摘要:

The issue of mandatory retirement is reviewed in the context of a physically arduous task with major implications for the safety of both life and property (marine surveying). The main physiological factor limiting the inspections of vessels and cargo is the individual's aerobic power. Over an eight-hour shift, the net energy expenditure can amount to 4 megajoule (MJ), equivalent to 37% of aerobic power for an unfit 65-year-old employee. It is argued that the majority of marine surveyors should retire at about the age of 65 years, on grounds of (1) heavy physical demand, (2) ensuring continuity of operations through the recruitment of young, formally trained employees, and (3) public safety in the face of growing time pressures and a rapidly changing technology. Nevertheless, careful physiological tests may distinguish exceptional individuals who can continue with their work for a longer period.

ISSN:0096-1736    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Intense exertion is an occupational hazard inherent to fire fighting. This study was designed to look at the exertion levels that fire fighters attain during a fire fighting exercise when using (1) no self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), (2) light SCBA, and (3) heavy SCBA. Exertion levels were measured as a function of the heart rate increase relative to the maximum predicted heart rate determined by a standard treadmill exercise test. Five fire fighters wore electrocardiographic monitors during a routine fire fighting exercise. Heart rates increased rapidly to 70% to 80% of maximum within the first minute and then plateaued at 90% to 100% until the attack on the fire was completed. There was no significant difference between exertion levels when using no SCBA, light SCBA, and heavy SCBA (split-plot analysis of variance, p > .25). These results suggest that fire fighters attain an intense level of physical activity quickly and maintain that level as long as they are actively engaged in fighting fire. These results also suggest that regardless of the weight of the SCBA, if employed, fire fighters exert themselves from 85% to 100% of their maximum and adjust their work output to maintain that near-maximal level.

ISSN:0096-1736    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Earlier proportional mortality studies of workers in a plastics producing plant in Massachusetts indicated excess mortality from certain digestive and genitourinary cancers. To more definitively examine mortality among these workers a retrospective cohort study was conducted for 2,490 male wage earners who worked at least one year during 1949–1966. Vital status was determined as of Dec. 31, 1976, for 99.7% of the cohort and death certificates were obtained for 98.0% of 603 observed deaths. Comparison with the local county white males revealed a slight excess in digestive system cancer (standard mortality ratio [SMR] = 101.8] and a statistically significant excess (p<.05) in genitourinary cancer (SMR = 153.6). A relationship was suggested between cancer of the rectum, liver, and pancreas and both the duration and interval from onset of exposure. A secondary matched case-control study was conducted to determine if particular jobs or work areas were related to the excesses found in the primary study. This analysis did not support the hypothesis that digestive or genitourinary cancer was related to a general plant exposure or date of hire. Possible associations warranting continued surveillance were found between rectal cancer and cellulose nitrate production and between prostatic cancer and polystyrene processing. Digestive and genitourinary cancers other than rectal and prostate were not related to employment in any of 21 occupational exposure categories examined.

ISSN:0096-1736    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0096-1736    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0096-1736    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0096-1736    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID