Musculoskeletal Discomfort And Its Associated Risk Factors Among Train Drivers This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among train drivers in Kuala Lumpur. In this cross-sectional study, 44 train drivers were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire consists of socio-demographic information and occupational exposure; and a modified Nordic Standardised Questionnaire for questions related to musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms. Results showed that lower back (18.6%) are the most reported discomfort among train drivers, followed by neck (16.7%), knee (13.7%), and upper back (13.7%). Statistical analysis using Chi-square showed there is a significant association between discomfort in the neck with age (p<0.05), length of service (p<0.05), and the perception of driver’s seat comfort and suitability (P<0.001). Previous working experience, driving duration, and shift work were associated with shoulder, wrist and thigh discomfort. This study suggested that further investigation and early control measure need to be done to prevent the risk of the musculoskeletal problem among train drivers.
musculoskeletal disorders ; occupational hazards ; ergonomics ; freight ; cargo ; locomotive ; prevalence.

Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Time Factors ; Trinitrotoluene ; poisoning

OBJECTIVETo study the main causes of death in workers from different industries in Guangzhou.

METHODSThe industrial systems in Guangzhou were classified into six categories according to the Chinese Public Health Inspection Statistical Report. Baseline data on 79,547 workers, age > or = 35, were retrieved from individual health records under the Guangzhou Occupational Health Surveillance Record System established in 1989-1992. In this prospective cohort study, the workers' vital status and causes of death were followed up until 31 December 1998. Using SPSS 10.0, crude death rates were calculated and relative risks(RR) (95% CI) were estimated using Cox proportional-hazard models.

RESULTS(1) Among 79,547 workers were 49,355 men and 30,192 women, with mean age of (43.8 +/- 6.5) years, and 64% were aged 35-44. The mean age difference of workers in different industries was +/- 1 year. At baseline, 41% had been exposed to occupational hazards. Exposure was most prevalent in petroleum chemical industry(53.9%), followed by metallurgical industry, and the lowest exposure was in mechanical industry (30.2%). (2) The mean follow-up period was (8.0 +/- 1.3) years with 633,510 person-years. 1,577 workers had died with a total death rate of 248.9 per 100,000 person-years. The death rate in rubber industry was the highest, followed by metallurgical and petroleum chemical industries. Malignant neoplasms, vascular and respiratory diseases were most common, constituting 80.3% of all causes of death. (3) For all causes of death and the three main categories, the top three crude death rates were observed in rubber and petroleum chemical industries, and in the metallurgical industry except for vascular causes. The rubber industry had the highest crude death rate for all and vascular causes, and the metallurgical industry for malignant neoplasms and respiratory causes. (4) With the light industry as a reference (RR = 1.0), the metallurgical industry had the highest adjusted relative risks (RR) (95% CI) of 1.62(1.20-2.18) and 7.42(3.38-16.31) for malignant neoplasms and respiratory causes, respectively. The rubber industry had the highest RR of 1.69(1.40-2.04) for all causes. A significant RR of 2.03(1.43-2.88) for vascular causes was observed only in the rubber industry.

CONCLUSIONSThe main causes of death varied from industry. Malignant neoplasms and respiratory diseases were the leading causes in metallurgical and petroleum chemical industries. In rubber industry, vascular and respiratory causes were most common. Preventive measures for disease control should be tailor-made for each industry.

Adult ; Aged ; Cause of Death ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Industry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; mortality ; Occupational Exposure ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo identify the potential determinants of return to work (RTW) following work-related injury.

METHODSA historical cohort of workers with occupational injury in a state-owned locomotive vehicle company in central China was followed up for RTW. Demographic, employment and medical information was retrieved from the company archival documents; and post-injury information was interviewed by questionnaires. Univariate analysis and Cox Regression Model were used to examine the associations between potential determinants and outcomes of RTW.

RESULTSThree hundred of the 323 included cases (92.9%) eventually returned to work after the median absence of 43 days (average of 49.2 days). Factors from socio-demographic, clinical, economic and psychological domains were found affecting RTW in the univariate analyses. The multivariate analysis indicated that age, injury severity, injury locus, injury nature, pain in the injury locus, self-reported health status and pre-injury monthly salary were significant determinants of RTW.

CONCLUSIONSThere are multidimensional factors affecting RTW after occupational injury. Proper clinical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as economic and social support to facilitate workers' RTW would be the priorities for intervention. Future studies should be conducted in a larger representative sample to confirm the findings and to develop a multidisciplinary intervention strategy towards promoting RTW.

Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Injuries ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Sick Leave ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Work

OBJECTIVES: Occupational low back pain is a major cause of morbidity and the increases of medical and industrial costs. Efforts to control occupational low back pain have been largely unsuccessful, and further understanding of the risks including the psychological factors is needed. This retrospective study was designed to identify the effect of job stress on occupational low back pain among shipyard workers. METHODS: The study group consisted of 976 male workers who were working at a Korean shipyard. A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the participants' physical work factors, job stress and general characteristics. Job stress was measured using Karasek's JCQ(Job Content Questionnaire). Occupational low back pain was identified according to the NIOSH symptom survey criteria. Physical work factors were assessed using the Quick Exposure Check. Since the work duration can affect the relationship of physical work factors and job stress to occupational low back pain, we analyzed this association by dividing workers into two groups by work duration: 1) all workers, and 2) less than 5 years. Cox's proportional hazard model was used to elucidate the relationship of job stress with occupational low back pain in these two groups. Data were analysed with SAS 8.1. RESULTS: In the all workers group, job demand, bending or twisting of the back, and carrying heavy materials were associated with an increased the risk of occupational low back pain. In the workers with less than 5 years work experience, people with high job demand were more likely to experience occupational low back pain than those with low job demand. CONCLUSIONS: These RESULTS suggest that job stress as well as physical work factors can raise the risk of occupational low back pain. Especially, in the workers with less than 5 years work duration, job stress played a more crucial effect on the occurrence of occupational low back pain than physical work factors did.
Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Psychology ; Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis*

BACKGROUND: Welders are exposed to many known and suspected carcinogens. An excess lung cancer risk among welders is well established, but whether this is attributable to welding fumes is unclear. Excess risks of other cancers have been suggested, but not established. We investigated welding cancer risks in the population-based Canadian Census Health and Environmental Cohort. METHODS: Among 1.1 million male workers, 12,845 welders were identified using Standard Occupational Classification codes and followed through retrospective linkage of 1991 Canadian Long Form Census and Canadian Cancer Registry (1992–2010) records. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models based on estimated risks of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and nasal, brain, stomach, kidney, and bladder cancers, and ocular melanoma. Lung cancer histological subtypes and risks by industry group and for occasional welders were examined. Some analyses restricted comparisons to blue-collar workers to minimize effects of potential confounders. RESULTS: Among welders, elevated risks were observed for lung cancer [HR: 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.31], mesothelioma (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01–3.18), bladder cancer (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15–1.70), and kidney cancer (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01–1.67). When restricted to blue-collar workers, lung cancer and mesothelioma risks were attenuated, while bladder and kidney cancer risks increased. CONCLUSION: Excess risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma may be partly attributable to factors including smoking and asbestos. Welding-specific exposures may increase bladder and kidney cancer risks, and particular sources of exposure should be investigated. Studies that are able to disentangle welding effects from smoking and asbestos exposure are needed.
Asbestos ; Brain ; Carcinogens ; Censuses* ; Classification ; Cohort Studies* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Melanoma ; Mesothelioma ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Welding

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and exposure to rural environments. Studies were identified through OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE search up to September 2013 using as keywords rural residence, farmers, and pesticide exposure. Twenty-two studies were included for this meta-analysis. Summary odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random effect model by type of exposure index, and subgroup analyses were conducted according to study design, gender, region, case ascertainment, and exposure assessment. The risk of ALS was significantly increased with pesticide exposure (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.22-1.70) and with farmers (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.17-1.73), but was not significant with rural residence (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.84-1.87). The risk estimates for subgroup analysis between pesticide exposure and ALS indicated a significant positive association with men (OR, 1.96), and in studies using El Escorial criteria for ALS definition (OR, 1.63) and expert judgment for pesticide exposure (OR, 2.04) as well. No significant publication bias was observed. Our findings support the association of pesticide exposure and an increased risk for ALS, stressing that the use of more specific exposure information resulted in more significant associations.
Age Distribution ; Agriculture/*statistics & numerical data ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/*epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure/*statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology ; Pesticides/*analysis ; *Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution