Physical activity during leisure and commuting in Tianjin,China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate physical activity during leisure time and commuting among persons aged 15-69 years in the urban population of Tianjin, China, and to assess its associations with demographic and health-related characteristics. METHODS: In 1996 a cross-sectional survey of 2002 males and 1974 females provided information on physical activity during leisure time and commuting and on demographics and health behaviours. FINDINGS: No leisure-time physical activity was engaged in by 67% of females and 61% of males. However, only 4% of females and 9% of males reported an absence of physical activity during commuting. The mean duration of leisure-time physical activity for the whole population was about 10 min per day. The average commuting time on foot or by bicycle was about 30 min. Leisure-time physical activity was more frequent among highly educated people, people with high incomes, white-collar workers, married people, non-smokers, or people commuting on foot or by bicycle than among other people. Persons with low incomes, male blue-collar workers and married people were more likely than others to engage in 30 min or more per day of physical activity on foot or by bicycle when commuting. CONCLUSION: People in Tianjin engaged in a high level of physical activity when commuting and a low level of leisure-time physical activity.     

Personal protective equipment (PPE) use and its relation to accidents among construction workers

Background:The construction industry is characterized by a high prevalence of accidents and injuries. Inadequate risk management measures, including failure to use or incorrect use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may significantly increase the risk of accidents.Objectives:The main objectives of the current study were to measure the prevalence of PPE use and accidents and their associated factors among construction workers.Methods:A cross-sectional field study with an analytic component was carried out on 384 workers from different sites in Port-Said, Egypt, using an interview administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and occupational data, practice of PPE use and accident analysis.Results:About 60% of workers use PPE during work. Main reasons for non-use are discomfort, lack of knowledge on how to use it and poor fit. Occupational accidents in the last 12 months were reported by 64.3% of workers. The main accident types were: being hit by falling objects, falls from height, and tool related accidents. Safety training was the significant independent predictor of PPE use (AOR=2.0). However, age, marital status, smoking, safety training, and PPE use were also significant independent predictors of accidents (AOR=2.4, 3.1, 0.5, 0.5, and 0.2; respectively).Discussion:Among construction workers, PPE utilization is low with significant relation to safety training while occupational accidents are common and significantly related to safety training and PPE use. Therefore, safety training should be provided, and PPE use should be enforced at construction sites.Key words: Accidents, construction, PPE, safety     

Rural work-related accidents in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: a population-based cross-sectional study]

Epidemiological literature on occupational accidents among rural workers is scarce in Brazil. This population-based cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the characteristics of farming accidents occurring in the rural area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. A multi-stage sampling scheme was used to select a representative sample of farms. From January to April 1996, a total of 258 rural families were visited, and all 580 rural workers identified in these families answered a standardized questionnaire. Sixty-three rural workers (11%) reported at least one work-related accident in the previous twelve months. There were 82 accidents during the study period, mainly related to the use of hand farm tools (29%) and handling farm animals (27%). The main types of injuries were cuts (50%), bruises (13%), and burns (9%). The body areas most frequently involved were hands (34%), feet (29%), and legs (18%). Among the injured rural workers, only 32% used health services to treat the resulting lesions (46% went to primary health care facilities and 36% to emergency services).     

Prevalence and associated factors to rural occupational accidents, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of rural occupational accidents and its association with potential risk factors. METHODS: The study was carried out in a urban area of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A representative sample of rural workers was selected using a multi-stage sampling. From January to April 1996, a total of 258 rural families were visited and all the 580 rural workers identified in those households answered a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of rural occupational accidents was 11%. After allowing for potential confounders, the main occupational hazards, as shown by logistic regression, were lower socioeconomic status (OR=1.81), non-white skin color (OR=3.50), and poor work satisfaction (OR=2.77).     

Hospital workers' opinions on the predisposing factors to blood-related work accidents in Central Hospital,Benin City,Edo State,Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: Hospital workers are prone to accidental injuries during their day-to-day activities at work. These accidental injuries are of importance because many of these predispose the workers to blood-borne infections. METHODS: A total of 242 hospital workers at Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State participated in a cross-sectional study carried out between June and August 1999 aimed at finding out the predisposing factors to blood-related work accidents. The study group consisted of 53 doctors, 34 laboratory workers and 155 nurses. All doctors and laboratory workers at Central Hospital were involved in the study, while 50% of the nursing population were involved in the study. The nurses were selected using a stratified random sampling method. The respondents completed a pretested self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that the four main factors responsible for accidents among the hospital workers were: non-availability of protective measures; desire to hasten the procedure; type of procedure; and use of inadequate/inappropriate equipment. The major factor responsible for accidents at work among hospital workers was non-availability of protective measures.RECOMMENDATIONS: It is therefore recommended that adequate materials and equipment should be provided. This study could be further validated using a qualitative study design (focus group discussions).     

杭州市电动自行车伤害状况及影响因素

在中国大陆,电动自行车使用量急剧上升,到2007年已有3000多万辆,相关交通事故也不断增加,电动自行车伤害成为一个重要公共卫生问题。杭州市电动自行车数量快速增长,到2007年底已有66万辆,电动自行车数量增多原因较为复杂。2010年杭州市涉及电动自行车伤害死亡人数占交通事故死亡人数比例达23．39％,颅脑损伤是造成电动自行车驾驶员死亡的主要原因。电动自行车伤害发生影响因素涉及多个方面。本研究拟通过相关分析,针对性地提出预防措施,如加强交通管理,社会宣传含社区教育、厂商技术改进、骑车人和行人自我保护等,以期对电动自行车伤害防制提供有益参考。     

199例职业性化学烧伤调查

目的研究某区化学烧伤事故的发生特点、人群和时间分布特征、主要原因,为制订防治对策提供依据。方法对该区1996￣2005年间发生的化学烧伤事故进行回顾性调查分析。结果化学烧伤事故发生呈上升趋势;男性多于女性;化学烧伤事故有明显的季节性;引起化学烧伤事故的化学物质以氢氧化钠、硫酸等为主;事故发生的主要原因是违反安全操作规程、无个人防护用品或个人防护用品使用不当。结论该区发生化学烧伤主要原因是违反安全操作规程,个人防护用品缺乏或个人防护用品使用不当等。应加强安全教育,并配备相应个人防护用品以控制化学烧伤事故发生。     

1989至2003年全国金属及类金属化合物重大急性职业中毒的特征

目的通过分析我国报告发生的金属及类金属化合物重大急性职业中毒事故的发生特点,提出优先、重点的防制建议。方法对1989至2003年全国报告发生的金属及类金属化合物重大急性职业中毒资料进行整理和分析。结果15年间共报告金属及类金属化合物重大急性职业中毒39起,年均2．6起,直接导致中毒的金属及类金属化合物约13种。确诊中毒609例,死亡32例,平均每起事故中毒15．6例,中毒死亡0．8例,总中毒率为52．9%,总中毒死亡率为5．3%；平均中毒年龄(29．2±9．0)岁,平均中毒死亡年龄(32．3±9．9)岁。自1997年起报告的中毒事故增多,43．6%的中毒由砷化氢导致；发生在制造业和化学工业的中毒较多,清洗和搬运作业易发生中毒。导致中毒事故发生的主要原因是没有密闭通风排毒设备或效果不好(22．5%)、没有个人防护设备(19．8%)、缺乏安全教育(19．8%)和没有安全操作规程(15．3%)等。结论加强砷化氢、砷及其化合物的急性中毒防治,注意在冬夏两季有针对性地加强安全教育和个人防护。     

Bicycle safety knowledge and behavior in school age children

The purpose of this study was to examine school age children's knowledge of bicycling rules of the road and their bicycling behaviors. A one-page questionnaire was administered in the classroom to 276 of 300 children in grades 4 through 8 of an upper middle class suburban school district. The children were questioned regarding their knowledge of three basic bicycling rules of the road, prior bicycle safety instruction, use of bicycle helmets, and the occurrence and severity of previous bicycle accidents. Students who reported receiving previous bicycle safety instruction were more knowledgeable than those receiving no instruction regarding rule 2, always stop at a stop sign or red light (90% compared with 74%), and rule 3, always stop and look when approaching a street from a driveway or alley (74% compared with 60%). Students who did not know rule 3 were more likely to have had a recent bicycle accident in which their bicycle was damaged (21% compared with 8%) and to have ever gone to the hospital or a physician because of injuries sustained in a bicycle accident (19% compared with 9%). Children who lacked knowledge of basic bicycling rules were more likely to have had a significant bicycling accident. Bicycle safety instruction increases children's knowledge of these rules and should be promoted by physicians caring for children.     

Promoting transportation cycling for women: the role of bicycle infrastructure

OBJECTIVE: Females are substantially less likely than males to cycle for transport in countries with low bicycle transport mode share. We investigated whether female commuter cyclists were more likely to use bicycle routes that provide separation from motor vehicle traffic. METHODS: Census of cyclists observed at 15 locations (including off-road bicycle paths, on-road lanes and roads with no bicycle facilities) within a 7.4 km radius of the central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Australia, during peak commuting times in February 2004. RESULTS: 6589 cyclists were observed, comprising 5229 males (79.4%) and 1360 females (20.6%). After adjustment for distance of the bicycle facility from the CBD, females showed a preference for using off-road paths rather than roads with no bicycle facilities (odds ratio [OR]=1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.83), or roads with on-road bicycle lanes (OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.75). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with gender differences in risk aversion, female commuter cyclists preferred to use routes with maximum separation from motorized traffic. Improved cycling infrastructure in the form of bicycle paths and lanes that provide a high degree of separation from motor traffic is likely to be important for increasing transportation cycling amongst under-represented population groups such as women.     

Analytical study of the safety records of a leading seaport in the GCC

The pertinent records of the year 1411 H (1990/1991) for a leading seaport of a member state of GCC were examined for appraising safety performance there. The recorded accidents during this year included: 270 accidents without injuries, 58 first-aid accidents and 138 work injuries (leading to absence off work) and 4 fatalities. The injury frequency rate there (3.41) is comparable with similar agencies, while the severity rate (725.2) is considerably higher. Collision of transport, lifting and material handling equipment represents the major type of work accident (58.9%), while the highest injury rates occurred in maintenance and operation of marine equipment, followed by loading and unloading, then housekeeping. Meanwhile, the rate of accidents showed considerable increase a--during summer months, b--during the peak months of the Gulf war followed by "re-export" of war equipment, c--in the middle days of the week, d--during the 4th and 8th hours of shift, with a sharp decrease during and after lunch hours, and e--among workers performing highly technical jobs; however decreased by gaining experience with the long duration of employment. Most of the accidents could be prevented by proper training of workers and appropriate supervision, since their cause was unsafe acts due to lack of attention and/or of supervision.     

Time trends of occupational pesticide-related injuries in Costa Rica, 1982-1992

To evaluate time trends of occupational pesticide-related injuries in Costa Rica, a survey was carried out three times over a ten-year period at a national reporting system for occupational accidents and diseases among wage-earning workers. The sample comprised the accidents reported during the months of June of the years 1982, 1987, and 1992. The overall incidence rates were 1.8, 2.7, and 2.5 per 1,000 agricultural workers, respectively. Rates among female workers increased (3.1, 3.7, 5.4) and were elevated as compared with male workers (1.7, 2.6, 2.3). The trend for topical lesions was upgoing (1.2, 1.4, 2.1), consistent with an increased use of fungicides and lack of safety measures for pesticides with low acute toxicity. Systemic poisonings peaked in 1987 (0.6, 1.2, 0.5), declining in 1992 with increased use of biologic pest control and pyrethroid insecticides less toxic than cholinesterase inhibitors, and improved safety during nematocide applications on banana plantations. In 1992, despite the largest decline of systemic poisonings in the banana-producing Atlantic Region, poisonings as well as topical injuries were still four times more frequent in this region than in the rest of the country. Restriction of highly toxic pesticides together with implementation of occupational safety measures can reduce systemic poisonings in developing countries. Such policies need to be extended to other pesticides to prevent less life threatening but often disabling skin and eye injuries.     

Bicycle helmet use by children: knowledge and behavior of physicians.

A survey of pediatricians and family physicians in Tucson, Arizona revealed that the majority knew that bicycle accidents are an important cause of childhood mortality and were aware that head trauma causes most bicycle-related deaths. Ninety-two per cent knew that children rarely use bicycle helmets and most believed this was due to inadequate parental awareness of the importance of helmets. Despite this, many physicians never include bicycle safety in patient education provided during well-child care.     

Workers' perception of exposure to workload and risks of accidents in a southern Brazilian city]

OBJECTIVE: The study of the association between workers' perceptions of occupational hazards and the risk of occupational accidents. DESIGN: Case control study. POPULATION: The cases were 264 workers who presented a "typical" occupational accident, registered at the National Institute of Social Security in the city of Pelotas, between January and July, 1996. Fatal accidents (two) were excluded, as were those leading to an absence of less than seven days from work. The cases were interviewed in their homes with a standard questionnaire. For each case, three controls were chosen: a fellow-work, a neighbor and a population control. Controls were matched to the cases by age (+/- 5 years) and sex; workers who had suffered an occupational accident in the preceding month were excluded from the control group. All cases and controls were formally employed and lived in the urban area. The data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The risk of occupational accidents was found to double among workers who reported having faced emergency situations at work, working in high places, facing constant danger or noisy environments. Working in uncomfortable positions or intense physical activities were associated with a 50% increase in risk. The remaining occupational hazards under study were not significantly associated with the risk of accidents. All of the above results were adjusted for confounding factors.     

3起急性职业中毒案例的共性分析与思考

通过分析急性职业中毒典型案例的共性,为制定相应职业病防治策略提供参考。对照职业病诊断标准,复习在职业病诊断中遇到的典型案例,分析发病原因,总结共性,提出了预防建议。发现中毒事故发生的主要原因是缺乏安全教育和个人防护设备,有几点共性:①相关企业职业安全意识淡薄,重效益而轻危害,未进行过职业病危害因素申报及建设项目职业病危害评价;②工程多经过外包,中毒者均为外来务工低学历人员,缺乏自我防护意识;③工人操作过程不规范,未佩戴必要的个人防护用品,甚至违章作业;④受限空间未进行全面或局部排风,致局部有害气体浓度积聚引发事故。总之,随着快速工业化,接触化学品的机会显著增多,致急性职业中毒事故成为突出的公共卫生问题,并严重威胁着工人的身心健康。企业应加大防护设施和个人防护用品的投入,保障劳动者的职业健康。     

1989至2003年全国有机溶剂重大急性职业中毒的特征

目的探讨有机溶剂重大急性职业中毒事故的发生规律和特点,为制定有机溶剂中毒的防制策略提供科学依据。方法对1989至2003年15年间收集到的有机溶剂重大急性职业中毒资料进行描述性分析。结果(1)15年间共报告有机溶剂重大急性职业中毒事故58起,中毒393例,中毒死亡48人,总中毒率为51．2%,总中毒死亡率为12．2%；平均中毒年龄(30．9±8．8)岁,平均中毒死亡年龄(30．6±12．0)岁。(2)直接导致中毒的有机溶剂有11种,以苯及其同系物为主。(3)有机溶剂重大急性职业中毒以制造业、化学工业、建筑、运输与仓储、服务业与商业等行业多发,喷漆和清洗岗位的危险性较高,事故相对集中发生在4～7月份。(4)导致中毒事故发生的主要原因是没有密闭通风排毒设备或效果不好、没有个人防护设备、缺乏安全教育和没有安全操作规程等。结论作业场所要加强通风,避免劳动者皮肤直接接触有机溶剂,使用无毒或低毒的替代物质。     

Evolution and factors associated with biological-risk accidents reported in a university hospital in Spain, 1989 to 1995

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the profile and evolution of accidents involving risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported in a large Spanish hospital, together with the preventive measures administered and the factors associated with high-risk accidents. METHODS: Data used were the accidents recorded in the hospital during the period from January 1989 to December 1995. A logistic model, using age, gender, service, occupation, and year of accident as independent variables was constructed to study the factors associated with these accidents. RESULTS: The study included 1,009 accidents. Accidents were more common among nurses, female doctors, younger workers, and persons who worked in surgical settings. Of the total sources of infection studied, 11.6% were positive for HBV, 28.2% for HCV, and 24.4% for HIV. No seroconversions were detected in the partial follow-ups conducted. The factors associated with high-risk accidents were gender (relative risk [RR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 1.24-3.60); occupation as physician (RR, 2.57; CI95, 1.54-4.29) or as nursing staff (RR, 1.80; CI95, 1.12-2.89); and working in a surgical service (RR, 2.01; CI95, 1.27-3.18). Younger workers had more accidents overall, but older workers were more likely to have high-risk exposure. In the multivariate analysis, the occupation (physician and nursing staff) was the most important variable when adjusted by the other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a greater effort still is required in the application and evaluation of preventive measures. New safety systems, with clearly proven cost-effectiveness, should be developed and applied.     

Weather factor impacts on commuting to work by bicycle

Objective

Quantify the impact of weather conditions on individual decisions to commute to work by bicycle among a diverse panel of adults who commute ≥ 2 miles each way.

Method

Working adults (n = 163) in a northern U.S. state reported transportation mode for four seven-day periods in 2009-2010 that maximized seasonal weather variations. Personal characteristics, trip to work distances, and commuting mode data were linked to location- and time-specific weather data and daylight hours. Analyses focused on effect of weather conditions on reports of commuting by bicycle.

Results

Participants were diverse in age, gender and bicycle use, but were relatively well-educated; they traveled to work by bicycle on 34.5% of the logged commuting days. Modeling indicated that the likelihood of bicycle commuting increased in the absence of rain (odds ratio = 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.42, 2.57) and with higher temperatures (1.03; 1.02, 1.04), and decreased with snow (0.90; 0.84, 0.98) and wind (0.95; 0.92, 0.97). Independent effects also were found for bicycle commuting distance, gender, and age, but not for daylight hours.

Conclusion

Precipitation, temperature, wind and snow conditions had significant and substantial independent effects on the odds of travel to work by bicycle among a diverse panel of adult bicycle commuters.     

Preventability of percutaneous injuries in healthcare workers: a year-long survey in Italy

The aim of the study was to examine the preventability of percutaneous injuries either through the adoption of correct behaviour or by the use of needles with safety features. We analysed the report forms of occupational needlestick or sharps injuries in a sample of healthcare workers exposed to the risk of percutaneous injuries in the period between 1 June 2000 and 31 May 2001; the forms were returned to the regional SIROH (Italian Study on Occupational Exposure to HIV) centre in which all hospitals of the Piemonte region (Italy) participate. Percutaneous injuries caused by needles (injection, phlebotomy, infusion), suture needles and scalpels were analysed; three samples were extracted according to the type of device that caused the injury. In the sample of 439 needlestick-related percutaneous injuries, 74% were caused by incorrect health worker behaviour and 26% were unpreventable, seventy-nine percent of accidents caused by incorrect behaviour and 24% of accidents could have been prevented by using needles with safety features. In the sample of 221 suture needle and 114 scalpel injuries, incorrect health worker behaviour was identified in 26.2% and 14%, respectively, and unpreventable causes in 73.8% and 50.9%, respectively. A high rate of percutaneous injuries, especially those involving needles for injection, phlebotomy, infusion, and scalpels, could be prevented by adopting safe work behaviour practices and using personal protection equipment. The introduction of devices with safety features could lead to a significant reduction in the number of injuries from needles.