Workers compensation-reported injuries among security and law enforcement personnel in the private versus public sectors.

BACKGROUND: Private and Public security and law enforcement (SLE) sectors perform multiple overlapping job duties. METHODS: Workers' compensation (WC) SLE first reports of injury (FROI) data (2005-2015) were analyzed to describe injuries, identify differences in awarded WC benefits, and compare the probability of a FROI resulting in awarded benefits between Public and Private SLE. A Pearson's chi-square test was utilized and reverse selection logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratio that a FROI would result in an awarded benefit for Private vs. Public SLE, while adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Private SLE had higher FROI percentages for younger and for older workers, fall injuries, and back injuries, compared to Public SLE. The adjusted odds that a FROI resulted in an awarded benefit was 1.4 times higher for Private SLE compared to Public SLE; (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09,1.69). Middle-aged SLE employee adjusted odds of awarded benefits was 3.3 times (95% CI [1.96, 5.39]) higher compared to younger employees. Adjusted odds of awarded benefits was 3.8 times (95% CI [1.34, 10.61]) higher for gunshots and 1.7 times (95% CI [1.22, 2.39]) higher for fractures/dislocations compared to other nature of injuries. Motor vehicle injury, fall/slip, and strain related FROIs had elevated adjusted odds of awarded benefits compared to other injury causes. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the importance of injury prevention education and worker safety training for Private and Public SLE sector workers on fall prevention (especially in Private SLE) and strain prevention (especially in Public SLE), as well as motor vehicle safety.

Surveillance of traffic incident management-related occupational fatalities in Kentucky, 2005-2016.

OBJECTIVE: Traffic incidents occurring on roadways require the coordinated effort of multiple responder and recovery entities, including communications, law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, transportation agencies, and towing and recovery. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify and characterize transportation incident management (TIM)-related occupational fatalities; (2) assess concordance of surveillance data sources in identifying TIM occupations, driver vs. pedestrian status, and occupational fatality incident location; and (3) determine and compare U.S. occupational fatality rates for TIM industries. METHODS: The Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program analyzed 2005-2016 TIM occupational fatality data using multiple data sources: death certificate data, Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) data, and media reports, among others. Literal text analysis was performed on FACE data, and a multiple linear regression model and SAS proc sgpanel were used to estimate and visualize the U.S. TIM occupational mortality trend lines and confidence bounds. RESULTS: There were 29 TIM fatalities from 2005 to 2015 in Kentucky; 41% of decedents were in the police protection occupation, and 21% each were in the fire protection and motor vehicle towing industries. Over one half of the TIM decedents were performing work activities as pedestrians when they died. Media reports identified the majority of the occupational fatalities as TIM related (28 of 29 TIM-related deaths); the use of death certificates as the sole surveillance data source only identified 17 of the 29 deaths as TIM related, and the use of CRASH data only identified 4 of the 29 deaths as TIM related. Injury scenario text analysis showed that law enforcement vehicle pursuit, towing and recovery vehicle loading, and disabled vehicle response were particular high-risk activities that led to TIM deaths. Using U.S. data, the motor vehicle towing industry had a significantly higher risk for occupational mortality compared to the fire protection and police protection industries. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple data sources are needed to comprehensively identify TIM fatalities and to examine the circumstances surrounding TIM fatalities, because no one data source in itself was adequate and undercounted the total number of TIM fatalities. The motor vehicle towing industry, in particular, is at elevated risk for occupational mortality, and targeted mandatory TIM training for the motor vehicle towing industry should be considered. In addition, enhanced law enforcement roadside safety training during vehicle pursuit and apprehension of suspects is recommended.

Erratum: First Measurements of Fuel-Ablator Interface Instability Growth in Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions on the National Ignition Facility [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 075002 (2016)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.075002.

First Measurements of Fuel-Ablator Interface Instability Growth in Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions on the National Ignition Facility.

Direct measurements of hydrodynamic instability growth at the fuel-ablator interface in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions are reported for the first time. These experiments investigate one of the degradation mechanisms behind the lower-than-expected performance of early ICF implosions on the National Ignition Facility. Face-on x-ray radiography is used to measure instability growth occurring between the deuterium-tritium fuel and the plastic ablator from well-characterized perturbations. This growth starts in two ways through separate experiments-either from a preimposed interface modulation or from ablation front feedthrough. These experiments are consistent with analytic modeling and radiation-hydrodynamic simulations, which say that a moderately unstable Atwood number and convergence effects are causing in-flight perturbation growth at the interface. The analysis suggests that feedthrough from outersurface perturbations dominates the interface perturbation growth at mode 60.

Occupational heat-related illness emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations in the southeast region, 2007-2011.

BACKGROUND: Heat-related illness (HRI) is an occupational health risk for many outdoor, and some indoor, workers. METHODS: Emergency department (ED) and inpatient hospitalization (IH) data for 2007-2011 from nine southeast states were analyzed to identify occupational HRI numbers and rates, demographic characteristics, and co-morbid conditions. RESULTS: There were 8,315 occupational HRI ED visits (6.5/100,000 workers) and 1,051 IHs (0.61/100,000) in the southeast over the study period. Out-of-state residents comprised 8% of ED visits and 12% of IHs. Rates for both, ED visits and IHs were significantly elevated in males and blacks. Younger workers had elevated rates for ED visits, while older workers had higher IH rates. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate occupational HRI ED visits and IHs in the southeast region and indicates the need for enhanced heat-stress prevention policies in the southeast. Findings from this study can be used to direct state health department tracking and evaluation of occupational HRI.

Crash and burn? Vehicle, collision, and driver factors that influence motor vehicle collision fires.

A retrospective population-based case-control study was performed to determine the association between vehicle fires, and vehicle, collision, and driver factors on highways with a posted speed limit of at least 55mph. Data were obtained from the Kentucky Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) electronic files for 2000-2009 from the Kentucky State Police Records Sections. The results from the final multiple logistic regression show that large trucks were at a higher risk for a collision involving a fire than passenger vehicles and pickup trucks. When controlling for all other variables in the model, vehicles 6 years old and older, driving straight down the highway, and single vehicle collisions were also identified as factors that increase the risk of motor vehicle collision fires on roadways with a posted speed limit of ≥55mph. Of the 2096 vehicles that caught fire, there were 632 (30%) non-fatally injured drivers and 224 (11%) fatally injured drivers. The results of this study have the potential to inform public health messages directed to the transportation industry, particularly semi truck drivers, in regard to fire risk.

The effects of semi truck driver age and gender and the presence of passengers on collisions with other vehicles.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective population-based case control study was conducted to determine whether semi truck driver age and gender and the presence of passengers affect the likelihood that a semi truck driver will be at fault in a semi truck collision (STC) with another vehicle. METHODS: Cases were identified as semi truck drivers in at-fault STCs with other vehicles and controls were semi truck drivers in not-at-fault STCs with other vehicles, using the Kentucky Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) electronic database from 2000-2006. Multiple logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The results from the final multiple logistic regression show that solo semi truck drivers, aged 65 and over, were the age group at highest risk for at-fault STCs with other vehicles. However, the presence of passengers in the semi truck had a protective effect for semi truck drivers aged 65 and older. When controlling for all other variables in the model, female semi truck drivers were at higher risk than male drivers, and curvy and graded/hillcrest roads increased the odds that the semi truck driver would be at fault in an STC with another vehicle. Daytime driving and driving on roads with low posted speed limits (35 mph and less) were associated with a higher probability of being at fault in an STC with another vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have the potential to inform public policy in regard to the presence of passengers and their positive protective effect on older (aged 65 and older) semi truck drivers, particularly in long-distance driving performed by solo semi truck drivers vs. team semi truck drivers.

Sleepiness/fatigue and distraction/inattention as factors for fatal versus nonfatal commercial motor vehicle driver injuries.

A retrospective population-based case-control study was conducted to determine whether driver sleepiness/fatigue and inattention/distraction increase the likelihood that a commercial motor vehicle collision (CVC) will be fatal. Cases were identified as CVC drivers who died (fatal) and controls were drivers who survived (nonfatal) an injury collision using the Kentucky Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) electronic database from 1998-2002. Cases and controls were matched on unit type and roadway type. Conditional logistic regression was performed. Driver sleepiness/fatigue, distraction/inattention, age of 51 years of age and older, and nonuse of safety belts increase the odds that a CVC will be fatal. Primary safety belt law enactment and enforcement for all states, commercial vehicle driver education addressing fatigue and distraction and other approaches including decreased hours-of-service, rest breaks and policy changes, etc. may decrease the probability that a CVC will be fatal.

Developmental immunotoxicology: emerging issues.

While the history of immunotoxicology research involving experimental animals of immature ages dates back over several decades, there exist remarkably little data, to date, directly comparing the impact of developmental status on immunotoxicological risk. Given the size of the nonadult human population and the potential for differential vulnerability among the various ages, this represents a serious gap of knowledge in efforts to minimize environmentally linked health risks. This article frames the issues surrounding developmental immunotoxicological evaluations. In particular, the issues introduced include those of potential animal models, strain/genotype selection, gender, age of exposure, and age of assessment. Recent research results involving early exposure to lead (Pb) and other chemicals are discussed to highlight the nature of the decisions that are available and the potential cost-benefit associated with various approaches to evaluation.

Exposure to lead during critical windows of embryonic development: differential immunotoxic outcome based on stage of exposure and gender.

Previous rat studies with lead (Pb) have shown that exposure throughout the full gestational period results in persistent immunotoxicity detectable in both juvenile and adult offspring. Gender differences are also evident. However, little is known about the persistent immunotoxic effects of Pb when administered during specific stages of embryonic development. Adult Sprague-Dawley female rats were administered Pb acetate (or control acetate) in their drinking water early in gestation (days 3-9) or late in gestation (days 15-21). Significantly depressed delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses as well as elevated IL-10 production, relative monocyte numbers, and increased relative thymic weights were observed in late-gestation Pb-exposed female offspring assessed as adults. In contrast, late-gestation Pb-treated male offspring had significantly increased IL-12 production and decreased IL-10 production, while the DTH response, relative monocyte numbers and thymic weights were unchanged. With early exposure, the primary alteration was decreased nitric oxide production in Pb-treated males, whereas in Pb-treated females nitrite production was unaltered. These results suggest that at the Pb dosage employed, the embryo may be more sensitive to the full range of Pb-induced immunotoxic effects with late gestational Pb exposure, and the effects of Pb on DTH function are more pronounced in females. The data also indicate that adherent splenocytes (probably macrophages) and T lymphocytes are the primary immune cells affected during fetal Pb exposure, and that gender may influence the impact of Pb exposure on these cells. Therefore, additional developmental immunotoxicity studies are needed to examine critical windows of immune development for immunotoxicity and differential susceptibility based on gender.

Gender-based profiles of developmental immunotoxicity to lead in the rat: assessment in juveniles and adults.

Gender-based differences in immunotoxicity induced by the heavy metal lead (Pb) have been observed both in the juvenile chicken and the adult rat following low-level exposure during embryonic development. To better define the gender-based differences, as related to dose following in utero exposure to Pb, potential differential sensitivities were examined after exposure of F344 rats to low concentrations of Pb (0, 50, 100, or 250 ppm Pb) ad libitum throughout gestation. Immune assessment was performed in juveniles (5 wk old) and young adults (13 wk old). At the highest (250 ppm) Pb concentration examined, the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was depressed in females relative to gender-matched controls at both ages; relative spleen weights and relative neutrophil numbers were increased while relative and absolute monocyte numbers and relative basophil numbers were decreased at 13 but not 5 wk of age. In contrast, 250 ppm Pb-treated males did not differ in these endpoints. With in utero exposure to 100 ppm Pb, 13-wk-old females again had decreased relative and absolute monocyte numbers and increased relative neutrophil numbers, although the DTH response was unchanged. Males (with 100 ppm Pb) had increased relative neutrophil numbers, decreased relative lymphocytes, and transiently increased nitrite production seen at 5, but not 13, wk of age. After gestational exposure to 50 ppm Pb, minimal immunotoxic effects were observed in either males or females at either developmental age assessed. These results suggest that differential gender-based immunotoxicity profiles exist after gestational Pb exposure depending on the concentration of Pb administered to the dam. In utero exposure of dams to 250 ppm Pb results in more profound immunotoxicity in females than males. Males arenot more sensitive to lower concentrations of Pb than females. Since the 50 ppm exposure produced minimal changes, these data may provide information to establish a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for in utero exposure to Pb. Additionally, while most effects were evident at both juvenile and adult ages, some changes were not fully evident until measured in the adult. Most changes were persistent with only one exception (male nitrite levels at 100 ppm).

Gender differences in developmental immunotoxicity to lead in the chicken: analysis following a single early low-level exposure in ovo.

Lead has been shown previously to induce immunotoxic effects on macrophage and T-cell-associated functions after full-gestational exposure. To gain a better understanding of a single developmental exposure and the potential role of gender in immunotoxic responses to low levels of lead, 5-d-old avian embryos were injected once with lead acetate (5 or 10 microg). As juveniles (4 wk of age), animals were immunized with a foreign antigen, bovine serum albumin (BSA). At 6 and 8 wk, animals were sensitized with a self antigen, thyroglobulin (Tg). Immune parameters were examined at 6 and 10 wk of age. In males, anti-BSA immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were significantly increased at the highest lead treatment level compared to sodium acetate controls, while female antibody production was unaltered. Similarly, after early exposure to lead, males (which were noninducible for anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in sodium acetate controls) were induced to produce autoanti-thyroglobulin IgG. Lead exposure did not markedly alter autoantibody levels in females, although, unlike males, control females could be induced to produce autoantibody to thyroglobulin. Males differed significantly in total leukocyte counts between treatment groups, whereas females did not. No marked differences were observed in males or females in the delayed-type hypersensitivity response, lymphocytic infiltration of thyroids, or in spleen, thymus, or bursa weights following exposure to lead. These results suggest that there is a differential immunotoxic effect based on gender after a single in ovo exposure to lead. Therefore, when examining the developmental immunotoxic effects of a metal such as lead, gender is a potential risk factor.