No / Occupational health and safety (OHS) is under-researched in the sociology of work and employment. This deficit is most pronounced for white-collar occupations. Despite growing awareness of the significance of psychosocial conditions – notably stress – and musculoskeletal disorders, white-collar work is considered by conventional OHS discourse to be ‘safe’. This study’s locus is clerical processing in the UK public sector, specifically Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, in the context of efficiency savings programmes. The key initiative was lean working, which involved redesigned workflow, task fragmentation, standardization and individual targets. Utilizing a holistic model of white-collar OHS and in-depth quantitative and qualitative data, the evidence of widespread self-reported ill-health symptoms is compelling. Statistical tests of association demonstrate that the transformed work organization that accompanied lean working contributed most to employees’, particularly women’s, ill-health complaints.

<p>Snežne lavine izazvane zemljotresima su fenomen koji se jo&scaron; uvek istražuje, iako je prisutan u skoro svim planinskim regionima &scaron;irom sveta. U okviru ove doktorske disertacije razvijena je i unapređena metoda procene bezbednosti i zdravlja na radu za slučaj snežnih lavina izazvanih zemljotresom. Osnovni cilj unapređene metode je smanjenje rizika na najmanji mogući nivo, odnosno prihvatanje najmanjeg mogućeg rezidualnog rizika, čije dalje smanjenje ili uklanjanje ne bi bilo isplativo. Unapređena metoda uzima u obzir niz faktora (duboku geologiju, sastav stena, visinu snežnog pokrivača, rasprostranjenost kritičnih nagiba, itd.) koji mogu da utiču na pojavu snežnih lavina uzrokovanih zemljotresom. Za verifikaciju metode uzet je skija&scaron;ki centar Kopaonik, koji nije dovoljno istražen, iako je jedan od najvećih centara u jugoistočnom delu Evrope.</p> / <p>Snow avalanches caused by earthquakes are a subject of many researches, even<br />though this phenomenon is present in mountain regions around the world. In this<br />doctoral dissertation, an improved method of assessing occupational health and safety<br />in cases of earthquake-induced snow avalanches has also been developed. The main<br />goal of the improved method is to reduce the risk to the smallest possible level, i.e. to<br />accept the least possible residual risk, the further reduction or removal of which would<br />not be profitable. This method takes into account a number of factors (deep geology,<br />rock composition, snow cover height, critical inclination distribution, etc.) that can affect<br />the occurrence of the earthquake-induced snow avalanches. For the verification of the<br />method, the ski center Kopaonik was analyzed, which has not been sufficiently<br />explored, although it is one of the largest ski centers in south-eastern part of Europe.</p>

<p>This dissertation examines lead exposure and effects across the lifespan among vulnerable populations. The vulnerable population that this dissertation focuses on are the elderly, newcomers to the US, which represents immigrants, as well as adolescents and women of childbearing age. The first chapter gives an introduction and highlights the history of lead as it relates to environmental and occupational exposure having deleterious effects on the human system. The second chapter highlights the association between blood lead level and subsequent Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mortality in those 65 years and older. Chapter 3 looks at whether length of time in the United States is a predictor of adolescent and adult blood lead levels. The fourth chapter assesses whether early life lead exposure is associated with AD mortality later in life. Adaptations of Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of this dissertation have been submitted for publication.</p><p>Chapter 2 presents a longitudinal study of 8080 elders (≥60 years) with BLL data from the 1999-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, where mortality was determined from linked 1999-2014 National Death Index data. In this study, a causal diagram presented causal assumptions and identified a sufficient set of confounders: age, sex, poverty, race/ethnicity, and smoking. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the association between BLL and subsequent AD mortality. Impacts of competing risks and design effect were also assessed. Adjusted hazard rate ratio (HRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Results showed that those with BLL of 1.5 μg/dL and 5 μg/dL had 1.2 (95% CI: 0.70, 2.1) and 1.4 (95% CI: 0.54, 3.8) times the rate of AD mortality compared to those with BLL of 0.3 μg/dL, respectively, after accounting for competing risks. Adjusted HRRs were 1.5 (95% CI 0.81, 2.9) and 2.1 (95% CI 0.70, 6.3), respectively, after considering design effect. This longitudinal study demonstrated a positive, albeit statistically non-significant association between BLL and AD mortality, after adjustment for competing risks or design effect.</p><p>Chapter 3 included cross-sectional 1580 women of childbearing age (15-45 years) and 5933 men and women (≥15 years) from the 2013-2016 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Linear regression models adjusted for race/ethnicity, education, blood cotinine, age, sex (as appropriate) and accounted for complex survey design. Results showed that women of childbearing age who have lived 0-4 years in the US have, on average, a 43% (95% confidence interval (CI): 31%, 56%) higher BPb compared to women born in the US. Corresponding results for all adults and adolescents was 40% (95% CI: 28%, 51%). Similar, statistically significant, results were observed for other time periods (5-9 years, 10-19 years, and ≥20 years); the magnitude of the association decreased with increasing time in the US. Higher BPb was also significantly associated with Asian (vs. white), lower education, higher age, and male (vs. female).</p><p>Chapter 4 is an ecologic study utilizing data from the United States Census Bureau and American Fact Finder. This ecologic study uses publicly available data from the 1930s US census and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to compare estimated historic lead exposure with AD mortality rates among US states and Indiana counties. Occupations were assigned a numeric weight based on the likelihood of lead exposure. The proportion of workers in each occupation multiplied by this weight was used to create a historic lead exposure index; quintiles of this index were used in analyses. AD mortality rates among persons ≥ 65 years old from 1999-2016 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The relationship between the historic exposure index and mortality was evaluated using correlation coefficients and linear regression models adjusting for age, sex, education, socioeconomic status (SES). Maps to characterize spatial pattern of historic lead exposure and AD mortality were completed using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis tools for the U.S. at state level and at county level for Indiana. Results showed that among states, the average AD mortality rate was 202.2 per 100,000 (SD=44.4). Within Indiana, the average AD mortality rate was 209.6 per 100,000 (SD= 64.9). Among Indiana counties, the unadjusted model shows an association of higher HEI with higher AD mortality, with the fifth quintile reaching statistical significance. Results for the adjusted model were not statistically significant. Results for US states for both unadjusted and adjusted regression models show that the third, fourth, and fifth quintiles of the historic exposure index were associated with a significantly lower AD mortality rate when compared to the lowest quintile.</p><p>Conclusion: The first study, using a longitudinal design, shows a positive but non-significant association between BLL and subsequent AD mortality after adjustments for competing risks or design effects. The second study, using a cross-sectional design, showed that newcomers to the US may be a population at higher risk for elevated BPb. The third, ecological study, did not find any significant association between historic lead exposure and AD mortality rates for Indiana counties, however there was a significant association of higher historic lead exposure index with lower AD mortality rates for states in the US.</p>

Dental practice requires unique working conditions such as prolonged working hours, strained body postures and laborious, high finesse dental techniques. However, it can be more efficiently performed by the application of ergonomics, rather than physically forcing the worker's body to fit the job. Posture is highly influenced by factors such as inadequate working level, incorrect patient positioning, and poor visual comfort. In order to eliminate musculoskeletal disorders it is necessary to control these and other factors, and design the human work environment to be more ergonomic. The aim of this study was to assess ergonomics within Indian dental practice and elucidate factors that prevented application of ergonomics. An observational study was conducted among 58 Indian dentists, both from a private dental hospital and clinics. A questionnaire that consisted of 37 open-ended and closed-ended questions was used as a research tool for the study. Information on background characteristics, work environment, equipment, work administration, and ergonomic awareness was collected using the questionnaire. Sampling consisted of observing 37 male and 21 female dentists. A total of 58 individuals, 62 % ( 36), worked for a private dental hospital, and 38% (22) for dental clinics. A majority, 84.5% (49), of the dentists reported that they did not receive ergonomic training from their work administration. Most dentists, 96% (56), reported that there was no system of recordkeeping for workplace accidents. Lack of proper ergonomic training and no system of recordkeeping for workplace accidents were found to be the primary factors for not applying ergonomics by Indian dentists. Ergonomic training programs are needed in India to help educate dentists on workplace safety and health, and thus aid in reducing musculoskeletal pain. Finally, a system is needed in Indian dental practice to promote workplace safety and health by identifying workplace hazards that result in injuries.

Thesis (LLM. (Development and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / Occupational health, safety and wellbeing of employees is an important factor in the socioeconomic development of a country hence the need for South Africa as a developmental state, to give priority to the health and safety of employees in the country as employees are key to socio-economic development. The right to an environment that is not detrimental to the health and wellbeing of employees is also entrenched in the Constitution of the Republic making it a fundamental right which should be enjoyed by all. Laws related to occupational health and safety have been enacted in South Africa with a view to, on the one hand, prevent occupational injuries, diseases or deaths and on the other hand to provide compensation where such occurs. This study seeks to determine which of the laws are applicable, whether they are reasonable when compared to the constitutional requirements and South Africa’s obligations as a member of the international community. Comparisons are also made with other countries and recommendations made for the South African government to adequately ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of employees in the country.

acase@tulane.edu

acase@tulane.edu

Sammanfattning   Syftet med denna studie är att beskriva kommunala chefers uppfattningar om vilka faktorer som främjar systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete (SAM). SAM är lagstadgat i Arbetsmiljölagen och är ett viktigt redskap för att skapa en god arbetsmiljö, ökad effektivitet och minskade kostnader. Stödet till chefer och organisationer i deras arbete med SAM är en viktig uppgift för företagssköterskor i företagshälsovården. Antonovskys (1987/1991) teori, känsla av sammanhang (KASAM) och i huvudsak det salutogena, hälsofrämjande synsättet ligger till grund för studien. Studien har en kvalitativt beskrivande design. Datainsamlingen har skett genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex enhetschefer från två svenska kommuner. Dessa har analyserats med innehållsanalys som metod. Cheferna företräder olika delar av den kommunala verksamheten. Alla har erfarenhet av systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete och har personalansvar för fler än 15 anställda. Cheferna beskriver chefskapet, medarbetarskapet, god organisation, resurser och erfarenheter från tidigare arbetsmiljöarbete som främjande faktorer. Chefskapets ansvar är att skapa struktur i form av mål, rutiner och systematiska arbetssätt som årsplaneringar och handlingsplaner. Det ska även skapa systematiska sätt att inventera den fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljön genom skyddsronder och forum där medarbetarskap och chefskap kan mötas. Arbetsplatsträffar, medarbetarsamtal och fokusgrupper är exempel på detta. Organisationen kan verka främjande men är också den faktor som cheferna anger som en icke påverkbar faktor för SAM. De nämner ekonomiska och personalramar, organisationsstrukturer, omorganisationer och konkurrensutsättning. Ett identifierat och uppbyggt nätverk av stödjande resurser som företagshälsovård (FHV), human resources (HR) och kollegor är en främjande faktor. Alla faktorer är viktiga var för sig men enligt cheferna är det absolut viktigaste en dynamisk samverkan mellan chefskapet, medarbetarskapet, organisationens krav och övriga stödjande resurser samt begränsande faktorer. Detta blev temat för studien. / Abstract   This study aims to describe the municipal managers´ perceptions of the factors that promote systematic occupational health and safety management (SOHSM). SOHSM is part of the Work Environment Act and is an important tool to create a good working environment, to increased efficiency and reduced costs. The occupational health nurse has an important task to support managers and organizations in their work. Antonovsky's (1987/1991) theory, sense of coherence (SOC) and essentially the salutogenic, health promotional approach has been the basis of this study. The study seeks to ascertain the factors that unit managers within the municipality consider promote SOHSM. The study has a qualitative descriptive design. Data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with six managers from two Swedish municipalities. These interviews were analyzed using content analysis method. The managers represent different parts of the municipal operations. All have experience in SOHSM, and are responsible for more than 15 employees. The promoting factors described by the managers are leadership, employees’ engagement, supportive organization, resources and experience from previous SOHSM.  Leadership responsibility is to create a structure of goals, procedures, and a systematic approach to annual planning and action plans. It should also create a systematic way to survey the physical and psychosocial work environment through safety checks and forums where employees and managers can meet. Workplace meetings, performance reviews and focus groups are examples of this. The organization may act promotional but can also be a non-responsive factor for SOHSM, according to the managers. They mention financial and human resources frameworks, organizational structures, reorganisations and competition. An identified and structured network of supportive resources such as occupational health, human resources (HR) and colleagues is a promoting factor. All factors are important themselves according to the managers, but most important is a dynamic interaction between the leadership, the employees’ engagement, organization requirements and other supportive resources and limiting factors. This became the theme of the study.

The aim of this thesis is to determine the state of occupational health and safety of the construction industry among other industries in Turkey. For this purpose, data such as the number of occupational diseases, the number of occupational injuries, the number of cases of permanent incapacity to work and the number of fatal occupational injuries in each industry are derived from official sources. The comparison of the construction industry with other industries in terms of occupational health and safety is made with the comparative measures calculated with these data. In addition, it is intended to determine some characteristics of the occupational injuries and victims in the construction industry. Therefore, the distribution of more than 22,700 data concerning occupational injuries according to some selected variables is taken into account.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the hazard identification, risk assessment and related determining controls aspects of occupational health and safety topic, within the framework of a safety management system, for the construction industry. To achieve this purpose, a literature survey is carried out with specific emphasis on the standards, guidelines, codes of practices and other documents published by authorized institutions and national legislation related with the subject. The Marmaray Project, which is considered as one of the major transportation infrastructure projects in Turkey, is chosen as the case study area. In the Marmaray Project, the case study is carried out at &Uuml / sk&uuml / dar Underground Station Construction Site as an example for the cut and coverunderground station construction and at Yedikule Tunnel Construction Site for the tunnel construction and achieved results are assessed within the context of this thesis.