Organizational Risk Factors for Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

Addressing the field of health and safety at work, the primary objective of the present systematic review was to analyze the organizational risk factors for aircrew health according to professional category (flight attendants and pilots/co-pilots) and their consequences. The secondary objective was to identify the countries in which studies were carried out, focusing on the quality of content of the publications. The Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies according to PRISMA statements. The risk of bias and the methodological quality of the studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Loney tools. Of the 3230 abstracts of articles screened, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the research conducted on risk factors for the work organization of aircrew was carried out in the United States and the European Union and had moderate or low-quality methodology and evidence. However, the findings are homogeneous and allow the most prevalent organizational risk factors for the health of aircrew to be determined, namely, high work demand, long hours, and night work. Consequently, the most pervasive health problems were sleep disturbances, mental health disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and fatigue. Thus, the regulation of the aircrew profession must prioritize measures that minimize these risk factors to promote better health and sleep for these professionals and, consequently, to provide excellent safety for workers and passengers.

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Kidney Function of Sugarcane Cutters From Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical parameters, markers of kidney function, and skeletal muscle damage in a group of sugarcane cutters during harvesting season. METHODS: Seventeen volunteers were assessed for anthropometrics and cardiorespiratory fitness. Blood and urine samples were collected 48-hours after the last work session. Blood was analyzed for glucose, creatine kinase, cholesterol, and a complete hemogram. Urine and blood samples were also analyzed for markers related to kidney function. RESULTS: Volunteers were young (26 ±â€Š6 y), had low body fat (13 ±â€Š5%), and good cardiorespiratory fitness (41 ±â€Š6 mL/kg/min). Classical markers of kidney function (eGFR, creatinine, cystatin C) were within the normal range. However, ten volunteers presented elevated resting serum creatine kinase (221 ±â€Š68 U/L). CONCLUSION: Manual sugarcane harvesting is associated with sustained skeletal muscle damage which may increase the risk for kidney injury in Brazilian sugarcane cutters.

Heat stress monitoring based on heart rate measurements.

Currently, occupational heat exposure is usually measured using environmental variables such as the wet bulb globe temperature index. The costs of heat stress monitoring include the acquisition of specialized equipment and the recruitment of trained personnel. In rapidly changing environments, such as outdoor settings, these assessments must be conducted on a daily basis. The wet bulb globe temperature index has been criticized as a measure of heat stress for its failure to account for individual differences in susceptibility to heat stress, age, body mass index, physical fitness, clothing, illnesses and use of alcohol or drugs. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between heart rate and body temperature in heat-exposed workers to determine whether heart rate can be used to monitor and prevent heat stress and physiological strain. This study was based on previous literature as well as physiological and environmental data collected from 10 individuals engaged in heavy physical labor. Heart rate, which has been recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) as a possible measure of heat stress, follows a similar trend to body temperature with a slight temporal delay. Heart rate monitors with alarm systems could be developed to notify workers when to slow down their activities or take a break for thermal recovery, thereby contributing to the prevention of heat-related illness.

Sobrecarga térmica em áreas rurais: a influência da intensidade do trabalho / Thermal overload in rural areas: the influence of work intensity

Resumo Introdução: a legislação brasileira determina que se monitore o Índice de Bulbo Úmido Termômetro de Globo (IBUTG) nos ambientes de trabalho em que o calor possa representar risco à saúde dos trabalhadores. Porém, esse monitoramento e a adoção de medidas preventivas não são comumente observados. Objetivo: identificar e mapear a influência da intensidade do trabalho na extrapolação potencial de limites de sobrecarga térmica para trabalhadores em atividade a céu aberto em áreas rurais do Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: com base na Norma Regulamentadora nº 15 e em dados do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, o software Sobrecarga Térmica foi utilizado para estimar os índices de IBUTG na região, no período de 1º de setembro de 2016 a 31 de agosto de 2017. Resultados: dos 132 pontos geográficos investigados, a extrapolação dos limites de sobrecarga térmica foi identificada em 48% dos trabalhos pesados e em 14% dos trabalhos moderados, indicando a necessidade de paradas para descanso em mais de 50% do tempo analisado. Discussão: a diminuição da intensidade do trabalho resulta em redução expressiva da sobrecarga térmica. Nas localidades historicamente reconhecidas pelo alto risco de exposição ao calor, deveria ser adotada, como medida efetiva de prevenção, a restrição ao estímulo de atividades extenuantes, sobretudo as promovidas pela remuneração atrelada à produtividade.

Abstract Introduction: Brazilian law requires the use of Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to monitor work environments where heat may pose a risk to workers' health; however, such monitoring is often not observed and preventive measures are not taken. Objective: to identify and map the influence of labor intensity on the potential extrapolation of heat exposure threshold limits for outdoor workers in rural areas of northeastern Brazil. Methods: based on Brazil's Labor Regulatory Standard no. 15 and data from the Brazilian Institute of Meteorology, the software Sobrecarga Térmica (Thermal Overload) was used to estimate WBGT index in the territory from September 1st, 2016 to August 31, 2017. Results: the extrapolation of thermal overload limits was characterized for heavy work in 48%, and for moderate work in 14% of the 132 geographic points investigated, indicating the need for rest stops in more than 50% of the analyzed period. Discussion: decreasing work intensity results in an expressive reduction in thermal overload rates. The restriction to the stimulation of strenuous activities - especially remunerated ones linked to production - in regions historically recognized for their high risk of heat exposure should be implemented as an effective preventive measure for heat stress.

[Risk of exposure to heatstroke in sugarcane workers in São Paulo State, Brazil]. / Risco de exposição à sobrecarga térmica para trabalhadores da cultura de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

Environmental heat is an aggravating factor for sugarcane workers, and manual cane cutting is one of the heavy work activities that favor the generation of metabolic heat. This can combine with other precarious working conditions to produce heatstroke, potentially leading to serious complications and even death. The study aimed to quantify the risk of overheating in sugarcane cutters in São Paulo, Brazil. Drawing on a specific methodology, the study used four years of data to estimate the Globe Thermometer Wet Bulb Index based on light, moderate, and heavy activities. The results showed that the legal limit was exceeded for continuous activity in periods from 1 to 8 hours, which requires control measures in order to continue working. The principal observation was the risk of heatstroke in the three types of activity: light, moderate, and heavy. The limits were exceeded throughout the work shift on 7% of the days for heavy activity and on 3% of the days for moderate activity. In addition, the areas with the highest risk of heatstroke coincide with predominant cane-growing.

Risco de exposição à sobrecarga térmica para trabalhadores da cultura de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Risk of exposure to heatstroke in sugarcane workers in São Paulo State, Brazil / Riesgo de exposición a la sobrecarga térmica para trabajadores de plantaciones de caña de azúcar en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Resumo: O calor ambiental é um agravante às atividades dos trabalhadores da cultura de cana-de-açúcar, sendo o corte manual uma das atividades pesadas que favorece a elevada geração de calor metabólico. Isso associado com outras condições precárias de trabalho favorece o estresse térmico, podendo provocar graves doenças ou até levar à morte. O objetivo deste estudo é quantificar o risco de sobrecarga térmica que os cortadores de cana-de-açúcar de São Paulo, Brasil, são expostos. Por meio de metodologia específica, foram utilizados quatro anos de dados para estimar o Índice de Bulbo Úmido - Termômetro de Globo sob a consideração das atividades leve, moderada e pesada. Os resultados mostram extrapolação do limite legal de exposição para atividade contínua em períodos de 1 a 8 horas, o que requer medidas de controle para continuidade do trabalho. A principal constatação é a observância do risco de sobrecarga térmica para os três tipos de atividade: leve, moderada e pesada. Os limites de tolerância são ultrapassados durante todo o turno de trabalho em cerca de 7% dos dias, para atividade pesada, e em cerca de 3%, para atividade moderada. Além disso, percebeu-se que as áreas com maior risco de sobrecarga térmica são as mesmas onde há predominância da cultura de cana-de-açúcar.

Abstract: Environmental heat is an aggravating factor for sugarcane workers, and manual cane cutting is one of the heavy work activities that favor the generation of metabolic heat. This can combine with other precarious working conditions to produce heatstroke, potentially leading to serious complications and even death. The study aimed to quantify the risk of overheating in sugarcane cutters in São Paulo, Brazil. Drawing on a specific methodology, the study used four years of data to estimate the Globe Thermometer Wet Bulb Index based on light, moderate, and heavy activities. The results showed that the legal limit was exceeded for continuous activity in periods from 1 to 8 hours, which requires control measures in order to continue working. The principal observation was the risk of heatstroke in the three types of activity: light, moderate, and heavy. The limits were exceeded throughout the work shift on 7% of the days for heavy activity and on 3% of the days for moderate activity. In addition, the areas with the highest risk of heatstroke coincide with predominant cane-growing.

Resumen: El calor ambiental es un agravante para las actividades de los trabajadores de plantaciones de caña de azúcar, siendo el corte manual una de las actividades pesadas que favorece la elevada generación de calor metabólico. Esto, asociado con otras condiciones precarias de trabajo, favorece el estrés térmico, pudiendo provocar graves enfermedades o incluso llevar a la muerte. El objetivo de este estudio es cuantificar el riesgo de sobrecarga térmica a la que los cortadores de caña de azúcar de São Paulo, Brasil, están expuestos. Mediante una metodología específica, se utilizaron cuatro años de datos para estimar el Índice de Bulbo Húmedo-Termómetro de Globo, considerando a las actividades como: leves, moderadas y pesadas. Los resultados muestran la extrapolación del límite legal de exposición para la actividad continua en períodos de 1 a 8 horas, lo que requiere medidas de control para la continuidad del trabajo. La principal constatación es la observancia del riesgo de sobrecarga térmica para los tres tipos de actividad: leve, moderada y pesada. Los límites de tolerancia se sobrepasan durante todo el turno de trabajo en cerca de un 7% dos días, en el caso de la actividad pesada, y en cerca de un 3% en la actividad moderada. Además, se percibió que las áreas con mayor riesgo de sobrecarga térmica son las mismas donde hay predominancia de plantaciones de caña de azúcar.