Occupational Fatalities Due to Mammal-Related Accidents in Japan, 2000-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Animal-related fatal accidents occur annually while individuals are outside working. This study intended to evaluate the trends of occupational fatal accidents related to mammals and compare them with nonoccupational accidents. METHODS: We collected occupational and nonoccupational fatalities related to mammals between 2000 and 2019 from data on fatal occupational accident cases certified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan, in addition to other statistics from relevant ministries, media reports such as newspapers, and academic case reports. RESULTS: A total of 109 fatal accidents related to mammals were confirmed as occurring during work, and 129 were confirmed as taking place outside of work. Of the former, accidents among livestock farmers and horse racing-related workers accounted for about half. Among the accidents not related to work, dog attacks, infectious diseases from cats or dogs, traffic accidents with wild animals, and bear attacks during wild vegetable picking were common. Deaths from infectious diseases caused by dogs and cats have rarely been reported in the mass media. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of fatal occupational accidents related to mammals is not large, we concluded that it is necessary to continue preventive measures centered on accidents at livestock farms and in horse racing-related workplaces. It is also necessary to inform people about the risks of infectious diseases mediated by dogs and cats.

An exploratory study on the impact of static and dynamic sitting postures on lumbar and pelvic mobility during visual display terminal work.

[Purpose] Limited studies exist on the impact of sustained work at a visual display terminal (VDT) on the position and motion of the pelvis and lumbar spine. We evaluated the changes in movement of the lumbar column and pelvis during VDT work. [Participants and Methods] We evaluated the sitting posture of 20 healthy adults while they performed VDT work. The effects of the sitting posture on lumbo-pelvic position and motion were captured using a three-dimensional accelerometer. Between-posture effects of VDT work were evaluated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). A two-way ANOVA was used to assess the root mean square (RMS) values of the 80-min VDT work period for each posture. A one-way ANOVA was used to evaluate pre- and post-work changes in RMS values during the finger floor distance test (FFD). [Results] People in the dynamic sitting balance chair (DSBC)-based posture demonstrated significantly higher pelvic RMS values than those in reclining and upright sitting postures. The DSBC-based posture was also associated with significantly higher pre- and post-work lumbar and pelvic RMS values during the FFD than in the reclining and upright sitting postures. [Conclusion] The dynamic balance chair may be an effective method of establishing a pattern of spinal exercise during prolonged sitting.

Suspended particle and drug ingredient concentrations in hospital dispensaries and implications for pharmacists' working environments.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the present status of working environments for pharmacists, including the concentrations of suspended particles and suspended drug ingredients in dispensaries. METHODS: We conducted a survey on the work processes and working environment in 15 hospital dispensaries, and measured the concentrations of suspended particles and suspended drug ingredients using digital dust counter and high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. Of 25 types of powdered drugs that were frequently handled in the 15 dispensaries surveyed, 11 could be quantitatively determined. RESULTS: The amounts of suspended particles were relatively high, but below the reference value, in three dispensaries without dust collectors. The sedative-hypnotic drug zopiclone was detected in the suspended particles at one dispensary that was not equipped with dust collectors, and the antipyretic and analgesic drug acetaminophen was detected in two dispensaries equipped with dust collectors. There was no correlation between the daily number of prescriptions containing powdered drugs and the concentration of suspended particles in dispensaries. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the suspended particle concentrations measured, we concluded that dust collectors were effective in these dispensaries. However, suspended drug ingredients were detected also in dispensaries with dust collectors. These results suggest that the drug dust control systems of individual dispensaries should be properly installed and managed.

Effects of a dynamic chair on pelvic mobility, fatigue, and work efficiency during work performed while sitting: a comparison of dynamic sitting and static sitting.

[Purpose] Working while sitting for long periods can cause lumbar pain, fatigue, and reduced work efficiency. How a dynamic chair with a seat that moves three-dimensionally affects pelvic mobility before and after work, work efficiency, and post-work fatigue were examined. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were 17 healthy adults (10 males, 7 females, mean age 21.8 ± 2.7 years). Subjects performed a 30-min Kraepelin test under two conditions: sitting in a standard office chair and sitting in a dynamic sitting balance chair. Root mean square (RMS) values of pelvic movement measured by a triaxial accelerometer during 30 minutes of work, finger-floor distance before and after work, lumbar fatigue, and pelvic movement RMS values during finger-floor distance measurement were used as outcome measures. [Results] Pelvic movement RMS values collected every 5 minutes during 30 minutes of work were significantly higher while sitting in the dynamic balance chair. Changes in pelvic movement RMS values during finger-floor distance measurement after work and amount of work performed during 30 minutes were significantly higher and lumbar fatigue was significantly lower for the dynamic balance chair. [Conclusion] Dynamic sitting maintained or increased pelvic flexibility. The dynamic balance chair may effectively help workers work continuously in seated postures with little fatigue.

Work engagement scale: Validating the Japanese UWES-9 standard through an automotive industry sample.

BACKGROUND: The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is widely used as a psychometric assessment scale to measure work engagement by relative evaluation. Determining standard values for absolute evaluation would make it more useful. The merit of absolute evaluation is that it can offer an objective evaluation to personnel members regardless of their status in the organization. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the criteria for absolute evaluation of the Japanese version of UWES-9 and creates a database for the evaluation of work engagement. METHODS: To examine the evaluation criteria for the total points of UWES-9 for 417 automotive industry workers, responses were validated via a one-way analysis of variance and receiver-operating characteristic analysis, using the scales of "worthwhileness of work" and "level of job satisfaction" in the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire with similar work engagement concepts. RESULTS: In both scales, the ability to predict was at its highest when divided into the high work engagement group (wherein the total points of UWES-9 are 21 points and above). CONCLUSIONS: In the relative evaluation, 24 points from the average of the total points of UWES-9 is the standard. In the absolute evaluation, the lower standard around 21 points is probable.

Development of Liquid-Chromatography Tandem-Mass-Spectrometry Method for Determining Environmental Contamination by Powdered Medicinal Drugs in Pharmacies.

The environment and personnel are both exposed to powdered pharmaceuticals inside pharmacies. This makes developing new methods for rapidly determining such contaminants an important objective. In this study, we developed a liquid-chromatography tandem-mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative determination of powdered medicinal drugs, such as famotidine, risperidone, lansoprazole, olanzapine, haloperidol, clarithromycin, promethazine, levomepromazine, and chlorpromazine. The method involves the use of acetaminophen as the internal standard, an LC-MS/MS method with a core-shell column, and a 10 mM ammonium formate/acetonitrile gradient mobile phase. The analytes were separated within 14 min, and MS with an electrospray ionization source in positive-ion mode was used. The limits of detection for the 9 drugs were .1-8.4 ng/mL. Linear calibration curves in the 10-50 000 ng/mL range were constructed, and inter-day accuracies of 92.6-113.8% were determined for the 9 drugs. The coefficients of variation were less than 14.6%. These data suggest that the proposed method is applicable for the routine assaying of powdered-medicine contamination in pharmacies.

Comparison of subjective symptoms and hot prevention measures in summer between traffic control workers and construction workers in Japan.

In the present study, a survey on subjective symptoms and hot prevention measures in summer was conducted in 204 male traffic control workers and 115 male construction workers. Work loads of traffic control workers and construction workers were estimated at RMR 1-2 and RMR 2-4, respectively. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on age, occupational career, working habit, present or past history of diseases, individual preventive measures to the heat, and subjective symptoms in the summer. Daily working hours in the sunshine of the traffic control workers were significantly longer than those of the construction workers. Prevalence rates of changing clothes frequently, avoiding direct exposure of face and neck to sunlight using towel like materials, and wearing sunglasses in the traffic control workers were significantly lower than the construction workers. Prevalence rates of symptoms in the upper extremities in the traffic control workers were significantly lower than those in the construction workers. Prevalence of work difficulty due to hot weather during work in the traffic control workers was significantly lower than the construction workers. On the basis of the results obtained, some preventive countermeasures to improve working environment are presented.

Electromyographic analysis of relevant muscle groups during completion of computer tasks using different computer mouse positions.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed muscular activity for different computer mouse positions during the completion of a timed computer task and determined whether the different mouse positions could affect muscular activity, productivity and perceived fatigue. METHODS: The subjects were nine healthy young men. Two mouse positions were studied: the distal position (DP), with the forearm rested on the desk; the proximal position (PP), with only the wrist rested on the desk. The subjects performed a 16-min task in each position. Surface electromyography data were recorded for the upper back and shoulder muscles. Work productivity and muscular activity were measured for each mouse position. A visual analog scale was used to assess subjective fatigue. RESULTS: Muscular activity was higher in muscle (m.) deltoideus (posterior) for the DP, while it was significantly higher in m. inferior infraspinatus for the PP. The visual analog scale score was significantly higher and work productivity was lower in the PP. CONCLUSIONS: We found that using a mouse in the DP rather than the PP leads to less activity of the external rotators, less perceived fatigue and more productivity. This suggests that the DP is preferable to the PP for computer work involving a mouse.

Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the actual situation of noise and low-frequency sounds in firework events and their impact on pyrotechnicians. METHODS: Data on firework noise and low-frequency sounds were obtained at a point located approximately 100 m away from the launch site of a firework display held in "A" City in 2013. We obtained the data by continuously measuring and analyzing the equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) and the one-third octave band of the noise and low-frequency sounds emanating from the major firework detonations, and predicted sound levels at the original launch site. RESULTS: Sound levels of 100-115 dB and low-frequency sounds of 100-125 dB were observed at night. The maximum and mean Leq values were 97 and 95 dB, respectively. The launching noise level predicted from the sounds (85 dB) at the noise measurement point was 133 dB. Occupational exposure to noise for pyrotechnicians at the remote operation point (located 20-30 m away from the launch site) was estimated to be below 100 dB. CONCLUSIONS: Pyrotechnicians are exposed to very loud noise (>100 dB) at the launch point. We believe that it is necessary to implement measures such as fixing earplugs or earmuffs, posting a warning at the workplace, and executing a remote launching operation to prevent hearing loss caused by occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise. It is predicted that both sound levels and low-frequency sounds would be reduced by approximately 35 dB at the remote operation site.

Subjective symptoms among female workers and winter working conditions in a consumer cooperative.

Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms are more frequently complained about in cold store work and in related conditions than in normal temperature work. This cross sectional study was undertaken (a) to explore the prevalence of subjective symptoms in winter among a group of female workers engaged in classification of cold storage goods, and in a group of female checkers in several supermarkets of a large consumer cooperative; and (b) to give recommendations for improving the winter working conditions of these workers. The subjects consisted of 46 workers engaged in classification of cold storage goods, 56 checkers operating a laser scanner in supermarkets and 59 office workers (control group). Work loads for the three groups were estimated according to the recommended criteria. A self-administered questionnaire covering age, occupational career, smoking, alcohol drinking and physical exercise, present or past history of diseases, individual protective measures against cold, and subjective symptoms (54 items) was used. The air temperature of the working site at the opening time for classification workers was 4.8 degrees C which was significantly lower than those measured for the other two work places (12.1 degrees C and 15.8 degrees C). About 70 to 80% of classification workers complained of cold sensation in different body regions, as well as shoulder stiffness, and problems related to the back. The supermarket checkers and office workers had a high prevalence of cold sensation in their feet. The frequencies of using warm clothes and foot heaters, as an individual measure to work comfortably in winter among the classification workers and the checkers were significantly higher than that among the office workers. We concluded that work difficulty due to moderate cold exposure among workers in the consumer cooperative could be reduced by some physical activity as well as proper clothes.

Effects of Maharishi Amrit Kalash 5 as an Ayurvedic herbal food supplement on immune functions in aged mice.

BACKGROUND: Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK) 5, one of the Ayurvedic food supplements, belongs to a group of substances known as Rasayana. MAK5 and other Rasayanas are believed to enhance the body's resistance to infections and disease, and enhance longevity. In this study, we determined the effects of administration of MAK5, one of the Ayurvedic food supplements on immune functions in young and old mice. METHODS: Male C3H/He N mice were divided into five groups: two no treatment groups (old control: 22-month-old and young control: 2-month-old) and three MAK5 treated groups with differing dose of MAK5. MAK5 was given p.o. at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg per day (3 days/week) for 2 months. RESULTS: We found that glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages from old mice treated with MAK5 at all doses and incubated for 48 and 72 h were significantly greater than that in the control group. Nitric oxide production of peritoneal macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in old mice treated with MAK5 at all doses was significantly greater than that in the old control group, but not compared to the young control group. Stimulation index (S.I.) in old mice gavaged with MAK5 at all doses was significantly higher than that in the old control group. IL-2 production stimulated by Con A in old mice given MAK5 at all doses was significantly higher than that in the old control group. Production of IFN-gamma stimulated by Con A in old mice given MAK5 at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were significantly higher than that in the old control group. IL-4 production of splenic lymphocyte stimulated by Con A in old mice given MAK5 at dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg were significantly higher than that in the old control group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MAK5 suppressed the age associated glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages and cellular immune function reduction, and that it contributes to the prevention of the immunosenescence.

[Stress management among hospital nurses--stress & stress-coping scale (SSCQ) as applied to nurses].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Stress and Stress-Coping Questionnaire (SSCQ) for female nursing groups. Subjects were 300 female nurses employed at hospitals. Mean age was 32.9 +/- 8.9 yr and mean number of years of work experience was 11.9 +/- 8.0 yr. Data for the study were collected via the self-completed SSCQ, which all subjects completed. In order to asses the validity of the SSCQ, subjects were also asked to complete a 60-question General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) that assessed mental well being. Based on the results of factor analysis, the original version of the SSCQ, comprising 153 questions in 10 subscales, was revised to the nurse-specific SSCQ-N, comprising 123 questions and 15 subscales. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for subscales varied from 0.70 to 0.83, showing a significant correlation with the point score of the GHQ, for demonstrating criterion-related validity in the SSCQ. These results verify the usefulness for female nursing groups of the SSCQ for assessing mental well being and suggesting ways to manage stress in nurses.

Prevalence of subjective symptoms among hospital pharmacists and association with drug compounding practices.

In Japan, the principal role of hospital pharmacists has changed from that of dispensing medicines for outpatients to provision of clinical pharmacy services for inpatients. A self-administered questionnaire about subjective symptoms, working patterns, work environments and job satisfaction was administered to 495 hospital pharmacists and 84 prefectural office-based pharmacists (control group). The response rates were 63.4% and 90.5%, respectively. Hospital pharmacists showed a higher prevalence of nasal symptoms than that shown by the control office-based pharmacist group. The prevalence rate of nasal symptoms was lower only in male pharmacists who worked in a dispensary equipped with dust collector. The prevalence of symptoms noticed by hospital pharmacists and community pharmacists after starting drug compounding practices was also compared. The prevalence of subjective symptoms that pharmacists noticed after starting drug compounding was lower in hospital pharmacists than in community pharmacists. Job satisfaction was lower in hospital pharmacists than in office-based pharmacists; however, there was no clear association between the subjective symptoms reported and job satisfaction. Further studies on removal effect of drug dust in a dispensary and symptoms in individual pharmacy facilities are needed.

The position of a standard optical computer mouse affects cardiorespiratory responses during the operation of a computer under time constraints.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between task-induced stress and fatigue by examining the cardiovascular responses of subjects using different mouse positions while operating a computer under time constraints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was participated by 16 young, healthy men and examined the use of optical mouse devices affixed to laptop computers. Two mouse positions were investigated: (1) the distal position (DP), in which the subjects place their forearms on the desk accompanied by the abduction and flexion of their shoulder joints, and (2) the proximal position (PP), in which the subjects place only their wrists on the desk without using an armrest. The subjects continued each task for 16 min. We assessed differences in several characteristics according to mouse position, including expired gas values, autonomic nerve activities (based on cardiorespiratory responses), operating efficiencies (based on word counts), and fatigue levels (based on the visual analog scale - VAS). RESULTS: Oxygen consumption (VO(2)), the ratio of inspiration time to respiration time (T(i)/T(total)), respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (VE), and the ratio of expiration to inspiration (Te/T(i)) were significantly lower when the participants were performing the task in the DP than those obtained in the PP. Tidal volume (VT), carbon dioxide output rates (VCO(2)/VE), and oxygen extraction fractions (VO(2)/VE) were significantly higher for the DP than they were for the PP. No significant difference in VAS was observed between the positions; however, as the task progressed, autonomic nerve activities were lower and operating efficiencies were significantly higher for the DP than they were for the PP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the DP has fewer effects on cardiorespiratory functions, causes lower levels of sympathetic nerve activity and mental stress, and produces a higher total workload than the PP. This suggests that the DP is preferable to the PP when operating a computer.

Cost-benefit analysis of comprehensive mental health prevention programs in Japanese workplaces: a pilot study.

We examined the implementation of mental health prevention programs in Japanese workplaces and the costs and benefits. A cross-sectional survey targeting mental health program staff at 11 major companies was conducted. Questionnaires explored program implementation based on the guidelines of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Labor, materials, outsourcing costs, overheads, employee mental discomfort, and absentee numbers, and work attendance were examined. Cost-benefit analyses were conducted from company perspectives assessing net benefits per employee and returns on investment. The surveyed companies employ an average of 1,169 workers. The implementation rate of the mental health prevention programs was 66% for primary, 51% for secondary, and 60% for tertiary programs. The program's average cost was 12,608 yen per employee and the total benefit was 19,530 yen per employee. The net benefit per employee was 6,921 yen and the return on investment was in the range of 0.27-16.85. Seven of the 11 companies gained a net benefit from the mental health programs.

Subjective symptoms of female workers sorting goods in summer.

Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms are more frequently complained about in cold store work and in related conditions than those experienced in normal temperature work. This cross sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of indoor cooling and cold storage goods on the prevalence of subjective symptoms in summer. Female workers sorting cold storage goods (exposed group) were the main subjects of this study (n=47). We also included a group of female workers engaged sorting dry goods as the unexposed to cold group (n=86). Work load for the two groups were estimated according to the recommended criteria. A self-administered questionnaire covering age, occupational career, smoking, alcohol drinking and physical exercise, present or past history of diseases, individual protective measures against cold or heat, and subjective symptoms (60 items) was used. The air temperature of the site at the start of working time for the workers sorting cold storage goods was 22.2℃ which was significantly lower than those measured for the other two work places (25.4℃ and 25.4℃) of the unexposed to cold group. Environmental temperatures at the foot level at the sorting workshop of cold storage goods and dry goods were ca.16℃ and 26℃ all day, respectively. The surface temperatures of cold storage goods were between -2.8℃ and 9.4℃. The surface temperature of dry goods was 26.5℃. Among the working characteristic items, only daily working hours in the exposed group (5.6 ± 0.6 h) were significantly longer than those in the unexposed to cold group (4.6 ± 0.9 h) (p<0.01). The prevalence rates of finger cold sensation, stiffness in the fingers, pain in the wrist, pain in the elbow, back dullness, back pain, low-back cold sensation, foot cold sensation and pain in the foot in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the unexposed to cold group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Pain in the fingers, numbness in the fingers, pain in the foot and foot numbness due to the cold in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the unexposed to cold group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). These results suggest that indoor cooling and/or job activities related to cold storage goods could, to some extent, affect peripheral circulatory disturbances; and it could be regarded as a factor related to musculoskeletal symptoms among the exposed workers.

Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms in winter and summer among indoor working construction electricians.

To evaluate the effects of cold exposure on the musculoskeletal system, two surveys on the subjective musculoskeletal symptoms among male electricians working in the buildings under construction were performed in winter (N=74) and summer seasons (N=83). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on age, occupational career, working habit, present illness, and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms. Mean age, occupational career and daily smoking of the supervisors were significantly higher than those of the other subjects. In general, prevalence rates of stiffness, numbness, pain and Raynaud's phenomenon in the fingers, finger cold sensation, dull movement of the fingers, pain in the wrist, knee joint pain, pain and numbness in the foot and foot cold sensation in winter were significantly higher than those in summer. These results were marked especially in the workers except supervisors. In winter, there were no significant differences in the prevalence rates of subjective musculoskeletal complaints between the supervisors and the other workers. On the other hand, in summer, prevalence of stiffness and pain in the shoulder, stiffness and pain in the neck, dullness and pain in the arm, finger cold sensation, low back dullness and low back pain in the supervisors were significantly higher than those in the other workers. These results suggest that effects of cold on the musculoskeletal symptoms markedly appeared in the workers except supervisors.

Comparison of subjective symptoms and cold prevention measures in winter between traffic control workers and construction workers in Japan.

To help making comfortable workplaces and to prevent health disorders induced by the exposure to moderate cold in two different groups of out-door workers, we conducted a survey to compare subjective symptoms and cold prevention measures in winter between traffic control workers and construction workers. The subjects of this study were 98 male traffic control workers and 149 male workers engaged in building construction. Work loads of traffic control workers and construction workers were estimated at RMR1-2 and RMR2-4, respectively. All subjects were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire covering age, occupational career, working figure, present illness, past history of diseases, individual preventive measures to the cold, subjective symptoms in the winter (43 items) and subjective symptoms occurred during daytime working in the winter (6 items). In two parts of the construction workplaces (the place where a morning assembly was held and on the 7th floor of the construction site) dry bulb, wet bulb and globe temperatures were measured in January. Windchill Index (kcal/cm,(2) x h) was calculated by the measured dry bulb temperature and wind velocity. Mean values of dry bulb temperature between 9:00 and 16:30 in the place where a morning assembly was held for three days were between 4.8 +/- 1.2 degrees C at 9:00 am and 9.3 +/- 1.1 degrees C at noon. Mean values of Windchill Index in the place where a morning assembly was held were between 490.8+/-23.9 kcal/cm(2) x h at 9:30 am and 608.2+/-47.3 kcal/cm(2) x h at 2:30 pm. Occupational career, monthly working days, daily working hours, one way commuting hours, and daily smoking numbers of the traffic control workers were significantly shorter than the construction workers (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of chillness in the arms and legs between the traffic control workers (5.1%) and the construction workers (0.7%). Prevalence of wearing a warm underwear, body warmer, warm trousers, underpants, warm socks, shoe warmer and muffler in the traffic control workers were significantly higher than the construction workers. The subjective symptoms in winter complained most frequently were shoulder stiffness (51.0%), finger cold sensation (50.0%) and neck stiffness (48.0%) in the traffic control workers, and were easy to get fatigued (49.0%), lumbago (48.3%) and finger cold sensation (47.7%) in the construction workers. On the basis of the results obtained, it is clearly shown that the two groups are at the risk of disorders due to their working environment. Therefore, these workers are needed to undergo occupational health programs for prevention of cold exposure disorders. Applications of preventive countermeasures for both groups are discussed.