Authors:Albert Navarro; Mireia Utzet, Sergio Salas, Clara Llorens, Emilia Molinero-Ruiz, Salvador Moncada Abstract: BackgroundIn order to plan interventions it is important to obtain evidence on the relation between a health outcome and specific exposures. However, there are few studies that identify the effect of specific psychosocial work exposures on poor mental health. This is the aim of this study.MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional study in Catalonia. We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) of minor psychiatric disorder associated with several psychosocial work exposures.ResultsThe items with highest PR were “Are there times when you need to be at work and at home at the same time'” (PR = 1.81), “Are you worried about a variation in your salary'” (PR = 1.77), “Is your work emotionally demanding'” (PR = 1.65) and “Are you worried about it being difficult for you to find another job if you became unemployed'” (PR = 1.51).ConclusionsThis study could be useful in order to begin planning interventions on specific psychosocial exposures to protect mental health in the workplace. PubDate: 2017-06-09T07:02:45.183662-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22733
Authors:Naomi J. Anderson; Caroline K. Smith, Jesse L. Byrd Abstract: IntroductionThe trucking industry has a high burden of work-related injuries. This study examined factors, such as safety climate perceptions, that may impact injury risk.MethodA random sample of 9800 commercial driver's license holders (CDL) were sent surveys, only 4360 were eligible truck drivers. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were developed to describe the population and identify variables associated with work-related injury.Results2189 drivers completed the pertinent interview questions. Driving less-than-truckload, daytime sleepiness, pressure to work faster, and having a poor composite score for safety perceptions were all associated with increased likelihood of work-related injury. Positive safety perception score was protective for odds of work-related injury, and increased claim filing when injured.ConclusionsPositive psychological safety climate is associated with decreased likelihood of work-related injury and increased likelihood that a driver injured on the job files a workers’ compensation claim. PubDate: 2017-06-08T06:55:20.347173-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22737
Authors:Mattias P. Tschannen; Ulrich Glück, Andreas J. Bircher, Ingmar Heijnen, Claudia Pletscher Abstract: Thaumatin is a sweetener and flavor modifier commonly used in the food industry. Likewise, gum arabic is widely used as a food stabilizer and thickening agent. We report here that a powder mixture composed of 10% thaumatin and 90% gum arabic led to allergic symptoms in the upper airways in occupationally exposed individuals: four of eight workers of a chewing gum factory exposed to this powder mixture had pronounced rhinitis. A positive skin prick test result for pure thaumatin was obtained in all four individuals with rhinitis of whom two also had a positive skin prick test result for pure gum arabic and gum arabic-specific IgE. Subsitution of a powdered thaumatin with a liquid form reduced symptoms among the rhinitic workers. Although gum arabic is a well-known potential allergen, we were unable to find prior documentation of allergic symptoms to thaumatin when it is used in the food industry. PubDate: 2017-05-24T08:10:24.21203-05:0 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22729
Authors:Marija Borjan; Margaret Lumia Abstract: BackgroundThis preliminary study evaluates a real-time syndromic surveillance system to track occupationally-related emergency room visits throughout New Jersey.MethodsEmergency Department (ED) chief complaint fields were evaluated from 79 of 80 hospitals in NJ in 2014, using work-related keywords and ICD-9 E-codes, to determine its ability to capture non-fatal work-related injuries. Sensitivity analysis and descriptive statistics, were used to evaluate and summarize the occupational injuries identified.ResultsOverall, 11 919 (0.3%) possible work-related ED visits were identified from all ED visits. Events with the greatest number of ED visits were slips, trips, and falls (1679, 14%). Nature of injury included cuts, lacerations (1041, 9%). The part of the body most affected was the back (1414, 12%). This work-related classifier achieved a sensitivity of 5.4%, a specificity of 99.8%, and a PPV of 2.8%.ConclusionsThis evaluation demonstrated that the syndromic surveillance reporting system can yield real-time knowledge of work-related injuries. PubDate: 2017-05-23T03:30:26.270675-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22734
Authors:Barbara J. Burgel; Rami A. Elshatarat Abstract: IntroductionTaxi drivers are at high risk for low back pain (LBP).AimIdentify the association between psychosocial-work factors (Job strain, Iso-strain, effort-reward imbalance [ERI], unfairness, and mental exertion) and LBP in taxi drivers.MethodsA cross-sectional study was done with 129 taxi drivers.ResultsApproximately 63% reported LBP in the prior 12 months. Chi square or t-test analyses identified the associations between demographic, work, health, and psychosocial work factors, and self-report of LBP in the prior 12 months. Depression, perceived physical exertion, dispatcher and manager support, unfair treatment at work, and unfair treatment due to nationality were significantly associated with LBP in bivariate analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was done to identify the predictors of LBP. High dispatcher support remained the sole significant predictor for lower prevalence of LBP (OR = 0.66, P = 0.017).ConclusionGreater understanding of psychosocial work factors may aid in developing interventions to prevent LBP in taxi drivers. PubDate: 2017-05-19T07:00:37.44043-05:0 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22732
Authors:A. J. Agopian; Jihye Kim, Peter H. Langlois, Laura Lee, Lawrence W. Whitehead, Elaine Symanski, Michele L. Herdt, George L. Delclos Abstract: ObjectivesTo perform a case-control study of maternal occupational physical activity and risk for orofacial clefts in Texas during 1999-2009.MethodsWe used logistic regression to assess 14 measures of physical activity estimated from a job exposure matrix, using the maternal occupation reported on the birth certificate, among 887 children with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP), 436 children with cleft palate only (CP), and 1932 controls.ResultsAfter adjusting for several potential confounders, seven measures of physical activity (as a categorical and/or continuous variable) were significantly associated with CLP, CP, or both. Positive associations were seen for keeping balance, kneeling, standing, and walking/running (odds ratio 95% confidence interval range 1.0-1.9 for fourth versus first quartile). A significant positive trend was also seen for bending/twisting. Negative associations were seen for repetitive motion and sitting.ConclusionsMaternal occupational physical activity may be related to the etiology of orofacial clefts. PubDate: 2017-05-19T07:00:25.845348-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22731
Authors:Brie Hawley; Kristin J. Cummings, Mohammed Mohammed, Anne E. Dimmock, Rebecca Bascom Abstract: We present a case that highlights the difficulties with diagnosis and the dangers of occupational allergic sinusitis and asthma left unrecognized. We describe the case history of a man who experienced work-related symptoms 1 year after beginning work as a cheesemaker at a creamery, and whose respiratory symptoms progressively worsened over 16 years before an occupational cause of his asthma was identified. His initial discrete episodes of sinusitis and acute bronchitis evolved into persistent asthma of increasing severity with exacerbations requiring repeated emergency room treatment. The case described in our report emphasizes the importance of clinician diagnosis of OA, and subsequent removal from exposure, such that asthma severity does not progress to near-fatal or fatal asthma in the sensitized worker. As demonstrated by this case report, identification of an occupational cause of asthma relies on a high degree of suspicion and excellent detective work by the clinician. PubDate: 2017-05-12T06:11:35.622855-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22725
Authors:Bernardo Nunes; Francisco Serdoura, Luísa Vital, Manuel Seara, Rui Pinto Abstract: This case report presents a 27 year-old manual worker with right wrist extension deficit after pneumatic hammer handling. MRI and electromyographic studies revealed partial compromise of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) proximal to the branch for the extensor digitorum communis. The patient enrolled a 6-week rehabilitation period and recovered without remaing symptoms. PIN syndrome has mostly been associated with compressive neuropathies of the upper limb, but has seldom been reported in labor contexts. This case exemplifies an unusual presentation of PIN compression without a definite imaging diagnosis, where clinical presentation and electrodiagnostic studies are paramount for an accurate approach and understanding of the underlying condition. PubDate: 2017-05-09T05:08:39.900751-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22730
Authors:Ketki Patel; Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Rosa Gofin, Gleb Haynatzki, Risto Rautiainen Pages: 599 - 620 Abstract: BackgroundCurrently, surveillance of non-fatal agricultural injuries in the U.S. mainly relies on national surveys, and to date, none of these surveys were formally reviewed. Our objective was to review and evaluate these survey-based systems, to identify critical gaps in them and provide recommendations to improve them.MethodsWe used the updated Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to describe each system and evaluate each system's attributes like simplicity, flexibility, data quality, timeliness, representativeness, etc.ResultsFour adult and two youth national surveys collected data for non-fatal agricultural injuries in the U.S. The evaluation identified three major gaps: 1) insufficient data quality attributed to non-response, measurement errors, and underreporting; 2) untimeliness of data; and 3) lack of flexibility to integrate with other existing systems.ConclusionImproving data quality, timeliness and flexibility will provide reliable and valid injury estimates, and increase the usefulness of these surveys for surveillance and prevention of farm injuries. PubDate: 2017-06-14T20:16:56.961921-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22720
Authors:Nancy Glass; Ginger C. Hanson, W. Kent Anger, Naima Laharnar, Jacquelyn C. Campbell, Marc Weinstein, Nancy Perrin Pages: 635 - 643 Abstract: BackgroundThe study examines the effectiveness of a workplace violence and harassment prevention and response program with female homecare workers in a consumer driven model of care.MethodsHomecare workers were randomized to either; computer based training (CBT only) or computer-based training with homecare worker peer facilitation (CBT + peer). Participants completed measures on confidence, incidents of violence, and harassment, health and work outcomes at baseline, 3, 6 months post-baseline.ResultsHomecare workers reported improved confidence to prevent and respond to workplace violence and harassment and a reduction in incidents of workplace violence and harassment in both groups at 6-month follow-up. A decrease in negative health and work outcomes associated with violence and harassment were not reported in the groups.ConclusionCBT alone or with trained peer facilitation with homecare workers can increase confidence and reduce incidents of workplace violence and harassment in a consumer-driven model of care. PubDate: 2017-06-14T20:16:56.583543-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22728
Authors:David A. Anderson; Tyler R. Harrison, Fan Yang, Jessica Wendorf Muhamad, Susan E. Morgan Pages: 644 - 650 Abstract: BackgroundRecent epidemiological research on firefighters indicates an increased incidence of specific types of cancer. Intervention is needed in the fire service yet little is known about how firefighters perceive their cancer risk.MethodsParticipant observation (150 h, n = 100) and focus group (n = 17) data were collected from 15 fire stations in South Florida. Firefighters had at least 3 years of experience, ranks included drivers, captains, lieutenants, and specialty captains, with a median age of 51 years.ResultsFrom the qualitative analysis, two major categories (direct and indirect factors) for cancer risks emerged based on participant notions of cancer risk and cancer prevention behaviors as they relate to firefighting.ConclusionsFirefighters perceive cancer risks as the result of performing essential job tasks and from indirect job factors related to being a firefighter. The two categories of cancer risks suggest different points of entry for intervention. PubDate: 2017-06-14T20:16:57.605453-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22726
Authors:Avima M. Ruder; Stephen J. Bertke Pages: 651 - 657 Abstract: BackgroundA cancer incidence analysis was conducted on The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health boat-builders cohort exposed to styrene, a possible carcinogen.MethodsStandardized incidence ratios (SIR) and standardized rate ratios (SRR) were calculated using national and Washington State rates and a person-years analysis program.ResultsAmong 3704 workers living in Washington State after 1991, when cancer registry case accrual began, 516 first primary diagnoses occurred through 2007. While overall cancer incidence was significantly reduced [SIR: 0.83 (0.76, 0.90)], internal comparisons suggest an association with exposure comparing high to low exposed person-time [SRR: 1.28 (1.05, 1.55)].ConclusionThere is evidence of styrene exposure being linked to cancer incidence, which is notable since the cohort has not yet reached the median age of cancer diagnosis (65) in the United States. PubDate: 2017-06-14T20:16:56.278031-05: DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22735
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