study to identify factors associated with frailty within the World Trade Center general responder cohort","authors":"Hannah M. Thompson MD, MPH, Erin Thanik MD, MPH, Ahmad Sabra MS, MPH, Fred Ko MD, William W. Hung MD, MPH, Elena Colicino PhD, Roberto G. Lucchini MD, Ghalib Bello PhD, Michael Crane MD, MPH, Susan L. Teitelbaum PhD, Katherine A. Ornstein PhD, MPH","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23590","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23590","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Given the significant exposures experienced by the World Trade Center (WTC) general responders, there is increasing interest in understanding the effect of these exposures on aging in this population. We aim to identify factors that may be associated with frailty, a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in one's reserve that has been linked to poor health outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>WTC general responders enrolled in the WTC Health Program aged 50 and older provided informed consent. Validated frailty assessments, the Frailty Phenotype (with the Johns Hopkins Frailty Assessment Calculator) along with the FRAIL scale, categorized nonfrail from prefrail/frail. Fall risk, functional status, and cognition were also assessed. WTC variables, including an identified WTC-certified condition, were utilized. The risk of frailty was estimated using log binomial regression analysis. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One hundred and six participants were included; 38 (35.8%) were classified as pre-frail or frail. More of the pre-frail/frail group were obese (57.9% vs. 25%; <i>p</i> = 0.004) and had a WTC-certified condition (78.9% vs. 58.8%; <i>p</i> = 0.036). Obesity (PR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.31, 4.53), a WTC-certified condition (PR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.89), and risk of falling (PR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.84) were independently associated with frailty.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Obesity and having a WTC-certified condition were found to be risk factors for frailty in our pilot study. Future work may focus on further identifying risk factors for frailty in the larger WTC general responder population.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"582-591"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140910842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asbestos causes cancer and non-cancerous lung and pleural diseases and can also have a negative psychological impact but little is known about its effect on health-related quality of life.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of retired men with a history of occupational exposure to asbestos and examine factors linked with low HRQoL.
Methods
Retired male workers of the French Asbestos-Related Disease Cohort (ARDCO) completed self-questionnaires that included SF-36v2 and HAD scales, questions about their perception of asbestos (perceived dangers and level of exposure, expectations to fall ill, or knowing someone who is) and their respiratory symptoms. Asbestos exposure was assessed by industrial hygienists. A perceived risk score was created using factorial analysis. Multivariable regressions were performed for all SF-36 subscales.
Results
A total of 1266 of 2075 questionnaires (61%) were returned complete and included in analysis. After adjustment for potential confounders, an increase in perceived risk score resulted in a decrease in physical component summary score (PCS), up to 10.7 points (p = 0.048) and in mental component summary score (MCS) (p = 0.044). Presence of respiratory symptoms was also associated with significantly decreased PCS and MCS (p < 0.001). Poor HRQoL was linked to higher perceived risk score with p ≤ 0.01 for all SF-36 dimensions. Asbestos exposure assessed by an expert was not associated with any outcome.
Conclusions
All dimensions of HRQoL appear to be affected by the perceived risk of incurring asbestos-related disease and respiratory symptoms.
{"title":"Quality of life in retired workers with past exposure to asbestos","authors":"Emmanuelle Siefert MD, MSc, Fleur Delva MD, PhD, Christophe Paris MD, PhD, Jean-Claude Pairon MD, PhD, Isabelle Thaon MD, PhD","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23592","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23592","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Asbestos causes cancer and non-cancerous lung and pleural diseases and can also have a negative psychological impact but little is known about its effect on health-related quality of life.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The aim of this study is to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of retired men with a history of occupational exposure to asbestos and examine factors linked with low HRQoL.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Retired male workers of the French Asbestos-Related Disease Cohort (ARDCO) completed self-questionnaires that included SF-36v2 and HAD scales, questions about their perception of asbestos (perceived dangers and level of exposure, expectations to fall ill, or knowing someone who is) and their respiratory symptoms. Asbestos exposure was assessed by industrial hygienists. A perceived risk score was created using factorial analysis. Multivariable regressions were performed for all SF-36 subscales.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 1266 of 2075 questionnaires (61%) were returned complete and included in analysis. After adjustment for potential confounders, an increase in perceived risk score resulted in a decrease in physical component summary score (PCS), up to 10.7 points (<i>p</i> = 0.048) and in mental component summary score (MCS) (<i>p</i> = 0.044). Presence of respiratory symptoms was also associated with significantly decreased PCS and MCS (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Poor HRQoL was linked to higher perceived risk score with <i>p</i> ≤ 0.01 for all SF-36 dimensions. Asbestos exposure assessed by an expert was not associated with any outcome.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>All dimensions of HRQoL appear to be affected by the perceived risk of incurring asbestos-related disease and respiratory symptoms.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"610-623"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajim.23592","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140908365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brian Chin PhD, MSPH, Sean D. Rundell PT, DPT, PhD, Jeanne M. Sears PhD, RN, Deborah Fulton-Kehoe PhD, MPH, June T. Spector MD, MPH, Gary M. Franklin MD, MPH
Background
There is little information about predictors of physical therapy (PT) use among injured workers with back pain. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the associations between PT use and baseline factors not routinely captured in workers’ compensation (WC) data.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis using the Washington State Workers’ Compensation Disability Risk Identification Study Cohort, which combines self-reported surveys with claims data from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries State Fund. Workers with an accepted or provisional WC claim for back injury between June 2002 and April 2004 were eligible. Baseline factors for PT use were selected from six domains (socio-demographic, pain and function, psychosocial, clinical, health behaviors, and employment-related). The outcome was a binary measure for PT use within 1 year of injury. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the associations between PT use and baseline factors.
Results
Among the 1370 eligible study participants, we identified 673 (49%) who received at least one PT service. Baseline factors from five of the six domains (all but health behaviors) were associated with PT use, including gender, income, pain and function measures, injury severity rating, catastrophizing, recovery expectations, fear avoidance, mental health score, body mass index, first provider seen for injury, previous injury, and several work-related factors.
Conclusion
We identify baseline factors that are associated with PT use, which may be useful in addressing disparities in access to care for injured workers with back pain in a WC system.
{"title":"Identifying factors associated with physical therapy use versus non-use among injured workers with back pain in Washington State","authors":"Brian Chin PhD, MSPH, Sean D. Rundell PT, DPT, PhD, Jeanne M. Sears PhD, RN, Deborah Fulton-Kehoe PhD, MPH, June T. Spector MD, MPH, Gary M. Franklin MD, MPH","doi":"10.1002/ajim.23591","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajim.23591","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is little information about predictors of physical therapy (PT) use among injured workers with back pain. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the associations between PT use and baseline factors not routinely captured in workers’ compensation (WC) data.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted a secondary analysis using the Washington State Workers’ Compensation Disability Risk Identification Study Cohort, which combines self-reported surveys with claims data from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries State Fund. Workers with an accepted or provisional WC claim for back injury between June 2002 and April 2004 were eligible. Baseline factors for PT use were selected from six domains (socio-demographic, pain and function, psychosocial, clinical, health behaviors, and employment-related). The outcome was a binary measure for PT use within 1 year of injury. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the associations between PT use and baseline factors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Among the 1370 eligible study participants, we identified 673 (49%) who received at least one PT service. Baseline factors from five of the six domains (all but health behaviors) were associated with PT use, including gender, income, pain and function measures, injury severity rating, catastrophizing, recovery expectations, fear avoidance, mental health score, body mass index, first provider seen for injury, previous injury, and several work-related factors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We identify baseline factors that are associated with PT use, which may be useful in addressing disparities in access to care for injured workers with back pain in a WC system.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7873,"journal":{"name":"American journal of industrial medicine","volume":"67 7","pages":"592-609"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140896726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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