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ILO-CIS Bulletin 2006/03CIS 06-501 --- CIS 06-750Laws, regulations, directivesCIS 06-501 Law No.65-99 concerning the Labour Code [Morocco]. (French: Loi n°65-99 relative au Code du travail [Maroc]) Bulletin officiel, Edition de traduction officielle, 2004-05-06, No.5210, p. 600-658. (In French) Internet: This Labour Code sets out provisions for the terms and conditions of employment in Morocco, including a section on the protection of workers' safety and health: general requirements; transport of heavy goods; medical services; the occupational safety and health committee (see CIS 06-504); safety and health committees. (105144)
CIS 06-502 Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1994 (28p.) (In English) Internet: This Act (gazetted on 24 Feb. 1994) provides the legislative framework for OSH among all Malaysian workers (except those on merchant ships and in the armed forces) and all others who may be placed at risk by work-related activities. Other aims of the Act are the promotion of an occupational environment that is adapted to the physiological and psychological needs of workers, the provision of means whereby associated OSH legislation may be progressively replaced by a system of regulations and approved industry codes of practice. Heavy emphasis is placed on self-regulation, placing the primary responsibility for OSH on those who create the risks and are exposed to them. The Act also aims to establish effective OSH organization and performance in the workplace, relying heavily on cooperation and consultation among employees and management. Main contents: preliminary; appointment of officers; establishment of a National Council for Occupational Safety and Health; general duties of employers and self-employed persons; general duties of designers, manufacturers and suppliers; general duties of employees; safety and health organizations; notification of accidents, dangerous occurrences, occupational poisoning and occupational diseases, and subsequent inquiries; prohibition against use of plant or substances; industrial codes of practice; enforcement and investigation; liability for offences; issuing of regulations. There is a listing of occupations involving special risk to health in schedule 3. No existing legislation is repealed by this Act. (105201)
CIS 06-503 Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Committee) Regulations 1996 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1996. (In English) Internet: Regulations setting out the requirements for the composition, functions and meetings of occupational safety and health committees in workplaces. There is a legal requirement for employers to provide appropriate information and training of committee members. (105206)
CIS 06-504 Decree No.2-04-512 of 16 Kaada 1425 (29 December 2004) concerning members of the occupational safety and health committee and procedures for their nomination and the functioning of the committee [Morocco]. (French: Décret n°2-04-512 du 16 Kaada 1425 (29 décembre 2004) fixant les membres du conseil de médecine de travail et de prévention des risques professionnels et les modalités de leur nomination et de fonctionnement dudit conseil [Maroc]) Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, Rabat, Morocco, 2004. 3p. (In French) Internet: This decree establishes the membership of the occupational safety and health committee (representatives of government, employers and workers) and sets out requirements for their nomination and for the functioning of the committee. (105141)
CIS 06-505 Factories and Machinery (Notification, Certificate of Fitness and Inspection) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 2004. 9p. (In English) Internet: These regulations amend the 1970 Regulations on the same subject (see CIS 95-1583). Their primary purpose is to replace older measurement units by metric units. (105203)
CIS 06-506 Occupational Safety and Health (Employers' Safety and Health General Policy Statements) (Exception) Regulations 1995 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1995. 4p. (In English) Internet: The provisions of the 1994 Act (see CIS 06-502) concerning Employers' Safety and Health General Policy Statements do not apply to enterprises with no more than 5 employees. (105204)
CIS 06-507 Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Officer) Regulations 1997 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1997. (In English) Internet: Regulations concerning the registration, notification and duties of safety and health officers. (105208)
CIS 06-508 Occupational Safety and Health (Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence, Occupational Poisoning and Occupational Disease) Regulations 2004 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 2004. (In English) Internet: These regulations concern the compulsory notification of accidents, dangerous incidents, poisonings and diseases in an occupational context. In schedules: list of criteria for serious bodily injury; notifiable dangerous occurrences (those notifiable in all workplaces, and those notifiable in specific sectors); list of occurrences that can be defined as occupational poisoning or occupational diseases; further matters that the Director General of Occupational Safety and Health can require to be notified. (105210)
CIS 06-509 Text of the Convention concerning the promotional framework for occupational safety and health submitted by the drafting committee. International Labour Conference, Provisional Record, 95th Session, 2006. (French: Texte de la convention sur le cadre promotionnel pour la sécurité et la santé au travail présenté par le comité de rédaction. Conférence internationale du Travail, Compte rendu provisoire, 95e session, 2006; Spanish: Texto del convenio sobre el marco promocional para la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo, Actas Provisionales, 95 reunión, 2006) International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, June 2006. 14p. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: This document provides the text of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 that was submitted by the drafting committee to the 95th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2006. The Convention aims to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths, by development, in consultation with representative organizations of employers and workers, of a national policy, national system and national programme of occupational safety and health. (105246)
CIS 06-510 Interministerial order concerning schedules of occupational diseases [Senegal]. (French: Arrêté interministériel portant tableaux des maladies professionnelles [Sénégal]) Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training and Ministry Public Health and Social Services, Senegal, 1991. 69p. (In French) Internet: This Order lists occupational diseases caused by lead and mercury and their compounds, by tetrachloroethane and by benzene and its toxic homologues. Principal occupations suspected of causing these diseases are listed along with the time limit for their notification. (105142)
CIS 06-511 Tables of occupational diseases in accordance with Law No. 94-28 of 21 February 1994 [Tunisia]. (French: Tableaux des maladies professionnelles prévus par la loi n°94-28 du 21 février 1994 [Tunisie]) Annexe to Journal Officiel de la République Tunisienne, updated 13 June 2003. 77p. (In French) Internet: These tables list occupational disease according to various causes: toxic mineral substances; hydrocarbons and derivatives; plastics; pesticides; drugs and enzymes; plant dusts; allergens and irritants; infectious agents; physical agents; and gas. Principal occupations suspected of causing these diseases are also listed along with the time limit for their notification. (105143)
CIS 06-512 Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 1997 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1997. Illus. (In English) Internet: Regulations concerning the minimum requirements for the classification, packaging and labelling of hazardous chemicals. The duty of suppliers to furnish Chemical Safety Data Sheets is specified. In schedules: classification of hazardous chemicals and preparations; danger symbols and indications of danger (with inscriptions in Malay and English); lists of risk (R) and safety (S) phrases (in English only); dimensions of labels. (105207)
CIS 06-513 Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 2000. (In English) Internet: Contents of these regulations concerning exposure limits for hazardous chemicals: identification of chemicals hazardous to health; permissible exposure limits (ceiling and 8-hr time-weighted average limits, compliance with permissible exposure limits using respirators); assessment of health risks; action to control exposure; labelling and relabelling; information, instruction and training; monitoring of exposure in the workplace; health surveillance; medical removal protection; warning signs; record keeping. In schedules: exposure limits for approx. 300 substances; list of 34 chemicals for which medical surveillance is appropriate; information to be provided on pesticides. (105209)
CIS 06-514 Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1984. (In English) Internet: This law (gazetted on 27 June 1984) provides for the safe transportation, storage, handling and use of petroleum (the definition includes both liquid and gas petroleum products). All means of transportation are covered, including pipelines. Separate sections cover: safe use of new and existing equipment, materials, plant, appliances, buildings, structures and installations. (105202)
CIS 06-515 The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005 [United Kingdom]. The Stationery Office Ltd (TSO), PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN, United Kingdom, 2005. 19p. Price: GBP 3.00., ISBN 0-11-072766-5 (In English) Internet: This Amendement to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH) (see CIS 00-24) includes a new Schedule 1 which amends the quantities and classification of dangerous substances to which COMAH applies. (105115)
CIS 06-516 Occupational Safety and Health (Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1996 [Malaysia]. Internet document, 1996. (In English) Internet: Regulations introduced under the new OSH Act (see CIS 06-502). Contents: preliminary (including obligations of manufacturers and employees in connection with major hazard control); identification and notification of industrial activities; demonstration of safe operation for non-major hazard installations; reports on industrial activities and preparation of emergency plans for major hazard installations; notifications of major accidents. In schedules: indicative criteria; list of substances and minimum quantities; hazard information to be supplied to the public by manufacturers; installations subject to provisions of these regulations; information to be included in reports on industrial activities. (105205)
Chemical data sheets and criteria documentsCIS 06-517 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) (CAS No.811-97-2) (Second edition). European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals, Ave. E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, Bte. 6, 1160 Bruxelles, Belgium, 2nd ed., Jan. 2006. v, 74p. 136 ref. (In English) Internet: 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) is a colourless, non-flammable gas that is mainly used to replace hydrochlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The toxicity of HFC-134a is extremely low in experimental animals and no adverse health effects in humans have been reported. Animal experiments also suggest that the substance does not present a carcinogenic risk to humans at any foreseeable levels of exposure. (105024)
CIS 06-518 TBBP-A (tetrabromobisphenol A), a brominated flame retardant. (French: TBBP-A (tétrabromobisphénol A), un retardateur de flammes bromé) WWF-Belgium, Boulevard Emile Jacqmain 90, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium, ca 2005. 2p. 4 ref. PDF document. (In French) Internet: Data sheet on tetrabromobisphenol A. Contents: background; main uses (primarily as a flame retardant in computer and electronic equipment); modes of exposure; health hazards (immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and effects on thyroid hormone based on animal and in vitro studies); limitation of exposure (proper ventilation of premises with computer end electronic equipment); waste disposal. (105137)
Training materials and practical informationCIS 06-519 Barefoot research: A workers' manual for organizing on work security. (Hungarian: Alternatív kutatás: Munkavállalói kézikönyv a munkahelyi biztonság szervezéséről) Keith M., Brophy J., Kirby P., Rosskam E., ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2005. 116p. Illus. 105 ref., ISBN 92-2-812822-4 (In Hungarian) Internet: Hungarian translation of the manual analysed under CIS 01-1367. This practical manual was developed to help workers increase their level of control over their own work conditions, including the protection of their health and well-being, and their level of basic security. Contents: purpose of "barefoot research"; research tools (definition of goals, inspections by workers, surveys, small group discussions, mapping, interviews, observation, use and interpretation of information); taking action (using and sharing the results of "barefoot research", agreeing on action with workers, getting things done, gaining a voice). (105022)
CIS 06-520 Developing an external OSH service. Opportunities for employers' organisations concerning occupational safety and health issues. ILO Subregional Office for Central and Eastern Europe, ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 12 11 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2005. viii, 31p., ISBN 92-2-117042-X (In English) Internet: This manual describes how employers' organizations can provide an occupational safety and health (OSH) service for their members. Contents: employers' obligations in ILO Conventions and EU Directives on OSH; requirements for risk assessment; experiences of PREVEMED (the external OSH service of the Construction Confederation of Belgium); outline of an employer training programme offered by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA); OSH services of an employers' organization in Bulgaria (Industrial Association of Stara Zagora); implementation of the Work Improvements in Small Enterprises (WISE) Programme; and setting up OSH services at branch level organizations (a construction sector project in Bulgaria). (105028)
CIS 06-521 Danger under control. The most important aspects for your safety. (Albanian: Të zotërosh rrezikun. Më e rëndësishmja për sigurimin tuaj; French: Maîtrisez le danger. Informations importantes pour votre santé; German: Gefahr im Griff. Das Wichtigste für Ihre Sicherheit; Italian: La gestione dei pericoli. Tutto quello che è importante sapere per la vostra sicurezza; Portuguese: Agarrar o Perigo. O mais importante para a sua segurança; Serbian: Bezbednost na radu. Najvazniji saveti za vasu sigurnost; Spanish: El peligro bajo control. Lo más importante para su seguridad; Turkish: Tehlikelere hakim olmak. Güvenliginiz için önemli bilgiler) Hartmann R., Vanis M., Suva, Gesundheitsschutz, Postfach, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland, 7th ed. Jan. 2006. 36p. Illus. (In Albanian, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish) Internet: This brochure provides information on the basic rules of occupational safety for workers in trade and industry. Topics covered include: recognizing the hazards; slips and falls; training in the use of equipment and machines; use of ladders; appropriate work clothing and personal protective equipment; materials handling; workplace ergonomics; work with computer screens; safety during maintenance work; hazardous substances; hand tools; electrical hazards; fire and explosion hazards; emergency organization. Replaces CIS 02-1564). (105135)
CIS 06-522 Working together to prevent sickness absence from becoming job loss. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, June 2005. 15p. Illus. 10 ref. (In English) Internet: Aimed at trade union representatives responsible for occupational safety and health (OSH), this booklet provides information and practical advice on long-term sickness absence and return to work issues. With reference to the regulatory framework of the United Kingdom, it suggests ways in which OSH representatives can work in partnership with employers and workers to prevent illness, injury and disability leading to prolonged absence and job loss. (105214)
CIS 06-523 Manual on safety, health and the environment in banana production. (Spanish: Manual de seguridad, salud y ambiente en la producción bananera) Arari R., Fenacle Nacional, Gayaquil, Rumichaca 2206 y Manabí, Edificio Monterrey, 4to piso oficina 4-5, Quito, Ecuador, 2005. 72p. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: Published by the National Federation of Food Industry Workers, Farmers and Free Indigenous Populations of Ecuador (FENCALE), this manual addresses the problems related to occupational safety and health and environmental protection in banana production. It describes the working conditions and environment, the risk factors faced during the various tasks, the modes of exposure to these risks and the effects on workers' health, together with the preventive measures to be adopted and the legal framework for protecting workers and the environment. (105081)
CIS 06-524 Health at work and within the community in the banana producing sector. (Spanish: La salud en el trabajo y la comunidad en el sector bananero) Fenacle Nacional, Gayaquil, Rumichaca 2206 y Manabí, Edificio Monterrey, 4to piso oficina 4-5, Quito, Ecuador, ca 2005. 6p. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: Published by the National Federation of Food Industry Workers, Farmers and Free Indigenous Populations of Ecuador (FENACLE), this leaflet describes the risk factors related to the various tasks involved in banana production, their likely effects and the preventive measures to be adopted. The main risk factors include pesticide poisoning, excessive physical workloads and manual lifting. The terms used are explained in a glossary. (105082)
CIS 06-525 Training resource pack on the elimination of hazardous child labour in agriculture. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2005. 3 booklets: x, 74p., 20p., iv, 54p. Illus., ISBN 92-2-117798-X (In English) Internet: This training resource pack aims to help farmer trainers to plan and run training activities with farmers, to raise awareness among farmers and their communities about the problem of child labour, to provide information on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, to help farmers improve occupational safety and health on their farms and to promote the implementation of relevant ILO Conventions and Recommendations. It comprises three books: a trainer's guide; training course activities for farmers; and additional resources for trainers (tackling OSH by strengthening risk management, risk assessment, specific hazards and risks to child labourers in agriculture). (105150)
CIS 06-526 Guidelines for labour inspection in forestry. (French: Principes directeurs pour l'inspection du travail dans la foresterie; Spanish: Directrices sobre la inspección del trabajo en la silvicultura) ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2005. xiii, 104p. Price: CHF 30.00., ISBN 92-2-118081-6 (En), ISBN 92-2-218081-X (fr), ISBN 92-2-318081-3 (es) (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: These guidelines describe international labour standards in forestry and provide guidance for labour inspectors on organizing an inspection, the inspection in practice, assessing working conditions and labour practices, feedback of results and follow-up. Introductory chapters cover the management of labour standards in forestry and the implementation of international labour conventions, including those relating to the prohibition of forced labour, child labour and occupational safety and health. Annexes include sample checklists for forestry management and inspectors. (105111)
CIS 06-527 Quarry safety. HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, June 2005. 12p. Illus. (In English) Internet: This booklet provides guidance in the form of a check-list with illustrations showing the correct and the wrong way to act. Topics include: health and safety management; materials handling and musculoskeletal disorders; prevention of slips and trips; transport safety; and protection against falls from height. (105120)
CIS 06-528 Questions of safety. (French: Les enjeux de la sécurité) OMEXOM, 5 rue Arnavielle, BP 7029, 30910 Nîmes Cedex, France, May 2004. Loose-leaf manual + DVD. (In French) Internet: Training manual in the form of a series of questions and answers on hazards and their prevention during the installation of high-voltage electricity transmission facilities. Contents: installation of overhead electric lines (worksite preparation, civil engineering, assembly and erection of pylons, cable laying, legal aspects); installation of underground connections (worksite preparation, earthmoving, cable laying, legal aspects); engineering operations; summary of risks associated with high-voltage work. (105149)
CIS 06-529 Wood dust. (French: Les poussières au coin du bois) Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (INRS), 30, rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, 2nd ed. 2004. 6p. Illus. (In French) Internet: Illustrated pamphlet for use in training courses and aimed at workers in the woodworking industry. It describes the health hazards of wood dust, explains how to evaluate and control wood dust hazards and highlights the need for medical supervision. Includes a list of recognized occupational diseases caused by wood dust. (105062)
CIS 06-530 Exposure to pesticides and workers' health in banana production. (Spanish: La exposición a plaguicidas y la salud de los trabajadores en la producción bananera) Fenacle Nacional, Gayaquil, Rumichaca 2206 y Manabí, Edificio Monterrey, 4to piso oficina 4-5, Quito, Ecuador, ca 2005. 6p. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: Published by the National Federation of Food Industry Workers, Farmers and Free Indigenous Populations of Ecuador (FENACLE), this leaflet describes the health risks resulting from pesticide exposure and the effects of environmental pollution in banana production. Pesticides used in banana production in Ecuador are listed, citing the hazard class of each substance. While the country has adopted occupational safety and health legislation, it is rarely enforced in this sector of activity. (105083)
CIS 06-531 Workers' response to the use of pesticides in banana production. (Spanish: La respuesta de los trabajadores al uso de plaguicidas en la producción bananera) Fenacle Nacional, Gayaquil, Rumichaca 2206 y Manabí, Edificio Monterrey, 4to piso oficina 4-5, Quito, Ecuador, ca 2005. 6p. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: Published by the National Federation of Food Industry Workers, Farmers and Free Indigenous Populations of Ecuador (FENACLE), this leaflet describes eleven actions that banana production workers may adopt for the protection against the risks related to pesticide exposure. These actions include selecting a pesticide with low toxicity, training in correct pesticide use, inclusion of an article on occupational safety and health in collective employment contracts, insisting on compliance with existing legislation and organizing occupational safety and health on the plantations. (105084)
CIS 06-532 Recommendations for health protection at heavy metal refining plants. (Polish: Zalecenia dotyczące profilaktyki na stanowiskach rafinacji metali ciężkich) Gawęda E., Kondej D., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 36p. 20 ref., ISBN 83-7373-082-6 (In Polish) Internet: Chemical hazards likely to be encountered at heavy metal refining plants are listed, including carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances, and the provisions of occupational health standards are explained. Includes recommendations for occupational exposure assessment and for methods of collective and personal protection. (105174)
CIS 06-533 Vibroacoustic industrial risk minimization: Handbook. (Polish: Minimalizacja przemysłowych zagrożeń wibroakustycznych: Poradnik) Engel Z., Piechowicz J., Pleban D., Stryczniewicz L., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 206p. Illus. 66 ref., ISBN 83-7373-146-6 (In Polish) Internet: This handbook describes methods for reducing vibroacoustic risks in industrial workplaces. Includes methods for the acoustic assessment of machines, details of silencers and other protective measures and a list of regulations and standards. (105177)
CIS 06-534 Using work equipment safely. HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, June 2002. 16p. Illus. 15 ref., ISBN 0-7176-2389-0 (In English) Internet: This booklet is aimed at owners and managers of small businesses and provides simple, practical advice on the safe use of work equipment. Guidance is given on the identification of potential hazards, and the reduction of risk by using the right equipment for the job, making sure that machinery and hand tools are safe, guarding dangerous parts of machines, selecting the right controls, maintenance of machinery and equipment and instruction and training of employees. It also describes common causes of accidents in small businesses when using ladders, drilling machines and fork-lift trucks. Replaces previous edition (CIS 00-661). (105117)
CIS 06-535 Lathes. (French: Le tour) Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, Dec. 2003. 8p. Illus. Price: EUR 1.50. Downloadable version free of charge., ISBN 2-7389-1184-6 (In French) Internet: This leaflet describes the main risks when working with lathes and outlines precautionary measures. The main hazards are related to the revolving parts of the lathes, fitting of workpieces into the lathe, design of workplaces, work practices and the lack of protection. (105133)
CIS 06-536 Principles of hazard limitation during hardwood woodworking operations using mechanized hand tools. (Polish: Zasady ograniczania ryzyka zawodowego podczas obróbki drewna twardego ręcznymi narzędziami zmechanizowanymi) Benczek K.M., Gliński M., Dąbrowski M., Karski H., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 54p. Illus. 27 ref., ISBN 83-7373-062-1 (In Polish) Internet: Risk factors associated with hardwood woodworking operations are identified and preventive measures are described. The responsibilities of employers, managerial staff and employees are listed. (105176)
Periodicals, books, databases, audiovisualsCIS 06-537 The impact of social and organizational factors on workers' use of personal protective equipment: A multilevel approach. Torp S., Grøgaard J.B., Moen B.E., Bråtveit M., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Aug. 2005, Vol.47, No.8, p.829-837. Illus. 58 ref. (In English) Internet: On the basis of the job demands-control-support model by Karasek and Theorell, this study investigated how social and organizational factors influence workers' use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A cross-sectional study was performed among 1420 workers in 203 motor vehicle-repair garages. Multilevel modelling was performed to account for the hierarchical structure of the data. Social and management support correlated positively with PPE use at the worker level. Low demands measured at the garage level and having a health and safety management system at the garage also correlated with active use of PPE. An interaction effect between social support and garage-level demands was observed. In addition to health information and provision of PPE, focusing on social and organizational factors seems necessary to get more workers to comply with the instructions on PPE use. (105046)
CIS 06-538 Safety management systems (SMSs) - Wide variety of references and approaches. (French: Systèmes de management de la sécurité (SMS) - Des référentiels et des pratiques multiples) Travail et sécurité, Oct. 2005, No.655, p.22-25. Illus. 11 ref. (In French) Internet: Many French enterprises have adopted safety management systems aimed at improving the efficiency and coherence of their approach to managing occupational hazards. This article mentions the various existing systems (including ILO-OSH 2001 of the International Labour Office, international standards OHSAS 18001 and 18002 and British standard BS 8800). It summarizes the findings of a survey carried out by the French occupational safety and health institute (INRS) on the experiences and practices adopted by French enterprises in the use of these systems. (105036)
CIS 06-539 Pharaon: First results. (French: Pharaon: les premiers mesurages) Prevent Focus, Oct. 2005, No.8, p.4-8. (In French) Internet: Within the framework of a Belgian national programme aimed at reducing the number of occupational accidents, various accident indicators are monitored so as to evaluate the efficiency of the prevention policy. This article summarizes some of the early findings with respect to these indices. The main results are tabulated and include the following aspects: industrial sectors with the highest numbers of serious occupational accidents; main causes of serious occupational accidents; frequency by geographical region and size of enterprise; organizational aspects. (105151)
CIS 06-540 Designation of CHSCTs. (French: Désignation du CHSCT) Soudry C., Travail et sécurité, Jan. 2006, No.658, p.8-9. (In French) Internet: This article summarizes the main provisions of French legislation concerning occupational hygiene, safety and working conditions committees (French acronym CHSCT). The creation of a CHSCT is mandatory in France for most organizations employing more than 50 persons. The Labour Code specifies the size and type of organizations and enterprises affected and the rules that define how CHSCTs are to be set up. (105165)
CIS 06-541 A global survey of occupational health competencies and curriculum. Delclos G.L., Bright K.A., Carson A. I., Felknor S.A., Mackey T.A., Morandi M.T., Schulze L.J.H., Whitehead L.W., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Apr.-June 2005, Vol.11, No.2, p.185-198. Illus. 47 ref. (In English) Internet: The World Health Organization has identified a worldwide shortage of occupational health professionals. Evidence suggests that the work and education of these professionals vary across countries. This survey examined the professional development of occupational physicians, occupational nurses, industrial hygienists, and ergonomists in terms of practice competencies and academic curriculum. Of 89 countries that received the survey, 48 responded. Important differences in competencies and curricula were identified for all groups. The study provides a reference point for discussion and development of competencies and curriculum. (105190)
CIS 06-542 Maintenance-related occupational accidents - Importance and characterization. (French: Les accidents du travail liés à la maintenance - Importance et caractérisation) Grusenmeyer C., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 4th Quarter 2005, No.201, p.31-44. Illus. 35 ref. (In French) Internet: Maintenance is regarded as an essential function within companies. However, maintenance-related risks continue to receive limited attention and little research has been devoted to the impact of maintenance on safety. This study focused on improved assessment of the importance of maintenance-related accidents and on characterizing these accidents. The study involved a literature survey of research on maintenance-related accidents, data retrieval from the EPICEA database (French database of occupational accidents) and analyses of accident declarations and reports in companies producing refrigeration systems for trucks and performing after-sales servicing of these systems. Findings confirmed the large number of maintenance-related accidents and showed that maintenance technicians are more frequently and seriously injured than production operators. They also allowed the identification of critical areas for intervention. (105163)
CIS 06-543 Workers' involvement - A missing component in the implementation of occupational safety and health management systems in enterprises. Podgórski D., International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.219-231. 23 ref. (In English) Internet: The effective implementation of occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation based on European Union directives requires promotion of OSH management systems (OSH MS). The voluntary Polish standard PN-N-18000 sets out OSH MS specifications and guidelines. Since the number of enterprises implementing OSH MS has increased only slowly, it was decided to develop a national policy in this area. A survey was conducted in 40 enterprises with an OSH MS to identify motivational factors underlying the decision to implement such a system. Findings show that workers and their representatives should be involved more actively in the design and implementation of these systems to improve their effectiveness. (105221)
CIS 06-544 Occupational injuries in Ghana. Mock C., Adjei S., Acheampong F., Deroo L., Simpson K., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.238-245. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: Household interviews were used to survey 21,105 persons living in 431 urban and rural sites in Ghana to determine the nature and extent of their occupational injuries. Annual occupational injury rates were 11.5 injuries/1000 persons in the urban areas and 44.9/1000 in the rural areas. Occupational injuries had higher mortality, longer disability, and higher treatment costs than non-occupational injuries. There were substantial occupational injury rates among children, especially in rural areas. In the urban areas, the largest numbers of injuries were to drivers (12.7% of urban occupational injuries) and traders (19.4%), most of which were road-traffic-related. In the rural areas, most injuries (71.6%) were to farm workers. (105234)
CIS 06-545 Public supervision of working conditions: Guide. (Polish: Społeczny nadzór nad warunkami pracy: Informator) Rutkowski T., Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy, ul. Krucza 38/42, 00-926 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 88p. 8 ref. (In Polish) Internet: The principles and organization governing the public supervision of working conditions are described. Also covers trade union rights with regard to occupational safety and the rights and responsibilities of social labour inspectors. (105175)
CIS 06-546 Occupational safety and health management system as a process concept. (Polish: System zarządzania bezpieczeństwem i higieną pracy w ujęciu procesowym) Izydorczyk T., Pęciłło M., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 33p. Illus. 19 ref. + CD-ROM., ISBN 83-7373-072-9 (In Polish) Internet: The concept of integrating occupational safety and health (OSH) into process management within an enterprise is explained and processes which can be integrated with OSH management processes are listed. Reference models of OSH management processes and an OSH system are included on a CD-ROM. (105180)
CIS 06-547 Practical manual on occupational medicine. Occupational accidents. Update 2005. (French: Manuel pratique de la médecine du travail. Accidents du travail. Mise à jour 2005) Editions DOCIS, 6 rue de la Rosière, Paris 15ème, France. Loose-leaf update, 2005. (In French) Internet: This loose-leaf update provides revised and additional documentation for the Practical Manual on Occupational Medicine (see CIS 82-1498). The Manual contains basic documentation on legislation and regulations concerning occupational medicine and the compensation of occupational accidents and diseases in France. Contents includes: the role of occupational medicine and obligations of employers; organization of medical services; the role and responsibilities of occupational physicians; interenterprise services; legal definition of hazards and of insured persons; administrative organisation; insurance contributions; liability of employer, injured person and third parties; litigation in relation to the administration of workmen's compensation laws and regulations; and the system in the agricultural sector. (105030)
CIS 06-548 40 years of ARP-ISS - Four decades devoted to protection against occupational hazards. (Spanish: 40 años ARP-ISS - Cuatro décadas en protección de riesgos laborales) Devia Valderrama C., Hernández Fernández A., eds., Seguro Social, Protección Laboral, Administradora de Riesgos Profesionales, Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia, 2005. 172p. Illus., ISBN 958-8098-28-9 (In Spanish) Internet: This publication draws lessons from 40 years of activity of the Colombian agency for occupational safety and the social security institute (Administradora de Riesgos Profesionales-Instituto de Seguros Sociales, ARP-ISS). Contents: origins and development; strengths of ARP-ISS; legal issues where ARP-ISS was able to exert an influence (legislation, jurisprudence, conventions); health promotion, and studies and research projects undertaken by ARP-ISS on various occupational risk factors; programme for the employment of persons suffering from disabilities caused by occupational factors; directory of ARP-ISS agencies. (105071)
CIS 06-549 Health and safety at work: A trade union priority. (French: Santé et sécurité au travail: Une priorité syndicale; Spanish: Seguridad y salud en el trabajo: Una prioridad sindical) ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2002. vii, 98p. Bibl. ref. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: Collection of papers which explore the role of trade unions in the promotion of health and safety at work. Topics covered include: life and health as fundamental rights for workers (interview with Jukka Takala); safety and health issues in various sectors (agriculture, construction, chemical industry) and in various regions (Eastern European economies in transition, French-speaking Africa, Caribbean, Europe Union, Malaysia, New Zealand and Latin America); specific health issues (workplace stress, night work, airport work hazards); and the use of body mapping for workplace health. (105113)
CIS 06-550 Knowledge transfer in occupational safety and health. (French: Transfert de connaissances en santé et sécurité au travail) Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, National Office, 6551 B Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 1A6, Canada, 2001. 25p. PDF document. (In French) Internet: Report of a public workshop on knowledge transfer in occupational safety and health held in Toronto, Canada, 19-20 November 2001. The objectives of the workshop were to investigate efficient ways of transferring knowledge concerning research and best practices in occupational safety and health, to motivate enterprises to improve their occupational safety and health performance and to raise the level of consciousness of the general public concerning the serious consequences of occupational accidents and diseases. (105134)
CIS 06-551 Current research projects 2005. Huuhtanen P., Huuskonen M.S., Leino T., Liesivuori J., Taskinen H., Hannunkari I., Hasu M., Riihimäki H., Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FIOH-Bookstore, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, Finland, 2005. 160p. Index., ISBN 951-802-485-5 (In English) Internet: This publication provides basic information on research projects carried out at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The projects are divided into three main topics: promotion of workers' health; improving the work environment; development of work organization. The objectives, methods, names of the researchers, expected completion date and collaborating parties are provided for each research project. (105212)
CIS 06-552 National occupational safety and health profile of Finland. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki University Press, P.O. Box 4 (Vuorikatu 3 A), 00014 Helsinki University, Finland, 2006. 80p. Illus. 8 ref., ISBN 952-00-2010-1 (In English) Internet: This report provides an overview of the occupational safety and health (OSH) system in Finland. Contents: OSH legislative framework; national policy review mechanisms; coordination and collaboration mechanisms; OSH technical standards, guidelines and management systems; OSH system implementation (national OSH bodies, education and training, specialized institutions, overall national level of human resources active in OSH); statistics on occupational accidents and diseases; policies and programmes of employers' and workers' organizations; examples of regular and ongoing OSH activities. (105242)
CIS 06-553 Report of the Committee on Safety and Health. International Labour Conference, Provisional Record, 95th Session, 2006. (French: Rapport de la Commission de la sécurité et de la santé. Conférence internationale du Travail, Compte rendu provisoire, 95e session, 2006; Spanish: Informe de la Comisión de la Seguridad y Salud. Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo, Actas Provisionales, 95 reunión, 2006) International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, June 2006. 70p. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: The meeting focused on a discussion of the proposed Convention and Recommendation concerning the promotional framework for occupational safety and health. The proposed instruments are designed to place occupational safety and health high on national agendas with support at top political level, to strengthen national occupational safety and health systems and continually to promote a national preventative safety and health culture. Several amendments were discussed and adopted. The texts of the proposed instruments are included. The meeting also discussed a new Resolution concerning the elimination of the future use of asbestos and the promotion of the proper management of all forms of asbestos currently in place. (105245)
CIS 06-554 Personal protective equipment at work (second edition). Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, 2nd ed., 2005. iii, 41p. Illus. 23 ref. Price: GBP 8.95. ISBN: 0-11-886334-7, ISBN 0-7176-6139-3 (In English) Internet: This booklet gives guidance on the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended). This revised publication sets out changes to regulations 3,4,6,and 9 and provides new guidance on these changes. It also reflects the latest developments in most personal protective equipment (PPE). Part 1 contains the text of the Regulations with respective guidance. Part 2 provides details on the types of PPE available, hazards that may require PPE to be used and advice on selection, use and maintenance. Replaces CIS 94-864. (105248)
CIS 06-555 Putting together a workplace data sheet - Integration of safety aspects. (French: Constituer des fiches de poste intégrant la sécurité) Pomian J.L., Welitz G., Travail et sécurité, Jan. 2006, No.658, 4p. Insert. Illus. (In French) Internet: This data sheet explains how to incorporate safety information into workplace instruction sheets (documents describing the tasks to be carried out by a particular operator). Different types of instruction sheets are described and an example of a document incorporating safety aspects is included. (105168)
CIS 06-556 Québec City protocol for the integration of occupational health and safety (OHS) competencies into vocational and technical education. (French: Protocole de Québec pour l'intégration de compétences en santé et sécurité au travail (SST) dans l'enseignement et la formation professionnels et techniques; German: Protokoll von Québec für die Integration von Sicherheit und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit in den Unterricht und die berufliche Bildung; Portuguese: Protocolo da cidade de Québec para a integração de competências em saúde e segurança no trabalho (SST) ao ensino e à formaçâo profissionais e técnicos; Spanish: Protocolo de la ciudad de Québec para la integración de competencias en salud y seguridad en el trabajo (SST) en la enseñanza y la formación profesionales y técnicas) International Section on Education and Training for Prevention, International Social Security Association (ISSA), P. O. Box 1, 211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2003. 11p. (In English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish) Internet: This protocol provides a framework for cooperation between institutions responsible for the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases and those responsible for education. It defines the principles and measures associated with a concrete process that is designed to integrate occupational health and safety into vocational and technical education and that involves joint undertakings. (105241)
CIS 06-557 Text of the Recommendation concerning the promotional framework for occupational safety and health submitted by the drafting committee. International Labour Conference, Provisional Record, 95th Session, 2006. (French: Texte de la recommandation sur le cadre promotionnel pour la sécurité et la santé au travail présenté par le comité de rédaction. Conférence internationale du Travail, Compte rendu provisoire, 95e session, 2006; Spanish: Texto de la Recomendación sobre el marco promocional para la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo, Actas Provisionales, 95 reunión, 2006) International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, June 2006. 16p. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: This document provides the text of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006 that was submitted by the drafting committee to the 95th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2006. This Recommendation supplements the corresponding Convention (see CIS 06-509) which aims to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths, by development, in consultation with representative organizations of employers and workers, of a national policy, national system and national programme of occupational safety and health. (105247)
CIS 06-558 Asbestos and peritoneal mesothelioma among college-educated men. Welch L.S., Acherman Y.I.Z., Haile E., Sokas R.K., Sugarbaker P.H., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.254-258. 23 ref. (In English) Internet: The proportion of peritoneal mesotheliomas among all mesotheliomas has been decreasing, leading some to suggest that peritoneal mesothelioma occurs only after high levels of exposure to asbestos. To investigate the relationship between asbestos exposure and the development of peritoneal mesothelioma, a case-control study examined 40 cases of primary peritoneal mesothelioma and 40 controls with appendiceal cancer treated at the same cancer institute. This series differed from previous reports in that 75% of the cases and controls had attended college. Results show an odds ratio of 6.6 for asbestos exposure among this group of primary peritoneal mesothelioma cases, even though their exposure to asbestos was probably low. (105235)
CIS 06-559 Evidence-based guidelines for the prevention, identification, and management of occupational asthma. Nicholson P.J., Cullinan P., Newman Taylor A.J., Burge P.S., Boyle C., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2005, Vol.62, No.5, p.290-299. 231 ref. (In English) Internet: These evidence based guidelines for the prevention, identification and management of occupational asthma were based on an extensive literature review. The most important action to prevent occupational asthma is to reduce exposure at source. Thereafter surveillance should be performed for the early identification of symptoms, including occupational rhinitis, with additional functional and immunological tests where appropriate. Effective management of workers suspected to have occupational asthma involves the identification and investigation of symptoms suggestive of asthma immediately they occur. Those workers who are confirmed to have occupational asthma should be advised to avoid further exposure completely and early in the course of their disease to offer the best chance of recovery. (105001)
CIS 06-560 Non-malignant occupational respiratory diseases in Germany in comparison with those of other countries. Baur X., Latza U., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Aug. 2005, Vol.78, No.7, p.593-602. Illus. 55 ref. (In English) Internet: This study presents data on the occurrence of non-malignant occupational airway diseases in Germany in 2003 and compares the data with available data from other countries. Confirmed cases of non-malignant occupational respiratory diseases in Germany were mainly benign asbestos associated diseases, silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis, obstructive airway diseases due to allergens, chronic obstructive bronchitis and/or emphysema in hard coal miners, obstructive airway diseases due to irritants or toxic agents, diseases caused by ionizing radiation and diseases due to isocyanates. Miners, bakers, chemical workers, hairdressers and health care workers were mostly affected. Similar findings from other countries are discussed. (105010)
CIS 06-561 Upper extremity musculoskeletal diseases. (French: Les troubles musculo-squelettiques du membre supérieur) Aublet-Cuvelier A., Travail et sécurité, Nov. 2005, No.656, insert 6p. Illus. 20 ref. (In French) Internet: Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) represent the most important category of compensated occupational disease in France, and their costs continue to escalate. This information note concerns upper extremity MSDs (UE-MSDs), involving the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand. Contents: definitions and statistics of MSDs; principal risk factors; implementation of preventive measures; legislation and regulations; research by the French national occupational safety and health institute (INRS) and its partner institutions. (105040)
CIS 06-562 Occupation and risk of pancreatic cancer: A population-based case-control study in Iowa. Zhang Y., Cantor K.P., Lynch C.F., Zhu Y., Zheng T., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Apr. 2005, Vol.47, No.4, p.392-398. 48 ref. (In English) Internet: Previous epidemiological studies have inconsistently linked various occupations and industries to pancreatic cancer risk. This study analysed data from a population-based case-control study conducted in Iowa involving 376 pancreatic cancer cases and 2434 control subjects. A significantly increased risk was observed among men who worked in the following industries: chemical and allied products; transportation; elementary and secondary schools. Increased risks also were observed in men who were employed as truck drivers, railroad signal and switch operators; purchasing agents and buyers; teachers; insurance agents; and retail supervisors. Among women, a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer was found for persons employed in furniture and home furnishing stores, and a borderline increased risk among textile sewing machine operators. (105044)
CIS 06-563 Occupation and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: A follow-up study in Sweden. Ji J., Hemminki K., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Aug. 2005, Vol.47, No.8, p.785-795. 44 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the associations between occupation and upper aerodigestive tract cancers. The Swedish Cancer Database was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios for various occupational groups, adjusted for age, period and socio-economic status. Male dentists showed an increased risk for tongue cancer; hairdressers had an increased risk for tongue and larynx cancers among men and pharynx cancer among women; launderers and dry cleaners showed an increased risk for pharynx cancer among men and lip cancer among women; outdoor occupations such as fishermen, seamen, transport, and construction workers showed increased risks for lip cancer. Although smoking and alcohol drinking can explain some of these results, increased risks found for dentists, hairdressers, and launderers and dry cleaners may partly be explained by their work-related exposures. Increased risks of lip cancer in outdoor occupations can be explained by sunlight exposure. (105045)
CIS 06-564 Identification of occupational cancer risks in British Columbia: A population-based case-control study of 1129 cases of bladder cancer. Band P.R., Le N.D., MacArthur A.C., Fang R., Gallagher R.P., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Aug. 2005, Vol.47, No.8, p.854-858. 22 ref. (In English) Internet: Data on lifetime occupational histories, smoking, and alcohol consumption were collected by self-administered questionnaire from 15,463 cancer patients. A matched case-control design was used to identify occupational risk factors for bladder cancer. Cases were those patients diagnosed with bladder cancer and controls consisted of all other cancer sites excluding lung cancers. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Excess bladder cancer risks were observed in a number of occupations and industries, particularly those involving exposure to metals, paint and solvents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, diesel engine emissions, textiles, silica and electromagnetic fields. These results are in line with those from the literature. (105047)
CIS 06-565 Occupational obstructive airway diseases in Germany: Frequency and causes in an international comparison. Latza U., Baur X., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 2005, Vol.48, No.2, p.144-152. 46 ref. (In English) Internet: Occupational inhalation exposures contribute to a significant proportion of obstructive airway diseases (OAD), namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Data on the occurrence of occupational OAD in the German industrial sector for the year 2003 are presented and compared with that of several other countries. Most confirmed reports of OAD are cases of sensitizer-induced occupational asthma (625 confirmed cases) followed by COPD in coal miners (414 cases), irritant induced occupational asthma (156 cases) and isocyanate asthma (54 cases). Main causes of occupational asthma in Germany comprise flour and flour constituents (35.9%), food and feed dust (9.0%) and isocyanates (6.5%). Flour and grain dust is a frequent cause of occupational asthma in most European countries and South Africa. Isocyanates remain a problem worldwide. (105050)
CIS 06-566 Cancer incidence in the Swedish leather tanning industry: Updated findings 1958-99. Mikoczy Z., Hagmar L., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2005, Vol.62, No.7, p.461-464. 28 ref. (In English) Internet: A cohort of 2027 workers (of which 482 were women) employed for at least one year between 1900 and 1989 at one of three Swedish leather tanneries was established. Depending on the plant, the start of observation varied between 1958 and 1966. Data on incident cancer cases up to 1999 were obtained from the Swedish Cancer Registry. Cause-specific expected cancer incidence was calculated for 1958-99 based on calendar year, sex, and five-year age group for the counties where the plants had been located. Altogether 56,022 person-years at risk were generated. A total of 351 incident cancer cases were observed compared to 302 expected, which resulted in an increased standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.16. An enhanced risk for prostate cancer was observed (SIR 1.44), mainly attributable to the later part of the observation period (1990-99). Other findings were not significant. (105060)
CIS 06-567 Five-year study of lung function changes in a cohort of 31 professional divers. (French: Etude sur 5 ans de l'évolution de la fonction respiratoire dans une cohorte de 31 plongeurs professionnels; Spanish: Estudio de 5 años de evolución de la función respiratoria en una cohorte de 31 buceadores profesionales) Lucas D., Lodde B., Choucroun P., Jegaden D., Mialon P., Sarni D., Dewitte J.D., Medicina Marítima, June 2005, Vol.5, No.1, p.17-28. Illus. 20 ref. (In French, Spanish) Internet: Data on occupational factors, anthropometric characteristics, medical history, clinical examinations and personal habits, including smoking, were recorded for five years in a cohort of 31 professional divers using standardized questionnaires. The objectives of the study were to identify trends in lung function characteristics of divers during their working life, and to examine whether the disqualifying criteria listed in French legislation were relevant. Findings revealed the presence of peripheral chronic bronchial obstruction, worsening significantly with length of service, even among non-smokers, and correlated with the depth of the dives. There was also a significant decline in alevolar capillary diffusion, correlated with the number of dives. Ventilation in a hyperbaric environment may be a contributing factor to peripheral bronchial obstruction and should be taken into account by physicians granting diving aptitude certificates. (105077)
CIS 06-568 Analysis of the incidence and trend of occupational diseases in Spain: 1998-2003. (Spanish: Análisis de la incidencia y tendencia de las enfermedades profesionales en España: 1998-2003) Ordaz Castillo E., Maqueda Blasco J., Medicina y seguridad del trabajo, June 2005, Vol.LI, No.199, p.41-51. Illus. 11 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This study investigated trends in occupational disease (OD) morbidity in Spain from 1998 to 2003 and identified sectors at risk of OD. Results show an increase of the incidence of ODs overall, with an increase in the industry, construction and service sectors and a decrease in agriculture. ODs by physical agents predominate and increased from 78.6% to 86.9% between 1999 and 2003. The profile of morbidity did not change significantly during the six-year period studied. (105086)
CIS 06-569 The toiling breath. Bushe F., Accident Prevention, Sep. 2005, Vol.52, No.4, p.20-25, 31. Illus. 7 ref. (In English) Internet: This article describes the nature of asthma, focusing on the two main types of occupational asthma, namely allergic asthma and irritant asthma, together with their main causal agents. Preventive measures are proposed, including substitution, engineering controls, personal protective equipment and removal from the source of exposure by change of work. Methods of diagnosing occupational asthma are briefly outlined (anamnesis, respiratory function tests, metacholine challenge tests). Occupations at risk are listed, along with potential asthma triggers, and preventive measures for employers and workers are summarized. (105093)
CIS 06-570 Chronic diseases in self-employed French workers. Bréchon F., Czernichow P., Leroy M., Blum-Boisgard C., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.47, No.9, p.909-915. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this study was to evaluate occupations associated with a high risk of specific chronic diseases in self-employed workers. Using data from the French national health insurance system for the year 2001, the observed and expected numbers of cases for each disease were compared for each occupational category and gender using the age-specific population rates as a reference. Significant differences were observed depending on occupational categories, specifically for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, chronic respiratory insufficiency, severe liver disorders, and connective tissue diseases. Based on this large dataset, several known associations between occupations and specific diseases were confirmed and potential new associations were observed. (105102)
CIS 06-571 Occupation and thyroid cancer risk in Sweden. Lope V., et al., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.47, No.9, p.948-957. 80 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this study was to identify occupations and sectors with increased incidence of thyroid cancer in Swedish workers. Standardized incidence ratios were computed for each job and industry for the period 1971-1989 through record-linkage with the Swedish National Cancer and Death Registers. Age period, and geographically adjusted relative risks were calculated using Poisson models. With respect to occupations, increased risks were found for teachers, construction carpenters, policemen and prison officials in men, and medical technicians, shop managers, tailors and shoemakers among women. Sectors with excess risk among men were the manufacture of agricultural machinery, manufacture of computing accessories and public administration and police; among women, excess risk industries were the manufacture of prefabricated wooden buildings, electric installation work and wholesale trade in live animals, fertilizers, oilseeds and grain. (105104)
CIS 06-572 Sudden cardiac death. Fahy R., NFPA Journal, July-Aug. 2005, Vol.99, No.4, p.44-47. Illus. 1 ref. (In English) Internet: In this study of on-duty firefighter deaths, sudden cardiac death includes heart attacks and other heart-related deaths. Of the 1006 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States between 1995 and 2004, 440 fell into the category of sudden cardiac death. This article discusses the victims' demographics, medical histories and work circumstances. Steps to reduce the risk of on-duty sudden cardiac death among firefighters include conducting annual medical examinations, screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, conducting exercise tests for subjects with multiple CAD risk factors and providing appropriate treatment and work restrictions for firefighters with positive stress tests. (105129)
CIS 06-573 Carpal tunnel syndrome: Overuse of the hands. (French: Syndrome du canal carpien: des mains trop sollicitées) Durcy M., Prévention BTP, Feb. 2006, No.82, p.52-54. Illus. 2 ref. (In French) Internet: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most compensated occupational musculoskeletal disease (MSD) in France. It represents 23,000 cases each year, or approximately 37% of all notified MSDs. This article describes the symptoms and cause of the disease and summarizes the main findings of a recent epidemiological study on carpal tunnel syndrome in France. (105159)
CIS 06-574 Occupational cancer in a Paris suburb: First results of a proactive research study in Seine Saint-Denis. Thébaud-Mony A., et al., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.263-275. Illus. 14 ref. (In English) Internet: A multidisciplinary network, SCOP 93, investigated cancer patients in three hospitals in a Paris suburb that had an unusually high incidence of cancers. Objectives were to identify those who had been exposed to occupational carcinogens, to assess the adequacy of the French system for their compensation and to help develop priorities for prevention. In 2002-2003, 175 patients were interviewed and 127 provided job histories. Of these, 74% of 107 men and 70% of 20 women were deemed likely to have occupational cancers, half of them following exposures to at least three different carcinogens. The research team prepared claims for the 26 patients whose cancers were potentially compensable by the rigid rules of the system; 21 of them, most of whom had cancers attributable to asbestos, received compensation. Suggestions for improving the system for compensation of occupational cancer victims in France are proposed. (105237)
CIS 06-575 Breast cancer risk in Hispanic agricultural workers in California. (Spanish: Riesgo de cáncer de mama en trabajadores agrícolas hispanas en California) Mills P.K., Yang R., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Apr.-June 2005, Vol.11, No.2, p.123-131. 48 ref. (Spanish version: Internet document, 30p.) (In English, Spanish) Internet: In a registry-based case-control study of breast cancer in female Hispanic farm workers in California, 128 breast cancer cases diagnosed in 1988-2001 and 640 cancer-free controls were investigated. Risk of breast cancer was not associated with work with any specific crops or commodities except mushrooms, where the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 6.00. Controlling for covariates, adjusted ORs for breast cancer in quartiles of pesticide use were 1.00, 1.30, 1.23, and 1.41. Chlordane, malathion, and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were associated with increased risk. Risk associated with chemical use was stronger in younger women, those with early-onset breast cancer, and those diagnosed between 1988 and 1994. (105187)
CIS 06-576 Welder's maculopathy?. Maier R., Heilig P., Winker R., Neudorfer B., Hoeranter R., Ruediger H., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sep. 2005, Vol.78, No.8, p.681-685. Illus. 15 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated whether welders' maculopathy is due to occupational exposures and can be justifiably annexed to the list of occupational diseases. Multifocal electroretinography (MERG) and ophthalmologic examinations were performed in 89 welders and 81 controls that had never been exposed to welding. Results of the tests did not reveal any significant morphological or functional differences between the welders and the control group. On average, the welders' visual acuity appeared to be better than that of the control group. This phenomenon could be attributed to the healthy worker effect. Welders' maculopathy seems to be rather a sequel of occupational accidents and negligence of safety regulations. The results of this study indicate that the usual protective measures in professional welding appear to be sufficient in order to prevent an occupational risk of welders' maculopathy. (105195)
CIS 06-577 Implementation of an occupational skin disease prevention programme in Danish cheese dairies. Sell L., Flyvholm M.A., Lindhard G., Mygind K., Contact Dermatitis, Sep. 2005, Vol.53, No.3, p.155-161. Illus. 22 ref. (In English) Internet: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a programme to reduce occupational skin diseases in the cheese industry. The programme involved training activities and elements from an occupational health-management system. The effects were studied by telephone interviews using a questionnaire on work and exposure. The study population consisted of all employees at five cheese plants, divided into an intervention group participating in the programme and a non-participating control group. At baseline in October 2002, 557 employees were surveyed (participation rate of 83.8%). At follow up one year later, 650 current and former employees answered (participation rate of 81.8%). At follow up, skin symptoms were reduced significantly in all cheese factories, and significant increases in the use of gloves and moisturizing creams were observed in the intervention group. (105020)
CIS 06-578 Medical examinations of seafarers and training for medical doctors in maritime health. (Spanish: Los reconocimientos médicos de los trabajadores del mar y la capacitación de los facultativos en el ámbito de la salud marítima) Saarni H., Medicina Marítima, June 2005, Vol.5, No.1, p.61-69. Illus. 9 ref. (In English, Spanish) Internet: According to international laws and directives, physicians responsible for evaluating the work aptitude of seafarers are required to have undergone training in maritime medicine. In particular, they need to know about international laws and regulations, work and life on board ship, requirements with respect to health, safety and training for work on board, procedures for medical examinations, maritime medicine ethics and the procedure for risk assessment in the event of seafarer disease. Despite the enactment of conventions, recommendations or directives by various international bodies (ILO, WHO and IMO) and the EU, regulations often differ from country to country. International cooperation in the training of these medical practitioners would allow a reduction in the disparities currently observed with respect to medical examinations and the criteria applied for evaluating aptitude. (105080)
CIS 06-579 Required competencies of occupational physicians: A Delphi survey of UK customers. Reetoo K.N., Harrington J.M., Macdonald E.B., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, June 2005, Vol.62, No.6, p.406-413. Illus. 25 ref. (In English) Internet: This study involved a Delphi survey of employers and employees from public and private organisations, health and safety specialists and trade union representatives. It was conducted by a combination of telephone interviews and postal surveys. There was broad consensus about the required competencies of occupational physicians among the respondent subgroups. In the order of decreasing importance, the competencies were: law and ethics; occupational hazards; disability and fitness for work; communication; environmental exposures; research methods; health promotion; management. (105097)
CIS 06-580 Contribution of occupational risks to the global burden of disease. Fingerhut M.A., ed., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Dec. 2005, Vol.48, No.6, p.395-541 (whole issue). Illus. Bibl. ref. (In English) Internet: This special issue comprises 12 papers which explore the contribution of occupational disease and injury to the global burden of disease. Includes discussions of worldwide mortality and morbidity from lung cancer, leukaemia and malignant mesothelioma arising from occupational exposures; mortality and morbidity from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumoconiosis; the global burden of low back pain; exposure to contaminated sharps injuries among health care workers; noise-induced hearing loss; and occupational injuries. Three papers focus on economic issues: costs of prevention of low back pain and cost effectiveness of occupational health interventions and of interventions in the prevention of silicosis. (105025)
CIS 06-581 Perspectives for workplace health promotion in Latin America and the Caribbean. Partanen T.J., Loría-Bolaños R., Wesseling C., Castillo C., Johansson K.M., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.313-321. Illus. 84 ref. (In English) Internet: This article discusses the emergence of workplace health promotion (WHP) in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Topics addressed include the concept of health promotion, the role of international agencies (ILO, WHO), ethical issues, assessment of priorities and feasibility and obstacles to programme implementation. (105240)
CIS 06-582 Ageing of workers and musculoskeletal disorders. (French: Vieillissement des salariés et troubles musculo-squelettiques) Fouquet B., Hérisson C., eds., Masson S.A.S., 21 rue Camille-Desmoulins, 92789 Issy-Les-Moulineaux Cedex 9, France, 2006. xii, 117p. Illus. Bibl. ref., ISBN 2-294-07140-9 (In French) Internet: This collection of papers by specialists in a range of disciplines addresses the characteristics of musculoskeletal disorders among older workers. Papers are presented under the following headings: epidemiological and economic aspects; clinical and therapeutic considerations; and rehabilitation and reinsertion. Each paper includes a summary in English. (105132)
CIS 06-583 Finnish national job-exposure matrix (FINJEM) in register-based cancer research. Guo J.H., Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FIOH-Bookstore, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, Finland, 2005. 70p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Price: EUR 18.00., ISBN 951-802-618-1 (In English) Internet: The Finnish national job-exposure matrix (FINJEM) allows quantitative estimation of cumulative exposure. This study applied current FINJEM estimates on 43 chemical exposures and several cancer risk factors in 393 occupational categories. Using linkages between FINJEM and cancer registry data, associations between occupational exposures and selected cancers (lung cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer) were evaluated in a cohort of all economically active Finns born between 1906 and 1945 who participated in the Population Census of 1970 (667,121 men, 513,110 women). The work enabled the development and validation of a routine analysis procedure for future register-based linkage studies applying FINJEM. (105213)
CIS 06-584 Occupational disease compensation fund - Annual Report 2004. (Dutch: Fonds voor de beroepsziekten; French: Fonds des maladies professionnelles - Rapport annuel 2004) Fonds des maladies professionnelles, Avenue de l'Astronomie 1, 1210 Bruxelles, Belgium, 2004. 221p. Illus. + CD-ROM. (In Dutch, French) Internet: Contents of this annual report: administrative structure of the Belgian occupational disease insurance fund; compensation claims for occupational diseases (by diagnosis, sex, nationality, age, industrial sector, occupation and place of residence); compensation of occupational diseases (in the private and public sectors); compensation for pregnancy and death (in the private and public sectors); prevention of occupational diseases, including the specific case of hepatitis; legal claims; compensation for permanent invalidity; financial data; appendices (schedule of occupational diseases). (105138)
CIS 06-585 Safety spectacles - Beyond looks. (French: Lunettes de sécurité - Au-delà des apparences) Richard A.M., Prévention BTP, Feb. 2006, No.82, p.28-29. Illus. 5 ref. (In French) Internet: This article examines the selection and use of safety spectacles on construction sites. Contents: aesthetics; comfort; composition of lenses; anti-condensation and scratch resistance treatment; frames; prices; daily care; standards. (105158)
CIS 06-586 Occupational risks: Marine animal injuries in coastal fishermen of a Mediterranean area of Spain. (Spanish: Riesgos laborales: lesiones por animales marinos en pescadores de bajura del Mediterráneo español) Canals Pol-Lina M.L., Sala Barbany J., Sanz Gallén P., Nogué Xarau S., Perdomo Segura M.A., Medicina Marítima, Dec. 2004, Vol.4, No.2, p.106-111. Illus. 20 ref. (In English, Spanish) Internet: This questionnaire survey examined the risk of injury from marine animals among coastal fishermen in Tarragona, Spain. Information on age, type of fishing, animals that caused injury, treatment and use of protective measures was collected from 111 fishermen with at least one year's experience. 58.6% of the participants reported injuries with marine animals, especially Scorpaena scorfa and porcus (66.1%) and Trachinus draco (58.5%). Most frequent treatments were local (ammonia) and only 29.2% consumed medicine from the first-aid kit. 6% reported important consequences of the injuries. Only 13.5% of the participants used protective equipment. It is concluded that preventive measures need to be implemented to reduce the risk of injury among fishermen. (105073)
CIS 06-587 World at work: Marble quarrying in Tuscany. Angotzi G., et al, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, June 2005, Vol.62, No.6, p.417-421. Illus. 10 ref. (In English) Internet: Contents of this article on the marble quarrying industry in the Apuanian Alps region of Italy: description of the industry and work processes; occupational hazards (accidents; climate and lighting; noise; mechanical vibration; dust; exhaust fumes and gases; adverse ergonomic factors); preventive measures. (105099)
CIS 06-588 Mortality of iron and steel workers in Korea. Park R.M., Ahn Y.S., Stayner L.T., Kang S.K., Jang J.K., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.48, No.3, p.194-204. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: The mortality of a cohort of 44,974 workers hired from 1968 and followed from 1992 to 2001 at two Korean iron and steel manufacturing complexes was analysed. 806 deaths were observed during 10 years of follow-up, showing a large healthy worker effect for all causes (standardized mortality ratio SMR=0.59) and for cancer (SMR=0.79). Mortality at subsidiaries was considerably higher than at the parent plants (standardized relative rate SRR=1.71). Relative mortality rates declined with employment duration. Fatal injury deaths in the first year were highly elevated (SMR=3.10) declining to less than that expected after five years. Cancer mortality was elevated in stainless steel production (SRR=3.26) and overall mortality was elevated for work in plant maintenance departments (SRR=1.17), particularly for fatal injuries (SRR=1.67). All-cause mortality increased with employment duration in the steel-production departments, as did fatal injuries in material handling and construction. (105108)
CIS 06-589 Guidelines for developing a welding and cutting safety program. Rhodes L.H., Rhodes D.P., Occupational Hazards, Sep. 2005, Vol.67, No.9, p.71-78. Illus. 6 ref. (In English) Internet: Welding, cutting and brazing activities in the USA pose a combination of safety and health risks to more than 500,000 workers. The lifetime risk of a fatal accident in this sector is four per thousand workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed guidelines offering safety managers a framework for preventing hot work injuries and fatalities. This article comments on these guidelines that are based on the following principles: management leadership and employee involvement; worksite analysis; hazard prevention and control; training. (105184)
CIS 06-590 Occupational safety and health in the Quebec nuclear industry. (French: La prévention dans l'industrie nucléaire au Québec) Carrier M., Travail et santé, Sep. 2005, Vol.21, No.3, p.18-20. Illus. 3 ref. (In French) Internet: This article describes the occupational safety and health system adopted by a nuclear power station in Quebec, Canada. It is based on five principles, namely: empowerment of supervisors and workers; compliance with standards, procedures and directives; training of personnel; behavioural improvements; continuous improvement through clear information and the continuous measurement of performance. (105032)
CIS 06-591 Occupational accidents in a railway company 1998-2003. (Spanish: Accidentes de trabajo en una empresa ferroviaria 1998-2003) Sánchez Casado J., Castillo Ramos S., Valiente Álvarez J., Rodríguez Ortiz de Salazar B., Medicina y seguridad del trabajo, June 2005, Vol.LI, No.199, p.15-25. Illus. 14 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: This study analyses occupational accidents in a Spanish railway company from 1998 to 2003 as a function of the following variables: age, sex, length of employment, job and workplace, day and hour of the accident, accident cause, accident description, location of injury, disability, length of accident absenteeism. Incidence, frequency and severity rates were then calculated, together with the mean time away from work. It is concluded that accident indices are below those of other companies of the sector because of the high mean age of the workers in this company. The typical profile of the injured worker is a young worker with less than one year of service. (105085)
CIS 06-592 Risk-based medical standards for Australian rail safety workers. Hocking B., Landgren F., Powning J., Wheatley K., Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, Aug. 2005, Vol.21, No.4, p.311-319. Illus. 14 ref. (In English) Internet: This article describes the setting of a new Australian standard for the health assessment of rail safety workers. A procedure for assessing the risks associated with various jobs was developed. Four main categories of risk were recognized and appropriate health assessments were matched to each. Conventional health assessments were reinforced by additional assessments for risk of a cardiovascular event, sleepiness and psychological problems. The resulting new health assessments are based on a transparent process of risk assessment, and are proportional to the risk while being consistent with disability discrimination and privacy legislation. (105185)
CIS 06-593 A randomised controlled intervention study on prevention of work related skin problems among gut cleaners in swine slaughterhouses. Flyvholm M.A., Mygind K., Sell L., Jensen A., Jepsen K.F., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.62, No.9, p.642-649. Illus. 27 ref. (In English) Internet: This study evaluated the effect of an intervention to reduce work related skin problems in gut cleaning departments in Danish swine slaughterhouses. The intervention included educational activities on the use of gloves and skin care products, together with evidence based recommendations. The effect of the intervention was evaluated by telephone interviews using modified the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (see CIS 04-317). A total of 644 (87.5%) participants responded at the baseline interview and 622 (71.6%) at the follow up interview one year later. At follow up, the frequency of eczema on hands or forearms in the intervention departments within the previous three months was reduced significantly from 56.2% at baseline to 41.0%, while a slight non-significant increase was observed in the comparison departments (from 45.9% to 50.2%). (105199)
CIS 06-594 Organisational and occupational risk factors associated with work related injuries among public hospital employees in Costa Rica. Gimeno D., Felknor S., Burau K.D., Delclos G.L., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2005, Vol.62, No.5, p.337-343. 25 ref. (In English) Internet: To explore the relation between occupational and organizational factors and work-related injuries among public hospital employees in Costa Rica, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified random sample of 1000 employees from 10 of the 29 public hospitals in the country. Occupational, organizational and socio-demographic variables were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. When evaluated independently, most of the occupational exposures and organizational factors investigated were significantly correlated with an increased injury risk. Exposure to chemical and physical hazards, lack of safety training, and low levels of safety climate and safety practices were identified as the most significant risk factors for work-related injuries. (105005)
CIS 06-595 Hazards in hazardous waste management facilities - What is the current situation?. (French: Des risques dans les centres de transferts des matières dangereuses résiduelles - Qu'en est-il?) Roberge B., Baril M., Bariteau C., Travail et santé, Sep. 2005, Vol.21, No.3, p.14-17. 7 ref. (In French) Internet: Industry generally provides for the disposal of hazardous wastes in specialized centres. Persons working in these centres are exposed to various health hazards. This article describes this industry in Quebec, Canada based on visits made to six of these centres. It describes the centres, the processes they use and the risks and hazards to workers due to chemical, physical ergonomic and safety-related factors. Workplace layouts were found to be designed primarily to satisfy productivity and flexibility requirements rather than ergonomics, leading to risks of musculoskeletal disorders and occupational accidents. (105031)
CIS 06-596 U.S. firefighter fatalities for 2004. Leblanc P.R., Fahy R.F., NFPA Journal, July-Aug. 2005, Vol.99, No.4, p.48-59. Illus. 5 ref. (In English) Internet: In 2004, 103 on-duty firefighter deaths occurred in the United Sates, compared to 105 in 2003. In 2004, there were three multiple-fatality incidents, each of which resulted in two deaths. This report examines the types of duty associated with firefighter deaths, the cause and nature of fatal injuries and the ages of the firefighters at the time of their death. Deaths in intentionally set fires and in motor vehicle-related incidents are highlighted, and case studies of individual incidents that illustrate important problems are presented. Data on firelighter deaths for the years 1977 through 2004, excluding the deaths at the World Trade Center, are included. (105130)
CIS 06-597 Pruning work - A cut above the rest thanks to safety and health. (French: Travaux d'élagage - Sortir du lot grâce à la prévention) Guérit G., Prévention BTP, Oct. 2005, No.78, p.24-27. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article identifies the main hazards related to tree pruning (falls from heights, anchoring breaks due to the poor condition of trees, the use of chainsaws, road traffic) and describes the safety efforts undertaken by a gardening enterprise employing around thirty persons. The emphasis is on training and the maintenance of equipment, including its replacement at regular intervals as a preventive measure. (105152)
CIS 06-598 Firefighter injuries for 2004. Karter M.J., Molis J.L., NFPA Journal, Nov.-Dec. 2005, Vol.99, No.6, p.50-57. Illus. (In English) Internet: This report provides statistics on firefighter injuries in the USA based on the NFPA Survey of Fire Departments. Findings presented include: estimates of total firefighter injuries in 2004; estimates of injuries by type of duty; estimates of exposures to infectious diseases; trends in firefighter injuries and rates; fire ground injuries by cause; fire department vehicle accidents and resulting firefighter injuries; average number of fires and fire ground injuries per department by population of community protected; descriptions of selected incidents that illustrate firefighter safety problems. (105186)
CIS 06-599 Percutaneous exposure incidents among Australian hospital staff. Smith D.R., Leggat P.A., Takahashi K., International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.323-330. Illus. 20 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated all reported percutaneous exposure incidents (PEI) among staff from a large Australian hospital from 2001 to 2003. There were a total of 373 PEI, of which 38.9% were needlestick injuries, 32.7% were cutaneous exposures and 28.4% sharps-related injuries. Nurses were the most commonly affected staff members, (63.5% of the total), followed by doctors (18.8%) and other staff (17.7%). Needlestick injuries were responsible for the majority of nurses' PEI (44.7%) and sharps injuries for those of doctors (44.3%). Overall, the investigation suggests that PEI is a considerable burden for health care workers in Australia. (105223)
CIS 06-600 Temporary workers in Europe. (French: L'Europe des intérimaires) Schwartz G., Travail et sécurité, Jan. 2006, No.658, p.10-12. Illus. 3 ref. (In French) Internet: This article briefly reviews a colloquium held in October 2005 on the safety and health of temporary workers in Europe. Topics addressed: implementation by member states of a European directive on temporary work; cooperation between temporary work agencies and their clients; national and regional initiatives; cases of practical solutions adopted by enterprises in Belgium and France. (105166)
CIS 06-601 The alternative work force - Safety challenges when employees work remotely. Topf M.D., Occupational Hazards, Aug. 2005, Vol.67, No.8, p.38-43. Illus. (In English) Internet: It is estimated that between 30 and 40 million workers in the USA are either telecommuters or home-based employees. Sales and service personnel, working primarily in non-supervised situations, also constitute a large percentage of the workforce. This article discusses the safety issues involving alternative workplaces. Topics addressed: training and administrative support; legal aspects; role of management; raising safety consciousness; self-supervision; motivation; workers' participation. (105182)
CIS 06-602 Technical and organizational measures for occupational safety and health in galvanizing plants: Recommendations. (Polish: Profilaktyka techniczna i organizacyjna w zakresie bezpieczeństwa i higieny pracy w galwanizerniach: Zalecenia) Domański W., Surgiewicz J., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 55p. 33 ref., ISBN 83-7373-067-2 (In Polish) Internet: The galvanizing process for metallic coatings is described and hazards associated with dusts and chemical substances are identified. Recommendations relating to the analysis of working conditions and hazard evaluation are presented. (105178)
CIS 06-603 10 years of occupational safety and health management in the mining sector. (Polish: 10 lat zarządzania bezpieczeństwem i higieną pracy w górnictwie) Główny Instytut Górnictwa, Plac Gwarków 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland, 2005. 95p. Illus. Bibl.ref. (In Polish) Internet: Proceedings of a conference on occupational safety and health management in the mining sector held in Ustrón, Poland, 30-31 May 2005. Topics covered include: the role of the State Mining Authority in occupational safety management in the mining sector; implementation of occupational safety management systems; existing mine safety management systems; and the integration of science and education in the area of occupational safety and health. (105179)
CIS 06-604 Code of practice on safety and health in the iron and steel industry. (French: Recueil de directives pratiques sur la sécurité et la santé dans l'industrie du fer et de l'acier; Spanish: Repertorio de recomendaciones prácticas sobre seguridad y salud en la industria del hierro y el acero) ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, rev. ed. 2005. x, 106p. Bibl. ref. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: Revised code of practice on safety and health in the iron and steel industry drawn up at a meeting of government, employer and union experts in Geneva, 1-9 February 2005. Part I covers the national framework (responsibilities of employers, workers and others, OSH management systems). Part II describes safety measures during the various processes involved in iron- and steel-making and provides guidance on training requirements, personal protective equipment, contingency and emergency preparedness, work organization, special protection (hours of work, alcohol, drugs, smoking, HIV/AIDS) and personal hygiene. Replaces CIS 84-240. (105244)
CIS 06-605 Health and safety in construction. HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 3rd ed., 2006. iv, 100p. Illus. 51 ref. Price: GBP 10.95., ISBN 0-7176-6182-2 (In English) Internet: This booklet provides practical guidance on the identification and control of hazards in the construction industry. Contents: preparing for work and integration of safety; setting up the construction site (site access, welfare facilities, housekeeping, lighting, emergency organization); health and safety during construction work (site management, work at height, mobile plant, materials handling, excavation and underground work, demolition, harmful substances, electricity, slips and trips, work in confined spaces, prevention of drowning, protective equipment, work affecting the public); legal requirements. Replaces CIS 01-1731. (105250)
CIS 06-606 Safety, health and working conditions of female migrant workers. International Labour Organization, Subregional Office for Asia, India Habitat Centre, 3rd Floor, Core 4B, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003, India, Nov. 2005. CD-ROM. (In English) Internet: This CD-Rom provides papers and Powerpoint presentations from the symposium on safety, health and working conditions of female migrant workers, held in New Delhi, India, 27-30 November 2005 as a side event to the IVth International Congress on Women, Work and Health. Topics covered include: issues and needs of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong; health services, social security, labour protection and empowerment of migrant workers in Sri Lanka; and safety and health of women in the building and construction industry. (105112)
CIS 06-607 Nanoworld: The new occupational safety and health frontier. (French: Nanomonde: la nouvelle frontière de la prévention) Mongalvy M., ed., Réalité Prévention, Oct. 2005, No.9, 8p (whole issue). Illus. 2 ref. (In French) Internet: Collection of articles on the occupational safety and health aspects of nanotechnology and nanoparticles (ultrafine particles), based on interviews with representatives of a nanotechnology research park, the INRS, the Institute for radiological protection and nuclear safety, an industrial enterprise and a research centre in the United States. (105139)
CIS 06-608 The Bellagio report: Cardiovascular risks of spaceflight: Implications for the future of space travel. Sides M.B., et al., Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.76, No.9, p.877-895. 152 ref. (In English) Internet: An international group of experts convened in Bellagio, Italy in 2004 to review available literature for cardiac risks in spaceflight. This led to the creation of a priority assessment framework to allow for an objective assessment of the hazard, the probability of its occurrence, potential mission impact and available risk mitigation factors. This article highlights important aspects of cardiovascular risks in spaceflight and discusses counter measures and potential operational changes. (105225)
CIS 06-609 Exposure to fuel-oil ash and welding emissions during the overhaul of an oil-fired boiler. Liu Y., Woodin M.A., Smith T.J., Herrick R.F., Williams P.L., Hauser R., Christiani D.C., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Sep. 2005, Vol.2, No.9, p.435-443. 22 ref. (In English) Internet: The health effects of exposure to vanadium in fuel-oil ash are not well described at levels ranging from 10 to 500µg/m3. As part of a larger occupational epidemiological study that assessed these effects during the overhaul of a large oil-fired boiler, this study was designed to quantify boilermakers' exposures to fuel-oil ash particles, metals and welding gases, and to identify determinants of these exposures. Personal exposure measurements were conducted on 18 boilermakers and 11 utility workers (controls) before and during a 3-week overhaul. Time-weighted average exposures were significantly higher for boilermakers than for utility workers for ash particles less than 10µm in diameter and for vanadium, nickel and iron. Fuel-oil ash was a major contributor to boilermakers' exposure. Vanadium concentrations sometimes exceeded the 2003 ACGIH threshold limit value. (105126)
CIS 06-610 The use of biomarkers of exposure of N,N-dimethylformamide in health risk assessment and occupational hygiene in the polyacrylic fibre industry. Käfferlein H.U., Ferstl C., Burkhart-Reichl A., Hennebrüder K., Drexler H., Brüning T., Angerer J., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2005, Vol.62, No.5, p.330-336. Illus. 33 ref. (In English) Internet: To evaluate exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in occupational settings, N-methylformamide (NMF) and N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl) cysteine (AMCC) were measured in urine, and N-methylcarbamoylated haemoglobin (NMHb) was measured in blood in 35 healthy workers employed in the polyacrylic fibre industry. Workplace documentation and questionnaire information were used to categorize workers in groups exposed to low, medium, and high concentrations of DMF. It was found that all three biomarkers may be used to identify occupational exposure to DMF. However, measurement of NMHb in blood is recommended rather than measurement of NMF and AMCC in urine to accurately assess exposure to DMF in health risk assessment. NMF and AMCC nonetheless remain useful biomarkers for occupational hygiene intervention. (105004)
CIS 06-611 Identification of determinants of exposure: Consequences for measurement and control strategies. Burdorf A., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2005, Vol.62, No.5, p.344-350. Illus. 21 ref. (In English) Internet: A worker's exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents in the workplace is never constant over time. Workers within groups with similar tasks and working environments are rarely uniformly exposed. Hence, assigning workers to "exposed" and "unexposed" groups or to exposure categories is often difficult. The design and interpretation of epidemiological studies and the implementation of workplace intervention programmes requires a knowledge of the reasons why exposure variability exists, how large this variability is, and which factors determine differences in exposure levels among workers. This article presents statistical techniques that have become available in recent years that allow simultaneous evaluation of the magnitude of variance components as well as determinants of this variability. (105006)
CIS 06-612 Upper reference limits for biomarkers of exposure to aromatic diisocyanates. Sennbro C.J., Littorin M., Tinnerberg H., Jönsson B.A.G., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Aug. 2005, Vol.78, No.7, p.541-546. Illus. 28 ref. (In English) Internet: The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of biomarkers of exposure to several diisocyanates in the urine and blood of occupationally unexposed workers and to calculate their upper reference limits (URLs). Biomarker levels were determined in urinary and plasma samples obtained from 121 occupationally unexposed workers. URLs were then calculated based on these biomarker levels and the levels in an occupationally exposed group of workers. These URLs may be used for screening for occupational exposure, a worker with a biomarker level above the URL being classified as occupationally exposed. Biomarkers of aromatic diisocyanates, especially biomarkers of 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, were present among occupationally unexposed workers, but the source and nature of the exposure is unknown. (105007)
CIS 06-613 Respiratory symptoms and diseases among construction painters. Kaukiainen A., Riala R., Martikainen R., Reijula K., Riihimäki H., Tammilehto L., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, July 2005, Vol.78, No.6, p.452-458. 27 ref. (In English) Internet: This study on the self-reported prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases among construction painters was carried out to estimate the potential risk for this group compared with a representative group of carpenters sharing the construction work environment but without significant exposure to paint. A questionnaire was addressed to 1,000 male construction painters and 1,000 male carpenters (mean response rate 60.5%). Logistic regression modelling was used to study symptoms and diseases of the respiratory tract in relation to occupation and duration of painting experience. Age, atopy and smoking habits were taken into account. Odds ratios of various respiratory symptoms are presented. The results confirm a higher risk for respiratory symptoms and chronic bronchitis among construction painters than among carpenters. (105011)
CIS 06-614 Improvement in the GC-MS method for determining urinary toluene-diamine and its application to the biological monitoring of workers exposed to toluene-diisocyanate. Sakai T., Morita Y., Roh J., Kim H., Kim Y., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, July 2005, Vol.78, No.6, p.459-466. Illus. 22 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this study was to develop a simple and sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for determining toluene-diamine (TDA) in urine and to apply the method for biological monitoring of workers exposed to toluene-diisocyanate (TDI). The method involved acid hydrolysis urine followed by the extraction of the free TDA with dichloromethane and the determination of the heptafluorobutyric anhydride derivative by GC-MS. This method was applied to the biological monitoring of 18 workers exposed to an 80:20 mixture of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI. The method was found to be simple and practicable, showing a good correlation with personal TDI exposures. (105012)
CIS 06-615 Nephrotoxicity of organic solvents: Biomarkers for early detection. Voss J.U., Roller M., Brinkmann E., Mangelsdorf I., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, July 2005, Vol.78, No.6, p.475-485. Illus. 74 ref. (In English) Internet: An analysis of the available literature was performed with respect to markers measured in cross-sectional studies that might be useful for the early detection of solvent-induced effects on the kidney. Various markers were analysed with respect to their suitability as biomarkers for renal damage. An increased albumin excretion was observed more frequently in groups of workers exposed to solvents such as toluene, styrene, mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, tetrachloroethylene, and mixtures of chlorinated hydrocarbons than in controls. No clear pattern emerged for the other markers. It is concluded that the determination of albumin excretion in the urine appears to be a useful parameter for monitoring solvent-exposed workers. (105013)
CIS 06-616 Long-term exposure to solvents impairs vigilance and postural control in serigraphy workers. Vouriot A., Hannhart B., Gauchard G.C., Barot A., Ledin T., Mur J.M., Perrin P.P., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, July 2005, Vol.78, No.6, p.510-515. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the effects of aromatic hydrocarbon solvent exposure on the regulation of vigilance and postural control among 22 workers occupationally exposed to solvents for an average of approximately six years. The study comprised a questionnaire survey on state of vigilance and quality of sleep and measurements of postural control under six different sensorimotor conditions. Exposed workers reported reduced alertness but no loss of sleep quality compared with controls. They also had the worst postural performance in all sensory conditions and demonstrated a reduced ability to resolve sensory conflict situations. The depressive effect of aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on cortical and subcortical structures controlling vigilance and postural stability could lead to increased risk of occupational accidents, especially falls. (105015)
CIS 06-617 Chemical exposure and symptoms of hand dermatitis among construction painters. Kaukiainen A., Riala R., Martikainen R., Estlander T., Susitaival P., Aalto-Korte K., Contact Dermatitis, July 2005, Vol.53, No.1, p.14.21. 32 ref. (In English) Internet: In this study on the prevalence of hand dermatitis in construction painting in Finland, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1000 male construction painters and 1000 male carpenters (response rates 60.6% and 60.4%, respectively). Two definitions for hand dermatitis symptoms were used: "liberal" (more than two symptoms), and "strict" (more than three symptoms). Responses were subjected to statistical analysis. Painters reported more symptoms of hand dermatitis than carpenters (previous 12-month prevalence with liberal criteria 22.5% and 14.2% respectively; with strict criteria 13.3% and 6.4% respectively). A dose-response relationship was found for reporting symptoms and exposure to several solvent-based and water-based paints. Overall, painters reported a significantly higher prevalence of symptoms of hand dermatitis than carpenters, with putties and plasters emerging as significant risk factors. (105016)
CIS 06-618 Preservatives in registered chemical products. Flyvholm M.A., Contact Dermatitis, July 2005, Vol.53, No.1, p.27-32. 12 ref. (In English) Internet: Preservatives are a common cause of contact allergy and contact dermatitis. This study examined the occurrence of preservatives in registered chemical products. The studied preservatives included substances from standard patch test series and other preservatives relevant for registered chemical products. Data obtained from the Danish Product Register Database 2005 were compared to similar data from 2002. Paints and lacquers, cleaning agents and printing inks were the most frequently registered product categories, and the studied preservatives were registered in most of the product categories included in the study. Trends in the use of some specific preservatives are discussed. (105017)
CIS 06-619 DNA damage and TNFα cytokine production in hairdressers with contact dermatitis. Cavallo D., Ursini C.L., Setini A., Chianese C., Cristaudo A., Iavicoli S., Contact Dermatitis, Sep. 2005, Vol.53, No.3, p.125-129. 17 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the possible correlation between exposure of hairdressers to irritants and allergens and direct-oxidative DNA damage, production of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and allergic inflammatory disease. The evaluation involved 19 hairdressers with hand contact dermatitis, including 14 with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and five with irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), together with a control group of 19 persons working in administrative services. Determinations included TNFα serum levels and a direct-oxidative DNA damage test. Serum levels of TNFα in hairdressers with ACD were significantly higher than controls, with a correlation to exposure level. Significantly more DNA damage in ICD hairdressers with higher exposure was found as compared to controls. These findings suggest a relationship between exposure and direct-oxidative DNA damage, TNFα production and allergic inflammatory disease. (105018)
CIS 06-620 A multicentre review of the hairdressing allergens tested in the UK. Katugampola R.P., Staham B.N., English J.S.C., Wilkinson M.M., Foulds I.S., Green C.M., Ormerod A.D., Stone N.M., Horne H.L., Chowdhury M.M.U., Contact Dermatitis, Sep. 2005, Vol.53, No.3, p.130-132. 6 ref. (In English) Internet: Allergens used for patch testing in the hairdressing series vary between dermatology centres in the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to ascertain the hairdressing allergens currently in use and to examine their test results in several dermatology centres. Data were obtained from nine dermatology departments. The allergens with positive results and current past relevance were used to compile a proposed hairdressing series. This series should now be validated through further studies. (105019)
CIS 06-621 JETOC information sheet. Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center, JETOC Information Sheet, Oct. 2004-Mar. 2005, No.53, p.1-80 (whole issue). (In English) Internet: This information sheet summarizes new laws, regulations and related matters concerning the control of chemical substances in Japan, the USA, the European Union, Canada, Australia, China and Korea. It includes details of substances which JETOC has classified under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) along with the basis for the classification. (105026)
CIS 06-622 JETOC information sheet. Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center, JETOC Information Sheet, Apr.-Sept. 2005, No.54, p.1-75 (whole issue). (In English) Internet: This information sheet summarizes new laws, regulations and related matters concerning the control of chemical substances in Japan, the USA, the European Union, Canada, Australia and some Asian countries. It includes details of substances which JETOC has classified under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) along with the basis for the classification. (105027)
CIS 06-623 Classification and labelling of chemicals: Concerted efforts by French institutions. (French: Classification et étiquetage des substances chimiques: l'expertise française concentre ses moyens) Musilli L., Travail et sécurité, Oct. 2005, No.655, p.36-38. Illus. (In French) Internet: With the expected implementation of the REACH (registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals) programme in 2007, it is necessary to harmonize European classification and labelling systems for hazardous chemicals. This article describes the current situation concerning efforts undertaken at the French and European levels with respect to the classification and labelling of chemicals hazardous to human health, and presents examples of label layouts according to proposals currently being studied. (105038)
CIS 06-624 Low-level hexavalent chromium exposure and rate of mortality among US chromate production employees. Luippold R.S., Mundt K.A., Dell L.D., Birk T., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Apr. 2005, Vol.47, No.4, p.381-385. 25 ref. (In English) Internet: Although numerous studies have reported an elevated lung cancer risk among chromium chemical production employees, few studies have focused on employees hired after major process changes and enhanced industrial hygiene controls were implemented. This study examines the mortality experience of two post-change cohorts of chromate production employees in the USA. Mortality among chromium chemical workers generally was lower than expected on the basis of national and state-specific referent populations. Lung cancer mortality was 16% lower than expected, with only three lung cancer deaths (3.59 expected). The absence of an elevated lung cancer risk may indicate a favourable reflection of the post-change environment. (105043)
CIS 06-625 Genotoxic effects in a population of nurses handling antineoplastic drugs, and relationship with genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes. Laffon B., Teixeira J.P., Silva S., Loureiro J., Torres J., Pásaro E., Méndez J., Mayan O., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 2005, Vol.48, No.2, p.128-136. Illus. 75 ref. (In English) Internet: Concern about the genotoxic risk associated with chronic handling of antineoplastic drugs has increased, and usual safety practices may not avoid exposure. The comet assay and micronuclei (MN) test were performed on 30 oncology nurses and 22 controls. Data obtained showed increased cytogenetic and DNA damage in the exposed group, although statistical significance was only reached in the comet assay. There is evidence that the present handling practices of antineoplastic drugs in some Portuguese hospitals may not prevent exposure. Present data suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the studied DNA repair enzymes may influence the individual susceptibility to DNA damage related to chronic handling of antineoplastic drugs. (105048)
CIS 06-626 Occupational asbestos exposure and predictable asbestos-related diseases in India. Dave S.K., Beckett W.S., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 2005, Vol.48, No.2, p.137-143. Illus. 20 ref. (In English) Internet: Surveys of asbestos-exposed workers in India have identified significant occupational exposures, early pleural and parenchymal changes on chest radiograph and decrements in lung function. Based on knowledge of past and current exposures to asbestos in industry, a future occurrence of clinical asbestos-related diseases including pleural changes, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchogenic carcinoma and diffuse malignant mesothelioma can be predicted. These cases of asbestos related disease are expected to occur in asbestos-exposed workers from mining, milling and manufacturing as well as in those with secondary exposures to asbestos-containing materials, including construction and maintenance workers, users of asbestos-containing consumer products, and the occupants of asbestos-containing buildings. (105049)
CIS 06-627 Mercapturic acids revisited as biomarkers of exposure to reactive chemicals in occupational toxicology: A minireview. Haufroid V., Lison D., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.343-354. Illus. 75 ref. (In English) Internet: This short literature review examines the use of mercapturic acids as a biological exposure index for electrophilic chemicals. The review considers the analytical methods available to measure mercapturic acids, the advantages of mercapturic acids compared to other well-validated biomarkers and the high inter-individual variability in mercapturic acids excretion. Recent field and experimental studies confirm the usefulness of mercapturic acids as a biological exposure index for electrophilic chemicals and highlight the advantages of a toxicogenetic approach for a better interpretation of the results of biological monitoring. (105051)
CIS 06-628 Current external and internal exposure to naphthalene of workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different industries. Preuss R., Drexler H., Böttcher M., Wilhelm M., Brüning T., Angerer J., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.355-362. Illus. 31 ref. (In English) Internet: Exposure to naphthalene was examined in 410 German workers employed in industries typically associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced diseases. A control group from the general population was also investigated. Naphthalene was determined by personal air sampling. Internal exposure was examined by urinary metabolites 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol. Median concentrations of naphthalene in air ranged from 93.2µg/m3 to 0.7µg/m3. Biological monitoring revealed concentrations of the sum of both metabolites in smokers to be increased by 1.6-6.4 times compared with that in non-smokers at the same workplaces. Among non-smokers, median metabolite levels ranged from 120.1µg/l to 10µg/l. Results indicate that tobacco smoking is an important confounding factor in biological monitoring of naphthalene exposure. (105052)
CIS 06-629 Urinary sevoflurane and hexafluoro-isopropanol as biomarkers of low-level occupational exposure to sevoflurane. Accorsi A., Morrone B., Domenichini I., Valenti S., Raffi G.B., Violante F.S., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.369-378. Illus. 34 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated biological markers of exposure to sevoflurane, an inhalation anaesthetic widely used in day and paediatric surgery. A group of 36 subjects (13 male, 23 female) occupationally exposed to sevoflurane in paediatric operating rooms was studied in a two-week survey. Post-shift urine samples were collected and analysed for unmodified sevoflurane as well as for its main metabolite hexafluoro-isopropanol (HFIP). The concentration of sevoflurane in respirable air was determined from personal passive samplers analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicate that urinary unmodified sevoflurane seems to be a more sensitive and reliable biomarker of short-term exposure to sevoflurane than urinary HFIP, which appears to be influenced by physiological and individual characteristics. (105053)
CIS 06-630 Effectiveness of a nationwide interdisciplinary preventive programme for latex allergy. Latza U., Haamann F., Baur X., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.394-402. Illus. 47 ref. (In English) Internet: This study describes a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at reducing exposure to powdered high-protein latex gloves among health care workers in Germany and evaluates the effectiveness of the programme. Data on compensation claims for latex-related skin and airway diseases were compared before and after implementation of the programme. A survey on change in glove use was also conducted after implementing the programme. The number of compensation claims for latex-induced skin diseases increased from 664 at the start of the programme in 1996 to 884 in 1998, and then decreased to 567 in 1999 and 204 in 2002. Similar decreases were observed for respiratory diseases. This programme was found to be effective and can be regarded as a model for the reduction of other occupational diseases such as bakers' or isocyanate asthma. (105055)
CIS 06-631 Dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide in hospitals during preparation, nursing and cleaning activities. Fransman W., Vermeulen R., Kromhout H., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.403-412. Illus. 23 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated potential and actual levels of dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide (CP) used in oncology treatment in hospitals. Exposure was assessed during various tasks by the collection of samples from protective gloves and protective clothing and from hand, forearm and forehead skin. Results demonstrated that actual dermal exposure to CP is common among oncology nurses working with patients treated with this drug. Pharmacy technicians and cleaning personnel, on the other hand, are only potentially exposed to CP, and protection provided by gloves appears to be sufficient. (105056)
CIS 06-632 Methyltetrahydrophthalic acid in urine as an indicator of occupational exposure to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride. Yokota K., Johyama Y., Kunitani Y., Michitsuji H., Yamada S., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.413-417. Illus. 17 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated the use of methyltetrahydrophthalic acid (MTHP acid) in urine as a biomarker for exposure to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA). Air levels of MTHPA were determined by silica gel personal samplers and gas chromatography (GC). MTHP acid, a metabolite of MTHPA, was determined in urine samples from 15 exposed workers immediately before the start of the work shift and then after 4 and 8h. MTHP acid in urine was analysed by GC with mass spectrometric detection. Findings confirmed that determination of MTHP acid in urine was suitable for use in the biological monitoring of MTHPA exposure. (105057)
CIS 06-633 Mortality in the UK industrial silica sand industry: 1. Assessment of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Brown T.P., Rushton L., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2005, Vol.62, No.7, p.442-445. Illus. 20 ref. (In English) Internet: The objective of this study was to develop a job-exposure matrix from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) measurements in United Kingdom industrial silica sand workers. A total of 2429 personal RCS dust samples and 583 static samples were collected using cyclone samplers at seven quarries between 1978 and 2000. The data were analysed to evaluate the effect of quarry, job, and year on RCS concentrations. The overall geometric mean RCS concentration was 0.09mg/m3. Silica flour and dry job categories tended to have the highest exposure. 13.3% of all samples exceeded the United Kingdom maximum exposure level of 0.3mg/m3. RCS levels generally decreased over time. (105058)
CIS 06-634 Mortality in the UK industrial silica sand industry: 2. A retrospective cohort study. Brown T.P., Rushton L., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2005, Vol.62, No.7, p.446-452. 36 ref. (In English) Internet: This study evaluated the mortality of employees in the United Kingdom silica sand industry exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). A retrospective cohort mortality study followed all workers to 2001 with at least one year's employment at one of seven silica sand producing quarries between 1950 and 1986. Each worker was assigned a job category. Cumulative exposure to RCS was estimated using a job-exposure matrix (see CIS 06-633). A total of 764 deaths were identified in the 2703 cohort members. The overall mortality rate for the cohort was lower than would be expected in the general population. Mortality from all cancers was slightly decreased. Mortality was not raised in any job category. Mortality from lung cancer and other causes did not show a trend with cumulative exposure to RCS, in contrast with a number of studies that have shown positive findings in similar and related industries. (105059)
CIS 06-635 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., Rio S., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, Sep. 2005, No.200, p.39-62. Illus. 26 ref. (In French) Internet: Worker's protection is above all based on assessing the risks and introducing an appropriate prevention policy. Concerning chemical risks, this assessment is often difficult on account of the wide diversity of products and formulations used. To help enterprises faced with this problem, INRS, in collaboration with the French National Prevention and Protection Centre (CNPP), has developed a simplified method to assess the health, safety and environmental risks of chemicals that can be used by managers of small enterprises. The risk prevention departments of a number of enterprises in various sectors have applied this method, and the results obtained concur with the views of experts. (105064)
CIS 06-636 Solvent exposure profiles and comparison with short-term limit values. (French: Profils d'exposition aux solvants et comparaison aux valeurs limites de courte durée) Poirot P., Hubert-Pelle G., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, Sep. 2005, No.200, p.83-93. Illus. 12 ref. (In French) Internet: This article describes employee exposures to solvents in industrial enterprises with reference to short-term exposure limit values. Use of Direct reading Portable Instruments (DPIs) allowed exposure profiles to be determined and exposure peaks to be displayed. Long-term exposure was assessed in parallel by conventional air sampling and exposure peaks were quantified. While long-term reference limit values were only exceeded during special operations, DPI measurements showed that employees may be exposed to peak concentrations of varying intensity and duration, depending on the work performed. Overall, more than two thirds of exposure profiles determined for 109 employees in nine enterprises exceeded the short-term threshold limit values (TLVs) at least once. (105065)
CIS 06-637 Beryllium research: International conference. (French: Recherche sur le béryllium: conférence internationale) Pillière F., Vincent R., Documents pour le médecin du travail, Sep. 2005, No.103, p.347-356. (In French) Internet: Report of a conference on advances in the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of chronic berylliosis held in Montreal, Canada, 8-11 March 2005. Papers are grouped under following topics: uses of beryllium and health effects; exposure monitoring; medical supervision programmes; chronic berylliosis and exposure evaluation; prevention measures against beryllium sensitization in industrial hygiene; molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in chronic berylliosis; new approaches in the field of medical supervision tests. (105069)
CIS 06-638 Occupational skin diseases due to detergents. (French: Dermatoses professionnelles aux détergents) Crépy M.N., Documents pour le médecin du travail, Sep. 2005, No.103, p.375-384. Illus. 64 ref. (In French) Internet: Detergents are a major cause of occupational irritant contact dermatitis, in particular in the chronic form; some can cause burns. Preventing dermatitis due to contact with detergents is one of the most important ways of reducing the prevalence of occupational dermatoses. Contents of this information note on occupational skin diseases due to detergents: definition of detergents; chemical composition; irritants and allergens present in detergents; epidemiological aspects; diagnosis in occupational settings and in specialized institutions; prognosis; prevention and compensation. (105070)
CIS 06-639 Toxicological hazards on board ships: Pathologies. (French: Risques toxicologiques à bord des navires: pathologies; Spanish: Riesgos toxicológicos a bordo de los navíos: patología) Jégaden D, Canals M.L., Medicina Marítima, Dec. 2004, Vol.4, No.2, p.124-143. Illus. 36 ref. (In French, Spanish) Internet: This article describes toxicological hazards related to dangerous substances carried on board ships and in ports. Contents: sea transport of chemicals; toxicology of petroleum products; poisoning by gas or smoke; hazards related to the transportation of products other than petroleum derivatives; hazards related to products used on board. (105075)
CIS 06-640 Toxicity of the new antifouling paints. (French: Toxicité des nouveaux antifoulings; Spanish: Toxicidad de los nuevos antifoulings) Jégaden D., Canals M.L., Medicina Marítima, June 2005, Vol.5, No.1, p.50-53. 9 ref. (In French, Spanish) Internet: Use of tributyltin as an antifouling treatment for ships' hulls has been abandoned in favour of biocides that are less-polluting and less harmful to marine fauna. This article describes the toxic effects (direct and indirect human toxicity) of the most common antifouling agents, namely copper oxide, diuron, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, Irgarol 1050 and Seanine 211 (Kathon 5287). (105079)
CIS 06-641 Non-malignant consequences of decreasing asbestos exposure in the Brazil chrysotile mines and mills. Bagatin E., et al., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, June 2005, Vol.62, No.6, p.381-389. Illus. 32 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated the consequences of improvements in the workplace environment over six decades (1940-1996) among 3634 asbestos miners and millers with at least one year's exposure. Workers completed a respiratory symptoms questionnaire and were subjected to chest radiography and a spirometric evaluation. The study population was separated into three groups according to the period in which they worked between 1940 and 1996, during which time occupational hygiene was progressively improved and exposures controlled. Improvements were generally observed for lung symptoms, pleural anomalies and lung function among the more recently exposed groups, after correcting for smoking and latency. (105095)
CIS 06-642 Supermarket baker's asthma: How accurate is routine health surveillance?. Brant A., Nightingale S., Berriman J., Sharp C., Welch J., Newman Taylor A.J., Cullinan P., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, June 2005, Vol.62, No.6, p.395-399. Illus. 13 ref. (In English) Internet: A supermarket chain with 324 in-store bakeries producing bread from raw ingredients conducted a three-stage health programme involving around 3000 bakery employees. The first stage involved a respiratory symptoms questionnaire. If symptoms were present, a second questionnaire focusing on workplace exposures was administered. If employees were considered exposed, specific IgE to flour and fungal α-amylase were determined in blood. Results were compared to those of an independent cross-sectional survey of employees in 20 of the company's stores. Surveillance estimated that 1% of bakery employees had work-related symptoms with specific IgE. This compared with 4% in the cross-sectional survey, suggesting that that routine surveillance can underestimate the workplace burden of disease. The reasons are unclear and additional research needs to be done into the design and efficacy of surveillance in occupational asthma. (105096)
CIS 06-643 Horse rug lung: Toxic pneumonitis due to fluorocarbon inhalation. Wallace G.M.F., Brown P.H., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, June 2005, Vol.62, No.6, p.414-416. Illus. 10 ref. (In English) Internet: Fluorocarbons are widely used in industry, and manifestations of inhalation toxicity include polymer fume fever, reactive airways dysfunction and bronchospasm. Only seven cases of alveolitis occurring acutely after inhalation have been reported. This paper presents four cases of toxic pneumonitis due to direct inhalation of industrial fluorocarbon used as a waterproofing spray for horse rugs. These cases differ from previous reports and show that chronic as well as acute alveolitis can result from fluorocarbon inhalation. Corticosteroid treatment may be beneficial. The need for stricter control in the workplace is emphasized. (105098)
CIS 06-644 Neurobehavioral changes in Taiwanese lead-exposed workers. Chen S.S., Chen T.J., Lin C.H., Tseng Y.T., Lai S.L., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.47, No.9, p.902-908. 53 ref. (In English) Internet: Dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS) was evaluated among male workers who had been exposed to lead for at least three years and who had elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). According to their current BLLs, 33 and 28 subjects were assigned to the medium (40-80µg/dL) and low (<40µg/dL) BLL groups, respectively. Sixty-two non-exposed healthy men served as the control group. A computerized evaluation system found significantly impaired neurobehavioral functions in the medium BLL group, including slow performance of psychomotor tasks, impaired processing of visual-spatial information, reduced memory and learning functions, low performance accuracy, slow execution of responses, and poor attentional control. Subtle CNS dysfunction is therefore possible among lead-exposed workers having no obvious neurological and cognitive deficits. (105101)
CIS 06-645 Chemical exposures in the synthetic rubber industry and lymphohematopoietic cancer mortality. Graf J.J., Sathiakumar N., Macaluso M., Maldonado G., Matthews R., Delzell E., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.47, No.9, p.916-932. 50 ref. (In English) Internet: This study evaluated the association between exposure to several chemicals and mortality from lymphohaematopoietic cancer (LHC) among 16,579 synthetic rubber industry workers who were followed up from 1943 to 1998. Poisson regression analyses examined LHC rates in relation to butadiene, styrene and dimethyl dithiocarbamate (DMDTC) exposure, after adjusting for other agents and potential confounders. Cumulative exposure to 1,3-butadiene was associated positively with all leukaemia, chronic myelogenous leukaemia and to a lesser extent with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Adjusting for styrene and DMDTC attenuated these associations. After controlling for butadiene, neither styrene nor DMDTC displayed a consistent exposure-response trend, whether for all leukaemia, chronic myelogenous leukaemia, or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. (105103)
CIS 06-646 Risk of breast cancer among enlisted army women occupationally exposed to volatile organic chemicals. Rennix C.R., Quinn M.M., Amoroso P.J., Eisen E.A., Wegman D.H., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.48, No.3, p.157-167. Illus. 50 ref. (In English) Internet: Age-adjusted incidence rates for breast cancer were calculated for a cohort of more than 270,000 women who served in the United States army between 1980 and 1996. Exposures to volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) with a potential risk of breast cancer were assessed on the basis of job titles. Poisson regression analysis showed that the incidence of breast cancer was significantly elevated in women younger than 35 years of age, especially among African American women, when compared to the age-specific rates in the general population. Women who worked in occupations with a moderate to high exposure potential to at least one VOC had a 48% increased risk of breast cancer while on active duty between 1980 and 1996 when compared to those women with low to no exposure potential. (105105)
CIS 06-647 Diagnostic model for sensitization in workers exposed to occupational high molecular weight allergens. Suarthana E., Vergouwe Y., Nieuwenhuijsen M., Heederik D., Grobbee D.E., Meijer E., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.48, No.3, p.168-174. Illus. 16 ref. (In English) Internet: Occupational allergy is frequent among workers exposed to high molecular weight allergens. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a generic diagnostic model for identifying workers at high risk of being sensitized to these allergens. The model was developed using data from Dutch laboratory animal workers and bakers using logistic regression analysis. The model takes into account working hours per week, work-related symptoms, total IgE and IgE to common allergens. Significant interactions between the type of work and the predictors resulted in different scores for animal workers and bakers. Internal and external validation showed that the model was satisfactorily calibrated and discriminated between workers at high and low risk of being sensitized. (105106)
CIS 06-648 Characterizing historical industrial hygiene data: A case study involving benzene exposures at a chemical manufacturing facility (1976-1987). Williams P.R.D., Paustenbach D.J., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, July 2005, Vol.2, No.7, p.341-350. Illus. 44 ref. (In English) Internet: Nearly 3700 air samples of benzene collected in a chemical manufacturing facility in the United States from 1976 to 1987 were used to characterize daily time-weighted average (TWA) exposure levels. It was found that those workers directly involved in manufacturing operations had likely TWA exposures levels of about 2.0ppm from 1976-1981 and about 1.0ppm from 1982 to 1987. These results are consistent with the improved industrial hygiene programmes at chemical facilities following the introduction of stricter occupational exposure limits. (105121)
CIS 06-649 Manganese exposures during shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in an enclosed space. Harris M.K., Ewing W.M., Longo W., DePasquale C., Mount M.D., Hatfield R., Stapleton R., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Aug. 2005, Vol.2, No.8, p.375-382. Illus. 24 ref. (In English) Internet: This study evaluated the effectiveness of various rates of dilution ventilation in controlling welder exposures to manganese in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) fumes when working in enclosed or restricted spaces. Personal and area monitoring using total and respirable sampling techniques, along with multiple analytical techniques, was conducted during the welding operations. Results indicated that 2000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) general dilution ventilation may not be a sufficient means of controlling respirable manganese exposures for either welders or their helpers in restricted or enclosed spaces. In the absence of site-specific monitoring data indicating otherwise, it is prudent to employ respiratory protection or source capture ventilation rather than depending solely on 2000 CFM general dilution ventilation in enclosed spaces. (105122)
CIS 06-650 Ototoxic occupational exposures for a stock car racing team: II. Chemical surveys. Gwin K.K., Wallingford K.M., Morata T.C., Van Campen L.E., Dallaire J., Alvarez F.J., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Aug. 2005, Vol.2, No.8, p.406-413. Illus. 21 ref. (In English) Internet: NIOSH conducted a series of surveys to evaluate occupational exposure to noise and potentially ototoxic chemical agents among members of a professional car racing team. Area samples were collected during visits to the team's shop. Exposures to these chemicals were all below their corresponding OSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH recommended exposure levels. Area and personal samples were also collected for organic compounds, lead and carbon monoxide (CO) in and around the racetrack pit area where the cars undergo race preparation and are refuelled before and during the race. Exposures to organic compounds and lead were either non-detectable or too low to quantify. Although some CO concentrations exceeded the recommended levels, exposures to potentially ototoxic chemicals are probably not high enough to cause hearing loss greater than that produced by the high sound pressure levels alone. (105124)
CIS 06-651 Exposures to refractory ceramic fibres in manufacturing and related operations: A 10-year update. Rice C.H., Levin L.S., Borton E.K., Lockey J.E., Hilbert T.J., LeMasters G.K., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Sep. 2005, Vol.2, No.9, p.462-473. Illus. 40 ref. (In English) Internet: Refractory ceramic fibre is a man-made vitreous fibre used for its insulating properties. This study updates the results of previous exposure estimates. Since 1987, the work environment of approximately 800 persons employed in production operations directly related to fibre manufacturing in three plants in the United States was regularly monitored to evaluate exposure levels. Samples were collected quarterly from the breathing zones of randomly-selected workers. The measurements from those working in areas of similar activities and exposure controls were then used to calculate a mean exposure during identified time periods. Thus 3213 measurements were used to estimate exposure for 130 job titles. Exposure estimates for various job titles are tabulated. The majority of exposure estimates (53%) remained stable over the operational history of the plant. For 32 job titles (25%), exposures decreased, while exposures increased for 28 job titles (22%). (105128)
CIS 06-652 Chemicals and fertility, a poorly understood link. (French: Substances chimiques et fertilité, un lien trop méconnu) Barruyer C., Prévention BTP, Dec. 2005, No.80, p.52-54. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article examines the antifertility effects of chemical substances commonly used in the construction industry. Substances with suspected spermicidal effects include some glycol ethers (banned in France since 1997), phthalates used as PVC plasticizers, styrene and some solvents. It is recommended that the exposure to these substances be limited, in particular through the use of personal protective equipment. (105155)
CIS 06-653 Asbestos - Removal of non-friable materials. (French: Amiante - Retrait de matériaux non friables) Fraisse A., Payen D., Prévention BTP, Feb. 2006, No.82, p.19-21. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article summarizes the procedures to be followed for organizing an asbestos removal site in compliance with current French regulations. They include administrative requirements, waste management, environmental protection and the use of personal protective equipment. (105156)
CIS 06-654 Dermatitis: Suspicious hand lesions. (French: Dermatites: des lésions suspectes de la peau) Barruyer C., Prévention BTP, Feb. 2006, No.82, p.56-58. Illus. 2 ref. (In French) Internet: Many substances used in the construction industry are allergens or irritants and may cause dermatitis. They include in particular cement, solvents, glues and resins. The hands are the most affected. This article presents a brief overview of the main causes of dermatitis, together with the recommended preventive measures (hand hygiene, use of barrier creams and protective gloves). (105160)
CIS 06-655 Reduction of worker exposure to nitrogen trichloride through process-related action in two activity sectors. (French: Réduction de l'exposition des travailleurs au trichlorure d'azote par action sur les procédés dans deux secteurs d'activité) Gérardin F., Hecht G., Hubert-Pelle G., Subra I., Gagnaire F., Héry M., Massin N., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 4th Quarter 2005, No.201, p.9-18. Illus. 21 ref. (In French) Internet: Activity sectors as varied as indoor swimming pools and the ready-to-use fresh vegetable industry are faced with high employee exposures to nitrogen trichloride. The INRS has conducted numerous studies aimed at both characterizing the chemical risk to which workers in these sectors are exposed and proposing technical solutions for reducing pollution and controlling work atmosphere quality. Besides the analytical, toxicological and epidemiological aspects, this document describes technical prevention solutions that have been developed and adapted to activities that involve exposure to nitrogen trichloride. Based on the principle of nitrogen trichloride stripping, two pilot installations have been installed in an indoor swimming pool and in a ready-to-use fresh vegetable-processing plant. Measurements have been carried out to confirm the efficiency of these installations. (105161)
CIS 06-656 UV process: Chloroform and nitrogen trichloride level monitoring in indoor swimming pool waters. (French: Traitement UV: suivi de l'évolution des concentrations en chloroforme et en trichlorure d'azote dans les eaux de baignade d'un centre aquatique) Gérardin F., Hecht G., Hubert-Pelle G., Subra I., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 4th Quarter 2005, No.201, p.19-30. Illus. 31 ref. (In French) Internet: Faced with high levels of supervisory staff exposure to nitrogen trichloride and high levels of combined chlorine in pool water, indoor swimming pool operators increasingly adopt additional water treatment systems based on UV irradiation. This technology results in the formation of undesired by-products such as chloroform (an IARC class 2B carcinogen). For eight weeks, INRS monitored chloroform and nitrogen trichloride concentrations in water from two pools equipped with low and medium pressure lamps respectively. This study revealed the significant contribution of UV irradiation to chloroform formation and to the possible increase of dissolved nitrogen trichloride. (105162)
CIS 06-657 Diesel engines and pollution in confined spaces. (French: Moteurs diesel et pollution en espace confiné) Courtois B., Le Brech A., Diebold F., Lafon D., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 4th Quarter 2005, No.201, p.45-62. Illus. 59 ref. (In French) Internet: Exhaust fume pollution from internal combustion engines powering heavy-duty mining, materials handling and earthmoving equipment may be important, depending on the site, traffic density and operating frequency. This paper reviews current knowledge in this field and proposes suitable means for limiting the toxic effects of various pollutants. In particular, it focuses on diesel engine-powered off-road vehicles, but also provides information on spark ignition engines on certain road vehicles. Other sections cover the prevention of exposure to both heavy lorry and light vehicle exhaust fumes. (105164)
CIS 06-658 Exposure to pesticides among pregnant women working in agriculture. (Polish: Ekspozycja na pestycydy kobiet w ciąży pracujących w rolnictwie) Gawora-Ziółek M., Jurewicz J., Hanke W., Medycyna pracy, 2005, Vol.56, No.3, p.197-204. 22 ref. (In Polish) Internet: A survey of potential pesticide exposure was carried out among pregnant women working in agriculture. The women provided information about their work in the field, pesticide spraying, preparation of spraying equipment and pesticide mixtures and washing of clothes after spraying. The survey revealed potential hazards to the women resulting from their exposure to pesticides both at work and at home. Results indicate the need to estimate actual exposure using biological monitoring. (105171)
CIS 06-659 Preventing the toxic hand-off. Esswein E., Boeniger M.F., Occupational Hazards, Sep. 2005, Vol.67, No.9, p.53-61. Illus. 9 ref. (In English) Internet: This article stresses the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of toxic substances by contaminated skin. Topics addressed: industrial hygiene regulations; lead contamination on the hands of workers involved in the processing of lead-containing materials; prevention of hand-to-mouth lead transfer; effective decontamination methods. (105183)
CIS 06-660 Adverse impact of insecticides on the health of Palestinian farm workers in the Gaza Strip: A hematologic biomarker study. Abu Mourad T., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Apr.-June 2005, Vol.11, No.2, p.144-149. 42 ref. (In English) Internet: This study assessed biomarkers in 83 farm workers in the Gaza Strip using organophosphorus insecticides. Data on exposures and symptoms were collected by means of questionnaires. Serum cholinesterase and complete blood count were determined before and after spraying. Burning sensations in eyes and face (62.5%), itching and skin irritation (37.5%) and chest symptoms (29.2%) were reported. Serum butyryl-cholinesterase (SBuChE) was significantly decreased at the end of the workday. Burning sensations in eyes and face and skin rash were significantly associated with inhibition of SBuChE activity. Younger workers were more affected. Leukocyte and platelet counts were increased and haemoglobin decreased significantly, reflecting acute poisoning. Monitoring of SBuChE and haematological parameters of farm workers could be useful to predict and prevent health hazards from pesticides. (105188)
CIS 06-661 Critical review of the epidemiology literature on the potential cancer risks of methyl methacrylate. Tomenson J.A., Carpenter A.V., Pemberton M.A., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sep. 2005, Vol.78, No.8, p.603-612. 15 ref. (In English) Internet: This literature review on the carcinogenicity of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to humans focused on cast acrylic sheet manufacturing workers because of the high exposure potential in this industry. Excesses of respiratory, stomach and colorectal cancers were observed in some cohorts of workers exposed to MMA, although there was little to suggest that MMA exposure was responsible for these excesses of respiratory and stomach cancer and it is more likely that they resulted from lifestyle exposures such as cigarette smoking or diet. An excess of colorectal cancer in one group of workers exposed to high levels of MMA during the 1930s and 1940s remains unexplained. Overall, the lack of consistency of the various studies, the absence of dose-response relationships and the lack of support from animal toxicology do not provide persuasive evidence that MMA is a human carcinogen. (105191)
CIS 06-662 Urinary methoxyacetic acid as an indicator of occupational exposure to ethylene glycol dimethyl ether. Yokota K., Ikeda N., Johyama Y., Michitsuji H., Yamada S., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sep. 2005, Vol.78, No.8, p.650-654. Illus. 16 ref. (In English) Internet: This case-control study investigated the use of urinary methoxyacetic acid (MAA) as a biomarker for exposure to ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (EGdiME). Urine samples were collected from 14 exposed and 20 unexposed subjects. The identification and quantification of the metabolite were performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and flame ionisation detection. Air samples were also collected. The levels of urinary MAA among exposed workers were significantly higher than among controls, showing a clear exposure-response relationship. These findings confirm that MAA in urine may be used for biological monitoring of EGdiME exposures. (105193)
CIS 06-663 Biological monitoring of carbon disulphide and phthalate exposure in the contemporary rubber industry. Vermeulen R., Jönsson B.A.G., Lindh C,H., Kromhout H., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sep. 2005, Vol.78, No.8, p.663-669. 22 ref. (In English) Internet: Urinary levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxyl acid (TTCA), a metabolite of carbon disulfide (CS2), and phthalic acid (PA), a metabolite of phthalates, were studied across factories and departments in the rubber industry. Spot urine samples from 101 rubber workers employed in nine factories were collected on different days. Levels of both biomarkers increased significantly during the working week compared to Sunday. Levels of both biomarkers did not differ markedly between working days. Increases seemed to be restricted to specific factories and or departments, such as moulding and curing. Findings confirm that rubber workers are exposed to various levels of phthalates and CS2 depending on the specific conditions of the factories and departments. Biological monitoring appears to be a reliable means of evaluating exposures to these substances. (105194)
CIS 06-664 Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and exposure to irritant agents in occupational domestic cleaning: A nested case-control study. Medina-Ramón M., Zock J.P., Kogevinas M., Sunyer J., Torralba Y., Borrell A., Burgos F., Antó J.M., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.62, No.9, p.598-606. Illus. 36 ref. (In English) Internet: This case-control investigated the relationship between common tasks and products used in domestic cleaning and respiratory morbidity. Subjects included 160 cleaning women with symptoms of asthma and/or chronic bronchitis and 386 without a history of respiratory symptoms. Data on exposures and symptoms were obtained by interview. Lung function, methacholine challenge and serum IgE testing were performed and personal exposure measurements of airborne chlorine and ammonia were performed in a subsample. Results indicated that workers with respiratory symptoms used bleach more frequently than controls. Other independent associations included accidental inhalation of vapours and gases from cleaning agents and washing dishes. It was concluded that asthma symptoms in domestic cleaners are related to the regular use of bleach and possibly other irritant products. (105197)
CIS 06-665 Exposure to methyl methacrylate and its subjective symptoms among dental technicians in Tehran, Iran. Golbabaei F., Mamdouh M., Jelyani K.N., Shahtaheri S.J., International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.283-289. Illus. 11 ref. (In English) Internet: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and total dust exposures, as well as workers' health symptoms, were investigated in 20 dental laboratories in Tehran, Iran. Time-weighted average (TWA) of MMA and peak concentrations were determined and total dusts were evaluated. Data on health symptoms were collected by questionnaire. There were no significant differences between the TWA of MMA and the peak concentration in different workdays; however, important within-day variations were observed. Cough and skin dryness were the common health symptoms. Smoking and a history of asbestos exposure were factors influencing cough prevalence. Although short-term exposures were found to be lower than the current short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 100ppm, it is argued that the STEL is not low enough to protect technicians against the adverse effects caused by MMA. (105222)
CIS 06-666 The development of the globally harmonized system (GHS) of classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals. Winder C., Azzi R., Wagner D., Journal of Hazardous Materials, Oct. 2005, Vol.125, No.1-3. p.29-44. Illus. 16 ref. (In English) Internet: Hazardous chemicals can be classified using physical, chemical and ecotoxicological criteria. A number of national and international schemes have been developed over the past 50 years and some, such as the UN Dangerous Goods system or the EC system for hazardous substances, are in widespread use. A recommendation was made at the 1992 Rio Earth summit to develop a globally harmonized chemical hazard classification and compatible labelling system. This became the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), described in this article. The Intergovernmental Forum for Chemical Safety recommends that all countries implement the GHS as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008. (105232)
CIS 06-667 Acute pesticide poisoning among female and male cotton growers in India. Mancini F., Van Bruggen A.H.C., Jiggins J.L.S., Ambatipudi A.C., Murphy H., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.221-232. Illus. 38 ref. (In English) Internet: A season-long assessment of acute pesticide poisoning risk among cotton-growing farmers was conducted in three villages in India. Fifty female cotton growers reported symptoms after exposures to pesticides by themselves and by their male relatives. Typically female tasks such as mixing concentrated pesticides and refilling spraying tanks were as hazardous as direct pesticide application. Of 323 reported events, 83.6% consisted of mild to severe poisoning symptoms. Ten percent of the pesticide application sessions were associated with three or more neurotoxic symptoms typical of poisoning by organophosphates, which were used in 47% of the applications. Although in 6% of the spray sessions the workers' neurotoxic effects were extremely serious, none sought medical care. Low-income marginal farmers and agricultural labourers were at greater risk of severe poisoning than were owners of larger farms who often used agricultural labour. (105233)
CIS 06-668 Silicosis and tuberculosis in Zambian miners. Mulenga E.M., Miller H.B., Sinkala T., Hysong T.A., Burgess J.L., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.259-262. Illus. 16 ref. (In English) Internet: Silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) are significant mining-related illnesses in developing countries. This study examined annual cases of these diseases in Zambian miners, including comparison of periods before (1960-1970) and after (1992-2002) the arrival of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Occupational Health and Safety Research Bureau of Zambia reported 2114 cases from 1945 to 2002. Of these, 22.7% were silicosis, 65.4% TB, and the remaining 11.9% silicotuberculosis. While silicosis cases decreased from 28.6% to 12.4% with the arrival of HIV/AIDS, there was a large increase in TB cases (37.1% to 86.1%), with a corresponding decrease in silicotuberculosis cases (34.3% to 1.6%). Although silicosis remains an occupational health issue in Zambian miners, the most significant problem appears to be the marked increase in cases of TB. (105236)
CIS 06-669 Prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis in U.K. hairdressers. Perkins J.B., Farrow A., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.289-293. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: The prevalence of hand dermatitis was investigated among workers of 60 hairdressing salons in the United Kingdom. 38.6% of respondents reported hand dermatitis, among whom 72.7% reported interdigital symptoms. Trainee hairdressers had an increased risk of hand dermatitis (relative risk, RR=2.95), as did those with ≤2 years in the profession (RR=4.91). There was a positive association between prevalence and frequent use of protective measures, suggesting that use of protective measures may be a reaction to incidence rather than a precaution. Wet work was significantly associated with prevalence, and relative risk was increased in those who performed more frequent wet work, namely trainee hairdressers. True prevalence was far higher than that suggested by surveillance schemes in the United Kingdom. (105238)
CIS 06-670 Cancer mortality among municipal pest-control workers. Ambroise D., Moulin J.J., Squinazi F., Protois J.C., Fontana J.M., Wild P., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2005, Vol.78, No.5, p.387-393. Illus. 13 ref. (In English) Internet: An historical cohort mortality study was carried out to investigate the hypothesis of a relationship between cancer occurrence and occupational exposure of municipal pest-control workers to a wide range of pesticides and other chemicals. The cohort comprised all subjects ever employed in a municipal pest-control service between 1979 and 1994. The follow-up period lasted from 1979 to 2000. The mortality rates of pest-control workers were compared with those of a regional population. A job exposure matrix was developed, which took into account four types of chemicals: formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, insecticides and rodenticides. A statistically significant excess of cancer mortality was found among these workers, increasing as a function of duration of employment. (105054)
CIS 06-671 When workclothes sound the alarm. (French: Quand les vêtements de travail donnent l'alerte) Schwartz G., Travail et sécurité, Nov. 2005, No.656, p.10-11. Illus. (In French) Internet: This article describes an "intelligent" fireman's jacket whose textile fabric includes gas detectors powered by rechargeable batteries. The jacket includes a radio transmitter and a GPS positioning system that enables the real-time detection of wearers at all times and the transmission of their body temperature and pulse rate. A micro-camera incorporated into the fabric at chest level allows images to be sent to the control centre. Other options and applications are possible, in particular in the chemical industry. This project received an award in France and is approved at the European level. (105039)
CIS 06-672 Respiratory protective equipment. Howie R.M., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, June 2005, Vol.62, No.6, p.423-428. Illus. 10 ref. (In English) Internet: This article outlines the role of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in a risk control programme. Contents: setting up an effective RPE programme (hazard evaluation, substitution, technical control measures, information of personnel, training, supervision, maintenance); classes of RPE (breathing apparatus, filter devices, performance levels); RPE selection (legal requirements, selecting the type of breathing apparatus or filter device, selecting the device). (105100)
CIS 06-673 Concepts of skin protection: Considerations for the evaluation and terminology of the performance of skin protective equipment. Brouwer D.H., Aitken R.J., Oppl R., Cherrie J.W., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Sep. 2005, Vol.2, No.9, p.425-434. Illus. 24 ref. (In English) Internet: This article proposes a common language for better understanding the processes involved in dermal exposure and skin protection. A conceptual model has been developed that describes the transport of agent mass from sources, eventually resulting in "loading" of the skin surface or the skin contaminant layer. Evaluation of skin protective equipment (SPE) performance has mainly focused on chemical resistance testing for permeation, penetration, or degradation of SPE materials. In practice, however, all processes will occur concurrently. Thus, SPE field performance evaluation including user-SPE interaction complementary to material testing is warranted. (105125)
CIS 06-674 Time to first pregnancy among women working in agricultural production. Idrovo A.J., Sanin L.H., Cole D., Chavarro J., Cáceres H., Narváez J., Restrepo M., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, July 2005, Vol.78, No.6, p.493-500. 45 ref. (In English) Internet: This study explores risk factors potentially associated with reduced fertility among women working in cut flower production. A cross-sectional study of time to first pregnancy was undertaken in 47 Colombian floriculture companies. 2,085 women were interviewed regarding potential reproductive, lifestyle and work history predictors of time-to-pregnancy (TTP), measured in months. Fertility odds ratios (FORs) were estimated for various factors associated with longer TTPs. Reduced FORs were found for the several factors, including work in flower production, less than 24 months (FOR 0.86) or two years or more (FOR 0.73). (105014)
CIS 06-675 Occupational protein contact dermatitis from shiitake mushroom and demonstration of shiitake-specific immunoglobulin E. Aalto-Korte K., Susitaival P., Kaminska R., Mäkinen-Kiljunen S., Contact Dermatitis, Oct. 2005, Vol.53, No.4, p.211-213. Illus. 10 ref. (In English) Internet: Shiitake are popular edible mushrooms all over the world. There are no previous reports of protein contact dermatitis (PCD) from shiitake, and there is only a single report of shiitake-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). Two cases of shiitake growers who developed work-related eczematous eruption on their hands are described. Both of the patients had small prick test reactions to fresh shiitake, and specific IgE to shiitake was detected in their sera by immunospot. One of the patients had a large prick test reaction to dry shiitake and also a positive wheal reaction to fresh shiitake in an open application test. Neither of the patients had noticed any symptoms of contact urticaria at work. Both of the patients had immediate IgE-mediated allergy to shiitake, and the diagnosis of occupational PCD was made. There are no commercial in vitro tests for shiitake-specific IgE. It is therefore important to test for immediate allergy when shiitake contact dermatitis is suspected. (105231)
CIS 06-676 Harmful factors in the working environment: Occupational exposure limits 2005. (Polish: Czynniki szkodliwe w środowisku pracy: wartości dopuszczalne 2005) Augustyńska D., Pośniak M., eds., Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 2005. 338p. Illus., ISBN 83-7373-077-X (In Polish) Internet: This publication sets out requirements relating to the working environment and lists occupational exposure limits for chemical and physical agents in Poland. Requirements for hazard evaluation and the measurement of levels of harmful agents in the workplace are also presented. (105173)
CIS 06-677 Chemicals Risk Assessment Bureau (BERPC) - Press pack - 24 March 2005. (French: Bureau d'évaluation des risques des produits et agents chimiques (BERPC) - Dossier de presse - 24 mars 2005) Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, Mar. 2005. 28p. 11 ref. PDF document. (In French) Internet: Press pack announcing the creation of the Chemicals Risk Assessment Bureau (BERPC, Bureau d'évaluation des risques des produits et agents chimiques), a joint structure involving the French national occupational safety and health institute (INRS) and the French national institute for the industrial environment and risks (INERIS). Contents: press release; regulatory provisions for the registration and evaluation of biocides; the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) programme; role of INRS and INERIS in the evaluation of substances and the prevention of occupational and environmental hazards. (105136)
CIS 06-678 Wood dust: Hazards and precautions. HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, rev. ed., Dec. 2003. 2p. 13 ref. (In English) Internet: This information sheet describes the safety and heath hazards associated with exposure to wood dust and the legal requirements for the control or prevention of exposure. Wood dust has been assigned maximum exposure limits of 5mg/m3 (8 hr TWA) under the British COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations. Hardwood dust is defined as a carcinogen. Fire and explosion hazards are also described. Recommendations are given for dust control measures, assessment of health risks, fire and explosion precautions and cleaning of workplaces. Replaces previous edition (CIS 01-1184). (105118)
CIS 06-679 List of MAK and BAT values 2005. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005. 253p. Illus. Includes CD-ROM., ISBN 3-527-31357-5 (In English) Internet: This report lists maximum permissible workplace concentrations and biological tolerance values of chemical substances in Germany. Contents of the 2005 edition: significance, use and derivation of MAK values (maximum concentrations - maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentration); lists of substances with MAK values; carcinogenic substances; sensitizing substances; aerosols; limitation of exposure peaks; skin absorption; MAK values and pregnancy; germ cell mutagens; substances requiring special consideration; significance and use of biological tolerance (BAT) values; list of substances with BAT values; biological guideline values (Biologischer Arbeitsstoff-Toleranz-Wert - BLW). (Replaces CIS 03-1831). (105021)
CIS 06-680 Globally harmonized system of classification of chemicals (GHS). (French: Système général harmonisé de classification et d'étiquetage des produits chimiques (SGH); Spanish: Sistema Globalmente Armonizado de clasificación y etiquetado de productos químicos (SGA)) United Nations, Sales and Marketing Section, Palais des Nations, 1211 Genève 10, Switzerland, rev. ed, 2005. 537p. Illus. Bibl. ref. Price: USD 95.00., ISBN 92-1-116927-5 (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: This document describes the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), developed through cooperation between the ILO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations. Following an introduction defining the purpose, scope and application of the GHS, this guide sets out the classification criteria and hazard communication elements (symbol, signal word, hazard statement) for 16 physical hazards, 10 health hazards and environmental hazards along with guidance on making a classification. This first revised edition of the GHS contains revised provisions concerning classification and labelling, new provisions for aspiration hazards and new guidance on the use of precautionary statements and pictograms and on the preparation of safety data sheets. (105023)
CIS 06-681 Bulk storage of acids: Guidance on the storage of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid in tanks. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, May 2003. 32p. 21 ref. Price: GBP 9.50., ISBN 0-7176-2683-0 (In English) Internet: This booklet provides guidance on the design, construction, operation and maintenance of installations used for the storage of hydrochloric or nitric acid in fixed tanks, with reference to the current regulatory framework in the United Kingdom, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (see CIS 03-1023). Contents includes: risk assessment, siting of the tank, bunding, materials of construction, tank design, pipework and valves, inspection and maintenance and emergency procedures. (105215)
CIS 06-682 Hairdressing. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, Jan. 2005. 2p. Illus. 6 ref. (In English) Internet: This guidance sheet describes methods for controlling exposure to harmful chemicals in hairdressing salons and provides advice for employers (including franchisees and the self-employed) on compliance with the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (see CIS 03-1023). Contents: design and equipment; procedures; special care; cleaning and housekeeping; personal protective equipment; health advice; training; supervision. (105216)
CIS 06-683 Electrolysis, piercing and tattooing. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, Jan. 2005. 4p. Illus. 3 ref. (In English) Internet: This guidance sheet describes methods for controlling exposure to harmful chemicals in electrolysis, piercing and tattooing salons and provides advice for employers (including franchisees and the self-employed) on compliance with the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (see CIS 03-1023). Contents: design and equipment; procedures; special care; maintenance and testing of equipment; cleaning and housekeeping; personal protective equipment; health advice; training; young workers; supervision. (105217)
CIS 06-684 Beauty salon - Makeover, nails and depilatory services. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, Jan. 2005. 2p. Illus. 4 ref. (In English) Internet: This guidance sheet describes methods for controlling exposure to harmful chemicals in beauty salons offering makeover, nails and depilatory services and provides advice for employers (including franchisees and the self-employed) on compliance with the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (see CIS 03-1023). Contents: design and equipment; procedures; special care; cleaning and housekeeping; personal protective equipment; health advice; training; supervision. (105218)
CIS 06-685 The safe isolation of plant and equipment. HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, 2nd ed., 2006. iv, 57p. Illus. 33 ref. Price: GBP 12.95., ISBN 0-7176-6171-7 (In English) Internet: This guidance describes procedures for the safe isolation of process plant and equipment in the onshore and offshore oil and gas industry, in chemical manufacturing and in pipelines associated with these industries. The procedures are designed to reduce the risk of releasing hazardous substances during intrusive activity such as maintenance and sampling operations. Contents: management of isolations; safe systems of work for isolation activities; key stages of process isolation; isolation conditions requiring specific considerations. (105029)
CIS 06-686 Toxicological data sheets. (French: Fiches toxicologiques) Institut national de recherche et de sécurité, 30 rue Olivier-Noyer, 75680 Paris Cedex 14, France, 2005. CD-ROM readable on Macintosh or PC. Price: EUR 20.00. (In French) Internet: CD-ROM including the complete collection of the 256 data sheets published by the French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), current as of the third quarter of 2005. These data sheets provide technical and regulatory synthesis of information on hazards related to a product or a group of products. Topics covered by each data sheet: uses; physical and chemical properties; methods of detection and determination in air; fire hazards; pathology and toxicology; current French regulations in the areas of occupational safety and hygiene, protection of the environment and transport; technical and medical recommendations. (Replaces CIS 02-1407). (105131)
CIS 06-687 A guide to the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 (as amended). HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, 2nd ed. 2006. iv, 145p. Illus. 21 ref. Price: GBP 15.95., ISBN 0-7176-6175-X (In English) Internet: This revised guidance provides detailed advice on the scope of the 1999 Regulations (see CIS 00-24) and the duties imposed by them. Contents: scope of application; general duty of operators; submission of safety reports; preparation, testing and implementation of emergency plans; provision of information by the operator; functions of the competent authority enforcing the regulations. Replaces the previous edition (CIS 00-1717). (105116)
CIS 06-688 A guide to the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005. Health and Safety Executive, HSE Books, P.O.Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, 3rd ed., 2006. iv, 90p. 30 ref. Price: GBP 15.50., ISBN 0-7176-6184-9 (In English) Internet: This guidance concerns the preparation of safety cases (detailed safety plans) to be submitted by the operator or owner of every offshore installation, including those used for production, drilling, exploration or providing accommodation. Guidance is given on each of the Regulations and Schedules including: duties of licensee; design and relocation notifications; safety cases for production and non-production installations and for dismantling fixed installations; duty to conform with the safety case. Replaces CIS 00-214. (105249)
CIS 06-689 Getting out alive. Butyn S., Accident Prevention, Sep. 2005, Vol.52, No.4, p.26-30. Illus. (In English) Internet: This article lists the ten main errors to be avoided by operators working in confined spaces and outlines safety measures, including: the fulfilment of legal obligations; detection of toxic gases; maintenance of gas monitoring equipment; using the correct gas monitor; re-entry testing; ventilation; isolation of a confined space from electrical and other hazards; specifying the correct respirator; role of the designated attendant; correct emergency rescue operations. (105094)
CIS 06-690 Prospective noise induced changes to hearing among construction industry apprentices. Seixas N.S., Goldman B., Sheppard L., Neitzel R., Norton S., Kujawa S.G., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2005, Vol.62, No.5, p.309-317. Illus. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: Hearing and noise exposure were monitored among a cohort of newly-enrolled construction industry apprentices and a comparison group of students, using standard pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). A total of 328 subjects were monitored annually an average of 3.4 times. In parallel to these measures, noise exposure and use of hearing protection devices were monitored during construction work tasks. Non-occupational exposures were also investigated and monitored in subgroups of subjects. Results indicate that construction apprentices in their first three years of work, with average noise exposures under 90dBA, have measurable losses of hearing function. Despite the practical problems of implementing DPOAEs for hearing surveillance on construction sites, they appear somewhat more sensitive to the early-stage detection of hearing loss than standard pure tone audiometry. (105003)
CIS 06-691 Hearing loss among operating engineers in American construction industry. Hong O.S., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Aug. 2005, Vol.78, No.7, p.565-574. Illus. 53 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among engineers operating heavy construction machinery. Demographic and occupational data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire and the 623 participants underwent audiometric tests and otoscopic examinations. Over 60% showed hearing loss in the noise-sensitive higher frequencies of 4 and 6kHz. The degree of hearing loss was particularly high among workers who reported long years of working in the construction industry. Average reported use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) was 48% of the time they were required to be used. A significant inverse relationship was found between 4-6kHz hearing loss and use of HPDs. (105008)
CIS 06-692 Incidence of tinnitus, impaired hearing and musculoskeletal disorders among students enroled in academic music education - A retrospective cohort study. Hagberg M., Thiringer G., Brandström L., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Aug. 2005, Vol.78, No.7, p.575-583. Illus. 17 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the incidence of tinnitus, impaired hearing and musculoskeletal disorders among musicians and investigated the relationship with the number of practising hours and instrument type. Subjects consisted of music students enrolled between the years 1980 and 1995 in the music school of a Swedish university. A questionnaire on exposure and symptoms was answered by 407 of the 602 eligible students. The highest incidence of symptoms was found for reported tinnitus. There was also a relationship between the number of hours of instrumental practice and incidence of impaired hearing. Among the musculoskeletal symptoms, the highest incidences were pain in the neck and in the left shoulder. Incidences of symptoms of the left and right hand, elbow, forearm and shoulder are discussed as a function of the number of hours of weekly practice and instrument played. (105009)
CIS 06-693 Noise at the workplace in 2003: A stressor affecting three employees out of ten. (French: Le bruit au travail en 2003: une nuisance qui touche trois salariés sur dix) Magaud-Camus I., Floury M.C., Vinck L., Waltisperger D., Documents pour le médecin du travail, Sep. 2005, No.103, p.327-334. Illus. 2 ref. (In French) Internet: The SUMER 2003 survey in France (see CIS 95-161) showed that close to a third of all workers are exposed to noise. Some 7% of all employees are exposed to harmful noise levels, and 25% to other types of noise while being less of a health hazard nonetheless have an impact. Industrial and construction workers are the most affected, however these sectors are those that generally provide acoustic protection. Employees exposed to harmful noise levels at work have a more stressful form of work organization than other employees and are also more exposed to other physical hazards. (105067)
CIS 06-694 Ototoxic occupational exposures for a stock car racing team: I. Noise surveys. Van Campen L.E., Morata T., Kardous C.A., Gwin K., Wallingford K.M., Dallaire J., Alvarez F.J., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Aug. 2005, Vol.2, No.8, p.383-390. Illus. 21 ref. (In English) Internet: Noise exposure was evaluated for a professional stock car team at their race shop and during two races at one racetrack. At the team's shop, area noise levels ranged from 58 to 104dBA for various work tasks. Personal noise dosimetry was conducted for at least one employee for each job description in car assembly. The OSHA permissible exposure limit of 90dBA for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) was never exceeded, but in two instances values exceeded OSHA's action level of 85dBA for hearing conservation implementation. During the races, noise levels averaged above 100dBA in the pit area where cars undergo adjustments and refuelling, both before and during the race. Peak levels reached 140dBA. NIOSH-recommended exposure limits were exceeded for every personal noise dosimetry measurement. Recommendations include vocal communication by radio and the use of headsets, allowing hearing protectors to be worn at all times. (105123)
CIS 06-695 Arc and resistance welding and tumours of the endocrine glands: A Swedish case-control study with focus on extremely low frequency magnetic fields. Håkansson N., Stenlund C., Gustavsson P., Johansen C., Floderus B., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2005, Vol.62, No.5, p.304-308. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the relationship between occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields during welding and tumours of the endocrine glands. Subjects included 174 cases of tumours of the endocrine glands and 1692 controls matched by sex and age. Data on job tasks, exposure to different types of welding and exposure to solvents were obtained by means of questionnaires. Among arc welders, there was an overall increased risk for all tumours of the endocrine glands. An increased risk was also observed for the adrenal glands in relation to arc welding, and for the parathyroid glands in relation to both arc welding and resistance welding. A non-significant increase in risk was also noted for tumours of the pituitary gland for arc welding. No confounding effect was found for solvent exposure, and there was no sign of biological interaction. (105002)
CIS 06-696 60-Hertz electric-field exposures in transmission line towers. Bracken T., Senior R., Dudman J., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Sep. 2005, Vol.2, No.9, p.444-455. Illus. 8 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated 60-Hz electric field exposures among line workers in 230 to 765-kV transmission line towers. The exposures were based on computations of the unperturbed electric field along climbing routes and at work positions on the towers and on insulated ladders suspended in towers. Computed exposures are generally expressed in terms of the unperturbed electric field averaged over the body surface as stipulated by guidelines. However for realistic on-tower positions, the worker's posture, the uniformity of the field, and the field orientation differ from the guideline exposure scenario of standing erect in a vertical uniform field. The average electric-field exposure during climbing ranged from 10kV/m for a 230-kV tower to 31kV/m for a 765-kV tower, occasionally exceeding the 20kV/m limit given in the recently adopted IEEE Standard C95.6 2002. (105127)
CIS 06-697 Protecting aircraft crew from cosmic radiation. Bartlett D.T., Bottollier-Depois J.F., ISO Focus, May 2005, Vol.2, No.5, p.34-36. Illus. 3 ref. (In English) Internet: Aircraft crew are exposed to elevated levels of cosmic radiation. Following recommendations of the International Commission for Radiation Protection (ICRP), the European Union introduced Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM, which requires that account be taken of the exposure of aircrew liable to receive more than 1 millisievert (mSv) per year. The Directive has already been incorporated into the laws of member states as well as into the safety standards and procedures of the European Air Safety Agency. This article describes the development of an international standard for harmonizing methods for measuring the exposure of aircraft crew to cosmic radiation. (105200)
CIS 06-698 Reducing the risks from occupational noise. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Vía 33, 48009 Bilbao, Spain, 2005. 85p. Illus. 46 ref. Index. Price: EUR 15.00., ISBN 92-9191-167-4 (In English) Internet: This report provides an overview of noise control methods based on European noise control policy as formulated in the relevant directives and international standards. Contents: scope of the noise problem; effects of noise (hearing disorders, work-related stress, cause of accidents); European occupational noise policy; management of noise (noise reduction, personal protection); examples of workplace interventions. Includes lists of relevant European directives and standards. (105220)
CIS 06-699 Radio wave detection of persons on non-metallic material conveyors. (French: La détection de personnes par ondes radioélectriques sur convoyeurs de matières non métalliques) Klein R., Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, Sep. 2005, No.200, p.25-37. Illus. 13 ref. (In French) Internet: Personal detection devices based on radio waves can ensure the prevention of accidents resulting from persons being drawn into the danger zone on non-metallic material conveyors. This article describes the context in which these devices are used, as well as their operating principles and limits. Technical and organizational measures aimed at ensuring failsafe personal detection in the danger zone are summarized and six types of currently installed devices are reviewed. Findings confirm that it is possible to significantly reduce the limitations of current systems by equipping workers with a detector badge operating frequency below 500MHz, allowing their detection despite the presence of obstructions. (105063)
CIS 06-700 Safety aspects of mobile cranes. (Spanish: Aspectos de seguridad en grúas móviles autopropulsadas) Muñoz Solano M.J., Mapfre seguridad, 3rd Quarter 2005, Vol.25, No.99, p.3-13. Illus. 29 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: Mobile cranes are used for increasingly complex and heavy-duty tasks, and their design is constantly evolving with advances in technology. It is therefore necessary to define safety measures and criteria for the maintenance, inspection and use of these cranes, together with the minimum operator qualifications. This article reviews the various safety aspects related to mobile cranes. Contents: definition of mobile cranes and their component parts; planning of work; reception and erection of cranes on construction sites; work near overhead electric lines; crane stabilization; safety precautions to be adopted during lifting and unloading; crane dismantling; work with buckets or cradles; crane movements while carrying loads; work involving several cranes; balancing of loads. (105087)
CIS 06-701 Builders' hoists - Safety at all levels. (French: Monte-matériaux - La sécurité à tous les étages) Richard A.M., Prévention BTP, Feb. 2006, No.82, p.26-27. Illus. 3 ref. (In French) Internet: Transporting materials to upper levels on construction sites involves strenuous handling that in turn gives rise to occupational accidents and diseases. This article covers the safety aspects of builders' hoists: selection of equipment; mandatory checks; safe use and operation; safety rules to be followed. (105157)
CIS 06-702 Detection of persons - Radio waves on the conveyor belt. (French: Détection de personnes - Les bonnes ondes de la filière tri) Lampert S., Travail et sécurité, Jan. 2006, No.658, p.18-20. Illus. (In French) Internet: Several waste management facilities have experienced serious accidents on conveyors used in materials recycling. This article describes shows how radiofrequency personal detection systems may be effective in avoiding these risks on the condition that they are accompanied by appropriate organizational measures. (105167)
CIS 06-703 Prevention of hazards in the compacting zone. (French: Prévention des risques en zone de compactage) Darves-Bornoz M., Welitz G., Travail et sécurité, Oct. 2005, No.655, insert 4p. Illus. 8 ref. (In French) Internet: Waste compactors are used to reduce volumes of wastes such as cardboard, printing industry trimmings, plastic bottles and industrial wastes. This practical safety information sheet applies to manually-fed horizontal hydraulic compactors. The main hazard associated with the use of this type of equipment is the risk of being crushed by the compacting head during normal operations, which include the feeding of waste, removal of unsuitable waste and recovery from jamming. Contents: main causes of accidents; preventive measures (compactor selection, access control, personal protective equipment, safety instructions, instructions to operators, organizational measures). (105037)
CIS 06-704 Work-related, penetrating eye injuries in rural environments. Mackiewicz J., Machowicz-Matejko E., Sałaga-Pylak M., Piecyk-Sidor M., Zagórski Z., AAEM - Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2005, Vol.12, No.1, p.27-29. Illus. 12 ref. (In English) Internet: The records of 182 patients with penetrating eye injuries being treated in an eye hospital in Lublin, Poland, between 1994 and 2002 were reviewed. 28 of the eye injuries were in agriculture. Results were analysed by age, gender, seasonal variation, cause of injury, place of entry wound, visual acuity and complications of the injury. Most of the injuries were the result of repair and maintenance work (35.7%), wood chopping (25%), machine operation (17.9%), operation of simple tools (10.7%), falls (7.1%) and goring by a cow (3.6%). The study revealed the high risk of this type of injury in rural areas. (105172)
CIS 06-705 Preventing falls: Harnesses. (French: Prévention des chutes: le harnais) Richard A.M., Prévention BTP, Oct. 2005, No.78, p.30-31. Illus. 2 ref. (In French) Internet: Falls from heights still represent the most frequent cause of fatal accidents on construction sites. While collective protective measures must be favoured whenever possible, personal protective measures are needed on construction sites where access is difficult. This article describes the design of fall-arresting harnesses and their selection as a function of the various tasks to be undertaken. (105154)
CIS 06-706 Rapid-assembly cranes: An ideal solution for urban construction sites. (French: Grues à montage rapide: une solution idéale pour les chantiers urbains) Richard A.M., Prévention BTP, Oct. 2005, No.78, p.28-29. Illus. 3 ref. (In French) Internet: Rapid-assembly cranes are particularly suited to small construction sites. This article identifies the hazards associated with their erection and use and outlines preventive measures, highlighting the importance of training and equipment maintenance. (105153)
CIS 06-707 Accident patterns and prevention measures for fatal occupational falls in the construction industry. Chi C.F., Chang T.C., Ting H.I., Applied Ergonomics, July 2005, Vol.36, No.4, p.391-400. 33 ref. (In English) Internet: Data concerning 621 fatal falls in the construction industry in Taiwan were analysed with respect to individual variables (age, gender, experience and the use of personal protective equipment), the fall site, company size and cause of the fall. Primary and secondary prevention measures to prevent falls or to mitigate the consequences of falls are suggested for each type of accident. Primary prevention measures include fixed barriers, such as handrails, guardrails, surface opening protections and crawling boards, and use of strong roofing materials. Secondary protection measures include travel restraint systems (safety belts), fall arrest systems (safety harnesses), and fall containment systems (safety nets). (105226)
CIS 06-708 Contributing factors in construction accidents. Haslam R.A., Hide S.A., Gibb A.G.F., Gyi D.E., Pavitt T., Atkinson S., Duff A.R., Applied Ergonomics, July 2005, Vol.36, No.4, p.401-415. Illus. 35 ref. (In English) Internet: This article reviews findings from studies of the causes of 100 individual construction accidents in the United Kingdom. Key factors in the accidents were: problems arising from workers or the work team (70% of accidents); workplace issues (49%); shortcomings with equipment (including personal protective equipment) (56%); problems with suitability and condition of materials (27%); and deficiencies with risk management (84%). Employing an ergonomics systems approach, a model is proposed, indicating the manner in which managerial, design and cultural factors shape the circumstances found in the workplace, giving rise to the acts and conditions that in turn lead to accidents. It is argued that attention to the originating influences is necessary to achieve sustained improvement in construction safety. (105227)
CIS 06-709 Occupational light-vehicle use and OSH legislative frameworks: An Australian example. Stuckey R., Lamontagne A.D., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Apr.-June 2005, Vol.11, No.2, p.167-179. Illus. 36 ref. (In English) Internet: Occupational light vehicle (OLV) use and associated hazards in Australia are described. Available insurance data indicate that the OLV injury burden is greater than that of other types of occupational road vehicles and is growing. Legislation that affects OLV users is reviewed and the shifting of the burden of responsibility for injured or killed OLV users between workers' compensation, motor accident insurance and public health systems is described. Changes to occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks are proposed to better address OLV-relevant policy and practice. These issues are also relevant for many international jurisdictions. (105189)
CIS 06-710 Preventing slips and trips in kitchens and food service. HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, rev. ed., May 2005. 4p. Illus. 2 ref. (In English) Internet: This information sheet describes causes of slip and trip hazards in kitchens and food service areas and provides guidelines on their prevention. Precautions include ensuring floors have good surface roughness and do not become wet or slippery, slip assessment, selecting the correct footwear, avoiding uneven surfaces or changes in level, good housekeeping and training of personnel. Replaces CIS 03-1708. (105119)
CIS 06-711 Power trucks: Preventing the risk of lateral overturning. (French: Chariot automoteur: prévenir le risque de renversement latéral) Rebelle J., Hella F., Aumas M., Levert C., Bazin L., de Snoeck E., Grosmann J.L., Giraud B., Travail et sécurité, Dec. 2005, No.657, 6p. Insert. Illus. 18 ref. (In French) Internet: The objective of this practical safety information sheet on driver-operated forklift power trucks is to create awareness among users about the risk of lateral overturning and to outline safety measures. Contents: brief accident statistics; dangerous practices and manoeuvres; summary of regulations; preventive measures (choice of correct truck, driver restraint system, driver training, implementation of safety rules, adaptation of work organization and the workplace layout). (105169)
CIS 06-712 Prevention and control of Legionella pneumophila. (Spanish: Prevención y control de Legionella pneumophila) de la Fuente L., Mapfre seguridad, 3rd Quarter 2005, Vol.25, No.99, p.15-27. Illus. (In Spanish) Internet: This article describes the prevention and control of Legionella pneumophila, a bacteria which causes legionellosis (legionnaire disease) and Pontiac fever. Contents: characteristics of the bacteria; factors that contribute to its development (nutrients, resistance against biocides, water temperature); epidemiological aspects; clinical symptoms; diagnosis; prevention; equipment likely to be contaminated (hot and cold drinking water, cooling towers, evaporation condensers); relevant legislation and standards. (105088)
CIS 06-713 Occupational seroconversions through HIV and HCV among health care professionals in France, as of 31 December 2004. (French: Séroconversions professionnelles par le VIH et le VHC chez le personnel de santé en France. Situation au 31 décembre 2004) Lot F., Miguéres B., Abiteboul D., Documents pour le médecin du travail, Sep. 2005, No.103, p.335-346. Illus. 7 ref. (In French) Internet: This article provides the results of a survey of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) contamination in occupational settings carried out by the French Health Monitoring Institute (Institut de veille sanitaire) and the results of a study by GERES (study group on health care workers' exposure to infectious agents) on occupational HCV contamination risk factors. No new cases of occupational HIV contamination were reported among health care personnel between 1997 and 2004 (a total of 13 HIV seroconversions were reported up to 1997). Between 1991 and 2004, 54 cases of hepatitis C conversions were reported among health care personnel. Results of the studies suggest that close to half of the HIV or HCV seroconversions occurring in occupational settings could have been avoided had standard precautions been observed. (105068)
CIS 06-714 Sensitisation to mites in laboratory animal workers with rhinitis. Ruoppi P., Koistinen T., Pennanen S., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.62, No.9, p.612-615. 32 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the frequency of sensitization to mites among rhinitic laboratory animal workers and investigated whether sensitization could be work-related. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed in 40 subjects who were working with laboratory animals and who were diagnosed with rhinitis. Positive SPT results were found in 35 out of 40 workers: in 14 for storage mites, four for house dust mites, 25 for other common aeroallergens and 19 for laboratory animals. Furthermore, a guanine test indicated the presence of mite-derived material in 21 out of 22 dust samples collected in the work premises. This study suggests that subjects who are occupationally exposed to laboratory animals are also exposed to mite-derived allergens. Sensitization to mites is common and may be work related. (105198)
CIS 06-715 Brucellosis - A persistent occupational hazard in Ireland. Reid A.J., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 2005, Vol.11, No.3, p.302-304. 6 ref. (In English) Internet: A cross-sectional study of exposure to B. abortus (brucellosis) was carried out among 375 technical and support staff of the Department of Agriculture in Ireland using the complement fixation technique (CFT). A CFT of <1:8 was accepted as normal, i.e., no evidence of exposure to Brucella abortus. Results were compared with available medical records to differentiate new from old or established cases. The participation rate was 75%. Ten participants tested positive. Veterinarians, laboratory staff, and workers based in meat plants were at increased risk of exposure. 106 previous results were available. Eight of those who tested positive had previously been tested, and of these, four had converted from negative to positive in the intervening five years, a conversion rate of 8/1,000 employees per annum. Results suggest that exposure to B. abortus remains common among at-risk occupational groups in Ireland. (105239)
CIS 06-716 Diseases caused by biological agents in the fishing sector. (Spanish: Enfermedades por agentes biológicos en el sector de la pesca) Mirón Hernández M.A., Medicina Marítima, Dec. 2004, Vol.4, No.2, p.147-150. 8 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: Presented in the form of a table, this article summarizes the main infectious diseases that can affect fishermen, namely yellow fever, plague, tetanus, leptospirosis, skin infections, schistomiasis, amoebiasis, dermatomycosis, dermatitis and asthma. For each infectious agent, the table also mentions the mode of entry, characteristic symptoms, preventive measures and medical treatment. (105076)
CIS 06-717 HIV infection and work: 25 years after the first cases of the pandemic. (French: Infection par le VIH et travail. 25 ans après le début de la pandémie) Durand E., Documents pour le médecin du travail, Sep. 2005, No.103, p.289-322. Illus. 115 ref. (In French) Internet: Human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first described in the early 1980s. Advances in recent years have changed both the type of care and the prognosis for this infection. The integration of persons suffering from this condition into working life is not always easy, even though considerable progress has been achieved. This review article on AIDS addresses the question of HIV infection and work, with an overview of the following main aspects: HIV infection (epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, clinical features, treatments, prevention of infection); workplace issues (HIV/AIDS testing, vaccination, occupational exposure, high-risk groups); prevention of occupational hazards; HIV infection and employment. (105066)
CIS 06-718 HIV/AIDS: A threat to decent work, productivity and development. (French: VIH/SIDA: Une menace pour le travail décent, la productivité et le développement; Spanish: VIH/SIDA: Una amenaza para el trabajo decente, la productividad y el desarrollo) ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2000. 49p. Illus., ISBN 92-2-112167-4 (En), ISBN 92-2-2212167-8 (fr), ISBN 92-2-312167-1 (es) (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: This document was prepared for discussion at the special high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS and the world of work, held in Geneva in June 2002. It reviews the nature and magnitude of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and discusses its social and economic implications, including the impact on the workforce and on employers and their organizations. Current approaches to addressing the problem are outlined along with the elements of an ILO response to HIV/AIDS in the world of work. (105145)
CIS 06-719 Women, girls, HIV/AIDS and the world of work. (French: Les femmes, les jeunes filles, le VIH/SIDA et le monde du travail; Spanish: Mujeres, niñas, VIH/SIDA y el mundo del trabajo) ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILOAIDS), International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2004. 4p. Illus. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: This information note explains how women and young girls are bearing an increasingly greater share of the economic and social costs of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It summarizes gender statistics for HIV/AIDS and looks at the impact of the low status of women, their dependence on men and their lack of autonomy, the decrease in school enrolment, violence in the workplace and stigma and discrimination. Measures for combating the problem are outlined, including transformation of workplace practices, keeping girls in school and empowering women to work. (105146)
CIS 06-720 HIV/AIDS and the decent work agenda: responding to need. (French: Le VIH/SIDA et l'agenda du travail décent: Assurer une réponse aux besoins; Spanish: VIH/SIDA y el programa de trabajo decente: Dar respuesta a las necesidades) International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2003. 10p. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: Report prepared for the 288th Session of the ILO Governing Body, Committee on Employment and Social Policy, November 2003. It explains how the global HIV/AIDS pandemic threatens the decent work agenda and the ILO's strategic objectives and describes the ILO response to the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the world of work since 1999. Highlights the role of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work (see CIS 03-444) and outlines future challenges. (105147)
CIS 06-721 Special high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. (French: Réunion spéciale de haut niveau sur le VIH/SIDA et le monde du travail; Spanish: Reunión especial de alto nivel sobre el VIH/SIDA y el mundo del trabajo) International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2000. 15p., ISBN 92-2-112187-9 (En), ISBN 92-2-212187-2 (fr), ISBN 92-2-312187-6 (es) (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: This report summarises the proceedings of the tripartite technical panel special high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS and the world of work, held in Geneva, 8 June 2000. It describes the social and economic impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, outlines initiatives undertaken to combat the effects of the disease and sets out priorities for ILO action. (105148)
CIS 06-722 Selecting healthy hand tools. Fernandez J., Ware B., Occupational Hazards, July 2005, Vol.67, No.7, p.35-39. Illus. 3 ref. (In English) Internet: Choosing the right hand tool for a job can protect workers from painful injuries and improve productivity at the same time. Contents of this article on the ergonomics of hand tools: handle shapes (pistol or in-line); tool handle interfaces (length, diameter, material, vibration-damping); working with hand tools (positioning of the activation lever, force required to activate, location of the power cord); noise (use of earplugs or earmuffs). (105181)
CIS 06-723 A multi-level systems approach for the development of tools, equipment and work processes for the construction industry. Vedder J., Carey E., Applied Ergonomics, July 2005, Vol.36, No.4, p.471-480. Illus. 26 ref. (In English) Internet: The need for ergonomics intervention in the design of workplace tasks and equipment originates from considerations of safety, health, physical workload and productivity. It is argued that in each of these respects, the construction industry has lower standards than other industries. A multi-level ergonomics approach for the construction industry is proposed addressing these issues. The approach defines five levels of ergonomics intervention, from designing individual tools for safety, to designing wider aspects of construction and workflow for optimal productivity. This holistic approach is illustrated using case study examples of the development of power tools and work methods. (105228)
CIS 06-724 Morning warming-up exercise - Effects on musculoskeletal fitness in construction workers. Holmström E., Ahlborg B., Applied Ergonomics, July 2005, Vol.36, No.4, p.513-519. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated the effects of a three-month programme of 10-min warming-up exercises performed every morning by building site workers. Thirty workers participated in the programme and 17 construction workers at other building sites served as controls. Muscle stretchability, joint flexibility, muscle strength and endurance were measured before and after the programme. The results indicate that a short dose of morning warming-up exercise could be beneficial for increasing or maintaining joint and muscle flexibility and muscle endurance for workers exposed to manual material handling and strenuous working positions. (105229)
CIS 06-725 Disasters at sea, human error and ergonomics: Case of the Herald of Free Enterprise. (Spanish: Catástrofes marítimas, error humano y ergonomía: el caso del Herald of Free Enterprise) Méndez González C., Medicina Marítima, Dec. 2004, Vol.4, No.2, p.112-115. Illus. 6 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: Working conditions and the design of machinery and equipment need to be adapted to the needs of workers in order to avoid major accidents arising from minor errors in systems and procedures. This case study describes the sinking of the ferry, the Herald of Free Enterprise in 1987, and examines the ergonomic factors, which together with human errors induced by the system, led to accident. The analysis highlights four ergonomic factors, namely errors in ferry design, errors in signalling systems, organizational errors and safety system errors. (105074)
CIS 06-726 Physical demands analysis of occupational tasks in neighbourhood pubs. Jones T., Strickfaden M., Kumar S., Applied Ergonomics, Sep. 2005, Vol.36, No.5, p.535-545. Illus. 30 ref. (In English) Internet: This case study of a neighbourhood pub in British Columbia, Canada, employing a total of 17 people, examines three common pub occupations: bartending, waitressing and cooking. The biomechanical loads of job tasks identified as physically demanding were determined for the three occupations analysed. The potential risk of musculoskeletal injury in these job tasks was assessed using four validated methods (RULA, NIOSH lifting equation, Shoaf pulling model and the 3D Static Strength prediction program). Musculoskeletal injury prevention measures are proposed. (105230)
CIS 06-727 Shift work and its effects on occupational safety and health (Part 1). (French: Le travail posté et ses effets sur la santé et la sécurité au travail (Partie 1)) Farbos B., Imbeau D., Nastasia I., Travail et santé, Sep. 2005, Vol.21, No.3, p.38-40. 12 ref. (In French) Internet: This article presents an overview of the effects of shift work on workers' health, including sleep disturbances, drowsiness, reduced vigilance, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety and depression. Effects of shift work on social and family life are also discussed. (105034)
CIS 06-728 Active micropauses: An efficient preventive measure!. (French: Les micropauses actives: une prévention efficace!) Ménard P., Béchard D., Travail et santé, Sep. 2005, Vol.21, No.3, p.47-48. Illus. 5 ref. (In French) Internet: Micropauses consist of short periods of rest following a certain time or amount worked. Active micropauses involve moving or stretching during micropauses. The main beneficial effect of active micropauses is the reduced risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders or discomfort. The length of a micropause should be at least 20 to 30 seconds, and micropauses should be taken every 20 to 30 minutes. They need to be suited to the specifics of the tasks and the individuals. For visually-demanding tasks, ocular micropauses that involve focusing on a distant point for 30 seconds at regular intervals are advised. The article summarizes the findings of a study confirming the beneficial effects of a software application that encourages users of computers to follow micropauses. (105035)
CIS 06-729 Workstyle and upper-extremity symptoms: A biobehavioral perspective. Nicholas R.A., Feurerstein M., Suchday S., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Apr. 2005, Vol.47, No.4, p.352-361. Illus. 39 ref. (In English) Internet: The concept of workstyle has been proposed to help explain the link between ergonomic and psychosocial factors in work-related upper-extremity symptoms. This study investigated ergonomic factors, work demands, job stress, and workstyle on pain and functional limitations in computer users. 169 participants completed self-report ratings of job stress, ergonomic exposures, and workstyle at baseline. Three months later, ratings of pain and functional limitations were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that ergonomic exposure (odds ratio (OR)=2.7), time spent at a computer (OR=1.9) and higher scores on a workstyle measure (OR=2.4) were independently associated with case status. The study suggests that the workstyle model may be useful in the management of work-related upper-extremity disorders. (105042)
CIS 06-730 The impact of fragmented schedules at sea on sleep, alertness and safety of seafarers. (Spanish: El impacto de las jornadas fragmentadas en la mar sobre el sueño, la capacidad de alerta y la seguridad de los marinos) Tirilly G., Medicina Marítima, Dec. 2004, Vol.4, No.2, p.96-105. Illus. 15 ref. (In English, Spanish) Internet: Most work schedules at sea rely on the watchkeeping system. This study examines the work/rest rhythm among seafarers and its effect on sleep and alertness. Two studies were conducted, one aboard a trawler and the other on an oceanographic vessel. Results indicate that sleep is fragmented into 2-3 episodes on the oceanographic vessel and 5-6 episodes on the trawler. Despite the fragmentation of the sleep, the 24h alertness rhythm was maintained, although with an impairment at night and a pronounced dip in the afternoon (coinciding with the need for a nap). The decreased alertness being linked to a much higher risk of accident, this risk factor is elevated at night. However the study shows that numerous work- and environmental-related factors play an important role in maintaining alertness level and have to be taken into account when addressing safety at sea. (105072)
CIS 06-731 Assessment of video display workstation set up on risk factors associated with the development of low back and neck discomfort. Babski-Reeves K., Stanfield J., Hughes L., International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, July 2005, Vol.35, No.7, p.593-604. Illus. 33 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated the effect of monitor height and chair type on low back and neck muscle activity, perceived level of discomfort and posture shifts among visual display terminal operators. The ergonomic benefits of chairs in different price ranges were also examined. The findings indicate that the interaction of monitor height and chair type significantly affects musculoskeletal loads. Task demands also play an important role in the loads, posture fixity and level of discomfort reported. Therefore, the location of visual display equipment and chair selection should be based on task demands. In general, no significant differences were identified between high and low cost chairs, again supporting the recommendation that chair selection be based on task demands. (105091)
CIS 06-732 ErgoNoRA: A new ergonomics tool. (French: ErgoNoRA - Un nouvel outil au service de l'ergonomie; German: ErgoNoRA: Neues Ergonomie-Tool) Vomberg A., KANBRIEF, 2005, No.3. p.16. Illus. (In English, French, German) Internet: This article describes a desktop computer-based tool entitled ErgoNoRA, soon to be accessible from the KAN website, which can be used free of charge to search for standards in the field of ergonomics of relevance to occupational health and safety. It currently includes approximately 220 standards. (105110)
CIS 06-733 Shift work and its effects on occupational safety and health - Importance of individual differences. (French: Le travail posté et ses effets sur la santé et la sécurité au travail - Incidence des différences individuelles) Farbos B., Imbeau D., Nastasia I., Travail et santé, Dec. 2005, Vol.21, No.4, p.34-37. 10 ref. (In French) Internet: This article explores individual differences in the way in which shift workers adapt to their work schedules. These include differences in coping strategies (organizing family and social life around shifts, taking naps during the shift, physical exercise) and differences in the intrinsic capacity of the operator with respect to the amplitude of biological rhythms and the flexibility of sleep habits. (105170)
CIS 06-734 Relations between occupational, psychosocial and individual factors and three different categories of back disorder among supermarket workers. Violante F.S., Graziosi F., Bonfiglioli R., Curti S., Mattioli S., International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sep. 2005, Vol.78, No.8, p.613-624. 39 ref. (In English) Internet: This cross-sectional study on low back pain (LBP) involved 3,702 subjects working in a large Italian supermarket chain. Data regarding the various departments were collected by questionnaires and medical examinations conducted by qualified occupational physicians. The overall 12-month prevalence of LBP was 34.5% (36.6% for women and 30.7% for men), with few differences being found between supermarkets and hypermarkets. Different types of LBP showed significant associations with stress-related psychosomatic symptoms, but not with job satisfaction, which was high overall. These encouraging data provide support for the effectiveness of an active management commitment to ergonomic and job-satisfaction policies which were evident in this supermarket chain. (105192)
CIS 06-735 The impact of overtime and long work hours on occupational injuries and illnesses: New evidence from the United States. Dembe A.E., Erickson J.B., Delbos R.G., Banks S.M., Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.62, No.9, p.588-597. Illus. 82 ref. (In English) Internet: The impact of overtime and extended working hours on the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses was investigated among a representative sample of working adults in the USA. Responses from 10,793 participants in a national survey were used to evaluate workers' job histories, work schedules, and occurrence of occupational injury and illness between 1987 and 2000. Statistical analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, gender, occupation, industry and region, working in jobs with overtime schedules was associated with a 61% higher injury hazard rate compared to jobs without overtime. Working at least 12 hours per day was associated with a 37% increased hazard rate and working at least 60 hours per week was associated with a 23% increased hazard rate. A strong dose-response effect was observed. (105196)
CIS 06-736 Avoiding involuntary sleep during civil air operations: Validation of a wrist-worn alertness device. Wright N., Powell D., McGown A., Broadbent E., Loft P., Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.76, No.9, p.847-856. Illus. 26 ref. (In English) Internet: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an alertness device based on wrist inactivity to detect the onset of sleep among airline pilots during flight. The device was worn by 21 pilots during a long (9h) flight. The presence of sleepiness and sleep was determined by means of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrooculogram (EOG) recordings during the entire flight. The alertness device was found to be an effective method for preventing accidental sleep. (105224)
CIS 06-737 The association of health status, worksite fitness center participation, and two measures of productivity. Burton W.N., McCalister K.T., Chen C.Y., Edington D.W., Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Apr. 2005, Vol.47, No.4, p.343-351. Illus. 47 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined the associations between participation in a worksite fitness centre and worker productivity. A modified Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) and employees' short-term disability claims were used as productivity measures with multivariate logistic regression models to control for health risk age, gender and work location. Non-participants in a worksite fitness centre were more likely to report health-related work productivity limitations for time management (odds ratio (OR)=1.62), physical work (OR=1.58), output limitations (OR=2.24) and overall work impairment (OR=1.41) than fitness centre participants. Fitness centre participation was also associated with 1.3 days fewer short-term disability days per year per employee and fewer health risks. These results support the association of worksite fitness centre participants with improved worker productivity. (105041)
CIS 06-738 Time and temperature effects on body fluid loss during dives with the open hot-water suit. Hope A., Hjelle J., Aanderud L., Aakvaag A., Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, July 2005, Vol.76, No.7, Section I, p.655-660. Illus. 13 ref. (In English) Internet: Bodyweight (BW) losses up to 5kg have been observed during diving with open hot-water suits (HWSs). The objective of the two series of dives performed in this study was to examine hormonal, haematological and dehydration effects during shallow HWS diving. Changes in thermal stress, haemoglobin, haematocrit, aldosterone and electrolyte excretion correlated with BW reduction. BW loss during HWS diving is mainly caused by sweating. Dives of 4h produce an isotonic dehydration. Therefore a break for fluid intake is recommended. (105089)
CIS 06-739 Aerobic exercise 2 hours before a dive to 30msw decreases bubble formation after decompression. Blatteau J.E., Gempp E., Galland F.M., Pontier J.M., Sainty J.M., Robinet C., Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, July 2005, Vol.76, No.7, Section I, p.666-669. Illus. 27 ref. (In English) Internet: This study investigated the effect of aerobic exercise two hours before a dive. Sixteen trained military divers were compressed to 30msw for 30min breathing air in a dry hyperbaric chamber at rest and then decompressed. Each diver performed two dives three days apart, one with and one without exercise that consisted of running 45min at 60-80% of maximum heart rate. Venous gas emboli were graded at 30min and 60min after surfacing. Mean bubble grades at 60min were 1.25 for control dives and 0.44 for dives preceded by aerobic exercise. This difference is highly significant. Running 2h before a dive decreases bubble formation after diving. The mechanism underlying the protective effect of aerobic exercise remains unclear. (105090)
CIS 06-740 Isometric muscle strength and anthropometric characteristics of a Chinese sample. Xiao G., Lei L., Dempsey P.G., Lu B., Liang Y., International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, July 2005, Vol.35, No.7, p.674-679. Illus. 8 ref. (In English) Internet: This study examined data on isometric muscle strength and anthropometric dimensions from a sample of 146 male and 47 female Chinese subjects. These basic data are important for workplace, task and equipment design. Five measures of muscle strength were recorded: left and right hand grip, arm lift, shoulder lift and torso pull strengths. The mean female strengths were about 50% lower than the male values. There were several significant positive correlations between anthropometric measures and isometric strength. Comparisons between the results of this study and those from published studies in China and the United States are provided. (105092)
CIS 06-741 Repetitive strain injury in the textile and garment industry in Malta - Results of a survey (2003). Rizzo S., Powney W., Saliba N., Eurosafe Project, Eurosafe Project, www.eurosafeproject.org, Aug. 2003, PDF document, 20p. Illus. 19 ref. (In English) Internet: This document presents the results of the survey carried out as part of the EuroSafe project. The first step of the project was to formulate and design a survey on repetitive strain injury (RSI), which would then be conducted in three of the partner states, namely Malta, Italy and the United Kingdom. The survey in Malta involved 306 workers in eight textile and garment factories. The questionnaires were analysed by the Workers Development Centre forming part of the University of Malta. Data on the factors contributing to RSI are analysed and it is concluded that these injuries are a major problem in the textile and garment industry in Malta. (105219)
CIS 06-742 Job strain and autonomic indices of cardiovascular disease risk. Collins S.M., Karasek R.A., Costas K., American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep. 2005, Vol.48, No.3, p.182-193. Illus. 88 ref. (In English) Internet: Despite the epidemiological evidence linking job strain to cardiovascular disease, more insight is needed into the aetiologic mechanisms. In this study on the relationship between job strain and cardiovascular disease, subjects included 36 middle-aged healthy males with varying strain jobs. Job strain was measured using the Job Content Questionnaire, diary reports and a standardized occupational code. Subjects wore heart monitors for a 48h period including a work and a rest day. Job strain and low decision latitude were associated with a reduction in cardiac vagal control persisting throughout the 48hr. Job strain was also associated with elevations in sympathetic control during working hours. The disturbed cardiovascular regulatory pattern associated with job strain may help explain the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases linked with occupational exposure. (105107)
CIS 06-743 The human factor and its influence on maritime safety. (Spanish: El factor humano y su influencia en la seguridad marítima) Iglesias Baniela S., Louzán Lago F., Melón Rodríguez E., Medicina Marítima, June 2005, Vol.5, No.1, p.41-49. Illus. 9 ref. (In Spanish) Internet: Based on an analysis of a number of maritime accidents, this article examines the influence of human factors on maritime safety. It defines types of human error and describes the interaction of humans, technology, the environment and organizational factors in the maritime system. Human factors that are relevant to maritime safety are highlighted: fatigue; inappropriate communication channels; poor technical knowledge in general; poor knowledge of ship systems; poor design of on-board automation; decisions taken on the basis of inappropriate or insufficient information; lack of standards, policies or practices; insufficient maintenance; lack of consciousness of the dangerous nature of the marine environment. (105078)
CIS 06-744 Serving clients in the retail industry - A source of stress. (French: Servir les clients dans le commerce de détail: une source de stress) Trudeau R., St-Vincent M., Denis D., Imbeau D., Travail et santé, Sep. 2005, Vol.21, No.3, p.26-31. 8 ref. (In French) Internet: Warehouse stores constitute an important segment of the retail sector in North America, including Canada. Warehouse store workers responsible for selling are required both to serve customers and to carry out manual handling tasks. This article summarizes the findings of a survey on working conditions and stress factors among workers of a large chain of warehouse stores in Quebec. Data were collected by means of questionnaires, video recordings and interviews. Findings are discussed and various improvements are proposed. (105033)
CIS 06-745 Career end for teachers: Towards a better understanding of stress and early retirement. (French: Fin de carrière des enseignants: vers une explication du stress et des retraites prématurées) Hansez I., Bertrand F., De Keyser V., Pérée F., Travail humain, July 2005, Vol. 68, No.3, p.193-223. 50 ref. (In French) Internet: An increasing number of teachers resign before their normal retirement age. A survey was conducted among teachers working in the city of Liège, Belgium, to investigate what led them to leave their jobs and the degree to which stress was a contributory factor in their decision. Data on the reasons why teachers resign, their motivations for staying in the job and their expectations in terms of career-end adjustments were collected by means of a questionnaire. Findings show that personal factors together with the perceived depreciation of the job and lack of recognition are the most cited reason for taking early retirement. While better working conditions are often presented as a possible solution, they are insufficient. Since recognition appears to be the main motivating factor among teachers, restoring the image of the teaching profession is essential. (105061)
CIS 06-746 Cognitive therapy and behavioural coping in the management of work-related stress: An intervention study. Gardner B., Rose J., Mason O., Tyler P., Cushway D., Work and Stress, Apr.-June 2005, Vol.19, No.2, p.137-152. Illus. 45 ref. (In English) Internet: This research seeks to determine the effectiveness of stress management training in the treatment of the effects of work-related stress by comparing the modification of dysfunctional cognitions with appropriate behavioural coping strategies. Participants were allocated to one of two intervention groups or to a control group. Those in the intervention groups received stress management training with the focus on cognitive therapy techniques or on behavioural coping skills. Measures of general health were taken at the beginning and end of intervention and at three-month follow-up. Participants in the cognitive therapy groups who were reporting symptoms of general ill health at the start of the intervention showed a significant improvement at follow-up. Those in the behavioural group showed a smaller but still clinically effective improvement. Results are discussed in terms of methodological issues and implications for future research. (105109)
CIS 06-747 Drugs and work: A new deal?. (French: Drogues et travail: le new deal?) Fontaine A., Crespin R., Hautefeuille M., Legleye S., Beck F., Lopez D., Revue Toxibase, 3rd quarter 2004, No.15 p.1-18. Bibl.ref. (In French) Internet: Collection of articles on problems related to alcohol and drug dependency in the workplace. Topics addressed: political, economic and occupational implications; workplace drug screening in the USA; drug dependency and occupational stress factors; statistics on the consumption of psychoactive substances among the French working population. (105140)
CIS 06-748 Violence at work. (French: La violence au travail; Spanish: La violencia en el trabajo) ILO Publications, International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 2003. viii, 64p. Illus. Bibl. ref. (In English, French, Spanish) Internet: Collection of papers which explore the causes of different forms of violence, bullying and harassment in the workplace and examine initiatives for their prevention. Topics covered include: work organization and moral harassment; power relations and sexual harassment; violence in journalism, schools and the health services; economic and social costs of violence; role of trade unions; role of the ILO's SOLVE programme; preventive measures based on legislation, collective agreements and codes of conduct; and the ILO code of conduct to combat violence in the service sector. (105114)
CIS 06-749 Aggression in organizations: Violence, abuse, and harassment at work and in schools. Geffner R., Braverman M., Galasso J., Marsh J., eds., The Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA, 2004. xxii , 246p. Illus. Bibl.ref., ISBN 0-7890-2842-5 (In English) Internet: Compilation of 13 articles on aggression in organizations, grouped under the following headings: overview of school and workplace violence and prevention programmes; studies on aggression, abuse and harassment in the workplace and in schools. (105211)
CIS 06-750 Alcohol and drug problems at work - The shift to prevention. (Arabic: Mašākil al-kuhūl wa al-muhadarāt fi al-(amal. Al-tarīq ila al-wiqāya.) Arab Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, Arab Labour Organization, Damascus, Syria, 2005. xxiii, 142p. (In Arabic) Internet: This manual is an Arabic translation of the document indexed under CIS 03-500. It provides guidance on the setting up and management of substance abuse prevention programmes in the enterprise. It describes the physiological effects of alcohol and drugs and the problems relating to intoxication, regular use and dependency as they affect the workplace. It presents a step-by-step guidance on designing, implementing and sustaining prevention programmes and provides examples of alcohol and drug policies from companies around the world. Also includes checklists, self-assessment tools and an extensive list of Internet, print and audiovisual resources. The document was prepared in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODC). (105243)
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