A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health: Occupational Hygiene, Johannesburg, 2012 / The aim of the study was to determine if the gold mine under study achieved the 2008 elimination of silicosis occupational hygiene milestones as set out by the South African mining industry in 2003. To identify high risk quartz exposed occupations within the conventional stope and TM³ stope employees of an underground gold mine between July 2008 and June 2010; to describe the personal quartz exposure of conventional stope and TM³ stope employees in an underground gold mine between July 2008 and June 2010; and to compare the time weighted average (TWA) quartz exposures between the conventional stope and TM³ stope to the Department of Mineral Resources-Occupational Exposure Limit (DMR-OEL) of 0.1 mg/m3, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health-Recommended Exposure Limit (NIOSH-REL) of 0.05 mg/m3 and the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists-Threshold Limit Value (ACGIHTLV) of 0.025 mg/m3.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, 2004 / AIM &; OBJECTIVES: a) To quantify human vibration exposnres among the various similar occupational groups present on the mine, b) To determine the degree of vibration risk posed onto the mineworkers and c) To recommend and implement a sustainable human vibration management control progranune. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was carried out on 135 mine workers employed in various similar occupational groups at Rossing Uranium mine, Namibia Data acquisition originated from a multi-stage proportionally stratified random sampling technique. An approved Human Vibration measuring instrument was utilized to measure Hand-arm and Wholebcdy vibration exposure levels [Aeq (m/s2 )] prevalent among the similar exposure groups. A structured questionnaire, developed specifically for the actual work environment enabled the collection of information such as work history, type of vibration exposure, exposure duration and vibration symptoms. Furthermore, group specific results [A(8)] were computed by means of the latest internationally accepted Health & Safety Executive Vibration calculators. In addition, statistical analyses were performed in order to establish the occupational groups that are at increased risk for the development of hand-arm and wholebody vibration induced health disorders.

The present study sought to investigate the effects of a Standard workstation, designed for “average” users, on an anthropometrically diverse sample of computer operators, and to assess whether physical and perceptual responses, as well as performance efficiency were dependent on stature. Further investigation assessed the influence of personalised adjustments to the Standard workstation, based on the anthropometric characteristics of the subjects, as well as the introduction of a custom-designed ‘floating’ wrist support, on subject responses. All subjects (n=30) were tested in each of the three workstations: Standard, Personalised and Wrist Support. For analysis of responses in the Standard workstation, subjects were divided into three groups depending on their stature: Short (<1650mm), Medium (1650mm to 1800mm), Tall (>1800mm). The musculoskeletal responses indicated that Tall subjects were forced to adopt the most awkward general body postures as a result of the low computer screen. However, the low screen allowed for the Short subjects to adopt the most natural general body postures, although levels of muscular activity in the upper trapezius suggest that the muscular load imposed on both Short and Tall subjects was significantly greater than that imposed on the Medium subjects. In addition, the Medium subjects’ perceptions of the Standard workstation dimensions support the fact that this workstation was better suited to users with “average” morphologies. The responses elicited in the Personalised and Wrist Support workstations were improved significantly when compared to the Standard workstation. Joint angles were more natural, upper trapezius EMG was reduced, standard of performance improved and perceptual responses indicated a diminished incidence of body and visual discomfort, as well as greater perceived satisfaction with these workstation dimensions. The improved physical responses suggest a decrease in the risk of developing cumulative trauma disorders. Although subjects were unaccustomed to the wrist support device, this workstation demonstrated a further reduction in the range of wrist angles, as well as a general positive attitude towards the concept.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Daily more than 300 000 health care workers in South Africa are to a lesser or greater extent exposed to the risk of deadly viruses which can be transferred through neediestick injuries. It is estimated that currently 9,8 million people in South Africa are HIV positive. This high incidence of HIV has a great impact on the danger of infection from neediestick injuries. It is estimated that 44 000 neediestick injuries takes place annually in South Africa. Despite such a high risk there are currently few safety regulations or official efforts to prevent or determine the true impact and incidence of needlesticks in South Africa. This study project investigated the number of neediestick injuries that could potentially be prevented by the use of needles with safety features and estimated the ranges of benefits and costs of using such safety devices. With the financial constraints that are imposed on South African hospitals, infection control through the use of safety syringes makes economic sense. Prevention of infections is clearly far cheaper than cure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daagliks word meer as 300 000 gesondheids personeel in Suid Afrika in 'n mindere of meerdere mate blootgestel aan die risiko van lewens gevaarlike viruse wat deur middel van naaldprik ongelukke oorgedra kan word. Hierdie risiko word spesifiek in Suid Afrika verhoog deur die hoë insidensie van HIV. Dit word beraam dat daar tans 9,8 miljoen mense in Suid Afrika is wat HIV positief is. Daar word beraam dat daar tans 44 000 naaldprik ongelukke per jaar in Suid Afrika plaasvind. Ten spyte van die hierdie hoë risko is daar tans min veiligheids regulasies of amptelike pogings om die omvang en voorkoming van naaldprik insidente te bepaal nie. Hierdie studie het die getal naaldprikke wat voorkom kan word deur die gebruik van veiligheids inspuitnaalde ondersoek en het die voordele en kostes van sulke veiligheidsmaatreëls beraam. Gegewe die finasiële druk wat ons tans in Suid Afrikaanse hospitale ondervind, is bewys dat die gebruik van veiligheids inspuitnaalde ekonomiese sin maak. Voorkoming op hierdie manier is bewys as 'n ver goedkoper opsie as nasorg.

So, Chun Lung. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-196). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendix in Chinese.