American journal of industrial medicine最新文献

Background

Every 45 seconds a person dies by suicide. Significantly more men than women die by suicide and most are of working age. Some industries such as the construction industry have higher rates of suicide. MATES in Construction is an Australian programme established in 2008 to reduce suicide rates in the construction industry.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the role-relationships between participants, staff and the MATES in Construction (MATES) organisation in an industry-based suicide prevention programme in the Australian construction industry.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 28 MATES programme volunteers. The data was analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach.

Results

From the data two themes were constructed. Firstly, MATES staff relatability builds worker trust and facilitates engagement in the programme. As peer workers, MATES staff were trusted and modelled the desired outcomes of the programme. Secondly, the authentic industry base of the programme enhances worker trust and engagement. MATES could be trusted because it was part of the construction industry as an industry-owned and -led organisation supported by both employers and unions. Union endorsement was seen as particularly important by workers.

Conclusions

The relatability of MATES staff and MATES' industry base were seen as important drivers of worker engagement and participation in the programme. This study provides new insights into the importance of peer roles, authenticity, connection, and positionality of public health interventions as facilitators of engagement and participation in community-based preventive interventions.

Objective

Workers' compensation insurance is an important financial resource for workers, and a key source of occupational injury and illness surveillance and research data. Underutilization of workers compensation is an ongoing concern. Using statewide data for a general working population, we estimated the portion of workers whose work-related injury or illness (WRII) was paid by workers' compensation and assessed workers' compensation utilization by industry, occupation, demographic and health characteristics, and over time.

Methods

We combined 5 years of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey data (2017–2022, excluding 2020) from Washington State for workers (n = 31,171) and identified respondents with WRII (n = 1463). We estimated the percent of workers who utilized workers' compensation to pay for treatment of their WRII, and calculated adjusted prevalence ratios to estimate underutilization controlling for sociodemographic, work and health factors. Estimates were weighted to be representative of the Washington adult population.

Results

Of the 5.1% of Washington workers who experienced a WRII within the past 12 months, just over half (51.3%, 95% CI: 48.1%, 54.5%) reported that their WRII was paid by workers' compensation insurance. Controlling for other sociodemographic, work and health factors, workers' compensation utilization was lower among workers who were younger, male, graduated from college, reported poorer mental health, and could not afford medical care. Workers' compensation utilization was lower among most service-related industries and occupations. Annual estimates of utilization statewide changed little over time.

Conclusion

Underutilization of workers' compensation insurance is substantial. Workers' compensation data are more likely to miss younger workers, and workers in service-related industries and occupations.

Background

The job demand-control (JDC) psychosocial work model has demonstrated effects on objective cognitive performance, but its association with subjective memory is still poorly understood. We examined longitudinal associations of JDC characteristics with objective (general cognitive function/episodic memory) and subjective (perceived memory) cognition.

Methods

Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data, 3497 workers aged 50+ were followed from 2006–2008 to 2018. Self-reported job demand and job control were dichotomized and later combined into quadrants reflecting high/low job strain and active/passive jobs. Analyses used covariate-adjusted generalized estimating equations.

Results

High job control was significantly positively associated with general cognitive function (regression coefficient: 0.409, p < 0.001), episodic memory (0.373, p < 0.001), and subjective memory (0.057, p = 0.034). “Low demand and high control” (low strain work) exhibited significant, positive associations with all cognitive outcomes. “High demand and high control” (active work) was significantly positively associated with objective cognitive outcomes.

Conclusions

Opportunities for enhancing job control may promote objective cognition and subjective memory health in the US aging workforce.

Background

Silicosis has re-emerged in middle- and high-income countries globally due to high silica exposures from manufacturing and fabrication of artificial stone countertops. No studies have reported the costs of workers' compensation claims for silicosis; we therefore examined cost trends in Victoria, Australia, and projected claim costs to 2031.

Methods

Data from the WorkSafe Victoria Compensation Research Database were used to identify all silicosis compensation claims among males from 2019 to 2024, and claim rates were estimated per year and age group. Using Poisson regression model estimates, claim cost projections were calculated for 2025–2031, separately for statutory (no-fault) and common law (fault-based) payments.

Results

From 2019 to 2024, there were 663 silicosis compensation claims made by 356 males aged 15–74 years in Victoria. Cumulative costs totaled AU $111.78 million. Annual cost projections suggest an increase over time, with a total of AU $29.88 million per year by 2031. Most claims remained active for over a year, particularly those by workers aged 25–54 years. Within 4-year follow-up, common law (fault-based) payments accounted for approximately 30% of total costs but dominated younger workers' claims. Projected 2031 costs were highest for claims by workers aged 35–44 years.

Conclusions

This study presents the first comprehensive estimate of projected workers' compensation costs for silicosis, highlighting a sustained financial burden driven by ongoing claims among younger workers. As artificial stone continues to be used internationally, these findings underscore the need for regulatory action to prevent a foreseeable health and economic burden.

Background

Many factors have resulted in the normalization of nonstandard work schedules in recent decades, including globalization requiring working across time zones and growing demands for goods and services. This paper provides national estimates of overnight work in the USA.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (n = 19,386 US employed adults ≥ 18 years). This survey contained a unique definition of overnight work (i.e., between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.), based on the window of circadian low. Weighted prevalence rates were provided across categories of sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health behaviors, and occupational factors.

Results

We estimated more than 21 million US employed adults experienced overnight work (14.2%). Higher prevalence was found among men (17.8%), non-Hispanic Black adults (17.2%), non-US born adults (11.2%), those with some college (15.9%) or a high school (16.7%) education, or living in the Midwest region (15.8%). Compared to those sleeping 7–9 h (10.5%), higher percentages of adults working overnight slept < 7 h (21.4%) and > 9 h (17.0%). Increasing prevalence was observed with increasing weekly work hours (p < 0.0001). Higher prevalence was reported among multiple job holders (19.5%). Industries and occupations with the greatest percentage of overnight workers were Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (29.3%), and Protective Services (47.4%).

Conclusion

Our estimates of overnight work in 2015 are almost five times higher than estimates from 2004. Given that overnight work has been associated with adverse safety and health outcomes, additional policies and programs are needed to protect this growing population of workers.

Background

Age-related hearing loss is associated with increased dementia risk. We examined the association between hearing loss and dementia in a population at high risk for hearing loss from occupational noise exposures.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses using logistic regression and interval-censored Cox models using data from the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed), from inception in 1996 through March 2024. Hearing loss was defined as a speech-frequency pure-tone average ≥ 20 decibels (dB) in the better ear and categorized as mild (20–34 dB), moderate (35–49 dB), moderately severe (50–64 dB), or severe to complete (≥ 65 dB). Dementia was defined using criteria from medical history, physical exams, and medication data across all medical screening examinations.

Results

The study included 44,000 exams in 24,958 BTMed participants; 54.6% had hearing loss. Hearing loss was strongly associated with dementia prevalence (211 cases, p < 0.001), with prevalence increasing by severity. Cross-sectional analysis found a significant association between hearing loss ≥ 20 dB and dementia (adjusted odds ratio = 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15–3.07). In longitudinal analysis, a Cox model adjusted for confounders estimated a hazard ratio of 1.60 (95% CI = 0.99–2.59, p-trend = 0.0928) for incident dementia.

Discussion

Cross-sectional results support an association between occupational hearing loss and dementia, consistent in direction with findings for age-related hearing loss; longitudinal estimates were not significant but were directionally similar. If confirmed in other high-risk cohorts with repeated audiometry, these findings underscore the potential for hearing conservation and hearing loss rehabilitation in dementia prevention.

Introduction

With the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events rising, occupational health and safety (OHS) personnel must be well-informed about heat management solutions. Consequently, assessing the knowledge level and technical expertise of OHS personnel is essential for equipping workplaces to operate safely in hotter conditions.

Methods

The Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit-Occupational Heat Stress Knowledge Assessment Test (HEPRU-OHSKAT) was distributed among OHS personnel and the general working population (GWP) (> 18 years) throughout Ontario, Canada, to assess their current knowledge regarding managing occupational heat stress. The instrument included 31 items grouped into four core competency areas including: (A) General Heat Stress Knowledge (items (q): 8, max score (ms): 13), (B) Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stress and First Aid (q: 7, ms: 32), (C) Exposure Limits and Heat Monitoring Practices (q: 13, ms: 40), and (D) Workplace Controls for Heat (q: 3, ms: 15). The number of respondents and the percentage of the total sample were calculated based on individual response rates to each question.

Results

A total of 317 respondents (female: 110, median age: 42 years, range: 18–74) from 17 industries (OHS: 68% vs. GWP: 32%) completed the HEPRU-OHSKAT. The average total knowledge score for all respondents was 54 ± 22% (56 ± 22% vs. 48 ± 21%), with no respondents exceeding 90% overall and scores on individual knowledge categories varying substantially.

Conclusions

The HEPRU-OHSKAT identified knowledge gaps among OHS personnel in Ontario's workplaces, particularly for knowledge of control measures for reducing or preventing exposure to heat stress.

Practical Applications

Training and education are necessary across all HEPRU-OHSKAT knowledge categories to enhance heat stress management and minimize the OHS hazards associated with working in the heat.

Background

Work exposure-related declines in lung function among aluminum smelter workers are well documented, yet task-varying exposures are likely to contribute differently to respiratory outcomes. This study aimed to assess the association between potroom exposure and lung function changes over time among aluminum smelter workers.

Methods

A retrospective review of spirometric assessments of 265 potroom workers and their exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and fluoride was conducted. Cumulative exposure was described through job exposure matrices by job titles and exposure across the lifetime of employment. Associations between exposure and lung function were determined using mixed-effect models and a 1-year lag exposure.

Results

Exposures were within the prescribed occupational exposure limits. SO₂ was highest in the maintenance section (mean: 0.4 ppm [range 0.3–0.5 ppm]), while the process control section (mean: 1.1 mg/m³ [range 0.04–2.6 mg/m³]) had the highest level of fluoride. Among those workers who contributed lung function measures at each of the 10 years (n = 98), there was a decline in the percentpredicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio (FEV₁/FVC) of 0.21% (95% CI: 0.35–0.07). Within the entire sample, there was an estimated decline of 2.9% (95% CI: −3.9 to −1.9) and 0.15% (95% CI: −0.23 to −0.07) in percentage-predicted FEV₁/FVC, associated with cumulative SO₂ and cumulative fluoride exposure, respectively. A 1-year lagged decline was also seen for the FEV₁/FVC ratio for both pollutants.

Conclusion

SO₂ and fluoride exposure in aluminum smelting is associated with statistically significant lung function declines over the years of exposure.