Activity

The study characterizes whole-body vibration exposure (WBV) experienced by dumper operators in opencast mining in India.

Comparison of WBV risk of dumper operators as per ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5 standard which are based on dominant axis RMS acceleration and estimated static compression dose (Sed), respectively.

Field study was conducted for 26 dumper operators. Whole Body Vibration signals were recorded using the tri-axial seat pad accelerometer and WBV data logger.

The results showed RMS in range 0.47-1.62 m/s

, total vibration dose value (VDVT) 6.91-21.03 m/s

, and Sed values 0.13-1.09 MPa for all 26 dumper operators. It was observed that 23% of dumper operators exposed to high health risk, 73% dumper operators exposed to moderate health risk, and minimal health risk was observed for only dumper operators as per ISO 2631-11997. While evaluation based on ISO 2631-52004 revealed, only one dumper with high health risk, 27% showed moderate health risk, however, 69% of dumper operators were exposed to minimal health risk.

The predicted health risk according to the ISO 2631-1 is higher as compared to ISO 2631-5. ISO 2631-1 methodology has the upper hand during the prediction of WBV health risk as compared to ISO 2631-5. The result showed that ISO 2631-1 methodology was more appropriate than ISO 2631-5 for WBV health risk analysis of dumper operators in Indian mines.

The predicted health risk according to the ISO 2631-1 is higher as compared to ISO 2631-5. ISO 2631-1 methodology has the upper hand during the prediction of WBV health risk as compared to ISO 2631-5. The result showed that ISO 2631-1 methodology was more appropriate than ISO 2631-5 for WBV health risk analysis of dumper operators in Indian mines.

Various factors can affect thermal strain at workplaces. To prevent heat illnesses due to the heat strain, one must identify and prioritize these factors. Therefore, the present study was aimed to determine the relative importance of the effective factors in producing thermal strain in men at workplaces using fuzzy AHP technique.

This qualitative practical study was performed in 2019. Effective factors in producing heat strain were identified by a literature review. Then, an expert panel reviewed the identified factors and omitted some of them. Further, the balance theory of job design was applied to classify the heat strain factors. Diphenhydramine concentration Later, these factors were categorized into six groups, including environmental, personal, job, clothing, administrative, and lifestyle elements. In the end, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy technique was used for prioritizing the elements and factors involved in each of them.

Based on the results, the environmental element had the highest relative weight and priority (0.178). Other priorities were assigned to the job element (0.171), clothing element (0.171), personal element (0.169), administrative element (0.169), and lifestyle element (0.142), respectively.

In general, the results showed that environmental factors are the most effective ones in producing heat strain. The results of the present study can be helpful in controlling the thermal strain.

In general, the results showed that environmental factors are the most effective ones in producing heat strain. The results of the present study can be helpful in controlling the thermal strain.

Tuberculosis is one of the biggest public health concerns in India with a prevalence of 195 cases per 100000. Silica is cytotoxic to macrophage which is primary defense mechanism to tubercular bacilli and, hence, exposure to silica dust increases risk for TB. Silica exposed persons are at 2.8 to 39 times greater risk of affected by pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison to healthy subjects.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among 935 workers in sandstone mining. Full-size posteroanterior view (PA) chest X-ray in full inspiration was evaluated and evidence of tuberculosis was noted. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer was used for determining the free silica in 23 dust samples.

6.4% X-rays showed evidence of TB and silica dust concentration was 0.11 to 0.16 mg/m

. The TB cases significantly increased from 2% to 6% to 12.7% as the work exposure increased from <10 years to 11-20 years to >20 years respectively. 8.5% of the TB cases were seen among the workers having more than 10 years of work exposure. The odds ratio (95% CI) for work exposure more than 10 years to less than 10 years was 4.53 (1.92-10.65).

Reduction of silica particles from work environment can significantly reduce the number of TB cases and hence wet drilling should be practiced and personal protective equipment should be regularly used.

Reduction of silica particles from work environment can significantly reduce the number of TB cases and hence wet drilling should be practiced and personal protective equipment should be regularly used.

Life-saving treatments and high-quality care techniques increase the opportunity for patient safety incidents in Intensive care unit.

This descriptive correlation study aimed to determine the impacts of occupational cognitive failure and subjective workload on patient safety incidents among intensive care units nurses.

One hundred seventy-six nurses working in intensive care units were included using census sampling. The data collection tools consisted of demographic and occupational data, standard questionnaires of subjective workload (NASA-TLX) and occupational cognitive failure (OCFQ), and a question about frequency of patient safety incidents. Data analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and logistic regression tests.

Occupational cognitive failure (OR = 1.043), subjective workload in dimension of “performance” (OR = 0.982), age (OR = 0.947), and gender (OR = 3.726) were important predictive variables of patient safety incidents.

Nursing mangers and policymakers can consider the factors identified for staffing nurses and development of patient safety programs.

Nursing mangers and policymakers can consider the factors identified for staffing nurses and development of patient safety programs.