Safety and Health at Work最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating the Protective Effectiveness of Rubber Glove Materials Against Organic Solvents Upon Repeated Exposure and Decontamination","authors":"Li-Wen Liu ,&nbsp;Cheng-Ping Chang ,&nbsp;Yu-Wen Lin ,&nbsp;Wei-Ming Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Glove reuse poses risks, as chemicals can persist even after cleaning. Decontamination methods like thermal aeration, recommended by US OSHA, vary in effectiveness. Some studies show promising results, while others emphasize the importance of considering both permeation and tensile strength changes. This research advocates for informed glove reuse, emphasizing optimal thermal aeration temperatures and providing evidence to guide users in maintaining protection efficiency.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The investigation evaluated Neoprene and Nitrile gloves (22 mils). Permeation tests with toluene and acetone adhered to American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) F739 standards. Decontamination optimization involved aeration at various temperatures. The experiment proceeded with a maximum of 22 re-exposure cycles. Tensile strength and elongation were assessed following ASTM D 412 protocols. Breakthrough time differences were statistically analyzed using <em>t</em>-test and ANOVA.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>At room temperature, glove residuals decreased, and standardized breakthrough time (SBT)₂ was significantly lower than SBT₁, indicating reduced protection. Higher temperature decontamination accelerated residual removal, with ΔSBT (SBT₂/SBT₁) exceeding 100%, signifying restored protection. Tensile tests showed stable neoprene properties postdecontamination. Results underscore thermal aeration's efficacy for gloves reuse, emphasizing temperature's pivotal role. Findings recommend meticulous management strategies, especially post-breakthrough, to uphold glove-protective performance.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Thermal aeration at 100°C for 1 hour proves effective, restoring protection without compromising glove strength. The study, covering twenty cycles, suggests safe glove reuse with proper decontamination, reducing costs significantly. However, limitations in chemical-glove combinations and exclusive focus on specific gloves caution against broad generalization. The absence of regulatory directives on glove reuse highlight the importance of informed selection and rigorous decontamination validation for workplace safety practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 228-235"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000222/pdfft?md5=6a4c9ac5f1695ce4b4506cbcfd3fea6f&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791124000222-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140615614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role of Supervisor Consultation Toward Work Engagement: A Prospective Cohort Study","authors":"Nuri P. Adi ,&nbsp;Tomohisa Nagata ,&nbsp;Kiminori Odagami ,&nbsp;Masako Nagata ,&nbsp;Koji Mori","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>We examined the association between supervisor consultation, as an actual practice representing supervisor support, and work engagement.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This was a prospective cohort study in Japan, involving 14,026 participants who met the requirement for a one-year follow-up. Supervisor consultation was measured using a single question, and work engagement was defined using the Japanese version of the nine-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Associations were examined using linear regression analysis.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Supervisor consultation was positively associated with work engagement after adjusting for gender, age, education, income, and industry (<em>β</em> = 3.474; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). The relationship remained significant after adjustment for perceived supervisor support, although the coefficient decreased (<em>β</em> = 1.315; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Supervisor consultation probably acted on work engagement in different ways than perceived supervisor support.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 147-150"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209379112400009X/pdfft?md5=f9f67309792ee17b6101e9720b161de9&pid=1-s2.0-S209379112400009X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139818945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genotoxic Effects on Gas Station Attendants in South-southeastern México due to Prolonged and Chronic Exposure to Gasoline","authors":"Rebeca I. Martínez-Salinas ,&nbsp;Irene Sánchez-Moreno ,&nbsp;Juan J. Morales López ,&nbsp;Benito Salvatierra Izaba ,&nbsp;Everardo Barba Macías ,&nbsp;Anahí Armas-Tizapantzi ,&nbsp;Arturo Torres-Dosal","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Gasoline, a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Gasoline station attendants, consistently exposed to its hazardous components, may face genotoxic effects. This study aimed to assess the influence of varying work shift durations on DNA damage in gasoline station attendants.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Ninety individuals from three locations in southern México were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay. Demographic, occupational, and lifestyle data were collected. Statistical analyses included <em>t</em>-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Significant differences in DNA damage parameters were observed between exposed and unexposed groups. The impact of tobacco, alcohol, and exercise on DNA damage was negligible. Extended work shifts (12 and 24 hours) showed heightened DNA damage compared to 8-hour shifts and the unexposed group. A novel finding revealed a modest but significant correlation between DNA damage and job seniority.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The study highlights the intricate relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline components, DNA damage, and work shift lengths. Extended shifts correlate with heightened genotoxic effects, emphasizing the importance of personalized safety measures. The significant correlation between DNA damage and job seniority introduces occupational longevity as a determinant in the genetic health of gasoline station attendants. This discovery has implications for implementing targeted interventions and preventive strategies to safeguard workers' genetic integrity throughout their years of service. The study calls for further exploration of unconsidered factors in understanding the multifactorial nature of DNA damage in this occupational setting.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 236-241"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000076/pdfft?md5=44633d7afb8b905cf423b348a06bbfe2&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791124000076-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139818948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characteristics of Work-related Fatal Injuries Among Aged Workers in Republic of Korea","authors":"Jungsun Park ,&nbsp;Jong-shik Park ,&nbsp;Younghoon Jung ,&nbsp;Minoh Na ,&nbsp;Yangho Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>The present paper aimed to examine whether an aging workforce is associated with an increase in work-related fatal injuries and to explore the underlying reasons for this potential increase.</p></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><p>Aged workers were defined as those who were at least 55 years old. Work-related fatalities were assessed in aged and young workers who were registered with the workers' compensation system in 2021 in the Republic of Korea. Total waged workers, based on raw data from the Local Area Labor Force Survey in 2021, were used as the denominator to estimate the work-related fatality rates.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Most work-related fatalities in the aged workers occurred among individuals working in the “construction sector” (58.9%), those with “elementary occupations (unskilled workers)” (46.1%), and those with the employment status of “daily worker” (60.8%). The estimated incidence (0.973/10,000) of work-related fatalities among aged workers was about four times higher than that (0.239/10,000) among younger workers. “Falling,” “collision,” “struck by an object,” and “trip and slip” were more frequent types of work-related fatalities among aged workers relative to young workers. The category of “buildings, structures, and surfaces” was a more frequent cause of work-related fatalities among aged workers than among young workers.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Aged workers had a higher incidence of work-related fatalities than young workers. Frequent engagement in precarious employment and jobs, coupled with the greater physical vulnerability of aged workers, were likely causes of their higher level of work-related fatal injuries.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 158-163"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000209/pdfft?md5=8614935089a78289b215f3979338baae&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791124000209-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140400306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time Trend of Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss in a Metallurgical Plant With a Hearing Conservation Program","authors":"Adalva V. Couto Lopes,&nbsp;Cleide F. Teixeira,&nbsp;Mirella B.R. Vilela,&nbsp;Maria L.L.T. de Lima","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study aimed to analyze the trend of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) in Brazilian workers at a metallurgical plant with a hearing conservation program (HCP), which has been addressed in a previous study.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>All 152 workers in this time series (20032018) participated in the HCP and used personal protective equipment. All annual audiometry records in the company's software were collected from the electronic database. The trend of ONIHL was analyzed with the joinpoint regression model. The hearing thresholds of ONIHL cases at the end of the series were compared with those found in a national reference study.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The binaural mean hearing thresholds at 3, 4, and 6 kHz at the end of the series were higher for ages ≥50 years, exposures ≥85 dB (A), time since admission &gt;20 years, and maintenance workers. Significance was found only in the group divided by age. There was an increasing time trend of ONIHL, though with a low percentage variation for the period (AAPC = 3.5%; <em>p</em> = 0.01). Hearing thresholds in this study differed from the reference one.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Despite the unmet expectation of a stationary trend in the study period, the time pace of ONIHL evolution did not follow what was expected for a population exposed to noise. These findings signal to the scientific community and public authorities that good ONIHL control is possible when HCP is well implemented.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 181-186"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000246/pdfft?md5=d7cbd36210836e99ac37e95a7f889637&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791124000246-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140764046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Asbestos Exposure and Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-analysis","authors":"Seo Young Kim ,&nbsp;Ha Kyun Chang ,&nbsp;Ohwi Kwon ,&nbsp;JaeYoung Park ,&nbsp;Jun-Pyo Myong","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph conducted a systematic review of the relationship between asbestos and ovarian cancer. However, there may have been information bias due to the undue weight given to few articles. To address this limitation, the present study performed a meta-analysis integrating studies published both before and after the 2012 IARC Monograph on Asbestos, with the aim of investigating the association between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A comprehensive search of major journal databases was conducted to identify studies examining the relationship between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer, including those featured in the 2012 IARC Monograph on Asbestos. A meta-analysis on asbestos exposure and cancer risk was performed.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The meta-analysis of studies published after the 2012 IARC Monograph on Asbestos found a summary Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) of 2.04 (95% CI: 1.03—4.05; <em>p</em> = 0.0123; 5 studies), with a significant degree of heterogeneity among the studies (I² = 72.99%). The combined analysis of 15 studies before and after the 2012 IARC Monograph showed an overall summary SMR of 1.72 (95% CI: 1.43—2.06; <em>p</em> = 0.0349; 15 studies), with a moderate degree of heterogeneity (I² = 42.99%).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This meta-analysis provides evidence of a significant association between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer mortality. While the possibility of misdiagnosis in earlier studies cannot be completely ruled out, recent findings suggest a robust correlation between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer. This highlights the importance of sustained efforts to minimize asbestos exposure and protect public health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791123000744/pdfft?md5=1e3077855680cd5b0c820031ddfc8c11&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791123000744-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138495585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Occupational Health Risks for Maintenance Work in Fabrication Facilities: Brief Review and Recommendations","authors":"Dong-Uk Park ,&nbsp;Kyung Ehi Zoh ,&nbsp;Eun Kyo Jeong ,&nbsp;Dong-Hee Koh ,&nbsp;Kyong-Hui Lee ,&nbsp;Naroo Lee ,&nbsp;Kwonchul Ha","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities.</p></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 87-95"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791123000823/pdfft?md5=7bdb49bfc7a0e7f6482febe0af07e85c&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791123000823-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138558467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biosafety Risk Control Strategies in Laboratory Animal Research","authors":"Shun-tai Weng ,&nbsp;Qu-wen Li ,&nbsp;Ya-dong Gao ,&nbsp;Yu-feng Qiu","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To understand biosafety's current situation in laboratory animal research and risk factors affecting occupational health. Compliance surveys were conducted by questionnaire via Questionnaire Star (an application app on the Internet) in Chinese. Thirty-nine anonymous questionnaires were collected. The surveyed institution has established 24 types of ABSL (Animal Biosafety Laboratory) and biosafety management organizations and systems equipped with safety equipment. Our study also suggests that the principal of the laboratory establishment fails to perform supervision and inspection responsibilities, the inappropriate design of the animal biosafety laboratory, non-standardized personnel training and health management, non-strict waste management, and insufficient emergency management. The administrative department and work units should address certain safety and occupational health risks in laboratory animal research. The author proposes control strategies based on organizational guarantee, personnel management, emergency management, etc., to help prevent risks and ensure occupational health. Due to regional limitations and small sample size, the results may not be generalisable to all parts of the world. However, some of the key common issues may also be present in other regions, so we believe that this research still has some relevance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 118-122"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209379112300077X/pdfft?md5=bc4bcba9a0adafd7de2e4cc49bfa25ec&pid=1-s2.0-S209379112300077X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138495581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Study of Heavy Metal Blood Serum Level Between Organic and Conventional Farmers in Eastern Taiwan","authors":"Mei-Hua Chung ,&nbsp;Kuo-Hsiang Hung ,&nbsp;Mi-Chia Ma ,&nbsp;Mei-Yu Liu ,&nbsp;Ru-Wei Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Numerous studies have indicated that organic fertilizers (OFer) might contain heavy metals (HMs) that present health risks to organic farmers (OFar). This study compared the concentrations of six HMs (Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr) in the blood of two distinct groups of farmers: 30 OFar from a designated organic area in eastern Taiwan, and 74 conventional farmers (CFar) from neighboring non-organic designated regions. The findings revealed that the OFar exhibited higher levels of Zn (1202.70 ± 188.74 μg/L), Cr (0.20 ± 0.09 μg/L), and Ni (2.14 ± 1.48 μg/L) in their blood compared to the CFar (988.40 ± 163.16 μg/L, 0.18 ± 0.15 μg/L, and 0.77 ± 1.23 μg/L), respectively. The disparities in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 214.3 μg/L, 0.02 μg/L, and 1.37 μg/L, respectively. Furthermore, among the OFar, those who utilized green manures (GM) displayed significantly elevated blood levels of Zn (1279.93 ± 156.30 μg/L), Cr (0.24 ± 0.11 μg/L), and Ni (1.94 ± 1.38 μg/L) compared to individuals who exclusively employed chemical fertilizers (CFer) (975.42 ± 165.35 μg/L, 0.19 ± 0.16 μg/L, and 0.74 ± 1.20 μg/L), respectively. The differences in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 304.51 μg/L, 0.05 μg/L, and 1.20 μg/L, respectively. As a result, OFar should be careful in choosing OFer and avoid those that may have heavy metal contamination.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 110-113"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791123000781/pdfft?md5=6b48033abb0d9d1f7d45b2ef94ff7978&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791123000781-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135715579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Respirable Silica Dust Exposure of Migrant Workers Informing Regulatory Intervention in Engineered Stone Fabrication","authors":"Mahinda Seneviratne ,&nbsp;Kiran Shankar ,&nbsp;Phillip Cantrell ,&nbsp;Aklesh Nand","doi":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shaw.2024.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Silicosis among workers who fabricate engineered stone products in micro or small-sized enterprises (MSEs) was reported from several countries. Workplace exposure data of these workers at high risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust are limited.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We surveyed workers performing cutting, shaping and polishing tasks at 6 engineered stone fabricating MSEs in Sydney, Australia prior to regulatory intervention. Personal exposure to airborne RCS dust in 34 workers was measured, work practices were observed using a checklist and worker demography recorded.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Personal respirable dust measurements showed exposures above the Australian workplace exposure standard (WES) of 0.1 mg/m³ TWA-8 hours for RCS in 85% of workers who performed dry tasks and amongst 71% using water-fed tools. Dust exposure controls were inadequate with ineffective ventilation and inappropriate respiratory protection. All 34 workers sampled were identified as overseas-born migrants, mostly from three linguistic groups.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Workplace exposure data from this survey showed that workers in engineered stone fabricating MSEs were exposed to RCS dust levels which may be associated with a high risk of developing silicosis. The survey findings were useful to inform a comprehensive regulatory intervention program involving diverse hazard communication tools and enforcing improved exposure controls. We conclude that modest occupational hygiene surveys in MSEs, with attention to workers' demographic factors can influence the effectiveness of intervention programs. Occupational health practitioners should address these potential determinants of hazardous exposures in their workplace surveys to prevent illness such as silicosis in vulnerable workers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":56149,"journal":{"name":"Safety and Health at Work","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 96-101"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000039/pdfft?md5=326e36967ae270e3247849f4f2e3dc7f&pid=1-s2.0-S2093791124000039-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139680133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}