摘要:

This study explored how experiencing a traumatic event in the workplace affects employee physical health, mental health, personal functioning, and work performance. Post-event use of health care services and the effectiveness of critical incident stress debriefing sessions and other coping interventions were also examined. A retrospective self-report methodology and mailed survey were used with 141 employees of 42 different bank branches that had recently been robbed. The results found that most employees had multiple negative consequences from experiencing a bank robbery while at work. Psychological, physical, work, and personal areas were all affected by the robbery. Furthermore, more threatening incidents were associated with more severe consequences. Critical incident stress debriefing interventions delivered after robbery were rated as helpful by 78% of employees who attended. The implications for health care providers and organizations are discussed.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Work-related musculoskeletal pain, commonly referred to more specifically as musculoskeletal disorders or cumulative trauma disorders, has continued to occur despite efforts by employers, employees, health care providers, and the government to eradicate it. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has encouraged employers to establish ergonomic prevention programs; however, many employers are concerned that screening, education, and focused attention on workplace pain will cause an increase in the number of OSHA 200 events and the incidence of workers' compensation claims. This prospective cohort study demonstrated that there was no increase in the number of OSHA 200 events and no increase in the incidence of workers' compensation claims after completion of an individual risk screening program that included education and employee awareness about work-related musculoskeletal pain. Incidence of cumulative trauma disorders has been most effectively reduced by use of individual risk-screening programs. Therefore, employers should be encouraged to develop and implement prevention programs that include individual risk screening.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Regional poison control centers (PCCs) were surveyed nationally to assess their policies and practices in handling work-related exposures. A 24-item survey was mailed to the executive directors of 44 American Association of Poison Control Centers' certified PCCs nationwide. The survey also requested permission to call the PCC to conduct a blinded role-playing exercise of a case of work-related trichloroethane exposure. Responses on the management questionnaire were compared with the actual responses provided by information specialists in the role-playing exercise. Seventy-five percent of PCCs completed the survey; 43% completed the telephone role-playing exercise. Survey respondents generally overestimated what they thought was routinely done to assess work-related calls, compared with what actually occurred at the time of the work-related call in the role-playing exercise. For example, 32% indicated that their PCC asked about the activities of nearby workers, but none of the PCC staff actually did so. Eighty-nine percent of the PCC executive directors surveyed thought that their staff routinely advised callers to notify their employer about work-related exposure concerns, but this occurred in only 11% of the calls. We concluded that PCCs' responses to work-related calls are inadequate. Given the public health impact of work-related calls, PCCs should develop, implement, and monitor written protocols to better address the public health issues of workplace poisonings.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Using a surveillance system that captures data on construction workers treated in an urban emergency department, we identified a series of injuries caused by vessels and tools under air pressure. We describe those six cases, as well as similar cases found in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries; we also review data from the National Surveillance for Traumatic Occupational Fatalities database and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among the injuries and deaths for which we had good case descriptions, the majority would have been prevented by adherence to existing Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards in the construction industry.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The distribution and characteristics of workplace injuries for West Virginia volunteer fire fighters (VFFs) are described using 1992 workers' compensation data. Most of the injuries occurred in VFFs who were less than 30 years of age (62%). The most common type of injuries were those in the category of lacerations and contusions (28.9%), with a notable percentage of injuries due to smoke inhalation and respiratory problems (13.7%). The proportional rates related to falls in VFFs were almost twice the national figures for the same year (39.3% versus 22.3%). County population density was found to be directly associated with injury rates, even when adjusted for number of responses. Claims statistics mirror a similar geographical trend in overall workers' compensation claims for all injuries in West Virginia. The results of this study provide a foundation for additional follow-up studies in order to develop improved occupational safety policies and target educational programs aimed at the prevention of injuries in volunteer fire fighters. Several findings have already resulted in programmatic recommendations.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effects of keyboard keyswitch design on computer users with hand paresthesias. Twenty computer users were matched and randomly assigned to keyboard A (n = 10) or B (n = 10). The keyboards were of conventional layout and differed in keyswitch design. Various outcome measures were assessed during the 12 weeks of use. Subjects assigned keyboard A experienced a decrease in hand pain between weeks 6 and 12 when compared with keyboard B subjects (P = 0.05) and demonstrated an improvement in the Phalen test time (right hand, P = 0.006; left hand, P = 0.06). Keyboard assignment had no significant effect on change in hand function or median nerve latency. We conclude that use of keyboard A for 12 weeks led to a reduction in hand pain and an improved physical examination finding when compared with keyboard B. There was no corresponding improvement in hand function or median nerve latency.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Anemia is a manifestation of lead toxicity. However, there are conflicting reports of its prevalence among lead-exposed workers, and it is uncertain whether they should be monitored by periodic hemoglobin (Hb) examinations. To explore the relationship between Hb and lead exposure, we examined the correlation between Hb, blood lead (PbB), and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels in 961 blood samples obtained from 94 workers in a lead-acid battery plant in Israel between 1980 and 1993. Blood lead levels exceeded 60 µg/dL (2.90 µmol/L) in 105 (14%) of the blood samples. The correlation between PbB and logZPP was 0.594. Hb levels did not correlate with PbB or ZPP. We conclude that (a) periodic Hb determinations are not a useful indicator of lead exposure in Israeli industrial workers; (b) the discrepancies between the reported correlation between PbB and Hb levels remain unexplained and in need of further study; and (c) a finding of anemia in a person with PbB levels of up to 80 µg/dL should be considered to be due to lead toxicity only after other causes for anemia have been excluded.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID