American journal of industrial medicine最新文献

Background

There is recognition of the growing prevalence of alternative work arrangements, contingent jobs, and work secured through an app. However, there have been few systematic efforts to understand the impact of these forms of work on individuals and households.

Methods

The data derive from the California Work and Health Survey administered to a sample of the working age population of the state solicited through random-digit dialing of cell phone numbers. 4014 individuals completed the survey, 26% of those with an in-service cell phone number. We present odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals from logistic regression estimating the impact of being an independent contractor, in other forms of alternative work arrangements, in contingent jobs, and in work secured through an app, on economic and health status and working conditions in main jobs, with and without adjustment for covariates.

Results

Several of the forms of work analyzed are associated with lower earnings and higher rates of wage theft, household poverty, benefit recipiency, and expectation of hardships in food, housing, and medical care in the immediate future. Association between the forms of work and current health status is less consistent. However, several forms of work are associated with working conditions known to be risk factors for subsequent health problems.

Conclusions

Public policy to mitigate the adverse impacts of work, largely developed in the 20th Century when there was an identified workplace, may be insufficient to protect workers' well-being for alternative work arrangements, contingent jobs, and work secured through an app.

Objective

To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation measures in workplaces of employed US blood donors by industry and work arrangement.

Methods

During May–December 2021, blood donors responded to a survey; we describe the distribution of reported workplace mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement, organized using the hierarchy of controls.

Results.

Of 53,433 respondents representing 21 industries, ventilation upgrades were reported by 4%–38% of respondents (overall: 20%); telework access ranged from 14%–80% (53% overall). Requiring masks (overall: 84%; range: 40%–94%), physical distancing (77%; 51%–86%), paid leave for illness (70%; 38%–87%), and encouraging vaccination (61%; 33%–80%) were common. Independent workers reported fewer mitigation measures than those in traditional employment settings.

Conclusions

Mitigation measures varied by industry and work arrangement. Some mitigation measures may be challenging to implement or irrelevant in certain industries, supporting the idea that mitigation is not a one-size-fits-all strategy.

Policy Implications

Tailored strategies to mitigate workplace risks of disease transmission are vital. Strategies should rely on effective methods for identifying workplace controls (e.g., through the hierarchy of controls) and account for industry-specific characteristics and workplace environments.

Background

Unpaid overtime—describing a situation where extra hours are worked but not paid for—is a common feature of the labor market that, together with other forms of wage theft, costs workers billions of dollars annually. In this study, we examine the association between unpaid overtime and mental health in the Canadian working population. We also assess the relative strength of that association by comparing it against those of other broadly recognized work stressors.

Methods

Data were drawn from a survey administered to a heterogeneous sample of workers in Canada (n = 3691). Generalized linear models quantified associations between unpaid overtime, stress, and burnout, distinguishing between moderate (1−5) and excessive (6 or more) hours of unpaid overtime.

Results

Unpaid overtime was associated with higher levels of stress and burnout. Relative to those working no unpaid overtime, men working excessive unpaid overtime were 85% more likely to report stress (prevalence ratios [PR]: 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26−2.72) and 84% more likely to report burnout (PR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.34−2.54), while women working excessive unpaid overtime were 90% more likely to report stress (PR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.32−2.75) and 52% more likely to report burnout (PR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12−2.06). The association of excessive unpaid overtime with mental health was comparable in magnitude to that of shift work and low job control.

Conclusions

Unpaid overtime may present a significant challenge to the mental health of working people, highlighting the potential role of wage theft as a neglected occupational health hazard.

Background

The construction industry in India heavily relies on unorganized workers, who often lack adequate access to safety measures, placing them at significant risk of accidents and injuries. The objective was to determine risk perceptions of construction workers, and explore their safety practices, facilitators, and barriers.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach with a convergent parallel design (QUAN + qual) was undertaken. Quantitative strand included face-to-face interviews with 203 randomly selected building construction workers from 10 construction sites in five selected municipal wards in Kolkata. Questions pertained to socio-demographics, occupational characteristics, risk perception, and safety practices. The qualitative arm involved key informant interviews to unravel the facilitators and barriers affecting safety practices and nonparticipant observation.

Results

The perceived risk for respiratory problems due to dust, pain from carrying loads, slips, trips or falls, and heat-related illnesses was in the medium- to high category for 64.0%, 58.6%, 39.9%, and 36.5% of the study participants, respectively. However, the safety practices for these respective domains were in the good practice category for 6.9%, 4.9%, 54.2%, and 34.5% of the workers. From the qualitative arm, it was evident that availability of PPE, a conducive environment, and availability of worker-friendly technology could be important predictors of safety practices. Barriers such as time constraints and feasibility due to discomfort and expenditure were also identified.

Conclusion

Despite high-risk perception, safety practices were not consistently good among construction workers. Further research is crucial to enhance the health and safety of unorganized workers in India.

Background

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may pose health risks to workers. Objectives were to characterize ENM applications in construction, identify exposure scenarios, and evaluate the quality of safety data sheets (SDSs) for nano-enabled construction products.

Methods

SDSs and product data were obtained from a public database of nano-enabled construction products. Descriptive statistics were calculated for affected trades, product categories, and types of ENMs. A sample of SDSs (n = 33) was evaluated using modified criteria developed by NIOSH researchers. Bulk analysis via transmission electron microscopy characterized nanoparticles in a subset of products.

Results

Companies report using >50 ENMs in construction products. ENM composition could not be determined via SDSs for 38.1% of the 907 products examined. Polymers and metal oxides tied for most frequently reported ENMs (n = 87, 9.6%). Nano silica, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and silver nanoparticles were also frequently reported. Most of the products were paints and coatings (n = 483, 53.3%), followed by pre-market additives, cementitious materials, insulation, and lubricants. Workers in twenty construction trades are likely to handle nano-enabled products, these particularly encompass cement and brick masons, painters, laborers, carpenters, glaziers, and insulators. A wide range of exposure scenarios were identified. SDSs were classified as satisfactory (18%), in need of improvement (12%), or in need of significant improvement (70%). Bulk analyses revealed discrepancies between actual ENM composition and those in SDSs.

Discussion and Conclusion

There has been significant progress investigating risks to construction workers posed by ENMs, but SDSs need major improvements. This study provides new insights on the use of ENMs in construction, exposure risks, and hazard communication.

Background

This review synthesizes evidence from etiologic and intervention studies of workplace-related determinants of mental health in workers in food and bar workers in the hospitality industry in Western high-income countries.

Methods

Peer-reviewed literature published between January 2000 and August 2023 was gathered from five bibliographic databases. Any study design was eligible. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for appraisal.

Results

A narrative analysis was conducted for 26 included studies (total n = 15,069 participants) across Australia (3), Ireland (1), Norway (1), Spain (2), the United States (17) and the United Kingdom (2).

Individual and task-related factors such as high emotional job demands and low job control were associated with high burnout and depression. Uncivil and hostile interpersonal interactions with customers, management, and colleagues were found to contribute to poor mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and burnout.

Conclusion

Findings from included studies highlight the impact of workplace culture, including management practices and workplace social support, on mental health. Organization-level interventions may therefore be most effective for addressing individual, interpersonal, and organizational determinants of mental health in food and bar occupations, particularly when implemented as part of broader organizational efforts to support health and wellbeing. Industry-wide policy changes may also be necessary to address structural concerns, including job and financial insecurity, job strain and access to benefits, such as secure sick leave and minimum contract hours.

Background

The US Department of Labor (DOL) does not fund diffusing capacity (D_LCO) or metabolic measurements from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for coal miners' disability evaluations. Although exercise arterial blood gas testing is covered, many miners are unable to perform maximal tests, and sampling at peak exercise can be challenging. We explored the relationship between resting D_LCO, radiographic disease severity, and CPET abnormalities in former US coal miners.

Methods

We analyzed data from miners evaluated between 2005 and 2015. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships between percent predicted (pp) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁pp), D_LCOpp, VO₂maxpp, A-a oxygen gradient (A-a)pp, dead space fraction (Vd/Vt), disabling oxygen tension (PO₂), and radiographic findings of pneumoconiosis.

Results

Data from 2015 male coal miners was analyzed. Mean tenure was 28 years (SD 8.6). Thirty-twopercent had an abnormal A-a gradient (>150 pp), 20% had elevated Vd/Vt (>0.33), and 34% a VO₂max < 60 pp. D_LCOpp strongly predicted a disabling PO₂, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.33 [2.09−2.60], compared to 1.18 [1.08−1.29] for FEV₁. Each increase in subcategory of small opacity (simple) pneumoconiosis increased the odds of a disabling PO₂ by 42% [1.29−1.57], controlling for age, body mass index, pack-years of tobacco smoke exposure, and years of coal mine employment.

Conclusions

D_LCO is the best resting pulmonary function test predictor of CPET abnormalities. Radiographic severity of pneumoconiosis was also associated with CPET abnormalities. These findings support funding D_LCO testing for impairment and suggest the term “small opacity” should replace “simple” pneumoconiosis to reflect significant associations with impairment.

Background

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.