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Introduction: A task-associated analysis of ammonia and particulate matter concentrations was conducted on swine farms in breeding and gestation barns. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific tasks performed by workers increase concentrations of ammonia and particulate matter exposure. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive design was used to determine if swine confinement workers have increased ammonia and particulate matter exposure when performing assigned tasks in breeding and gestation barns. A convenience sample of 8 workers volunteered from among all breeding and gestation workers (n=24). Data collection occurred in the morning at each of the 8 farms and continued until tasks were completed (~4 hrs). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was computed to determine if the type of task or type of barn was related to workers' exposure to ammonia or particulate matter. Results: Ammonia levels were below the sensitivity of the instrument (<0.1) except on 1 morning when the ammonia concentration was recorded at 8 ppm. However, concentrations above 0.1 ppm lasted for less than 5 minutes. Consequently, this variable was not included in the analysis. Correlation analysis was used to answer the 1st research question. The results suggested a statistically significant decrease in particulate matter as the number of operating fans increased. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to answer the last 2 research questions. The results suggested a significant interactive effect between the type of confinement barn and the type of tasks workers were performing. The barn types differed by the number of exhaust fans and the type of animal waste disposal system. Conclusions: Occupational health nurses can use study results to implement interventions to minimize worker exposures. These results indicate that understanding the relationship between building design and type of work tasks along with the importance of proper ventilation may minimize worker exposure to harmful particulate matter in SCBs during the summer months.

Work-related injuries and illnesses may lead to absenteeism, which affects the level of productivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the success of an employee workplace training program on work-related injury and illness rates at selected federal districts within a federal organization. Newman's model, which describes internal and external factors that may have an effect on an individual's health, was the framework that guided this project. A pre-post design was used to compare data from 2 publically available data sets, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Illness and Injury and the Voice of the Employee Survey, for the years 2013 and 2014, before and after a wellness training program. According to a descriptive analysis of 91 illness and injury events that occurred during the 2-year period, the greatest number of employees who reported illnesses were mail handlers and mail processing clerks. Slips/trips and falls, strikes by machine/equipment or other objects, and repetitive motion were the top 3 types of injuries. After training, the total number of illness and injury days away from work and days of limited duty were decreased, indicating a positive impact of this workplace wellness program and a need for future training for these workers. This project has the potential to affect social change by supporting the benefits of workplace wellness in improving employee health and reducing workplace injuries at federal agencies.