Work‐related injuries in the Alaska logging industry, 1991‐2014

Background

Although loggers in Alaska are at high risk for occupational injury, no comprehensive review of such injuries has been performed since the mid‐1990s. We investigated work‐related injuries in the Alaska logging industry during 1991‐2014.

Methods

Using data from the Alaska Trauma Registry and the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System, we described fatal and nonfatal injuries by factors including worker sex and age, timing and geographic location of injuries, and four injury characteristics. Annual injury rates and associated 5‐year simple moving averages were calculated.

Results

We identified an increase in the 5‐year simple moving averages of fatal injury rates beginning around 2005. While injury characteristics were largely consistent between the first 14 and most recent 10 years of the investigation, the size of logging companies declined significantly between these periods.

Conclusions

Factors associated with declines in the size of Alaska logging companies might have contributed to the observed increase in fatal injury rates.

     

Agricultural injuries among farm and non‐farm children and adolescents in Alberta,Canada

Background

Understanding of the specific risk of agricultural injury sustained by different populations of children and adolescents is needed for effective safety intervention.

Objective

To compare the rates and patterns of agricultural injury incidence (fatal and non‐fatal injury) between farm and non‐farm children less than 18 years of age in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

A total of 115 378 children (five subgroups: two groups of farm children and three groups of non‐farm children) in Alberta were followed from 1999 to 2010 to examine injury incidence using the linkage of three administrative health databases. A recurrent event survival analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression was carried out.

Results

A total of 1 849 agricultural injury episodes (1 616 emergency department visits, 225 hospitalizations, and 8 deaths) were identified from 1999 to 2010. The age‐ and gender‐adjusted rate (per 100 000 person years) of agricultural injury was 672.3 for rural‐living farm children, 369.4 for urban‐living farm children, 180.2 for rural non‐First Nations (FN) children, 64.4 for rural FN children, and 23.7 for urban children in descending order.

Conclusion

Specific strategies for different children's populations to prevent agricultural injuries and to extend agricultural injury controls to non‐farming populations are needed.

     

Fatal work‐related falls in the United States, 2003‐2014

Background

Falls are the second leading cause of work‐related fatalities among US workers. We describe fatal work‐related falls from 2003 to 2014, including demographic, work, and injury event characteristics, and changes in rates over time.

Methods

We identified fatal falls from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and estimated rates using the BLS Current Population Survey.

Results

From 2003 to 2014, there were 8880 fatal work‐related falls, at an annual rate of 5.5 per million FTE. Rates increased with age. Occupations with the highest rates included construction/extraction (42.2 per million FTE) and installation/maintenance/repair (12.5 per million FTE). Falls to a lower level represented the majority (n = 7521, 85%) compared to falls on the same level (n = 1128, 13%).

Conclusions

Falls are a persistent source of work‐related fatalities. Fall prevention should continue to focus on regulation adherence, Prevention through Design, improving fall protection, training, fostering partnerships, and increasing communication.

     

The impact of weather,road surface,time‐of‐day,and light conditions on severity of bicycle‐motor vehicle crash injuries

Background

This study examined whether environmental variables including weather, road surface, time‐of‐day, and light conditions were associated with the severity of injuries resulting from bicycle‐motor vehicle crashes.

Methods

Using log‐binomial regressions, we analyzed 113 470 police reports collected between 2000 and 2014 in four U.S. states with environmental and injury severity information. “Severe” injuries included fatal and incapacitating injuries, and “non‐severe” included non‐incapacitating, possible or no‐injuries.

Results

Light condition was significantly associated with the injury severity to the bicyclist with more severe injuries at dawn (RR = 1.62 [95%CI 1.35‐1.94]) and during darkness (both lighted and unlighted roads: 1.32 [1.24‐1.40], respectively, 1.57 [1.41‐1.76]) as compared to daylight. In these conditions of low visibility, risk was further increased during early morning hours before 7 am (1.61 [1.22‐2.13]).

Conclusions

Crashes in low light conditions and during early morning hours are more likely to result in higher injury severity.

     

Early labor force exit subsequent to permanently impairing occupational injury or illness among workers 50‐64 years of age

Background

Severity of workplace injury tends to increase with age. Whether older workers who experience a workplace injury or illness exit the labor force sooner than comparable peers is not established.

Methods

A case‐cohort study design and complementary log‐log model were used to identify factors associated with average time to early substantial labor force exit among workers’ compensation claimants 50‐64 years of age with permanent impairment from an occupational injury or illness. Analysis was based on Ontario's workers’ compensation claimant data from 1998 to 2006 linked with Canadian tax files.

Results

Workers with permanent impairment left the labor force earlier, on average, than peers without claims. Early retirement was associated with older age in the injury/illness year, greater impairment, lower pre‐claim income, physically demanding jobs, and soft‐tissue injuries.

Conclusions

Policies aiming to extend older adults’ working lives should account for the potentially disparate impacts on older workers of occupational injury and illness.

     

Workers’ compensation and the working poor

Background

The working poor are at highest risk of work‐related injuries and have limited access to occupational health care.

Objectives

To explore community health centers (CHCs) as a venue for accessing at risk workers; and to examine the experience, knowledge, and perceptions of workers’ compensation (WC) among the working poor.

Methods

Key informant interviews were conducted among patients in waiting rooms of rural and urban CHCs.

Result

Fifty‐one interviews of minority workers across sectors identified 23 prior work‐related injuries and mixed experiences with the WC system. Barriers to reporting and ways to overcome these barriers were elucidated.

Conclusions

Patients in CHCs work in jobs that put them at risk for work‐related injuries. CHCs are a good site for accessing at‐risk workers. Improving occupational healthcare and appropriate billing of WC insurance should be explored, as should best practices for employers to communicate WC laws to low wage workers.

     

Sinonasal cancer in the Italian national surveillance system: Epidemiology,occupation, and public health implications

Background

Sinonasal cancer (SNC) is a rare tumor with predominant occupational etiology associated with exposures to specific carcinogens. The aim of this study is to describe SNC cases recorded in Italy in the period 2000‐2016.

Methods

Clinical information, occupational history, and lifestyle habits of SNC cases collected in the Italian Sinonasal Cancer Register were examined. Age‐standardized rates were estimated.

Results

Overall, 1529 cases were recorded. The age‐standardized incidence rates per 100 000 person‐years were 0.65 in men and 0.26 in women. Occupational exposures were predominant among the attributed exposure settings, primarily to wood and leather dusts. Other putative causal agents included chrome, solvents, tannins, formaldehyde, textile dusts, and pesticides. Many cases had unknown exposure.

Conclusions

Epidemiological surveillance of SNC cases and their occupational history is fundamental for monitoring the occurrence of the disease in exposed workers in industrial sectors generally not considered at risk of SNC as well as in non‐occupational settings.

     

Multi–source surveillance for work‐related crushing injuries

Background

Work‐related crushing injuries are serious but preventable. For 2013 through 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) reported 1260 crushing injuries in Michigan. In 2013, Michigan initiated multi‐data source surveillance of work‐related crushing injuries.

Methods

Records from all 134 of Michigan's hospitals/emergency departments (EDs), the Workers Compensation Agency (WCA) and Michigan's Fatality Assessment Control and Evaluation (MIFACE) program were used to identify work‐related crushing injuries. Companies, where individuals were hospitalized or had an ED visit for a crushing injury, potentially had an OSHA enforcement inspection conducted.

Results

From 2013 through 2015, there were 3137 work‐related crushing injury incidents, including two fatalities. The Michigan OSHA program completed inspections at 77 worksites identified by the surveillance system.

Conclusion

The Michigan multisource surveillance system identified two and a half times more crushing injuries than BLS and was useful for initiating case‐based enforcement inspections.

     

Mine Safety and Health Administration's Part 50 program does not fully capture chronic disease and injury in the Illinois mining industry

Background

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires reporting of injuries and illnesses to their Part 50 program. A 2011 study indicated that the Part 50 program did not capture many cases of injury in Kentucky, causing concern about underreporting in other states.

Methods

MSHA Part 50 reports from Illinois for 2001‐2013 were linked to Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) data. IWCC cases not found in the Part 50 data were considered unreported.

Results

Overall, the Part 50 Program did not capture 66% of IWCC cases from 2001 to 2013. Chronic injuries or illnesses were more likely to be unreported to MSHA.

Conclusions

The majority of occupational injuries and illnesses found in the IWCC from this time period, were not captured by Part 50. Inaccurate reporting of injuries and illnesses to the Part 50 program hinders MSHA's ability to enforce safety and health standards in the mining industry.

     

Association between workplace discrimination and depressive symptoms among firefighters in South Korea

Background

Workplace discrimination is associated with poor mental health. However, there is a lack of studies examining the effects of discrimination on depressive symptoms among firefighters.

Methods

We analyzed a national cross‐sectional survey of 6369 firefighters in South Korea. Workplace discrimination during the past year was measured and main reasons for the discriminatory experience (gender, birth region, age, education, field/office work, job division) were identified separately by gender and job division. Depressive symptoms during the previous week were measured by the CES‐D11.

Results

Overall, 30.3% of firefighters experienced workplace discrimination and the main reasons for discrimination differed by gender and job division. Firefighters who experienced workplace discrimination had a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms than those who did not after adjusting for potential confounders (PR: 1.73; 95%CI: 1.55, 1.92).

Conclusions

This finding suggests that experience of workplace discrimination could aggravate the mental health of firefighters who provide an important public service.

     

Improving Occupational Health Disparity Research: Testing a method to estimate race and ethnicity in a working population

Background

Race and ethnicity data are often absent from administrative and health insurance databases. Indirect estimation methods to assign probability scores for race and ethnicity to insurance records may help identify occupational health inequities.

Methods

We compared race and ethnicity estimates from the Bayesian Improved Surname Geocoding (BISG) formula to self‐reported race and ethnicity from 1132 workers.

Results

The accuracy of the BISG using gender stratified regression models adjusted for worker age and industry were excellent for White and Latino males and Latino females, good for Black and Asian Pacific Islander males and White and Asian Pacific Islander females. American Indian/Alaskan Native and those who indicated they were “Other” or “More than one race” were poorly identified.

Conclusion

The BISG estimation method was accurate for White, Black, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islanders in a sample of workers. Using the BISG in administrative datasets will expand research into occupational health disparities.

     

Relationships of working conditions,health problems and vehicle accidents in bus rapid transit (BRT) drivers

Background

The aim of this study was to estimate accident risk rates and mental health of bus rapid transit (BRT) drivers based on psychosocial risk factors at work leading to increased stress and health problems.

Methods

A cross‐sectional research design utilized a self‐report questionnaire completed by 524 BRT drivers.

Results

Some working conditions of BRT drivers (lack of social support from supervisors and perceived potential for risk) may partially explain Bogota's BRT drivers’ involvement in road accidents. Drivers’ mental health problems were associated with higher job strain, less support from co‐workers, fewer rewards and greater signal conflict while driving.

Conclusions

To prevent bus accidents, supervisory support may need to be increased. To prevent mental health problems, other interventions may be needed such as reducing demands, increasing job control, reducing amount of incoming information, simplifying current signals, making signals less contradictory, and revising rewards.

     

Prevalence of occupational exposure to asbestos and crystalline silica according to phenotypes of lung cancer from the CaProMat study: A case‐only study

Background

The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of occupational exposure to asbestos and crystalline silica according to histological types of lung cancer and age at diagnosis.

Methods

CaProMat study is a pooled case‐only study conducted between 1996 and 2011. The current study consisted of 6521 lung cancer cases. Occupational exposure to asbestos and crystalline silica was assessed by two Job‐Exposure Matrices. A weighted prevalence of exposure was derived and compared according to histological types and age at diagnosis.

Results

There was no difference of weighted prevalence of exposure to asbestos and crystalline silica according to histological types of lung cancer. There was a statistically significant difference of weighted prevalence of exposure to asbestos and crystalline silica according to age at diagnosis.

Conclusions

Due to the limited clinical importance of the difference, neither the histological type, nor the age at diagnosis can be used as an indicator for the occupational exposure to asbestos or crystalline silica.

     

Adapting the T0‐T4 implementation science model to occupational health and safety in agriculture,forestry, and fishing: A scoping review

Background

Despite much research to develop life‐saving innovations for the agriculture, forestry, and fishing workforce, these populations continue to face the highest fatal and non‐fatal injury rates in the United States, as many of these solutions are not fully adopted.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of research to practice efforts in this field. The language used to describe these initiatives, the utility of the NIH T0‐T4 model, and the progress along the research to practice continuum were examined.

Results

Fourteen eligible references demonstrated that progress in implementation science is lacking and that there is little consistency in how researchers apply the T0‐T4 model; thus, a new model is presented.

Conclusions

Researchers in this field face several challenges when moving from research to practice. While some challenges are addressed with the proposed model, additional resources and infrastructure to support such initiatives are necessary.

     

An overview of health and safety in the Colorado cannabis industry

Background

Understanding worker health and safety in the rapidly growing legal U.S. cannabis industry is important. Although little published research exists, workers may be exposed to biological, chemical, and physical hazards. This study investigated the Colorado cannabis industry workforce and both physical and psychosocial hazards to worker health and safety.

Methods

Two hundred and fourteen Colorado cannabis workers completed an online survey after in‐person and online recruitment. Participants answered questions about their occupation, job tasks, general well‐being, occupational health and safety, cannabis use, and tobacco use.

Results

Colorado cannabis workers were generally job secure and valued safety. However, they regularly consumed cannabis, expressed low concerns about workplace hazards, reported some occupational injuries and exposures, and reported inconsistent training practices.

Conclusions

Working in the cannabis industry is associated with positive outcomes for workers and their organizations, but there is an imminent need to establish formal health and safety training to implement best practices.

     

Job strain associated with increases in ambulatory blood and pulse pressure during and after work hours among female hotel room cleaners

Background

Previously documented elevated hypertension rates among Las Vegas hotel room cleaners are hypothesized to be associated with job strain.

Methods

Job strain was assessed by questionnaire. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was recorded among 419 female cleaners from five hotels during 18 waking hours. Multiple linear regression models assessed associations of job strain with ABP and pulse pressure for 18‐h, work hours, and after work hours.

Results

Higher job strain was associated with increased 18‐h systolic ABP, after work hours systolic ABP, and ambulatory pulse pressure. Dependents at home but not social support at work attenuated effects. Among hypertensive workers, job strain effects were partially buffered by anti‐hypertensive medication.

Conclusions

High job strain is positively associated with blood pressure among female hotel workers suggesting potential for primary prevention at work. Work organizational changes, stress management, and active ABP surveillance and hypertension management should be considered for integrated intervention programs.

     

Cancer mortality update with an exposure response analysis among styrene‐exposed workers in the reinforced plastics boatbuilding industry

Background

There is sparse and inconsistent evidence of an association between styrene exposure and cancer.

Methods

This study examines mortality patterns in a previously studied cohort of 5201 workers employed in two Washington boat‐building facilities, extending follow‐up 5 years. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated using state rates as referent. Cox regression calculated rate ratios (RR) per year employed in styrene‐exposed exposed jobs.

Results

No excess deaths from lymphohematopoietic cancers (LHCs) were observed (SMR: 0.99, 95%CI: 0.74‐1.30) when compared to the referent population; however, the relative risk increased with duration of employment in internal analyses. Conversely, lung cancer mortality was significantly elevated (SMR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.08‐1.41), but there was no evidence of a dose‐response relationship.

Conclusion

We found evidence that occupational exposure to styrene was associated with increased LHC risk, while no such association was observed for lung cancer.

     

An overview and impact assessment of OSHA large dairy local emphasis programs in New York and Wisconsin

Background

Farming has been exempted from most labor regulations and shielded from regulatory scrutiny by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Yet, agriculture and dairy in particular, has relatively high injury and fatality rates.

Methods

A recent shift in OSHA's approach to agricultural worker safety and health includes two dairy‐focused Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs), one launched in Wisconsin in 2011 and the other in New York in 2014. We examine data from LEP‐related, OSHA consultations and inspections as well as non‐governmental audit programs, and review farmer perceptions about the LEP.

Results

Inspections conducted by OSHA and private consultation programs highlight the presence and variety of hazards on dairy farms in Wisconsin and New York.

Conclusion

The LEPs helped raise dairy producers’ awareness of inherent hazards and methods to correct them. Farmers cited the LEP as beneficial, identifying it as a catalyst to reduce hazards on their farms.

     

Melanoma,thyroid cancer,and gynecologic cancers in a cohort of female flight attendants

Background

Flight attendants may have an increased risk of some cancers from occupational exposure to cosmic radiation and circadian disruption.

Methods

The incidence of thyroid, ovarian, and uterine cancer among ～6000 female flight attendants compared to the US population was evaluated via life table analyses. Associations of these cancers, melanoma, and cervical cancer with cumulative cosmic radiation dose and metrics of circadian disruption were evaluated using Cox regression.

Results

Incidence of thyroid, ovarian, and uterine cancer was not elevated. No significant, positive exposure‐response relations were observed. Weak, non‐significant, positive relations were observed for thyroid cancer with cosmic radiation and time zones crossed and for melanoma with another metric of circadian disruption.

Conclusions

We found little evidence of increased risk of these cancers from occupational cosmic radiation or circadian disruption in female flight attendants. Limitations include few observed cases of some cancers, limited data on risk factors, and misclassification of exposures.