Working Conditions in Carpet Weaving Workshops and Muscu-loskeletal Complaints among Workers in Tabriz - Iran

Background: Background: Carpet weaving operations usualy involve poor working conditions that can lead to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study investigated MSDs among car-pet weavers in relation to working conditions from workers' view in Tabriz City, Northwest Iran.Method: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in city of Tabriz, Iran. Data were col-lected using interviews and questionnaires. The study population consisted of 200 randomly selected healthy weavers from twenty five active carpet weaving workshops.Results: The results showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among the study population. The most commonly affected body areas were neck, lower back, ankles/feet, hands/wrists, upper back, shoulders and knees, respectively. More than half of the weavers were not satisfied with the thermal con-dition, noise level and cleanliness of the air in the workshops. The result indicated a significant relation-ship between upper back symptoms and daily working time and between lower back symptoms and the numbers of rows of knots woven in a day. Weavers' satisfaction with hand tools shape and thermal condi-tion of the workshops were associated with lower back symptoms, whereas satisfaction with weaving looms were associated with upper back complaints.Conclusion: The poor working condition of hand-woven carpet workshops such as environmental conditionsand work station design and tools should be the subject of ergonomics interventions

Inequalities in work-related fatal injuries

Work-related fatal injuries are predominantly a problem among males. The group most affected is those aged 55 years and over. In some European countries the mortality rate from work injuries has decreased for both sexes, but the greater reduction among female workers maintains the trends, since 2011, of predominance of fatal injuries among males

Working with Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders : Good Practice Advice Report

This report takes an in-depth look at working with chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and makes a clear case for the benefits of enabling those with chronic conditions to remain in work. It highlights the importance of designing inclusive workplaces and sets out principles for managing chronic MSDs, with prevention, early intervention, and effective, participative rehabilitation and return-to-work planning being identified as key. Good practice examples detail a wide range of workplace adjustments made to accommodate individuals with MSDs, from offering flexitime to providing the right tools and ergonomic equipment. This comprehensive practical advice is complemented by broader recommendations for policy-makers

Fire Simulation and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters

BACKGROUND: Rates of myocardial infarction in firefighters are increased during fire suppression duties, and are likely to reflect a combination of factors including extreme physical exertion and heat exposure. We assessed the effects of simulated fire suppression on measures of cardiovascular health in healthy firefighters. METHODS: In an open-label randomized crossover study, 19 healthy firefighters (age, 41±7 years; 16 males) performed a standardized training exercise in a fire simulation facility or light duties for 20 minutes. After each exposure, ex vivo thrombus formation, fibrinolysis, platelet activation, and forearm blood flow in response to intra-arterial infusions of endothelial-dependent and -independent vasodilators were measured. RESULTS: After fire simulation training, core temperature increased (1.0±0.1°C) and weight reduced (0.46±0.14 kg, P<0.001 for both). In comparison with control, exposure to fire simulation increased thrombus formation under low-shear (73±14%) and high-shear (66±14%) conditions (P<0.001 for both) and increased platelet-monocyte binding (7±10%, P=0.03). There was a dose-dependent increase in forearm blood flow with all vasodilators (P<0.001), which was attenuated by fire simulation in response to acetylcholine (P=0.01) and sodium nitroprusside (P=0.004). This was associated with a rise in fibrinolytic capacity, asymptomatic myocardial ischemia, and an increase in plasma cardiac troponin I concentrations (1.4 [0.8–2.5] versus 3.0 [1.7–6.4] ng/L, P=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to extreme heat and physical exertion during fire suppression activates platelets, increases thrombus formation, impairs vascular function, and promotes myocardial ischemia and injury in healthy firefighters. Our findings provide pathogenic mechanisms to explain the association between fire suppression activity and acute myocardial infarction in firefighters. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01812317

Inequalities in health risks in working environments

The self-reported prevalence of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in work environments differs between sexes; males are reportedly more exposed to risk from extrinsic factors and females from intrinsic factors. These trends do not differ between Euro 1 and Euro 2 countries. Previous European working condition surveys indicate stable levels of inequality between sexes from intrinsic and extrinsic work environment factors

Prevention Policy and Practice : Approaches to Tackling Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders : Report [European Risk Observatory Report]

The project entitled ‘Review of research, policy and practice on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders’ aimed to gain a more complete understanding of the occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in tackling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The intention of the project was to provide a better understanding of the conditions under which strategies, policies and actions to address MSDs are most effective. To achieve this goal, a range of policy-level strategies and initiatives that were used by major stakeholders, including regulators and regulatory agencies, social partners, professional bodies and preventive services were identified. Following their identification, an analysis was undertaken to determine how these various strategies were adapted to the conditions and needs of different beneficiaries (e.g. in different sectors). To complement this analysis, the resources that were developed and used in the initiatives described were reviewed, with a view to identifying the factors that contributed to their success or failure (including any barriers to their implementation)

Prevention Policy and Practice : Approaches to Tackling Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders : Summary [European Risk Observatory Report]

The project entitled ‘Review of research, policy and practice on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders’ aimed to gain a more complete understanding of the occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in tackling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The intention of the project was to provide a better understanding of the conditions under which strategies, policies and actions to address MSDs are most effective. To achieve this goal, a range of policy-level strategies and initiatives that were used by major stakeholders, including regulators and regulatory agencies, social partners, professional bodies and preventive services were identified. Following their identification, an analysis was undertaken to determine how these various strategies were adapted to the conditions and needs of different beneficiaries (e.g. in different sectors). To complement this analysis, the resources that were developed and used in the initiatives described were reviewed, with a view to identifying the factors that contributed to their success or failure (including any barriers to their implementation)

The sources of risk to health associated with new technologies in the office environment

Using display screen equipment (DSE) arguably has the potential to cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and discomfort. However, the sources of risk to health associated with ‘new’ DSE technologies are not clearly understood. This paper presents the background research and describes the search strategy adopted for a review of the literature studying this association. After completion of the systematic search and review fourteen papers were identified. Three categories of new technology were identified: hand-held devices, tablets, touchscreen input. MSD’s were found as the dominant risk to health relating to new technologies; however, the sources of the risk differ from traditional DSE.</p