[In-depth assessment of work-related stress in a major company undergoing restructuring]. / La valvutazione approfondita dello stress lavoro correlate in una grande azienda in cambiamento.

BACKGROUND: An in-depth assessment of work-related stress was conducted in a major national telecommunications company undergoing major changes. The assessment was made on three homogeneous groups of workers and covered a large representative sample of the corresponding populations. OBJECTIVES: To identify the main sources of stress for the three populations of workers, stimulate a discussion on the possible corrective actions, and assess the impact of the on-going organizational changes on workers' health. METHODS: The assessment started with an analysis of the objective stress indicators listed in the INAIL (National Insurance Institute for Occupational Diseases and Accidents) Checklist. This was followed by a combination of qualitative and quantitative investigations on work context and tasks and on the subjective perceptions of workers, which were carried out by using: semi-structured interviews with management, field observations of work tasks, focus groups and questionnaires (GHQ-12, HSE Indicator Tool, ad-hoc questionnaire). RESULTS: The assessment allowed identification of the critical areas to be addressed with specific interventions: relationship with the company, work performance, work organization, and equipment. CONCLUSIONS: the investigation allowed to identification of specific practical actions (improvement of technological tools; professional development through training courses) as well as strategic actions ( re-establish relationship of trust with the company) so as to mitigate the workers' level of stress. Analysis of the results also showed that the three targeted populations differed in the degree of acceptance and understanding of the organizational changes.

[Respiratory effects of exposure to chlorine vapors during a swimming pool accident in a recreational center in Rome]. / Effetti respiratori dell'esposizione a vapori di cloro in seguito a un incidente in una piscina di un centro sportivo di Roma.

When inhaled, chlorine is a highly irritating gas that can damage larger airways as well as distal lung structure. We examined the short-term respiratory effects of acute chlorine inhalation during a swimming pool accident. On October 22, 1998, an emission of chlorine vapours occurred in the chlorinating maintenance procedures room of a recreational center in Rome. A total of 282 subjects (134 children) inhaled hydrogen chloride and sodium hypochlorite. Most people received bronchodilators and cortisone at the emergency room; five children were hospitalised. A telephone follow-up was taken on 260 (92.2%) subjects to obtain information about duration of exposure (less than 3 minutes, 3-5 minutes, more than 5 minutes), intensity of exposure (not at all/a little, a fair amount, a lot), and acute respiratory symptoms. A total of 236 (90.7% of the target) individuals underwent clinical examinations, which took place 15-30 days after the accident. Lung function was measured in 184 people (82 children) after 15-30 days. A multiple linear regression was run to test the association between chlorine exposure and lung function, separately in adults and in children. Acute respiratory symptoms occurred among 66.7% adults and 71.6% children. The incidence rates were highest among those who had chronic respiratory disease and had a longer duration of exposure. In about 30% of the subjects, respiratory symptoms persisted 15-30 days after the accident. Lung function levels were reduced among those who reported high intensity of exposure in comparison to those who reported low exposure, both in children and in adults (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1, ml differences: -109 (CI 95%: -310, 93) and -275 (CI 95%: -510, -40). Given high prevalence of potential exposed people, findings from this study should alert public health authority about the possible clinical consequences.