Search

The building elements filled with polyurethane foam produced in Poland are called "Obornicka plate". The authors investigated the concentrations of p, p-diisocyanodiphenylmethane (MDI) vapours at workplaces and found considerably excessed TLV values. This would call for a prompt introduction of technological prophylaxis in the production of "Obornicka plate".

The study was aimed at designing, performing and testing the tool enabling observation of the duration of the trunk inclination under the fibular plane and specific angles in professional work. Admittedly, the most ethiopathogenetic factor of an algesic syndrome in the lower part of the spine is the load resulting mainly from long-lasting trunk anteversion. The tool consists of a gravitating inclination sensor which switches on, with the programmed inclination angle, the quartz time meter. This tool is fastened to the examined patient by webbings to the level of the lumbar spine in the axillary left middle line. The results obtained due to this tool reflect the duration of trunk inclination under different angles at work in different workstations. It was found that the observations made due to that tool, when its inclination sensor is set at 10 degrees, 20 degrees and 30 degrees (forward), should be sufficient to indicate the workstations with static load of the lower part of the spine due to long-lasting trunk anteversion. The simplicity of the studies performed by means of that tool, as well as the fact that those studies are convenient (both for the physicians and patients) indicate the advisability of an extensive use of that tool (also in improved versions) in ergonomic practice.

The records of the Social Insurance Institute Department in Poznań have been used as the study material. The area of the study covered the whole province of Poznań. The study included only people employed in the State-controlled economy. Applied in the study have been certificate records of the Social Insurance Institution related to individuals applying for financial benefits and entitled to them as victims of accidents at work (health damage, disability) in 1985. The records of 3119 workers (2380 men and 739 women) were analysed. Accidents at work were found to be 2.8 times more frequent among workmen, as compared to people carrying on other than physical work. The accident rate was higher among men than among women; the difference was more distinctive in physical workers (2.7:1) than in those performing other types of work (1.3:1). 37.5% of all accidents affected the workers who had been accident victims before. A clear weekly rhythm of accidents was observed: most of them happened on Wednesday. 11 o'clock was noted as the most fatal time. Most frequent accidents were: all kinds of falls (28.8%), hand injuries (34.5%), occurring mostly during transportation or when operating a machine. In the majority of cases the accidents resulted in slight health damages; in 23.0% of victims no essential health damages were found, they were the so-called zero damages. Finger injuries occur most frequently in physical workers, whereas injuries of ankle-joints, feet and head--in those performing other types of work.

Results of the study of first-hand observations of district industrial physicians were presented. The study was based on specially designed observation inquiry sheets. 34.9% cases constituted prophylactic observation. Patients were found to be treated routinely. Patients complaining of an illness were usually given both a prescription and a disablement for work certificate or were sent to consult a specialist. Patients were sporadically sent for additional examinations or physiocotherapy.

In five provinces of Western Poland the incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis was analyzed in patients living at the place of birth and in patients who had changed their place of residence in these provinces. The results showed that the occurrence of multiple sclerosis in geographic foci is more evident if all patients living in a given area are considered, both those born there and those who had come from other localities.