Comparison of OHS course accreditation procedures in Australia

As OHS professional bodies have moved or are moving towards professional certification of their members, the need for accredited programs of study has developed. This move has been prompted by the requirement of the certification boards for the applicant to demonstrate that they have the minimum knowledge required to work at a professional level. The AIOH has had a course accreditation procedure for over 20 years as discussed by Whitelaw and Reed (2011) which has been well recognised by the profession, but until 2009 only one course had been accredited. In the last two years the AIOH has revised its procedure and now requires any university applying for course accreditation to map their program against the learning outcomes as defined by the AIOH as well as the being at a minimum of a Graduate Diploma (AIOH, 2011) which is equivalent to the Australian Qualifications Level (AQF) level 8. In 2011 a new course accreditation board was set-up to look at courses that are promoted to educate OHS professionals that are not considered specialists and are core OHS Generalists. The new board called the Australian Occupational Health and Safety Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB) is set-up under the SIA but has members from all OHS professional groups in Australia in addition to academics, OHS representatives from government, employer and employee groups. Programs being accredited under this scheme have to be mapped against the OHS BoK and need to meet the respective AQF level of 7 or above depending on the qualification. This paper compares the two schemes in respect to both the procedure that is undertaken, and the knowledge required to meet course accreditation requirements

PPE unmasked: why health-care workers in Australia are inadequately protected against coronavirus

In Victoria, more than 1,100 health-care workers have now been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Some 11% of active cases are workers in the health-care sector. Health-care workers are reported to be among those fighting for life in Victorian intensive care units

Have you got your head in the sand? Respirable crystalline exposures of restorative stonemasons

Restoration stonemasons play a vital role in preserving culturally significant heritage buildings and the majority of culturally significant buildings in Sydney are constructed using Sydney sandstone, with an average silica content of 75%. Stonemasons conducting the close inspection required for precision sandstone grinding restoration works are considered at significant risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). An occupational hygiene survey was conducted to assess the risk of RCS exposure of restoration stonemasons conducting various tasks. Exposure monitoring for respirable dust (RD) and RCS was undertaken and the task of grinding sandstone determined as the highest exposure risk. \u27Spinning\u27 and \u27Chopping out\u27 tasks were identified as \u27high risk\u27 activities with excessive exposures of 4, 6 and 12 mg/m3, well above the workplace exposure standard (WES) of 0.1 mg/m3. Short duration task monitoring was conducted to better evaluate worker exposures and job rotation during the highest risk grinding task was not determined as a suitable control to reduce stonemason exposures. A trial was undertaken using on-tool dust collecting shrouds attached to local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability to grinding tasks, with a 99% exposure reduction achieved. Reducing stonemason exposures below the WES was still not possible for grinding tasks; and numerous control measures were recommended to ensure workers are not exposed to concentrations of RCS likely to cause risk to health. Implementation of a combination of control measures is essential in reducing RCS exposure risk. Controls selected in line with the hierarchy of controls include:- mini enclosures, wet methods of dust suppression, on-tool dust collection shrouds and local exhaust ventilation (LEV); along with appropriate respiratory protection commensurate to exposure and powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) when grinding sandstone. Stonemasons grinding sandstone are considered at high risk of RCS exposure. They were encouraged to participate in equipment trials and evaluate their effectiveness. The more informed the stonemasons became, the more inspired they were to reduce their RCS exposure and integrate small, effective changes during sandstone restoration activities. Utilising knowledge from industry experts was invaluable in ensuring a successful trial, and gaining the confidence of the cohort. Throughout the risk assessment process, the stonemasons increased their knowledge and understanding of RCS

Efficiency of respirator filter media against diesel particulate matter: a comparison study using two diesel particulate sources

Diesel engines have been a mainstay within many industries since the early 1900s. Exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a major issue in many industrial workplaces given the potential for serious health impacts to exposed workers; including the potential for lung cancer and adverse irritant and cardiovascular effects. Personal respiratory protective devices are an accepted safety measure to mitigate worker exposure against the potentially damaging health impacts of DPM. To be protective, they need to act as effective filters against carbon and other particulates. In Australia, the filtering efficiency of respiratory protective devices is determined by challenging test filter media with aerosolised sodium chloride to determine penetration at designated flow rates. The methodology outlined in AS/NZS1716 (Standards Australia International Ltd and Standards New Zealand 2012. Respiratory protective devices. Sydney/Wellington: SAI Global Limited/Standards New Zealand) does not account for the differences between characteristics of workplace contaminants like DPM and sodium chloride such as structure, composition, and particle size. This study examined filtering efficiency for three commonly used AS/NZS certified respirator filter models, challenging them with two types of diesel emissions; those from a diesel generator and a diesel engine. Penetration through the filter media of elemental carbon (EC), total carbon (TC), and total suspended particulate (TSP) was calculated. Results indicate that filtering efficiency assumed by P2 certification in Australia was achieved for two of the three respirator models for DPM generated using the small diesel generator, whilst when the larger diesel engine was used, filtering efficiency requirements were met for all three filter models. These results suggest that the testing methodology specified for certification of personal respiratory protective devices by Standards Australia may not ensure adequate protection for respirator users against DPM under all circumstances of diesel generated particles

Are respiratory protection standards protecting worker health against ultrafine diesel particulate matter emissions? An Australian perspective

Poster presentation made at the 20th ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles, 13-16 June 2016, Zurich, Switzerland. Aim: Ultrafine diesel engine emissions are known to cause adverse health impacts including lung cancer, cardiovascular and irritant effects (World Health Organisation 2012). Respiratory protective devices are commonly used to mitigate worker exposure to many hazardous contaminants, especially in heavy industry such as mining and refining. Current standards to evaluate penetration through respirator filter media may not consider ultrafine particles due to the diameter of the challenge aerosol and the detection limit of the instrument (Eninger et al. 2008). Nor do they test penetration at flow rates representative of moderate to heavy work rates. Research is currently being undertaken at the University of Wollongong, Australia, to develop a method to measure penetration through respirator filter media using diesel emissions, rather than the standard challenge aerosol of NaCl, at flow rates consistent with moderate to heavy work rates. Methods: Emissions from a Detroit D706 LTE diesel engine were fed into an experimental chamber which was purpose built for the study. Penetration through a range of commonly used respirator filters in Australian workplaces was determined by particle count at diameters ranging from 5.6 - 560nm, using an Engine Emissions Particle Sizer (EEPS). Penetration was also measured by mass of Elemental Carbon, using NIOSH 5040. Flow rates were as designated in AS/NZS 1716 (Standards Australia International Ltd & Standards New Zealand 2012) and ISO DIS 16975 - 1.2 Work Rates 2 and 3 (ISO 2015), consistent with moderate to heavy work rates. Results and Conclusions: A method has been developed and validated and a pilot study completed. Initial findings indicate penetration exceeded standards specified limits for filtering efficiency for a number of filters for the size range \u3c50 \u3enm, when measured as a function of particle count. Penetration through the filters was found to increase as flow rate increases. These results differed from the penetration by mass of elemental carbon through the respirator filters, using a paired samples t-test at a significance level of 0.05. This research is relevant as it has been postulated that ultrafine particles may contribute to adverse cardiovascular mortality and morbidity associated with diesel engine emissions (Martinelli, Olivieri & Girelli 2013) hence it is important to determine if these smaller size particles are penetrating through respirator filter media and may be inhaled by workers

Healthy universities: an example of a whole-system health-promoting setting

The health-promoting settings approach is well established in health promotion, with organisational settings being understood as complex systems able to support human wellbeing and flourishing. Despite the reach and evident importance of higher education as a sector, ‘healthy universities’ has not received high-level international leadership comparable to many other settings programmes. This study explores how the concept of a healthy university is operationalised in two case study universities. Data collection methods included documentary analysis, observation field notes and semi-structured interviews with staff and students. Staff and students understood the characteristics of a healthy university to pertain to management processes relating to communication and to a respectful organisational ethos. Enhancers of health and wellbeing were feeling valued, being listened to, having skilled and supportive line managers and having a positive physical environment. Inhibitors of health and wellbeing were having a sense of powerlessness and a lack of care and concern. The concept of the healthy university has been slow to be adopted in contrast to initiatives such as healthy schools. In addition to challenges relating to lack of theorisation, paucity of evidence and difficulties in capturing the added value of whole-system working, this study suggests that this may be due to both their complex organisational structure and the diverse goals of higher education, which do not automatically privilege health and wellbeing. It also points to the need for a wholeuniversity approach that pays attention to the complex interactions and interconnections between component parts and highlights how the organisation can function effectively as a social system

Associations of maternal vitamin D, PTH and calcium with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and associated adverse perinatal outcomes:Findings from the Born in Bradford cohort study

Abstract Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulate mineral metabolism and are required to maintain calcium levels. Vitamin D deficiency is common, particularly during pregnancy, and has been associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We sought to determine whether maternal 25(OH)D, PTH and calcium concentrations at 26 weeks gestation are associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy and establish whether these differ by ethnicity. This study included 476 White British and 534 Pakistani origin mother-offspring pairs from the Born in Bradford cohort study. We used multinomial or logistic regression to explore the association between vitamin D, PTH and calcium with gestational hypertension (GH), pre-eclampsia (PE), caesarean section (CS), preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA). Pakistani women had lower 25(OH)D (median 13.0 vs 36.0 nmol/L), higher PTH (median 7.7 vs 3.3 pmol/L) and similar calcium concentrations compared to White British women. In Pakistani women, higher concentrations of 25(OH)D were associated with a 60% increased odds of GH, and a 37% reduced odds of SGA; PTH was associated with a 45% reduction in the odds of GH. In White British women, each 1 SD increase in calcium concentration was associated with a 34% increase in developing GH but a 33% reduction in the odds of PTB. Associations with PE and CS were consistent with the null. In conclusion, there are ethnic differences in the associations of 25(OH)D, PTH and calcium with important perinatal outcomes. Future research would benefit from examining the associations of 25(OH)D, PTH and calcium together with a range of perinatal outcomes in order to assess the risk-benefit action of each

Genome edited sheep and cattle

Genome editing tools enable efficient and accurate genome manipulation. An enhanced ability to modify the genomes of livestock species could be utilized to improve disease resistance, productivity or breeding capability as well as the generation of new biomedical models. To date, with respect to the direct injection of genome editor mRNA into livestock zygotes, this technology has been limited to the generation of pigs with edited genomes. To capture the far-reaching applications of gene-editing, from disease modelling to agricultural improvement, the technology must be easily applied to a number of species using a variety of approaches. In this study, we demonstrate zygote injection of TALEN mRNA can also produce gene-edited cattle and sheep. In both species we have targeted the myostatin (MSTN) gene. In addition, we report a critical innovation for application of gene-editing to the cattle industry whereby gene-edited calves can be produced with specified genetics by ovum pickup, in vitro fertilization and zygote microinjection (OPU-IVF-ZM). This provides a practical alternative to somatic cell nuclear transfer for gene knockout or introgression of desirable alleles into a target breed/genetic line

Comparison of OHS course accreditation procedures in Australia

As OHS professional bodies have moved or are moving towards professional certification of their members, the need for accredited programs of study has developed. This move has been prompted by the requirement of the certification boards for the applicant to demonstrate that they have the minimum knowledge required to work at a professional level. The AIOH has had a course accreditation procedure for over 20 years as discussed by Whitelaw and Reed (2011) which has been well recognised by the profession, but until 2009 only one course had been accredited. In the last two years the AIOH has revised its procedure and now requires any university applying for course accreditation to map their program against the learning outcomes as defined by the AIOH as well as the being at a minimum of a Graduate Diploma (AIOH, 2011) which is equivalent to the Australian Qualifications Level (AQF) level 8. In 2011 a new course accreditation board was set-up to look at courses that are promoted to educate OHS professionals that are not considered specialists and are core OHS Generalists. The new board called the Australian Occupational Health and Safety Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB) is set-up under the SIA but has members from all OHS professional groups in Australia in addition to academics, OHS representatives from government, employer and employee groups. Programs being accredited under this scheme have to be mapped against the OHS BoK and need to meet the respective AQF level of 7 or above depending on the qualification. This paper compares the two schemes in respect to both the procedure that is undertaken, and the knowledge required to meet course accreditation requirements