Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To describe the various musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) resulting in work-related permanent unfitness for work. METHODS: In 2017, a multi-center cross-sectional employee survey in the South of France was conducted by 323 occupational physicians. RESULTS: Of the 359,966 employees monitored, 2,788 had permanent unfitness for work. This number included 1,078 for MSDs which was more frequent in women (OR = 1.42 [1.20-1.68]) and showed an increase in women over 55 years old (OR = 6...

OBJECTIVE: Characteristics of oil and gas extraction (OGE) work, including long hours, shiftwork, fatigue, physically demanding work, and job insecurity are risk factors for substance use among workers. Limited information exists examining worker fatalities involving substance use among OGE workers. METHODS: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database was screened for fatalities involving substance use from 2014 through 2019...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to structure supervisory support and clarify the relationship between supervisors' work engagement and support for their subordinates. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a manufacturing company using a questionnaire survey. Supervisors provided open-ended responses regarding the provision of support for their subordinates. Using text mining, we structured these descriptions into multiple categories, assigned words to them, and analyzed frequently mentioned categories by the level of work engagement...

OBJECTIVE: To objectively assess if firefighters are meeting the NFPA cardiorespiratory fitness and ACSM/AHA physical activity guidelines. METHODS: Two independent fire departments from the Midwest participated in the study. Firefighters wore an accelerometer to track physical activity and associated intensities. Additionally, firefighters completed a stage-graded treadmill exercise test determine their maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max). RESULTS: A total of 43 career firefighters completed the study (FD1: n = 29, FD2: n = 14)...

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether aggregate measures of occupational exposures are associated with COPD outcomes in the SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study cohort. METHODS: Individuals were assigned to six predetermined exposure hazard categories based on self-reported employment history. Multivariable regression, adjusted for age, gender, race, current smoking status, and smoking pack-years determined the association of such exposures to odds of COPD and morbidity measures...

OBJECTIVE: Silicosis is a prevalent incurable pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of silica dust. Study aimed to investigate inflammatory, hematological and biochemical parameters as additional biomarkers for diagnosing or monitoring silicosis. METHODS: Research enrolled 14 workers with silicosis and 7 healthy controls (without exposure and silicosis). The serum level of prostaglandin E2, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, biochemical and hematological parameters were measured...

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the burden of persistent musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in Rolls-Royce UK employees. METHODS: Employees with (n = 298) and without (n = 329) persistent MSK pain completed a cross-sectional survey. Weighted regression analyses were conducted to compare sickness absence, work ability, workplace accommodations/adaptations and emotional well-being between these cohorts, controlling for confounders. RESULTS: Persistent MSK pain (particularly back pain) had a significant impact on physical work ability, and was associated with increased sickness absence due to pain...

OBJECTIVE: Assess whether a blue-enriched light intervention improves nocturnal alertness and daytime sleep of night workers. METHODS: Thirteen miners performing 12-hour night shifts for 12 consecutives nights were exposed to a baseline and a blue-enriched light condition. All subjects wore an actigraph and completed a Psychomotor Vigilance Task at the beginning and at the end of each shift. Data was analyzed with linear mixed models. RESULTS: In the blue-enriched light condition, the daily increase in median RT, mean RT, slowest 10% of RT, and fastest 10% of RT was lower than that observed in the baseline condition between day 1 and 12 (p ≤ 0...

OBJECTIVE: Explore personal and work factors related to fatal cardiac events among oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers. METHODS: The NIOSH Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database was reviewed to identify fatal cardiac events among OGE workers from 2014 through 2019. A case series design was used to review case files, provide descriptive statistics, and summarize the findings. RESULTS: There were 75 fatalities identified, including 55 (73%) with sufficient information for review...

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates different aspects of stress and sleep in medically examined individuals with varying severity of building-related symptoms (BRS). METHODS: Three questionnaires were used to assess acute and long-term stress and sleep (perceived stress scale; Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire and Karolinska sleep questionnaire). RESULTS: Individuals with BRS, regardless of severity, did not differ in level of perceived stress (indicator of short-term stress)...

OBJECTIVE: To identify lessons learned implementing JYNNEOS vaccination for laboratory workers exposed to orthopoxviruses such as mpox. METHODS: Workers at risk of laboratory exposure were offered vaccine in a carefully planned occupational health program. Vaccine was procured from the CDC Drug Service which has special requirements. Reasons for accepting or declining vaccine, and side effects were obtained by survey. RESULTS: Most workers accepted JYNNEOS, and occupational risk was the most commonly cited reason for acceptance...

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 control measure stringency, including testing, has been among the highest globally in China. Psychosocial impact on pandemic workers in Shanghai, and their pandemic-related attitudes were investigated. METHODS: Participants in this cross-sectional study were healthcare providers (HCP) and other pandemic workers. A Mandarin online survey was administered between April-June/2022 during the omicron-wave lockdown. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory were administered...

OBJECTIVE: Canadian pilots may avoid healthcare and report inaccurate medical information due to fear of medical invalidation. We sought to determine if healthcare avoidance due to fear of certificate loss exists. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous 24-item internet survey of 1405 Canadian pilots between March and May 2021. Responses were collected using REDCap and the survey was advertised through aviation magazines and social media groups. RESULTS: 72% of respondents (n = 1007) have felt worried about seeking medical care because it may impact their career or hobby...

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate potential risk factors for severe COVID-19 among healthcare workers at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA, USA. METHODS: We conducted retrospective manual chart review of data from healthcare workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 from March 2020 to March 2021. Using data from patient medical histories, we ascertained risk factors for COVID-19-related Emergency Department (ED) encounter, hospitalization, or death...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess exercise habits and facility resources accessible to southeastern United States firefighters. METHODS: Firefighters completed questionnaires on topics including demographics, work demands, exercise methods, and facility resources. RESULTS: 66% of participants reported engage in exercise ≥30 min/day. More firefighters engaged in exercise when better on-site equipment options were available (p = 0...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between shift work exposure and frailty. METHODS: Longitudinal secondary data analyses were performed using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Individuals aged 45-85 years were included at baseline (N = 47,740). Primary SW variables were derived at baseline: ever exposed to SW, SW exposure in longest job, and SW exposure in current job. Multinomial regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between SW and frailty at 3 years of follow-up...

OBJECTIVE: Te present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of latex sensitivity in a workplace that produced rubber-based vehicle seals. METHOD: The serum latex-specific IgE levels, respiratory complaints, PFT, serum interleukin (IL) -4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13 levels of all male workers (n = 108) exposed to latex in the workplace, which produced rubber seals, were compared with the control group (n = 52). RESULTS: The rates of latex-specific IgE >0...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate COVID-19 risk factors among health care workers (HCWs) prior to vaccine-induced immunity. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of HCWs (N = 1,233) with SARS-CoV-2 IgG quantification by ELISA and repeated surveys over 9 months. Risk factors were assessed by multivariable-adjusted logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 IgG was associated with work in internal medicine (OR 2...

OBJECTIVE: We assessed and examined relationships between the health and working conditions of early care and education (ECE) workers. METHODS: We surveyed ECE workers (n = 2,242) about their socioeconomic characteristics; work organization; psychosocial, physical, and ergonomic exposures; coping behaviors; and health. RESULTS: Nearly half of respondents reported chronic health conditions. Most worked full-time, half earned less than $30,000/year, and many reported unpaid hours or inability to take breaks...