The Personal Responsibility Pandemic: Centering Solidarity in Public Health and Employment Law

Our nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has revealed fundamental flaws in our legal regimes governing both public health and employment. Public health orders have called on individuals to make sacrifices to protect society as a whole. Simple fairness dictates that the burdens should be shared as widely as the benefits. And the case for burden-sharing does not rest on fairness alone. Public health measures are more likely to succeed when those who are subject to them understand them as fair1 and when their cooperation is supported. 2 Predictably, our pandemic response has placed disproportionate burdens on those who are already disadvantaged due to economic, racial, gender, disability, immigration, and criminal injustice.3 Elected officials have asked each of us to take personal responsibility for weathering this crisis rather than providing community supports and legal protections that would cushion the blow, spread the costs more widely, and enable everyone to abide by and benefit from public health recommendations

Work Life 2000 Yearbook 2: 2000

This volume reported the proceedings of a series of international research workshops in 1999, funded by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life, in preparation for the Swedish Presidency of the European Union in 2001

Worker and Public Health and Safety

This book on "Worker and Public Health and Safety: Current Views" brings together current scholarly work and opinions in the form of original papers and reviews related to this field of study. It provides important and recent scientific reading as well as topical medical and occupational information and research in areas of immediate relevance, such as chronic and occupational diseases, worker safety and performance, job strain, workload, injuries, accident and errors, risks and management, fitness, burnout, psychological and mental disorders including stress, therapy, job satisfaction, musculoskeletal symptoms and pain, socio-economic factors, dust pollution, pesticides, noise, pathogens, and related areas

A disability profile of Impala Platinum Mine workers presenting with nonspecific lower back pain

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Physiotherapy, 8 September 2017BACKGROUND: Lower back pain (LBP) due to ergonomic exposure in a work environment is wide spread in most countries and is the leading cause of disability affecting quality of life and work performance of an individual suffering from it. LBP is the most common reason for repeated medical consultation and subsequent absenteeism. It is reported that LBP is responsible for a third of work related disability disorders and it is estimated to cause 21.7 million disability adjusted life years (DALY‘s). In addition to the physical impact, lower back pain can influence psychological issues such as anxiety, depression and fear of job loss. Mining is an ancient occupation characterised by intense physical labour such as lifting, carrying, pulling and pushing heavy materials, operating heavy machinery and working in constricted environment. Despite the fact that ergonomics plays a major role in mining, the element of proper ergonomics is currently ignored or applied in a minimal scale in South African mining.LBP continues to have a high prevalence in mining industries. AIM: To profile the disability level of Impala Mine workers presenting with nonspecific lower back pain. METHODS: A cross-sectional quantitative study using a consecutive sampling method was conducted on mine workers employed at Impala platinum mine as rock drill operators (RDOs) and scraper winch operators (SWOs) aged between 20 and 60 years who had been employed in the current occupation for at least a period of one year. Interviews were conducted using the questionnaires based on Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) assessing disability levels, Who Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) for activity limitation and participation restriction and Who Quality of life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF) to measure quality of life. The study received ethical approval from the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee: (Medical) (Ethical clearance no.M140813). Consent was sort from participants and Impala hospitals granted permission for the study. Data was analysed using Statistica version12.5. Descriptive data was presented as frequencies expressed in percentages. The Spearman correlation test was applied to establish the association among variables. Further analysis was done by fitting bivariate and multivariate linear regression models to quantify the magnitude of relationship between age, job category, disability, activity limitation, participation restriction and quality of life. Finally data was illustrated by means of tables and a scatter graph.RESULTS: From the study sample, 44% (n=151) of the SWOs reported moderate disability while 36% (n=132) of the RDOs reported moderate disability. Results revealed that disability level was significantly associated with job category (p-value 0.04). Activity limitation level was adversely affected and showed a positive correlation with disability(r=0.831). Only a small proportion of participants reported severe participation restrictions RDOs (0. 76%) and SWOs (1. 99%). Majority of participants reported moderate to good Quality of life (QoL) with only a small proportion reporting poor QoL RDOs (4.55%) and SWOs(3.31%).The findings of the study showed no statistical difference between the two job categories in terms of activity limitation (p=0.20), participation restriction (p=0.31) and QoL (p=0.56). There was a negative correlation between QoL and disability (r=-0.536).The result of the bi-variate linear regression showed a statistical significance between age and years of service with disability (P=0.001). DISCUSSIONS: Disability due to nonspecific lower back pain (NSLBP) was significantly associated with job category, suggesting that SWOs were the category mostly affected than the RDOs. The results revealed no statistical difference between two job categories in relation to activity limitation, participation restrictions and QoL. Furthermore, the results showed a strong positive correlation between disability and activity limitation and a moderate positive correlation between disability and participation restriction while a moderate negative correlation between disability and QoL was noted. The results of the linear regression highlighted that increased age and long years of service predisposes the miners to higher levels of disability and activity limitation, resulting in difficulties with participation in work related or societal activities which subsequently leads to poor QoL. CONCLUSION: Results of the current study revealed that the majority of RDOs and SWOs presented with moderate disability due to NSLBP. This study identified that age, job category and length of service were significantly associated with the severity and functional disability of LBP among RDO‘s and SWO‘s.Activity limitation level was adversely affected among RDO‘s and SWO‘s whereas participation restriction levels and QoL levels were less affected.DH201

“The Forgotten Helpers? Life After the Emergency Services”

Background: The impact of emergency service work on the health and well-being of personnel has been well documented in the literature. Despite this, however, very little is known about the experiences of emergency service retirees and their Quality of Life (QoL). Aims: The principal aim of this study was to assess the overall QoL and wellbeing of retired emergency services (ambulance and fire) personnel. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) ascertain the possible long-term effects, on overall QoL, of working in the emergency services; (2) explore the experiences and views of retirees; and (3) to gather information on retirement policies and procedures for emergency service personnel. Method: The study was conducted within a sequential mixed methods framework, and incorporated three key stages. Stage One involved interviews with key informants from emergency services (N=14) to investigate their views around current retirement policies and procedures. Stage Two employed a multiquestionnaire postal survey to garner information on retirement, QoL and post-trauma symptoms both in emergency service retirees (N=169) and in a comparison sample (N=140). In-depth one-to-one interviews with a sample of emergency service retirees (N=12, 7% of Stage Two sample) were conducted in Stage Three to supplement the survey findings and gather more in-depth information around retirement experiences. Results: The results suggest that life in the emergency services can potentially negatively impact QoL with possible long-term effects on overall health and well-being (e.g. significantly higher levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, and significantly lower QoL in emergency service retirees). A number of common themes emerged across stages including: retirement as a major life change; the longer term impact of trauma; the importance of support and guidance for retirees; and a need for employers to help improve the transition to retirement through appropriate procedures, practices and policies. Conclusion: Collectively, the findings demonstrate that there is a need to: ease the transition to retirement; improve in-service trauma management; and implement appropriate and effective health promotion strategies (e.g. resiliency training) to help mitigate the longer term impact of trauma in this occupational sub-group

The costs and benefits of active case management and rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders

The burden of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to employers and workplaces is significant; and the most important cost to employers and society is lost time from work. ‘Case management’ is a goal-oriented approach to keeping employees at work and facilitating an early return to work. There is good scientific evidence that case management methods are costeffective through reducing time off work and lost productivity, and reducing healthcare costs. There is even stronger evidence that best-practice rehabilitation approaches have the very important potential to significantly reduce the burden of long-term sickness absence due to MSDs. The combination of case management with suitable rehabilitation principles is currently being used effectively in multiple settings throughout the UK, and there is growth within the case management sector. Current providers vary widely in quality and experience. There is limited professional regulation, although localised standards of practice have recently become available. Many of the factors influencing the adoption of cost-effective case management and rehabilitation approaches rest with employers, and funders/commissioners of healthcare. It may be easier to integrate these practices into large and medium-sized workplaces, but there is no reason why the same principles cannot be applied to small businesses and the self-employed. It appears to be very timely for the distribution of information to employers and other key players about how effective case management and suitable rehabilitation approaches can be, and how applicable they are to UK settings. To this end, an integrated model specific to the UK has been developed. An evidence-based model for managing those with MSDs was developed that is widely applicable to all types of industry and business in the UK. It describes the principles to apply in order to integrate case management and rehabilitation with the workplace. It was derived from high quality scientific studies, and research conducted into views on the applicability and effectiveness within the UK. It is recommended that HSE distribute guidance based on this model

Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Sector

Healthcare workers are exposed to several different occupational risk factors, and they pay an important tribute in terms of occupational diseases and work-related injuries. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has focused the attention on the problem of the infectious risk, which is certainly among the risks typically expected and specifically recognized for the health personnel, but also other occupational risks should not be overlooked, such as, e.g., the risks associated with work-organization factors and with the exposure to chemical and physical agents. The health consequences associated with the exposure to all these factors have relevant impacts in terms of induced diseases, DALYs, sickness absence from work and costs for the health systems. According to these premises, this reprint has collected manuscripts addressing topics related to the prevention of the occupational risks in the healthcare sector, including original articles and reviews on the prevention of work-related illnesses and injuries of the health personnel, as well as on the evaluation of the risks in the healthcare workplaces, and on the topics of risk perception and of the knowledge and attitudes of the workers towards the preventive procedures and the use of protections. The themes of the prevention of occupational infectious risk, biomechanical overload of the musculoskeletal system and work-related psychosocial factors are specifically discussed in the papers collected

Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Sector

Healthcare workers are exposed to several different occupational risk factors, and they pay an important tribute in terms of occupational diseases and work-related injuries. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has focused the attention on the problem of the infectious risk, which is certainly among the risks typically expected and specifically recognized for the health personnel, but also other occupational risks should not be overlooked, as, e.g., the risks associated with work-organization factors and with the exposure to chemical and physical agents. The health consequences associated with the exposure to all these factors have relevant impacts in terms of induced diseases, DALYs, sickness absence from work and costs for the health systems. According to these premises, this reprint has collected manuscripts addressing topics related to the prevention of the occupational risks in the healthcare sector, including original articles and reviews on the prevention of work-related illnesses and injuries of the health personnel, as well as on the evaluation of the risks in the healthcare workplaces, and on the topics of risk perception and of the knowledge and attitudes of the workers towards the preventive procedures and the use of protections. The themes of the prevention of occupational infectious risk, biomechanical overload of the musculoskeletal system and work-related psychosocial factors are specifically discussed in the papers collected

Low back pain and sickness absence among sedentary workers: the influence of lumbar sagittal movement characteristics and psychosocial factors

Introduction: Low back pain remains a burden for society, since it can lead to sickness absence and work disability. Physical occupational risk factors can contribute to the development of back pain, yet little is known about any risks in sedentary jobs posed by sitting. The influence of psychosocial factors on back pain and sickness absence amongst sedentary workers is also unclear. The aim of this study was to measure work activities, lumbar movement characteristics, symptoms and psychosocial factors in order to determine associations with low back pain and sickness absence. Methods: Phase 1: involved validation of a fibre-optic goniometer system that attaches to the lumbar spine and hip to continuously measure: (1) activities (sitting, standing, walking); and (2) lumbar movement characteristics (notably sitting postures and kinematics). New questionnaires were also validated to measure aspects of low back discomfort. Phase 2: consisted of a cross-sectional survey of call centre workers (n=600) to collect data on: demographics, clinical and occupational psychosocial factors, and symptoms. An experimental sample (n=140) wore the goniometer system during work. Phase 3: involved a 6-month follow-up survey to collect back pain and sickness absence data (n=367). Logistic regression was used to determine associations (P<0.05) between data. Results: Workers spent 83% of work-time sitting, 26% of which was spent adopting a lordotic lumbar posture. Current back pain (>24hrs: yes/no) was associated with a kyphotic sitting posture (time spent with a lumbar curve ≥180°) (R2 0.05), although future back pain was not. Using multivariable models: limited variety of lumbar movement whilst sitting was associated with future (persistent) LBP, dominating other variables (R2 0.11); yet high levels of reported back discomfort, physical aggravating factors and psychological demand at work were stronger predictors of sickness absence, and dominated other variables (R2 0.24). Interpretation: Workers do not follow the advice from employers to maintain a lumbar lordosis whilst sitting, as recommended by statutory bodies. Furthermore, sitting with a kyphotic posture did not increase the risk of back pain, although a relative lack of lumbar movement did. Thus, ergonomic advice encouraging lumbar movement-in-sitting appears to be justified. Predictors of sickness absence were multi-factorial, and consideration of work-relevant biomedical and psychosocial factors would be more useful than adopting more narrow screening approaches

Achieving impact through research and partnerships

The seventh NORA Symposium held in conjunction witt the University of Cincinnati; marking 15 years of NORA and the 40th anniversary of NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)."The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety (LMRIS) and the National Safety Council (NSC), hosted the fifth National Occupational Injury Research Symposium (NOIRS) on October 18-20, 2011 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, West Virginia. NOIRS is the only national forum focused on the presentation of occupational injury research findings, data, and methods. This symposium served numerous objectives aimed at preventing traumatic occupational injury through research and prevention. They included: presenting current research findings; fostering collaboration among researchers from a broad range of disciplines, perspectives, and topic areas; identifying "best practices" for the prevention of work-related injuries; exploring the cost-effectiveness of injury prevention strategies and interventions; showcasing innovative and high technology approaches to research and prevention; and continuing to promote the implementation of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). Questions addressed included: What are the latest traumatic occupational injury research findings? What are emerging problems and research areas in workplace trauma? How is prevention through design being applied to occupational injury research and prevention? What activities are being done to implement research to practice in the area of traumatic occupational injury? What are the best practice intervention and prevention strategies? What are the economic costs of traumatic occupational injuries and are the prevention strategies cost-effective? What are the trends in traumatic occupational injury and fatality incidence? In research tools, techniques, and methods? In prevention? What specific workplace risks are faced by adolescents, older adults, foreign-born workers, non-English-speaking workers, low-literacy workers, and other special populations? How can researchers and practitioners in different sectors and disciplines better collaborate and coordinate their activities to reduce traumatic occupational injuries? What methods are available to assess, quantify, and compare traumatic occupational injury risks? Occupational injury researchers from all disciplines attended and shared their research. We encouraged participation by all interested individuals, including: safety researchers; safety practitioners; health care professionals; administrators; epidemiologists; engineers; manufacturers; communication researchers; regulators; employers; policy makers; insurers; students; advocates; workers; educators and trainers; and others interested in attending. The symposium consistd of contributed oral presentations in concurrent sessions and a poster session." - NIOSHTIC-2Welcome -- Award winners -- Agenda -- RAPID presentation agenda -- Abstracts/Poster Session 1 -- Abstracts/Poster Session 2 -- Abstracts/Poster Session 3 -- Abstract author indexConsists of the program and abstracts for the conference