[Particularities of psycho-physiological aspects of sleeping disorders among women performing hospitals night work (Senegal)]. / Particularites des aspects psycho-physiologiques des troubles du sommeil chez les femmes effectuant des gardes de nuit en milieu hospitalier (Senegal).

OBJECTIVE: Todescribe the different psycho-physiological repercussions of night work among female health professionals subject to numerous socio-cultural constraints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study including female professionals performing night work, conducted between July 1 and July 30, 2018 at the Kolda Regional Hospital Center.The study was carried out using anonymous questionnaires. The data collected was entered and analyzed with Microsoft Excel version 2013. RESULTS: A total of 41 women participated in the study. The average age was 30.9 years old. The average night work was 5.9 years. 51.2% of the workers felt comfortable with this type of schedule, compared to 48.8% feeling disrupted. 73.1% preferred daytime work. 36.5% wanted to stop this type of schedule. Several impacts of night work were identified.Physiologically, poor sleep quality (36.6%), insufficient sleep duration (36.6%), menstrual disorders (29.2%) were noted. On the psychological level, stress (48.8%), temperamental disorders (17.5%), anxiety and depression (10.7%) were found. CONCLUSION: A regular medical and psychological follow-up should be necessary for these professionals.

BUT: Il consistait à décrireles différentes répercussions psycho-physiologiques du travail de nuit, chez desprofessionnelles de santé sujettes à de nombreuses contraintes socioculturelles. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale et descriptive incluant des professionnels de santé féminins, menée entre le 1er juillet et le 30 juillet 2018 au Centre Hospitalier Régional de Kolda. L'étude a été réalisée à l'aide de questionnaires anonymes.Les données recueillies ont été saisies et analysées avec Microsoft Excel version 2013. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 41 femmes avaient participé à l'étude. L'âge moyen était de 30,9 ans. La moyenne d'ancienneté dans le travail de nuit était de 5,9 ans. Les travailleuses se sentant à l'aiseavec ce type d'horaire représentaient 51,2% contre, 48,8% se sentant perturbées. La majorité (73,1%) préférait le travail de jour et 36,5% souhaitaient arrêter le travail de nuit. Plusieurs répercussions du travail de nuit étaient recensées. Sur le plan physiologique, une mauvaise qualité du sommeil (36,6%), une insuffisance de la durée du sommeil (36,6%), des troubles menstruels (29,2%) ont été notés. Sur le plan psychologique, le stress (48,8%), les troubles caractériels (17,5%), l'anxiété et la dépression (10,7%) étaient retrouvés. CONCLUSION: Un suivi médico-psychologique régulier serait nécessaire pour ces professionnelles.

Gestión de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo frente al Covid-19 en una empresa del sector pesquero peruano / Occupational safety and health management of COVID-19 at a company in the Peruvian fishing sector

Objetivo: Evaluar la gestión de seguridad y salud en el trabajo de una empresa del sector pesquero peruano frente al Covid-19 Métodos: La variable independiente fue la gestión de seguridad y salud en el trabajo respecto a la implementación de acciones preventivas y de control frente al Covid-19. La variable dependiente se midió a través del número de casos detectados y la tasa de positividad de Covid-19. Se utilizó un diseño preexperimental con una preprueba, durante la implementación en proceso y una post prueba, con información recopilada al finalizar las acciones preventivas y de control. Se realizó un análisis inferencial no paramétrico para establecer diferencias significativas entre la preprueba y la post prueba y el grado de asociación entre las variables. Resultados: La empresa inició una estrategia de detección de casos positivos a través del uso de pruebas serológicas. Durante la primera etapa, se realizaron 2329 pruebas que arrojaron un 71% de positividad. Una vez que se implementaron las acciones de prevención y control la tasa de positividad se redujo a un 15.65% durante agosto del 2020. Las pruebas inferenciales mostraron un nivel de significación (p<0.05) en la reducción obtenida, así como en la relación de esta con las medidas adoptadas. Conclusiones: Una adecuada gestión de seguridad y salud en el trabajo frente al Covid-19 redujo de manera significativa el número de casos detectados y la tasa de positividad del Covid-19 en trabajadores del sector pesquero peruano (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the occupational safety and health management of COVID-19 at a company in the Peruvian fishing sector Methods: The independent variable was occupational safety and health management, defined as the implementation of preventive and control measures in response to COVID-19. The dependent variable was defined as the number of detected COVID-19 cases and test positivity rate. We used a pre- (implementation phase) and post-test (following the implementation phase) study design. We performed a non-parametric inferential analysis to identify any significant pre- and post-test differences and any associations between the variables. Results: The company initiated a strategy to detect positive cases through the use of serological tests. During the first stage, 2329 tests were conducted, yielding a positivity rate of 71%. Once prevention and control actions were implemented, the positivity rate in August 2020 had decreased to 15.65%,, a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05), as well as its relationship to the measures implemented. Conclusions: This occupational safety and health intervention significantly reduced the number of COVID-19 cases and positivity rate in this group of workers in the Peruvian fishing sector (AU)

Psychosocial and Organizational Processes and Determinants of Health Care Workers' (HCW) Health at Work in French Public EHPAD (Assisted Living Residences): A Qualitative Approach Using Grounded Theory.

In a context marked by negative health indicators that make structural aspects more salient, this paper aimed at understanding and explaining the processes and determinants at work that positively and negatively interfere with the professionals' health in the French public nursing home environment. To this purpose, the qualitative approach by grounded theory was chosen. In total, 90 semi-structured interviews were recorded and 43 were transcribed; in addition, 10 observations of 46 participations in meetings and working groups were carried out in four public service and hospital establishments. Our results indicate that the role of health workers, its definition, and its execution are fundamental to the understanding of their health at work. Two protective and constructive processes are involved in the maintenance and development of the professionals' health in this work, with considerable confrontations with death and suffering: individual and collective control of emotional and cognitive commitment, and the development of resources for formation, information, and cooperation. Nonetheless, they are jeopardized when a lasting imbalance is generated between the work's demands and the available resources. This leads to a loss spiral in organizational, inter-individual, and individual resources that makes it difficult to sustain work.

Psychometric Properties of the Psychological Well-being at Work Scale in Gabonese Public Administration.

The objective of this article is to corroborate the original Dagenais-Desmarais & Savoie psychological well-being measurement instrument in the civil service in Gabon. This instrument is composed of five factors relating to lived experiences of psychological well-being in the workplace. To adapt it to the civil service in Gabon, 310 civil servants from various ministries completed a measurement tool. This was also done for nomological purposes and to assess job demands, job control, social support, and job satisfaction. Following exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, it appears that the dimensional structure of psychological well-being in the workplace (PWBW) is identical to the initial structure developed by Dagenais-Desmarais and Savoie. Moreover, the metric properties on the PWBW scale of the present research are satisfactory. The analyses confirm all the predictions of the nomological network, reinforcing the validity of the adaptation of the scale developed by Dagenais-Desmarais and Savoie to the world of public service work in Gabon.

Stress at work: The case of municipal police officers.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Occupational stress-related factors among working municipal police officers in Poland have not been examined in the literature. The purpose of the paper was to evaluate the impact of selected work-related factors on occupational stress in active municipal police officers in Warsaw by using configural frequency analysis (CFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 578 participants, which accounted for 55.1% of all municipal police officers in Warsaw. The majority of study participants were men (72%) (mean age 43 years old). Two groups of workplace-related stress factors were analysed in the study: physical conditions and organisational working conditions causing stress. The study was carried out using the PAPI method (Paper-and-Pencil Interviewing), based on a proprietary questionnaire developed for the study. CFA searches for templates and patterns in contingency tables. RESULTS: Municipal police officers who claimed that stress did not affect health, took advantage of psychological/psychiatric advice less often than those who thought so (1.7% vs 10.1%; χ2 = 20.152, df = 2, P = 0.000). Those who declared that they often experienced stress at work were also more prone to claiming that one or two factors affected their level of stress: physical abuse, contact with infectious materials, working at uncomfortable temperatures or working in a noisy environment. In the opinion of the study population, there were some factors which contributed to the occurrence of stress at work, and these factors included: working in a hurry, lack of necessary resources, devices and materials at work, the need to be available at all times and the unpredictability of the work. The municipal police officers from the study population combined two or three methods to cope with stress, such as watching TV, surfing the Internet and talking with their families. CONCLUSION: Due to the specificity of a municipal police officer's occupation, special attention should be paid to the occupational stress risk factors characteristic for this group of professionals, and measures should be taken to reduce the number of stressors. It is important to organise training events devoted to effective methods of coping with stress. There is need to carry out more in-depth studies of occupational stress among municipal police officers.

Fatores de Risco e Riscos Psicossociais no Trabalho: Definição e Implicações / Risk Factors and Psychosocial Risks at Work: Definition and Implications

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo teórico é analisar os conceitos de fatores de risco e riscos psicossociais no trabalho, bem como discuti-los a partir de duas perspectivas teóricas proeminentes no campo: o Modelo Demanda-Controle e a Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Além das definições, são apresentadas as relações entre antecessores - fatores de risco, e consequentes - riscos psicossociais, e as implicações teóricas e práticas decorrentes da definição mais acurada dos termos. As conclusões apresentadas apontam para importância de delimitação conceitual entre fatores de risco e riscos psicossociais no trabalho como passo indispensável para o desenvolvimento de estratégias eficazes de avaliação e intervenção nos contextos de trabalho, principalmente pela adoção de uma postura preventiva com foco na identificação e controle dos fatores de risco prioritariamente.

Abstract The aim of this theoretical paper is to analyze the concepts of risk factors and psychosocial risks at work, as well as to discuss them from two prominent theoretical perspectives in the field: the Demand-Control Model and the Work Psychodynamics. In addition to the definitions, the relationships between predecessors - risk factors and consequent - psychosocial risks, and the theoretical and practical implications of the more precise definition of terms are presented. The conclusions presented point to the importance of conceptual delimitation between risk factors and psychosocial risks at work as an indispensable step for the development of effective strategies for evaluation and intervention in work contexts, mainly by adopting a preventive approach focused on the identification and control of risk factors.

Trabalho e bem-estar: evidências da relação entre burnout e satisfação de vida / Work and well-being: evidence of the relation between burnout and life satisfaction / Trabajo y bienestar: evidencias de la relación entre burnout y satisfacción con la vida

Esse estudo visa investigar a relação entre Burnout e satisfação de vida em trabalhadores brasileiros pelo modelo teórico Job Demands-Resources (JDR), da Psicologia Positiva. Foram testadas as associações entre Burnout e demandas e recursos de trabalho, satisfação de vida e sintomas depressivos, em 986 participantes das cinco regiões brasileiras, entre 18 e 89 anos (M = 39, DP = 11,1), sendo 87,2% de mulheres. Os resultados demonstram que Burnout prediz sintomas depressivos e é consequente de altas demandas e baixos recursos laborais. O papel de mediação parcial da satisfação de vida se destaca quando associado aos recursos de trabalho, o que diminui a probabilidade de ocorrência do Burnout e sintomas depressivos associados. Conclui-se que recursos de trabalho e satisfação de vida são importantes fatores psicossociais de proteção ao Burnout, que influenciam indireta e negativamente sintomas depressivos. Contribuições desses achados para o trabalho e as organizações são discutidas no texto. (AU)

This study aims to investigate the relationship between burnout and life satisfaction in Brazilian workers through the Job Demands-Resources (JDR) theoretical model of Positive Psychology. The associations between burnout and job demands, job resources, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms were tested in 986 participants, 87.2% women, from the five Brazilian regions, aged between 18 and 89 years (M = 39, SD = 11.1). The results show that high job demands and low job resources are indirectly linked with depressive symptoms via burnout and low life satisfaction. The partial mediation role of life satisfaction stands out when associated with job resources, which reduces the likelihood of burnout and its association with depressive symptoms. It was concluded that job resources and life satisfaction are important psychosocial protective factors for burnout, which impacts indirectly and negatively on depressive symptoms. Contributions of these findings for work and organizations are discussed in the text. (AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la relación entre el burnout y la satisfacción con la vida en los trabajadores brasileños a través del modelo teórico Job Demand Resources (JDR), de la psicología positiva. Las asociaciones entre burnout y demandas y recursos laborales, satisfacción con la vida y síntomas depresivos fueron probadas en 986 participantes de las cinco regiones brasileñas, los participantes poseían edades entre 18 y 89 años (M = 39, DS = 11.1), siendo el 87.2% mujeres. Los resultados demuestran que el burnout predice síntomas depresivos motivados por las altas demandas y bajos recursos laborales. El papel de la mediación parcial de la satisfacción con la vida se destaca cuando se asocia con recursos laborales, lo que reduce la probabilidad de burnout y los síntomas depresivos asociados. Se concluye que los recursos laborales y la satisfacción con la vida son factores psicosociales importantes de protección contra el burnout, que influyen indirectamente y negativamente en los síntomas depresivos. Las contribuciones de estos hallazgos para el trabajo y las organizaciones se discuten en el artículo. (AU)

Digital Leadership Skills and Associations with Psychological Well-Being.

Due to increasing digitalisation, today's working world is changing rapidly and provides managers with new challenges. Digital leadership is an important factor in managing these challenges and has become a key concept in the discussion about what kinds of skills managers need for digital transformation. The main research question our study explored was if digital leadership is associated with psychological well-being in upper-level managers. Based on a qualitative pilot study and relevant literature, we developed a new scale for digital leadership in managers. We conducted an online survey with a sample of 368 upper-level managers from a large German ICT-company. Using a stepwise logistic regression analysis, potential effects of digital leadership on psychological well-being (WHO-5) were analysed. Logistic regression analyses showed that better skills in digital leadership were significantly associated with higher well-being. Results also showed that gender, age and managerial experience had no effect in our model. Our study provides a valuable insight into the association between digital leadership and well-being in managers. However, further research is necessary to validate the newly developed scale for digital leadership and to confirm a causal effect in the relationship between digital leadership and well-being.

[State of immunization against measles among health professionals in at-risk units of the Caen University Hospital]. / État d'immunisation contre la rougeole chez les professionnels de santé au sein des services à risques du centre hospitalier universitaire de Caen.

BACKGROUND: France is facing a new resurgence of measles. Since November 2017, the number of cases has been increasing sharply. Immunization coverage in the general population, all ages combined, is below the threshold required for a rapid decline of the virus propagation. Regarding health professionals, the rate of immunization against this disease is insufficiently documented. In this context, the Occupational Health Service of the University Hospital of Caen has carried out an inventory of health personnel knowledge of immunization against measles in the units the most exposed to risk. METHODS: Knowledge of immunization against measles was studied in pediatric, imaging, and pediatric and adult emergencies departments of the University Hospital of Caen, and the Hematology Institute of Lower Normandy (IHBN). The analysis included all health professionals present within these units during the study period: March and April 2018. Data collection was carried out by consulting the medical files of the occupational health unit and considering the set of responses to postal inquiries sent to staff. RESULTS: Measured immunization status data refer to 1017 health professionals. Based on the criteria specific to the recommendations, 234 (50.6%) of the 462 professionals born before 1980 and 437 (78.7%) of the 555 professionals born in or after 1980 could be considered as immune. Of the total sample, 115 (11.3%) had positive measles serology. Among these 1017 professionals, information on the state of immunization against measles was lacking for 174 (17.1%). CONCLUSION: The state of immunization of the nursing staff remains insufficient to prevent the occurrence of measles cases and the staff is also insufficiently informed. It is essential to have knowledge of the immunization status of this population, to organize the vaccination of non-immunized personnel within the occupational health unit, to prevent the emergence of new cases of measles and to reinforce the information regarding the importance of precautions related to airborne transmission in case of measles.

Analysis of Penalties Imposed on Organisations for Breaching Safety and Health Regulations in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The study analyzes penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. The research questions are as follows: what are the commonly breached safety and health regulations? How proportional are penalties imposed on organizations for breaching health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom? METHODS: The study employed sequential explanatory mixed research strategies for better understanding of health and safety penalties imposed on organizations. Actual health and safety convictions and penalties data for 10 years (2006 to 2016) were obtained through the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) public register for convictions. Overall, 2,217 health and safety cases were analyzed amounting to total fines of £37,179,916, in addition to other wide-ranging penalties. For thorough understanding, eight interviews were conducted with industry practitioners, lawyers, and HSE officials as part of the study qualitative data. RESULTS: Findings show that the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act accounted for 46% of all HSE prosecution cases in the last decade. This is nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions. Moreover, there is widespread desire for organizations to comply with the HSW Act, but route fines are seen as burdensome and inimical to business growth. CONCLUSION: A key deduction from the study reveal significant disproportionality concerning penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. On aggregate, small companies tend to pay more for health and safety offenses in a ratio of 1:2 compared to large companies. The study also reveals that the HSW Act accounted for nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions in the last decade.

Association between job satisfaction and alcohol use: a systematic review / Associação entre a satisfação no trabalho e uso de álcool: revisão sistemática / Asociación entre satisfacción en el trabajo y el uso de alcohol: revisión sistemática

Work is one of the main orienters of mental life, making it relevant to investigate the relationship between mental disorders, especially alcohol use, and job satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a systematic review of scientific articles on job satisfaction and alcohol use. METHOD: Articles were searched in the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus, in the English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. The review was based on the PRISMA criteria, from 2008 to 2017. RESULTS: Evidence of a moderate positive correlation was found in cross-cutting, but that changes over time, and that the relationship between job satisfaction and use of alcohol is moderated by burnout, working conditions, job demand and control, relationship with the leader, social support and work climate. CONCLUSION: The results reaffirm the need to explore the theme to design intervention strategies in the context of work.

O trabalho é um dos principais orientadores da vida mental, tornando-se relevante investigar a relação entre transtornos mentais, sobretudo o uso de álcool, e satisfação no trabalho. OBJETIVO: Realizar revisão sistemática de artigos científicos sobre a satisfação no trabalho e o uso de álcool. MÉTODO: Foram pesquisados artigos nos bancos de dados MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science e Scopus, nas línguas inglesa, espanhola e portuguesa. A revisão embasou-se nos critérios do PRISMA, no período de 2008 a 2017. RESULTADOS: Encontraram-se evidências de correlação positiva moderada em recortes transversais, mas que se modificam ao longo do tempo, e constatou-se que a relação entre satisfação no trabalho e uso de álcool é moderada por burnout, condições de trabalho, demanda e controle do trabalho, relacionamento com o líder, suporte social e clima de trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados reafirmam a necessidade de explorar o tema para traçar estratégias de intervenção no contexto do trabalho.

Los factores que pueden influir en la satisfacción en el trabajo están presentes de diferentes formas y con repercusiones diversas. OBJETIVO: Realizar una revisión sistemática de artículos científicos sobre la satisfacción en el trabajo y el uso de alcohol en el período de 2008 a 2017. MÉTODO: Los artículos fueron investigados bases MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science y Scopus, en las lenguas inglesa, espanola y portuguesa. La La revisión se basó en los criterios del PRISMA. RESULTADOS: se encontraron evidencias de correlación positiva moderada en recortes transversales, pero que modifican a lo largo del tiempo, y que la relación entre satisfacción en el trabajo y uso de alcohol es moderada por burnout, condiciones de trabajo, demanda y control, relación con el líder, el apoyo social y el clima de trabajo. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados reafirmamos la necesidad de explorar el tema para trazar estrategias de intervención en el contexto del trabajo.

Quality of life related work of nursing professionals in sterilization material center / Qualidade de vida relacionada ao trabalho de profissionais de enfermagem no centro de material de esterilização

The quality of work life (QWL) has a close relationship with the labor activities performed by the worker; it impacts their physical and mental health, their social life, their behavior and performance. Correlate the QWL scores with socio-demographic variables of professionals in nursing that work at Material and Sterilization Center area (MSC)of a Medical school in the State of Minas Gerais. Cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive and analytical study. Through interviews were applied: The Socio-demographic Questionnaire (LINO, 1999) and the scale Quality of Life at Work (TIMOSSI, 2009). For exploratory analysis all the data had been analyzed throughthe program "Statistical Package for the Social Science" (SPSS) version 21.0. It was used the Cronbach's alpha as coefficient in order to test the reliability of the QWL instrument. For correlation between the QWL scores and the quantitative socio-demographic variables it was applied the Spearman correlation test. 40 employees had participated in the study. The QWL instrument indicated that more than 50% of the employees were satisfied. The domain of "Social integration" obtained a result of 70.15%. The domain "Use of skills" was the one that obtained the highest median in satisfaction, 72.76%. The domain "Opportunities" obtained the lowest median presented 61.10%. The values of >0.70 indicate good reliability of the instrument for the sample. The income was correlated in a significant way (p < 0.05), moderate and positive way (r = 0.356) with the domain "Fair and Adequate Compensation"; and the income was correlated in moderate and negative way (r =-0.402) with the "Work and Life". The results show that variables as remuneration and fair and adequate compensation have relationships with psychometric variables of workers, such as quality of life, satisfactions and professional motivation. Aside, these results can help health institutions realize management strategies for workers.

A qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT) possui íntima relação com as atividades laborais realizadas pelo trabalhador, impactando a saúde física e mental, vida social, o comportamento e o desempenho do mesmo. Correlacionar escores de QVT com variáveis sociodemográficas de profissionais de Enfermagem do setor de central de material e Esterilização (CME) de um Hospital Universitário de Minas Gerais. Estudo transversal, de caráter quantitativo, descritivo e analítico. Por meio de entrevistas foram aplicados: Questionário sociodemográfico (LINO, 1999); e Escala de Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho (TIMOSSI, 2009). Os dados foram analisados através do Programa Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS), versão 21.0, para análises exploratórias. Utilizou-se o coeficiente de Cronbach para testar a confiabilidade do instrumento QVT e o teste de Correlação de Spearman para correlação entre os escores de QVT e variáveis quantitativas sociodemográficas. Participaram do estudo 37 funcionários. O instrumento de QVT demonstrou que mais de 50% dos funcionários estavam satisfeitos. O domínio de "Integração social" obteve um resultado de 70,15%. O domínio "Uso das capacidades" que obteve a maior média em relação ao nível de satisfação, 72,76%. O domínio "Oportunidades" obteve a menor média apresentada 61,10%. Os valores de >0,70 indicaram boa confiabilidade do instrumento para a amostra. A renda correlacionou-se de forma significante (p<0,05), moderada e positiva (r=0,356) com o domínio "Compensação justa e adequada" e moderada e negativa (r=-0,402) com o "Trabalho e Vida". Os resultados demonstram que variáveis como remuneração e compensação justa e adequada estabelece relação direta com constructos psicométricos subjetivos dos trabalhadores, tais como qualidade de vida, convício social, satisfação e motivação do profissional. Estes resultados podem alicerçar ferramentas de gestão do trabalho em instituições de saúde.

Analysis of Penalties Imposed on Organisations for Breaching Safety and Health Regulations in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: The study analyzes penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. The research questions are as follows: what are the commonly breached safety and health regulations? How proportional are penalties imposed on organizations for breaching health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom? METHODS: The study employed sequential explanatory mixed research strategies for better understanding of health and safety penalties imposed on organizations. Actual health and safety convictions and penalties data for 10 years (2006 to 2016) were obtained through the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) public register for convictions. Overall, 2,217 health and safety cases were analyzed amounting to total fines of £37,179,916, in addition to other wide-ranging penalties. For thorough understanding, eight interviews were conducted with industry practitioners, lawyers, and HSE officials as part of the study qualitative data. RESULTS: Findings show that the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act accounted for 46% of all HSE prosecution cases in the last decade. This is nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions. Moreover, there is widespread desire for organizations to comply with the HSW Act, but route fines are seen as burdensome and inimical to business growth. CONCLUSION: A key deduction from the study reveal significant disproportionality concerning penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. On aggregate, small companies tend to pay more for health and safety offenses in a ratio of 1:2 compared to large companies. The study also reveals that the HSW Act accounted for nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions in the last decade.

Bacteria contamination of touch surfaces in Polish hospital wards.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study has been to evaluate the pathogenic bacteria contamination of touch surfaces in hospital wards. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples were taken from frequently touched surfaces in the hospital environment in 13 units of various types. Culturing was carried out on solid blood agar and in growth broth (tryptic soy broth - TSB). Species identification was performed using the analytical profile index (API) biochemical testing and confirmed with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) system. RESULTS: The total of 161 samples were taken for the study. Fifty-two of them, after 24 h of culture on a solid medium, demonstrated bacterial growth and further 60 samples had growth after prior multiplication in TSB. Overall, 69.6% of samples exhibited growth of 19 bacterial species. Pathogenic species - representing indicator organisms of efficiency of hospital cleaning - was demonstrated by 21.4% of samples. Among them Acinetobacter spp., Enterocococci spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were identified. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were predominant. The proportion of various groups of bacteria significantly varied in respective hospitals, and in various types of wards. Disturbing observation is a large proportion of resistance of isolated CNS strains as a potential reservoir of resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that touch surfaces in hospital units are contaminated by both potentially pathogenic and pathogenic bacterial species. In connection with the reported, also in Poland, frequent omission or incorrect execution of hand hygiene by hospital staff, and probably patients, touch surfaces still constitute important reservoir of pathogenic bacteria. Improving hand hygiene compliance of health-care workers with recommendations is necessary for increasing biological safety of hospital environment. Med Pr 2017;68(3):459-467.

Preventive behaviour at work - A concept analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preventive behaviour is a significant intervention target in order to promote health at work, but has never been discussed in an occupational perspective. AIM: To clarify the concept of preventive behaviour at work. METHODS: The Walker and Avant (2011) method was used to conduct the study. RESULTS: The attributes of the concept are: (1) compliance with safety rules and procedures, (2) proactivity, participation, engagement and initiatives related to prevention, (3) maintenance of physical environment, (4) concern for social environment and (5) reflexivity and analytical skills of work situations. The analysis also identified the antecedents and the consequences of the concept that are all related to either the person, the environment or the occupation. CONCLUSION: Preventive behaviour occurs when a worker shows an active involvement to comply with safety rules and procedures of his trade, takes initiatives to improve prevention, preserves his physical environment, communicates with his peers and analyses work situations before committing to it. SIGNIFICANCE: Occupational therapists have a central role in primary prevention of work injuries and have the expertise to help develop each of the five attributes of the concept of preventive behaviour.

Gender differences in Reasons for Sickness Presenteeism - a study among GPs in a Swedish health care organization.

BACKGROUND: It is common that physicians go to work while sick and therefore it is important to understand the reasons behind. Previous research has shown that women and men differ in health and health related behavior. In this study, we examine gender differences among general practitioners who work while sick. METHODS: General practitioners (GP's) working in outpatient care in a Swedish city participated in the study (n = 283; women = 63 %; response rate = 41 %). Data were obtained from a large web-based questionnaire about health and organization within primary care. Two questions about sickness presenteeism (going to work while sick) were included; life-long and during the past 12 months, and five questions about reasons. We controlled for general health, work-family conflict and demographic variables. RESULTS: Female physicians reported sickness presenteeism more often than male physicians. Work-family conflict mediated the association between gender and sickness presenteeism. Women reported reasons related with "concern for others" and "workload" more strongly than men. Men reported reasons related with "capacity" and "money" more strongly than women. These differences are likely effects of gender stereotyping and different family-responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS: Gender socialization and gender stereotypes may influence work and health-related behavior. Because sickness presenteeism is related with negative effects both on individuals and at organizational levels, it is important that managers of health organizations understand the reasons for this, and how gender roles may influence the prevalence of sickness presenteeism and the reasons that female and male GPs give for their behavior.

Trends in occupational injuries and fatality in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trend of occupational injuries in Turkey using epidemiologic criteria such as incidence mortality and fatality/all injuries recorded - rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Safety and health data were obtained from the Annual Statistic Books of the Social Insurance Institution (1988-2006) and Social Security Institution (2007-2011) of Turkey. RESULTS: The results from the official data showed that although total employment is increasing the number of occupational injuries and incidence and mortality rates are decreasing. The results also demonstrate that occupational fatality/all injuries recorded - rate is increasing. The fatality/all injuries recorded - rate per 1000 injuries increased to 25.5 in 2011 from 8.6 in 1988. Each work day an average of five people died because of occupational injuries. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The fatality/all injuries recorded - rate (the number of fatal cases per 1000 occupational injuries) is an important indicator of the injury rate for a country. Systems of occupational injury and illness surveillance constitute a critical resource for the management and reduction of occupational injuries and illness.

[Environmental factors associated with textile industry in Democratic Republic of Congo: state of play]. / Facteurs d'ambiance dans l'industrie textile en République Démocratique du Congo: état de lieu.

INTRODUCTION: This case study aims to make an assessment of environmental health nuisances in textile industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional and analytical study. Out of 257 workers selected using systematic sampling, 229 workers were enrolled in the study. 223 workstations were subjected to measurements in order to determine the level of noise, lighting and heat. Data were collected from company documents, by means of a direct-question interview focusing on socio professional informations and through measurements. Descriptive analysis was used for sociodemographic and professional data and analytical approach was used for the measurements. RESULTS: In the company studied 88% of employees were workers. Weaving department included almost 68% of workers. The majority of employees worked as part of a three shift (85%). The study population was predominantly male (85%), aging (52%) over 40 years and educated (80%). In the company studied, only 12.1% of workstations met the noise standards and 18% of workstations met the lighting standards. 94% of workstations didn't meet the heat standards for heavy work. CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the environmental health nuisances in textile industry, demonstrating the existence of significant gaps related to the prescribed standards for the measured nuisances. These results are a plea for the development of appropriate preventive measures. They should be confronted with other more detailed studies in this work environment.

Gender differences in Reasons for Sickness Presenteeism - a study among GPs in a Swedish health care organization

BACKGROUND: It is common that physicians go to work while sick and therefore it is important to understand the reasons behind. Previous research has shown that women and men differ in health and health related behavior. In this study, we examine gender differences among general practitioners who work while sick. METHODS: General practitioners (GP’s) working in outpatient care in a Swedish city participated in the study (n = 283; women = 63 %; response rate = 41 %). Data were obtained from a large web-based questionnaire about health and organization within primary care. Two questions about sickness presenteeism (going to work while sick) were included; life-long and during the past 12 months, and five questions about reasons. We controlled for general health, work-family conflict and demographic variables. RESULTS: Female physicians reported sickness presenteeism more often than male physicians. Work-family conflict mediated the association between gender and sickness presenteeism. Women reported reasons related with “concern for others” and “workload” more strongly than men. Men reported reasons related with “capacity” and “money” more strongly than women. These differences are likely effects of gender stereotyping and different family-responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS: Gender socialization and gender stereotypes may influence work and health-related behavior. Because sickness presenteeism is related with negative effects both on individuals and at organizational levels, it is important that managers of health organizations understand the reasons for this, and how gender roles may influence the prevalence of sickness presenteeism and the reasons that female and male GPs give for their behavior.

Reflexión: los riesgos ergonomicos de carga física y lumbalgia ocupacional / Reflection: physical ergonomic risks loading and occupational low back pain

Antecedentes: Los factores de riesgo de carga física son los de mayor impacto en el país de acuerdo a la II Encuesta de Condiciones de Seguridad y Salud en el sistema de riesgos laborales, demostrando que hacen falta programas y planes encaminados a la prevención de las lesiones musculoesqueléticas que de ellos se generan, hecho que sustenta la Organización Iberoamericana de Seguridad Social, que enfatiza en la creación de programas preventi-vos en riesgos laborales. Objetivos: Analizar la producción bibliográfica relacionada con los factores de riesgo de carga física y lumbalgia ocupacional. Metodología: Mediante revisión bibliográfica, con bases científicas y estu-dios relacionados en el área, se analizará la relación entre los riesgos de carga física y la lumbalgia ocupacional. Resultados: La búsqueda bibliográfica evidenció que los factores de riesgos de carga física conllevan a desórdenes musculoesqueléticos, entre ellos, la lumbalgia ocupacional, y pueden generar enfermedades laborales, incapaci-dad laboral y aumentar el ausentismo, impactando negativamente el sistema de gestión de seguridad y salud en el trabajo de las empresas en Colombia

Background: The risk factors of physical load are the most impact on the country according to the II Conditions Survey Safety and Health in the system of occupational hazards, proving that needed programs and plans aimed at preventing injuries skeletal muscle that they are generated, a fact that supports the Latin American Organization of Social Security, which emphasizes the creation of prevention programs in occupational hazards. Objectives: To analyze the bibliographic production related risk factors and physical burden of occupational low back pain. Methods: Through literature review, science-based and related studies in the area, the relationship between the risks of physical load and analyze occupational low back pain. Results: The literature search showed that the risk factors of physical load lead to musculoskeletal disorders, including occupational low back pain, and can lead to occupational diseases, incapacity and increase absenteeism, negatively impacting the management system of safety and health in the work of enterprises in Colombia.