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Background: Ocular health is significant as undetected and untreated eye conditions can lead to vision loss and blindness. Usually, dentists, dental assisting staff, and patients undergoing frequent dental corrections are likely affected by eye injuries. Methods: This survey aimed to evaluate eye safety protocols in the dental fraternity. A prevalidated questionnaire was given to practicing graduate and postgraduate dentists to obtain details of the eye safety protocol they adopted. Results: A total of 150 dentists approached; only 125 chose to participate in the survey and answered our questionnaire. Although most dentists used eye protection for themselves, primarily personal eyeglasses and face shields, eye injury was quite common in them. Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that the use of eye safety practices among the respondents could be improved. Clinicians should be aware that they are responsible for providing adequate eye protection for themselves and their assisting staff and patients. Keywords: Dental procedures, dental surgeons, eye safety, goggle use, Author(s): Vijayalaxmi Nimma [1]; Maitri Bayani [1]; Amara S. Lingam (corresponding author) [2]; Easwaran Ramaswami [1]; Lavanya Reddy [3]; Sonali Kadam [1] INTRODUCTION According to World Health Organization, ocular health [...]

Objective To evaluate road safety in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and estimate the benefits that vehicle safety interventions would have in this group of countries. Methods We used a counterfactual analysis to assess the reduction in traffic deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost if eight proven vehicle safety technologies and motorcycle helmets were entirely in use in countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We modelled each technology using country-level incidence estimations of traffic injuries, and the prevalence and effectiveness of the technology to calculate the reduction in deaths and DALYs if the technology was fitted in the entire vehicle fleet. Findings The availability of electronic stability control, including the antilock braking systems, would provide the most benefits for all road users with estimates of 23.2% (sensitivity analysis range: 9.7-27.8) fewer deaths and 21.1% (9.5-28.1) fewer DALYs. Increased use of seatbelts was estimated to prevent 11.3% (8.11-4.9) of deaths and 10.3% (8.2-14.4) of DALYs. Appropriate and correct use of motorcycle helmets could result in 8.0% (3.3-12.9) fewer deaths and 8.9% (4.2-12.5) fewer DALYs. Conclusion Our findings show the potential of improved vehicle safety design and personal protective devices (seatbelts and helmets) to reduce traffic deaths and disabilities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. These improvements can be achieved by vehicle design regulations and creating consumer demand for safer vehicles and motorcycle helmets through mechanisms such as new car assessment programmes and other initiatives. Objectif Evaluer le niveau de securite routiere des pays membres de l'Association des nations de l'Asie du Sud-Est et determiner les avantages que procureraient des interventions de securite sur les vehicules pour ce groupe de pays. Methodes Nous avons procede a une analyse contrefactuelle afin de mesurer la diminution du nombre de deces et d'annees de vie ajustees sur l'incapacite (DALY) dus aux accidents de la route si huit technologies eprouvees en matiere de securite des vehicules et casques pour motocyclistes etaient systematiquement d'application dans les pays appartenant a l'Association des nations de l'Asie du Sud-Est. Nous avons modelise chaque technologie en nous fondant sur la frequence estimee des blessures consecutives a des accidents de la route a l'echelle nationale, mais aussi sur la prevalence et l'efficacite de la technologie, dans le but de calculer la baisse des deces et DALY si l'ensemble de la flotte de vehicules etait equipe de cette technologie. Resultats C'est la disponibilite du controle electronique de la stabilite, systemes de freinage antiblocage inclus, qui offrirait le plus d'avantages pour tous les usagers de la route avec, selon nos estimations, 23,2% (plage de l'analyse de sensibilite: 9,7-27,8) de deces en moins et 21,1% (9,5-28,1) de DALY en moins. Une utilisation accrue des ceintures de securite permettrait d'eviter 11,3% (8,11-4,9) de deces et 10,3% (8,2-14,4) de DALY. Enfin, l'emploi correct et approprie des casques pour motocyclistes pourrait entrainer une baisse de 8,0% (3,3-12,9) au niveau des deces et de 8,9% (4,2-12,5) au niveau des DALY. Conclusion Nos resultats illustrent le potentiel que represente l'amelioration des systemes de securite des vehicules et des dispositifs de protection individuelle (casques et ceintures de securite) dans la prevention des deces et handicaps lies aux accidents de la route au sein de l'Association des nations de l'Asie du Sud-Est. Ces ameliorations peuvent etre apportees en imposant une reglementation relative a la conception des vehicules ainsi qu'en encourageant les consommateurs a reclamer des vehicules et des casques plus surs pour motocyclistes, notamment par des mecanismes tels que des programmes d'evaluation des voitures neuves et d'autres initiatives. Objetivo Evaluar la seguridad vial en los paises miembros de la Asociacion de Naciones de Asia Sudoriental y estimar los beneficios que tendrian las intervenciones en la seguridad de los vehiculos en este grupo de paises. Metodos Se aplico un analisis contrafactico para evaluar la reduccion de muertes por accidentes de trafico y de anos de vida ajustados por discapacidad (AVAD) perdidos si en los paises de la Asociacion de Naciones de Asia Sudoriental se emplearan en su totalidad ocho tecnologias de seguridad para vehiculos y cascos de motocicleta que han demostrado su eficacia. Se modelizo cada tecnologia utilizando estimaciones de incidencia de lesiones de trafico a nivel nacional y la prevalencia y eficacia de la tecnologia para calcular la reduccion de muertes y AVAD si la tecnologia se instalaba en todo el parque automovilistico. Resultados La disponibilidad del control de estabilidad electronico, incluidos los sistemas antibloqueo de frenos, proporcionaria los mayores beneficios para todos los usuarios de las vias publicas, con estimaciones de un 23,2 % (intervalo del analisis de sensibilidad: 9,7-27,8) menos de muertes y un 21,1 % (9,5-28,1) menos de AVAD. Se estimo que un mayor uso del cinturon de seguridad evitaria el 11,3 % (8,11-4,9) de las muertes y el 10,3 % (8,2-14,4) de los AVAD. El uso adecuado y correcto del casco de motociclista podria dar lugar a un 8,0 % (3,3-12,9) menos de muertes y un 8,9 % (4,2-12,5) menos de AVAD. Conclusion Los resultados muestran el potencial de la mejora del diseno de la seguridad de los vehiculos y de los dispositivos de proteccion personal (cinturones de seguridad y cascos) para reducir las muertes y discapacidades por accidentes de trafico en la Asociacion de Naciones de Asia Sudoriental. Estas mejoras pueden lograrse mediante normativas sobre el diseno de vehiculos y la creacion de una demanda de vehiculos mas seguros y cascos de motocicleta entre los consumidores a traves de mecanismos como los programas de evaluacion de vehiculos nuevos y otras iniciativas., Introduction The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economic regions. The association includes 10 countries with about 650 million people: Brunei Darussalam, [...]

PURPOSE The safety of care professionals and patients is paramount while caring for people with infectious diseases, including those with confirmed or suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Existing policies and protocols for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) are primarily for institutional settings such as hospitals, not for home visits for patient care. We describe a protocol for donning and doffing PPE in home settings. METHODS We used an iterative, rapid-prototyping approach to develop the protocol. A small workgroup created preliminary drafts, drawing on hospital-based protocols and modifying them, while undertaking simulations. Wider input was solicited via 2 webinars; 1 regional (Hamilton, Ontario) with palliative clinicians, and 1 national (Canada) with varying professions. We also consulted a group of infectious disease experts. A 'how-to' video accompanies the protocol. RESULTS Twelve versions of the protocol were produced, with major changes occurring within the first 6 versions. A national webinar mid-development provided further validation and minor modifications. Subsequent versions involved minor changes. The protocol has 4 phases: (1) Preparing, (2) Entering the Home, (3) Leaving the Home, and (4) After the Visit and Reprocessing. In addition to PPE-related equipment, the protocol requires additional materials including 2 pails for transporting supplies, plastic bags, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and printed easy-to-use checklists. CONCLUSIONS This protocol addresses gaps in COVID-19-related guidelines, specifically the process of donning and doffing PPE during home visits while supplementing jurisdictional PPE guidelines and protocols. Key words: personal protective equipment; home care, INTRODUCTION The safety of care professionals and patients is paramount while caring for people with infectious diseases, including those with confirmed or suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [...]

This paper studies the effect of the conducting hoods used to protect workers from the exposure to high-voltage power frequency and high-frequency communication electromagnetic fields. The finite-difference time-domain technique is employed to solve for the electric-field strength inside a human head model filled with biological material representing the human brain. By evaluating the field at several points and comparing the results with and without the hood, it is shown that at some spots in the head, the field is higher by a significant factor when the hood is present. It is also shown that with the presence of a see-through screen, the field intensity inside the head can be drastically reduced by eliminating the resonance effects. Following our analysis, a general safety guideline can be prescribed and used by the workers when exposed to a broad frequency range spanning from extremely low frequencies to the radio frequencies. The method also enables investigations on how to design a hood that is most suitable for a given frequency spectrum. Index Terms--Finite-difference rime domain (FDTD), human brain, power lines, protective hood.

Many slate agencies are shifting towards nighttime construction/maintenance especially on urban highways. While nighttime construction/maintenance has many advantages, it also has disadvantages compared to daytime construction. One major disadvantage is that nighttime construction operations may be more hazardous to both drivers and construction personnel because of visibility problems at night. Visibility depends on providing more luminance contrast to the driver than otherwise available. A system called LUMINA was developed to measure the luminance of six commonly used safety vests in nighttime construction/maintenance work areas. LUMINA was used (1) to perform field experiments that involved recording on videotape the performance of the safety vests; and (2) to convert the video movies into snapshots, to calculate the average luminance of the vests tested, and to index them. These tests were conducted not in a laboratory setting but on actual construction/maintenance sites that involved different lighting, traffic, and weather conditions. Two of the six safety vests outperformed the others significantly. CE Database subject headings: Highway safety; Traffic accidents; Nighttime construction; Highway construction; Urban areas.