A general introduction to allergy to laboratory animals (ALA)

The prevalence of asthma was discussed. A literature survey done by Richard Fosse and the opinion and facts from the group give an approximate estimation of 2—4 0/0. This figure is disturbingly high and must go down in the future.After this the levels of antigen exposure were subJect of discussion. The opinion on the significance of the levels varies, and also the impact of daily massive versus intermittent exposure must be scrutinized.There is a difference in prevalence of ALA among anifrfnal caretakers and scientific members of the staff.Personal samplers may give answers to individual levels of exposure and result in advice on good working habits in order to reduce the exposure.A theory was put forward that early in lfe exposure to animals may be of importance, and it was stressed that laboratory animal caretakers and researchers are recruited from different categories.It was discussed whether atopic persons should be excluded from work with animals. The general opinion was no. It is not possible or desirable to do so. The individuals should be carefully informed about the risks and symptoms of allergy, and measures should be taken in order to minimize the risks.It was pointed out that not only animals, but also bedding can be a problem.Finally the nature of antigens was discussed. This is not always known, but rats and their urinary proteins result in the most frequent allergies. Rabbits’ hair and probably saliva and urinary proteins as main allergens rank second

Occupational Identities and Physical Exertion in (re)configurations of New Technologies in Eldercare

New technologies are perceived as a solution to the rising proportion of people requiring elderly care across the Nordic countries. Implementing technologies has unforeseen consequences for the content of work and the working environment. This interview-based study within Danish elderly care investigates the consequences of physical exertion for the work and occupational identities of care workers. Through analytical framework integrating positioning theory and agential realism, the study shows that new technologies in certain constellations may further synergies between the reduction of physical exertion and occupational identities, and in others may harm this relation. The study contributes to empirical knowledge about implementing technologies and to discussions of moral literacy and workarounds within care work by suggesting that the ability to openly judge and question physical and ethical consequences of employing technologies is a valuable competence for care workers and, in addition, that furthering these competences is a challenge for managers and legislators

Influence of physical and psychosocial work environment throughout life and physical and cognitive capacity in midlife on labor market attachment among older workers:Study protocol for a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background As average life span increases, elderly will account for an increasing proportion of the total population in most parts of the world. Thus, initiatives to retain older workers at the labor market are becoming increasingly important. This study will investigate the influence of physical and psychosocial work environment throughout working life and physical and cognitive capacity in midlife on labor market attachment among older workers. Methods/Design Approximately 5000 participants (aged 50–60 years) from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) will be followed prospectively in a national register (DREAM), containing information on a week-to-week basis about social transfer payments for about 5 million Danish residents. Using Cox regression, we will model the risk of long-term sickness absence, disability pension, early retirement and unemployment within a 4 to 6 year period from the baseline measurement as a function of the following predictors: 1) physical work demands throughout working life, 2) psychosocial working conditions throughout working life, 3) physical capacity in midlife, 4) cognitive capacity in midlife. Estimates will be adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle, socioeconomic position, chronic disease and long-term sickness absence prior to baseline. Discussion The project will generate new knowledge on risk factors for loss of labor market attachment. The results will potentially contribute in identifying factors that could be targeted in future interventions for maintaining a longer and healthier working life among older workers

Retrospectively assessed physical work environment during working life and risk of sickness absence and labour market exit among older workers

ObjectiveTo determine the prospective association between retrospectively assessed physical work environment during working life and prospectively assessed sickness absence and labour market exit among older workers.MethodsUsing Cox regression analyses we estimated the 4-year to 6-year prospective risk of register-based long-term sickness absence (LTSA), disability pension, early retirement and unemployment from exposure to different physical work environmental factors during working life among 5076 older workers (age 49–63 at baseline) from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank cohort.ResultsVery hard physical work throughout working life was a risk factor for LTSA (HR 1.66,95% CI 1.32 to 2.07), disability pension (HR 2.21,95% CI 1.04 to 4.72) and early retirement (HR 1.57,95% CI 1.13 to 2.17). Both short-term (&lt;10 years) and long-term (≥20 years) exposures to lifting or carrying of heavy burdens predicted the risk of LTSA (HRs 1.49–1.56) and disability pension (HRs 2.26–3.29). In contrast, exposure to dust was associated with LTSA and disability pension only following 20 or more exposure years.ConclusionsRetrospectively assessed hard physical work during working life and exposure to several factors in the physical work environment, especially heavy lifting, were important for labour market exit and sickness absence. This study underscores the importance of reducing physical work exposures throughout the working life course for preventing sickness absence and premature exit from the labour market.</jats:sec