Consecuencias psicológicas de las amputaciones por accidente laboral / Psychological consequences of amputations in work accidents

Fundamentos: Las amputaciones en accidente laboral son un fenómeno con gran incidencia y características peculiares. Los escasos estudios que abordan los efectos de la amputación se refieren a grandes extremidades y muestran que, más allá de las secuelas físicas, existen consecuencias importantes a nivel psicológico. El objetivo de este artículo fue mostrar el conocimiento actualizado sobre las principales consecuencias psicopatológicas de las amputaciones por accidente laboral y de las variables que pueden modularlas. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión bibliográfica de carácter no sistemático, con búsquedas variadas ad hoc para las distintas variables estudiadas. Resultados: Los estudios se han centrado principalmente en la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, el trastorno de estrés postraumático y el dolor del miembro fantasma. También se han identificado variables moduladoras que mejoran el pronóstico: adaptación a la vida cotidiana, ejercicio físico, estrategias de afrontamiento, resiliencia y calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Las distintas áreas psicológicas afectadas revisadas deben considerarse al acompañar a las personas con amputación por accidente laboral. Asimismo, potenciar las variables moduladoras cuya presencia mejora el pronóstico es un campo interesante para la intervención profesional.(AU)

Background: Amputations in work accidents are a phenomenon with a high incidence and peculiar characteristics. The few studies about the effects of amputation are referred to large limbs, and show that, beyond the physical consequences, there are important psychological consequences. The goal of this paper was to show the updated knowledge on the main psychopathological consequences of amputations in work accidents, as well as the variables that can modulate them. Methods: A non-systematic bibliographic review was carried out, with varied ad hoc searches for the different variables studied. Results: Studies have focused mainly on anxiety and depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phantom limb pain. Modulating variables whose presence improves the prognosis of these persons have been identified, such as adaptation to daily life, physical exercise, coping strategies, resilience and quality of life. Conclusions: The different psychological areas reviewed should be considered when attending people who have suffered an amputation in a work accident. Likewise, enhancing the modulating variables whose presence improves the prognosis is an interes-ting field for professional intervention.(AU)

[Psychological consequences of amputations in work accidents]. / Consecuencias psicológicas de las amputaciones por accidente laboral.

OBJECTIVE: Amputations in work accidents are a phenomenon with a high incidence and peculiar characteristics. The few studies about the effects of amputation are referred to large limbs, and show that, beyond the physical consequences, there are important psychological consequences. The goal of this paper was to show the updated knowledge on the main psychopathological consequences of amputations in work accidents, as well as the variables that can modulate them. METHODS: A non-systematic bibliographic review was carried out, with varied ad hoc searches for the different variables studied. RESULTS: Studies have focused mainly on anxiety and depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phantom limb pain. Modulating variables whose presence improves the prognosis of these persons have been identified, such as adaptation to daily life, physical exercise, coping strategies, resilience and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The different psychological areas reviewed should be considered when attending people who have suffered an amputation in a work accident. Likewise, enhancing the modulating variables whose presence improves the prognosis is an interesting field for professional intervention.

OBJETIVO: Las amputaciones en accidente laboral son un fenómeno con gran incidencia y características peculiares. Los escasos estudios que abordan los efectos de la amputación se refieren a grandes extremidades y muestran que, más allá de las secuelas físicas, existen consecuencias importantes a nivel psicológico. El objetivo de este artículo fue mostrar el conocimiento actualizado sobre las principales consecuencias psicopatológicas de las amputaciones por accidente laboral y de las variables que pueden modularlas. METODOS: Se llevó a cabo una revisión bibliográfica de carácter no sistemático, con búsquedas variadas ad hoc para las distintas variables estudiadas. RESULTADOS: Los estudios se han centrado principalmente en la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, el trastorno de estrés postraumático y el dolor del miembro fantasma. También se han identificado variables moduladoras que mejoran el pronóstico: adaptación a la vida cotidiana, ejercicio físico, estrategias de afrontamiento, resiliencia y calidad de vida. CONCLUSIONES: Las distintas áreas psicológicas afectadas revisadas deben considerarse al acompañar a las personas con amputación por accidente laboral. Asimismo, potenciar las variables moduladoras cuya presencia mejora el pronóstico es un campo interesante para la intervención profesional.

Non-Fatal Agricultural Injuries and First Aid Self-Efficacy Among Greenhouse Workers in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to see if there was a link between first aid self-efficacy and the frequency of occupational accidents and non-fatal agricultural injuries in greenhouse agriculture workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 251 people in a district center. Sociodemographic, occupational accident, and injury questionnaires prepared by the researchers and the First Aid Self-Efficacy Scale were used to collect the data. SPSS 25.0 software was used to evaluate the data and descriptive statistics; the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance were applied in the analysis. RESULTS: 71.4% of the participants experienced an occupational accident by falling and slipping; 41.7% were slightly injured after the accident, and 63.2% experienced injuries in fractures, sprains, and crushes. We found that most injuries were in the lower extremities (33.2%), and 66.4% were admitted to the hospital. We ascertained that male workers' median first-aid self-efficacy scores were significantly higher than those of female workers (p < .05). We determined there was no significant difference between first-aid self-efficacy scores according to other sociodemographic variables, occupational accidents, or injury data (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Occupational accidents and non-fatal agricultural injuries are common in greenhouse agriculture, and male workers have higher first-aid self-efficacy than female workers. Since greenhouse work is a hazardous line of work, providing simple medical first-aid training would be useful for those working in this field.

Role modeling of safety-leadership behaviors in the construction industry: A two-wave longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The construction industry is heavily affected by occupational accidents, and it is important to investigate how leadership behaviors promoting safety on construction sites are fostered among construction-site managers. OBJECTIVE: The overall aim of this study was to investigate how safety-leadership behaviors can be developed in the construction industry, specifically focusing on managerial role modeling. METHODS: A two-wave longitudinal cohort study with approximately four months between measurement occasions was conducted among construction-site supervisors in Sweden (n = 51). Supervisors' ratings of their site managers' and their own generic and safety-specific contingent reward (CR) leadership behaviors were obtained by means of questionnaires. Cross-lagged panel models were tested within a path model framework to test the hypothesis that site managers' leadership behaviors prospectively influence supervisors' leadership behaviors. RESULTS: Site managers' CR behaviors prospectively influenced supervisors' CR behaviors, both generic CR behaviors (ß= 0.29, p = 0.01) and safety-specific CR behaviors (ß= 0.22, p = 0.04). For safety-specific CR behaviors, a reversed effect (ß= 0.26, p = 0.03) was also found, implying that supervisors' behaviors prospectively influenced site managers' behaviors. CONCLUSION: Site managers act as role models for supervisors when it comes to developing safety-leadership behaviors on construction sites. The results also indicate that site managers are influenced by their subordinate supervisors' safety-leadership behaviors. Hence, there seems to be reciprocal interaction between site managers and supervisors in which they influence each other and together shape safety-leadership practices at their construction sites.

Outpatient Rehabilitation of a Patient with Functional Neurological Disorder Receiving Workers' Compensation Benefits: A Case Report.

Background: Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a clinical syndrome characterized by abnormal involuntary movements and specific clinical features that are incongruent with known neurologic diseases. Clinical information is lacking on outpatient rehabilitation for patients with FND. Case: A 28-year-old woman visited our hospital for gait disturbance. She had experienced an occupational accident 20 months earlier. Her injuries were relatively minor, but subsequently, she was unable to move her ankle voluntarily and began receiving workers' compensation benefits. The patient had persistent gait disturbance and preferred to walk with an ankle-foot orthosis. However, at her first visit, her ankle could move while walking without her ankle brace. Nerve conduction studies showed no abnormalities. Shortly after receiving an explanation regarding the diagnosis of FND, the patient was able to move her ankle voluntarily; however, her gait disturbance was partially persistent. After outpatient rehabilitation, she was able to walk in different types of footwear without an ankle brace. Satisfied with the result, she agreed to end rehabilitation and her access to workers' compensation. Discussion: After diagnosis and rehabilitation for FND following an occupational injury, our patient was eventually able to walk without an ankle brace. In this case, providing the patient with information regarding a diagnosis of FND and obtaining her informed consent for subsequent rehabilitation may have helped to improve the symptoms of FND.

Key Factors in Crane-Related Occupational Accidents in the Spanish Construction Industry (2012-2021).

The construction industry is one of the riskiest sectors worldwide, with crane operations being one of the most dangerous activities. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the key factors involved in crane-related occupational accidents in the construction industry in Spain. To this end, 1314 accidents involving cranes were analyzed from a total of 241,937 accidents that occurred in the construction of buildings. The data were collected from the Spanish government's occupational accident statistics corresponding to the years 2012-2021. The results evidenced a statistically significant relationship between cranes as the material agent and the size of the company, with 95% of cases corresponding to small- or medium-sized companies (less than 250 employees). Additionally, it shows how the crane operator is identified as a material contributor to crane accidents in the construction industry, and may be considered a key component to these accidents. In conclusion, improving the knowledge gained about the key factors in crane-related accidents at work in the construction industry provides essential information that helps to design and implement appropriate preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of unwanted events with these machines.

Work accident effect on the use of psychotropic drugs: the case of benzodiazepines.

BACKGROUND: A work accident constitutes a shock to health, likely to alter mental states and affect the use of psychotropic drugs. We focus on the use of benzodiazepines, which are a class of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Prolonged use can lead to dependence. Our objective is to determine the extent to which work accidents lead to benzodiazepine use and overuse (i.e. exceedance of medical guidelines). METHOD: We use a two-step selection model (the Heckman method) based on data from the French National Health Data System (Système National des Données de Santé, SNDS). Our study sample includes all general plan members who experienced a single work accident in 2016 (and not since 2007). This sample includes 350,000 individuals in the work accident group and more than 1.1 million people randomly drawn from the population without work accidents from 2007 to 2017 (the non-work accident group). RESULTS: The occurrence of a work accident leads to an increase in benzodiazepine use and overuse the following year. The selection model shows a clear influence of the accident on the use probability (+ 39%), but a very slight impact on the risk of overuse among users (+ 1.7%), once considered the selection effect. The effect on overuse risk is higher for more severe accidents and among women. CONCLUSION: The increase in the risk of benzodiazepine overuse is due to an increase in the likelihood of using benzodiazepines after a work accident that leads to overuse, rather than an increase in likelihood of overuse among people who use benzodiazepines. Results call for targeting the first-time prescription to limit the risk of overuse after a work accident.

Fatal fall-from-height accidents: Statistical treatment using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System - HFACS.

INTRODUCTION: The civil construction industry (CCI) is one of the most dangerous sectors for occupational accidents. Studies conducted in several countries show that occupational accidents involving falls from height are the main cause of deaths in recent years. METHOD: This article analyzed the combinations of causal factors with the highest likelihood of accidents involving falls from height in construction to assist in decision-making. The methodology was divided into four stages: accident collection and sample definition; accident analysis; probability determination; and obtaining the theoretical curve of an accident probability distribution. The methodology was applied to reports of fatal fall-from-height accidents that occurred in the United States between 1997 and 2020. RESULTS: The results show that among the accidents analyzed, the highest probability of fatality is when a roofer aged between 31 and 44 years performs their activity on a roof between 10:00 and 11:59 am. It is also noted that the three causal factors most present in the accidents were: organizational process (97.7%); poor management of worker resources (96.6%); and organizational climate (95.4%). From the probability distribution curve, 68% of the fatal accidents occurred after reaching between 18 and 34 causal factors present in the HFACS method categories.

The Prevalence of Occupational Accidents and the Associated Factors Among Janitorial Staff at a University Teaching Hospital in South Ethiopia.

Background: The healthcare industry is widely regarded as a high-risk environment for workers' occupational health and safety. As a result, healthcare workers are constantly exposed to a wide range of hazards, including biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards. Consequently, janitorial staff are the most vulnerable section of the healthcare workforce to occupational injuries when compared to others due to the nature of their work. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the magnitude of occupational accidents and associated factors among Janitorial staff at Dilla University Teaching Hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional institutional-based study was conducted from August to September 2022 at a University Teaching Hospital in South Ethiopia. A total of 105 janitorial staff were included in the study with a response rate of 93.8%. The data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi Info version 7.2.5 and exported to IBM SPSS statistics 22 for further cleaning and analysis. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of occupational accidents and variables with a p-value of <0.05 during the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of occupational accidents is 61% (95% CI: 51.4, 70.5). Of the total study participants, 52 (45.5%) and 33 (31.4%) of the participants had reported that they have experienced chemical splash and needle stick injury, respectively. The age of participants was one of the factors for occupational accidents. The participants who did not receive training were 3 times [AOR=2.9, 95% CI (1.04, 8.02)] more likely exposed. Having good practice was protective against occupational injuries. Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of occupational accidents, particularly chemical splashes, and needle stick injuries, among janitors in the study settings. The study emphasizes the importance of age, training, awareness, and adherence to infection prevention and control strategies as factors influencing the likelihood of experiencing occupational injuries.

Case report: Occupational poisoning incident from a leak of chloroacetyl chloride in Jinan, Shandong, China.

Chloroacetyl chloride is a potent acylation agent that decomposes violently in water to produce chloroacetic acid and irritant hydrogen chloride. It and its decomposition products are corrosive to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system and can cause multiple organ failure. Herein, we report cases of poisoning by chloroacetyl chloride and its decomposition products in the skin and respiratory system. After exposure, one patient developed vomiting, irritability, coma, hypoxemia, hypotension, acidosis, and hypokalemia. Another patient developed bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and decreased vision. One patient died and two recovered. Chloroacetyl chloride and its decomposition products are corrosive and can damage multiple organs after absorption through the skin and respiratory tract, leading to severe heart failure. Cardiogenic shock may be the primary cause of early mortality.

[Treatment of extensor tendon injuries of the hand]. / Behandlung von Strecksehnenverletzungen der Hand.

The extensor apparatus of the hand is a complex system consisting of extrinsic and intrinsic muscles, which in combination enable the individual extension of the fingers. Extensor tendon injuries of the hand are frequent injuries and the operative or conservative treatment options are determined by the localization and involvement of osseus structures. For an optimal outcome of the treatment of extensor tendon injuries, correct diagnostics and a consistent hand aftercare are absolutely essential. The crucial decision making regarding the further procedure starts with the initial patient treatment, ideally on the day of trauma.

Underreporting of workers' injuries or illnesses and contributing factors: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Accurate identification of work-related health problems is important to understand workplace safety issues and develop appropriate interventions. Although workers' reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses is the very first step of the reporting process, many workers may encounter challenges in reporting them to their management or workers' compensation (WC) programs. This systematic review aimed to identify the level of workers' underreporting of work-related injuries and illnesses and the contributing factors and reasons for underreporting among US workers. METHODS: This study searched PubMed (Medline), PsycINFO (ProQuest), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), EMBASE (Embase.com), and Social Science Citation Index (Web of Science) using search terms related to underreporting of work-related injury or illness. RESULTS: Twenty studies (17 quantitative and three mixed methods studies) were identified. The studies investigated reporting to management (n = 12), WC programs (n = 6), multiple organizations (n = 1), and not specified (n = 1). The timeframe used to measure reporting prevalence varied from three months to entire careers of workers, with the most common timeframe of 12 months. This review indicated that 20-91% of workers did not report their injuries or illnesses to management or WC programs. From quantitative studies, contributing factors for injury or illness underreporting were categorized as follows: injury type and severity, sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, education, and race/ethnicity), general health and functioning, worker's knowledge on reporting, job and employment characteristics (e.g., work hour, job tenure, work shift, type of occupation, and physical demand), psychosocial work environment (e.g., supervisor support, coworker support, and safety climate), and health care provider factors. From the review of qualitative studies, the reasons for underreporting included the following: fear or concern, cumbersome time and effort in the reporting process, lack of knowledge regarding reporting, perceptions of injuries as not severe or part of the job, and distrust of reporting consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The review findings indicated that low wage earners, racial/ethnic minority workers, and workers who perceive a poor psychosocial work environment encounter more barriers to reporting a work-related injury or illness. This review also identified variations in the measurement of work-related injury reporting across studies and a lack of standardized measurement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The review was registered in the PROSPERO, an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews in health and social care (CRD42021284685).

Cervical Whiplash Syndrome: A Case Report of a Work Accident.

Cervical whiplash syndrome (CWS) or whiplash syndrome is a highly debated concept because there is still no consensus on its definition -- symptoms are usually very severe but the pain's root cause is typically uncertain. Clinical investigation and detailed radiology seldom identify a specific pathology. Thus, soft tissue injury is generally considered the most likely explanation for the symptoms, although it is difficult to confirm, even by MRI. We describe the clinical case of a physical education teacher who suffers an accident in one of her classes. The following day she is assessed at the emergency department and, after undergoing a radiological study of the cervical spine, she is diagnosed with straight cervical spine (kyphosis). She is observed again seven days later due to persistent pain but sent home with unchanged indications for rest and medication. After that her cervicobrachialgia progressively worsens, limiting her left shoulder active mobility and leading to associated muscle atrophy (in addition to a burnout syndrome). Several years after she is considered to have a total permanent disability. Finally, the authors propose that CWS should be approached according to the post-traumatic bodily injury evaluation methodology, suggesting some interventions.

Work-related head injury and industry sectors in Finland: causes and circumstances.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the continuous development of occupational safety, the prevalence of work-related head injuries is excessive. To promote prevention, we conducted a study evaluating the risks and pathways that precede head injuries in different economic activity sectors. METHODS: In Finland, more than 90% of employees are covered by inclusive statutory workers' compensation. We obtained data on occupational head injuries in 2010-2017 from an insurance company database. The European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) variables represented the characteristics of the accidents and the injury. We analysed the risk factors, contributing events and injury mechanisms in 20 industry sectors, based on the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE). RESULTS: In the 32,898 cases, the most commonly affected area was the eyes (49.6%). The highest incidence of head injuries was in construction (15.7 per 1000 insurance years). Construction, manufacturing, and human health and social work activities stood out due to their distinctive ESAW category counts. 'Working with hand-held tools' [risk ratio (RR) 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.14-2.32] in construction and 'operating machines' (RR 3.32, 95% CI 3.01-3.66) and 'working with hand-held tools' (1.99, 1.91-2.07) in manufacturing predicted head injury. The risk related to parameters of violence and threats in health and social work activities was nearly ninefold the risk of other sectors. CONCLUSION: The risks and pathways preceding head injuries varied considerably. The highest head injury rates were in construction and manufacturing. Violence emerged as a major risk factor in human health and social work activities.

Work-related and non-work-related fatal road accidents: Assessment of psychoactive substance use in commuting.

Commuting road traffic collisions (RTCs) are one of the main causes of occupational death worldwide, including Italy. Among the prominent yet relatively understudied personal risk factors in the subpopulation of workers, there is the use of psychoactive substances. Since the phenomenon of driving under alcohol and drugs effects in the commuter sub-population has so far been poorly studied, we carried out a study by comparing results obtained from the analysis of commuters and non-commuters. The percentage of commuting RTCs victims was 10.4% out of all the RTCs. Commuter victims were mostly men, 51-60 years-old, motorcyclists (32.1%) or car drivers (28.6%), employees, deceased during Fridays and Saturdays, in the afternoon (35.7%) and in the evening (32.1%). It was possible to perform toxicological analyses in 60.7% of commuter cases: approximately 40% tested positive, always and only for ethanol (median Blood Alcohol Concentration, BAC, of about 1.03 g/L). Values above the legal limit were observed in 23.5% of the toxicological samples analyzed from commuter accidents. Our findings contribute to bridging the gap in knowledge in the area of RTCs and commuting and emphasize the importance of carrying out toxicological investigations, with possible repercussions on both insurance issues and public health strategies, which are relevant for analyzing the phenomenon structurally.

Evaluation and comparison of selected methodologies to investigate occupational accidents.

BACKGROUND: The choice of the "right" methodology to carry out the occupational accident investigation process is not an easy task. Each methodology has different conceptual and practical characteristics. The choice will depend to a large extent on the conceptual accident model being used. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study has been to evaluate and compare a set of nine methodologies recognised as the most widely used in the field of occupational accident investigation. METHODS: For this purpose, six evaluation criteria are used which have already been applied and validated by the scientific community with a clear emphasis on the holistic nature of these methodologies. RESULTS: The results show a detailed analysis of the conceptual, methodological and practical characteristics of the nine selected occupational accident investigation methodologies. The conceptual framework of each of the methodologies, their holistic characteristics in terms of whether they cover the complete information cycle and its possible interrelation, reliability and validity of the methodologies, the experience required for their application, the flexibility in terms of being able to be used in different work environments and finally the ability of the methodology to motivate organisational improvement are presented. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, it is clear that the analysis of occupational accident investigation it is becoming increasingly necessary to employ scientific methodologies with a clear proactive approach in order to meet the challenges of changing socio-technical systems.

Occupational accidents involving pesticides notified by SINAN.

Introduction: The present article analyzed the number of pesticide accidents registered in Tocantins. In the case of occupational exposure to pesticides, the impact of pesticides on farmers is particularly great during direct handling or improper storage. This paper aims, through notifications of industrial accidents involving pesticides, to provide its target audience with information on notifications of accidents. Objectives: To analyze notifications of occupational accidents with pesticides via SINAN in the state of Tocantins, northern Brazil, from 2012 to 2017. Methods: The research deals with an explanatory literature that provides greater familiarity with the problem, making it clear or structured. Results: We can emphasize that pesticide poisoning is a serious public health problem. Among notifications of this event, 178 involved three types of pesticides, accounting for 12.35% of pesticide notifications. Furthermore, the most marketed pesticides are those whose formulation is based on the following active ingredients: glyphosate, 2,4-D, and mancozeb. Conclusions: After analyzing the data, we observed that the challenges brought by pesticide poisoning are related to the eligibility of the database of occupational accidents involving exogenous intoxications, being necessary to replace the use of agricultural pesticides, use pesticides safely for workers and the population, and seriously combat underreporting.

Introdução: O presente artigo analisou o número de acidentes de agrotóxicos registrados no Tocantins. No caso de exposição ocupacional a pesticidas, o impacto dos pesticidas sobre os agricultores é particularmente grande durante o manuseio direto ou armazenamento inadequado. Este trabalho propõe, por meio das notificações de acidentes industriais envolvendo agrotóxicos, fornecer ao seu público-alvo informações sobre notificações de acidentes. Objetivos: Analisar as notificações de acidente de trabalho com agrotóxicos via SINAN no estado do Tocantins entre os anos de 2012 e 2017. Métodos: A pesquisa trata de uma literatura explicativa que proporciona uma maior familiaridade com o problema, tornando-o claro ou estruturado. Resultados: Podemos enfatizar que a intoxicação por agrotóxicos é um sério problema de saúde pública. Dentre as notificações desse evento, 178 envolveram três tipos de agrotóxicos, representando 12,35% das notificações de agrotóxicos. Os agrotóxicos mais comercializados foram aqueles com formulação à base dos seguintes ingredientes ativos: glifosato, 2,4-D e mancozebe. Conclusões: Após a análise dos dados, observamos que os desafios colocados pela intoxicação por agrotóxicos estão relacionados à elegibilidade do banco de dados de acidentes de trabalho envolvendo intoxicações exógenas, sendo necessário substituir o uso de defensivos agrícolas, usar agrotóxicos com segurança para o trabalhador e para a população, e combater seriamente as subnotificações.

A insegurança das barragens da Vale em Minas Gerais, Brasil: aplicação da teoria da atividade à análise de desastres / The insecurity of Vale's dams in Minas Gerais, Brazil: applying activity theory to disaster analysis

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é apontar hipóteses de contradições que estariam incubadas historicamente nos sistemas de atividades da Vale, e que podem ter levado ao maior desastre ambiental do Brasil: o rompimento da barragem B I em Brumadinho, bem como à interdição de muitas outras barragens da empresa no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Trata-se de uma análise de caso a partir de dados secundários disponíveis em entrevistas, documentos e textos publicados em diferentes mídias entre 2011 e 2021. Procuramos demonstrar, a partir da Teoria Histórico-Cultural da Atividade, as contradições verificadas em e entre sistemas de atividades da Vale, pois a empresa distribuiu dividendos vultosos aos seus acionistas, remunerou como nunca seus diretores, reduziu os custos em relação às receitas e diminuiu brutalmente a dívida interna, mas manteve investimentos insuficientes na gestão das barragens, culminando no rompimento da B I em 2019 e em 29 barragens interditadas em março de 2021. A financeirização tornou-se central para as operações da empresa. Este estudo aponta para um caminho metodológico do diálogo interdisciplinar que ajuda a esclarecer como as decisões gerenciais estratégicas, especialmente aquelas da gestão financeira, poderiam influenciar a gestão de produção, de manutenção e de segurança das barragens de rejeitos.

Abstract The objective of this article is to point out hypotheses of contradictions historically incubated in Vale's activity systems and that may have led to Brazil's biggest environmental disaster, the B I dam break in Brumadinho, and the interdiction of many other dams owned by Vale in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is a case analysis from secondary data available in interviews, documents, and texts published in different media between 2011 and 2021. We try to demonstrate, from the Historical-Cultural Theory of Activity, the contradictions verified in and between Vale's activity systems, since the company distributed large dividends to its shareholders, remunerated its directors as never before, reduced costs in relation to incomes, and brutally reduced internal debt, but keeping insufficient investments in dam management, culminating with the break of B I in 2019 and with 29 dams interdicted in March 2021. Financialization has become central to the company's operations. This study points to a methodological path of the interdisciplinary dialogue to help clarify how strategic managerial decisions, especially those of financial management, could influence the production, maintenance, and safety management of tailings dams.

Occupational accident indicators among Social Security beneficiaries: temporal trend and magnitude in Brazil and its regions, 2009-2019 / Indicadores de accidentes laborales entre beneficiarios del Seguro Social: tendencia temporal y magnitud en Brasil y regiones, 2009-2019 / Indicadores de acidentes do trabalho entre segurados da Previdência Social: tendência temporal e magnitude no Brasil e regiões, 2009-2019

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the temporal trend and magnitude of occupational accident indicators among Social Security beneficiaries in Brazil and its regions from 2009 to 2019. Methods A time series study was conducted on occupational accident indicators in the regions of Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. Data were retrieved from the Statistical Yearbook of Occupational Accidents and the Statistical Yearbook of Social Security. Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression models were used to estimate trends, and annual percentage change and their respective 95% confidence intervals were obtained. Results There were 7,253,923 occupational accidents during the study period. The average incidence rate was 16.3 per 1,000 employment relationships, with a decreasing trend (APC = 4.3%; 95%CI -5.63;-3.26). Conclusion Brazil and its regions showed an overall decreasing trend in indicators representing morbidity burden and the magnitude of occupational accidents.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar las tendencias temporales y la magnitud de los indicadores de accidentes laborales entre los beneficiarios del Sistema de Seguridad Social en Brasil y sus regiones, durante el período de 2009 a 2019. Métodos Estudio de series temporales sobre los indicadores de accidentes de trabajo en las regiones de Brasil, en el período de 2009 a 2019; los datos fueron extraídos de las bases del Anuario Estadístico de Accidentes de Trabajo y del Anuario Estadístico de la Seguridad Social. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal generalizada de Prais-Winsten para estimar las tendencias y los cambios porcentuales anuales y se obtuvieron sus intervalos de confianza del 95%. Resultados Hubo 7.253.923 accidentes laborales en el período analizado; la incidencia media de accidentes de trabajo fue de 16,28 por 1.000 vínculos, con una tendencia decreciente (VPA = 4,3%; IC95% -5,63; -3,26). Hubo desigualdades entre las regiones, pero la tendencia predominante fue de disminución en todo el país. Conclusión Brasil y sus regiones han mostrado una tendencia general decreciente en los indicadores que representan la fuerza de morbilidad y la magnitud de los accidentes de trabajo.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar tendência temporal e magnitude dos indicadores de acidentes do trabalho entre segurados da Previdência Social no Brasil e regiões de 2009 a 2019. Métodos Estudo de séries temporais dos indicadores de acidentes do trabalho nas regiões do Brasil, no período de 2009 a 2019. Os dados foram extraídos do Anuário Estatístico de Acidentes do Trabalho e do Anuário Estatístico da Previdência Social. Modelos de regressão linear generalizada de Prais-Winsten foram utilizados para estimar as tendências e obteve-se a variação percentual anual e os respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. Resultados Houve 7.253.923 acidentes do trabalho no período. A incidência média de acidentes foi 16,3 por mil vínculos de trabalho, com tendência decrescente (VPA = 4,3%; IC95% -5,63;-3,26). Conclusão O Brasil e suas regiões apresentaram tendência geral decrescente nos indicadores que representam a força de morbidade e a magnitude dos acidentes do trabalho.

Framework and enlightenment of European Union's Occupational Injury Surveillance System / 环境与职业医学

In order to promote the development of China's occupational injury surveillance system, this paper presented the legal basis, project overview, reporting procedures, definitions and stati statistical scope, data sources and collection standards, statistical data management and analysis points of the European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW), and combined with existing research and related surveillance management system in China, five key points were proposed for constructing China's occupational injury surveillance system: 1) Establish and improve laws and regulations related to occupational injury surveillance; 2) Promote utilization of nation-level data systems; 3) Establish and optimize a sound national occupational injury surveillance system; 4) Provide standardized protocols for data collection and data application of occupational injury statistics; 5) Strengthen supervision and law enforcement targeting industries and enterprises.