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ILO-CIS Bulletin 2004/03CIS 04-501 --- CIS 04-750 Chemical data sheets and criteria documentsCIS 04-501 Coal tar creosote. Melber C., Kielhorn J., Mangelsdorf I., Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales Service, 1211 Genève 27, Switzerland, 2004. vi, 140p. Illus. Approx. 550 ref., ISBN 92-4-153062-6 (In English) Internet: Conclusions of this criteria document: based on limited studies, coal tar creosote is of low to moderate acute toxicity in experimental animals. The lowest LD50 value, 433mg/kg, was reported for mice after ingestion. Several creosotes have been found to be skin irritants in animals. Data on eye irritancy are conflicting. There are insufficient data on reproductive or developmental toxicity. In vitro tests on bacteria and mammalian cells have shown creosote to be genotoxic. In humans, there are reports skin and eye irritation among exposed workers. Furthermore, there is consistent evidence from human studies that creosote causes skin cancer, but the studies do not allow dose response analysis and no threshold has been set. The IARC classification of creosote is 2A (probably carcinogenic in humans). Detailed summaries in French and Spanish. (103568)
CIS 04-502 Manganese and its compounds: Environmental aspects. Howe P.D., Malcolm H.M., Dobson S., Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales Service, 1211 Genève 27, Switzerland, 2004. iii, 63p. Illus. Approx. 320 ref., ISBN 92-4-153063-4 (In English) Internet: This criteria document on manganese and its compounds focuses on environmental aspects and does not cover animal experiments or human data on toxicity and health hazards. It addresses physical and chemical properties, analytical methods, sources of environmental exposure, environmental levels and ecotoxicity. Detailed summaries in French and Spanish. (103569)
Training materials and practical informationCIS 04-503 Training of leaders of occupational hygiene and safety committees - Basic monographs. (French: Formation des animateurs des comités d'hygiène et de sécurité - Les monographies de base) Kalhoulé T., Organisation internationale du travail, Equipe multidisciplinaire pour l'Afrique Centrale EMAC, B.P. 13, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2001. Folder containing 9 leaflets., ISBN 92-2-212272-0 (In French) Folder containing nine leaflets, each outlining a module of a training programme for leaders of occupational hygiene and safety committees, on the following topics: occupational safety and health standards; organization of occupational safety and health at the national level and at the place of work; prevention of occupational hazards; strategy; programme and prioritisation of prevention measures; directives for setting up and running occupational hygiene and safety committees; monitoring in occupational settings; analysis of an occupational accident; safety indicators; minimum package of activities to be implemented. (103658)
Periodicals, books, databases, audiovisualsCIS 04-504 The Labour Protection Council in session: Exposure to carcinogenic agents, psychosocial hazards, occupational safety in forestry work and in the road transport of dangerous substances. (Polish: Obradowała Rada Ochrony Pracy przy Sejmie RP: Narażenie na czynniki rakotwórcze, zagrożenia psychospołeczne, bezpieczeństwo przy pracach w lesie i w transporcie drogowym towarów niebezpiecznych) Bezpieczeństwo pracy, Jan. 2005, Vol.402, No.1, p.8-10. Illus. (In Polish) Internet: The meeting held on 29 and 30 November 2004 focused - among others - on the impact of carcinogenic agents on cancer incidence, psychosocial hazards at work, occupational safety in forest and during road transport of dangerous substances. The aim of the meeting was to publicize the fact that the working conditions in Poland still depart from European standards. In this article different hazards are described, and statistical evidence concerning these hazards is presented. (103609)
CIS 04-505 Improvement in the OSH management procedures in an enterprise. (Polish: Usprawnianie procesów zarządzania bezpieczeństwem i higieną pracy w przedsiębiorstwie) Pęciłło M., Bezpieczeństwo pracy, Jan. 2005, Vol.402, No.1, p.11-13. 12 ref. (In Polish) Internet: This article discusses different approaches to the improvement of organizational processes and the benefits resulting from the improvement of OSH management procedures as well as their integration with quality and environmental management processes in an enterprise. An analysis of the effectiveness of OSH management systems in enterprises in the building, chemistry and furniture industry is presented. It is shown that by improving organizational processes, major cost savings in the OSH area can be achieved. (103610)
CIS 04-506 A new look at accidents. (French: L'événement accident revisité) Cuny X., Préventique-Sécurité, Nov.-Dec. 2003, No.72, p.12-17. Illus. 9 ref. (In French) Internet: This article discusses the models on which the current views of accident phenomenology are based, schematically consisting of a chain comprised of inputs (root causes, contributing factors), deviances (lack of control, loss of control, exposed targets) and outputs (losses or damage to persons, the environment, objects or image). The article also comments on the following topics: causal trees; distinction between disease and accident; intention or not to cause injury; hazard probability. (103631)
CIS 04-507 Technology statistics for 2002. (French: Statistiques technologiques 2002) Bastide J.C., Travail et sécurité, July-Aug. 2004, No.642, p.46-51. Illus. (In French) Internet: Statistics of occupational accidents and diseases in France for the year 2002 show increases compared to 2001 for occupational diseases compensated for the first time (29.9%), occupational accidents involving a loss of work time (3.0%), accidents involving permanent disability (9,1%) and commuting accidents (3.0%). However, there was a 6.0% decrease in fatal accidents. Tables present accident statistics by sector and causal factor. Data on occupational diseases are given by sector of activity and disease. Finally, data on commuting accidents are broken down by sector of activity. (103682)
CIS 04-508 Statistical trends during the first ten years of the general system for the prevention of occupational hazards in Colombia. (Spanish: Avances estadísticos de la primera década del sistema general de riesgos profesionales en Colombia) Alvarez S.H., Protección y seguridad, Jan.-Feb. 2004, Vol.50,No.293, p.32-40. Illus. 7 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: The general system for the prevention of hazards (SGPR) was introduced in Colombia in 1993. In 2003, it covered 4.5 million workers. However, two million workers in the formal sector and more than 10 million workers in the informal sector were not covered by this social security system. This article presents the following SGPR statistics: number of enterprises and workers affiliated in 2003; trends in the number of workers affiliated from 1994 to 2002; trends in occupational accidents and diseases; most common occupational diseases in 2002; trends in accident, morbidity, mortality and disability rates during 2002. (103737)
CIS 04-509 Problems of social insurance. (Polish: Problemy ubezpieczeń społecznych) Stelina J., Praca i Zabezpieczenie Społeczne, 2004, No.12, p.9-12. (In Polish) Internet: This article contains short summaries of the major lectures given at the 13th Conference of the Polish Social Insurance Society. Topics covered: history of the Social Insurance Institution and performance of its basic responsibilities. The conference was held on 30 Sep.-2 Oct. 2004 in Wroclaw, Poland. (103597)
CIS 04-510 Costs of insurance benefits. (French: Coûts des prestations d'assurance - Evolution, analyse, mesures; German: Kosten der Versicherungsleistungen) Morger W., Informations médicales - Medizinische Mitteilungen, 2004, p.5-18. Illus. (In French, German) Internet: The costs of accident insurance in Switzerland have increased sharply in recent years, both for occupational and non-occupational accidents. Contents of this article on the cost of accident insurance in Switzerland: trends in the cost of insurance; factors influencing these trends (trends in the economy, demographic factors, social factors, increases in psychic disorders, trends in the cost of medical treatment and medical billing); measures aimed at controlling costs. (103659)
CIS 04-511 Netherlands, Belgium and their occupational safety and health policies. (French: Les Pays-Bas, la Belgique et leur politique de prévention) Keulemans R., Van Peteghem J., Travail et bien-être, Sep.-Nov. 2001, No.4, p.25-30. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article compares Belgian and Dutch regulations concerning the working environment and working conditions. It analyses and comments on differences in the following areas: degree of government regulation and intervention; penal responsibility of workers; external occupational safety and health and workers' protection services; preventive medical examinations; degree of development of sub-sectors of occupational safety and health, such as psychosocial aspects or ergonomics; organization of occupational safety and health within the enterprise. (103702)
CIS 04-512 Corporate social responsibility. (French: Corporate social responsibility) Van Heuverswyn K., Travail et bien-être, Mar.-Apr. 2002, No.2, p.17-24. Illus. 10 ref. (In French) Internet: On the 18th of July 2001, the European Commission published a green book entitled "Promoting a European framework for corporate social responsibility" for the purpose of encouraging a broad debate and inviting parties concerned by the issue to express their opinion. This article comments on the following aspects of corporate social responsibility: definition of corporate social responsibility; practical implementation; legal aspects; current level of implementation, mainly by large enterprises; impact on the safety and well-being of workers; consultation process underway in Belgium; next steps. (103704)
CIS 04-513 What are the prospects for occupational health in the Czech Republic?. (French: Quelles perspectives pour la santé au travail en République tchèque?) Palecek M., Newsletter of the European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety - Bulletin d'information du Bureau technique syndical européen pour la santé et la sécurité, Apr. 2004, No.22-23, p.15-21. Illus. (In English, French) Internet: This article presents the current situation with regard to occupational accidents, occupational diseases, working conditions and occupational hazards in the Czech Republic. During 2002, 90,867 cases of occupational injury were recorded, a decrease of 2.59% compared to 2001; there were 202 fatalities, 11% less than in 2001; finally, 1600 cases of occupational disease were notified, a 5.9% decrease from 2001. Other topics covered: strengths and weaknesses of the Czech occupational safety and health system; prospects for improvement (national policies, national action programme). (103726)
CIS 04-514 Occupational safety and health protection in Poland. (French: La protection de la santé et de la sécurité des travailleurs en Pologne) Pawlaczyk I., Newsletter of the European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety - Bulletin d'information du Bureau technique syndical européen pour la santé et la sécurité, Apr. 2004, No.22-23, p.22-28. 2 ref. (In English, French) Internet: This article presents a trade union viewpoint on the occupational safety and health situation in Poland. Contents: legal framework (regulations and their enforcement); supervision of working conditions (labour inspection, supervision of working conditions by trade union organizations); measures aimed at improving the safety and health of workers in Poland. (103727)
CIS 04-515 Occupational health and safety in Germany prior to European legislation reforms: Current situation and gaps. (French: La santé et sécurité du travail en Allemagne avant la réforme de la législation européenne: état des lieux et lacunes) Schröder M., Newsletter of the European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety - Bulletin d'information du Bureau technique syndical européen pour la santé et la sécurité, Apr. 2004, No.22-23, p.29-35. Illus. (In English, French) Internet: This article presents the current situation with regard to the protection of occupational safety and health in Germany, with particular emphasis on the impact of reforms resulting from the transposition of European Directive 89/391/EEC (see CIS 89-1401) into German law. Contents: missions and responsibilities of trade unions; transposition of European Directives into German law; consequences for German social policies; evaluation of the practical implementation at enterprise level; current political situation with respect to occupational safety and health in Germany. (103728)
CIS 04-516 Occupational health in Spain: Issues, initiatives and priorities. (French: Santé au travail en Espagne: enjeux, initiatives et priorités) Benach J., Amable M., Menéndez M., Muntaner C., Newsletter of the European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety - Bulletin d'information du Bureau technique syndical européen pour la santé et la sécurité, Apr. 2004, No.22-23, p.36-45. Illus. 31 ref. (In English, French) Internet: Contents of this article on occupational safety and health in Spain: history; current issues (working conditions and risk factors, occupational health problems, sectors that are particularly affected, occupational safety and health services); initiatives (information, training, research, legislation). Tables present data on the perception of risk factors in Spain compared to the European average, incidence rates of fatal accidents in European Union countries and the main risk factors to which the working population of Spain are exposed. (103729)
CIS 04-517 Assessment of occupational risk: Methodology basics. (Polish: Ocena ryzyka zawodowego: 1.Podstawy metodyczne) Zawieska W.M., ed., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2004. 397p. Bibl.ref., ISBN 83-7373-136-9 (In Polish) Internet: This monograph surveys the rules and methodologies of risk analysis with reference to the most important risk factors present in the working environment. Recent relevant changes in Polish and EU legislation are highlighted. (103593)
CIS 04-518 Basic guide to trade union action with respect to the environment. (Spanish: Guía básica de acción sindical en medio ambiente) Comisión Ejecutiva Confederal de UGT, Hortaleza 88, 28004 Madrid, Spain, 2004. 142p. Illus. 12 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This guide provides a tool for encouraging workers to make use of their trade union rights in improving their working environment. It describes in a concise form the environmental impacts from processes in the following sectors: metals, construction and related sectors; manufacturing industries; food industry; transport, communications and seafaring activities; commerce, hotels, tourism and sports; services; public services; education. It also explains environmental management systems and their advantages and specifies the various steps involved in implementing the European environmental management and audit system (EMAS). Appendices include work environment legislation, a list of enterprises having obtained EMAS certification and examples of clauses concerning ambient working conditions drawn from various contracts or agreements. (103733)
CIS 04-519 Training and education within the enterprise - Essential tools for safe work. (French: Formation et instruction en entreprise - des outils indispensables pour la sécurité; German: Ausbildung und Instruktion im Betrieb - Grundlage für sicheres Arbeiten; Italian: Formazione e addestramento in azieda - Fondamenti per la sicurezza sul lavoro) Suva, Gesundheitsschutz, Postfach, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland, 2004. 12p. Illus. (In French, German, Italian) Internet: The training and education of workers is of prime importance for avoiding occupational accidents and diseases. This booklet explains how to organize, deliver and document this training and education. (103719)
CIS 04-520 Health surveillance: WHO technical guides. (Spanish: Vigilancia de la salud: Guías técnicas de la OMS) Comunidad de Madrid, Instituto Europeo de Salud y Bienestar Social (IE), Joaquín Costa, 16, El Viso, 28002 Madrid, Spain, 2002. 339p. Illus. Bibl.ref., ISBN 84-451-2260-6 (In Spanish) Internet: This publication reproduces the Spanish translations of three WHO directives on health surveillance aimed at facilitating the implementation of quality management within occupational safety and health services: Guidelines on quality management in multidisciplinary occupational health services (CIS 01-439); Guidelines on improving the physical fitness of employees (CIS 00-404); Occupational medicine in Europe: Scope and competencies. (103734)
CIS 04-521 Information about doctoral theses on labour. (Polish: Informacja o rozprawach doktorskich i habilitacyjnych z zakresu pracy) Wyglądała E., Główna Biblioteka Pracy i Zabezpieczenia Społecznego, ul. Limanowskiego 23, 02-943 Warszawa, Poland, 2004. 94p. (In Polish) Internet: Annotated list of doctoral theses addressing economic and social issues relating to labour, completed in 2002 in institutions of higher education in Poland, scientific institutes of the Polish Academy of Science and in other research centres in the country. (103607)
CIS 04-522 Prévention et Intérim annual report 2003. (Dutch: Jaarverslag 2003 Preventie en Interim; French: Rapport annuel 2003 de Prévention et Intérim) Service Central de Prévention pour le Secteur du travail intérimaire, Avenue de l'Héliport 21 bte 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium, 2004. 38p. Illus. (In Dutch, French) Internet: This annual report of the Belgian Central Service for Occupational Safety and Health of Temporary Workers (Service Central de Prévention pour le Secteur du travail intérimaire) presents the statistics of occupational accidents for 2003. The frequency rate of occupational accidents declined by 9% compared to 2002 and by 17% compared to 1999, while the true severity rate (as measured by the days of incapacitation) declined by 8% compared to 2002 and by 17% compared to 1999. The global severity rate (as measured by the days of incapacitation including permanent disability) declined by 16% compared to 2002 and by 17% compared to 1999. The report also presents the activities undertaken during the year (consciousness programmes, research, publications, training), as well as the action plan for 2004. (103685)
CIS 04-523 Audit of the labour inspection system of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (French: Audit du système d'inspection du travail du Grand-Duché du Luxembourg) Gisler M., Berthon A., Dusoleil L., Sahraoui H., Treichel B., ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2002. 96p. Illus. (In French) Internet: The audit of the Labour and Mines Inspectorate of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg by an ILO tripartite mission was carried out at the request of the Luxembourg Minister of labour. It took place on 7-19 July 2002. The mission was to address the following issues: labour inspection policy; tripartite aspects of labour inspection; legal bases and international standards; system structure; collaboration with other entities; organization and management of the system; status and powers of inspectors; role and position of social partners; specific issues; development of an occupational safety and health culture. The present document consists of the report of this audit, and encompasses observations, conclusions and recommendations. (103720)
CIS 04-524 Guide for safety representatives - Reform of the legislative framework (Volumes I and II). (Spanish: Guía para delegados y delegadas de prevención - La reforma del marco normativo (Tomos I y II)) Aragón Bombín R., Comisión Executiva Confederal de UGT, Hortaleza 88, 28004 Madrid, Spain. 2004. 146p. Illus. (Vol. I); 150p. (Vol. II). (In Spanish) Internet: This two-volume guide to the reform of Spanish law on the prevention of occupational hazards aims to inform safety representatives on the new legislative framework and its implementation as well as on their rights. Volume I is divided into three parts: reasons for the reform of the law; various aspects of the reform; forms of worker participation. Volume II reproduces in part or in full various laws and regulations (Status of workers; Act on the prevention of occupational hazards (CIS 01-601); Regulation on safety and health services (CIS 01-608); Royal Decree on the coordination of activities of enterprises; Law on social order breaches and sanctions; Law on the organization of labour inspection and social security; general Law on social security). (103735)
CIS 04-525 Evaluation of the impact of Field Operations Directorate interventions. Mather J., Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2004. viii, 96p. 55 ref. Price: GBP 15.00. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 0-7176-2896-5 (In English) Internet: The aims of this study were to assist Field Operations Directorate of the Health and Safety Commission in determining the current position with respect to interventions that are intended to satisfy occupational safety and health objectives and to determine the impact of these interventions. Work involved collecting details of all interventions that had recently been undertaken by each FOD division or were currently being undertaken or planned, together with any information available on the evaluation of the impact of these interventions. Data were obtained through literature surveys and interviews with responsible staff of various FOD sectors, including agriculture, food industry, construction, manufacturing and public services. A number of recommendations were made on the basis of the findings. (103502)
CIS 04-526 The development of case studies that demonstrate the business benefit of effective management of occupational health and safety. Marsden S., Beardwell C., Shaw J., Wright M., Green N., McGurry B., Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2004. iv, 103p. Illus. Price: GBP 15.00. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 0-7176-2871-X (In English) Internet: This report presents the results of a project undertaken to develop information on costs and benefits of occupational safety and health initiatives. Work involved analysing responses to a postal questionnaire addressed to a large number of enterprises and organizations, followed by detailed interviews with a selected respondents across a variety of sectors. The report presents 19 case studies highlighting the economic advantages of health and safety initiatives undertaken in these organizations. (103505)
CIS 04-527 Proceedings - 28th General assembly. (French: Compte rendu - 28e assemblée générale; German: Protokoll - 28. Generalversammlung; Spanish: Actas - 28a Asamblea general) International Social Security Association, P. O. Box 1, CH-1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2004. 293p. Price: CHF 30.00. Downloadable version free of charge (In English, French, German, Spanish) Internet: Contents of these proceedings of the 28th general assembly of the International Social Security Association held in Beijing, China, 12-18 September 2004: Beijing Declaration and excerpts of speeches on various principles of the declaration (link between economic and social development, extending coverage, sound governance and public understanding, population ageing); reports of the various technical commissions, including on medical care and sickness absence, insurance against occupational accidents and diseases, and occupational safety and health; declaration on the banning of asbestos; special session on social security in China. (103565)
CIS 04-528 Integrating labour inspection: Functions, effectiveness and training. ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2004. 126p. Illus., ISBN 92-2-115757-1 (In English) Internet: Proceedings of the conference on labour inspection held in Borovetz, Bulgaria, 21-23 September 2003. Main topics covered: training for integrated labour inspection; integrated labour inspection training models in Western systems; training for labour inspection in transition economies; transmitting OSH information to employers and workers; training for effective implementation of ILO and other international conventions; training for combating child labour. (103567)
CIS 04-529 Occupational health - Eight priority action areas for Community policy. (French: Santé au travail - Huit terrains d'action pour la politique communautaire) Vogel L., European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety (TUTB), 5 Bd du Roi Albert II, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, 2004. 32p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Price: EUR 10.00., ISBN 2-930003-54-5 (fr), ISBN 2-930003-55-3 (en) (In English, French) Internet: Over a hundred thousand people in the European Union are killed each year in an accident or by a disease caused by poor working conditions. This brochure provides a broad overview of some of the on-going discussions on key occupational health issues in the European Union. Contents: occupational health, a key area for reducing social inequalities in health; Community strategy for the period 2002-2006; prevention systems for a coherent strategy; important factors in work organization; chemical risks, a major cause of occupational health-related mortality; job insecurity; improving knowledge and prevention in reproductive health and maternity; recognition of occupational diseases. (103616)
CIS 04-530 Development of occupational health and safety performance measuring instruments intended for manufacturing companies organized into semi-autonomous work teams. (French: Développement d'instruments de mesure de performance en santé et sécurité du travail à l'intention des entreprises manufacturières organisées en équipes semi-autonomes de travail) Roy M., Bergeron S., Fortier L., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. vii, 46p. Illus. 81 ref. Price: CAD 6.42., ISBN 2-551-22433-0 (In French) Internet: This study proposes a new approach for measuring occupational safety and health (OSH) performance that allows organizations to act before events occur and to highlight hazardous processes, systems and behaviours. It presents a classification of the types of measuring tools used in OHS (reactive and proactive measurements), as well as the categories of factors measured. The preliminary version of a self-evaluation questionnaire based on the predictive values to be later validated in a field study is also presented. The proposed approach and the future tool will allow companies, regardless of their means of organization, to enhance their OHS management guidelines while acquiring an occupational safety and health learning culture that favours and promotes the identification of potentially hazardous situations. (103643)
CIS 04-531 External occupational health and safety intervention: a model for understanding the production of changes based on the analysis of interventions of joint sector-based associations. (French: Intervention externe en santé et en sécurité du travail - Un modèle pour comprendre la production de transformations à partir de l'analyse d'interventions d'associations sectorielles paritaires) Baril-Gingras G., Bellemare M., Brun J.P., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. ix, 183p. Illus. 121 ref. Price: CAD 16.05., ISBN 2-551-22479-9 (In French) Internet: In their almost 20 years of existence, joint sector-based associations have responded to growing demands by enterprises for technical consulting and support in the fields of industrial hygiene and ergonomics. These associations are currently asking many questions about the factors affecting the effectiveness of such actions: how do interventions by outsiders, such as joint sector-based associations, fit into a company's culture? How does the way a company organizes its prevention activities affect outside interventions? What interactions arise among corporate prevention personnel? To answer these questions, researchers in this exploratory study monitored the technical consulting and support interventions performed by advisors from joint sector-based associations, and identified company-specific organizational factors that affected the performance and impact of interventions. (103646)
CIS 04-532 Occupational hazards in eleven African countries (summary of monographs). (French: Les risques professionnels dans onze pays africains (Résumés des monographies)) Takala J., Kalhoulé T., Equipe multidisciplinaire pour l'Afrique centrale, eds., ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2001. 90p., ISBN 92-2-212102-3 (In French) Internet: This document consists of a summary of a series of eleven monographs on occupational hazards and their prevention in various sectors of activity in Africa, namely: cotton growing in Chad; cotton industry in Mali; textile industry in Burkina Faso; forestry in Cote d'Ivoire; rubber plantations in Cameroon; growing and processing of sugarcane in Senegal; rice growing and processing in Madagascar; oil and soap manufacture in Togo; chemical industry in Benin; hide and leather craft and industry in Niger; ports in Congo. The topics studied were chosen to highlight the possible impact of occupational safety and health on the country's economy and development. (103684)
CIS 04-533 Analysis of the advantages and costs of occupational health and safety in companies - Development of the analytical tool. (French: Analyse des avantages et des coûts de la santé et de la sécurité au travail en entreprise - Développement de l'outil d'analyse) Gosselin M., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. vii, 58p. Illus. 53 ref. Price: CAD 6.42. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22525-6 (In French) Internet: Although occupational injuries are economic issues for companies, workers and society in general, occupational safety and health professionals still find it difficult to measure the benefits and costs of programs aimed at improving the occupational safety and health performance of enterprises. The first part of this report consists of a literature survey that summarizes current knowledge on the analysis of health and safety benefits and costs. The second part includes a benefit and cost analysis model that demonstrates the profitability of investing in occupational safety and health. (103710)
CIS 04-534 Salvslaboris - 2nd Exhibition on the prevention of occupational hazards, the environment and occupational health - 3rd European conference on enterprise occupational safety and health policies. (Spanish: Salvslaboris - 2a Feria de prevención de riesgos laborales, medioambiente y salud laboral -3ª Conferencia europea sobre políticas de seguridad y salud en la empresa) Instituto Europeo de Salud y Bienestar Social (IE), Joaquín Costa, 16, El Viso, 28002 Madrid, Spain, 2002. 555p. Illus.; 2003. 736p. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: Reports on the conference papers presented at the 1st exhibition on the prevention of occupational hazards, the environment and occupational health held in Madrid, Spain, from 22 to 24 October 2001, together with the 3rd European conference on enterprise occupational safety and health policies, and at the 2nd exhibition on the prevention of occupational hazards, the environment and occupational health held Madrid, Spain, from 23 to 25 October 2002. Main topics addressed: European Union policies on occupational safety and health; situation of the transposition of European directives on occupational safety and health into Spanish legislation; cost-benefit ratio of prevention measures; presentation of various models of occupational safety and health management; role of government and of labour inspection, and responsibilities of employers; management of accident insurance funds and external occupational safety and health services; integrated management of occupational safety and health, quality and the environment; occupational stress and bullying; occupational safety and health in SMEs; responsibilities for auditing; health surveillance. (103736)
CIS 04-535 Preventive management system: Safety controls and equipment maintenance. (Spanish: Sistema de gestión preventiva: revisiones de seguridad y mantenimiento de equipos) Duarte Viejo G., Piqué Ardanuy T., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus. 2 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: Spanish legislation requires that occupational safety and health activities be documented in writing. This information note concerns more specifically the definition of procedures that integrate equipment safety checks and preventive maintenance. Contents: objectives of preventive maintenance; relevant legislation; various types of revisions (regulatory safety inspections, general periodical workplace inspections, job observations); integrated procedure for periodical equipment safety checks and preventive maintenance; examples of forms for documenting periodical safety checks and preventive maintenance of equipment. (103692)
CIS 04-536 Measuring equipment management system for an industrial hygiene laboratory. (Spanish: Gestión de los equipos de medición en un laboratorio de higiene industrial) Martí Veciana A., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. 6 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note consists of a guide for the management of analytical instruments within the quality management system of industrial hygiene laboratories. Contents: definitions; management of analytical equipment (purchasing, inventory and code numbers allotted to the instruments, identification labels, inventory log, procedures for start-up, operation, maintenance and calibration, use log); internal and external maintenance plan; calibration and control plan (personnel authorized to carry out the tasks, frequency of checks, calibration parameters and tolerances, records of the checks). (103697)
CIS 04-537 Attitudes towards prevention: An evaluation tool. (Spanish: Actitud hacia la prevención: un instrumento de evaluación) Portell Vidal M., Solé Gómez M.D., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 4p. 5 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: After an overview of theoretical models for studying occupational safety and health behaviour, this information note presents a method for evaluating the safety and health attitudes of workers based on a seven-step cognitive model. This instrument entitled EECAT-PTL allows the level of safety and health consciousness to be rated on a scale from one to five. It involves seven multiple-choice questions corresponding to each step of the model. It is easily adaptable and can be used to evaluate the attitude of workers to specific occupational safety and health strategies or hazards. (103695)
CIS 04-538 Corporate social responsibility and occupational safety and health. (Czech: Podniková sociální odpovědnost a bezpečnost a zdraví při práci; Danish: Virksomhedernes sociale ansvar og arbejdsmiljø; Dutch: Maatschappelijk verantwoord ondernemen (MVO) en veiligheid en gezondheid op het werk; Estonian: Ettevõtte sotsiaalne vastutus ning tööohutus ja töötervishoid; Finnish: Yritysten yhteiskunnallinen vastuu sekä työterveys ja työturvallisuus; French: Responsabilité sociale des entreprises et santé et sécurité au travail; German: Soziale Verantwortung der Unternehmen und Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Arbeit; Greek: Etairikê koinōnikê euthúnē kai epaggelmatikê asfáleia kai ugeía; Hungarian: Vállalati szociális felelősség, illetve munkahelyi biztonság és egészségvédelem; Italian: Responsabilità sociale delle imprese e salute e sicurezza sul lavoro; Latvian: Korporatīvā sociālā atbildība, darba drošība un veselības aizsardzība; Lithuanian: Kolektyvinė socialinė atsakomybė ir darbuotojų sauga bei sveikata; Polish: Odpowiedzialność społeczna firmy a bhp; Portuguese: Responsabilidade social das empresas e segurança e saúde no trabalho; Slovak: Podniková sociálna zodpovednost' a bezpečnost'a ochrana zdravia pri práci; Slovenian: Socialna odgovornost gospodarskih družb ter varnost in zdravje pri delu; Spanish: La responsabilidad social de las empresas y la seguridad y la salud en el trabajo; Swedish: Företagens sociala ansvar och arbetsmiljön) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 2p. Illus. 5 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: As an inspiring and strategically important development, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming an increasingly important priority for companies of all sizes and types. Occupational safety and health (OSH) is an essential component of CSR, presenting managers and OSH professionals with a variety of opportunities and challenges. This fact sheet explains what CSR is, how it relates to OSH, and gives some basic guidance for its successful integration. (103540)
CIS 04-539 Evaluate to prevent, understand to act. (French: Evaluer pour prévenir, comprendre pour agir) Ministère des affaires sociales, du travail et de la solidarité, Paris, France, Mar. 2003. 32p. Illus. (In French) Internet: The development of hazard evaluation within enterprises is among the objectives of the policy defined by the French supervisory committee for the prevention of occupational hazards (Conseil supérieur de la prévention des risques professionnels). For this reason, various French government agencies jointly published this guide together with several occupational safety and health organizations. Its purpose is to facilitate this approach to occupational safety and health. It is aimed at enterprise owners, but also at workers' representatives, occupational physicians, industry and trade associations and safety and health specialists. Contents: objectives of hazard evaluation for the purposes of improving occupational safety and health; steps to be followed; external organizations which can assist enterprises in carrying out this evaluation. (103650)
CIS 04-540 Technique for continuous improvement applied to the prevention of occupational hazards: Benchmarking. (Spanish: Técnica de la mejora continua aplicada a la prevención: benchmarking) Murillo B., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 7p. Illus. 8 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note on benchmarking applied to the prevention of occupational hazards describes how this method can be applied within enterprises in order to continuously improve occupational safety and health performance (learning organization). Contents: general considerations concerning this approach; types of benchmarking; implementation of the method; steps in the process (design, collection of internal data, collection of external data, data analysis, process improvement, periodic evaluation). (103672)
CIS 04-541 Management systems integration: Occupational hazards prevention, quality and environment. (Spanish: Integración de sistemas de gestión: prevención de riesgos laborales, calidad y medio ambiente) Bestratén Belloví M., Carboneras Checa M.A., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2000. 8p. Illus. 7 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note provides a guide for the design and implementation of integrated occupational safety and health management systems in enterprises where there exists a strong overlap of management systems; it aims to make the best use of available resources and to achieve optimal results. Contents: concepts of hazard prevention, quality and excellence; legal and technical grounds for integrating systems; the systems integration process (integration of documentation, integration of operations); relationships between standardized management systems. (103691)
CIS 04-542 The perception of risk: An evaluation procedure. (Spanish: Riesgo percibido: un procedimiento de evaluación) Portell Vidal M., Solé Gómez M.D., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 8p. Illus. 9 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note describes a method for the evaluation of hazards as perceived by workers. After a discussion of the theoretical and methodological aspects, it goes on to describe a procedure for the dimensional evaluation of hazards as perceived by workers. The evaluation is carried out by means of a questionnaire concerning various risk factors, which workers quantify on a scale from 1 to 7. A three-dimensional data structure is obtained from which various analyses can be carried out, in particular the characteristic profile for each of the hazards evaluated. (103693)
CIS 04-543 Organizational change management. (Spanish: Gestión del cambio organizativo) Oncins de Frutos M., Ruiz-Escribano Taravilla M.T., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. 10 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note covers the management of changes in work organization for the purpose of increasing productivity through the adoption of flexible work practices and quicker response times, while at the same time improving occupational safety and health and workers' satisfaction. It describes the various phases of the implementation of a new organizational system, both upstream (awareness at management level) and downstream (evaluation of tangible results and efforts to be undertaken to sustain the improvements). (103696)
CIS 04-544 Business results through health and safety. Canadian manufacturers and exporters - Ontario Division, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, 200 Front Street West, Toronto ON M5V 3J1, Canada, [c2004]. CD-ROM containing documents in PDF and PPT formats; also on a web site (128p). (In English) Internet: Aimed at business executives and managers, this CD-ROM-based guide is the result of a partnership between the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) - Ontario Division, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario, with participation from member CME companies, health and safety associations and other leaders in health and safety. The material draws on extensive experience of Ontario companies already benefitting from a stronger commitment to workplace health and safety. It contains several documents in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) and Microsoft Powerpoint (PPT) formats, including workshop reports, tools, forms and check lists. (103561)
CIS 04-545 Talk safety with us. WorkCover New South Wales, 92-100 Donnison Street, Gosford, NSW 2250, Australia, 2004. CD-ROM containing documents in PDF and PPT formats. (In English) Internet: Contents of this CD-ROM: slide presentation in Microsoft Powerpoint format (PPT) describing the services of Work Cover New South Wales (NSW), which is a statutory authority within the province's Commerce Ministry whose primary objective is to work in partnership with the NSW community to achieve safe workplaces, together with the effective return to work and security for injured workers; more than 295 Work Cover NSW publications in alphabetical order and by publication number in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format; presentation of the Work Cover NSW website. (103562)
CIS 04-546 Occupational hazard prevention awareness spots. (French: Spots de sensibilisation sur la prévention des risques professionnels) Ministère des affaires sociales et de la solidarité, Institut de santé et de sécurité du travail, 5 bd. M. Khaznadar, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia, [c2004]. DVD containing video clips. (In French) Internet: DVD containing video clips on various occupational safety and health topics that were shown on television in Tunisia as part of an awareness programme. Topics covered include: glass works; occupational medicine; scaffolds and railings; use of personal protective equipment and personal hygiene in pesticide spraying operations; prevention of occupational hazards on trawlers. (103520)
CIS 04-547 Worker's magazine: Accidents linked to pesticides (modules 1 and 2) - Manual harvesting of sugar cane in hilly areas - Manual Harvesting of sugar cane - Work in potteries - Peroxydizable substances - Forestry work - Benzene - Agricultural tractors - Cashew nuts. (Portuguese: Revista do trabalhador: Acidentes com agrotóxicos (Módulos 1 e 2) - Corte manual de cana em região amorrada - Corte manual de cana-de-açúcar - Trabalho em olarias - Substâncias peroxidáveis - Trabalhos na atividade florestal - Benzeno - Tratores agrícolas - Castanha de caju) Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, no date. 10 videotapes (VHS format), 17min 50sec; 17min 11sec; 13min 42sec; 14min 31sec; 16min 13sec; 12min 46sec; 14min 05sec; 18min 52sec, 13min 20sec; 12min 45sec. Price: BRL 20.00 (each tape). (In Portuguese) Internet: These ten tapes are part of a collection entitled "Worker's magazine" published by the Fundacentro covering various occupational safety and health issues related to pesticides and other chemicals, as well as other agriculture and forestry-related activities. Topics covered: accidents due to pesticides (prevention of hazards among users and during production, and interviews of researchers and managers of occupational safety and health institutions, two cassettes); manual harvesting of sugar cane in hilly regions; manual harvesting of sugar cane; work in potteries; peroxydizable substances; forestry work; benzene; tractors used in agriculture; cashew nut industry. (103671)
CIS 04-548 A participatory approach to the study of lifting demands and musculoskeletal symptoms among Hong Kong workers. Yeung S., Genaidy A., Deddens J., Shoaf C., Leung P.C., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.730-738. Illus. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examines the use of a worker-based methodology to assess the physical stresses of lifting tasks on effort expended, and to associate this loading with musculoskeletal outcomes (MOs). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 217 male manual handling workers from the Hong Kong area. The effects of four lifting variables (weight of load, horizontal distance, twisting angle, and vertical travel distance) on effort were examined using a linguistic approach (which characterizes variables by descriptors). The numerical interpretations of linguistic descriptors were established. In addition, the associations between on the job effort and MOs were investigated for 10 body regions including the spine and both upper and lower extremities. MOs were prevalent in multiple body regions; effort was significantly associated with MOs in eight of ten body regions. The lifting task variables had significant effects on effort, with the weight of load having twice the effect of other variables. The participatory worker-based approach on musculoskeletal outcomes is a promising methodology. Further testing of this approach is recommended. (103543)
CIS 04-549 Magnetic resonance imaging findings in respect to carpal tunnel syndrome. Pasternack I.I., Malmivaara A., Tervahartiala P., Forsberg H., Vehmas T., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.189-196. 29 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine the technical and diagnostic capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Data adhering to predefined inclusion criteria were extracted from published studies. The MRI methods and findings were analysed by experienced radiologists. The MRI findings of 373 affected wrists in 13 studies were compared with asymptomatic referents or a series of patients with non-CTS wrist pain. Increased T2-signal and cross-sectional area, the flattening of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel and the bowing of the flexor retinaculum were the most frequently occurring signs of CTS. However, reliable assessment of the sensitivity and specificity of certain MRI signs in respect to CTS remained difficult due to study heterogeneity. There is an obvious need for imaging studies in which validated diagnostic criteria are used. (103582)
CIS 04-550 Dependence of palmar sweating response and central nervous system activity on the frequency of whole-body vibration. Ando H., Noguchi R., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.216-219. Illus. 19 ref. (In English) Internet: Palmar sweating volume was measured on the right palm of six healthy men before and during three minutes of exposure to sinusoidal whole-body vibration at three different frequencies (16, 31.5, and 63Hz). The whole-body vibration had a frequency-weighted, root mean square acceleration magnitude of 2.0m/s2. As an indicator of the activated central sympathetic nervous system, the saliva level of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was analysed before and immediately after each vibration exposure. Each vibration frequency induced a palmar sweating response, that of 31.5Hz being the largest. Saliva MHPG increased in all the vibration exposures, and the largest change was observed at 31.5Hz. (103585)
CIS 04-551 Glutathione S-transferases M1-1 and T1-1 as risk modifiers for renal cell cancer associated with occupational exposure to chemicals. Buzio L., De Palma G., Mozzoni P., Tondel M., Buzio C., Franchini I., Axelson O., Mutti A., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.789-793. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigates the possible interaction between occupational risk factors and genotype for glutathione S-transferases M1 and TI (GSTM 1 and GSTT 1) in renal cell cancer (RCC). One hundred patients with RCC and 200 outpatient controls were enrolled at Parma University Hospital. The polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were investigated by PCR; occupational history was collected by a structured questionnaire. Subjects with GSTM 1 present genotype showed higher risks for RCC, compared to GSTM 1 null subjects, if exposed to metals (OR 2.73) or pesticides (OR 3.46). The GSTT 1 present genotype also enhanced about twofold the risk of RCC among subjects exposed to solvents and pesticides, compared with those GSTT1 null. The results support the hypothesis that GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms can interact with several occupational exposures to significantly modify the risk of RCC among exposed subjects. (103550)
CIS 04-552 Occupational respiratory allergies to acid anhydrides. (French: Allergie respiratoire professionnelle aux anhydrides d'acide) Rosenberg N., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2005, No.101, p.79-87. 63 ref. (In French) Internet: Anhydrides of di- and tri-carboxylic acids are extremely reactive chemicals. They are widely used in the plastics industry. They are responsible for many allergic respiratory problems that result from their inhalation in the form of powder or smoke in occupational settings. Contents of this information sheet on occupational respiratory allergies to acid anhydrides: pathophysiology; prevalence among exposed occupations; diagnosis at the place of work; confirmation of diagnosis in a specialised medical institution; evolution; prevention; compensation of occupational diseases. (103620)
CIS 04-553 Biotoxicological surveillance at the workplace. (French: La surveillance biotoxicologique en milieu de travail) Ben Mansour H., Fehri S., Kolsi M., Chakroun R., Nouaigui H., Ben Laiba M., SST - Santé et Sécurité au Travail, Jan. 2004, No.28, p.2-15. Illus. 13 ref. (In French) Internet: Contents of this special feature on biological monitoring of exposure: general aspects; basic notions of toxicology; occupational exposure to chemicals; biological monitoring of exposure; reference values; basic concepts of threshold limit values in occupational settings; environmental and biological monitoring of occupational exposure; practical aspects of biological monitoring; advantages of biological monitoring of exposure; limitations of biological monitoring of exposure; biological monitoring of exposure in Tunisia. A table includes the biological indices of the substances mentioned in the Tunisian list of occupational diseases. (103624)
CIS 04-554 Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). (French: Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS); German: Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS)) Jost M., Rüegger M., Informations médicales - Medizinische Mitteilungen, 2004, No.75, p.26-33 (French), p.25-32 (German). Illus. 16 ref. (In French, German) Internet: The reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is characterized by the incidence of persistent asthma among subjects previously without symptoms, following an exposure to respiratory irritants lasting several minutes to several hours. Respiratory disorders persist for at least three months, but generally last several years. Contents of this article on RADS: definition; physiopathology; frequencies of acute exposure that give rise to RADS; substances that may give rise to RADS; description of a clinical case; prognosis; occupational health and insurance aspects. (103660)
CIS 04-555 Silicosis: A disease of current concern. (French: La silicose: une maladie d'actualité) Daly L., Rammah H., Nouaigui H., SST - Santé et Sécurité au Travail, Apr. 2004, No.29, p.2-18. Illus. 23 ref. (In French) Internet: Silicosis is a lung disease, generally caused by occupational factors, resulting from the inhalation of silica dust. It may cause death. Although it has long been recognized as an occupational disease, its worldwide prevalence remains high, with many workers still insufficiently protected, particularly in developing countries. Contents of this special feature on silicosis: general aspects and definitions; pathogenicity of crystalline silica; toxicity of crystalline silica; exposure hazards; clinical picture; diagnosis; prevention; compensation; Tunisian national data on silicosis (studies and projects, reported cases, number of exposed workers). (103670)
CIS 04-556 Ethmoid adenocarcinoma in a patient manufacturing orthopaedic shoe soles made of cork - Considerations based on a case. (French: Carcinome de l'ethmoïde chez un patient fabricant des semelles de chaussures orthopédiques en liège - A propos d'un cas) Bertrand O., Ulrich G., Rivière G., Gressier V., Berr C., Petiet G., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Mar. 2004, Vol.65, No.1, p.25-29. 19 ref. (In French) Internet: Ethmoid adenocarcinoma is recognized as a professional disease in wood workers, especially those in contact with fine hardwood dust. The main carcinogenic agent responsible is represented by the tannins contained in various wood species. This is also the case for cork, which can contain up to 6% of tannins. Considering that 40,000 French workers are currently exposed to cork dust, it is recommended that the same medical supervision procedures as those in place in the woodworking sector should be adopted. This article describes a case of muco-secretant adenocarcinoma infiltrating the right nasal cavity in a 57 year-old patient who manufactured orthopaedic shoes. From 1965 to 2001, the worker handled leather, rubber, adhesives and cork without effective protection against cork dust. The occupational nature of the disease was recognized. (103712)
CIS 04-557 Thyroidal dysfunction and occupational overexposure to iodine. (French: Dysfonctionnement thyroïdien et surcharge iodée professionnelle) Guével E., Madani R., Conso F., Causse E., Choudat D., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Sep. 2004, Vol.65, No.5, p.438-441. Illus. 9 ref. (In French) Internet: Two cases of work-related thyroid dysfunction are presented. Two workers involved in the machining and polishing of sodium and caesium iodide crystals employed at the same enterprise showed thyroid function disorders and high levels of 24h urinary iodine excretion. Following the report of these two cases of thyroid dysfunction and the elevated urinary excretion of iodine found among other exposed workers in the course of a biological monitoring programme implemented within the enterprise, preventive measures and medical surveillance based on action levels of this biological exposure index were proposed. The prevention of iodine exposure is primarily based on collective measures (process confinement and local exhaust), personal protective equipment and strict adherence to hygienic measures. (103518)
CIS 04-558 Workplace bullying and the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. Kivimäki M., Virtanen M., Vartia M., Elovainio M., Vahtera J., Keltikangas-Järvinen L., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.779-783. 24 ref. (In English) Internet: To examine exposure to workplace bullying as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and depression in employees, logistic regression models were related to prospective data from two surveys in a cohort of 5432 hospital employees (601 men and 4831 women), aged 18-63 years. Outcomes were new reports of doctor-diagnosed cardiovascular disease and depression during the two-year follow-up among those who were free from these diseases at baseline. The prevalence of bullying was 5% in the first survey and 6% in the second survey. Two per cent reported bullying experiences in both surveys, an indication of prolonged bullying. After adjustment for sex, age, and income, the odds ratio of incident cardiovascular disease for victims of prolonged bullying compared to non-bullied employees was 2.3. A further adjustment for overweight at baseline attenuated the odds ratio to 1.6. The association between prolonged bullying and incident depression was significant, even after adjustment for overweight (odds ratio 4.2). This suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. The victims of bullying also seem to be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, but this risk may partly be attributable to overweight. (103548)
CIS 04-559 Determinants of work absence following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Katz J.N., Amick B.C., Keller R., Fossel A.H., Ossman J., Soucie V., Losina E., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 2005, Vol.47, No.2, p.120-130. 36 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with return to work among workers undertaking carpal tunnel surgery. Subjects completed questionnaires pre-operatively and at two, six and 12 months post-operatively. The questionnaires addressed demographic, clinical and psychosocial factors, as well as physical and psychosocial workplace stressors. Six months following surgery of 181 subjects, 29 (19%) were out of work. Twelve months post-operatively, 33 subjects (22%) were out of work. Factors associated with work outcome at 12 months included preoperative physical functional status, self-efficacy at two months, workers' compensation and supportive organizational policies and practices. Strategies to reduce work absence following carpal tunnel surgery should address multiple dimensions of the worker and workplace. (103557)
CIS 04-560 Certification of occupational diseases as common diseases in a primary health care setting. Benavides F.G., Castejón J., Gimeno D., Porta M., Mestres J., Simonet P., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 2005, Vol.47, No.2, p.176-180. 24 ref. (In English) Internet: It is often difficult to discern whether a disease is an occupational or common disease, especially in a primary care setting. From a random sample of 322 workers attending a primary health care centre in Spain, 207 workers agreed to participate in this study aimed at determining the proportion of probable occupational diseases misclassified as common diseases by general practitioners. An occupational questionnaire was administered, and medical records of each participant were examined. The data were independently reviewed by two occupational physicians and a general practitioner. It was found that 33 of the 207 cases (15.9%) were probably related to occupational factors according to expert opinion, while in the workers' assessment, occupational factors accounted for 74 (35.7%) cases of disease. The consequences of these findings are discussed. (103560)
CIS 04-561 Musculoskeletal diseases and work: Evaluation, disability and rehabilitation at work. (French: Troubles musculo-squelettiques et travail: évaluation, invalidité et réinsertion professionnelle) Mrizek N., SST - Santé et Sécurité au Travail, Jan. 2004, No.28, p.20-26. Illus. 24 ref. (In French) Internet: Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) constitute not only a health problem, but also an economic burden for workers, employers and insurance institutions. This article addresses aspects of evaluation, disability and rehabilitation of workers suffering from MSDs. Contents: definition of MSDs; magnitude of the problem; evaluation of the degree of disability; occupational rehabilitation; disability of persons suffering from MSDs; recognition of the occupational nature of MSDs and compensation (Tunisian regulatory framework, examples of Switzerland and the Netherlands). (103625)
CIS 04-562 Occupational cancers: First attempt at quantification. (French: Cancers d'origine professionnelle: 1re approche de quantification) Imbernon E., Préventique-Sécurité, Nov.-Dec. 2003, No.72, p.28-31. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article reviews a report, published in 2003, on the estimation of the number of cancers attributable to occupational causes in France. The study was restricted to men. Epidemiological data allow estimations to be made for the following cancers, including in some cases the proportion due to the main known causal agents (in particular asbestos, heavy metals, ionizing radiation, volatile organic substances, aromatic amines, wood dust, oils and tars): bronchopulmonary cancers; pleural mesothelioma; bladder cancer; sinonasal cancers; leukaemia. (103632)
CIS 04-563 Recurrent acute infections of the respiratory tract in the chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome in occupational settings and their prevention with immunoferon. (Spanish: Las infecciones agudas recidivantes del tracto respiratorio (IARTR) en la EPOC en el medio laboral y prevención con inmunoferón) Villarrubia V.G., Dominguez Carmona M., Medicina y seguridad del trabajo, 1998, Vol.XLV, No.177, p.1-20. Illus. 103 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This article on recurrent acute infections of the respiratory tract and chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome begins with an introduction on the aetiology of these diseases, their treatment and their prevention. It next presents a comparative study aimed at highlighting the effectiveness of an immunoferon-based preventive treatment. The study involved 683 workers presenting risks of recurrent acute infections of the respiratory tract during the winter period and having a history of respiratory pathologies. Subjects were divided into three groups. The first group was administered anti-flu vaccination, the second group was vaccinated and given immunoferon, while the third group was not treated (control group). Results show that the immunoferon treatment is efficient. It significantly reduces the percentage of subjects presenting recurrent acute infections of the respiratory tract, the length of the bouts, absenteeism rates and absenteeism duration. It also reduces the need for recourse to antibiotics. (103738)
CIS 04-564 Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in sheep breeders. Radon K., Winter C., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.770-773. Illus. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: The European Farmers' Study has indicated that sheep farmers might be at risk for the development of respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in sheep breeders and potential work-related risk factors. On the basis of the responses to a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, work-related respiratory symptoms (WRS), and details of farming, 325 sheep breeders of two regions of South Germany keeping at least 10 sheep could be included in the survey. The prevalences were compared to the results of the European Farmers' Study. Sheep breeders showed a significantly higher prevalence of asthma-related symptoms (odds ratio (OR) 2.1), chronic phlegm (OR 4.0) and WRS (OR 1.7) after adjusting for age, sex, smoking habits and full time farming. In the multiple logistic regression model, the risk for asthma-related symptoms was doubled in full time farmers. The major predictor of WRS was full time farming and the use of chemical footbaths. It is concluded that sheep breeders might be at high risk for the development of respiratory symptoms, which may be associated with work intensity and chemical exposure during work. (103546)
CIS 04-565 Use of masks, respiratory symptoms and lung function among coal miners. (French: Port du masque, symptômes respiratoires, fonction pulmonaire des mineurs de charbon) Bertrand J.P., Bourgkard E., Chau N., Pham Q.T., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Dec. 2003, Vol.64, No.7-8, p.495-501. 16 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the use of masks, respiratory symptoms and lung function among coal miners. Subjects consisted of 395 miners aged between 28 and 42, exposed for more than five years to coal dust and whose pulmonary radiograph was classified 0/0 according to the 1980 ILO international classification of pneumoconiosis. Methods included administering the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) questionnaire, evaluating cumulated dust exposure and conducting lung function tests. Four groups were determined according to their degree of mask use. It was found that the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was not significantly linked with the degree of mask use. However, the proportion of miners with chronic bronchitis was lower among miners who had a high degree of mask usage. (103636)
CIS 04-566 Occupational skin diseases in the food industry. (French: Dermatoses professionnelles dans le secteur de l'alimentation) Crépy M.N., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 3rd Quarter 2004, No.99, p.411-422. Illus. 83 ref. (In French) Internet: The food industry is among the sectors of activity that present the highest risk of occupational skin diseases. Workers are exposed to numerous irritants and allergens including detergents, disinfectants, foodstuffs and gloves, which give rise mostly to contact and irritation dermatitis, but also to allergic dermatitis and photosensitization reactions. Contents of this review article on skin diseases in the food industry: epidemiology; aetiology; diagnosis in occupational settings; diagnosis in specialised institutions; prognosis; prevention; compensation. (103515)
CIS 04-567 Feeling cold at work increases the risk of symptoms from muscles, skin and airways in seafood industry workers. Bang B.E., Aasmoe L., Aardal L., Andorsen G.S., Bjørnbakk A.K., Egeness C., Espejord I., Kramvik E., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Jan. 2005, Vol.47, No.1, p.65-71. Illus. 23 ref. (In English) Internet: Norwegian workers in seafood industry plants are exposed to a cold and often wet environment. This study on the relationship between feeling cold at work and the risk of muscular, skin and airway symptoms involved 1767 seafood industry workers, who responded to a questionnaire. In addition, thermal measurements were carried out in 17 seafood industry plants. 15.9% of production workers and 1.7% of administrative workers reported that they often felt cold at work. Mean finger temperatures after one hour of work varied between 16 and 22°C. Foot temperature dropped from morning until lunch time in 85% of the measurements. Production workers who reported that they often felt cold had significantly increased prevalence of symptoms from muscles, skin, and airways while working, compared to workers who reported that they never felt cold at work. (103555)
CIS 04-568 Study of the musculoskeletal disease (MSD) risk factors in a population of 334 female supermarket cashiers in the Paris region. (French: Etude des facteurs de risque de troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS) dans une population de 334 hôtesses de caisse de la région parisienne) Chaney C., Le Pache J., Aucour C., Alcouffe J., Manillier P., Montéléon P.Y., Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle, 2004, Vol.44, No.3, p.319-328. Illus. 28 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to highlight the risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) among retail sales cashiers in the Paris region. Work involved analysing the combined data from two surveys carried out in two hypermarkets of the same chain before and one year after the redesign of the tills. A numerical value for MSDs was computed according to the CAIL method developed by INRS. 334 women cashiers were divided into two groups of similar size (MSD+ and MSD-) according to whether their MSD value was above or below the median value. Statistical analysis enabled the highlighting of the following risk factors: overweight, feeling being exposed to cold, lack of variety in the job, unsatisfactory job performance evaluations, feeling under stress, personal and occupational worries and difficulties in communicating with colleagues and supervisors. (103511)
CIS 04-569 Development of neck and hand-wrist symptoms in relation to duration of computer use at work. Jensen C., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.197-205. 18 ref. (In English) Internet: At the beginning of 1999, 3475 computer users responded to a questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms, among whom 2576 also responded to a second questionnaire in December 2000. It was found that previous symptoms among both men and women, low influence at work and high-placed computer screen among women, and short time in the job and good computer skills among men were associated with neck symptoms. Hand-wrist symptoms were associated with previous symptoms and low influence at work for both men and women, and sensorimotor demands for women. The duration of computer use predicted hand-wrist symptoms, but not neck symptoms. For workers using computers almost continually, hand-wrist symptoms were associated with mouse use for at least half of the working time (odds ratio (OR) 4.0) and not using the mouse at all (OR 4.0), as compared with mouse use for one-fourth of the working time. Limiting computer use to less than three-fourths of the working time would help to prevent hand-wrist symptoms. (103583)
CIS 04-570 Lower socioeconomic status among men in relation to the association between job strain and blood pressure. Landsbergis P.A., Schnall P.L., Pickering T.G., Warren K., Schwartz J.E., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.206-215. 73 ref. (In English) Internet: The associations between psychosocial job strain and ambulatory blood pressure at work, by level of education, occupational status, and income were assessed by multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, race, body mass index, alcohol use, smoking, standing position, and worksite for 283 men, aged 30-60 years, working in eight enterprises in New York City. A substantial association between job strain and blood pressure was found among men with lower socio-economic status, ranging from 2.7-11.8mm Hg systolic and 1.9-6.1mm Hg diastolic blood pressure, depending on their socio-economic status. However, in the groups with high socio-economic status, the association was much smaller, the range in blood pressure being 0-5.3mm Hg (systolic) and 0.2-2.1mm Hg (diastolic). Two of the ten interactions evaluated had a P-value of <0.05. These data provide evidence that the relationship between psychosocial job strain and blood pressure is greater among men with lower socio-economic status. (103584)
CIS 04-571 The occupational prognosis of workers with vertebral disorders. (French: Le pronostic occupationnel des travailleurs aux prises avec des affections vertébrales) Dionne C., Bourbonnais R., Frémont P., Rossignol M., Stock S., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. ix, 147p. Illus. 191 ref. Price: CAD 10.70., ISBN 2-551-22431-4 (In French) Internet: More than 80% of the costs associated with occupational back pain result from a minority of cases requiring a work interruption of more than six months. Over a period of two years, some 1,000 workers suffering from back pain were followed in order to better understand the functional consequences of spinal disorders and to analyse the relative importance of the determinants of a return to work in good health. This work also allowed a simple predictive tool to be developed and validated, making the early identification of persons at high risk of prolonged absenteeism easier, enabling early appropriate interventions and the more effective use of resources devoted to spinal disorders. (103642)
CIS 04-572 Report on occupational diseases in Colombia 2001-2002 - An opportunity for prevention. (Spanish: Informe de enfermedad profesional en Colombia 2001-2002 - Una oportunidad para la prevención) Tafur Sacipa F.J., Ministério de la Protección Social, Bogotá, Carrera 13 no. 32-76, Colombia. 2004. 79p. Illus. 10 ref., ISBN 958-97392-3-7 (In Spanish) Internet: This report presents a broad overview of the situation of occupational diseases in Colombia between 2000 and 2002 among workers who are affiliated to an insurance scheme (general social security scheme, contributory systems and special schemes), while however adding that 60% of workers are employed in the informal sector. The report examines in particular the incidence of occupational diseases according to the various systems of insurance and their breakdown by diagnosis, and makes cost estimates. It proposes an action plan for improving the diagnosis, the recording, the notification and the prevention of occupational diseases. (103732)
CIS 04-573 Occupational disease compensation fund - 2002 Annual Report. (Dutch: Fonds voor de beroepsziekten - Jaarverslag 2002; French: Fonds des maladies professionnelles - Rapport annuel 2002) Fonds des maladies professionnelles, Avenue de l'Astronomie 1, 1210 Bruxelles, Belgium, 2003. 215p. Illus. + CD-ROM of the report in French and Dutch in PDF format, with Web browser navigation. (In Dutch, French) Internet: Contents of this annual report: administrative structure of the Belgian occupational diseases insurance fund; claims for compensation for occupational diseases (by diagnosis, sex, nationality, age, industrial sector and profession); compensation of occupational diseases (in the private and public sectors); prevention of occupational diseases; legal claims; compensation for permanent invalidity; financial data; appendices (schedule of occupational diseases and occupation disease codes). (103640)
CIS 04-574 First aid: Primary evaluation and basic life support. (Spanish: Primeros auxilios: evaluación primaria y soporte vital básico) Moliné Marco J.L., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 5p. Illus. 5 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note explains the attitude to be adopted in emergency situations as well as the basic survival procedures that can be carried out by persons without any medical knowledge, such as in the event of a cardio-respiratory arrest. Contents: sequence of actions in the event of an accident (protect the victim, alert the health services, assist the victim); recognize the signs of life (consciousness, breathing, pulse); basic life-saving gestures for unconscious patients with apnoea (mouth-to-mouth); external cardiac massage; basic life-saving gestures for infants and children; reasons why basic life-saving actions often fail despite efforts. (103731)
CIS 04-575 Occupations in retail goods warehouses (excluding transport). Hazards and strenuousness. (French: Les métiers de la logistique (hors transport). Risques et pénibilité) Miele E., Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle, 2003, Vol.43, No.2, p.141-151. Illus. (In French) Internet: This study was undertaken to understand the strenuousness of the work in retail goods warehouses, to identify the hazards to which workers are exposed and to provide occupational physicians with tools for evaluating constraints in various sections of the warehouse. The study was carried out in two warehouses in the Ile-de-France region. The project involved job observations, often in conjunction with dynamic rate heart measurements, together with data collection by means of questionnaires. Several proposals are made with respect to the layout of stored goods, the weight of packaging and work planning. (103715)
CIS 04-576 Time to pregnancy and occupational lead exposure. Joffe M., Bisanti L., Apostoli P., Kiss P., Dale A., Roeleveld N., Lindbohm M.L., Sallmén M., Vanhoorne M., Bonde J.P., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.752-758. Illus. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: Lead exposure is known to be harmful to the male reproductive system, including impairment of fertility. However, it is unclear whether currently existing low levels of exposure have this effect. This study retrospectively examines current workers in lead-using industries (battery manufacture, smelting, etc,), and in non-lead-using control industries in four European countries, with time to pregnancy as the outcome variable. Exposure assessment was mainly by blood lead values, which were available from the late 1970s, supplemented by imputed values where necessary. Three exposure models were studied: short term (recent) exposure, total duration of work in a lead using industry and cumulative exposure. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for the statistical analysis, with covariates for both partners. Results show that among the total of 1104 subjects that took part, 638 were occupationally-exposed to lead at the relevant time. Blood lead levels were mainly less than 50µg/dL. No consistent association of time to pregnancy with lead exposure was found in any of the exposure models. If any impairment of male reproductive function exists at the levels of occupational lead exposure now current, it does not appear to reduce biological fertility. (103545)
CIS 04-577 The effect of occupational exposure to heavy metals and arsenic on the concentration of carotenoids in the serum of copper foundry workers. (Polish: Wpływ ekspozycji zawodowej na ołów i arsen na stężenie karotenoidów w surowicy u pracowników huty miedzi) Chlebda E., Antonowicz-Juchniewicz J., Andrzejak R., Medycyna pracy, 2004, Vol.55, No.5, p.389-401. 40 ref. (In Polish) Internet: Occupational exposure to heavy metals and arsenic in moderate doses may lead to a decrease in the concentration of carotenoids in the serum of people at risk, thus reducing the efficiency of their antioxidative mechanisms. (103594)
CIS 04-578 Pregnant working women exposed to foetotoxic substances. Medical supervision. (French: Salariées enceintes exposées à des substances toxiques pour le développement fœtal. Surveillance médicale) Conso F., Contassot J.C., Falcy M., Faupin F., Fumery J.L., Garnier R., Hermouet C., Lafon D., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2005, No.101, p.9-21. 27 ref. (In French) Internet: At the place of work, occupational safety and health efforts with respect to the use of substances that present reproductive toxicity are aimed at preventing all harmful effects to the foetus or to the unborn child during pregnancy. These recommendations were developed by a working group of the French occupational medicine society (Société française de médecine du travail). Their aim is to provide answers to the most frequent questions facing occupational physicians responsible for the medical supervision of pregnant working women. They constitute an attempt to harmonise medical practices with respect to the prevention of occupational hazards to foetal development. (103618)
CIS 04-579 An epidemiological study of the respiratory health of workers in the European refractory ceramic fibre industry. (French: Etude épidémiologique de la santé respiratoire des travailleurs de l'industrie européenne des fibres céramiques réfractaires) Cowie H.A., Wild P., Beck J., Auburtin G., Piekarski C., Massin N., Cherrie J.W., Hurley J.F., Miller B.G., Groat S., Soutar C.A., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 4th Quarter 2003, No.193, p.23-35. Illus. 22 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to investigate possible relations between respiratory health and past airborne exposure to refractory ceramic fibres (RCFs) and respirable dust in workers at six European factories. The target population comprised workers associated with RCF production. Information was collected on personal characteristics, chest radiographs, lung function, respiratory symptoms, smoking, and full occupational history. 774 workers participated. Profusion of small opacities in exposed workers was similar to that among an unexposed control group. Small opacities of International Labour Organisation (ILO) category 1/0+ were not associated with exposure. An association of borderline significance between 0/1+ opacities and exposure to respirable fibres was found for some exposure periods only, the time-related pattern being biologically implausible. Pleural changes were related to age and exposure to asbestos, and findings were consistent with an effect of time since first exposure to RCFs. Among men, forced expired volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were inversely related to exposure to fibres, in current smokers only. FEV1/FVC ratio and transfer factor (TLCO) were not related to exposures. The estimated restrictive effect was on average mild. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was low. Chronic bronchitis and its associated symptoms (cough, phlegm) showed some association with recent exposure to respirable fibres. This could be due to an irritant effect of RCFs. (103629)
CIS 04-580 Rehabilitation in the social insurance system of farmers. (Polish: Rehabilitacja lecznicza w systemie ubezpieczenia społecznego rolników) Kobielski W., Ubezpieczenia w Rolnictwie - Materiały i Studia, 2002, Vol.16, No.4, p.32-38. (In Polish) Internet: Review and assessment of the activities of the Polish Agricultural Social Insurance Fund, with emphasis on the establishment and improvement of the rehabilitation system for farmers. The legal rules regulating the activity on prevention and rehabilitation in rural areas are listed. Numerical details concerning the financial effectiveness of the therapeutic rehabilitation of farmers are presented. (103606)
CIS 04-581 The accident rate of coal mine workers in a period of restructuring, taking into account employment and age structures. (Polish: Wypadkowość pracowników kopalń węgla kamiennego w okresie restrukturyzacji z uwzględnieniem struktury zatrudnienia i struktury wiekowej) Parchański J., WUG Bezpieczeństwo Pracy i Ochrona Środowiska w Górnictwie, 2004, No.12, p.22-29. 12 ref. (In Polish) Internet: Survey of employment and age-structure evolution in Polish coal mines during a 10-year period. Absolute numbers and frequency of accidents in coal mines are analysed with reference to employment levels and the age structure of miners. (103598)
CIS 04-582 A proportionate mortality study of bricklayers and allied craftworkers. Salg J., Alterman T., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Jan. 2005, Vol.47, No.1, p.10-19. 41 ref. (In English) Internet: Bricklayers and allied craft workers may be exposed to cobalt, epoxy resins, pitch and lime, and to lung carcinogens such as asbestos, silica and nickel. Mortality among members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) in the US was examined for members who died between 1986 to 1991. Significant proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were found among white men for cancers of the oesophagus (PMR=134), stomach (PMR=131), respiratory system, trachea, bronchi and the lung (PMR=144), other parts of the respiratory system (PMR=216), other and unspecified sites (PMR=125). Elevated PMRs were also found for other diseases of the blood and blood forming organs (PMR=201), emphysema (PMR=133), asbestosis (PMR=554) and other respiratory diseases (PMR=119). Results are consistent with those of previous studies. (103551)
CIS 04-583 Factors contributing to construction injury at Denver International Airport. Glazner J., Bondy J., Lezotte D.C., Lipscomb H., Guarini K., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Jan. 2005, Vol.47, No.1, p.27-36. 21 ref. (In English) Internet: In this study of injuries during the construction of Denver International Airport, over 4000 injury reports were linked with a workers' compensation (WC) database. Patterns of contributing factors varied according to injury mechanism and type of work. Environmental factors contributed more than any other factor to slip/trip injuries, and building materials contributed to more than 40% of injuries to workers in carpentry, concrete construction, glass installation and roofing. Rates at which factors contributed to injury also varied among types of work: environmental factors contributed at relatively high rates to injuries in glass installation, metal/steel installation and iron/steel erection ≥2 stories, and victim factors contributed at high rates to conduit construction and metal/steel installation injuries. The cost of workers' compensation varied widely, ranging from USD 0.53 to USD 3.08 per 100 USD of payroll. (103552)
CIS 04-584 Occupational safety and health protection on building and civil engineering sites. (French: Sécurité et protection de la santé sur les chantiers de bâtiment et de travaux publics) Le Roy A., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 2nd Quarter 2004, No.195, p.63-88. (In French) Internet: This note presents an overview of the legislative and legal provisions applicable to building and civil engineering site operations in which different enterprises or self-employed craftsmen are simultaneously or successively involved. The texts are also reproduced in their entirety. They concern in particular: the co-ordination task with respect to safety and health protection on building sites during the design, study or planning of a project or during the construction phase itself; the job of coordinators, the means at their disposal and their training; the general plan for the coordination of safety and health protection; the specific health and safety protection plan; requirements with respect to inter-enterprise safety and health coordination for large building and construction sites. (103664)
CIS 04-585 Non-fatal occupational injuries related to slips, trips and falls in seafaring. Jensen O.C., Sørensen J.F.L., Canals M.L., Hu Y., Nikolic N., Mozer A.A., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 2005, Vol.47, No.2, p.161-171. Illus. 28 ref. (In English) Internet: The aim of this study was to describe the risk factors involved in slip, trip and fall (STF) injuries in merchant seafaring, in order to point out areas for prevention. A questionnaire survey was carried out in 11 countries with 6461 participants. The seafarers provided information on whether they were injured during their latest tour of duty, and whether the injury was STF-related. Of the total reported injuries, 467 (43%) were STF-related. Fractures and sprains accounted for 42% of the STF injuries compared with 17% for non-STF injuries. The proportions of STF injuries for different types of ships and areas of the ships varied from <30% to >60%. On passenger ship decks, STF injuries were >60%. The proportions of STF injuries increase by age and by severity of the injury. There is a need for improvements in defining, reporting and preventing STF injuries in merchant seafaring. (103559)
CIS 04-586 Mortality in workers in poultry slaughtering/processing plants: The Missouri poultry cohort study. Netto G.F., Johnson E.S., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.784-788. 10 ref. (In English) Internet: Subjects who work in poultry slaughtering and processing plants have one of the highest human exposures to viruses that cause cancer in chickens and turkeys. It is not known whether these viruses cause cancer in humans also. Epidemiological studies investigating this issue are scarce. Therefore mortality was studied during the period 1969-90 in a cohort of 7700 subjects who worked in poultry slaughtering and processing plants and were members of a local poultry union in the State of Missouri. Statistically significant excess risks of non-malignant respiratory diseases and symptoms, senility and ill-defined conditions, and increased but not statistically significant excesses for some cancers were observed in particular race/sex groups. Most of these results were based on small numbers of deaths, and in many cases were evident only in particular subgroups of the cohort. The cohort being young, with only 6% deceased at the end of follow up, further follow up of this cohort is required before a reliable assessment of the potential risk associated with viruses from chicken and turkey can be made. (103549)
CIS 04-587 Study of the hygienic properties of acoustic panels. (French: Etude des qualités hygiéniques des panneaux acoustiques) Boissier M., Ritoux S., Robine E., Vernois G., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 2nd Quarter 2004, No.195, p.31-38. Illus. 14 ref. (In French) Internet: Workers in the food industry are often exposed to high levels of noise that can cause occupational hearing loss. Panels made from porous materials is one way to reduce noise in these workshops; however, their use is often incompatible with hygiene constraints. Manufacturers of acoustic materials are now supplying panels made up of rockwool enclosed in a sealed polyvinyl fluoride film for use in the food sector. The aim of this project was to assess the hygienic qualities of these materials by comparing them to two other materials widely used in this sector, namely glass and extruded ceramics. The tests encompassed cleanability, monitoring bacterial contamination over time, and ageing from repeated high-pressure cleaning operations. Overall, the results are satisfactory, allowing the use of these panels in the food industry. (103662)
CIS 04-588 Evaluation and prevention of hazards in hairdressing salons. (French: Evaluation et prévention des risques dans les salons de coiffure) Bruneteau A., Bechmann L., Picot P., Jego S., Maillard A., Delaporte L., Durand C., D'Aguanno M., Houitte A., Dubreil M., Rouxel-Blechet C., Muller S., Bouvet F., Feaugas V., Gardey M., Jouffe E., Roquentin A., Debry N., Le Guilcher M.F., Pierre M.H., Tortellier L., Verger C., Lafon D., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 3rd Quarter 2004, No.99, p.315-349. Illus. 97 ref. (In French) Internet: A study on the evaluation and the prevention of occupational hazards in hairdressing salons, based on a literature survey and visits of 22 salons, is presented. The hairdressing sector is described in a first part, followed by a description of the job of hairdresser aimed at occupational physicians. The various hazards faced by hairdressers (chemical hazards, risks of musculoskeletal diseases and biological hazards) are presented. The final section provides advice for the prevention of these hazards. A guide aimed at helping occupational physicians carry out on-site hazard evaluations is included in the form of an appendix. (103513)
CIS 04-589 Correlation between chemical-safety knowledge and personal attitudes among Taiwanese hairdressing students. Wong R.H., Chien H.L., Luh D.L., Lin W.H., Wang Y.C., Cho C.Y., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Jan. 2005, Vol.47, No.1, p.45-53. 21 ref. (In English) Internet: In this survey on the awareness concerning chemical safety and precautionary practices among student hairdressers, 163 students from two vocational schools completed a questionnaire and a 60-min structured interview. Significant relationships were found between knowledge concerning chemical safety and precautionary practices on one hand, and safe behaviour and working practices on the other hand. The study's findings support the need to promote primary prevention of potential hazardous chemical exposure among hairdressers by means of appropriate education and training with regard to safety measures necessary for the safe handling of the chemicals present at the place of work. (103553)
CIS 04-590 Health care restructuring, work environment and health of nurses. Bourbonnais R., Brisson C., Malenfant R., Vézina M., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Jan. 2005, Vol.47, No.1, p.54-64. 58 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the psychosocial work environment and health of nurses in Quebec which has undergone significant restructuring in the past 15 years. It involved 2006 nurses from 16 health centers and a reference population of 2636 women employed in other occupations. They were given a questionnaire on work characteristics, psychological demands, decision latitude and social support at work from Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire, as well as on organizational changes and their state of health. Prevalence ratios and binomial regression were used to examine the associations between current work characteristics, changes and psychological distress. A considerable increase in the prevalence of psychological distress and adverse psychosocial work factors was found in comparison to the prevalence reported by a comparable group of nurses in 1994. These adverse factors were also more prevalent among nurses than among other Quebec working women. (103554)
CIS 04-591 Recommendations for hairdressing work. (French: Recommandations pour les métiers de la coiffure) Crestois M., Lambert S., Muqa M.F., Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle, 2003, Vol.43, No.2, p.153-155. (In French) Internet: Working as a hairdresser involves the risk of exposures, mainly to the hands (skin diseases due to exposure to chemicals, injuries), the back and the legs (musculoskeletal disorders resulting from work postures). This article contains guidance for hairdressers in the areas of hygiene, ergonomics and avoiding accidents. (103716)
CIS 04-592 Occupational accidents and the cost of temporary incapacitation among primary care workers in a health region. (Spanish: Accidentes de trabajo y coste de la incapacidad temporal del personal de atención primaria de un área de salud) Ferreras de la Fuente A.M., González Celador R., Terleira Borja M., Sáenz González M.C., Medicina y seguridad del trabajo, 1998, Vol.XLV, No.178, p.25-34. Illus. 24 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of occupational accidents resulting in absenteeism among health care workers in the region of Salamanca and to estimate the resulting cost of temporary incapacitation. 41 occupational accidents involving work incapacitation occurring between 1993 and 1997 were examined, including eight that may be considered very serious accidents. The most frequent injuries were sprains, followed by rib fractures and multiple injuries. Nine accidents were due to trips or strikes by a vehicle. The average incidence rate was 8.76 accidents per 1000 workers, and the average duration of incapacitation 92.57 days. The average cost of accident absenteeism was ESP 961,389. (103739)
CIS 04-593 Visual display units. (Spanish: Pantallas de visualización de datos) Hernández Manso J., ed., Medicina y seguridad del trabajo, 1999, Vol.XLVI, No.181-182, p.i-vi; 3-259 (whole issue). Illus. Bibl.ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This issue is devoted to the prevention of hazards related to working at screens. A first part presents the regulatory framework: Council Directive 90/270/EEC on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment; Royal Decree 488/1997 concerning the assessment and prevention of hazards from using equipment with visual display units (CIS 99-684) and the health surveillance Protocol applicable to visual display units. Articles cover various aspects related to visual display units: hazard evaluation among employees of public administrations; health surveillance protocol for hospital workers; integrating ergonomics in office work; computer vision syndrome; integrated management of musculoskeletal hazards; measurement variations in the contrast threshold during extended periods of work. UNE and ISO standards on visual display units are listed, and 94 literature references from the CIS database are included, together with 43 references drawn from HSELINE, 4 from MEDLINE and 3 from NIOSHTIC. (103740)
CIS 04-594 Act on the Employment of Temporary Workers. Are changes necessary?. (Polish: Ustawa o zatrudnianiu pracowników tymczasowych - czy zmiany są konieczne?) Dörre-Nowak D., Koczur S., Monitor Prawa Pracy, Jan. 2005, No.1, p.350-355. 21 ref. (In Polish) Internet: Analysis of selected aspects of the Polish Act on the Employment of Temporary Workers of 9 July 2003 and of a draft directive regarding the working conditions of temporary workers. The perceived drawbacks of the solutions adopted in the Act are listed. It is claimed that some of the key problems faced by temporary workers have not been tackled. (103603)
CIS 04-595 Rights and duties of interim work agencies and of employers considering an interim employee. (Polish: Prawa i obowiązki agencji pracy tymczasowej i pracodawcy użytkownika wobec pracownika tymczasowego) Chobot A., Pachciarek K., Praca i Zabezpieczenie Społeczne, Jan. 2005, No.1, p.23-29. 11 ref. (In Polish) Internet: The article discusses the Polish Act on the Employment of Temporary Workers of 9 July 2003. The obligations of temporary work agencies and of the employer towards temporary employees are listed. Attention is drawn to the division of certain rights and duties between agencies and employers. (103605)
CIS 04-596 Ageing, state of health and work: Current situation and possibilities. (French: Vieillissement, santé, travail: état des lieux et perspectives de prévention) Kreutz G., Vallet P., Gilles M., Meyer J.P., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2004, No.97, p.69-75. 56 ref. (In French) Internet: This article discusses the relationships between ageing, state of health and work. Contents: definitions of ageing; demographic data; effects of ageing on functional capacity; constraints for older workers (physical workload, shift work); social perceptions of age and ageing; experience of older workers; managing an ageing workforce within the enterprise. (103667)
CIS 04-597 Outcomes in work-related injuries: A comparison of older and younger workers. Pransky G.S., Benjamin K.L., Savageau J.A., Currivan D., Fletcher K., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 2005, Vol.47, No.2, p.104-112. 41 ref. (In English) Internet: There is little detailed research on age-related differences in work outcomes after an occupational injury. A self-report survey on occupational, health, financial and related factors was administered two to eight weeks post-injury to workers in the US state of New Hampshire aged under and above 55 who had faced lost time due to an occupational injury. Despite more severe injuries in older workers, most outcomes were similar in both age groups. In multivariate models, age was unrelated or inversely related to poor outcomes. Older workers appear to fare better than younger workers after a work injury. The relative advantage of older workers may be due to longer workplace experience and the healthy worker effect. (103556)
CIS 04-598 Collective work agreement - Safety, health and the working environment. (Portuguese: Contrato coletivo de trabalho - Saúde, segurança e meio ambiente no trabalho) Confederação nacional dos metalúrgicos da Central única dos trabalhadores (CNM/CUT), Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, 2002. 30p. Illus. 7 ref. (In Portuguese) Internet: This document consists of a draft national collective agreement proposed by the federation of Brazilian trade unions of the metalworking sector. It is specifically focussed on negotiating aspects of safety, health and the working environment. It presents the possible structure of a collective agreement negotiated at the national level, which includes provisions that take into account regional differences and makes allowance for specific agreements to be negotiated at the enterprise level. (103748)
CIS 04-599 Report of National Seminar on Safety and Health for Home-based Workers in Thailand. ILO/FINNIDA Asian-Pacific Regional Programme on Occupational Safety and Health (ASIAOSH), ILO East Asia Mutlidisciplinary Advisory Team (EASMA) and Bangkok Area Office (BAO), ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2001. 27p. (In English) This seminar, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 23-24 April 2001 formed part of the ongoing cooperation between the Thai government, home workers' organizations in Thailand and the ILO to improve labour protection for all workers, including large but difficult-to-reach groups, such as workers in the informal sector. The purpose of the seminar was to contribute to improved safety and health for home-based workers in Thailand through policy development and coordinated action by governmental and non governmental organizations. The output of the seminar was a coordinated plan of action on occupational safety and health for home-based workers' by the government of Thailand and home workers organizations ready for field implementation. (103566)
CIS 04-600 Management of noise in construction. (Czech: Boj proti hluku ve stavebnictví; Danish: Håndtering af støj i bygge- og anlægssektoren; Dutch: Lawaai in de bouwsector; Estonian: Müra vähendamine ehitustöödel; Finnish: Melun hallinta rakennustoiminnassa; French: La gestion du bruit dans la construction; German: Lärmmanagement im Bausektor; Greek: Meíōsē (éleghos) tou thorúbou ston kládo tōn kataskeuôn; Hungarian: Zajszabályozás az építőiparban; Italian: Gestione del rumore nell'edilizia; Latvian: Trokšņa ierobežošana būvniecībā; Lithuanian: Triukšmo statyboje reguliavimas; Maltese: L-immaniġġjar ta'l-istorbju fil-kostruzzjoni; Polish: Kontrola hałasu w budownictwie; Portuguese: Gestão do ruído no sector da construção; Slovak: Riadenie hluku pri stavebnej činnosti; Slovenian: Obvladovanje hrupa v gradbeništvu; Spanish: La gestión del ruido en el sector de la construcción; Swedish: Hantering av buller vid byggnadsarbete) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 2p. Illus. 5 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Exposure to loud noise at work can cause irreversible hearing damage, workplace accidents and be a contributing factor to other health problems. This fact sheet provides an introduction to the management of noise in construction both before and during work on a site. Contents: noise in construction; managing noise before and during work on the site; assessment; collective control measures; personal hearing protection; training; health surveillance and monitoring. (103536)
CIS 04-601 Proctective gloves in the health care sector. (French: Gants de protection pour les métiers de santé) Balty I., Travail et sécurité, May 2004, No.640, insert 4p. Illus. 5 ref. (In French) Internet: In health care settings, using gloves that are suited to the task contributes to the safety of both health care staff and their patients. Consequently, one needs to understand the advantages and limitations of the various types of gloves and their constituent materials. This practical safety information sheet presents the regulations and standards that apply to protective gloves, together with good practices for their use. Contents: types of gloves; efficiency of gloves with respect to protecting against biological hazards; good practices in the use of gloves. In boxes: materials used in glove manufacture; prevention of allergies; regulations and standards. (103626)
CIS 04-602 Personal flotation devices. (French: Equipements individuels de flottaison) Le Brech A., Feller E., Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, July-Aug. 2004, No.642. 4p. Illus. (In French) Internet: Personal floatation devices (PFDs) are mainly used in leisure activities. This makes the choice of PDFs for occupational safety particularly difficult given the wide variety of models available. This safety information sheet provides guidance for purchasers or users on the selection of the most suitable PFD. Contents: hazards in aquatic environments and precautions to be taken; description of the various types of PFDs (life jackets or vests with permanent buoyancy, inflatable jackets); selection criteria; use, maintenance and checks; relevant regulations; standards on PFDs; information that must appear on the PFD. (103683)
CIS 04-603 Risk assessment for small fishing vessels. (Danish: Risikovurdering af små fiskerfartøjer; Dutch: Risicoanalyse voor kleine vissersvaartuigen; Estonian: Väikeste kalalaevade riskianalüüs; Finnish: Riskiarvio pieniä kalastusaluksia varten; French: Evaluation des risques pour les petits bateaux de pêche; German: Risikobewertung für kleine Fischereifahrzeuge; Greek: Ektímēsē tōn kindúnōn gia ta mikrá alieutiká skáfē; Italian: Valutazione dei rischi per le piccole imbarcazioni da pesca/; Portuguese: Avaliação de riscos para pequenos navios de pesca; Slovak: Posudzovanie rizika malých rybárskych lodí; Spanish: Evaluación de riesgos para pequeñas embarcaciones de pesca; Swedish: Riskbedömning av små fiskebåtar) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 4p. Illus. 5 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Fishing is among the most dangerous occupations. Risks of accidents are 2.4 times higher than the all-sector European Union average. Strenuous working conditions coupled with long and irregular work schedules increase the scope, the likelihood and the severity of occupational accidents and diseases. By means of a hazard evaluation and preventive measures, the objective of this fact sheet is to help persons responsible for occupational safety and health achieve a reduction in the hazards faced by workers in this dangerous sector of activity. Contents: legislation; hazard evaluation; information, education and training; causes of accidents on small fishing boats; health hazards on small fishing boats; hazard evaluation check list; presentation of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work website devoted to good practices in the fisheries sector. (103524)
CIS 04-604 Tractors. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC), GPO Box 58, Sydney NSW 2001, Australia, [c2002]. 6p. Illus. 4 ref. (In English) Internet: A total of 144 persons died in work-related incidents involving tractors between 1989 and 1992 in Australia. This fact sheet summarizes the data in a report on work-related fatalities involving tractors during this period and describes several cases of accidents. Statistics are provided by age group, occupation, industry, type of incident, location, activity, causal agent, pathophysiological cause of death and contributing factors. Most common features of the incidents are: rollovers, run overs, falls, strikes by a falling object and being caught in machinery. (103541)
CIS 04-605 Accident prevention in the construction sector. (Danish: Forebyggelse af ulykker i bygge- og anlægsbranchen; Dutch: Ongevallenpreventie in de bouwnijverheid; Finnish: Tapaturmien torjunta rakennusalalla; French: Prévention des accidents dans le secteur de la construction; German: Unfallverhütung im Bausektor; Greek: Prólēpsē atuhēmátōn ston kládo tōn kataskeuôn; Italian: Prevenzione infortuni nel settore dell'edilizia; Polish: Zapobieganie wypadkom w budownictwie; Portuguese: Prevenção de acidentes no sector da construção; Spanish: Prevención de accidentes en el sector de la construcción; Swedish: Förebyggande av olyckor inom byggnadssektorn) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 6 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: In the European Union, construction is the sector most at risk of accidents, with more than 1300 workers being killed in construction accidents every year. Worldwide, construction workers are three times more likely to be killed and twice as likely to be injured as workers in other occupations. The cost of these accidents is immense to the workers, to employers and to society in general. More than 99% of the construction firms in Europe are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are therefore most affected by construction accidents. Contents of this fact sheet aimed at construction enterprises: labour inspection; responsibilities; hazard evaluation; practical prevention; moving loads; housekeeping and safe areas; training and information; personal protective equipment. (103522)
CIS 04-606 Health and safety on small construction sites. (Czech: Ochrana zdraví a bezpečnost na malých staveništích; Danish: Arbejdsmiljø på små byggepladser; Dutch: Veiligheid en gezondheid op kleine bouwplaatsen; Estonian: Töötervishoid ja tööohutus väikestel ehitusplatsidel; Finnish: Työterveys ja -turvallisuus pienillä rakennustyömailla; French: Santé et sécurité sur les chantiers de petite taille; German: Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz auf Kleinbaustellen; Greek: Ugeía kai asfáleia se mikrá ergotáxia; Hungarian: Egészségvédelem és biztonság a kisebb építkezéseken; Italian: La salute e la sicurezza nei cantieri di piccole dimensioni; Latvian: Darba aizsardzības organizēšana nelielos būvlaukumos; Lithuanian: Sveikata ir sauga mažose statybvietēse; Maltese: Saħħa u sigurtà fuq siti żgħar ta'kostruzzjoni; Polish: Bezpieczeństwo i higiena pracy na małych placach budowy; Portuguese: Saúde e segurança em estaleiros da construção de pequenas dimensões; Slovak: Zdravie a bezpečnost' pri práci na malých stavbách; Slovenian: Zdravje in varnost na manjših gradbiščih; Spanish: La salud y la seguridad en las obras de construcción menores; Swedish: Hälsa och säkerhet på små byggarbetsplatser) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 2p. Illus. 2 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Close to 13 workers per 100,000 are killed each year in construction accidents, as against five per 100,000 in the all-sector average. Construction work also exposes workers to a wide range of health problems including asbestosis, back pain, hand-arm vibration syndrome and cement burns. This fact sheet gives basic advice on health and safety in construction. (103534)
CIS 04-607 Asbestos in construction. (Czech: Azbest ve stavebnictví; Danish: Asbest i bygge- og anlægssektoren; Dutch: Asbest in de bouw; Estonian: Asbest ehitustöödel; Finnish: Asbesti rakennuksissa; French: L'amiante dans le secteur de la construction; German: Asbest im Bausektor; Greek: O amíantos stis kataskeués; Hungarian: Azbeszt az építőiparban; Italian: L'amianto nell'edilizia; Latvian: Azbests būvniecībā; Lithuanian: Asbestas statyboje; Maltese: Trab ta'l-asbestos; Polish: Azbest w budownictwie; Portuguese: O amianto na construção civil; Slovak: Azbest v stavebníctve; Slovenian: Azbest v gradbeništvu; Spanish: El amianto en la construcción; Swedish: Asbest vid byggnation) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 2p. Illus. 5 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: All construction, maintenance and cleaning workers are potentially at risk from exposure to asbestos. This fact sheet explains what asbestos is, its health effects, who is at risk, and where it may be found. It provides some examples of good practices. It does not cover asbestos removal operations. (103537)
CIS 04-608 Reference manual on the construction industry - Prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in the construction industry. (French: Aide-mémoire BTP - Prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles dans le bâtiment et les travaux publics) Voisin J.C., Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, 2nd ed., 2004. 131p. Illus. Index. Price: EUR 12.00. Downloadable version free of charge. (In French) Internet: The objective of this reference manual on the construction industry is to help facilitate communications on construction sites between all parties (building owners, prime contractors, coordinators and enterprises of all sizes and sectors of activity) and to provide a common set of occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines. Takes into account the Law of 31 December 1993 on temporary and mobile building sites. Contents: general organization of OSH (regulations, OSH institutions, responsibilities); safety and health organization within the enterprise (responsibilities, OSH institutions, work contracts, personal equipment, penalties); technical prevention (building site organization, equipment, harmful exposures, hygiene and first aid). Replaces CIS 96-719. (103615)
CIS 04-609 Safety during work on existing structures undergoing extensive renovation. (French: Sécurité dans les travaux sur existants pour les travaux de réhabilitation, lourde ou exceptionnelle) Travail et sécurité, Jan. 2004, No.636, fascicule II, p.3-10. Illus. (In French) Internet: This technical note applies to the preparation of building sites for work on existing structures which may present hazards to workers' safety and health due to the poor stability of the structures or foundations, the nature of the substances that can be encountered and the work methods used, as well as to the water, gas and electricity networks. Contents: scope; establishing the initial report on the state of the structure; prevention principle; preventive measures; special case of tenders from government bodies. A table presents ten examples of situations giving rise to serious accidents, some fatal, together with the recommended preventive measures. (103633)
CIS 04-610 A hidden occupational hazard: Airborne dust in the textile industry. Ferraris F., Zettel M., International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, rue Joseph Stevens 8, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium, 2004. 16p. Illus. (In English) Internet: Aimed at workers' representatives, this booklet provides guidance on the prevention of dust hazards in the textile industry, together with details of the most common illnesses caused by dust in the form of answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs). It also mentions fire hazards as being one of the worst threats faced by workers in the sector. (103563)
CIS 04-611 Management of occupational safety and health in the education sector. (Danish: Arbejdsmiljøledelse inden for uddannelsessektoren; Dutch: Organisatie van veiligheid en gezondheid in het onderwijs; Estonian: Tööohutuse ja töötervishoiu juhtimine haridussektoris; Finnish: Työturvallisuuden ja työterveyden hallinta opetusalalla; French: Gestion de la sécurité et de la santé au travail dans le secteur de l'enseignement; German: Management von Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Arbeit im Bildungssektor; Greek: Diaheírisē tēs epaggelmatikês asfáleias kai ugeías ston kládo tēs ekpaídeusēs; Italian: Gestione di sicurezza e salute nel settore dell'istruzione; Polish: Zarządzanie bezpieczeństwem i zdrowiem w pracy w sektorze edukacji; Portuguese: Gestão da segurança e da saúde no trabalho no sector da educação; Slovenian: Upravljanje varnosti in zdravja pri delu v šolstvu; Spanish: La gestión de la seguridad y la salud laborales en el sector de la enseñanza; Swedish: Arbetsmiljöledning i utbildningssektorn) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 14 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Risks to health and safety in education may affect not only employees, but also pupils, students, and visitors. This fact sheet is aimed at all persons involved in the process of managing occupational safety and health, including head teachers, teaching and other school staff, health and safety representatives, and relevant external safety and health services. It is intended for workplaces where teaching is performed, from kindergartens to university. (103531)
CIS 04-612 Occupational safety and health in the education sector. (Danish: Arbejdsmiljø inden for uddannelsessektoren; Dutch: Veiligheid en gezondheid in het onderwijs; Estonian: Tööohutus ja töötervishoid haridussektoris; Finnish: Opetusalan työturvallisuus ja työterveys; French: Sécurité et santé au travail dans le secteur de l'enseignement; German: Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Arbeit im Bildungssektor; Greek: Ē epaggelmatikê asfáleia kai ugeía ston kládo tēs ekpaídeusēs; Italian: Sicurezza e salute nel settore dell'istruzione; Polish: Bezpieczeństwo i zdrowie w pracy w sektorze edukacji; Portuguese: A saúde e a segurança no trabalho no sector da educação; Slovenian: Varnost in zdravje pri delu v šolstvu; Spanish: La seguridad y la salud laborales en el sector de la enseñanza; Swedish: Arbetsmiljön i utbildningssektorn) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. 16 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Educational institutions can have the same hazards as any other workplace. However, the educational workplace is shared with students or pupils. These persons are also vulnerable, being young, inexperienced, and often ignorant of safety and health hazards. They can also be a hazard in themselves. Contents of this fact sheet on occupational safety and health in educational institutions: safety and health management; safe working environments; slips and trips; maintenance; fire and emergency planning; health and safety in laboratories and workshops; musculoskeletal disorders; stress; violence; bullying. (103532)
CIS 04-613 Prevention of violence to staff in the education sector. (Danish: Arbejdsmiljøledelse inden for uddannelsessektoren; Dutch: Preventie van agressie tegen school- en onderwijspersoneel; Estonian: Personalivastase vägivalla ärahoidmine haridussektoris; Finnish: Henkilökuntaan kohdistuvan väkivallan ehkäiseminen opetusalalla; French: Prévention de la violence exercée contre le personnel du secteur de l'enseignement; German: Verhütung von Gewalt gegen Beschäftigte im Bildungssektor; Greek: Prólēpsē tēs bías enantíou tou prosōpikoú pou ergázetai ston kládo tēs ekpaídeusēs; Italian: Prevenzione della violenza sul personale nel settore dell'istruzione; Polish: Zapobieganie przemocy wobec personelu w sektorze edukacji; Portuguese: Prevenção da violência contra o pessoal no sector da educação; Slovenian: Preprečevanje nasilja do zaposlenih v šolstvu; Spanish: Prevención de la violencia contra el personal del sector de la enseñanza; Swedish: Förebyggande av våld mot personal inom utbildningssektorn) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 16 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Violence in schools and other educational establishments is causing increasing concern. Results from an European Union survey in 2000 show that 4% of employees have been subjected to violence at work (from inside or outside the workplace), and, in addition, 12% of workers in educational institutions reported having been subjected to intimidation. This fact sheet provides practical guidance to employers and workers in the education sector on dealing with this issue. Bullying and harassment from work colleagues are not addressed in this fact sheet. (103533)
CIS 04-614 Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into education: Good practice in school and vocational education. (Czech: Integrace bezpečnosti a ochrany zdraví při práci do vzdělávání - Správná praxe ve školách a při odborném vzdělávání; Danish: Integrering af arbejdsmiljø på uddannelsesområdet - God praksis inden for skole- og erhvervsuddannelse; Dutch: Integratie ("mainstreaming") van veiligheid en gezondheid op het werk in het onderwijs - Goede praktijken op school en in de beroepsopleiding; Estonian: Tööohutuse ja töötervishoiu süvalaiendamine hariduses - Hea tava koolis ja kutsehariduses; Finnish: Työterveyden ja työturvallisuuden integrointi kouluopetukseen - Hyvät käytännöt koulu- ja ammattiopetuksessa; French: Intégration de la sécurité et de la santé au travail dans l'éducation - Bonnes pratiques à l'école et dans l'enseignement professionnel; German: Integration des Themas Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Arbeit in die Bildung - Gute praktische Lösungen in Schule und Berufsausbildung; Greek: Ensōmátōsē tōn themátōn pou aforoún tēn epaggelmatikê asfáleia kai ugeía stēn ekpaídeusē - Kalê praktikê stē genikê kai epaggelmatikê ekpaídesusē; Hungarian: A munkahelyi biztonság és egészségvédelem beépítése az oktatásba - A helyes gyakorlat az iskolai és a szakmai oktatásban; Italian: Integrazione della sicurezza e salute sul lavoro nell'istruzione - Buone pratiche di formazione scolastica e professionale; Latvian: Darba drošības un veselības aizsardzības iekļaušana izglītībā - Labā prakse vispārīgajā un arodizglītībā; Lithuanian: Darbuotojų saugos ir sveikatos klausimų integravimas į švietimą - Gera praktika mokyklose ir profesiniame mokyme; Maltese: L-Integrazzjoni tas-saħħa u tas-sigurtà fuq il-post tax-xogħol fl-edukazzjoni - Prattika tajba fl-iskola u fl-edukazzjoni vokazzjonali; Polish: Włączanie problematyki bezpieczeństwa i ochrony zdrowia w pracy do programów nauczania - Dobra praktyka w szkołach i szkolnictwie zawodowym; Portuguese: Integração sistemática da segurança e da saúde no trabalho na educação - Boas práticas na escola e na formação profissional; Slovak: Široké zavádzanie bezpečnosti a ochrany zdravia do vzdelávania - Dobrá prax v škole a v odbornom vzdelávaní; Slovenian: Vključevanje varnosti in zdravja pri delu v izobraževanje - Dobra praksa v šolah in pri poklicnem izobraževanju; Spanish: La integración de la seguridad y la salud laboral en la educación - Buenas prácticas en la educación y la formación profesional; Swedish: Integrering av arbetsmiljöfrågor i utbildningen - Goda exempel inom utbildning och yrkesutbildning) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 2p. Illus. 3 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: The European Union's strategy on health and safety at work has identified education and the safety culture as key factors for maintaining and improving the quality of work. Supporting this strategy, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has published a report entitled "Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into education: Good practice in school and vocational education", which provides a comprehensive overview of good practice examples throughout Europe and outlines steps toward a systematic strategy to integrate occupational safety and health (OSH) into education and training. This fact sheet summarizes the report. (103538)
CIS 04-615 Salespersons in large retail chain settings. (French: Le commercial en relation avec la grande distribution) Burel A., Codron R., Derieux N., Rosier M., Trimbach M., Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle, 2003, Vol.43, No.2, 2p. (Insert). (In French) Internet: Contents of this occupational information sheet on sales personnel responsible for the promotion of branded products in hypermarket or supermarket chains: definition; characteristics of the occupation; description of activities (work locations, tools and equipment, products and materials used, body movements and postures); risks and stresses of the job (related to the environment, equipment, working hours and physical and mental workload); occupational diseases (osteoarticular diseases, accidents); prevention; regulations applicable in France. (103717)
CIS 04-616 Shotblasting. (French: Le grenaillage) Mercier A., Courtois B., Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, 2004. 4p. Illus. Price: EUR 1.50. Downloadable version free of charge. (In French) Internet: Free jet shotblasting is a widespread industrial process used to obtain a specific type of surface. It requires the presence of an operator who needs to be equipped with full set of protective gear against dust and other dangerous flying particles. This information sheet provides an overview of the various hazards encountered during free jet shotblasting, followed by proposed protective measures and threshold limit values for some of the substances encountered in this work environment. (103519)
CIS 04-617 Improving occupational safety and health in SMEs: Examples of effective assistance - Summary of an Agency report. (Danish: Forbedring af arbejdsmiljøet i SMV¿erne: eksempler på effektiv bistand; Dutch: Verbetering van de veiligheid en de gezondheid op het werk in het MKB: voorbeelden van effectieve steun; Estonian: Töötervishoiu- ja tööohutuse alase olukorra parandamine väikestes ja keskmise suurusega ettevõtetes: näited tõhusa abi kohta; Finnish: Työturvallisuuden ja -terveyden parantaminen pk-yrityksissä: esimerkkejä tehokkaasta tuesta; French: L'amélioration de la sécurité et de la santé au travail dans les PME: exemples d'assistance efficace - Synthèse d'un rapport de l'Agence; German: Beispiele für die wirksame Unterstützung von KMU zur Verbesserung von Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Arbeit; Greek: Beltíōsē tēs epaggelmatikês asfáleias kai ugeías stis mikromesaíes epiheirêseis: paradeígmata apotelesmatikês upostêrixēs; Italian: Il miglioramento della sicurezza e della salute sul lavoro nelle PMI: esempi di assistenza efficace; Polish: Poprawa bezpieczeństwa i higieny pracy w MŚP: przykłady skutecznej pomocy; Portuguese: Melhorar a segurança e a saúde no trabalho nas PME: exemplos de apoio eficaz; Slovak: Zlepšovanie bezpečnosti a ochrany zdravia pri prác v malých a stredne vel'kých podnikoch: príklady účinnej pomoci; Spanish: La mejora de la seguridad y la salud laborales en las PYME: ejemplos de asistencia eficaz - Resumen del informe de la Agencia; Swedish: Förbättring av arbetsmiljön i små och medelstora företag - exempel på effektivt stöd) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 2 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are important contributors to European competitiveness, with most new jobs in Europe being created by micro-enterprises with up to six employees. However, they also face particular difficulties including effective management of safety and health and Member States have set up measures to assist entrepreneurship. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has carried out several important projects to improve occupational safety and health in SMEs, including special funding schemes of good safety and health practice in SMEs initiated by the European Parliament and the European Commission. As part of these efforts the Agency has also made a study of practical examples of successful occupational safety and health assistance services to SMEs, a summary of which is presented in this fact sheet. (103523)
CIS 04-618 Gender issues in safety and health at work - Summary of an Agency report. (Danish: Kønsaspekter inden for sikkerhed og sundhed på arbejdspladsen; Dutch: Genderthema's in samenhang met veiligheid en gezondheid op het werk; Estonian: Töötervishoiu ja tööohutuse soolised aspektid; French: Problématique de la dimension de genre dans la sécurité et la santé au travail - Résumé d'un rapport de l'Agence; German: Geschlechtsspezifische Fragen im Zusammenhang mit Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei der Arbeit; Greek: Thémata shetiká me to fúlo ston toméa tēs asfáleias kai tēs ugeías stēn ergasía; Italian: Problematiche legate al genere nel campo della sicurezza e salute sul lavoro; Polish: Zagadnienie płci w obszarze bezpieczeństwa i higieny pracy; Portuguese: Problemática do género na segurança e saúde no trabalho; Slovak: Otázky rodovej rovnosti pri bezpečnosti a ochrane zdravia pri práci; Spanish: Las cuestiones de genero en relación con la seguridad y la salud en el trabajo - Resumen de un informe de la Agencia; Swedish: Genus och arbetsmiljö) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 4 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: There are substantial differences in the working lives of women and men and this affects their occupational safety and health. The Community strategy on health and safety at work has mainstreaming, or integrating, gender into occupational safety and health activities as an objective. To support this, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has produced a report examining gender differences in workplace injury and illness, gaps in knowledge and their implications for improving risk prevention. This fact sheet consists of a summary of the report. (103528)
CIS 04-619 Including gender issues in risk assessment. (Danish: Inddragelse af kønsaspekter i risikovurderinger; Dutch: Genderdimensie in de risicoanalyse; Estonian: Sooliste aspektide lülitamine riskianalüüsi; French: Intégrer les questions de genre dans l'évaluation des risques; German: Die Berücksichtigung des Geschlechteraspekts bei der Risikoanalyse; Greek: Éntaxē tēs diástasēs tou fúlou stēn ektímēsē kindúnōn; Italian: Inserire le problematiche legate al genere nella valutazione dei rischi; Polish: Płeć pracowników a ocena zagrożeń; Portuguese: Integrar a dimensão do género na avaliação dos riscos; Slovak: Zahrnutie otázok rodovej rovnosti do posudzovania rizika; Spanish: La inclusión de los aspectos de género en la evaluación de riesgos; Swedish: Att inbegripa könsrollsfrågorna i riskbedömningen) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 4 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Continuous efforts are needed to improve the working conditions of both women and men. However, taking a "gender-neutral" approach to risk assessment and prevention can result in risks to female workers being underestimated or even ignored altogether. When one considers hazards at work, one is more likely to think of men working in high-accident risk areas such as a building site or a fishing vessel than of women working in health and social care or in new areas such as call centres. A careful examination of real work circumstances shows that both women and men can face significant risks at work. It is therefore important to include gender issues in workplace risk assessments, and the mainstreaming of gender issues into risk prevention is now an objective of the European Community. This fact sheet contains a table showing examples of hazards and risks found in female-dominated work areas, and presents an approach for making hazard evaluations more gender-sensitive. (103529)
CIS 04-620 Ensuring the health and safety of workers with disabilities. (Czech: Zajištění ochrany zdraví a bezpečnosti pro pracovníky se zdravotním postižením; Danish: Sikring af sundhed og sikkerhed for arbejdstagere med handicap; Dutch: Garanderen van de veiligheid en gezondheid van werknemers met een handicap; Estonian: Puuetega töötajate töötervishoiu ja tööohutuse tagamine; Finnish: Vammaisen työntekijän terveys ja turvallisuus; French: Garantir la sécurité et la santé des travailleurs handicapés; German: Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz für Arbeitnehmer mit Behinderungen; Greek: Diasfálisē tēs ugeías kai asfáleias tōn ergazoménōn me eidikés anágkes; Hungarian: A fogyatékkal élő munkavállalók egészségvédelmének és biztonságának biztosítása; Italian: Garantire la salute e la sicurezza per i lavoratori disabili; Latvian: Strādājošo invalīdu veselības aizsardzība un drošība darbā; Lithuanian: Darbuotojų su negalia sveikatos ir saugos užtikrinimas; Polish: Zapewnianie zdrowia i bezpieczeństwa pracownikom niepełnosprawnym; Portuguese: Garantir a segurança e a saúde dos trabalhadores com deficiência; Slovak: Zabezpečenie ochrany zdravia a bezpečnosti pracovníkov so zmenenou pracovnou schopnost'ou; Slovenian: Zagotavljanje varnosti in zdravja pri delu za delavce invalide; Spanish: Garantizar la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores con discapacidad; Swedish: Garantera säkerhet och hälsa för anställda med funktionshinder) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 4p. Illus. 6 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: People with disabilities should receive equal treatment at work, including in matters regarding occupational health and safety. Health and safety should not be used as an excuse for not employing or not continuing to employ disabled people. In addition, a workplace that is accessible and safe for people with disabilities is also safer and more accessible for all employees, clients and visitors. People with disabilities are covered by both European anti-discrimination legislation and occupational health and safety legislation. This legislation, which the Member States implement in national legislation and arrangements, should be applied to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities, not to exclude them. Contents of this fact sheet on the safety and health of disabled workers: legal requirements; hazard evaluation and anti-discrimination actions; tips for providing reasonable accommodation and a safe workplace for disabled workers; training on equality. (103539)
CIS 04-621 Synergistic effect of hepatitis virus infection and occupational exposures to vinyl chloride monomer and ethylene dichloride on serum aminotransferase activity. Hsieh H.I., Wang J.D., Chen P.C., Cheng T.J., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.774-778. Illus. 25 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examines the synergistic effect of occupational chemical exposure and hepatitis virus infection on serum aminotransferase activity. A total of 568 male workers who were employed in five polyvinyl chloride and four vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) manufacturing factories were studied. Workers were classified into high, moderate and low exposure groups according to their level of exposure to chemical mixtures. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and anti-hepatitis C antibody were assayed. Hepatitis virus infection and increased body mass index were associated with abnormal serum aminotransferase activity. In workers with hepatitis virus infection, those with high exposure had a higher prevalence of abnormal AST and ALT compared to low exposure; among those without hepatitis virus infection, no significant differences of prevalence of abnormal AST and ALT were found between different chemical exposure groups. There was a significant trend of increasing risks of increased AST and ALT in moderate and high exposure groups with hepatitis virus infection. Such a synergistic effect was more prominent among HBeAg-positive workers. It is concluded that mixed exposures to 1,2-ethylene dichloride and VCM have a positive synergistic effect with hepatitis virus infection on liver damage. (103547)
CIS 04-622 Chemical safety. (Russian: Himičeskaja bezopasnost') Aitio A., Luotamo M., de Bruijn J., Prihod'ko V., Karnachev I., Nikanov A., Karpov A., Lehtinen S., Barents - Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety, 2004, Vol.7, No.3, p.55-70 (whole issue). Illus. (In English, Russian) Internet: Collection of articles on chemical safety of interest to Russia and Nordic countries. Contents: chemical safety; comment on the new REACH regulation proposed by the European Union and aimed at achieving better safety with chemicals; reduction in accident rates in a mining and chemical enterprise in the Kola peninsula in Russia; network of WHO collaborating centres in occupational health. (103589)
CIS 04-623 Comparison of olfactory detection thresholds of chemicals with safety indicators used in occupational settings. (French: Comparaison des seuils olfactifs de substances chimiques avec des indicateurs de sécurité utilisés en milieu professionnel) Falcy M., Malard S., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 1st Quarter 2005, No.198, p.7-21. Illus. 32 ref. (In French) Internet: The smell detection threshold (or olfactory acuity) of 293 chemicals was compared to a number of hazard and toxicity criteria: lower explosibility limit; lowest lethal dose and toxic dose reported in humans; permissible concentrations in workplace air. Based on the ratios between olfactory acuity and the other criteria, a general classification was made for these substances according to whether or not olfactory detection could represent a safety factor in cases of chronic or acute exposures. However, the results need to take account of individual natural or acquired variations in olfactory acuity, together with various factors relating to the occupational or environmental ambient conditions. (103617)
CIS 04-624 Irritant respiratory problems among swimming pool attendants. (French: Troubles d'irritation respiratoire chez les travailleurs des piscines) Thoumelin P., Monin E., Armandet D., Julien M.J., Massart B., Vasseur C., Pillon A.M., Zilliox M., Balducci F., Bergeret A., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2005, No.101, p.43-64. Illus. 50 ref. (In French) Internet: A survey of attendants in 59 swimming pools in the Rhône-Alpes region was carried out. Respiratory problems reported by the attendants were compared with data concerning their activity, their conditions of work, the characteristics of the equipment and levels of nitrogen trichloride measured in poolside ambient air. A campaign launched by an urban community for improving hygiene in swimming pools is also described. The campaign resulted in substantial reductions in chloramine levels in air and water, known to be responsible for ocular and respiratory airway irritation of swimming pool attendants. (103619)
CIS 04-625 Simplified methodology for chemical risk assessment: A decision-making tool. (French: Méthodologie d'évaluation simplifiée du risque chimique: un outil d'aide à la décision) Vincent R., Bonthoux F., Mallet G., Iparraguirre J.F., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 2nd Quarter 2004, No.195, p.7-30. Illus. 26 ref. (In French) Internet: Workers' protection is above all based on assessing the risks and introducing an appropriate prevention policy. The assessment of chemical risks is often difficult on account of the wide variety of products and preparations used. To assist enterprises faced with this problem, the French Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INRS), in conjunction with the National Prevention and Protection Centre (CNPP), has developed a simplified method for assessing health, safety and environmental risks involving three phases: inventory of products and materials used; hierarchy of potential hazards; hazard evaluation. The method presented in this article has been applied in several enterprises in various sectors, and the results concur with the views of experts. (103661)
CIS 04-626 Sampling and analysis of formic acid by ion chromatography - Application to the assessment of occupational exposure. (French: Prélèvement et dosage de l'acide formique par chromatographie ionique - Application à l'évaluation de l'exposition professionnelle) Oury V., Peltier A., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 2nd Quarter 2004, No.195, p.53-62. Illus. 14 ref. (In French) Internet: An alternative method for the sampling and quantitative analysis of formic acid present in workplace air has been developed. It consists of sampling on quartz fibre filters impregnated with 5% sodium carbonate at a flow rate of 0.25L/min, followed by ion chromatography with suppressor. Quick and easier to use, it can be substituted for the method recommended until now, namely sampling at 0.5L/min on a silica gel tube followed by analysis using exclusion liquid chromatography. (103663)
CIS 04-627 Laying of resin floor covering: Survey results. (French: Application des résines de sols: résultats d'enquête) Abécassis J.C., Matha F., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2004, No.97, p.77-93. (In French) Internet: This article presents the results of a survey carried out by occupational physicians in 18 enterprises specialized in resin floor covering. The objective of the survey was to highlight health hazards in this sector of activity, and in particular those related to exposure to chemicals. The resins used were mainly epoxies, but also polyurethanes, methacrylates and polyesters. Workers were also exposed to various organic solvents used as diluents or for cleaning. The occupational diseases observed were mainly asthma, eczema, silicosis and backache. (103668)
CIS 04-628 Cytotoxic drugs: Evaluation of the impact of purging intravenous lines on the exposure of nursing staff. (French: Médicaments cytotoxiques: évaluation de l'impact de la purge des lignes de perfusion sur l'exposition du personnel infirmier) Gilles L., Favier B., Lombard I., Ardiet C., Boufercha R., Catros F., Eppling I., Fourmaintraux D., Gondran C., Merle J.L., Pelletier A., Roussel A., Latour J.F., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Mar. 2004, Vol.65, No.1, p.9-17. Illus. 23 ref. (In French) Internet: Occupational exposure to cytotoxic agents is recognized as a potential hazard to health care workers. However, the level of contamination of nurses during the administration of drugs remains unknown. The objective of this study was to assess exposure of nurses to 5-fluoro-uracil (5FU) after connecting intravenous infusion bags containing this drug to the patients. Eight regional cancer treatment centres participated in the study and were distributed into two groups according to the way of purging intravenous lines: with the solvent (group A) or with the antineoplastic agent (group B). Samples were taken on nurses' gloves during drug administration. 127 samples were collected and analysed. Gloves appeared to be more often contaminated with 5FU in group B than in group A (65.6% and 34.9% respectively). Similarly, the mean amounts detected were lower in group A (1350ng) than in group B (10,800ng). These results suggest that the use of infusion sets purged with the solvent makes it possible to reduce nurses' exposure. Nevertheless, as the levels of 5FU still remain important, this study confirms the obligation to wear protective gloves during administration and to implement a quality assurance system that includes training and regular evaluation of the staff. (103711)
CIS 04-629 Study of exposure to aromatic amines in the chemical industries in Abidjan. (French: Etude de l'exposition aux amines aromatiques dans les industries chimiques à Abidjan) Tchicaya A.F., Bonny J.S., Yeboue-Kouame Y.B., Wognin S.B., Kouassi M.Y., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Mar. 2004, Vol.65, No.1, p.36-40. 17 ref. (In French) Internet: Aromatic amines are carcinogens. Prolonged exposure leads to bladder cancer. To assess the extent of this exposure, a prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among chemical industries in Abidjan. Interviews with workers were followed by job observations. Participants consisted of 362 workers (all male) of average age 34 years working in 12 companies where aromatic amines were used. Natural ventilation was the only form of ventilation in 75% of the cases. Monitoring of the working atmosphere was carried out in only 44% of the cases. Heavy nicotine addiction and urinary bilharziosis were found in 2% and 10.5% of the workers respectively. Personal protective equipment was insufficient and inadequate. Hygiene and working conditions safety committees were unknown or non operational and medical supervision was restricted to annual chest radiographs. These findings indicate the presence of bladder cancer risk and a poor enforcement of regulatory protection measures. (103713)
CIS 04-630 Degree of knowledge among pesticide spraying workers in New Caledonia: Viewpoint of the occupational health physician. (French: Le niveau de connaissance des travailleurs chargés de l'application de pesticides en Nouvelle-Calédonie: le regard du médecin du travail) Salino D., Infante-Rivard C., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, June 2003, Vol.64, No.4, p.253-264. 24 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to evaluate safety awareness among pesticide sprayers in New Caledonia. Workers known to be exposed to pesticides were invited to participate and responded to a questionnaire administered by an occupational physician. 73 questionnaires were usable. Overall safety awareness was found to be very limited. Only one third of the workers had received any training, which furthermore was very basic. Workers who had received training had a better understanding of the safety issues, but the brevity of the training was apparent. Recommendations for improving occupational hygiene are made in the light of these findings. (103722)
CIS 04-631 Evaluation of exposure to asphalt fumes during road paving. (French: Evaluation de l'exposition aux fumées de bitume lors de travaux routiers) Brossard R., Certin J.F., Gendre J.C., Calvez M.J., Koutchevsky M.A., L'Hour P., Tregoat C., Verhelst C., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, May 2003, Vol.64, No.3, p.157-164. 5 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess occupational exposure to asphalt fumes during road paving with hot mix asphalt (HMA) or asphalt cement, liquefied hot asphalt and emulsified asphalt. Eleven sites of seven companies were tested from June to September 2001. For each categoy of jobs, personal air samples were taken, and PAH, benzo(a)pyrene (BAP), pyrene and the solvent-soluble fraction, called "total fumes", were measured. Urinary hydroxypyrene was determined at the beginning and end of shifts and three hours postshift. PAH concentrations were high during liquefied hot asphalt laying. The highest exposures to total fumes were found during manual hot mix asphalt laying. Exposures were generally low for hot mix asphalt (aphalt cement) and emulsified asphalt laying. No values for BAP were over the threshold limit value of 150ng/m3, while 20% of the values for total asphalt fumes were over the TLV of 0.5mg/m3. The values of urinary hydroxypyrene are acceptable and comparable to those of unexposed workers. (103724)
CIS 04-632 Contamination of water in occupational settings. (French: Contamination des eaux en milieu professionnel) Hartemann P., Encyclopédie médico-chirurgicale, Toxicologie-Pathologie professionnelle, 2nd Quarter 2004, No.143, 10p. 29 ref. (In French) Internet: Water has many different uses in the enterprise. Depending on the source of water, its chemical and bacteriological quality can vary. Microbiological hazards may be bacterial, viral or parasitical. They are characterized by their virulence, their toxicogenesis and their possible resistance to antibiotics. Depending on whether the chemical hazards are carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic, different approaches are used for defining the maximum admissible concentrations for exposed persons. Modes of occupational exposure include ingestion, inhalation of airborne humidity and contact, and involve a wide diversity of occupations including office workers (air conditioning systems), waste water treatment workers, miners and swimming lifeguards. Prevention is based on technical and sanitary measures to ensure that the water is of a good quality, the implementation of suitable technical procedures and epidemiological surveillance. (103725)
CIS 04-633 Changes in permeation parameters and the decontamination efficacy of three chemical protective gloves after repeated exposures to solvents and thermal decontaminations. Gao P., El-Ayouby N., Wassell J.T., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 2005, Vol.47, No.2, p.131-143. Illus. 15 ref. (In English) Internet: Chemical protective clothing and gloves are usually too expensive to be considered disposable. Their repeated use without effective decontamination may result in secondary exposure. However, decontamination may change the physical and chemical properties of the barrier material, causing variations in breakthrough time (BT) and steady-state permeation rate (SSPR). Neoprene, butyl rubber and nitrile rubber were selected for this study, while toluene and acetone were chosen as the challenge chemicals. Permeation was measured in a closed loop system using a 2.5cm permeation cell and an infrared analyser. Following the permeation test, the samples were thermally decontaminated. After each exposure and decontamination cycle, BT and SSPR were measured. Permeation test results were collected on each material/chemical combination for ten cycles. Findings with respect to changes in BT and SSPR as a function of glove material, solvent and number of cycles are discussed. (103558)
CIS 04-634 Endocrine and immunologic markers in manganese alloy production workers. Ellingsen D.G., Haug E., Gaarder P.I., Bast-Pettersen R., Thomassen Y., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.230-238. Illus. 24 ref. (In English) Internet: One hundred randomly-selected male workers exposed to manganese were compared with one hundred unexposed male referents (matched for age) from similar process industries. The geometric mean of the exposed workers' urinary manganese concentration was 0.9 (range 0.1-126.3) nmol/mmol creatinine (Cr) versus 0.4 (range 0.1-13.1) nmol/mmol Cr for the referents. The mean duration of exposure to manganese was 20.0 (range 2.1-41.0) years. The geometric mean of the prolactin serum concentration was higher in the exposed subjects than in the referents (229 versus 197 mIU/L). Serum prolactin was associated with current exposure to soluble inhalable manganese, duration of exposure and smoking habits. The subjects with the longest duration of exposure to manganese or the highest current exposure to soluble inhalable manganese had a statistically significantly higher serum prolactin concentration than the referents, while smokers had a lower serum prolactin concentration than nonsmokers. (103587)
CIS 04-635 Meta-analysis of studies of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride in relation to cancer mortality. Boffetta P., Matisane L., Mundt K.A., Dell L.D., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.220-229. Illus. 46 ref. (In English) Internet: This study of the relationship between occupational exposure to vinyl chloride and cancer mortality was carried out by meta-analysis of two recently-updated multi-centre cohort studies and six smaller studies. With standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) ranging from 1.63 to 57.1, all studies for which these ratios could be obtained suggested an increased risk of liver cancer. For four of these studies, excesses persisted when known cases of angiosarcoma of the liver (ASL) were excluded. The meta-SMR for liver cancers other than ASL was 1.35. The meta-SMR for lung cancer was 0.90. The meta-SMR for brain cancer, based on five studies, was 1.26. For soft tissue sarcomas, the meta-SMR based on four studies was 2.52. The meta-SMR for lymphatic and haematopoietic neoplasms in the two large studies was 0.90, although three of the smaller studies reported significant excesses. (103586)
CIS 04-636 Surgical smoke: Are you aware of the risks?. (French: Les fumées chirurgicales, connaissez-vous les risques?) Frenette Y., Travail et santé, Dec. 2003, Vol.19, No.4, p.34-39. Illus. 8 ref. (In French) Internet: The use of lasers in surgery is growing rapidly. However, when used on human tissues, these lasers vaporize cells and give rise to what is known as surgical smoke. The presence of viruses and bacteria in this smoke has been confirmed in several studies; furthermore, during the treatment of cancers using lasers, viable cancer cells were also detected. More than 80 chemicals have been found in surgical smoke, many of them harmful. Surgical smoke particles are respirable and can cause emphysema, bronchitis and pneumonia. The article describes a study on the decomposition products detected during laser treatment of pig skin, used for simulating human skin. Finally, the importance of proper ventilation and the use of masks are emphasised. (103638)
CIS 04-637 Air quality and respiratory health of workers in Quebec peat processing plants equipped with dust control systems. (French: Santé respiratoire des travailleurs et qualité de l'air des tourbières du Québec possédant des systèmes de dépoussiérage) Duchaine C., Cormier Y., Mériaux A., Pageau P., Chabot M., Israël-Assayag E., Goyer N., Cloutier Y., Lazure L., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. v, 132p. Illus. 49 ref. Price: CAD 10.70. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22456-X (In French) Internet: Although peat bogs are one of Quebec's important natural resources, few scientific data exist on these workplaces which employ approximately 700 workers. These workers are exposed to high concentrations of microorganisms that could affect their respiratory health. In this study, the biological contaminants contained in the peat moss and their effects on health are identified and the air quality in processing and packaging plants equipped with dust control systems is evaluated, together with the health status of the workers. The results show that the levels of exposure to various contaminants often exceed the permissible limits. For various reasons, the control systems at source do not maintain the dust emissions at acceptable levels. The report concludes with a series of recommendations to improve the working conditions in peat bogs. (103709)
CIS 04-638 A review of carbon monoxide incident information for 2002/03. Moore M., Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2004. vi, 88p. Illus. 4 ref. Price: GBP 25.00. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 0-7176-2849-3 (In English) Internet: The aim of this project was to identify common causes of carbon monoxide (CO) incidents related to appliance and system design, installation and maintenance. The work involved analysing CO incident statistics, which enabled the identification of the most common causes of CO incidents. There were 12 CO poisoning fatalities caused by faulty appliances in 2002-2003. The most common causes were lack of servicing and faults in the flueing and ventilation systems. As a result of this work, recommendations are made with respect to further improving customer safety, targeting expenditure on CO incident prevention and further research work. (103501)
CIS 04-639 Method for monitoring exposure to gasoline vapour in air - Revision 2002. Tindle P.E., CONCAWE, Madouplein, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 2002. iv, 42p. Illus. 17 ref. (In English) Internet: A detailed method for the analysis of exposure to gasoline vapour, including identification and quantification of single constituents, was first developed and published by CONCAWE in 1986. Subsequent technical and procedural developments, including international standardization of quality requirements for workplace assessment of exposure to hazardous agents, have prompted a revision of the recommended method. The revision includes a change to one of the recommended sorbents for capturing airborne gasoline vapour components, and an assessment of the validation status in comparison with international standards requirements. This report presents the revised methodology, together with a short description of some practical issues that have been encountered during application of the method in a field survey of occupational exposures in the European oil industry. (103507)
CIS 04-640 A survey of European gasoline exposures for the period 1999-2001. Carter M., Claydon M., Giacopetti D., Money C., Pizzella G., Margary A., Viiinanen R., CONCAWE, Madouplein, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 2002. v, 60p. 9 ref. (In English) Internet: This report presents the results of measurements of occupational exposure to gasoline vapour in European Union countries in the period 1999-2001. These measurements were taken in order to complement earlier measurements for the period of 1993-1998 published as CONCAWE Report 2/00 (CIS 02-1383). The surveyed operations were selected on the basis of past high exposures, the existence of newly implemented vapour recovery measures or a general lack of information. In addition to inhalation exposures, data are presented on the composition of the gasolines handled during the monitored work activities. Most of the surveyed operations covered gasoline according to product specifications in force after 1 January 2000, when the maximum content of benzene in gasoline was reduced to 1% by volume. (103508)
CIS 04-641 REACHing the workplace - How workers stand to benefit from the new European policy on chemical agents. (Czech: REACH při práci - Jaký prospěch mohou mít pracovníci z nové evropské politiky o chemických látkách; Danish: REACH på arbejdstagerne vil kunne drage fordel af den nye europæiske kemikaliepolitik; French: REACH au travail - Les bénéfices potentiels de la nouvelle politique européenne sur les agents chimiques pour les travailleurs; German: REACH am Arbeitsplatz Die potenziellen Vorteile der neuen europäischen Chemikalienpolitik für die Arbeitnehmer) Musu T., European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety (TUTB), 5 Bd du Roi Albert II, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, 2004. 36p. Illus. Price: EUR 10.00., ISBN 2-930003-52-9 (fr), ISBN 2-930003-53-7 (En) (In Czech, Danish, English, French, German) Internet: The proposed reform of European legislation on trade in chemical substances, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), pursues two main aims: ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment; and strengthening the competitiveness of the European chemical industry. Currently, approximately one out of every three occupational diseases recognised annually in Europe can be ascribed to exposure to hazardous chemicals. In order to better understand in what way the REACH reform represents a real opportunity to reduce the number of occupational diseases related to exposure to dangerous substances, this publication begins by examining the reasons why a reform is needed; it then describes the content of the REACH reform and the changes it will make to the existing legislation. It concludes by explaining the state of play in the legislative process underway at the European Parliament and the Council, which should result in the adoption of the REACH Regulation. Also available in Dutch, Estonian, French, Hungarian, Latvian and Polish. (103570)
CIS 04-642 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde) Goyer N., Perrault G., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Carrier G., Gérin M., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. vi, 99p. Illus. 94 ref. Price: CAD 8.56. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22594-9 (In French) Internet: The objective of this research programme was to evaluate the socio-economic and health impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure level for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values. The gains for workers' health and the costs and economic advantages for enterprises were evaluated. An approach combining expertise with a classic industrial hygiene approach was adopted in order to develop a matrix linking activity sectors and formaldehyde exposure concentrations. The addition of data on workstations and emission sources made it possible to consolidate the results obtained by sector, manpower and distribution of exposed workers. This project has also resulted in the acquisition of knowledge on a large number of economic activity sectors in Quebec as well as expertise on the evaluation of occupational health and safety impacts. Results for various sectors of activity are published in a series of reports (see also CIS 04-643 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103571)
CIS 04-643 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Impacts of formaldehyde exposure on human health. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Impacts de l'exposition au formaldéhyde sur la santé humaine) Carrier G., Bouchard M., Noisel N., Bonvalot Y, Fradet S., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. iii, 120p. Illus. 32 ref. Price: CAD 8.56. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22595-7 (In French) Internet: This study consists of a literature survey on the dose-response relationships between exposure to formaldehyde and the incidence of health effects. Findings indicate that exposures to formaldehyde concentrations below 0.75ppm are unlikely to cause severe or moderate irritation of the eyes, nose or throat. Between 0.75 and 1ppm, 6.3% of subjects may present signs of moderate eye irritation. At formaldehyde concentrations of between 1 and 2ppm, this proportion increases to 10.1%. There is limited data on the carcinogenic effects of formaldehyde. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642, CIS 04-644 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103572)
CIS 04-644 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Costs of a respiratory protection programme. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Coûts d'un programme de protection respiratoire) Perrault G., Baril M., Lefebvre P., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 18p. 5 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22596-5 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to calculate the cost to enterprises of a lowering of threshold limit values for formaldehyde to levels that would require the implementation of a prevention plan, the adoption of technical preventive measures and the use of personal protective equipment. Based on hypotheses concerning occupational safety and heath organization, the size of enterprises and the number of exposed workers, the study concludes that the cost per worker would be CAD 656 for the first year and CAD 101 in subsequent years. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see also CIS 04-642, CIS 04-643, CIS 04-645 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103573)
CIS 04-645 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Particle-board manufacturing industry. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Industrie de la fabrication de panneaux agglomérés) Goyer N., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Duguay P., Gely O., Gérin M., Hébert F., Lavoué J., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Pellerin E., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 97p. Illus. 46 ref. Price: CAD 8.56. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22597-3 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of workers in the particle-board manufacturing industry in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-644, CIS 04-646 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103574)
CIS 04-646 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Other wood industries. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Autres industries du bois) Goyer N., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Gravel R., Hébert F., Lavoué J., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 49p. Illus. 28 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22598-1 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of workers in the wood product industries other than furniture and particle-board manufacture in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-645, CIS 04-647 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103575)
CIS 04-647 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Wooden furniture manufacturing industry. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Industrie de la fabrication de meubles en bois) Goyer N., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lavoué J., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 50p. 35 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22599-X (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of workers in the wooden furniture manufacturing industry in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-646, CIS 04-648 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103576)
CIS 04-648 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-based resin manufacturing industries. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Industries de fabrication de formaldéhyde et de résines à base de formaldéhyde) Goyer N., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lavoué J., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 54p. Illus. 18 ref. Price: CAD 6.42. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22600-7 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of workers in the formaldehyde and formaldehyde-based resin manufacturing industries in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-647, CIS 04-649 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103577)
CIS 04-649 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Foundries. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Fonderies) Goyer N., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lefebvre P., Lobo Gutierrez C.L., Noisel N., Perrault G., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 56p. Illus. 69 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22601-5 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of foundry workers in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-648, CIS 04-650 to 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103578)
CIS 04-650 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Pathology laboratories. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Laboratoires de pathologie) Goyer N., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 38p. 40 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22602-3 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of workers in pathology laboratories in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-649, CIS 04-651 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103579)
CIS 04-651 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Funeral service industry. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Industrie des services funéraires) Goyer N., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Pellerin E., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 42p. Illus. 26 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22603-1 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of funeral service workers in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values (see CIS 04-642 to 04-650 and CIS 04-653 to 04-655). (103580)
CIS 04-652 Method for monitoring exposure to LPG containing small amounts of 1,3-butadiene. Henderson M.H., Lipscombe R.P., Blakley K.C., CONCAWE, Madouplein, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 2004. iv, 35p. 3 ref. (In English) Internet: This report provides a detailed validation of a sampling and analytical methodology based on gas chromatography for occupational exposure monitoring of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and its components, including trace amounts of 1,3-butadiene, a known carcinogen. (103590)
CIS 04-653 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Textile finishing industry. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Industrie de finition textile) Goyer N., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 24p. 26 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22604-X (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of textile finishing industry workers in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values. (See also CIS 04-642 to 04-651, CIS 04-654 and CIS 04-655). (103611)
CIS 04-654 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Plastics converting industry. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Industrie de la transformation des matières plastiques) Goyer N., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Buissonnet S., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Gravel R., Hébert F., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Roberge B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 52p. Illus. 52 ref. Price: CAD 6.42. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22605-8 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of plastics converting industry workers in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values. (See also CIS 04-642 to 04-651, CIS 04-653 and CIS 04-655). (103612)
CIS 04-655 Impacts of the lowering of the permissible exposure value for formaldehyde - Group 3: Other sectors. (French: Impacts d'un abaissement de la valeur d'exposition admissible au formaldéhyde - Groupe 3: Autres secteurs) Goyer N., Beaudry C., Bégin D., Bouchard M., Carrier G., Gely O., Gérin M., Lefebvre P., Noisel N., Perrault G., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 97p. 94 ref. Price: CAD 8.56. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22606-6 (In French) Internet: The objective of this study was to assess the number of workers in a variety of industries and sectors in Quebec that would be exposed to excessive formaldehyde concentration levels and the cost of compliance per worker as a function of the various possible threshold limit values under consideration. This specific study was carried out within the framework of a large research programme aimed at evaluating the health and socio-economic impacts of lowering the current maximum permissible exposure value for formaldehyde of 2ppm to one of the values of 1.0, 0.75 or 0.3ppm, either as maximum or 8-hr time-weighted average values. (See also CIS 04-642 to 04-651, CIS 04-653 and CIS 04-654). (103613)
CIS 04-656 Synthesis of scientific knowledge on the health risks following occupational exposure to manganese. Ostiguy C., Malo S., Asselin P., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2003. 38p. 211 ref. Price: CAD 6.42., ISBN 2-551-21897-7 (In English) Internet: This review documents current knowledge on the potential occupational health effects, mainly on the central nervous system, following occupational exposure to manganese. This metal is present in high concentrations in the air in mines and foundries. Claims have also been made to the Quebec Occupational Safety and Health Commission (CSST) by workers exposed to this substance during welding operations involving steel containing manganese. The report describes processes of assimilation of manganese by the body, its biomarkers and its effects on health. It also compares different organizations' standards and guideline recommendations. Current Quebec standards are similar to those of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Organizations and groups of researchers in this field recommend making them more restrictive in order to take into account the early effects on the central nervous system. (103641)
CIS 04-657 Study of environmental and physiological factors contributing to biological variability: characterization of the "exposure - biological exposure indicator" relationship for n-hexane. (French: Etude des facteurs environnementaux et physiologiques contribuant à la variabilité biologique - Caractérisation de la relation "exposition - indicateur biologique d'exposition" pour le n-hexane) Hamelin G., Tardif R., Truchon G., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. v, 36p. Illus. 43 ref. Price: CAD 5.35., ISBN 2-551-22492-6 (In French) Internet: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is questioning the long-standing use of the total urinary 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) as a biological indicator of the exposure to n-hexane. In this study, experimental checks were run on five volunteers during two consecutive five-day periods of seven hours per day, to simulate two full working weeks. Subjects were exposed to 50ppm of n-hexane during the first week, and to 25ppm during the second week. Measurements were made of alveolar n-hexane and urinary 2,5-HD at the end of each of the five-day periods. It is concluded that urinary 2,5-HD remains the most practical and reliable method evaluating the exposure to n-hexane. (103647)
CIS 04-658 Guide for the correction of permissible levels of exposure (PLE) for non-conventional work schedules - 2nd revised and updated edition. (French: Guide d'ajustement des valeurs d'exposition admissibles (VEA) pour les horaires de travail non conventionnels - 2e édition revue et mise à jour) Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, 2nd rev. ed., Canada, 2004. 25p. Illus. 11 ref. Price: CAD 5.00. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-21879-9 (In French) Internet: This guide contains tables to enable the correction of permissible exposure levels for all substances included in the occupational safety and health regulations of the Canadian Province of Quebec (Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité du travail - RSST) for work schedules other than five days a week, eight hours per day. The guide includes examples of calculations for different categories of substances as well as for different scenarios of non-conventional work schedules. (103651)
CIS 04-659 Evaluation of the confinement of preparation areas during paint spraying. (French: Evaluation du confinement des aires de préparation lors de l'application de peinture) Lazure L., Abdellaoui H., Lesage J., Charette M., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2003. 61p. Illus. 11 ref. Price: CAD 6.42. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22422-5 (In French) Internet: Automobile body paint shops are a priority target for the prevention of occupational asthma caused by isocyanates. The Occupational Health and Safety Institute of the Canadian Province of Quebec (l'Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail - IRSST) conducted two earlier studies on the evaluation of isocyanate exposure levels and on the efficiency of paint spray booths. For a full understanding of the levels of exposure to isocyanates in automobile body paint shops, it was also necessary to obtain data on the workstations situated outside the spray booths, in particular in the ventilated preparation area often used for certain types of paint preparation work. This report presents the results of evaluations of the potential exposure levels and the efficiency of systems used for eliminating contaminants present in workplace atmospheres of these preparation areas. (103652)
CIS 04-660 Comparison of the diesel emissions from a classical underground loader and from a proposed hybrid version. (French: Comparaison des émissions diesels d'une chargeuse-navette classique et d'une version hybride proposée) Young D.R., Rubeli B., Gangal M., Feres V., Grenier M., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. iii, 25p. Illus. 9 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22524-8 (In French) Internet: Diesel motor emissions cause eye and throat irritation. Several compounds in diesel particulate matter are carcinogenic. In an approach to reduce the risk at source, a classical underground loader and an underground loader powered by a hybrid diesel-electric motor were tested in the laboratory. The impact of the use of a ceramic filter on the two vehicles was evaluated. However, the use of the filter on the classical underground loader proved problematic. The results demonstrated significant reductions in particle and gas emissions and therefore in ventilation requirements in the operation of the hybrid vehicle. Although the results are positive, this single study cannot precisely determine the impact of such a technology on the air quality of an entire mine. (103706)
CIS 04-661 Report on the use of Gilmont and Allegro rotameters for the evaluation of the airflow of ambient air pumps. (French: Mémento sur l'utilisation des rotamètres de marque Gilmont et Allegro pour l'évaluation des débits d'alimentation des pompes à air ambiant) Lazure L., Cloutier Y., Gravel R., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, Apr. 2004. v, 77p. Illus. 4 ref. Price of print version: CAD 26.75. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22495-0 (In French) Internet: Rotameters are frequently used to measure the flow of air to positive supply respirators. Depending on where they are mounted on the air supply system, their reading needs to be corrected. This report presents the evaluation of two rotameters for the purpose of establishing the precision of the readings, validating the flow correction equations to be applied and specifying the methodological framework to be used during field measurements. Results clearly show the need for taking temperature and pressure parameters into account for obtaining the true airflow, (103630)
CIS 04-662 Medical evaluation of users of respirators. (French: Evaluation médicale des utilisateurs d'appareils de protection respiratoire) Nadeau D., Perrault G., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. iii, 52p. Illus. 20 ref. Price: CAD 6.42. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22448-9 (In French) Internet: The Occupational Safety and Health Institute of the Canadian Province of Quebec (Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail - IRSST) set up a working group of experts to develop guidelines on the medical evaluation of users of respirators and to identify the approach that would be the most practical and efficient in the context of Quebec. The objective was to facilitate the selection of respirators that is most suited to the workers. Three aspects of this issue are presented in this report: defining the principles of the medical evaluation of workers' capacity to use respirators; defining the decision algorithm based on these principles; description of a functional test that supports the application of the algorithm. (103654)
CIS 04-663 Controlling and monitoring exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions in non-coal mines. Dabill D.W., Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2004. v, 12p. Illus. Price: GBP 10.00. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 0-7176-2876-0 (In English) Internet: Most non-coal mines use diesel-powered vehicles and equipment underground. Consequently, in the confined spaces of a mine, the potential for worker exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs) is high. This report provides practical advice on how to control exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions in non-coal mines. It describes a simple on-site method for measuring exposures to DEEEs and to confirm whether the controls in place are effective and the exposures are being kept in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH, see CIS 00-620) requirements. (103504)
CIS 04-664 Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2nd ed., Jan. 2004. iv, 36p. Illus. 12 ref. Price: GBP 8.50., ISBN 0-7176-1485-9 (In English) Internet: This booklet provides guidance on the maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) commonly used to limit the release of hazardous airborne substances in work environments. It is aimed at employers and all persons involved in the operations and maintenance of LEV systems. Contents: legal requirements; selection and protection of personnel; procedures (initial appraisal, maintenance, examination and testing, making a judgement); instruments and techniques; records, reporting and required actions. Appendices include: information required of an LEV system; measurement of plant performance; measurement of static and dynamic pressures; air velocity measurement; use of flow visualization techniques; equations used in LEV testing. Replaces CIS 90-1996. (103506)
CIS 04-665 Globally harmonized classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS). (Russian: Soglasovannaja na global'nom urovne, sistema klassifikacii markirovki himičeskih veščestv (SGC)) United Nations, Sales Section, 1211 Genève 10, Switzerland, 2003. vi, 453p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Price: USD 80.00., ISBN 92-1-116840-6 (In English, Russian) Internet: This document is the Russian version of the document analysed under CIS 03-822. It describes the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS). Following an introduction defining the purpose, scope and application, the classification criteria and the hazard communication elements (labelling and safety data sheets) as well as a glossary of the terms and abbreviation used, the harmonized classification criteria and hazard communication elements are given for 16 physical hazards and 10 health and environmental hazards. In addition, guidance is included in the document to assist countries and organizations in the development of tools for implementation of the GHS. (103510)
CIS 04-666 Communicating information about dangerous substances. (Czech: Poskytování informací o nebezpečných látkách; Danish: Formidling af oplysninger om farlige stoffer; Dutch: Informatieverspreiding over gevaarlijke stoffen; Estonian: Teabe edastamine ohtlike kemikaalide kohta; Finnish: Vaarallisia aineita koskevan tiedon jakaminen; French: Diffusion d'informations sur les substances dangereuses sur le lieu de travail; German: Bereitstellung von Informationen über Gefahrstoffe; Greek: Diádosē plēroforiôn shetiká me epikíndunes ousiés; Hungarian: Információk gyűjtése a veszélyes anyagokról; Italian: La diffusione di informazioni in materia di sostanze pericolose; Latvian: Informācijas izplatīšana par bīstamām vielām; Lithuanian: Informavimas apie pavojingas medžiagas; Polish: Przekazywanie informacji na temat niebezpiecznych substancji; Portuguese: A comunicação da informação sobre substâncias perigosas; Slovak: Informácie o nebezpečných látkach za účelom oboznámenia; Slovenian: Obveščanje o nevarnih snoveh; Spanish: La comunicación de la información relativa a las sustancias peligrosas; Swedish: Att informera om farliga ämnen) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 18 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is producing a series of fact sheets on occupational safety and health information about dangerous substances for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003. Effective communication about the risks to workers' health and their management in the workplace is a common challenge for employers, workers and their representatives. This fact sheet presents points to consider for successful communication. Contents: legislation; labelling; safety data sheets; other information sources; examples of information systems. (103521)
CIS 04-667 Respiratory sensitizers. (Czech: Respirační senzibilizující materiály; Danish: Indåndingsallergener; Dutch: Inhalatie-allergenen; Estonian: Respiratoorset sensibilisatsiooni põhjustavad kemikaalid; Finnish: Hengityselinsairauksille herkistävät ainet; French: Substances respiratoires allergisantes; German: Atemwegssensibilisierende Stoffe (Inhallationsallergene); Greek: Pēgés erethismoú (hupereuaisthēsías) tou anapneustikoú sustêmatos; Hungarian: Légzőrendszert érzékennyé tevő anyagok; Italian: Sostanze sensibilizzanti dell'apparato respiratorio; Latvian: Respiratorās sensitivitātes palielinātāji; Lithuanian: Kvėpavimo organus jautrinančios medžiagos; Polish: Czynniki uczulające układ oddechowy; Portuguese: Alergéneos respiratórios; Slovak: Respiračné senzibilátory; Slovenian: Povzročitelji preobčutljivosti dihal; Spanish: Sensibilizantes respiratorios; Swedish: Ämnen som framkallar allergier i andningsorganen) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 7 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: For the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is producing a series of fact sheets focusing on the communication of occupational safety and health-related information on dangerous substances. Respiratory sensitizers are biological and chemical agents that can induce allergic respiratory diseases in humans. This fact sheet discusses important characteristics of the exposure to these agents and appropriate prevention measures. Contents: causes of occupational respiratory problems; allergic respiratory diseases; allergic sensitizers; managing respiratory sensitizers. (103525)
CIS 04-668 Skin sensitisers. (Czech: Kožní senzibilizující materiály; Danish: Hudallergifremkaldende stoffer; Dutch: Huidsensibilisatoren; Estonian: Nahka sensibiliseerivad ained; Finnish: Ihoa herkistävät aineet; French: Sensibilisants cutanés; German: Hautsensibilisierende Stoffe (Hautallergene); Greek: Pēgés erethismoú (hupereuaisthēsías) tou dérmatos; Hungarian: Bőr érzékenyitők; Italian: Sostanze sensibilizzanti della cute; Latvian: Ādas jūtīguma paaugstinātāji; Lithuanian: Odą jautrinančios medžiagos; Polish: Czynniki uczulające skórę; Portuguese: Agentes sensibilizadores da pele; Slovak: Senzibilátory pokožky; Slovenian: Povzročitelji kožne preobčutljivosti; Spanish: Sensibilizadores cutáneos; Swedish: Hudallergiframkallande ämnen) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 8 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Occupational skin diseases are estimated to cost the European Union EUR 600 million every year, resulting in around three million lost working days. They affect virtually all industry and business sectors and force many workers to change jobs. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is producing a series of fact sheets on occupational safety and health information about dangerous substances for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003. This fact sheet contains information on skin sensitizers as well as preventive measures for skin exposure. Contents: causes of occupational skin problems; allergic skin diseases; skin sensitizers; preventing exposure. (103526)
CIS 04-669 How to convey OSH information effectively: The case of dangerous substances - Summary of an Agency report. (Danish: Effektiv formidling af information om arbejdsmiljø: farlige stoffer; Dutch: Effectieve informatie over veiligheid en gezondheid op het werk: gevaarlijke stoffen; Estonian: Kuidas töötervishoiu ja tööohutuse alast teavet tõhusalt edasi anda: näide ohtlike ainete kohta; Finnish: Kuinka siirtää työturvallisuus- ja työterveystietoa tehokkaasti: esimerkkitapauksena vaaralliset aineet; French: Comment transmettre de manière efficace des informations relatives à la sécurité et à la santé au travail (SST): le cas des substances dangereuses - Résumé d'un rapport de l'Agence; German: Wirksame Vermittlung von Informationen zu Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz am Arbeitsplatz: Gefahrstoffe; Greek: Trópoi apotelesmatikês diohéteusēs plēroforiôn gia tēn EAU: ē períptōsē tōn epikídunōn ousiôn; Italian: Come trasmettere efficacemente le informazioni sulla SSL: il caso delle sostanze pericolose; Portuguese: Como transmitir eficazmente informações em matéria de SST: o caso das substâncias perigosas; Slovak: Ako účinne poskytovat' informácie o BOZP: prípad nebezpečných látok; Spanish: Cómo transmitir información de SST con eficacia: el caso de las sustancias peligrosas - Resumen de un informe de la Agencia; Swedish: Effektiv förmedling av arbetsmiljöinformation: farliga ämnen) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 3 ref. (In Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Within the European Union, worker information and consultation about hazardous chemical agents in the workplace, health and safety risks and protective and preventive measures are a legal obligation of the employer. The employer shall inform not only workers and their representatives but also employers from any outside undertaking. The information shall be provided in a manner appropriate to the outcome of the risk assessment. Persons involved in implementing occupational health and safety measures at the workplace level, such as employers' or workers' safety representatives, sometimes find it difficult to obtain specific and practical information on dangerous substances. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has therefore produced a report presenting nineteen good practice examples, describing how to transfer information effectively to different target groups and how to assess the relevance of the information for these groups. (103530)
CIS 04-670 Inorganic fertilizers. (French: Engrais minéraux) Testud F., Encyclopédie médico-chirurgicale, Toxicologie-Pathologie professionnelle, 1st Quarter 2004, No.142, 5p. Illus. 41 ref. (In French) Internet: The ingestion of concentrated liquid fertilizers may severe cause severe acute poisoning due to the presence of high levels of potassium in these types of formulations. With the exception of a few cases of skin diseases and indications of mucous membrane irritation related to dusts, there are very few reports of harmful effects in occupational settings. Some fertilizer formulations containing calcium cyanamide may give rise to an antabuse effect. Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers results in the pollution of the water table by nitrates, which may then find their way into the water supply. Nitrates have been suspected of causing methaemoglobinaemia accidents in newborn children and cancers among the general population. However, their human toxicity has been largely overestimated. Methaemoglobinaemia in newborn children has been established to be caused by the bacterial pollution of water. It has not been possible to demonstrate any relationship between the long-term consumption of nitrate-rich water and cancers among the general population. (103637)
CIS 04-671 Occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases. (Spanish: Exposición laboral a gases anestésicos) Guardino Solà X., Rosell Farrás M.G., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 7p. Illus. 8 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note covers occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases. Contents: physical and chemical characteristics of anaesthetic gases; health effects of acute, sub-acute and chronic exposures; threshold limit values and biological threshold values; methods for the determination of concentrations in workplace atmospheres (direct reading, active or passive sampling); biological monitoring (determination of isoflurane in exhaled air, determination of nitrous oxide in urine); preventive measures to be adopted. (103686)
CIS 04-672 Indoor air quality guidelines: chemical contaminants. (Spanish: Guías de calidad de aire interior: contaminantes químicos) Bartual Sánchez J., Berenguer Subils M.J., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. 7 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note covers the use of reference values for the evaluation of indoor air quality and presents lists of reference values for various contaminants of indoor air. Contents: general aspects concerning the use of reference values; considerations concerning the determination of reference values; hygiene evaluation criteria (TLVs); reference values and defined threshold limit values for outdoor air contaminants; reference values for indoor air contaminants determined by the WHO as a function of their effects on health; specific example of radon. (103687)
CIS 04-673 N,N-dimethylformamide exposure assessment: Environmental and biological monitoring. (Spanish: Evaluación de la exposición a N,N-dimetilformamida: control ambiental y biológico) Tomás García P., Obiols Quinto J., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus. 13 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note on the evaluation of exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide covers biological and environmental monitoring. Contents: characteristics of N,N-dimethylformamide; effects on health (skin irritation, conjunctivitis, skin diseases, hepatic damage); N,N-dimethylformamide metabolism; classification (toxic to the reproductive system) and threshold limit values (daily TLV of 10ppm); sampling and analysis methods for N,N-dimethylformamide in workplace atmospheres; biological monitoring (measurement of two unrinary metabolites, N-methylformamide and N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl) cysteine (AMCC)). (103694)
CIS 04-674 Occupational exposure assessment to chemical agents. UNE-EN-482 and related standards. (Spanish: Evaluación de la exposición laboral a agentes químicos. Norma UNE-EN-482 y relacionadas) Guardino Solá X., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 5p. Illus. 4 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note presents the main elements of the standard UNE EN 482 (Workplace atmospheres. General requirements concerning the procedures for measuring chemical agents) with which all procedures for the evaluation of occupational exposure to chemical agents need to comply. Contents: definition of various parameters; classification of measurement procedures (approximate evaluation of time-weighted average concentrations, approximate evaluation of concentration changes over time and distance, measurements near emission sources, measurements aimed at comparing threshold limit values, regular measurements, measurements under the least favourable conditions, fixed point measurements); requirements with respect to the procedures; analytical methods; analysis report. (103698)
CIS 04-675 Aniline exposure assessment: Environmental and biological monitoring. (Spanish: Evaluación de la exposición a anilina: control ambiental y biológico) Tomás García P., Obiols Quinto J., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus. 9 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note on the evaluation of exposure to aniline covers biological and environmental monitoring. Contents: characteristics of aniline; metabolism and toxicokinetics; effects on health (methaemoglobinaemia, damage to the central nervous system, bladder cancer); classification (harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact, and highly toxic to aquatic organisms); threshold limit values (daily TLV 2ppm); sampling and analysis methods for aniline in workplace air; biological monitoring (determination of p-aminophenol in urine and methaemoglobin in blood). (103699)
CIS 04-676 Composting plants for waste treatment: Hygiene hazards. (Spanish: Plantas de compostaje para el tratamiento de residuos: riesgos higiénicos) Solans Lampurlanés X., Alonso Espaladé R.M., Gadea Carrera E., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. 13 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: The generation of increasing quantities of municipal solid waste requires suitable waste management approaches. This information note covers the area of composting. It describes the characteristics of composting, together with the health hazards related to exposure to the biological and chemical agents formed during the composting process, and proposes prevention measures aimed at limiting these exposures. Contents: general considerations on composting; various composting systems (open or closed); description of the composting process and the main parameters that need to be considered (temperature, humidity, pH, oxygen, balance of nutrients); effects on health (organic dust toxic syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, allergic alveolitis, invasive aspergillosis); evaluation of exposures to chemicals and biological agents; preventive measures (collective and individual protection, work organization, hygiene measures). (103673)
CIS 04-677 Safety in the use of synthetic vitreous fibre insulation wools (glass wool, rock wool, slag wool). (Chinese: Anquan shiyong hecheng boli xianwei gere mian (Boli mian yanmian he zhamian) shiyong guicheng; Japanese: Gōsei garasu shitsu-sen'i dannetsu ūru (Gurasu-ūru, rokku-ūru, suragu-ūru) - Shiyōji no anzensei) ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2001. vii, 45p (Japanese version); iv, 55p. (Chinese version). (In Chinese, Japanese) Internet: Japanese and Chinese translations of the document analysed under CIS 02-376. The use of synthetic fibre insulation wools in construction is increasingly widespread. This ILO code of practice sets out the general duties of manufacturers, suppliers, specifiers, employers, workers and competent authorities, all of whom have a role to play in maintaining the safety of the entire life cycle of the process, from production to waste management and disposal. The code covers preventive and protective measures, information, education and training, and surveillance of the working environment and workers' health. It addresses the hazards arising from the product (insulation fibres, binders and other materials) in real-life situations, and contains useful appendices on classification systems, exposure data and risk assessment. (103509)
CIS 04-678 Safe handling of cytostatic substances. (French: Sécurité dans l'emploi des cytostatiques; German: Sicherer Umgang mit Zytostatika) Jost M., Rüegger M., Liechti B., Gutzwiller A., Suva, Abteilung Arbeitsmedizin, Postfach, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland, 2004. 66p. Illus. 82 ref. (In French, German) Internet: Contents of this booklet on the prevention of hazards during the handling of cytostatic substances in health care settings: hazards during the handling of cytostatic substances; workplace hazard evaluation; principles to be adopted for the safe handling of cytostatic substances; protective measures during the production and preparation of cytostatic substances; protective measures during transport, administration to patients and disposal of cytostatic substances; protective measures in cases of accidental release; personal hygiene measures; legal aspects. (103718)
CIS 04-679 Hell inside a copper plant. (Polish: Piekło w hucie) Płóciennik M., Madera F., Przegląd Pożarniczy, 2004, No.11, p.12-14. (In Polish) Internet: The organization and procedures involved in the rescue and fire extinguishing action during a fire in the copper plant "Legnica" are described. Proper procedures to be applied in similar disasters in the future are defined. (103600)
CIS 04-680 Dust explosions under control. (Polish: Pyły pod nadzorem) Sobecki M., Przegląd Pożarniczy, 2004, No.12, p.14-16. 6 ref. (In Polish) Internet: Basic issues relating to the hazards connected with flammable dust as well as the rules for identifying explosion zones are described. A detailed description of individual zones is presented. Polish standards required for the assessment of explosion hazards are listed. (103601)
CIS 04-681 Fires, explosions, transport of dangerous goods: Ten years of reporting. (French: Incendies, explosions, TMD, dix ans de témoignages) Dosne R., Face au risque, Feb. 2004, No.400, p.38-43. Illus. 17 ref. (In French) Internet: This article summarises the main lessons to be drawn from the 100 most significant major accidents that occurred in France during the last ten years and that were reported in previous issues of the journal, grouped under the following headings: food industry; warehouses; health care institutions; old buildings; transport of dangerous goods; tunnels; wire and cable ducts; other disasters. Boxes contain brief descriptions of nine of these major accidents. (103623)
CIS 04-682 Toulouse - Special feature. (French: Toulouse - Les données de la catastrophe) Seillan H., Repussard J., Cochet Y., Andurand R., Khéliff J., Cérézuelle D., Charbonneau S., Préventique-Sécurité, Nov.-Dec. 2001, No.60, p.4-32. Illus. (In French) Internet: On the 21st of September 2001, a violent explosion occurred in a fertilizer plant in Toulouse, France, causing 21 deaths, hundreds of injuries and serious material damage. This special feature on the disaster consists of a collection of articles covering the following aspects: data on the disaster (details of the industrial site, the product involved, namely ammonium nitrate, damage caused); French and European regulations on nitrate and nitrogen-rich fertilizers; analysis and comments on the plant safety manuals; statements on industrial hazards by politicians; uses and hazards of ammonium nitrate, including short summaries of earlier disasters; changes resulting from this disaster. (103701)
CIS 04-683 Explosimeters. (French: Les explosimètres) Courtois B., Petit J.M., Travail et sécurité, Mar. 2004, No.638, insert 4p. Illus. 5 ref. (In French) Internet: French regulations require that the hazards due to working in explosive atmospheres be evaluated. Explosimeters are measuring instruments that can be used for this purpose. This practical safety information sheet describes the functioning of explosimeters in various types of atmospheres, together with the steps to follow to ensure reliable measurements. Contents: functioning principles of explosimeters; types of instruments; use; maintenance and calibration. (103627)
CIS 04-684 Risk evaluation in case of fire: Criteria. (Spanish: Evaluación del riesgo de incendio: criterios) Duarte Viejo G., Piqué Ardanuy T., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 5p. 9 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note specifies the criteria for evaluating fire hazards. Contents: general considerations on fire hazards; hazard evaluation (probability of initiation, damage caused by the fire); active and passive preventive measures; check-lists for risk factors (initiation and propagation factors) and safety measures (evacuation and means of fire fighting); methods for evaluating fire hazards (α factor methods, k coefficient method, Gretener method, Gustav Purt method); provisions concerning fire hazard evaluation according to the Regulations on fire precautions in industrial establishments (CIS 02-21). (103675)
CIS 04-685 Safety regulations on fire precautions in industrial establishments (RD 786/2001). (Spanish: Reglamento de seguridad contra incendios en establecimientos industriales (RD 786/2001)) Duarte Viejo G., Piqué Ardanuy T., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 8p. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: The aim of this information note is to help enterprises implement the requirements of the technical appendices to the Regulations on fire precautions in industrial establishments (RD 786/2001, CIS 02-21). Contents: provisions of appendix 1 on the characterization of industrial establishments with respect to fire safety (layout and location of industrial establishments as a function of their environment, intrinsic fire hazards); provisions of appendix 2 on the requirements with respect to construction as a function of the plant hazard level (maximum surface area of fire sectors, fire behaviour of construction elements, integrity of structural elements in the advent of fire, fire resistance of separation elements, number of escape and evacuation ways and their layout, ventilation and smoke evacuation); provisions of appendix 3 on the requirements with respect to fire protection as a function of the type of plant (detection systems, extinguishing systems, alarm systems); related legislation and applicable standards. (103676)
CIS 04-686 Electro-optical filters used for arc welding - Development of a methodology for the validation of operational safety. (French: Filtres électro-optiques de soudage à l'arc - Elaboration d'une méthodologie et validation de la sûreté de fonctionnement) Klein R., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 4th Quarter 2003, No.193, p.9-18. Illus. 13 ref. (In French) Internet: This article is primarily intended for standardization experts, designers and certification bodies. It proposes answers to problems related to the safety of the electronic circuits fitted to auto-darkening electro-optical filters used for arc welding, in particular by taking design requirements into account and applying a validation method. (103628)
CIS 04-687 The relative importance of whole body vibration and occupational lifting as risk factors for low-back pain. Palmer K.T., Griffin M.J., Syddal H.E., Pannett B., Cooper C., Coggon D., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.715-721. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of occupational exposure to whole body vibration (WBV) on low back pain (LBP) in the general population and to estimate the burden of LBP attributable to occupational WBV in comparison with that due to occupational lifting. A questionnaire including sections on WBV at work, LBP and potential risk factors was mailed to a community sample of 22,194 men and women of working age in Britain. Analysis was confined to subjects reporting exposures in the past week as typical of their work. Associations of LBP with personal vibration doses (eVDV), driving industrial vehicles and occupational lifting were explored by logistic regression. Significant associations were found between daily lifting of weights greater than 10kg at work and LBP, troublesome LBP and sciatica; but the risk of these outcomes in both sexes varied little by eVDV and only weak associations were found with riding on industrial vehicles. Assuming causal associations, the numbers of cases of LBP in Great Britain attributable to occupational WBV were estimated to be 444,000 in men and 95,000 in women. These results indicate that, compared with an estimated 940,000 male cases and 370,000 female cases of LBP from occupational lifting, the burden of LBP in Britain from occupational exposure to WBV is smaller than that attributable to lifting at work. (103542)
CIS 04-688 European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2005. European information campaign: Stop noise!. (Polish: Europejski Tydzień Bezpieczeństwa i Zdrowia w Pracy 2005r. Europejska kampania informacyjna: stop hałasowi!) Zawieska W.M., Bezpieczeństwo pracy, Jan. 2005, Vol.402, No.1, p.1. (In Polish) Internet: Report on the preparations leading up to an informational campaign organized by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao, Spain, in cooperation with National Focal Points. The campaign will focus on noise at work and ways of eliminating it. The campaign will conclude with the European Week for Safety and Health at Work during 24-28 October 2005. The coordinator in Poland is the Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, which has adopted the role of the National Focal Point. (103608)
CIS 04-689 Role of audiometry in the management of occupational exposure to noise above 85dB: Results of the SURDIPOSTE survey. (French: Place du bilan audiométrique dans la maîtrise du risque d'exposition à des bruits supérieurs à 85 décibels: résultats de l'étude SURDIPOSTE)) Cambou J.P., Cothereau C., Cantet C., Garneau M.J., Tournon C., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Dec. 2003, Vol.64, No.7-8, p.486-494. Illus. 14 ref. (In French) Internet: The objectives of this study were to classify railway industry occupations according to the risk of hearing loss associated with exposures to noise levels above 85dB and to highlight occupations where preventive actions need to be focused. This cross-sectional study involved 3150 noise-exposed and 636 non noise-exposed subjects recruited among French railway workers. Conventional frequencies audiometry (0.5-4kHz) was used to assess the hearing loss of each subject. The threshold used for hearing impairment was 30dB or more on the best ear. Multivariate analysis allowed a classification of the occupations according to the prevalence of hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss differed widely, varying from 2% to 21% among exposed subjects compared to 1.9% among non-exposed subjects. Among the 21 occupations studied, 9 were identified as being at high risk of hearing loss, 7 at moderate risk and 5 at low risk, comparable to that of the control group. (103635)
CIS 04-690 Hearing protection and audibility of signals. (French: Protection auditive et audibilité des signaux) Malchaire J., Piette A., Travail et bien-être, Mar.-Apr. 2002, No.2, p.29-33. Illus. (In French) Internet: Railway track maintenance work is often noisy, exposing workers to noise levels often exceeding 90dB(A) and making the wearing of ear protectors necessary. At the same time, many track maintenance tasks take place without interrupting the rail traffic. The ability to hear acoustic signals warning of the impending arrival of a train is vital to workers' safety. Under these conditions, hearing protectors are perceived as an additional risk of not hearing the alarm signal. This study was able to demonstrate that hearing loss among track maintenance workers is no greater than among the general population of same average age. Furthermore, testing in laboratory conditions showed that wearing hearing protectors did not detract from hearing the acoustic alarm signals. However, these findings need to be confirmed in field tests. (103705)
CIS 04-691 Noise exposure, psychosocial environment and arterial hypertension in occupational settings. (French: Exposition au bruit, environnement psychosocial et hypertension artérielle en milieu de travail) Taleb A., Brahim B.M., Benrezkallah L., Benkalfat F.Z.M., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, June 2003, Vol.64, No.4, p.246-252. 28 ref. (In French) Internet: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of arterial hypertension in workers of industrial companies and to establish the existence of possible correlations between high blood pressure and stress resulting from negative psychological working environments or noise. Participants consisted of all 2156 workers of twelve industrial companies, aged between 20 and 60 years. Subjects were given a questionnaire on their personal characteristics and were subjected to blood pressure measurements. This screening resulted in a study population of 121 persons with hypertension and a control group of 163 workers without hypertension chosen at random from the same source population. Participants responded to a second questionnaire on hypertension risk factors and were subjected to a job strain test based on the Karasek model, clinical examinations, biological testing and an evaluation of personal exposure to workplace noise. Statistical analysis of the findings confirmed the existence of a causal relationship between exposure to job strain factors or to noise and high blood pressure. (103721)
CIS 04-692 Thermal environments: Work during hot spells. (French: Ambiances thermiques: travail en période de fortes chaleurs) Ganem Y., Meyer J.P., Luzeaux N., Brasseur G., Laborde L., Pomian J.L., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2004, No.97, p.51-68. Illus. 54 ref. (In French) Internet: As a result of the heat wave of 2003, many questions were raised concerning the health effects of work in hot environments and possible preventive measures. An information package was put together and published on the French Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INRS) website. However, it became apparent that this information needed to be further developed and a multidisciplinary working group was established to prepare the present information and guidance document. Contents: thermal comfort; epidemiological data; risk factors; adaptation to heat and effect of heat on humans; prevention measures (working conditions, work organization, selective measures that may be implemented by employers, personal lifestyle measures, technical measures); legal aspects. (103666)
CIS 04-693 Photosensitization, skin cancers and occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation. (French: Photosensibilisation, cancers cutanés et exposition professionnelle aux ultraviolets) Crépy M.N., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2004, No.97, p.109-119. Illus. 67 ref. (In French) Internet: Contents of this review article on photosensitization and skin cancers due to occupational exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation: UV radiation and occupational exposure; physiopathology and photochemical reactions; role of UV radiation in skin cancers; epidemiology; diagnosis in occupational settings; diagnosis in specialised institutions; prognosis; prevention and treatment; compensation. (103669)
CIS 04-694 Health status as a potential effect modifier of the relation between noise annoyance and incidence of ischaemic heart disease. Babisch W., Ising H., Gallacher J.E.J., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct. 2003, Vol.60, No.10, p.739-745. 65 ref. (In English) Internet: Traffic noise is a psychosocial stressor. Epidemiological studies suggest chronic noise stress to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. The association between annoyance and disturbances due to road traffic noise and the incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was examined in 3950 middle-aged men in a prospective cohort study. Depending on the questionnaire item, non-significant odds ratios for IHD incidence ranging from 0.9 to 1.4 were found for the highly noise annoyed/disturbed subjects when compared with the less annoyed/disturbed subjects, over the six year follow up period. However, this relation was strongly modified by the prevalence of pre-existing chronic IC. In subjects free of any chronic disease at the beginning of the follow up, significant odds ratios between 1.7 and 3.0 were seen. In the subgroup with chronic diseases, no such noise effects were seen, probably because of the dilution of the true effect due to recall bias. It is concluded that annoyance and disturbance due to road traffic noise are associated with a higher incidence of IHD. Prevalence of disease can be an important effect modifier of the relation between noise annoyance and health outcomes. (103544)
CIS 04-695 Study of the occupational exposure of school bus drivers to noise. (French: Etude de l'exposition professionnelle au bruit des conducteurs d'autobus scolaires) Marcotte P., Boileau P.E., Boutin J., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. v, 32p. Illus. 5 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22457-8 (In French) Internet: During the last few years, several school bus drivers have complained about the high level of noise during their work. This project on the evaluation of the risk of hearing loss among these workers was conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Institute of the Canadian Province of Quebec (Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail - IRSST), following a request by the school transport association of Quebec (Association du transport écolier du Québec - ATEQ). Exposure of drivers to noise was measured, and the daily noise dose received was computed. The importance of total exposure compared to reference values was also evaluated, together with respective contributions of various sources of noise. The analysis of the results shows that the driving of school buses does not present a serious risk of occupational hearing loss. (103656)
CIS 04-696 Development of new high-performance absorbing materials for the attenuation of low-frequency noise. (French: Développement de nouveaux matériaux absorbants à hautes performances acoustiques pour diminuer le bruit en basses fréquences) Atalla N., Amédin C.H., Atalla Y., Panneton R., Sgard F., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. vii, 73p. Illus. 42 ref. Price: CAD 7.49. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22493-4 (In French) Internet: Conventional acoustic materials used for controlling noise in occupational settings are mainly effective for medium and high frequencies. In an earlier study (Etudes et Recherches R-278, http://www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/R-278.pdf), the Occupational Safety and Health Institute of the Canadian Province of Quebec (Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail - IRSST) evaluated the possibilities presented by heterogeneous porous materials that are more effective in absorbing lower frequencies. This document reports on the further modelling and optimisation of these materials during laboratory testing. Work on the project is expected to continue, with the next phases involving additional numerical and experimental studies in areas including the building, aeronautical and automobile industries. (103657)
CIS 04-697 Design of a hearing protector that suppresses dominant noise. (French: Conception d'un protecteur auditif à suppression de bruits dominants) Le R., Laliberté P., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. iv, 34p. Illus. 32 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22450-0 (In French) Internet: Miners generally work with noisy tools and equipment in enclosed areas that are prone to echoing. To protect themselves against ambient noise, they wear conventional hearing protectors such as earmuffs or earplugs. However, these protective accessories mask out all types of signals, including voices and alarms. The aim of this project was to develop a device capable of attenuating the noise from tools and equipment while allowing voice and alarm signals to be heard. Two prototypes of hearing protectors fitted with electronic circuits were developed and tested. Results obtained in the laboratory with a pure sound showed some promise. However, results obtained in practical situations were disappointing. More advanced research will be required for the concept to be of practical use. (103655)
CIS 04-698 Current understanding of ionizing radiation. (French: Le point des connaissances sur les rayonnements ionisants) Gauron A.C., Servent J.P., Dornier G., Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, 1st ed., Jan. 2005. 4p. Illus. 7 ref. Price: EUR 1.50. Downloadable version free of charge. (In French) Internet: Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation occurs in the following situations: when using radioactive sources; when using materials containing radioactive elements for their properties unrelated to their radioactivity; in the presence of natural radioactivity at the worksite; as a result of an industrial accident or incident. Given the potential hazards, the first step in any prevention effort is to conduct a hazard evaluation that takes into account the industrial process and human exposure conditions, followed by the implementation of measures aimed at controlling both the risks of contamination by radioactive substances and the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. (103614)
CIS 04-699 Occupational radiation protection. (French: Radioprotection professionnelle) Sales and Promotion Unit, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Wien, Austria, 1999. 73p. Illus. 24 ref. Price: EUR 14.50., ISBN 92-0-201104-4 (In French) Internet: The present safety guide (translation of the document abstracted as CIS 00-1736) provides general guidance on the establishment of an effective radiation protection programme for occupational exposure, appropriate for the sources of radiation likely to be encountered in a range of industries, medical institutions, educational and research establishments and nuclear fuel cycle facilities. It further provides the necessary guidance to meet the requirements as laid down in the International Basic Safety Standards for Protection against ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources (see CIS 96-1472). Contents: introduction; framework for occupational radiation protection; dose limitation; optimisation of radiation protection for practices; radiation protection programmes; intervention in emergencies; health surveillance. (103648)
CIS 04-700 Optimization of radiation protection in the control of occupational exposure. (French: L'optimisation de la radioprotection dans le cadre de la maîtrise de l'exposition professionnelle) Sales and Promotion Unit, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Wien, Austria, 2002. 66p. Illus. 30 ref. Price: EUR 19.00., ISBN 92-0-216303-0 (In French) Internet: This safety report provides practical information on the application of the principle of optimising radiation protection in the workplace. It emphasizes the importance of integrating radiation protection into the work management system and of the involvement of management and workers alike in setting up and implementing a radiation protection system. Contents: introduction; optimisation process; assessment of exposure situations; means of reducing exposure; defining and implementing an ALARA (as low as reasonable achievable) plan; conclusions. Appendices include decision aiding techniques, ALARA checklists and monetary values of the unit collective dose. (103649)
CIS 04-701 Exposure to static magnetic fields. (Spanish: Exposición a campos magnéticos estáticos) Luna Mendaza P., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 4p. 6 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note presents a summary of the conclusions of the WHO and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) concerning the effects of exposure to static magnetic fields. Contents: values and measuring units for magnetic fields; physical and biological effects of static magnetic fields; exposure evaluation criteria and threshold limit values; possible exposures to static magnetic fields (electrolytic processes, NMR spectrometers, medical imaging (MRI), various activities that involve magnetic materials or magnetic processes); risks of interference with certain equipment (cardiac stimulators, prostheses, electronic or electromechanical devices). (103674)
CIS 04-702 Functional safety of machinery control systems in the light of the requirements of EC directives. (Polish: Bezpieczeństwo funkcjonalne systemów sterowania maszynami w świetle przepisów wprowadzających dyrektywy UE) Dźwiarek M., Bezpieczeństwo pracy, Dec. 2004, No.12, p.9-11. 12 ref. (In Polish) Internet: Results of accident analyses that took place during machine servicing have shown that inappropriate functioning of control systems is one of their important causes. Systems preventing accidents can be implemented by the machine manufacturer and/or the user. Requirements concerning their resistance to defects are included in Directives 97/37/EC and 89/655/EEC. They are also given in more detail in standards EN 954-1:1996, ISO/DIS 13849-1:2004 and IEC/FDIS 62061:2004. Using these documents poses problems, especially for SMEs. Therefore, it is significant to strengthen cooperation between research centres, Technical Normalization Committees and industry, and create tools for implementing the principles of functional safety of control systems. (103599)
CIS 04-703 Nail gun injuries among construction workers. Dement J.M., Lipscomb H., Li L., Epling C., Desai T., Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, May 2003, Vol.18, No.5, p.374-383. Illus. 32 ref. (In English) Internet: Based on compensation claims of construction workers in Ohio and North Carolina, this study examines nail gun-related injuries. Overall, nail gun injuries were responsible for 3.9% of workers' compensation claims with 8.3% to 25.5% of claims involving paid lost work time. The overall rate of nail gun injuries (cases per 200,000 work hours) was 0.33 in North Carolina and 0.26 in Ohio. The predominant body parts injured were the hands and fingers, with 80-89% of injuries being nail punctures. The analysis of the data suggests that approximately 69% of puncture injuries may be due to an inadvertent gun discharge or misfire, preventable in large part by sequential triggers. Worker training is also an important component of nail gun injury prevention. (103588)
CIS 04-704 Structural deterioration of tractor safety cabs with age. Scarlett A.J., Stockton A.D., Price J.S., Bacon J.M., Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2004. vi, 84p. Illus. 10 ref. Price: GBP 25.00. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 0-7176-2873-6 (In English) Internet: This investigation was undertaken to determine the prevalence, structural severity and practical implications of the deterioration over time of tractor roll-over protective structures (ROPS). A detailed survey of levels of deterioration of approximately 400 tractors manufactured in the period 1970-1990 was conducted at used agricultural equipment auctions in the United Kingdom. The cabs of seven representative used tractors were partially dismantled to enable detailed visual inspection of deterioration and corrosion present. Five of these vehicles were subsequently subjected to a ROPS structural testing procedure. The implications of the findings are discussed. (103503)
CIS 04-705 Study of design mechanisms to reduce the impact of the displacement of suspension-equipped seats. (French: Etude des mécanismes de conception visant à limiter l'importance des impacts occasionnés par le talonnement des sièges à suspension) Boileau P.E., Rakheja S., Wang Z., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. iii, 52p. Illus. 20 ref. Price: CAD 5.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22526-4 (In French) Internet: The installation of suspension seats equipped with rigid rubber end stops is often the solution adopted to reduce the vibration transmitted to the bodies of vehicle drivers. When there is a significant displacement of the seat, the impact on these end stops transmits vibrations to the driver that may increase his vibration dose. Based on a novel analytical model, this document presents the optimal characteristics of seat suspensions and end stops that would reduce as much as possible the incidence or severity of these impacts. Among the alternatives proposed are end stops of variable stiffness or a shock absorber offering progressive damping in relation to the displacement. (103708)
CIS 04-706 Floor cleaning as a preventive measure against slip and fall accidents. Quirion F., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. 12p. Illus. 7 ref., ISBN 2-551-42257-0 (In English) Internet: Contents of this technical note on flooring maintenance aimed at preventing falls from slips: glossary; problems caused by flooring maintenance illustrated in the form of comic strips; boxes presenting a concise overview of issues related to the topic (statistics of slip falls in Quebec; lowering of flooring friction caused by contaminants; effect of optimal maintenance on friction; effect of cleaning agents; selection of cleaning agents; proper use of cleaning agents). English version of the document analysed under CIS 03-1898. (103645)
CIS 04-707 Technical recommendation on procedures - Protective measures against falls from heights. (Portuguese: Recomendação técnica de procedimentos - Medidas de proteção contra quedas de altura) Fernandes Vieira M., Rangel Filho A., Rodrigues da Silva R., Custódio D., Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, 2003. 33p. Illus. 11 ref. (In Portuguese) Internet: This technical recommendation specifies the measures to be implemented for preventing falls of persons and objects in the building industry. These measures concern equipment offering vertical protection (railings, nets, protection of floor openings) and horizontal protection, as well as protective platforms against falls from heights. (103741)
CIS 04-708 Technical recommendation on procedures - Handling and transport of goods and persons - Building site elevators. (Portuguese: Recomendação técnica de procedimentos - Movimentação e transporte de materiais e pessoas - Elevadores de obra) Viana M.J., de Souza P.C., Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, 2003. 38p. Illus. 19 ref. (In Portuguese) Internet: This technical recommendation species the technical measures and minimum safety procedures to be implemented during the erection, maintenance and use of building site elevators. It covers the following aspects: requirements for winches, towers, ramps and access gangways, cabins and goods elevators, steel cables, brakes, safety devices and signalling; recommendations concerning the maintenance of building site elevators; safety measures to be taken by operators; check list for building site elevators; cog rail goods elevators. (103742)
CIS 04-709 Technical recommendation on procedures - Ladders, ramps and gangways. (Portuguese: Recomendação técnica de procedimentos - Escalas, rampas e passarelas) Padilha do Amaral A.E., Leone Lamera D., Custódio D., Balbão Andrade L.R, Barroso Madruga M.A., Ferreira da Silva Filho O., Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, 2002. 59p. Illus. 32 ref. (In Portuguese) Internet: This technical recommendation specifies the requirements for ladders, ramps and gangways used in the construction industry, and offers guidance for their safe use. Contents: definitions; general aspects concerning gangways; different types of portable and fixed ladders; ramps and access gangways. (103744)
CIS 04-710 Safe roofwork. (Czech: Bezpečnost při práci na střechách; Danish: Sikkerhed ved tagarbejde; Dutch: Veilig werken op daken; Estonian: Ohutud katusetööd; Finnish: Kattotöiden turvallisuus; French: Sécurité lors de travaux sur toiture; German: Sicheres Arbeiten am Dach; Greek: Asfaleís ergasíes stis stéges; Hungarian: A tetőn végzett munka biztonsága; Italian: Lavorare sui tetti in maniera sicura; Latvian: Drošs darbs uz jumtiem; Lithuanian: Saugūs stogo darbai; Maltese: Xogħol bla periklu fuq is-soqfa; Polish: Bezpieczna praca na dachu; Portuguese: Trabalhar com segurança em telhados; Slovak: Bezpečná práca na streche; Slovenian: Varno delo na strehah; Spanish: Trabajo seguro en tejados; Swedish: Säkra takarbeten) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2004. 2p. Illus. 2 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: Working on roofs can be dangerous, and high safety standards are essential however long- or short-term the work. This fact sheet provides basic advice on working safety on roofs. Contents: precautions for roof work (hazard evaluation, fall prevention, falling material, training); types of roofs (flat roofs, pitched roofs, fragile roofs, industrial roofing, work on existing roofs); information of personnel; legislation. (103535)
CIS 04-711 Prevention of the risk of prefabricated shuttering elements being blown down by wind. (French: Prévention du risque de renversement des banches sous l'effet du vent) Travail et sécurité, Jan. 2004, No.636, fascicule II, p.11-15. Illus. (In French) Internet: The objective of this recommendation is to specify the preventive measures to be implemented to ensure the stability of prefabricated shuttering elements exposed to wind during all phases of their use and storage. Contents: scope; prevention principles; preventive measures at the organizational level, including building site preparation; technical preventive measures (stabilisation by rear anchoring, counterweights and coupling). (103634)
CIS 04-712 Technical recommendation on procedures - Excavations, foundations and rock blasting. (Portuguese: Recomendação técnica de procedimentos - Escavações, fundações e desmonte de rochas) Ferreira da Silva O., Fernandes Vieira M., Custódio D., Balbão Andrade L.R., de Almeida Gusmão F., Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, 2002. 35p. Illus. 15 ref. (In Portuguese) Internet: This technical recommendation describes the risks related to excavation work, work in excavated foundations, pile driving and rock blasting using explosives, and specifies the technical measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of workers. Reference is also made to applicable standards. (103743)
CIS 04-713 Health care wastes that present infectious hazards - Waste disposal system. (French: Déchets d'activités de soins à risque infectieux - La filière d'élimination) Ravallec C., Travail et sécurité, July-Aug. 2004, No.642, p.28-39. Illus. (In French) Internet: Health care wastes that present infectious hazards are an important public health issue. These potentially contaminated wastes are generated during medical or veterinary activities, and may expose persons handling or otherwise coming into contact with them to biological hazards such as HIV, HBV or HCV. Approximately 155,000 tons of these wastes are generated each year in France. Their disposal requires the involvement of specialized waste disposal enterprises, which apply strict traceability controls at each step. Precautions need to be taken starting from the time the wastes are generated. They need to be placed in suitable packaging according to the type of waste and the hazard it involves. Separation should be carried out at the source. Intermediate storage of these packages should be in containers placed in a suitable area that satisfies precise criteria. Waste collection should be carried out by persons specially trained with respect to biological hazards. Important precautionary measures should be taken during the incineration of these wastes. Empty containers should be washed and disinfected before being re-introduced into the collection cycle. (103681)
CIS 04-714 Follow-up study organized by the Association of Medical and Social Centres of the Ile-de-France region on accidents involving exposure to blood (IEBs): Analysis of the initial results. (French: Observatoire ACMS des accidents avec exposition au sang (AES): mise en place des premiers résultats) Fau-Prudhomot P., Fabin C., Montéléon P.Y., Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle, 2003, Vol.43, No.2, p.125-140. 18 ref. (In French) Internet: Accidents involving exposure to blood (AEBs) have been regularly recorded and analysed for several years in large public hospitals in France. However, this has not always been the case in private health care institutions and in other sectors of activity that present a potential hazard. The objective of this study was to record and describe AEBs occurring in small-to-medium-sized institutions as well as in non-health-care settings in the Ile-de-France region. Between July 2001 and January 2003, 196 cases of AEBs were recorded, of which 15 occurred outside health care settings during waste collection, cleaning or supervision of the premises. In health care settings, the victims were predominantly women (90.4%), persons with less than two years of tenure (60.3%) and persons vaccinated against hepatitis B (95.7%). More than half the cases of AEB occurred during the disposal of contaminated material (58%), in particular because containers were often not easily accessible (40%). Gloves were not worn in 40% of AEB cases. (103714)
CIS 04-715 Preventive measures and response to tuberculosis in France - Synthesis and recommendations of the French Public Health Commission (2002-2003). (French: Prévention et prise en charge de la tuberculose en France - Synthèse et recommandations du groupe de travail du Conseil supérieur d'hygiène publique de France (2002-2003)) Abiteboul D., Antoun F., Bessa Z., Bouvet E., Billy C., Dautzenberg B., Decludt B., Gaudelus J., Jarlier V., Lerasle S., Siruguet O., Vincent V., Balty I., Bayeux M.C., Comolet T., Delarue C., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 1st Quarter 2004, No.97, p.21-49. Illus. 1 ref. (In French) Internet: A working group commissioned by the French Public Health Commission published a report containing recommendations on the prevention of, and response to, tuberculosis in France. This special feature on tuberculosis includes a summary of the first three chapters of the report highlighting information relevant to occupational health services (epidemiology, organization of the monitoring of tuberculosis in France and role of tuberculosis prevention services). Five further chapters with implications for the practice of occupational physicians are reproduced in full. (103665)
CIS 04-716 Blood exposure incidents: Importance of an early warning system. (French: Accidents d'exposition au sang: intérêt d'un "système sentinelle") Denis M.A., Ecochard R., Bernadet A., Forissier M.F., Porst J.M., Robert O., Volckmann C., Bergeret A., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 3rd Quarter 2004, No.99, p.383-387. 8 ref. (In French) Internet: This study highlights the importance of an early warning system for blood exposure incidents for determining case-by-case preventive actions when it is observed that a specific health care action presents a higher-than-expected frequency of incident occurrence (warning threshold). It presents the results of a database compilation of incidents having occurred in public hospitals in Lyon, France, between 1996 and 2003, together with their analysis. This analysis led to the evaluation and selection of safety equipment and enabled the introduction of specific and sustainable preventive and collaborative measures. (103514)
CIS 04-717 STDs and AIDS at the place of work - Study of awareness, attitudes and practices in enterprises where SESI undertook preventive programmes. (Portuguese: DST e AIDS no local de trabalho - Um estudo sobre conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas nas empresas trabalhadas pelo SESI) Serviço Social da Indústria (SESI), Ministério do Saúde do Brazil, Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco G, CEP 70058-900 Brasília-DF, Brazil, 1998. 91p. Illus. (In Portuguese) Internet: This study investigated the awareness of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and AIDS among 4893 workers in 123 enterprises where the Brazilian social service for industry (SESI) had undertaken preventive programmes. The analysis of answers to a 34-item questionnaire revealed that although workers were well aware of the mode of transmission of these diseases and of their prevention, certain unfounded beliefs and discriminatory attitudes towards infected workers persisted. Only few workers regularly used condoms. The study highlights the need for more thorough information in order to close certain gaps. (103747)
CIS 04-718 Biological agents. (Czech: Biologické materiály; Danish: Biologiske agenser; Dutch: Biologische agentia; Estonian: Bioloogilised ohutegurid; Finnish: Biologiset tekijät; French: Agents biologiques; German: Biologische Arbeitsstoffe; Greek: Biologikoí parágontes; Hungarian: Biológiai hatóanyagok; Italian: Agenti biologici; Latvian: Bioloģiskie aģenti; Lithuanian: Biologinės medžiagos; Polish: Czynniki biologiczne; Portuguese: Agentes biológicos; Slovak: Biologické látky; Slovenian: Biološki dejavniki; Spanish: Agentes biológicos; Swedish: Biologiska agenser) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, http://osha.eu.int, 2003. 2p. Illus. 2 ref. (In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) Internet: The theme for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003 is the prevention of risks from dangerous substances. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is producing a series of fact sheets focusing on the communication of occupational safety and health-related information on dangerous substances, including biological agents. Biological agents are found in many sectors. As they are rarely visible, the risks they pose are not always appreciated. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi (yeasts and moulds) and parasites. Contents of this fact sheet on biological hazards: legislation; occupational exposure limits; risk assessment, prevention and control; persons at risk; health effects; hazard evaluation, risk reduction and control; record keeping. (103527)
CIS 04-719 Biological agents: Developing a sampling plan. (Spanish: Agentes biológicos: planificación de la medición) Hernández Calleja A., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 10p. 14 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note provides guidance on how to plan the sampling of biological agents for the purposes of evaluating the exposure of workers. Contents: general aspects of the approach; questions to raise during the monitoring of biological agents (purpose of the measurement, location of frequency of the sampling, selection of the sampling equipment, number of samples to be collected); volume and duration of the sampling; rules for the determination of airborne microorganisms and endotoxins as specified in the standard UNE EN 13098. (103688)
CIS 04-720 Biological agents: Sampling equipment (I). (Spanish: Agentes biológicos: equipos de muestreo (I)) Hernández Calleja A., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 8p. 13 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note covers the requirements concerning equipment used for the environmental sampling of biological agents. Contents: general considerations concerning the approach; various aspects relating to sampling efficiency; principles of sample collection of biological agents (impaction, filtration); various types of samplers (impacters, centripetal samplers, filter samplers); sample collection on materials and surfaces (smearing, sampling by contact with culture medium plates or on adhesive tapes). The advantages and limitations of the various types of samplers and analytical techniques are discussed in the note NTP 610-2001 (CIS 04-721). (103689)
CIS 04-721 Biological agents: Sampling equipment (II). (Spanish: Agentes biológicos: equipos de muestreo (II)) Hernández Calleja A., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus 13 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note covers the basic factors that need to be taken into account when selecting a sampler and proposes a flowchart to help choose a suitable device. A table lists the various types of samplers used for biological agents, indicating the type of biological agent detected, the relevant analytical techniques and the advantages and limitations of each method. The requirements concerning equipment used for collecting samples of biological agents are presented in the note NTP 609-2001 (CIS 04-720). (103690)
CIS 04-722 Biological risk prevention in laboratories: Work with bacteria. (Spanish: Prevención del riesgo biológico en el laboratorio: trabajo con bacterias) Alonso Espadalé R.M., Constans Aubert A., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus. 10 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note covers the prevention of biological hazards in laboratories during work involving bacteria. It lists the main species that may be pathogenic for exposed workers along with the level of biological security required during their handling. Contents: applicable legislation; general characteristics of bacteria; main bacterial agents that are pathogenic for humans; risks incurred in laboratories and precautions to be taken; list of bacteria and their risk class. (103700)
CIS 04-723 Ergonomic approach aimed at assisting the docking of road transport trucks. (French: Démarche ergonomique d'assistance à la mise à quai de camions de transport routier) Hella F., Schouller J.F., Clément D., Travail humain, July 2003, Vol. 66, No.3, p.283-304. Illus. 25 ref. (In French) Internet: Risks of accidents during the reversing of trailer trucks into freight-handling bays are increasing. Systems aimed at improving visibility during reversing constitute one of the means of helping drivers during these manoeuvres. The efficiency of these systems in the prevention of accidents lies in their ability to take operators' needs into account and to analyse the specific perceptual difficulties that they face when reversing. The first phase of this project involved the identification of strategies deployed by drivers during various types of reversing manoeuvres with trailer trucks. These strategies were then decomposed and compared to the strategies of truck driving instructors, enabling a first approach to the definition of a manoeuvre to be taught to the drivers. (103730)
CIS 04-724 Prevention of MSDs in supermarkets - Where to start?. (French: Prévenir les TMS en supermarché - Par où commencer?) Beaugrand S., Richard J.G., Forcier L., Travail et santé, Dec. 2003, Vol.19, No.4, p.45-50. Illus. 7 ref. (In French) Internet: This article summarizes and comments on a study of ergonomics, working conditions and musculoskeletal risk among supermarket workers in Quebec. Contents: general aspects of supermarket work; occupational safety and health activities in supermarkets; musculoskeletal risk factors; architecture; layout of premises and equipment; proposed approach for improvements in ergonomics and working conditions in this sector of activity. (103639)
CIS 04-725 Long workhours and health. van der Hulst M., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, June 2003, Vol.29, No.3, p.171-188. 70 ref. (In English) Internet: This meta-analysis examined the association between long working hours and the state of health, special attention being given the to physiological recovery and behavioural life-style mechanisms. A total of 27 recent empirical studies met the selection criteria. They indicate that long working hours are associated with adverse health as measured by several indicators (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, disability retirement, subjectively reported physical health, subjective fatigue). Furthermore, some evidence exists for an association between long working hours and physiological changes (cardiovascular and immunological parameters) as well as changes in health-related behaviour (reduced sleeping hours). Support for the physiological recovery mechanism seems stronger than support for the behavioural life-style mechanism. (103581)
CIS 04-726 Starting work time an hour earlier than the day before - Comments. (Polish: Rozpoczynanie pracy o godzinie wcześniejszej niż w dniu poprzednim - uwagi) Orłowski G., Monitor Prawa Pracy, Jan. 2005, No.1, p.347-349. (In Polish) Internet: The problem of restarting work during the same 24h period is discussed. The conditions for this kind of scheduling are presented. The contemporary demand for flexible work time practices is explained. It is emphasized that legislation concerning working hours and the individual needs of the employers should be both taken into consideration. (103602)
CIS 04-727 Analysis of work activity during night shifts: A review of 25 years of research and future outlook. (French: L'analyse de l'activité de travail en postes de nuit: bilan de 25 ans de recherches et perspectives) Barthe B., Quéinnec Y., Verdier F., Travail humain, Jan. 2004, Vol. 67, No.1, p.41-61. Illus. 54 ref. (In French) Internet: This article consists of a review of published literature on shift work drawn from the fields of psychophysiology, chronobiology and ergonomics. It is not possible to highlight all the difficulties faced by workers during shift work or night work by limiting the investigations to the consequences on job performance alone. New models that take into account circadian and homeostatic factors are an attempt to explain the specific nature of night work and its relationship with changes in vigilance. The search for solutions is discussed from the vantage points of work organization (for example the introduction of night naps) and the cooperative aspects of work. (103621)
CIS 04-728 How to ensure the physiological comfort of protective footwear. (Polish: Jak zapewnić komfort fizjologiczny użytkownikom obuwia ochronnego) Kamińska W., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2004. 33p. 41 ref., ISBN 83-7373-021-4 (In Polish) Internet: The most important functions and the indispensable properties of footwear used for foot protection against different risks are outlined. There is a detailed description of heat exchange, moisture and the microclimate around the feet. (103591)
CIS 04-729 Development of biomechanical tests for evaluating the adherence and flexibility of protective gloves. (French: Développement de tests biomécaniques pour l'évaluation de l'adhérence et de la souplesse des gants de protection) Larivière C., Plamondon A., Tellier C., Lara J., Boutin J., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. vii, 51p. Illus. 49 ref. Price: CAD 6.42. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22497-7 (In French) Internet: All too often, the stiffness, thickness, adherence or fit of gloves provided to workers make them inappropriate for the task to be carried out, which consequently requires a greater effort by the forearm muscles than if the work is done with bare hands. As a result, workers often refuse to wear protective gloves, which has a negative impact on injury prevention. In this study, a methodology based on dynamometric and electromyographic measurements was developed for evaluating the flexibility and adherence of gloves during standardized tasks, and for evaluating how sensitive this methodology is to the wearing of different types of gloves. The tests involved 30 subjects who carried out standardized gripping tasks aimed at assessing the efficiency of the gloves. Findings are discussed, and further research is proposed. (103707)
CIS 04-730 Main determinants of manual handling work in a warehouse superstore. (French: Les principaux déterminants de l'activité de manutention dans un magasin-entrepôt de grande surface) St-Vincent M., Laberge M., Denis D., Richard M.C., Imbeau D., Delisle A., Dufour B., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2004. viii, 67p. Illus. 38 ref. Price: CAD 7.49., ISBN 2-551-22478-0 (In French) Internet: Within the retail sector, warehouse stores present a high risk of back pain for their workers. This report describes the ergonomic analysis of materials handling work in a warehouse store, with a focus on the job of stocker which involves numerous handling activities. It also describes the characteristics of the warehouse superstore based on the products stored, the physical layout and work organization. The study shows that the stocker's work has a large planning component related to stock and arrival management. Together with the employer, the study team proposed a number of practical solutions for the specific ergonomic problems that were identified. (103644)
CIS 04-731 NULI: Index of the impact of neck and upper extremity pain on daily life. (French: IDVQ: l'indice d'impact de la douleur au cou et aux membres supérieurs sur la vie quotidienne) Stock S., Loisel P., Durand M.J., Streiner D., Tugwell P., Reardon R., Lemaire J., Boucher M., Darzins S., Dilworth P., Gaudreault N., Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2003. ix, 95p. Illus. 58 ref. Price: CAD 7.49. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge., ISBN 2-551-22428-4 (In French) Internet: This report describes the development and validation of a new tool designed for measuring the state of health of workers with musculoskeletal injuries of the neck and upper extremities. This tool, entitled "Neck and Upper Limb Index (NULI-20)", exists in the form of a questionnaire of 20 items aimed at evaluating the consequences of these musculoskeletal injuries on various aspects of the subject's life (work, physical activity, sleep, psychosocial aspects). This questionnaire was designed to enable the evaluation of the severity of the injuries and to allow a follow-up of the state of health of the subjects over time. It can be used both for research and in a clinical rehabilitation process. An appendix includes French and English versions of the questionnaire. (103653)
CIS 04-732 Ergonomic design of visual display workstations: Work equipment. (Spanish: El diseño ergonómico del puesto de trabajo con pantallas de visualización: el equipo de trabajo) Fidalgo Vega M., Nogareda Cuixart C., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 7p. Illus. 12 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note discusses the main ergonomic aspects to be taken into account when designing the layout of workplaces involving work with visual display screens, given current technical and scientific knowledge and legal requirements with respect to occupational safety and health. Contents: general considerations concerning applicable legislation; definition of the basic elements of work at screens (visual display screens, users, workstations); factors that need to be taken into account when designing workstations (equipment, work environment, worker, work organization); requirements with respect to work equipment (spatial layout of equipment, screen, filters, screen support, keyboard, wrist rest, desk, document holder, work documents, seat, electrical wires and cables); working on laptop computers. (103678)
CIS 04-733 Working conditions assessment methods: Postural load - REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) method. (Spanish: Evaluación de las condiciones de trabajo: carga postural - Método REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment)) Nogareda Cuixart S., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus. 1 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note describes the method entitled "Rapid Entire Body Assessment" (REBA) for evaluating the risk of developing disorders related to the conditions of work, including an evaluation of postural load. Contents: characteristics and objectives of the REBA method; carrying out an evaluation involving 144 possible postural combinations; presentation of a practical example of the application of the method to the posture adopted by a nurse to alter the position of a patient in bed. (103677)
CIS 04-734 Train drivers involved in "person under train" incidents: The policy followed by the French state railways, a tool of accompaniment and prevention. (French: A propos des conducteurs de trains confrontés à un accident de personne: la politique d'accompagnement de la S.N.C.F., outil de prise en charge et de prévention) Cothereau C., de Beaurepaire C., Payan C., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Sep. 2004, Vol.65, No.5, p.396-405. 22 ref. (In French) Internet: In 1995, the French Railways (SNCF) implemented a policy of psychological support of train drivers having experienced a "person under train" accident. In this background, SNCF's medical department undertook a national epidemiologic study to gain a better understanding of the psychiatric disorders, somatic health and professional effects on train drivers having experienced a "person under train" accident and to study the relevance and effectiveness of the policy of accompaniment applied by the network since 1995. The study compared a group of 106 train drivers having experienced a "person under train" accident in 1994 before the introduction of the new policy with a group of 202 train drivers having experienced a "person under train" accident in 1996, having benefited from these new measures. At the time of each visit, the occupational physician evaluated the professional events, medical fitness and performed a clinical examination. The differences between the two groups, which were not as important as expected, are discussed. (103517)
CIS 04-735 Causes of stress among transport workers. (French: Les causes du stress chez les ouvriers du transport) Van Thillo F., Travail et bien-être, Mar.-Apr. 2002, No.2, p.5-11. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article summarizes the report of a study carried out by the Belgian union of transport workers on the causes of stress in the various sub-sectors of road transport. Around 1300 persons working in 50 enterprises were surveyed and questioned on work organization, personnel policies, supervision, social aspects, working conditions during driving, personal aspects and causes of stress. A short description of the problems identified and the corresponding action plans is presented. The impact of the European Directive on working time on the road transport sector in Belgium is briefly discussed. (103703)
CIS 04-736 Bullying and employment outcomes among 126 patients of an occupational health examination. (French: Harcèlement moral et pronostic professionnel chez 126 patients d'une consultation de pathologie professionnelle) Bensefa L., Sandret N., De Clavière C., Descatha A., Pairon J.C., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, Sep. 2004, Vol.65, No.5, p.387-395. Illus. 22 ref. (In French) Internet: The purpose of this study was to analyse the experience of patients referred to an occupational health department for suspected bullying, and to highlight the factors influencing occupational outcomes. All patients referred to the occupational health department for mental disorders between January 2000 and June 2002 were included in the study. Medical files were screened to analyse sociodemographic characteristics and to differentiate among bullying, conflict at work and work overload. A self-administered questionnaire was addressed to each patient in December 2002 in order to collect information on socioprofessional outcome. 126 patients were included in the study (108 cases exposed to bullying and 18 cases involving personal conflict or work overload). Some sectors were over-represented: not-for-profit associations (21 cases), health care (18 cases) and retail commerce (14 cases). 85 subjects answered the questionnaire, including 72 probable victims of bullying. Factors significantly associated with keeping the job were age, company size and being employed by a public institution. Among the 40 probable victims of bullying who left their work, 90% were revoked and 42.5% had true difficulties finding new employment. Patients with diagnosis of probable bullying who evolved favourably were those with the shortest period of exposure. Therefore, early recognition of these situations should be a priority for occupational physicians. (103516)
CIS 04-737 Unhealthy behaviours and their underlying reasons in the perception of employees working in enterprises. (Polish: Zachowania antyzdrowotne i ich motywy w świadomości pracowników przedsiębiorstw) Puchalski K., Medycyna pracy, 2004, Vol.55, No.5, p.417-424. 5 ref. (In Polish) Internet: The opinion of employees working in Polish enterprises was asked, through a questionnaire survey and interviews, concerning the impact of their own behaviour on their health. It was found that health education should concentrate on an examination of individual motivation for adverse behaviour rather than on general knowledge. (103595)
CIS 04-738 Predictors of mental health status and work ability of blue-collar workers. (Polish: Predyktory zdrowia psychicznego i zdolności do pracy pracowników zatrudnionych na stanowiskach wykonawczych) Merecz D., Mościcka A., Drabek M., Koniarek J., Medycyna pracy, 2004, Vol.55, No.5, p.425-433. 18 ref. (In Polish) Internet: The aim of this study was to identify features and conditions of work that determine the work ability and health of employees. It was found that the strongest predictors of work ability are age, stress arising out of a lack of incentives at work and mental condition. Mental health is influenced by factors such as stress relating to lack of confidence at work, negative emotions and the quantity of alcohol consumed. (103596)
CIS 04-739 How to combat mobbing? A challenge for employers. (Polish: Jak walczyć z mobbingiem? - wyzwanie dla pracodawców) Rogoyski A., Monitor Prawa Pracy, Dec. 2004, No.12, p.335-337. 3 ref. (In Polish) Internet: Discussion of mobbing in the Polish context, in light of recently introduced legislation on the matter. (103604)
CIS 04-740 Psychosocial tensions of shift work: Pending issues. (French: Les discordances psychosociales du travail posté: questions en suspens) Gadbois C., Travail humain, Jan. 2004, Vol. 67, No.1, p.63-85. 60 ref. (In French) Internet: Based on an analysis of the current understanding of the effects of shift work patterns on family and social life, several areas of focus for future development work are proposed, including: better characterization of relevant parameters of work schedule systems and time structuring of non-occupational activities, in particular by taking into account the occupational status of the spouse; direct surveys among spouses and children; analyses of coping strategies developed by shift workers; and taking better account of psychosocial theories concerning family life and life cycles. (103622)
CIS 04-741 Stress and occupational risk-taking. (French: Stress et prises de risques professionnels) Cadet B., Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail, May 2003, Vol.64, No.3, p.148-156. Illus. 47 ref. (In French) Internet: This review article discusses the influence of stress on high-level cognitive procedures such as judgment and decision-making in the context of risk assessment. It focuses on the impact of stress in the work environment on risk-taking when complex technical systems have to be implemented. Analysis of recent findings suggests that stress generates poor-quality data processing operations for activities designated as complex in cognitive psychology terms. Stress is a contributory cause of bias in assessment procedures, because it affects all stages involved in obtaining appropriate estimates of risk. Narrowing the perceptual field affects data selection and diminishes the range of indicators taken into account; narrowing the cognitive field modifies the optimum weighting that would normally apply to these factors. In addition, stress accelerates the adoption of simplified strategies that encourage the use of often contradictory localized rationales, to the detriment of more broad-based ones that would enable a wider view to be taken. Examination of these findings leads to the conclusion that it is the diversity and creativeness of cognitive resources that are most affected by stress. On the basis of experimental findings, a neuro-psychological hypothesis involving interconnecting networks is proposed. (103723)
CIS 04-742 Workplace monitoring of psychoactive substances. (French: Le dépistage des substances psychoactives en milieu de travail) Durand E., Gayet C., Bijaoui A., Documents pour le médecin du travail, 3rd Quarter 2004, No.99, p.301-314. 22 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this article is to take stock of the legal situation in France with respect to the workplace monitoring of psychoactive substances. The first part of the article provides a number of definitions together with a non-exhaustive list of substances and their effects (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, hallucinatory substances, solvents, psychotropic medical drugs). Legal regulations that apply to workplace monitoring are addressed in the second part. (103512)
CIS 04-743 Sociability, psychological suffering and repetitive strain injury among bank tellers. (Portuguese: Sociabilidade, sofrimento psíquico e lesões por esforços repetitivos entre caixas bancários) Borges L.H., Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Fundacentro, Rua Capote Valente 710, São Paulo, SP 05409-002, Brazil, 2001. 180p. 67 ref. Price: BRL 15.00. (In Portuguese) Internet: This thesis explores the relationship between work organization for repetitive tasks, social relations at work, psychological suffering and repetitive strain injuries among bank tellers. Starting from the hypothesis that the type of work organization for repetitive tasks causes certain types of social relationships to develop which in turn give rise to psychological suffering and strain injuries, it was shown that strong associations exist between psychological suffering, repetitive strain injury and strenuous working conditions. Sociability is mainly characterized by the type of hierarchical organization. (103745)
CIS 04-744 Mental health promotion and prevention strategies for coping with anxiety, depression and stress related disorders in Europe - Final report 2001-2003. Berkels H., Henderson J., Henke N., Kuhn K., Lavikainen J., Lehtinen V., Ozamiz A., Van den Heede P., Zenziger K., Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Postfach 10 11 10, 27511 Bremerhaven, Germany, 2004. 182p. Bibl. ref. Price: EUR 16.00., ISBN 3-86509-118-0 (In English) Internet: The aim of this project was to identify existing programmes concerning mental health promotion and prevention strategies (including early detection and intervention of anxiety disorders, various forms of depression as well as stress related disorders) at local, regional and national levels within the European Union. Work involved a review of published literature and an evaluation of community, enterprise and institutional programmes based on responses to questionnaires distributed through national OSH agencies in 15 European Union Member States. The evaluation enabled the development of a list of "models of best practice", on which recommendations for mental health promotion and mental ill health prevention are based. (103564)
CIS 04-745 Civil and criminal liability in case of mobbing. (Polish: Cywilnoprawna odpowiedzialność za stosowanie mobbingu) Jędrejek G., Wydawnictwo Prawnicze LexisNexis Sp. z o.o., ul. Sosnkowskiego 1, 02-495, Warszawa, Poland, 2004. 281p. Bibl.ref., ISBN 83-7334-369-5 (In Polish) Internet: This monograph discusses the legal aspects of mobbing. A definition of this phenomenon is given. The problems of the violation of personal rights, and of the vindication of claims of the victim are presented. (103592)
CIS 04-746 Survey on the use of drugs among industrial workers. (Portuguese: Levantamento sobre uso de drogas entre trabalhadores da indústria) Machado Godoi A.M., Serviço Social da Indústria (SESI), Departamento Nacional SBN, Quadra 1 Bloco C, Edifício Roberto Simonsen, CEP 70 040-903 Brasília, Brazil, 2003. 57p. 9 ref. (In Portuguese) Internet: The objective of this research, which involved 2657 workers in 34 Brazilian enterprises, was to study the consumption patterns of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics among industrial workers, as well as the factors related to this consumption, the awareness of workers concerning the consumption of these substances and their opinion concerning preventive actions. The study showed in particular that 38.7% of the workers smoked (42.1% of the men and 28.3% of the women), 78.7% regularly drank alcohol, close to 87% had taken at least one pharmaceutical drug during the previous year and 10.5% consumed illegal narcotics. Most workers were favourable to receiving information at the place of work on substance abuse. (103746)
CIS 04-747 Persons providing care are also in need of care: Understanding and preventing burnout. (Portuguese: Quem cuida também merece cuidados: Conhecendo et prevenindo o burnout) Benvenides Pereira A.M.T., das Neves Alves R., Universidade Estadual de Máringá, Departamento de Psicologia, Av. Colombo, 5790, Bloco118, CEP 8702-900 Máringá, Brazil, 2003. 19p. Illus. 2 ref., ISBN 85-85545-92-5 (In Portuguese) Internet: This booklet on burnout and its prevention is aimed at persons caring for seropositive patients. It describes burnout symptoms, defines stress and burnout and provides guidance for avoiding burnout or mitigating its symptoms. It also includes relaxation and stretching exercises for relieving tension and emphasizes the importance of getting help from professionals when the person providing care can no longer cope with the symptoms alone. (103749)
CIS 04-748 Stress at the workplace. (Portuguese: O stress no meio ambiente de trabalho) Gianella Cataldi M.J., Editora LTr, Rua Apa 165, CEP 01201-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, 2002. 143p. 47 ref., ISBN 85-361-0286-1 (In Portuguese) Internet: This publication examines aspects of occupational stress from a legal perspective. Contents: work relations; ambient conditions not directly related to work; types of occupational stress; stress factors related to certain occupations; bullying at the workplace; prevention of occupational diseases and accidents at the place of work; related activities of trade unions in Brazil, Italy, Argentina and Germany; ILO conventions. Appendices include lists of international treaties and legislation on working conditions. (103750)
CIS 04-749 Psychosocial risk: the demand-control-support model (I). (Spanish: Riesgo psicosocial: el modelo demanda-control-apoyo social (I)) Vega Martínez S., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 6p. Illus. 9 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This information note discusses a psychosocial risk model based on the psychosocial characteristics of work and developed by R. Karasek et al. to describe and analyse work situations that give rise to chronic stress. Contents: description of the three dimensions of the model (psychological demand, control, social support); model predictions (risks of stress-related disorders, passive or active behaviour of the worker as a function of the degree of autonomy and the psychosocial requirements of the job); recent data on exposure to psychosocial hazards (results of a national survey of 1999 and a European survey of 2000 on working conditions, analysis of the distribution of occupations as a function of work autonomy and time pressures, predisposition to stress). The effects of occupational stress on health, instruments of psychosocial evaluation and preventive interventions with respect to the three dimensions of the model are covered in the notice NTP 604-2001 (CIS 04-750). (103679)
CIS 04-750 Psychosocial risk: The demand-control-support model (II). (Spanish: Riesgo psicosocial: el modelo demanda-control-apoyo social (II)) Vega Martínez S., Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 2001. 7p. 10 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: The demand-control-support model consists of a psychosocial risk model developed by R. Karasek et al. to describe and analyse work situations that give rise to chronic stress. This information note discusses the effects of occupational stress on health (musculoskeletal disorders, minor psychic disorders), psychosocial evaluation instruments (Karasek's job content questionnaire and other questionnaires or checklists that derive from it) and preventive interventions with respect to the three dimensions of the model. Karasek's psychosocial risk model is discussed in note NTP 603-2001 (CIS 04-749). (103680)
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