{"title":"185 The influence of measurement uncertainty and environmental factors in the assessment of workplace exposure","authors":"Robert Emonds, Theo Scheffers","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.073","url":null,"abstract":"According to good occupational hygiene practices, measurement uncertainty (U) should be included when testing TWA workplace atmosphere measurement against OEL. In some countries such as the US (OSHA) and Belgium, this is included in legislation: law enforcement tests the TWA lower confidence limit LCL=TWA*(1-U) exceedance of the OEL while employers test the TWA upper confidence limit UCL=TWA*(1+U) compliance with the OEL. International standards such as EN482 and ISO-20581 help establish U, UCL and LCL. Current exposure assessment strategies promoted by IOHA members, such as AIHA (2015), EN689 (2018) and BOSH/NVvA (2022), ignore measurement uncertainty. This may be due to historical work (Nicas, 1991), which shows that in similar exposure groups (SEG), lognormal long-term daily environmental variability exceeds U. However, Monte-Carlo simulations, which will be shown in this lecture, show that the influence of U on the lognormal, one-sided upper confidence limit of the 95th percentile (UTL95,##%) can be significant in occupational hygiene practice with sample sizes often smaller than n=6. Also in the last decade, several strategies promote a simplified screening/preliminary test (French Code du Travail, EN689:2018 §5.5.2, BOSH/NVvA 2011/2022). In these tests, the highest result (TWAmax) of 3 to 5 measurements is compared with the OEL or with a defined fraction f(OEL). In line with the above, these TWAmax tests should use TWAmax*(1-U) ≤ f(OEL) for compliance and TWAmax*(1+U) > OEL for exceedance. IOHA member organisations are advised not only to align the numerical test schedules for compliance, but also to include measurement uncertainty in the OEL tests.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"89 Promoting SDG 8: decent work and the 5th fundamental right – A safe workplace","authors":"Andrea Hiddinga-Schipper","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.037","url":null,"abstract":"The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent an ambitious global agenda, aiming to address multifaceted challenges by 2030. SDG 8 places a crucial emphasis on promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth. At its core lies the recognition of the 5th fundamental right of workers: a safe and healthy working environment. This presentation highlights the profound significance of acknowledging workplace safety and health as a fundamental right within the framework of SDG 8. It underscores that this right is not just an ethical imperative but an essential catalyst for achieving broader sustainable development goals. Firstly, a safe and healthy working environment is intrinsic to the well-being of workers, aligning closely with the principles of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). By reducing occupational hazards and illnesses, it directly contributes to improved physical and mental health, enhancing workers’ productivity and quality of life. Secondly, a safe and healthy working environment is a linchpin for economic growth, closely aligned with the objectives of SDG 8. Decent working environments reduces absenteeism, cost of health care, enhance well-being, job satisfaction, safety-culture, and support overall health of workers which will create a more robust labour force, promoting economic stability. In conclusion, recognizing the 5th fundamental right, a safe workplace, is crucial for advancing the SDGs. It catalyses progress across multiple dimensions, from improving individual well-being and economic growth to promoting responsible consumption and production. Collaboration among policymakers, businesses, and civil society is essential to uphold this right for a more equitable, sustainable future.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"95 Standardised Measurement of Equipment Particulate Airborne Concentration (SMEPAC) monitoring","authors":"Silke Büchl, Ramona Labatzke","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.042","url":null,"abstract":"What is Standardised Measurement of Equipment Particulate Airborne Concentration (SMEPAC) monitoring? Who does SMEPAC monitoring? How is it done and what do I need to know about SMEPAC monitoring? The fundamental principles you need to be aware of when dealing with SMEPAC monitoring. When new equipment is installed in pharmaceutical industries an APCPPE-test (Assessing the Particulate Containment Performance of Pharmaceutical Equipment) should be performed to collect knowledge about the exposure profile of the equipment. This was formerly known as SMEPAC-test and the name is still commonly known and used, although the ISPE guideline (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering) was edited to APCPPE long ago. The above raised questions will be discussed in the presentation. Strategy and method for exposure monitoring will be laid out at an example for pharmaceutical equipment. The theoretical approach of APCPPE-testing will be complemented with experiences from practice as “lessons learned” and conclude with the assessment of the results and the pass/fail decision making.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"137a - Breathe freely initiative to prevent occupational lung disease – Canadian and US rollout","authors":"Jason McInnis","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.144","url":null,"abstract":"Breathe Freely is a British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) initiative aimed at reducing occupational lung disease in the UK, which causes significant debilitating ill-health and an estimated 13,000 deaths per year in the UK. Breathe Freely is about raising awareness of both the problem and how to do something about it: we can protect workers’ health and prevent most of these diseases and deaths. It is not just “the right thing to do”, it is good for business as well. Broad acceptance of this fundamental concept is part of the solution. Thanks to the support and collaboration of the BOHS, both the AIHA construction committee (US) and CRBOH (Canada) have taken steps to introduce Breathe Freely in their respective countries. This session will delve into the core objectives of Breathe Freely and provide updates on its implementation progress in Canada and the United States.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141532765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"43 Airborne proteins - A new specific marker for occupational exposure in the food industry?","authors":"Christine Darbakk, Raymond Olsen, Pål Graff","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.194","url":null,"abstract":"Workers in the food industry are exposed to a wide range of substances that might elicit immunological reactions leading to occupational diseases such as rhinitis and asthma. It’s challenging to regulate the occupational exposure due to the wide variety of components present in these work environments. Gravimetric measurements have served as the foundation for the occupational exposure limits (OEL) for these exposures. However, gravimetric measurements do not consider which compounds that are present in the dust and will thus also include harmless substances such as sugar dust. It is difficult to carry out preventive work in the food industry for occupational health services and enterprises when there is a lack of knowledge about both the degree and content of dust exposure. A more precise OEL for the food industry to better describe exposure and enable evidence-based risk assessments is therefore needed. This project will provide new knowledge about the relationship between the amount of inhalable dust and the amount of total inhalable protein present in air in connection with various types of food production. In addition, the study will provide new knowledge about the relationship between the amount of dust, total protein, total inflammatory potential of the dust and specific allergens where possible. The study’s findings will make it easier for companies to prioritize where exposure-reducing measures should be implemented. In the long term, the findings may help to replace the current unspecified gravimetric exposure limits in the food industry with better and more specific OELs.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"84 Realtime versus conventional sampler comparison study","authors":"Ben Walsh, Marcus Cattani, Steven Verpaele","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.034","url":null,"abstract":"With the increasing sophistication of real time sampling devices, research to objectively assess their performance is a priority. The International Sampling Comparison Group has embarked on a series of projects in association with other research groups. In Australia, a workplace sampler comparison study has commenced the collection of conventional and real time samples of inhalable and respirable dust, from host sites in the West Australian iron ore mining industry. The selected samplers are placed on a specially designed Workplace Atmosphere Multisampler (WAM) device which can host up to 12 samplers simultaneously, rotating at 3 revolutions a minute to reduce sampling biases. In this paper we report on the initial findings of matched pairs of each sampler, run for a minimum of 6 hours, over 28 sample days, which generated 168 matched pair data points. In addition, a particle size impactor, and bulk dust samples were collected to determine the particle size fraction. Data was collected with a trained and experienced occupational hygiene technician in accordance with recognised standards. Results will be presented from a series of conventional versus real time or near real time devices including HazDust 7204 with Inhalable Inlet, TSI AM520 with Respirable dust Cyclone, IOM + Foam plug PVC, Zephon disposable + Foam plug PVC, UPAS v2+ direct reading sampler + 37mm filter, and the Marple 8 stage Impactor.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"204 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"135 Occupational hygiene practice ethics - “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”","authors":"Nancy McClellan","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.276","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.276","url":null,"abstract":"The OH profession typically attracts rather altruistic, well-intentioned scientists concerned with worker health and safety. More often than not OH professionals find themselves in the midst of ethical dilemmas simply because they lack the knowledge and tools to recognize potential dilemmas early in the process and/or struggle to methodically work through a dilemma to find an appropriate solution. This session will provide the practical knowledge and methodology for navigating our sometimes challenging profession. This course has a long history of very high ratings at past OH professional meetings because it is highly interactive, thought provoking, and fun.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"148a - Can we translate low-cost sensing from the air pollution community to the workplace hygiene community?","authors":"Miranda Loh","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.146","url":null,"abstract":"‘Low-cost sensors’ have transformed outdoor air quality monitoring by increasing the pool of data available. These size and cost of these sensors give the average citizen the ability to measure air pollution on a personal basis, in the places that matter to them. While scientists and governments may have been cautious about the quality of such data at the beginning, there are now more evaluation studies and government initiatives to provide guidance around use of these sensors. Local governments are also installing these sensors as supplementary tools for monitoring air quality. This presentation explores the evolution of low-cost sensor use in environmental applications and whether and how this may translate into their use in occupational hygiene. Barriers and facilitators towards use of these sensors in hygiene will be discussed.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashton Alban, Andrea Hiddinga, Marina Zainal Farid, Chris Laszcz-Davis, David Rodríguez Marín, Ifeyinwa (Okafor) Anya
{"title":"158 Embracing climate change and an evolving world! Discover global OEHS perspectives in a world cafe conversation","authors":"Ashton Alban, Andrea Hiddinga, Marina Zainal Farid, Chris Laszcz-Davis, David Rodríguez Marín, Ifeyinwa (Okafor) Anya","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.267","url":null,"abstract":"Exacerbating novel and known occupational hazards, climate change is threatening the occupational setting and OEHS professionals are being forced to adapt to the quickly changing world. Faced with the question of how to minimize workers exposure to the hazards, many professionals are left wondering if there are others facing similar issues to collaborate with. In this workshop, OEHS professionals from around the world will participate in a world cafe by rotating through 5 tabletop conversations exploring the most pressing challenges addressing climate change exacerbated hazards in the occupational setting. Each table will be representative of a different region of the world and facilitated by an OEHS professional from that region. Facilitators will share their experiences and encourage others to share their experiences and ideas in addressing the hazards. Dialogue will promote collaboration, knowledge sharing that will leave participants with a network of support and new ideas to enact in their workplace. The concerns and ideas taken from the conversation will be used to develop a summary presenting the discussed major occupational hazards exacerbated by climate change and ideas to address occupational hygiene and worker health protection through the minimization of worker exposure to those discussed hazardous agents.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"71 Exploring boundaries of work environment management using work domain analysis","authors":"Abdulqadir Mohamad Suleiman","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae035.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.027","url":null,"abstract":"Background Work environment regulations identify specific objectives that employers must fulfil. Work environment is a multidimensional concept encompassing nature of tasks, physical and social conditions, workplace characteristics and organisation, work schedule, prospects to the workers, and the intrinsic rewards associated with the work. Through work domain analysis, the first of the five dimensions of cognitive work analysis, the study explored the boundaries of work environment management. Method Mixed method including looking at regulatory requirements, a limited literature review and comprehensive discourse with occupational safety and health enforcement officials as subject matter experts provided the information to populate the abstraction decomposition space in the analysis. Affordances of the regulation purposes formed the functional purposes of the work environment management. Work environment indicators identified formed the value and priorities measures. Purpose-related functions were constructed from a work environment model, with subject matter experts providing the relevant physical resources and the functions the resources afford. Results ion decomposition space for work environment management was designed showing means-ends links from resources to the purposes they fulfil in the system. From the abstraction decomposition space, it was possible to design results-chain models supporting decision-making. The analysis showed that the functional purposes can be fulfilled with different means-ends pathways. In addition, the purpose-related functions constructions allowed for superimposing of enforcement orders from earlier inspections reports, supporting the validity of the constructs. Conclusion The study provided structure and content of work environment management, and decision-making models supporting the management practices and strengthening attainment of justifiable work environment.","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141522156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}