Outside to the wide range of potential benefits, the use of nanomaterials can endanger human health and the environment. This diploma thesis presents the results of pilot measurements, where the exposure of nanoparticles was monitored. Based on a literature research a suitable method for measurement was the three-stage OECD model. Based on this model, measurements were performed in three welding workplaces, where nanoparticles are produced incidentally. The measurement consisted of collecting information and measuring the concentration of nanoparticles in the workplace, where data collection was focused only on inhalation exposure. During welding, 0.3 m size particles are produced and their concentration is strongly influenced by the welding material, type of welding and suction. The particles are amorphous in terms of morphology and contain manganese, iron and silicon, which can cause neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, the results indicate the importance of monitoring oral exposure.

Musculoskeletal disorders are common in many industries such as automotive, manufacturing and line assembly. Risk factors include high frequency or hand repetition, long duration of work activities with short rest periods, unsustainable postures which put strain on the body and muscles, and activities that require significant force to fulfill duties. The current ACGIH TLV for hand activity uses hand activity level (HAL) and normalized peak force (NPF) to assess an individual’s risk of developing an MSD. The purpose of this study is to propose the use of Posture as an alternative to NPF and couple it with HAL to assess the risk of an MSD. The data used in this paper come from an automotive study conducted at four automotive manufacturing plants. An estimated 50 interviews were conducted at each of the four plants in an effort to document if any worker had recently experienced an MSD which would then be termed as a case. A case was determined by one of two methods, the first being if the employee visited the plant clinic for pain experienced while on the job, the second occurred through an interview conducted by a USF investigator in which the employee answered yes to having pain or discomfort that interfered with work, play or sleep and there was a treatment-seeking behavior. The analysis revealed HAL and Posture can be used to assess potential MSD development in exposed workers. Logistic regression was conducted, and it showed statistical significance when using HAL and Posture to assess MSDs developing in workers exposed in occupational settings. In place of NPF, Posture can be used with HAL to assess MSDs in occupational settings.

Exercise induces a residual post-exercise increase in the core temperature threshold at which cutaneous vasodilation and sweating begins. The hypothesis that exercise intensity causes a parallel increase in the post-exercise onset threshold for cutaneous vasodilation mediated by an attenuation of active vasodilator activity, was tested in nine subjects. The effect of exercise intensity on the esophageal temperature threshold for the onset of sweating was also evaluated. Esophageal temperature was monitored as an index of core temperature while sweat rate was measured using a ventilated capsule placed on the upper back. Increases in forearm skin blood flow and mean arterial blood pressure were measured and used to calculate cutaneous vascular conductance at two superficial sites, one with intact alpha-adrenergic vasoconstrictor activity and one infused with bretylium tosylate. On four separate days, subjects either remained seated for 35 min or performed 15 min treadmill running at 55, 70 or 85% VO2max followed by 20 min seated recovery. A liquid conditioned suit was used to increase mean skin temperature until cutaneous vasodilation and sweating occurred. It is concluded that intensity of exercise has a prolonged residual effect on the post-exercise vasomotor and sudomotor response by increasing the esophageal temperature at which onset of vasodilation and sweating occurs. Furthermore, the post-exercise increase in onset threshold for vasodilation is likely caused by an attenuation of active vasodilator activity modulated by baroreceptor reflexes in response to post-exercise hypotension.

Ritual slaughter of goats is a common practice in South Africa if the relative proportion of informal slaughter is taken into account. Religious, traditional or customary slaughter is legal in terms of meat safety legislation in South Africa. However, it is suggested that there is lack of understanding of basic food safety and occupational health concepts, and that this exposes the community to a wide spectrum of meat related hazards and food-borne diseases. Many hazards that are associated with traditional or customary slaughter of goats in South Africa have not been identified and characterized. The aim of the study was to identify, characterize and assess the occupational health and food safety risks of the biological, chemical or physical hazards associated with traditional slaughter of goats, by investigating the cultural practices and informal food chains associated with goats in South Africa. The study area was the Tshwane Metropole. A descriptive study, a form of qualitative research that describes the nature and the distribution of the outcomes, was conducted with 105 purposively selected adult respondents of both sexes at taxi ranks and places where commuters gather informally. A survey in the form of structured interviews using questionnaires was used. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis method in conjunction with a statistical analysis. The abattoir or formal goat slaughter process, was considered as a baseline standard for comparison of meat hygiene and occupational health safety during traditional slaughter of goats. The traditional slaughter pathway, from farm to fork was derived based on structured interviews and compared to legislated norms for slaughter in red meat abattoirs. It was found that there were existing regulations for slaughter of goats at abattoirs, despite the fact that no goat abattoirs exist any longer in South Africa. Physical, chemical and biological hazards associated with ritual slaughter were identified and characterized. Qualitative data was analysed using Epi-info 7 (Centre of Disease Control, Atlanta, USA) and Microsoft Excel 2010 ® (Microsoft Corporation, USA). The magnitude and likelihood of identified biological hazards was estimated using qualitative risk assessment, modified after the method suggested for BSE in Cattle by FAO (2009). Methods of ritual slaughter differed between groups, but there was little pre-slaughter examination for disease and stunning was not used. Exsanguination could be improved by hanging the carcass and a more structured approach to decreasing contamination of the carcass by ingesta, soil, leaves and dirt could be prioritized. It was recommended that veterinary services pay more attention to the health of goats in South Africa, as these are not regularly examined at post mortem, as are other livestock where routine surveillance for disease is carried out at registered abattoirs. Information on how to determine if a goat that is bought for slaughter is healthy, based on veterinary extension and communication, should be communicated to rural communities. A simple pamphlet or poster could be developed and distributed to commuters at taxi stops, or distributed by Animal Health Technicians in rural areas. Meat hygiene principles, linked to practical hygiene principles such as the WHO “five keys” should also be communicated within rural communities and applied to informal slaughter. The principles of good hygiene and meat safety, are, however, the same. Veterinary services could be involved in actual training of those who regularly slaughter goats to make sure that they cut the throat cleanly and the goat is exsanguinated properly. Welfare of goats during slaughter could be improved by paying more attention to humane transport and restraint as well as the use of sharp knives. Research needs to be done on a practical way of stunning under rural conditions. This however should not infringe upon people’s cultural norms and religious beliefs. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

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An investment in nursing education and staff development should consider the reasons for participating in continuing education and professional development in order to improve planning for long term continual professional development (Joyce&Cowman, 2007:626). The aim of this study was to investigate the working environment of occupational health nurses as a determinant for professional development. A quantitative approach was used for this research study. A non-experimental, descriptive survey was conducted to collect data for this study because it reflects accurate characteristics of the various environments of occupational health. Data was collected using a questionnaire which was distributed to four SASOHN (South African Society of Occupational Health Nursing Practitioners) regions (Eastern Cape, Vaal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga) as the principal method of data collection. In terms of the educational needs identified it was evident in the study that the occupational health nurse would attend professional development programmes more often if their learning needs are identified prior to the programme. The occupational health nurse preferred one day workshops as the preferred method of continual professional development. The psychosocial needs of the occupational health nurses highlighted that there was little support in the office while attending professional development programmes and that assistance with administrative tasks at work were lacking. The findings of this study revealed various professional development barriers such as financial constraints, frustrations with regard to daily workload, discrimination against the profession, lack of discussions with employers with regard to staff development programmes, training material not being readily available and insufficient facilities such as an on-site library. It is also clear from the findings of this study that continual professional development will improve the self esteem and self worth of the Occupational Health nurses. For the occupational health nurse to develop professionally they need support from their employers and colleagues. The findings were evident that the employers do support the occupational health nurse to develop professionally by granting special leave to attend professional development programmes. Key concepts: Staff development, Barriers, Occupational Health nurse, Need, Psychosocial needs, Educational needs, Professional development. Copyright / Dissertation (MCur)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Nursing Science / unrestricted

Globally the construction industry struggles to prevent injurious and fatal safety incidents. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies used by construction business managers that had significantly reduced the occurance of safety incidents in a Northwest Ohio construction company. Data were collected from organizational records and interviews with 6 construction managers. The conceptual framework for this research was the concept of safety management systems. Data were compiled and organized, disassembled into fragments, grouped, and then interpreted for meaning. Methodological triangulation and member checking were used to enhance reliability and validity. Four themes emerged from the data: senior management's commitment to a culture of safety, comprehensive safety training, safety accountability, and the importance of engaged employees. These findings indicate that senior managers established a safety-oriented culture by systematically implementing the safety management systems principles and practices in every organizational process and procedure. Safety training ensured that workers have the necessary skills to perform safely. All leaders, at every level of the organization, were held accountability for monitoring and measuring safety performance. Engaged workers were receptive to and compliant with safety rules. The positive social implications of these findings include the potential of contributing to the efforts to establish safer and healthier workplaces that protect workers from injuries and fatalities, thereby contributing to overall safety and health of communities.

In the last 40 years the subject of police stress has gained increasing attention and a significant body of literature has emerged. This literature has documented the sources, types, and consequences of police stress. As a result of the negative consequences of police stress, a number of stress intervention services have been developed to treat police officers suffering from high stress. In spite of overwhelming evidence of the negative consequences of untreated police stress, stress intervention services remain under-utilized by police officers. Researchers cite concerns of stigma, confidentiality issues, and a general lack of confidence in service providers as reasons police do not use services. While numerous, most of the references to these factors are anecdotal in nature. Few empirical studies have focused on a systematic examination of variables that influence officer willingness to use services (positively or negatively), particularly in light of the growth of service offerings. Understanding what shapes officer willingness to use services remains a critical step in addressing the negative effects of police stress. This current study was designed to explore and examine factors that influence officer willingness to use services, with a focus on perceived organizational support (POS). The current study was undertaken with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) as the subject of police stress is of vital importance to the organization. A mixed-methods design was used to explore both the views of police officers regarding the availability and use of stress intervention services, and also the law enforcement agency response to issues of police stress. Qualitative methods included one-on-one interviews with 46 police officers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which were used to inform the development of a police officer questionnaire (POQ). The POQ was distributed to 4,000 randomly-selected police officers throughout the state to obtain their views of the availability of services, willingness to use services, and perception of organizational support. Additionally, a survey was sent to all law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to obtain current information on the nature and extent of stress intervention services for police and explore organizational responses to police stress. Findings indicate that police officers in the Commonwealth have a wide variety of stress intervention services available through their agencies. Officers who have concerns regarding the confidentiality and stigma related to the use of services reported lower willingness to use services. In contrast, officers who perceive support from the organization and view the organization as supportive of the use of services are more willing to use stress intervention services. Findings contradicted several long-held beliefs about the police subculture and use of stress intervention services. Officers did not prefer peer-based services and did not express a lack of confidence in professional service providers (psychologists/therapists). Secondly, officers in the sample had lower than expected self-reports of alcohol consumption and incidents of divorce. Results of this study have some policy and practical implications for increasing police officer willingness to use stress intervention services. Additionally, the results suggest positive changes in police subculture and officer use of stress intervention services. / Criminal Justice

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