Health effects due to fumigated freight containers and goods: how to detect, how to act

Headache, concentration and memory disorders, dizziness and nausea, skin irritation, respiratory distress, and muscle cramps — isolated or in various combinations — may be the result of acute or chronic intoxication by fumigants. The occurrence of these symptoms in workers who are engaged in the opening and unloading of containers, unpacking of imported goods, ventilating of containers, or working on bulk carriers are urgent indications of intoxication by fumigants or other toxic chemical residues in the transported goods. The severity of the disorder depends on the concentration and duration of exposure, distribution and release of the fumigant, its kinetics, the individual susceptibility of the person, as well as any simultaneous exposure to other toxic substances. Physical symptoms, acute and chronic health effects due to contact with fumigants, are complex and difficult to discover. In this article we explain how to identify the guiding symptoms and describe the appropriate diagnostic steps and the prevention of such events on cargo vessels as well as in the logistics and the handling of imported goods

Präsenzlehre an Universitäten und Hochschulen unter den Bedingungen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie

In order to maintain university teaching while observing the distance rules in accordance with the occupational health and safety standard of the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), special regulations and measures must be observed under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic when students and teaching staff meet in large groups (lecture hall) and small teaching rooms (seminars, internships). The article gives detailed recommendations for the practical implementation of protective and preventive measures according to the STOP principle, which is customary in occupational health and safety: substitution, technical, organisational and personal protective measures. Responsibilities are named and also difficult situations where physical proximity is necessary (e.g. teaching medical examinations, joint laboratory work, sports and dance seminars) are analysed with regard to the necessary measures; recommendations are formulated

Anpassung der Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen im öffentlichen Dienst aufgrund der COVID-19-Pandemie

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the requirements for occupational health and safety in the workplace. The aim of the measures implemented nationwide is to reduce the spread of the virus. This applies to all areas of life, including the workplace. The 'public service' includes many system-relevant occupational groups: police, fire brigade, judiciary, municipal cleaning, waterworks and administrative bodies at local and state levels. There is a broad diversity of activities in communal and federal state enterprises, especially with regard to internal organisation as well as personnel and spatial conditions. Direct interactions with people are often necessary. Maintaining the functionality of these structures is essential for public life. Education institutions and care facilities for children, people with handicaps and vulnerable groups, institutions for nursing and geriatric care as well as public transport are not covered in this statement due to their special work structures. These recommendations address the professionally accountable in the respective public service institutions. It deals with infection control measures at work in the public service, derived from the risk assessments of various settings. The measures presented can be implemented as part of an operational concept for temporary infection control measures. The aim is to provide general guidance on infection protection with respect to work situations in order to slow down the dissemination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), to protect at-risk groups, and ensure the functioning of the aforementioned structures

Is specific IgE antibody analysis feasible for the diagnosis of methylenediphenyl diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma?

<p>Early recognition improves the prognosis of isocyanate asthma. A major unanswered question is whether IgE-dependent mechanisms are of diagnostic value? Our objective was to appraise serological methods using various methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)-albumin conjugates and weigh up the data versus the outcome of standardized comprehensive clinical diagnostics to evaluate the viability of immunological analysis in supportive MDI-asthma diagnosis (OA(I)).</p><p>Specific IgE (sIgE) and IgG (sIgG) binding was measured with fluorescence enzyme immunoassay in 43 study subjects (using conjugates prepared in-vapor, in-solution and commercial preparations). The differential clinical diagnosis included standardized measurement of pulmonary function, non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness, specific MDI-prick test (MDI-SPT) and specific inhalation challenge (MDI-SIC).</p><p>Detailed diagnostic scheme allows the differential OA(I) and MDI-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis (P-I). The presumed OA(I) diagnoses were confirmed in 84 % (45 % cases having demonstrable sIgE antibodies) with RR 5.7, P > 0.001, when OA(I) diagnosis is correlated with MDI-SIC/MDI-SPT (RR 1.28 for MDI-SIC alone); sIgG antibodies were clinically relevant for P-I and not for the OA diagnosis. MDI-specific IgE data generated with commercial ImmunoCAP preparations show high correlation with our in-vapor generated MDI conjugates.</p><p>Isocyanate-specific IgE antibodies are not always detectable but their presence is strongly predictive of OA(I) and supportive for the diagnosis. MDI-SPT can be a valuable parameter differentiating OA(I) and P-I. We have confirmed and extended published data showing that isocyanate-albumin conjugates perform better in specific antibody assays when prepared with volatile phase formulations and would like to stress additionally the necessity for further refinements and standardization in clinical diagnostics procedures.</p>

Spiroergometric measurements under increased inspiratory oxygen concentration (FIO2)-Putting the Haldane transformation to the test.

Spiroergometric measurements of persons who require oxygen insufflation due to illness can be performed under conditions of increased inspiratory oxygen concentration (FIO2). This increase in FIO2, however, often leads to errors in the calculation of oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]). These inconsistencies are due to the application of the Haldane Transformation (HT), an otherwise indispensable correction factor in the calculation of [Formula: see text] that becomes inaccurate at higher FIO2 concentrations. A possible solution to this problem could be the use of the 'Eschenbacher transformation' (ET) as an alternative correction factor. This study examines the concentration of FIO2 at which the HT and the ET are valid, providing plausible data of oxygen consumption corresponding to the wattage achieved during cycle ergometry. Ten healthy volunteers underwent spiroergometric testing under standard conditions (FIO2 = 20.9%), as well as at FIO2 = 40% and 80%. When compared with the predicted values of [Formula: see text], as calculated according to Wasserman et al. (2012), the data obtained show that both the HT and ET are valid under normal conditions and at an increased FIO2 of 40%. At FIO2 concentrations of 80%, however, the [Formula: see text] values provided by the HT begin to lose plausibility, whereas the ET continues to provide credible results. We conclude that the use of the ET in place of the HT in spiroergometric measurements with increased FIO2 allows a reliable evaluation of stress tests in patients requiring high doses of supplemental oxygen

Healthy offshore workforce? A qualitative study on offshore wind employees’ occupational strain, health, and coping

Abstract Background Offshore work has been described as demanding and stressful. Despite this, evidence regarding the occupational strain, health, and coping behaviors of workers in the growing offshore wind industry in Germany is still limited. The purpose of our study was to explore offshore wind employees’ perceptions of occupational strain and health, and to investigate their strategies for dealing with the demands of offshore work. Methods We conducted 21 semi-structured telephone interviews with employees in the German offshore wind industry. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed in a deductive-inductive approach following Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. Results Workers generally reported good mental and physical health. However, they also stated perceptions of stress at work, fatigue, difficulties detaching from work, and sleeping problems, all to varying extents. In addition, physical health impairment in relation to offshore work, e.g. musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal complaints, was documented. Employees described different strategies for coping with their job demands. The strategies comprised of both problem and emotion-focused approaches, and were classified as either work-related, health-related, or related to seeking social support. Conclusions Our study is the first to investigate the occupational strain, health, and coping of workers in the expanding German offshore wind industry. The results offer new insights that can be utilized for future research in this field. In terms of practical implications, the findings suggest that measures should be carried out aimed at reducing occupational strain and health impairment among offshore wind workers. In addition, interventions should be initiated that foster offshore wind workers’ health and empower them to further expand on effective coping strategies at their workplace

Musculoskeletal pain among offshore wind industry workers: a cross-sectional study

Objective!#!To assess whether there are differences in musculoskeletal pain among different types of occupations offshore and their relationship to ergonomic demands.!##!Methods!#!We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among workers from offshore wind energy companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. We selected workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n = 268). Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Subjective Health Complaints inventory (SHC), which considers the past month.!##!Results!#!Of the 268 male participants eligible for analysis, 54% reported back pain 50.4% neck pain, 40.3% lower back pain, 35.5% shoulder, 23.3% arm and 22.1% leg pain, all of them during the past month. Compared to other offshore occupations, technicians reported more frequently arm (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.58-6.19), back (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.15-3.39), shoulder (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11-3.40) and neck pain (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.11-3.22). After adjusting for age and nationality, lifting and carrying heavy loads were associated with all types of pain except leg pain. Overhead work, work in awkward postures, and the use of personal protection equipment and heavy tools was associated with shoulder, back and arm pain.!##!Conclusions!#!Our findings suggest that occupational health counselling, health promotion and preventive interventions of offshore wind energy workers needs to consider the specific tasks of the employee and be particularly tailored to the ergonomic needs of technicians

Linking quantitative demands to offshore wind workers’ stress: do personal and job resources matter? A structural equation modelling approach

Abstract Background Employees in the offshore wind industry are exposed to various job demands, increasing the workers’ risk of experiencing strain reactions. However, personal and job resources might play a role in the stressor-strain context. The aim of this study was (1) to examine the link between offshore employees’ quantitative demands and stress, and (2) to study the role of personal and job resources (psychological detachment from work, social support, and influence at work) in this stressor-strain relationship. Methods Two hundred fifty offshore wind workers responded to an anonymous web-based survey, assessing the workers’ quantitative demands, social support, influence at work, psychological detachment from work, and stress. Descriptive statistical analyses and structural equation modelling were applied to test the hypotheses. Results Correlation analyses revealed substantial associations between employees’ quantitative demands, personal and job resources, and stress. Results of structural equation modelling indicated a good fit of the hypothesized model. Quantitative demands were positively related to stress, and psychological detachment from work partially mediated this relationship. Social support was negatively related to stress, while influence at work was not. Neither social support nor influence at work moderated the stressor-strain or stressor-detachment relationship. Conclusions The results contribute to the current knowledge on the topic. They can be used to design health promotion interventions aimed at reducing offshore employees’ quantitative demands, fostering their ability to mentally detach from work, and enhancing social support at the offshore workplace

“It’s still a great adventure” – exploring offshore employees’ working conditions in a qualitative study

Abstract Background Despite the particular demands inherent to offshore work, little is known about the working conditions of employees in the German offshore wind industry. To date, neither offshore employees’ job demands and resources, nor their needs for improving the working conditions have been explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a qualitative analysis to gain further insight into these topics. Methods Forty-two semi-structured telephone interviews with German offshore employees (n = 21) and offshore experts (n = 21) were conducted. Employees and experts were interviewed with regard to their perceptions of their working conditions offshore. In addition, employees were asked to identify areas with potential need for improvement. The interviews were analysed in a deductive-inductive process according to Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. Results Employees and experts reported various demands of offshore work, including challenging physical labour, long shifts, inactive waiting times, and recurrent absences from home. In contrast, the high personal meaning of the work, regular work schedule (14 days offshore, 14 days onshore), and strong comradeship were highlighted as job resources. Interviewees’ working conditions varied considerably, e.g. regarding their work tasks and accommodations. Most of the job demands were perceived in terms of the work organization and living conditions offshore. Likewise, employees expressed the majority of needs for improvement in these areas. Conclusions Our study offers important insight into the working conditions of employees in the German offshore wind industry. The results can provide a basis for further quantitative research in order to generalize the findings. Moreover, they can be utilized to develop needs-based interventions to improve the working conditions offshore