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There are numerous hazards to be found in almost any workplace. Annually, millions of workers die, are injured or become ill as a result of these occupational hazards. Industrial machines are often involved in these occupational accidents. Because of the demands of regulatory compliance, and the potentially high cost in terms of human suffering and lost production, businesses should place particular emphasis on safety measures. Risk is defined as a combination of the probability of harm and the severity of its consequences. Generally, risk estimation involves examining the hazards associated with a situation or with the use of a machine. A large number of techniques have been proposed for risk estimation, and recent studies have revealed that some of them have serious flaws. The main objective of this paper is to develop a proposed risk assessment tool based on the findings of an earlier study. Our research results constitute a first step towards the integration of occupational health and safety (OHS) concerns into facility planning models which traditionally do not consider OHS. The proposed risk estimation tool is developed based on the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of 31 existing risk estimation tools, and is then applied to 20 scenarios representing different hazardous situations. To evaluate the performance of the proposed tool, the results were compared with those of other risk estimation tools and confirmed its proposed ability to estimate risk relative to other risk estimation tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workplaces provide ideal environments for wellness programming. The purpose of this study was to explore exercise self-efficacy among university employees and the effects of a worksite wellness program on physical activity, cardio-respiratory fitness, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: Participants included 121 university employees (85% female). The worksite wellness program included cardiovascular health assessments, personal health reports, 8 weeks of pedometer-based walking and tracking activities, and weekly wellness sessions. Daily step count was assessed at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. Exercise self-efficacy and CVD risk factors were evaluated at baseline and follow-up. Results: Daily step count increased from 6566 ± 258 (LSM ± SE) at baseline to 8605 ± 356 at Week 4 and 9107 ± 388 at Week 8 (P < .0001). Steps increased among normal weight, overweight, and obese subgroups. Exercise self-efficacy correlated with baseline steps (P < .05). Small improvements were observed in cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides (all P < .01). Conclusions: A worksite wellness program was effective for improving physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and CVD risk factors among university employees. Exercise barriers and outcome expectations were identified and have implications for future worksite wellness programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between light-intensity activity and cardiovascular disease risk is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of light-intensity activity with census-based occupational activity classifications and cardiovascular risk factors among Mexican American adults. Methods: 118 Mexican American adults (68.6% female) provided cross-sectional accelerometer and biological data. Self-reported occupations were classified by activity level (sedentary, low, moderate). Participants were classified as At-Risk for BMI, glucose, triglycerides, HDL, blood pressure, waist circumference, and percent body fat. Results: Participants engaged in > 5 hours of light-intensity activity on average, and those in sedentary occupations engaged in fewer light-intensity activity minutes than low-active or moderately active workers (P < .001). Self-reported occupation explained 14% of the variation in light-intensity activity (P < .001). Participants in moderately active occupations were at increased risk for high %body fat than other workers (P = .01), but no other associations between occupation and cardiovascular risk were detected. Conclusion: Early work in physical activity underscored the importance of occupational activity. This study presents evidence of a dose-response association for light-intensity activity by occupational category such that workers in sedentary occupations had less light-intensity activity than employees in more active occupations. Future research on how light-intensity activity derived from occupation may reduce the risk of chronic disease will contribute to improved interventions as light-intensity activity participation may be more feasible than meeting current physical activity guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although more than 1 million US children attend licensed family child care homes, little is known about children's physical activity in this setting. The purpose of this study is to describe the physical activity of children cared for in child care homes. Methods: The study sample included 31 licensed family child care homes in Washington State. Children aged 3 to 6 wore accelerometers while in child care over 5 days. Minutes per hour spent at 4 activity levels were calculated and averaged for all children in the home. Contextual factors such as provider practices, staff training, and home characteristics were assessed using standardized questions. Results: Accelerometer data from 144 children were included, with 2 to 11 children monitored per home. The mean minutes of sedentary activity per hour (min/h) was 34.3 (SD = 4.6, range 27.7 to 46.6). For moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) it was 8.8 min/h (SD = 2.6, range 3.6 to 14.1) and for vigorous physical (VPA) activity it was 3.1 min/h (SD = 1.4, range: 0.9 to 7.0). Conclusions: The low levels of MVPA and VPA in many homes reinforces the need for additional research to identify policy and practice recommendations that will be most effective in increasing physical activity in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A 16-week lunchtime walking intervention was designed to increase physical activity in physically inactive University employees. The program was delivered and monitored twice over 7 months to examine feasibility across different seasons. Methods: Seventy-five participants (n = 69 females, n = 6 males; mean age = 47.68) were randomly allocated into a Winter (February start) or Spring group (May start). Participants were asked to complete 3 weekday lunchtime walks and 2 weekend walks. Weeks 1 to 10 were led by walk leaders (group phase) while the participants self-organized their walks during weeks 11 to 16 (independent phase). Yamax pedometers recorded daily step counts and walk group leaders recorded participant attendance in the group phase. Acceptability was assessed via a satisfaction survey and 2 focus groups with participants. Results: A participant pool representative by ethnicity, but not gender was recruited using a range of strategies. The program demonstrated good retention across both groups (73%). The intervention was acceptable to participants. More steps were accumulated in the group-led versus the independent phase. Conclusion: The intervention is feasible in this workplace setting across different seasonal periods. In the future, researchers should examine if the findings can be replicated in a definitive trial and generalize to other workplace settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prolonged occupational sitting is related to poor health outcomes. Detailed data on sitting time at desks are required to understand and effectively influence occupational sitting habits. Methods: Full-time office employees were recruited (n = 105; mean age 40.9 ±11.5 years; BMI26.1 ± 3.9, 65% women). Sitting at the desk and in other work contexts was measured using a sitting pad and ActivPAL for an entire working week. Employees used a diary to record work hours. Time spent at work, sitting at work and at the desk; number of sit to stand transitions at the desk; and number of bouts of continuous sitting at the desk < 20 and > 60 minutes, were calculated. Results: Average time spent at work was 8.7 ± 0.8 hours/day with 67% spent sitting at the desk (5.8 ±1.2 hours/day), and 4% in other workplace settings. On average, employees got up from their desks 3 times/hour (29 ± 13/day). Sitting for more than 60 consecutive minutes occurred infrequently (0.69 ± 0.62 times/day), with most sit to stands (80%; 23 ± 14) occurring before 20 minutes of continual sitting. Conclusion: The findings provide highly detailed insights into desk-based sitting habits, highlighting large proportions of time spent sitting at desks, but with frequent interruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between occupational category and 3 health-related behaviors: participation in leisure-time physical activity, active transport (AT) and occupational sitting in a sample of employed Australian adults. Methods: A random, cross-sectional sample of 592 adults aged 18 to 71 years completed a telephone survey in October/November 2006. Reported occupations were categorized as professional (n = 332, 56.1%), white-collar (n = 181, 30.6%), and blue-collar (n = 79, 13.3%). Relationships between occupational category and AT, sufficient physical activity and occupational sitting were examined using logistic regression. Results: White-collar employees (OR = 0.36, 95%. CI 0.14-0.95) were less likely to engage in AT and more likely to engage in occupational sitting (OR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.63-5.92) when compared with blue-collar workers. Professionals (OR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.94-4.76) were also more likely to engage in occupational sitting compared with blue-collar workers. No relationship was observed between occupational category and engagement in sufficient physical activity. Conclusions: No association between occupational category and sufficient physical activity levels was observed, although white-collar and professionals were likely to engage in high levels of occupational sitting. Innovative and sustainable strategies are required to reduce occupational sitting to improve health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The present study examines gender differences in occupations, occupational hazards, and musculoskeletal symptoms in Korean workers. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data from the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Results Relative to 'managers,' men who were 'craft and related trades workers,' 'equipment, machine operating and assembling workers,' and in 'elementary occupations' were more likely to report back pain (ORs: 2.08, 2.33, and 2.71, respectively); women who were 'skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers' were more likely to report back pain (OR: 3.96). Back pain was more likely to be reported in men exposed to 'carrying/moving heavy loads,' 'painful/tiring postures,' and 'repetitive hand/arm movements' (ORs: 1.20, 2.26, and 1.28, respectively). Conclusion Men and women workers differed in their reporting of ergonomic risk factors, and complaints of musculoskeletal symptoms. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:342-349, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning method on voice function following a voicing task using ecologically valid offices, one with radiant HVAC and one with forced air. Method: A total of 12 consented participants (6 women, 6 men) narrated a video in each of 4 environmental conditions in a within-between repeated-measures design. Acoustic data were collected with an ambulatory phonation monitor and perceived phonatory effort was determined following the voicing task. Data were analyzed using a within-between repeated-measures analysis of variance with significance set at α < .05. Results: Perceived phonatory effort did not differ between environments; however, a significant difference in vocal amplitude between 2 trials was identified for the male participants and physiologically significant differences in vocal amplitude were identified for male and female participants. Conclusions: The findings suggest that perceived phonatory effort may not be a sensitive measure of vocal function differences following a voicing task in ecologically valid office spaces despite significant acoustic findings. Future research should address longer exposure to environmental differences combined with a longer voicing task within ecologically valid work spaces as well as the recruitment of participants who have particular vulnerability to environmental perturbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the risk of lymphatic and hematopoietic neoplasms among workers whose jobs entail high exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are sparse, and mainly based on small-size studies. We carried out a systematic review of occupational cohort studies that reported results on incidence or mortality from Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), leukemia or multiple myeloma (MM) among workers exposed to PAH. We computed meta-analytic estimates using a random effect model. Meta-relative risk (meta-RR) was computed separately by each type of neoplasm, job or industry. We identified 41 studies (12 in iron and steel foundries, 11 in aluminum plant, 6 in cokeries, 6 in carbon electrode manufacturing, 2 on asphalt workers, 2 on creosote-exposed workers, 1 on tar distillery workers and 1 evaluating both tar distillery workers and roofers). No significant excess risk of any lymphatic and hematopoietic neoplasms was found among workers employed in jobs or industries entailing high PAH exposure. Among 18 meta-analytic estimates by job or industry and type of neoplasm, 16 were close to unit, i.e., between 0.72 and 1.27, whereas the meta-RR was 1.38 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.95-2.01] for HL in foundry workers and 2.01 (95 % CI 0.96-4.22) for NHL in workers exposed to creosote. There was no association between occupation entailing high PAH exposure and risk of MM or leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ranking of workplaces with respect to working conditions is very significant for each company. It indicates the positions where employees are most exposed to adverse effects resulting from the working environment, which endangers their health. This article presents the results obtained for 12 different production workplaces in the copper mining and smelting complex RTB Bor - 'Veliki Krivelj' open pit, based on six parameters measured regularly which defined the following working environment conditions: air temperature, light, noise, dustiness, chemical hazards and vibrations. The ranking of workplaces has been performed by PROMETHEE/GAIA. Additional optimization of workplaces is done by PROMETHEE V with the given limits related to maximum permitted values for working environment parameters. The obtained results indicate that the most difficult workplace is on the excavation location (excavator operator). This method can be successfully used for solving similar kinds of problems, in order to improve working conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal environment in the workplace is an important factor which affects workers' health. During 2011 in Poland, 14,781 workers were exposed to a cold working environment, i.e., 3.8% of persons employed in hazardous work conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the cardiovascular response to continuous (4 °C for 60 min) and intermittent (10 min at 4 °C and 10 min at room temperature alternately) exposure to the cold in 30 healthy men aged 20-27 years. Peripheral blood flow was assessed with impedance plethysmography. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were monitored with the Holter system. Having assessed the results, it is difficult to say which kind of exposure has a more severe impact on the cardiovascular system. Longer observation and a more detailed analysis would be necessary (e.g., Doppler echocardiography). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial vehicle operator's solace and safety have gained significant consideration because of the increment in occupational health issues and accidents. The purpose of this work was to amend the design of the excavator driver cabin through human factor analysis. Thirty operators of excavators who were serving as subjects, were interviewed and identified that their wrist, upper arm and trunk were at a higher risk level while operating. Photograph of the operators was taken and the work environment was simulated. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) scoring was made on different simulated work posture of operators using CATIA V5 and UEAT1.8 softwares. Based on overall RULA and REBA scoring, it was found nearly 46% of the operators were operating at a high hazard level and needed investigation immediately, whereas 35% of operators were at a medium risk level and only 19% of operators were operating safely. The individual RULA and REBA scoring proved prevalence of discomfort in wrist, upper arm and trunk while operating. Identifying the optimized conditions to hold the control levers will help to reduce the operator strain. From the design optimization in excavators, the optimal conditions to hold the control lever is found to be 40cm for popliteal height, 60.51 cm for distance from elbow to ground and 15.07º for reach angle from the seat reference point. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Research suggests Hispanic workers underreport injuries/illnesses to their employer. Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-occupational supplement was used to conduct a follow-back study of workers treated in emergency departments (EDs) from June 2012 through December 2013. Results An estimated 448,000 (95%CI 230,000-665,000) Hispanic workers treated in EDs for a work-related injury or illness were represented by 362 completed interviews. Of these, an estimated 443,000 (95%CI 228,000-657,000) workers reported the injury or illness to their employer or were self-employed. The majority had not heard of workers' compensation. Only 10% expected workers' compensation to cover their medical payment while 62% expected payment to be covered by their employer. Conclusion We characterized our respondent workforce who reported their injury or illness. We determined that NEISS-Work data are not the most appropriate source to capture underreporting of work-related injuries and illnesses to employers among Hispanic workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:621-629, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study investigated the prospective association between source-specific workplace social support and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in workers in Japan. Methods We conducted a 1-year prospective cohort study with 1,487 men and 533 women aged 18-65 years. Participants worked at two manufacturing worksites in Japan and were free of major illness. We used multivariable linear regression analyses to evaluate the prospective association between supervisor and coworker support at baseline, and hs-CRP levels at follow-up. We conducted the analyses separately for men and women. Results For women, high supervisor support at baseline was significantly associated with lower hs-CRP levels at follow-up (β = −0.109, P < 0.01), whereas coworker support at baseline was not significantly associated with hs-CRP levels at follow-up. Associations between supervisor and coworker support and hs-CRP levels were not significant for men. Conclusions Supervisor support may have beneficial effects on inflammatory markers in working women. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:676-684, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elucidate best approaches for facility radon management in a resource-limited environment such as a public university. Radon exposures are believed to be a risk factor for lung cancer. However, the degree to which typical indoor radon levels within settings such as the university campus contribute to lung cancer risk is controversial. The authors sought to develop a risk-balancing approach to safe and cost-efficient facility radon management.Design/methodology/approach The authors collected pilot monitoring data to determine radon activity levels at a large public university within a projected high-radon region of the southeastern USA, then reviewed scientific literature, trade literature and regulatory guidance to determine radon risk knowledge and best practices for mitigation. From this body of data and information, the authors determined the safest and most resource-effective means for campus radon management.Findings The developed program for comprehensive radon management included guidance on building selection for most effective use of monitoring, tiered response and mitigation strategies based on radon activity levels and faculty, staff and student education.Research Limitations/implications The radon management strategies might not be generalizable to facilities with usage patterns that differ from a public university, and should be extrapolated with caution.Practical Implications This paper shows how building managers can address indoor radon in a manner that maximizes both safety and cost-efficiency.Originality/value This paper fulfills a need for evidence-based and prudent approaches to radon management for campuses with mixed residential, educational and occupational contexts and limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid pesticide widely used in agriculture. Exposure can be assessed through biomonitoring. However, interpretation of results requires a proper knowledge of the toxicokinetics of the exposure biomarkers of interest. This study aimed at characterizing typical urinary time courses of biomarkers of exposure to cypermethrin in farm workers in Quebec following an exposure episode, distribution of values and variability, and predictors of elevated excretion levels. Methods: Workers provided total voids before seasonal spraying and during three consecutive days following an exposure period. Personal factors, professional tasks, and exposure conditions were documented by questionnaire. The urinary metabolites cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids (DCCA) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) were quantified. Results: Time courses showed significant variations of metabolite levels through time, although a clear profile typical of an acute exposure episode was not observed for several workers. However, maximum urinary levels in most exposed workers were generally reached 18-32 h following the onset of an exposure episode. Group comparison showed that applicators had higher excretions than workers performing inspection, harvest, or weeding. Conclusions: Time-dependent variations in excretions indicate the importance of serial urinary collections for a proper interpretation of a worker exposure pattern. In the context of group comparison, the alternative based on observed time courses and peak levels in most exposed workers would be the collection of urine samples prior to an exposure episode, at the end-of-shift after exposure onset and following morning void. When spot samples can only be collected for population exposure assessment, Monte Carlo simulations showed that iterative random selection of single urinary values from individual time courses observed in this study to predict distribution of values in the group of workers converged to similar central tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aim to provide evidence for improving fit to work assessments for rail safety workers and raised the question whether adding an assessment of work limitations is useful. Therefore, we assessed differences in the proportions of perceived work limitations and reported health complaints and whether older age or having health complaints are risk factors for having work limitations. Methods: Job requirements for rail safety workers are 'vigilance and clear judgment', 'good communication abilities', 'sufficient eye sight' and 'task-required physical abilities'. We invited 1000 workers to fill in a questionnaire about perceived work limitations and health problems related to their job requirements. Proportions of the two were compared by using the McNemar test. Associations were analyzed by using univariate logistic regression. Results: Among 484 rail safety workers, we found statistically significant differences between the proportions of reported health complaints (2-26 %) and work limitations (10-32 %). No significant associations were found between older age and work limitations, except for workers in the age group 40-50 years regarding physical abilities. This was not found for the age group over 50 years. For each age category, workers reporting health complaints related to 'vigilance and clear judgment' and 'sufficient physical abilities' had a statistically significant increased risk for reporting work limitations as well (ORs 2.4-17.9). Conclusions: Our results indicate that fit to work assessments should include both health complaints and work limitations. Our results do not substantiate the assumption that workers over 40 years of age are at increased risk for work limitations in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Using mood regulation theories and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, the purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that the relationship between organizational citizenship behaviors aimed at individuals (OCB-Is) and depressed mood, burnout, and satisfaction with life and health would be mediated by positive affect. Design/methodology/approach – Lagged data were collected from employee-supervisor dyads. Findings – OCB-Is were related to positive affect, and positive affect was positively related to subsequent reports of life satisfaction and general health satisfaction, and negatively related to burnout and depressed mood. Positive affect mediated the relationship between OCB-Is and life satisfaction, general health satisfaction, and depressed mood but not burnout. An alternative reverse causality mediation model ruled out the possibility that OCB-Is mediated the relationship between positive affect and the employee outcomes. Originality/value – These findings lend support for OCBs being an antecedent of mood, rather than vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to study the effect of brick kilns emissions on the reproductive health and biochemical status of brick kiln workers and people living in the area near brick kilns. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly reduced in brick makers, carriers, and bakers compared to the control. Red blood cells count and hematocrit (%) were significantly high in brick bakers while MCH was significantly reduced in brick makers and brick bakers. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and chromium) concentration in whole blood of the brick kiln workers were significantly higher as compared to the control. Antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, GSH, and GR) were significantly reduced in brick kiln workers as compared to the control while TBARS level were significantly high in brick bakers as compared to the control. Plasma leutinizing hormone (LH) was significantly high in brick bakers while testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced in brick makers, carriers, and bakers. The present study shows that brick kiln workers and people living in the brick kiln vicinity are exposed to heavy metals and other pollutants that is a serious threat to their health. Alternate technology is needed to be developed and brick kilns should be replaced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We investigated association of exposure to occupational air pollution and cardiac function in the workers of the steel industry. Fifty male workers of the agglomeration and coke-making parts of the Esfahan Steel Company were randomly selected ( n = 50). Workers in the administrative parts were studied as controls ( n = 50). Those with known history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes, and active smokers were not included. Data of age, body mass index, employment duration, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were gathered. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in workers of the agglomeration/coke-making parts than in controls (mean difference = 5 to 5.5 %, P < 0.001). Mild right ventricular dilatation and grade I pulmonary hypertension were present in three (12 %) workers of the coke-making part, but none of the controls ( P = 0.010). According to these results, occupational air pollution exposure in workers of the steel industry is associated with left heart systolic dysfunction. Possible right heart insults due to air pollution exposure warrant further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal fall arrest systems have become common in construction, maintenance, and many other activities including recreation. Many use a horizontal lifeline (HLL), often a steel cable. Their design is governed by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that require "supervision by a qualified person" and a factor of safety of at least two. In contrast to a vertical lifeline that can be analyzed as a linear spring, a HLL has non-linear elastic behavior. The analysis is complicated by the fact that both the maximum arresting force and the geometric shape of the HLL at the stopping point are initially unknown. Some suggestions for estimating the arresting forces are known to be grossly in error for the general case. Greater confidence in a design is realized when arresting forces are found by rational analysis. This paper gives a summary of regulations, a reiterative method of analysis, a discussion of the limit states, and some appropriate modifications in the case of unacceptable behavior. The effects of assumptions used in the analysis are discussed in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This section offers safety and health news briefs as of June 2016 including the 50th anniversary of the Loss Prevention Symposium (LPS) in 2016, highlights of the 12th Global Congress on Process Safety (GCPS) held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on April 11-13, Pete Lodal presented with 2016 Norton H. Walton/Russell L. Miller Award by Safety and Health Division of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe).

Objectives: Whether occupational physical activity (PA) will be assessed via questionnaires or accelerometry depends on available resources. Although self-reported data collection seems feasible and inexpensive, obtained information could be biased by demographic determinants. Thus, we aimed at comparing self-reported and objectively measured occupational sitting, standing, and walking times adjusted for socio-demographic variables. Methods: Thirty-eight office employees (eight males, 30 females, age 40.8 ± 11.4 years, BMI 23.9 ± 4.2 kg/m) supplied with height-adjustable working desks were asked to report sitting, standing, and walking times using the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire during one working week. The ActiGraph wGT3X-BT was used to objectively measure occupational PA during the same week. Subjectively and objectively measured data were compared computing the intra-class correlation coefficients, paired t tests and Bland-Altman plots. Furthermore, repeated-measurement ANOVAs for measurement (subjective vs. objective) and socio-demographic variables were calculated. Results: Self-reported data yielded a significant underestimation of standing time (13.3 vs. 17.9 %) and an overestimation of walking time (12.7 vs. 5.0 %). Significant interaction effects of age and measurement of standing time ( F = 6.0, p = .02, η = .14) and BMI group and measurement of walking time were found ( F = 3.7, p = .04, η = .17). Older employees (>39 years) underestimated their standing time, while underweight workers (BMI < 20 kg/m) overestimated their walking time. Conclusions: Self-reported PA data differ from objective data. Demographic variables (age, BMI) affect the amount of self-reported misjudging of PA. In order to improve the validity of self-reported data, a correction formula for the economic assessment of PA by subjective measures is needed, considering age and BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Somatic complaints (SC) are highly prevalent in working populations and cause suffering and extensive health-care utilization. Adverse psychosocial working conditions as conceptualized in the Job Demand-Control-Support Model (JDC-S) and adverse working time characteristics (WTC) are potential risk factors. This combination is particularly common in hospital physicians. This study examines associations of JDC-S and WTC with SC in resident physicians from Germany. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 physicians at the end of residency training. SC were measured using the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GBB-24) containing the sub-categories exhaustion, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular complaints. Data on working conditions were collected by a self-report method for work analysis in hospitals (TAA-KH-S) and by questions on WTC (i.e., working hours). Multivariable stepwise regression analyses were applied. Results: Workload showed the most pronounced relationship with all sub-categories of SC except gastrointestinal complaints. Job autonomy was not significantly related to any SC sub-category. Social support at work was inversely associated with all SC sub-categories except for cardiovascular complaints. Free weekends were associated with reduced SC except for exhaustion. Shift work was related to an increased SC total score and musculoskeletal complaints. Working hours showed no association with SC. Conclusion: In resident physicians, high workload and shift work are associated with increased SC, while social support at work and free weekends are associated with decreased SC. These insights may inform the development of preventive measures to improve the health of this professional group. Prospective studies are needed though to corroborate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The calculation of standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) is a standard tool for the estimation of health risks in occupational epidemiology. An increasing number of studies deal with the analysis of the mortality in employees suffering from an occupational disease like silicosis or coal-worker pneumoconiosis (CWP). Their focus lies not on the mortality risk due to the occupational disease itself, but on other diseases such as lung cancer or heart diseases. Using population-based reference rates in these studies can cause misleading results because mortality rates of the general population do not reflect the elevated mortality due to the occupational disease investigated. Hence, the purpose of the present paper is to develop an approach to adjust the risk estimates for other causes of death with respect to the effect of an occupational disease as a competing cause of death in occupational mortality cohort studies. Methods: To overcome the problems associated with SMRs, the paper makes use of proportional mortality ratios (PMR), which are a further approach for the estimation of health risks in occupational epidemiology. The cause-specific SMR can be rewritten as a product of PMR times the overall SMR. The PMR can be adjusted by ignoring the competing cause of death. Hence, an adjusted cause-specific SMR can be derived by multiplying this adjusted PMR with the overall SMR. This approach is applied to studies concerning lung cancer risk in coal miners suffering from CWP. Results and conclusions: The usual approach for calculating SMRs leads to an underestimation of the real lung cancer risk in subgroups of miners suffering from CWP. The same effect can be observed in workers exposed to respirable silica already suffering from silicosis. The presented approach results in more realistic risk estimation in mortality cohort studies of employees suffering from an occupational disease. It is easily calculable on the basis of usually published values of observed cases and the corresponding cause-specific SMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multimorbidity research typically focuses on chronic and common diseases in patient and/or older populations. We propose a multidimensional multimorbidity score (MDMS) which incorporates chronic conditions, symptoms, and health behaviors for use in younger, presumably healthier, working populations. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 372,370 Spanish workers who underwent a standardized medical evaluation in 2006. We computed a MDMS (range 0-100) based on the sex-specific results of a multicorrespondence analysis (MCA). We then used Cox regression models to assess the predictive validity of this MDMS on incident sickness absence (SA) episodes. Results: Two dimensions in the MCA explained about 80 % of the variability in both sexes: (1) chronic cardiovascular conditions and health behaviors, and (2) pain symptoms, in addition to sleep disturbances in women. More men than women had at least one condition (40 vs 15 %) and two or more (i.e., multimorbidity) (12 vs 2 %). The MDMS among those with multimorbidity ranged from 16.8 (SD 2.4) to 51.7 (SD 9.9) in men and 18.5 (SD 5.8) to 43.8 (SD 7.8) in women. We found that the greater the number of health conditions, the higher the risk of SA. A higher MDMS was also a risk factor for incident SA, even after adjusting for prior SA and other covariates. In women, this trend was less evident. Conclusions: A score incorporating chronic health conditions, behaviors, and symptoms provides a more holistic approach to multimorbidity and may be useful for defining health status in working populations and for predicting key occupational outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Radioembolization of liver cancer with Y-loaded microspheres is increasingly used but data regarding hospital staff exposure are scarce. We evaluated the radiation exposure of medical staff while preparing and injecting Y-loaded glass and resin microspheres especially in view of the increasing use of these products. Methods: Exposure of the chest and finger of the radiopharmacist, nuclear medicine physician and interventional radiologist during preparation and injection of 78 glass microsphere preparations and 16 resin microsphere preparations was monitored. Electronic dosimeters were used to measure chest exposure and ring dosimeters were used to measure finger exposure. Results: Chest exposure was very low for both products used (<10 μSv from preparation and injection). In our experience, finger exposure was significantly lower than the annual limit of 500 mSv for both products. With glass microspheres, the mean finger exposure was 13.7 ± 5.2 μSv/GBq for the radiopharmacist, and initially 17.9 ± 5.4 μSv/GBq for the nuclear medicine physician reducing to 13.97 ± 7.9 μSv/GBq with increasing experience. With resin microspheres, finger exposure was more significant: mean finger exposure for the radiopharmacist was 295.1 ± 271.9 μSv/GBq but with a reduction with increasing experience to 97.5 ± 35.2 μSv/GBq for the six most recent dose preparations. For administration of resin microspheres, the greatest mean finger exposure for the nuclear medicine physician (the most exposed operator) was 235.5 ± 156 μSv/GBq. Conclusion: Medical staff performing Y-loaded microsphere radioembolization procedures are exposed to safe levels of radiation. Exposure is lower than that from treatments using I-lipiodol. The lowest finger exposure is from glass microspheres. With resin microspheres finger exposure is acceptable but could be optimized in accordance with the ALARA principle, and especially in view of the increasing use of radioembolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research is to measure the impact of work accidents rate on the sickness/health care expenses in Romania during 2008-2013. Some of the work accidents might be caused by the professional diseases of the workers, but there is not a database with medical expenses only for professional disease. The statistical analysis proved that in Romania a consistent part of the expenses for sickness and health care are used to solve the health problems of people that suffered from accidents at the place of work. The time series is quite short and a panel data approach is chosen, the cross-sections being represented by these activities of national economy. A panel data approach is applied for all the economic activities in Romania. By taking into consideration all the sectors of the economy, the national perspective is analyzed using the panel technique. A random effects panel model was built for 2008-2013 and there is a positive and significant relationship between the rate of work accidents and sickness/ health care expenses in Romania. If the rate of work accidents increases with 1%, the medical expenses increases with less than 1%. 32.26% of the variation in expenses for sickness and health care in an economic activity is explained by the particularities of the work accidents in each activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SRRMs (Steel Re-Rolling Mills) are being releasing air pollutants in the environment. In order to evaluate their effect on the health of the workers, health and safety issues were analyzed by first measuring the concentrations of SOx (OIxides of Sulphur), NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen), CO (Carbon Monoxide) and O2 (Oxygen) produced in the three SRRMs located in SITE area Hyderabad. The mean concentration of SOx, NOx and CO were in the order of 0.35, 0.280, 6.333 ppm, respectively, whereas the mean concentration of O2 was 203.53 thousand ppm. As per results, the concentration of air pollutants, including SOx and NOx were significantly higher than to the NEQS (National Environmental Quality Standards) and NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards). The concentration of CO was lower than to the NAAQS, but higher than to the NEQs, while the concentration of O2 was slightly lower than to the standard value. The workers who were exposed to these air pollutants are being suffering from chronic diseases related to breathing and allergies. Moreover, labour staff was lifting heavy loads manually, which causes them to muscular and joint problems. In all the SRRMs under study, the electrical and mechanical equipments were used without any safety. The MSDS were not displayed on the workstations, the housekeeping was inadequate and most of the workers were performing their jobs without personal protective equipment. In addition to these, the other serious issues related to the occupational health and safety were an unhygienic supply of water, higher noise level, placement of explosive cylinders in the open atmosphere and unavailability of the first aid facilities in the Mill premises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational health research has mainly addressed determinants of negative health effects, typically employing individual-level self-report data. The present study investigated individual- and department-level (means of each work unit) effects of psychological/social work factors on mental distress and positive affect. Employees were recruited from 63 Norwegian organizations, representing a wide variety of job types. A total of 4158 employees, in 918 departments, responded at baseline and at follow-up two years later. Multilevel linear regressions estimated individual- and department-level effects simultaneously, and accounted for clustering of data. Baseline exposures and average exposures over time ([T1+T2]/2) were tested. All work factors; decision control, role conflict, positive challenge, support from immediate superior, fair leadership, predictability during the next month, commitment to organization, rumors of change, human resource primacy, and social climate, were related to mental distress and positive affect at the individual and department level. However, analyses of baseline exposures adjusted for baseline outcome, demonstrated significant associations at the individual level only. Baseline “rumors of change” was related to mental distress only and baseline “predictability during the next month” was not a statistical significant predictor of either outcome when adjusted for outcome at baseline. Psychological and social work factors were generally related to mental distress and positive affect in a mirrored way. Impact of exposures seemed most pervasive at the individual level. However, department-level relations were also discovered. Supplementing individual-level measures with aggregated measures may increase understanding of working conditions influence on employees`health and well-being. Organizational improvements focusing on the work factors in the current study should be able to reduce distress and enhance positive affect. Furthermore, both targeting individual employees and redesigning working conditions at the work unit level seems important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases represent a public health challenge in both industrialized and developing countries. Chronic respiratory symptoms are more prevalent in cement factories of developing countries, where occupational health and safety issues are less emphasized. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and factors affecting chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in Dejen cement factory, 2015. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 404 randomly selected study participants. Data were collected through interviewer administered structured questions derived from British Medical Research Council (BMRC) adult respiratory symptom assessment questions and observational check lists for the assessment of dust exposure, hygienic practices and use of personal protective equipments. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictor variables which have association with chronic respiratory symptoms and finally the variables which had significant association were identified on the basis of Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) and p < 0.05 Results: The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among Dejen cement factory workers was 62.9 %, with prevalence of chronic cough 24.5 %, chronic wheezing 36.9 %, chronic phlegm 24.5 %, chronic shortness of breath 38.6 %, and chest pain 21.0 %. Chronic respiratory symptoms were associated with sex (AOR = 2.07, 95 % CI = 1.18, 3.63), age (AOR = 4.20, 95 % CI = 1.94, 9.12), education level (AOR = 4.07,95 % CI = 1.86, 8.92), cement mill (AOR = 3.72, 95 % CI = 1.92, 7.21), burner and clinker (AOR = 2.28, 95 % CI = 1.18, 4.43), work experience (AOR = 5.44, 95 % CI = 3.09, 9.59), training on occupational safety and health (AOR = 2.73, 95 % CI = 1.41, 5.29), smoking (AOR = 5.38, 95 % CI = 1.42, 20.39) and chronic respiratory diseases (AOR = 7.79, 95 % CI = 2.02, 30.04). Conclusion: Chronic respiratory symptoms were highly prevalent among Dejen cement factory workers. Age, sex, education level, working department, smoking, work experience, and training were identified factors. Pre employment and on service training, smoking cessation programs, improving hygienic practices are important tasks in order to maintain the health and safety of workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were 1) to assess the ergonomic physical risk factors from practitioner's viewpoint in a truck assembly plant with an in-house observational method and the NIOSH lifting equation, and 2) to compare the results of both methods and their differences. The in-house ergonomic observational method for truck assembly i.e. the SCANIA Ergonomics Standard (SES) and the NIOSH lifting equation were applied to evaluate physical risk factors and lifting of loads by operators. Both risk assessment approaches revealed various levels of risk, ranging from low to high. Two workstations were identified by the SES method as high risk. The NIOSH lifting index (LI) was greater than two for four lifting tasks. The results of the SES method disagreed with the NIOSH lifting equation for lifting tasks. Moreover, meaningful variations in ergonomic risk patterns were found for various truck models at each workstation. These results provide a better understanding of the physical ergonomic exposure from practitioner's point of view in the automotive assembly plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various amines, such as triethylamine and N,N-dimethylethylamine, have been reported to cause glaucopsia in workers employed in epoxy, foundry, and polyurethane foam industries. This symptom has been related to corneal edema and vesicular collection of fluid within the corneal subepithelial cells. Exposure to amine vapors for 30 min to several hours leads to blurring of vision, a blue-grey appearance of objects, and halos around lights, that are probably reversible. Concentration- effect relationships have been established. The visual disturbance is considered a nuisance, as it could cause onsite accidents, impair work efficiency, and create difficulties in driving back home. Occupational exposure limits have been established for some amines, but there is shortage of criteria. Volatility factors, such as vapor pressure, should be considered in industrial settings to prevent human ocular risks, while trying to reduce levels of hazardous amines in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using of ultrasound in various applications can represent a serious risk to health. The paper presents the comparative range of ultrasound main active applications in industry, but also an overview of the effects of ultrasound on the biological systems, system components in terms of employment, having in foreground the human operator. Some practical rules applicable in the various stages of the life cycle of ultrasound equipment are presented. Because of the diversity and complexity of installation it will be taken into consideration the relationship between the risk factors and the preventive measures but also the safety labour measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead is a naturally-occurring element that can be harmful to humans when ingested or inhaled. The determination of lead in blood serum and urine is a very important clinical investigation procedure. The aim of this investigation was to determine the concentration of lead (Pb) in blood serum and urine samples of silver jewellery workers (SJW), because of their exposure to lead fumes and lead oxide dust during their routine activities of silver jewellery processing affecting many systems in their body. The relationship between serum lead levels and urinary lead levels with health effects were also assessed in a cross sectional study of the SJW group of Ajmer city. Blood and urine samples were collected from 40 SJW. Lead concentration in the samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicate that the level of serum lead concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 142.65 μg/dl and the urinary lead level concentrations ranging from 0.66 to 134.98 μg /dl. The prominent findings among the lead exposed SJW group were impaired concentration, encephalopathy, fatigue, abdominal colic, spontaneous abortion, abnormal sperm, anaemia, kidney failure, etc. Such results might point that lead exposure increases the serum and urinary lead levels of SJW group. Lead poisoning affects multiple organ systems and can cause permanent damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational health remains neglected in developing countries because of competing social, economic, and political challenges. Self-employment is one of the best employment sources for low income group, which will enable feasibility of own work place and conditions. This study focused on two of self-employed jobs i.e., photocopy workers and auto drivers. Occupational health effects of these jobs were studied through a cross sectional survey. Results from the study indicated musculo-skeletal disorders in auto drivers and respiratory disorders, physical stress in photocopy workers. This study suggests that reduction of exposures to various pollutants and change in working environments is likely to improve the health of the workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The objective of this paper is to show the benefits of using a 2-phase case-control (2PCC) design in identifying dose-response relationships between cumulative occupational exposure as assessed by experts and lung cancer incidence in an actual study. Methods A population-based case-control study including 246 cases and 531 controls was conducted in an area with high lung cancer rates in Northeast France. Detailed occupational and personal risk factors were obtained in face-to-face interviews. Cumulative expert-based exposure scores were obtained from a subset of 215 cases and 269 controls stratified on smoking and a prior algorithmic exposure score for asbestos, crystalline silica, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the framework of a 2PCC design. This subset deliberately under-sampled large strata among controls but not among cases. Logistic regression models adapted to 2PCC studies were applied and corresponding computations of attributable fractions and their confidence intervals developed. Results Based on this 2PCC design, statistically significant dose-response relationships were obtained for asbestos, crystalline silica, PAH, and diesel motor exhaust. Simulations within this study showed that 2PCC studies were always more powerful than random samples. Conclusion The 2PCC design may be the design of choice when resources allow only a limited number of subjects with a full expert-based exposure assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The lack of evidence of the role of workplaces as settings for behaviour change delivery and the failure to recognise and address the complexity of the work environment has been acknowledged. This systematic review and meta-analysis will identify the effectiveness of dietary interventions in the workplace facilitating an understanding of what works, why and how by identifying key components of and examining the theoretical models of behaviour change underpinning successful dietary interventions in the workplace. Methods/design: We will conduct searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL and PubMed for studies that assess dietary interventions based within workplace settings in any country, of any length of time or duration of follow-up. We will include all randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs), controlled before-after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series (ITS) studies with a control group. Risk of bias of included studies will be assessed using a tool adapted from the Cochrane Public Health Review Group's recommended Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Meta-analysis will be conducted if appropriate, or a narrative synthesis will be conducted following the ESRC Narrative Synthesis Guidance. Discussion: This paper outlines the study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis that will identify, critically appraise, and summarise the relevant evidence on the effectiveness and implications of interventions to promote healthier dietary behaviours in the workplace. This review will give an overview of the evidence and provide a guide for development of interventions promoting dietary behaviour change in workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe OH&S vulnerability across a diverse sample of Canadian workers. Methods A survey was administered to 1,835 workers employed more than 15 hrs/week in workplaces with at least five employees. Adjusted logistic models were fitted for three specific and one overall measure of workplace vulnerability developed based on hazard exposure and access to protective OH&S policies and procedures, awareness of employment rights and responsibilities, and workplace empowerment. Results More than one third of the sample experienced some OH&S vulnerability. The type and magnitude of vulnerability varied by labor market sub-group. Younger workers and those in smaller workplaces experienced significantly higher odds of multiple types of vulnerability. Temporary workers reported elevated odds of overall, awareness- and empowerment-related vulnerability, while respondents born outside of Canada had significantly higher odds of awareness vulnerability. Conclusion Knowing how labor market sub-groups experience different types of vulnerability can inform better-tailored primary prevention interventions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:119-128, 2016. © 2015 The Authors. American Journal of Industrial Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Knowledge of the prevalence of work-related physical activities, sedentary behaviors, and emotional stressors among pregnant women is limited, and the extent to which these exposures vary by maternal characteristics remains unclear. Methods Data on mothers of 6,817 infants without major birth defects, with estimated delivery during 1997 through 2009 who worked during pregnancy were obtained from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Information on multiple domains of occupational exposures was gathered by linking mother's primary job to the Occupational Information Network Version 9.0. Results The most frequent estimated physical activity associated with jobs during pregnancy was standing. Of 6,337 mothers, 31.0% reported jobs associated with standing for ≥75% of their time. There was significant variability in estimated occupational exposures by maternal age, race/ethnicity, and educational level. Conclusions Our findings augment existing literature on occupational physical activities, sedentary behaviors, emotional stressors, and occupational health disparities during pregnancy. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:137-149, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though epidemiological evidence links specific workplace stressors to health outcomes, the aggregate contribution of these factors to overall mortality and health spending in the United States is not known. In this paper, we build a model to estimate the excess mortality and incremental health expenditures associated with exposure to the following 10 workplace stressors: unemployment, lack of health insurance, exposure to shift work, long working hours, job insecurity, work-family conflict, low job control, high job demands, low social support at work, and low organizational justice. Our model uses input parameters obtained from publicly accessible data sources. We estimated health spending from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and joint probabilities of workplace exposures from the General Social Survey, and we conducted a meta-analysis of the epidemiological literature to estimate the relative risks of poor health outcomes associated with exposure to these stressors. The model was designed to overcome limitations with using inputs from multiple data sources. Specifically, the model separately derives optimistic and conservative estimates of the effect of multiple workplace exposures on health, and uses optimization to calculate upper and lower bounds around each estimate, which accounts for the correlation between exposures. We find that more than 120,000 deaths per year and approximately 5%-8% of annual healthcare costs are associated with and may be attributable to how U.S. companies manage their work forces. Our results suggest that more attention should be paid to management practices as important contributors to health outcomes and costs in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the exposure to a broad-spectrum of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs) from the indoor environment through bio-monitoring of people working in a building with PCB-containing materials and elevated PCB levels in the indoor air. Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing the plasma concentration of 27 PCB congeners in 15 people working in a PCB-contaminated building and 30 matched controls. Results: Median concentration of eight low-chlorinated PCB congeners was significantly higher in the exposed than in the control group. The sum of median concentrations of tri + tetra-chlorinated PCB was almost ten times higher in the exposed group than in the unexposed, and sums of dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like PCB were both relatively increased by 60 % in the exposed group. Conclusions: The occupational indoor environment may significantly add to PCB exposure, especially to the lower-chlorinated congeners. Health effect from this little-acknowledged exposure has not yet been documented, but data supporting lack of effect are sparse and research generating information on effect of exposure to specific congeners including at levels relevant for the indoor environment should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to workplace bullying as a potential risk factor for sickness presenteeism (SP), i.e. working while ill. Methods: This study is based on data collected through self-reported questionnaires in a 2-year prospective study on employees in Denmark. At baseline, 3363 employees (45.7 % response rate) answered to a questionnaire on their psychosocial work environment and health status. After 2 years, 1664 of the respondents also completed a follow-up questionnaire (49.5 % of the total baseline respondents). After excluding participants with missing values, the final samples were composed of 2865 and 1331 participants in the cross-sectional and prospective analyses, respectively. Results: Modified poisson regression analyses showed that frequent (i.e. daily or weekly) exposure to workplace bullying was associated with reporting 8 or more days of SP in the preceding year in both the cross-sectional and the prospective analysis, also when controlling for several confounders including health-related variables. However, the prospective relationship became non-significant after adjustment for baseline SP. Conclusion: This study provides indications of a significant relationship between exposure to frequent workplace bullying and SP, although causal connections could not be established. Methodological and theoretical considerations about study findings are provided, which could be of benefit to future studies examining the impact of being a target of workplace bullying on SP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This longitudinal study examined 'normal', 'reversed', and 'reciprocal' relationships between (1) physical activity and work-related fatigue; and (2) physical activity and task demands. Furthermore, the effects of across-time change in meaningful physical activity groups on levels of employees' work-related fatigue and task demands were studied. These groups were based on employees' compliance with the international physical activity norm. Methods: Two waves with a one-year time lag of a national representative survey on the quality of work, health, and well-being among Dutch employees were used ( N = 2275). Longitudinal effects were tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Meaningful physical activity groups were compared using group-by-time analysis of covariance. Results: Support was found for reciprocal relations between physical activity and work-related fatigue. It was found that an increase in physical activity is associated with a decrease in work-related fatigue over time and that an increase in work-related fatigue is associated with a decrease in physical activity over time. No significant longitudinal relations were found between physical activity and task demands. Employees whose compliance with the physical activity norm changed over time showed fairly stable levels of work-related fatigue and task demands. Conclusions: The current findings provide evidence for the potential role of physical activity in the prevention and reduction in work-related fatigue. However, results also indicate that fatigued workers, who would benefit most from physical activity, are less physically active. Our results further indicate that relying on changes in compliance to the physical activity norm may not be the most suitable way to examine changes in work-related fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Medical Representatives' work involves lot of stress and burnout as reported by many studies. Hence the study is one of the first attempt to identify the factors influencing health related quality of life among the surveyed population of medical representatives. Methods: In this study a structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic information from the Medical Representatives. EuroQol5 Dimension questionnaire was used to record the self-reported health related quality of life among the surveyed medical representatives. Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to compare the median VAS scores and BMI as well as other lifestyle related factors. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.55±4.79 years. More than half of the medical representatives use to travel more than 15Km daily and equal number were found not doing any physical activity other than job related work. 42 percent of the medical representatives were in the pre-obese category of BMI. Lack of involvement in physical activity other than routine work, and consumption of Junk/Fried food has a significant influence on HRQoL of respondents. Conclusion: Study found that lack of physical activity as a major factor which affected the health related quality of life among the medical representatives. When this is coupled with other lifestyle factors and occupation related stress it may lead to burnout, affecting the overall performance of the medical representatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to health concerns arising from the consumption of highly processed foods, the world's largest food and beverage manufacturing corporations (i.e. ‘Big Food’) have responded by modifying their existing products and introducing new products with ‘improved’ nutrient profiles. Three distinct strategies used by food corporations to nutritionally engineer and market their products will be identified: thereformulationof foods to reduce levels of harmful food components, the micronutrientfortificationof products to address micronutrient deficiencies, and thefunctionalizationof products that claim to provide optimal nutrition and health benefits. These nutritional strategies gain scientific legitimacy by drawing upon the dominant nutritional ideology of ‘nutritionism’, which is characterized by a reductive focus on nutrients as a way of understanding a food's effects on dietary health. Food and beverage corporations promote these nutritional strategies as an important part of their corporate social responsibility agendas, and as evidence that they are addressing the health issues associated with both over-nutrition and under-nutrition. However, these corporations are also using these nutritional strategies to legitimize and grow the markets for their products in the global North and South. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]