NJ EMS Line of Duty Deaths: A Trend Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: As early as 2002, researchers were calling the occupational fatalities in Emergency Medical Service (EMS), a hidden crisis. Little consideration has been given to the needs for a safer working environment. METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis of Line of Duty Death (LODD) data of NJ EMS workers from 1912 to 2020. RESULTS: There were 81 reported LODDs. LODDs were greater for the 2000s period than the 1900s period and the results were the same when outliers were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts are needed to study the plethora of threats to EMS providers in order to target mitigation measures to implement a safety environment within a hot zone of potential threats. These threats are not novel, but it is time for novel solutions to mirror the efforts afforded to fire and police personnel, ensuring a fully safe and resilient public safety sector.

Trend analysis and projection of work accidents cases based on work shifts, workers age, and accident types

Objective: To assess the case of work accidents during period (2009–2022) based on work shifts, workers age, and accident types. Method: The study design was a time series design with data on work accidents at the company period 2009–2015 as the population. Results: The variable work shift in 2009–2015 was dominated by work accidents on morning shift and night shift of 0.47%. After a projection, it was found that work accidents occurring during the shift will drop from 0.22% to 0.11%. For the years 2009–2015, accidents were dominated by age group of >50 years with a percentage of 0.52%. In 2022 for that category fell by 0%. For work accidents that occurred in 2009–2015, the most cases were falling from a height with a percentage of 0.76–0.17%. In the next seven years, the projection results obtained the highest results turned into work accident with dangerous substances with a percentage of 0.17% in 2016 and increased to 0.30% in 2022. Conclusions: The trends and predictions from 2016 to 2022 were a decrease in work accidents based on work, a decrease in accidents based on the workers age, and also a decrease on the variable type of accident. (AU)

The impact of macroeconomic and industrial fluctuation on fatalities of construction workers in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the relationship between fluctuation in economic and industrial development and work-related fatalities of Chinese construction workers. METHODS: The data for work-related fatalities in housing and civil engineering in China from 1996 to 2016 were tested for fluctuation and trends of both general economic and industry-specific indicators using the Engle-Granger cointegration analysis and the augmented Granger Causality test the with modified Wald method. RESULTS: Both the long-run equilibrium associations and short-run dynamic interactions between construction safety and macroeconomic development in China were determined. According to the estimates, fatalities in the construction industry appeared to be more significantly associated with changes in the gross output value of the industry, and the improvement in the workers' efficiency also contributed to the decline of fatalities. It initially revealed that the changes in growth rate, instead of growth itself, had a more significant influence on construction safety in China, while a marginal decreasing trend of positive effects exerted by the growth can be expected with the gradual maturity of the industry. SIGNIFICANCE: The application of econometrical methods explored an untapped data source for gaining an insight into the underlying rules of occurrence of construction fatalities, thus strengthening the body of knowledge of construction safety by providing a new research perspective that some safety indicators can be treated as the macro-level socioeconomic index. Practical applications: The findings reminded policymakers and practitioners to be aware of potential challenges from the slowing or even declining trend facing the industry in the near future, and offered a reference to relevant authorities for establishing a more targeted and effective governance strategy.

Trends in burden of work-related upper limb amputation in South Korea, 2004-2013: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure the burden of work-related upper limb amputation in Korea over a 10-year period and assess its trend. DESIGN: Ecological study. SETTING: National level data in Korea between 2004 and 2013. PARTICIPANTS: 49 535 subjects who claimed Korea industrial accident compensation insurance due to upper limb amputation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated by sex, age and the site of amputation using annual incidence. RESULTS: The burden of work-related upper limb amputations in Korea reached its peak in 2007 and decreased thereafter. Males showed a higher burden of disease. Finger amputations showed a decreasing trend from 2007, whereas arm amputations continued to show an increasing trend. An increasing trend was found among participants older than 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the burden of finger amputations may be attributable to the lower incidence as a result of policy efforts. The increase in the burden of arm amputations was particularly noticeable among the elderly population over 50 years old. This could be attributable to the high proportion of the elderly population working in the manufacturing sector and the lack of policy efforts regarding major amputations in Korea. Future regulatory efforts are needed to prevent amputations.

Occupational Accidents in Iran: Risk Factors and Long Term Trend (2007-2016).

BACKGROUND: Although much is known about the distribution of occupational accidents in the world, less is known about occupational injuries in developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the trend of occupational accidents during 10 years (2007-2016) and to find factors affecting the accident outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was done based on the data gathered by the Iranian Social Security Organization (ISSO), including demographic data (age, sex, marital status) and occupational accident characteristics (accident sector, cause, type, body part, location, time, month, and incident outcome). RESULTS: A decreasing pattern of occupational accidents was found from 2.95 per 1000 workers in 2007 to 1.46 per 1000 workers in 2016. The mean age of injured workers was 32.97 years. The most common cause and type of accidents were incaution and lack of attention and collision, and trapping, respectively. Limbs were the most affected body parts, and less than 1% of occupational accidents resulted in death. The highest incident was seen in the industrial sector during all years. More severe accident outcomes were seen at older ages and in the male gender, married subjects, winter season, agriculture sector, and outside of work place. CONCLUSION: These results provide a basis for further investigations regarding data collection and accident causes. Modification of some associated factors and implementation of safety prevention programs would be useful in reducing occupational accidents in Iran.

Evolución de las lesiones por accidentes de trabajo y enfermedades profesionales en la República Argentina, 1997-2015 / Trends in occupational injury and disease in Argentina, 1997-2015

Objetivo: Describir la tendencia temporal de las lesiones por accidentes de trabajo (LAT) y las enfermedades profesionales (EP) en Argentina, entre 1997 y 2015, según gravedad del daño, lugar de ocurrencia, actividad económica y provincia. Métodos: La población de estudio está formada por la población trabajadora asalariada cubierta por el sistema de Riesgos del Trabajo de Argentina, que era de aproximadamente 4 millones en 1997 y de 9.6 millones en 2015. La tasa anual de incidencia de las LAT y EP se calculó según el número de casos notificados dividido por el promedio de trabajadores cubiertos por el sistema en cada año. Para medir el cambio temporal en la incidencia se calculó el porcentaje de cambio general (PCG), como el cociente de la diferencia entre tasa del primer año menos la del último año, dividido por la tasa del último año. Resultados: La incidencia global de LAT y EP disminuyó de manera más pronunciada entre los mortales (PCG = -65,0%) que en los no mortales (PCG = -23,3%). Según el lugar de ocurrencia, se observó un descenso en la incidencia de las LAT no mortales en jornada (PCG = -47,7%) y un incremento de las in itinere (PCG = 123,4%). En relación a las EP, se apreció un aumento en la incidencia de las EP no mortales (PCG=393,0%). Las EP mortales mostraron una tendencia más oscilante. Estas tendencias se reproducen de manera similar tanto para las actividades económicas como para las provincias seleccionadas. Conclusiones: Las tendencias observadas, especialmente en los últimos años, en las LAT y las EP en Argentina muestran un patrón similar al de países europeos, con un descenso de las LAT en jornada, mortales y no mortales, excepto para las LAT in itinere. Sin embargo, en el estudio de las EP no mortales se debe profundizar en el conocimiento más detallado y completo de su tendencia temporal Integración de la prevención de riesgos en el proceso de compra de desinfectantes hospitalarios del Instituto Catalán de la Salud entre los años 2008 y 2017

Objectives: To describe temporal trends in occupational injuries (OI) and occupational diseases (OD) in Argentina, by severity of the injury, place of occurrence, economic activity and selected provinces, in the period 1997 to 2015. Methods: The study population consists of the working population covered by the Argentine Law of Occupational Risks system, roughly 4 million people in 1997 and 9.5 million in 2015. The annual incidence rate of the OI and OD was calculated by using the number of reported cases divided by the mean number of employees covered by the system each year. To measure change in incidence over time, we calculated the overall percentage change (OPC), by dividing the difference between the incidence rate of the first minus the last year by the incidence rate of the last year. Results: The overall incidence of OI and OD showed a greater decline for fatal (OPC=-65%) versus nonfatal injuries (OPC-23,3%). By place of occurrence, we observed a decrease in the incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries at the workplace (OPC =-47,7%), but an increase in occupational commuting OI (OPC =+123,4%). For OD, there was an increase in the incidence of nonfatal OD (OPC =393%), although the tendency showed both increases and declines among fatal occupational diseases. This pattern was consistent among different economic activities as well as in selected provinces. Conclusions: Observed trends are in line with other high-income countries, with decreasing nonfatal workplace OI, and increasing commuting OI and nonfatal OD. Further in-depth research is warranted on temporal trends in non-fatal OD

Comportamiento de la accidentalidad y enfermedad laboral en Colombia 1994 -2016 / Occupational injuries and illness in Colombia 1994 - 2016

Objetivo: analizar el comportamiento tanto de los accidentes de trabajo (AT) como las enfermedades laborales (EL) por separado, y en su conjunto en Colombia para el periodo 1994 a 2016. Material y Métodos: estudio descriptivo-analítico y longitudinal de un periodo de 22 años. Se calculan tasas de incidencia de ATEL y las variaciones en la frecuencia de dichos eventos. Adicionalmente, se construyó una serie temporal para establecer la tendencia de los AT y su pronóstico para los próximos 5 años. Resultados: la frecuencia de los AT está aumentando anualmente en un 8,6% aproximadamente. La tasa promedio de EL es de 60 casos por cada 100.000 trabajadores. Finalmente, se proyectan 725.000 casos anuales de AT aproximadamente. Conclusiones: Colombia necesita mejorar su sistema de información para ATEL que permita hacer un seguimiento a estos eventos de forma longitudinal, que facilite la comparación con otros países y sea insumo para el marco nacional de promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo

Objective: to analyze occupational injuries and illness trends in Colombia for the period 1994 to 2016.Material and Methods: descriptive-analytic and longitudinal study from 1994 to 2016. Occupational injuries and illness incidence rates and variations in the frequency of such events are calculated. Additionally, a time series was constructed to establish the trend of the accidents at work and its forecast for the next five years. Results: the frequency of occupational injuries is increasing annually by 8.6% approximately. Average occupational diseases rate is 60 cases per 100,000 workers. Finally, approximately 725,000 annual occupational injuries cases are projected. Conclusions: Colombia needs to improve its information system for occupational injuries and illness. Longitudinal monitoring of these events will allow comparison with other countries and become an input to the national framework for the promotion of occupational safety and health

["Compatible" workers, a compound fracture in the automobile industry: intensification of labor and the health implications]. / Trabalhador "compatível", fratura exposta no processo de produção da indústria automobilística: intensificação do trabalho e saúde em questão.

Today's intensification of labor is part of the industrial transformations under way in Brazil since the 1990s, involving changes in the social production of auto workers' strain and epidemiological profile. Accident- and disease-related absenteeism is an important indicator of auto workers' strain, with relevance to the health field. The study aims to analyze the intensification of labor and its health implications from the perspective of the health-disease process, based on workers' perceptions at an automobile assembly plant in the ABC Industrial Belt of São Paulo. Workers were asked about the obstacles to returning to work following work-related accidents or diseases (commonly referred to as "compatible" workers). We conducted six visits to the plant and 20 interviews with assembly line workers. Data were collected from March 2010 to November 2014. The results depict the social figure of the "compatible" worker, a "compound fracture" in the production process, expressed as the intensification of labor, characterized by an intense work pace, denser work, extended workdays, and heavy stress, while simultaneously pointing to a trend toward laying off "compatible" workers. The study contributes to the search for knowledge on the intensification of labor and its health implications. We hope to have produced backing for further research on determination of the health-disease process, based on the incorporation of workers' experience.

O atual processo de intensificação do trabalho se insere no contexto das transformações produtivas, no Brasil, a partir dos anos 1990, acarretando mudanças na produção social do desgaste operário e do perfil epidemiológico dos trabalhadores. Incapacidade para o trabalho por acidente e doença é um importante indicador do desgaste operário, sendo de interesse da área da saúde. O estudo objetiva analisar o processo de intensificação do trabalho e saúde da perspectiva do processo saúde-doença a partir da percepção dos trabalhadores de uma montadora automobilística da Região do ABC, em São Paulo, quando indagados acerca dos obstáculos ao retorno ao trabalho daqueles com restrição laboral por acidente ou doenças, comumente denominados de "compatível". Realizamos seis visitas à fabrica e vinte entrevistas com operários da produção. Os dados foram coletados entre março de 2010 e novembro de 2014. Os resultados revelam, na figura social do "compatível", uma fratura exposta pelo processo de produção, expressa nas práticas de intensificação do trabalho, caracterizada pelo ritmo intenso, adensamento do trabalho, prolongamento da jornada e gestão por estresse; ao mesmo tempo, apontam para a tendência de exclusão do trabalhador "compatível" da empresa. A pesquisa contribui para avançar na busca do conhecimento acerca da intensificação do trabalho e saúde, esperamos ter trazido subsídios para novas investigações na perspectiva da determinação do processo saúde-doença, com a incorporação da experiência dos trabalhadores.

El actual proceso de intensificación del trabajo se inserta en el contexto de las transformaciones productivas en Brasil, acaecidas a partir de los años noventa, y que acarrearon cambios en la producción social, en el desgaste del obrero y el perfil epidemiológico de los trabajadores. La incapacidad para el trabajo por accidente y enfermedad es un importante indicador del desgaste del trabajador, siendo un área de interés para la salud. El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el proceso de intensificación del trabajo y su repercusión en la salud, desde la perspectiva del proceso salud-enfermedad, a partir de la percepción de los trabajadores de una ensambladora automovilística de la Región del ABC, en São Paulo. Realizamos encuestas, a obreros con restricciones laborales por accidente o enfermedades, denominados comúnmente "compatibles", sobre sus obstáculos para el retorno al trabajo. Realizamos seis visitas a la fábrica y veinte entrevistas a obreros del área de producción. Los datos fueron recogidos entre marzo de 2010 y noviembre de 2014. Los resultados revelan, en la figura social del "compatible", una fractura expuesta por el proceso de producción, expresada en las prácticas de intensificación del trabajo, caracterizada por el ritmo intenso, densificación del trabajo, prolongación de la jornada y gestión del estrés; al mismo tiempo, apuntan hacia la tendencia de exclusión del trabajador "compatible" de la empresa. La investigación contribuye al avance en la búsqueda del conocimiento sobre la intensificación del trabajo y sus efectos sobre la salud. Esperamos servir de apoyo de nuevas investigaciones, desde la perspectiva del proceso salud-enfermedad, con la incorporación de la experiencia de los trabajadores.

[Work accidents and automatic circuit reclosers in the electricity sector: beyond the immediate causes]. / Acidentes de trabalho e os religadores automáticos no setor elétrico: para além das causas imediatas.

The Brazilian electricity sector has recorded high work-related mortality rates that have been associated with outsourcing, used to cut costs. In order to decrease the power outage time for consumers, the industry adopted the automatic circuit recloser as the technical solution. The device has hazardous implications for maintenance workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the origins and consequences of work accidents in power systems with automatic circuit recloser, using the Accident Analysis and Prevention (AAP) model. The AAP model was used to investigate two work accidents, aimed to explore the events' organizational origins. Case 1 - when changing a deenergized secondary line, a worker received a shock from the energized primary cable (13.8kV). The system reclosed three times, causing severe injury to the worker (amputation of a lower limb). Case 2 - a fatal work accident occurred during installation of a new crosshead on a partially insulated energized line. The tip of a metal cross arm section strap touched the energized secondary line and electrocuted the maintenance operator. The circuit breaker component of the automatic circuit recloser failed. The analyses revealed how business management logic can participate in the root causes of work accidents through failures in maintenance management, outsourced workforce management, and especially safety management in systems with reclosers. Decisions to adopt automation to guarantee power distribution should not overlook the risks to workers in overhead power lines or fail to acknowledge the importance of ensuring safe conditions.

O setor elétrico brasileiro registra elevados índices de mortalidade por acidentes de trabalho que vêm sendo associados à terceirização, introduzida como forma de rebaixamento de custos. Para diminuir o tempo de interrupção do fornecimento de energia aos consumidores, o setor adotou, como solução tecnológica, o religador automático. Essa medida apresenta características perversas para os trabalhadores de manutenção. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar origens e consequências de acidentes de trabalho em sistemas elétricos dotados de religador automático utilizando o Modelo de Análise e Prevenção de Acidentes (MAPA). O MAPA foi usado na investigação de dois acidentes de trabalho visando a explorar as origens organizacionais dos eventos. Caso 1 - ao trocar linha secundária desenergizada, um trabalhador foi atingido por cabo primário energizado (13,8kV). O sistema foi religado três vezes, agravando as lesões (amputação de membro inferior). Caso 2 - acidente de trabalho fatal ocorrido durante instalação de cruzeta nova, em linha energizada, parcialmente isolada. A extremidade de uma mão francesa metálica encostou na linha secundária energizada e eletrocutou o operador de manutenção. O componente desligador do religador automático não funcionou. As análises contribuem para desvelar como a lógica de gestão de negócios pode participar nas origens de acidentes de trabalho via falhas da gestão de manutenção, da gestão de força de trabalho de terceiras e, em especial, da gestão de segurança em sistemas dotados de religadores. As decisões pela automação para garantir a distribuição de energia não podem negligenciar os riscos aos trabalhadores da rede elétrica e, tampouco, deixar de reconhecer a importância do controle sobre as condições de segurança.

El sector eléctrico brasileño registra elevados índices de mortalidad por accidentes de trabajo, que están siendo asociados a la tercerización, introducida como forma de reducción de costes. Para disminuir el tiempo de interrupción de la energía a los consumidores, el sector adoptó como solución tecnológica, el reconectador automático. Esta medida presenta características perversas para los trabajadores del sector de mantenimiento. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los orígenes y consecuencias de los accidentes de trabajo en sistemas eléctricos dotados de reconectador automático, utilizando el Modelo de Análisis y Prevención de Accidentes (MAPA). El MAPA se usó en la investigación de dos accidentes de trabajo, con el objetivo de explorar las causas organizativas de los eventos. Caso 1 - al cambiar la línea secundaria sin energía, un trabajador fue alcanzado por un cable primario con energía (13,8kV). El sistema se reconectó tres veces, agravando las lesiones (amputación de miembro inferior). Caso 2 - accidente de trabajo fatal ocurrido durante la instalación de una cruceta nueva, en una línea con energía, parcialmente aislada. La extremidad de una cruceta metálica cayó en la línea secundaria con energía y electrocutó al obrero de mantenimiento. El componente que desconectaba el reconectador automático no funcionó. Los análisis contribuyen a desvelar cómo la lógica de gestión de negocios puede ser partícipe en las causas de accidentes de trabajo, vía fallos en la gestión del mantenimiento, de la gestión de fuerza de trabajo de terceras personas y, en especial, de la gestión de seguridad en sistemas dotados de reconectadores. Las decisiones de la automatización para garantizar la distribución de energía no pueden obviar los riesgos para los trabajadores de la red eléctrica y tampoco dejar de reconocer la importancia del control sobre las condiciones de seguridad.

Mass Casualty Incidents in the Underground Mining Industry: Applying the Haddon Matrix on an Integrative Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Underground mining is associated with obvious risks that can lead to mass casualty incidents. Information about such incidents was analyzed in an integrated literature review. METHODS: A literature search (1980-2015) identified 564 modern-era underground mining reports from countries sharing similar occupational health legislation. These reports were condensed to 31 reports after consideration of quality grading and appropriateness to the aim. The Haddon matrix was used for structure, separating human factors from technical and environmental details, and timing. RESULTS: Most of the reports were descriptive regarding injury-creating technical and environmental factors. The influence of rock characteristics was an important pre-event environmental factor. The organic nature of coal adds risks not shared in hard-rock mines. A sequence of mechanisms is commonly described, often initiated by a human factor in interaction with technology and step-wise escalation to involve environmental circumstances. Socioeconomic factors introduce heterogeneity. In the Haddon matrix, emergency medical services are mainly a post-event environmental issue, which were not well described in the available literature. The US Quecreek Coal Mine incident of 2002 stands out as a well-planned rescue mission. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the preparedness to handle underground mining incidents deserves further scientific attention. Preparedness must include the medical aspects of rescue operations. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:138-146).

Trabalhador "compatível", fratura exposta no processo de produção da indústria automobilística: intensificação do trabalho e saúde em questão / "Compatible" workers, a compound fracture in the automobile industry: intensification of labor and the health implications / Trabajador "compatible", una brecha expuesta en el proceso de producción de la industria automovilística: intensificación del trabajo y salud en tela de juicio

Resumo: O atual processo de intensificação do trabalho se insere no contexto das transformações produtivas, no Brasil, a partir dos anos 1990, acarretando mudanças na produção social do desgaste operário e do perfil epidemiológico dos trabalhadores. Incapacidade para o trabalho por acidente e doença é um importante indicador do desgaste operário, sendo de interesse da área da saúde. O estudo objetiva analisar o processo de intensificação do trabalho e saúde da perspectiva do processo saúde-doença a partir da percepção dos trabalhadores de uma montadora automobilística da Região do ABC, em São Paulo, quando indagados acerca dos obstáculos ao retorno ao trabalho daqueles com restrição laboral por acidente ou doenças, comumente denominados de "compatível". Realizamos seis visitas à fabrica e vinte entrevistas com operários da produção. Os dados foram coletados entre março de 2010 e novembro de 2014. Os resultados revelam, na figura social do "compatível", uma fratura exposta pelo processo de produção, expressa nas práticas de intensificação do trabalho, caracterizada pelo ritmo intenso, adensamento do trabalho, prolongamento da jornada e gestão por estresse; ao mesmo tempo, apontam para a tendência de exclusão do trabalhador "compatível" da empresa. A pesquisa contribui para avançar na busca do conhecimento acerca da intensificação do trabalho e saúde, esperamos ter trazido subsídios para novas investigações na perspectiva da determinação do processo saúde-doença, com a incorporação da experiência dos trabalhadores.

Abstract: Today's intensification of labor is part of the industrial transformations under way in Brazil since the 1990s, involving changes in the social production of auto workers' strain and epidemiological profile. Accident- and disease-related absenteeism is an important indicator of auto workers' strain, with relevance to the health field. The study aims to analyze the intensification of labor and its health implications from the perspective of the health-disease process, based on workers' perceptions at an automobile assembly plant in the ABC Industrial Belt of São Paulo. Workers were asked about the obstacles to returning to work following work-related accidents or diseases (commonly referred to as "compatible" workers). We conducted six visits to the plant and 20 interviews with assembly line workers. Data were collected from March 2010 to November 2014. The results depict the social figure of the "compatible" worker, a "compound fracture" in the production process, expressed as the intensification of labor, characterized by an intense work pace, denser work, extended workdays, and heavy stress, while simultaneously pointing to a trend toward laying off "compatible" workers. The study contributes to the search for knowledge on the intensification of labor and its health implications. We hope to have produced backing for further research on determination of the health-disease process, based on the incorporation of workers' experience.

Resumen: El actual proceso de intensificación del trabajo se inserta en el contexto de las transformaciones productivas en Brasil, acaecidas a partir de los años noventa, y que acarrearon cambios en la producción social, en el desgaste del obrero y el perfil epidemiológico de los trabajadores. La incapacidad para el trabajo por accidente y enfermedad es un importante indicador del desgaste del trabajador, siendo un área de interés para la salud. El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el proceso de intensificación del trabajo y su repercusión en la salud, desde la perspectiva del proceso salud-enfermedad, a partir de la percepción de los trabajadores de una ensambladora automovilística de la Región del ABC, en São Paulo. Realizamos encuestas, a obreros con restricciones laborales por accidente o enfermedades, denominados comúnmente "compatibles", sobre sus obstáculos para el retorno al trabajo. Realizamos seis visitas a la fábrica y veinte entrevistas a obreros del área de producción. Los datos fueron recogidos entre marzo de 2010 y noviembre de 2014. Los resultados revelan, en la figura social del "compatible", una fractura expuesta por el proceso de producción, expresada en las prácticas de intensificación del trabajo, caracterizada por el ritmo intenso, densificación del trabajo, prolongación de la jornada y gestión del estrés; al mismo tiempo, apuntan hacia la tendencia de exclusión del trabajador "compatible" de la empresa. La investigación contribuye al avance en la búsqueda del conocimiento sobre la intensificación del trabajo y sus efectos sobre la salud. Esperamos servir de apoyo de nuevas investigaciones, desde la perspectiva del proceso salud-enfermedad, con la incorporación de la experiencia de los trabajadores.

Acidentes de trabalho e os religadores automáticos no setor elétrico: para além das causas imediatas / Work accidents and automatic circuit reclosers in the electricity sector: beyond the immediate causes / Accidentes de trabajo y reconectadores automáticos en el sector eléctrico: más allá de las causas inmediatas

Resumo: O setor elétrico brasileiro registra elevados índices de mortalidade por acidentes de trabalho que vêm sendo associados à terceirização, introduzida como forma de rebaixamento de custos. Para diminuir o tempo de interrupção do fornecimento de energia aos consumidores, o setor adotou, como solução tecnológica, o religador automático. Essa medida apresenta características perversas para os trabalhadores de manutenção. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar origens e consequências de acidentes de trabalho em sistemas elétricos dotados de religador automático utilizando o Modelo de Análise e Prevenção de Acidentes (MAPA). O MAPA foi usado na investigação de dois acidentes de trabalho visando a explorar as origens organizacionais dos eventos. Caso 1 - ao trocar linha secundária desenergizada, um trabalhador foi atingido por cabo primário energizado (13,8kV). O sistema foi religado três vezes, agravando as lesões (amputação de membro inferior). Caso 2 - acidente de trabalho fatal ocorrido durante instalação de cruzeta nova, em linha energizada, parcialmente isolada. A extremidade de uma mão francesa metálica encostou na linha secundária energizada e eletrocutou o operador de manutenção. O componente desligador do religador automático não funcionou. As análises contribuem para desvelar como a lógica de gestão de negócios pode participar nas origens de acidentes de trabalho via falhas da gestão de manutenção, da gestão de força de trabalho de terceiras e, em especial, da gestão de segurança em sistemas dotados de religadores. As decisões pela automação para garantir a distribuição de energia não podem negligenciar os riscos aos trabalhadores da rede elétrica e, tampouco, deixar de reconhecer a importância do controle sobre as condições de segurança.

Abstract: The Brazilian electricity sector has recorded high work-related mortality rates that have been associated with outsourcing, used to cut costs. In order to decrease the power outage time for consumers, the industry adopted the automatic circuit recloser as the technical solution. The device has hazardous implications for maintenance workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the origins and consequences of work accidents in power systems with automatic circuit recloser, using the Accident Analysis and Prevention (AAP) model. The AAP model was used to investigate two work accidents, aimed to explore the events' organizational origins. Case 1 - when changing a deenergized secondary line, a worker received a shock from the energized primary cable (13.8kV). The system reclosed three times, causing severe injury to the worker (amputation of a lower limb). Case 2 - a fatal work accident occurred during installation of a new crosshead on a partially insulated energized line. The tip of a metal cross arm section strap touched the energized secondary line and electrocuted the maintenance operator. The circuit breaker component of the automatic circuit recloser failed. The analyses revealed how business management logic can participate in the root causes of work accidents through failures in maintenance management, outsourced workforce management, and especially safety management in systems with reclosers. Decisions to adopt automation to guarantee power distribution should not overlook the risks to workers in overhead power lines or fail to acknowledge the importance of ensuring safe conditions.

Resumen: El sector eléctrico brasileño registra elevados índices de mortalidad por accidentes de trabajo, que están siendo asociados a la tercerización, introducida como forma de reducción de costes. Para disminuir el tiempo de interrupción de la energía a los consumidores, el sector adoptó como solución tecnológica, el reconectador automático. Esta medida presenta características perversas para los trabajadores del sector de mantenimiento. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los orígenes y consecuencias de los accidentes de trabajo en sistemas eléctricos dotados de reconectador automático, utilizando el Modelo de Análisis y Prevención de Accidentes (MAPA). El MAPA se usó en la investigación de dos accidentes de trabajo, con el objetivo de explorar las causas organizativas de los eventos. Caso 1 - al cambiar la línea secundaria sin energía, un trabajador fue alcanzado por un cable primario con energía (13,8kV). El sistema se reconectó tres veces, agravando las lesiones (amputación de miembro inferior). Caso 2 - accidente de trabajo fatal ocurrido durante la instalación de una cruceta nueva, en una línea con energía, parcialmente aislada. La extremidad de una cruceta metálica cayó en la línea secundaria con energía y electrocutó al obrero de mantenimiento. El componente que desconectaba el reconectador automático no funcionó. Los análisis contribuyen a desvelar cómo la lógica de gestión de negocios puede ser partícipe en las causas de accidentes de trabajo, vía fallos en la gestión del mantenimiento, de la gestión de fuerza de trabajo de terceras personas y, en especial, de la gestión de seguridad en sistemas dotados de reconectadores. Las decisiones de la automatización para garantizar la distribución de energía no pueden obviar los riesgos para los trabajadores de la red eléctrica y tampoco dejar de reconocer la importancia del control sobre las condiciones de seguridad.

Trends and Patterns in Unintentional Injury Fatalities in Australian Agriculture.

Agriculture is recognized internationally as a hazardous industry. This article describes the trends and patterns of unintentional farm fatalities in Australia. Data from the National Coronial Information System were analyzed to assess all unintentional farm fatalities for the 2001-2015 period. A secondary comparison with earlier coronial system data from 1989-1992 was also completed to ascertain historical changes. There was no statistically significant change in the rate of work-related fatalities per 100,000 workers in the 2001-2015 period. However, there was a significant curvilinear reduction in all cases of fatality (work and non-work related) per 10,000 agricultural establishments, which decreased from 2001 to 2009-2011 and then increased to 2015. The longer-term data from 1989-2015 revealed a reduction of 30% in work-related cases per 100,000 workers and a reduction of 35% in all cases (work and non-work) per 10,000 agricultural establishments. For both work-related and all cases, there was a statistically significant reduction from 1989 to 2005 and then no change thereafter. The longer-term reduction in farm fatalities ceased in the mid-2000s, and the rate has remained stable since. Fatal injuries continue to impose a significant burden on Australian farming communities, with the rate remaining relatively static for the past ten years. New evidence-based interventions targeting priority areas are required to reduce the incidence of fatalities in Australia agriculture.

Trends in fractures and fatalities of farmyard injuries in Ireland: a 10 year analysis.

The farming and agricultural sector remains one of Ireland's primary industries. Fatality rates remain higher than the European average. The aim of this study was to analyze the national trend in hospital in-patient admissions for farmyard related fractures and related fatalities in Ireland from 2005 to 2014. Relevant socioeconomic trends were used for comparison. There were 2,064 farm-related fractures and 187 fatalities recorded over the same period. Despite a decrease in incidence of farmyard fractures over 2005-2014, fatality rates have increased indicating the alarming continued occupational hazards and severity of sustained injuries.

Norma ISO 45001: oportunidad para las organizaciones sanitarias en la mejora de la salud laboral / ISO 45001: opportunity for healthcare organizations in improving occupational health

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Factores de riesgo según la ocurrencia de accidentes laborales en el personal de enfermería del Centro Médico S. A de la ciudad de Corrientes durante el periodo del 1 enero al 31 diciembre del 2015 / Risk factors according to the occurrence of occupational accidents in the nursing staff from Centro Médico S.A of the city of Current during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2015

El personal que trabaja en establecimientos de salud, como cualquier trabajador, está expuesto a sufrir algún tipo de accidente, dentro de los factores que afectan al personal de salud (enfermería) están las que guardan relación con las condiciones en que el trabajo es ejecutado. Se realizó un estudio sobre los "factores de riesgo en el personal de enfermería según la ocurrencia de accidentes laborales del Centro Médico S.A de la ciudad de Corrientes durante el periodo del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre del 2015". El diseño metodológico utilizado fue cuantitativo, descriptivo con grupo en estudio y grupo control, retrospectivo, transversal, observacional, con un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se llevó a cabo durante el mes de agosto del 2016, sobre una muestra de 30 personas (personal de enfermería), se tomaron 10 entrevistados como grupo en estudio (con accidentes laborales) y 20 como grupo control (sin accidentes laborales). Se utilizó un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Las variables estudiadas para ambos grupos fueron: sexo, edad, lugar de trabajo, factores de riesgo psicosociales donde se estudiaron: grado de formación, antigüedad laboral, duración de la jornada laboral, guardias pasivas y los horarios rotativos. Para medir los factores de riesgo biológicos se estudiaron el contacto con fluidos corporales, los elementos corto punzantes y el manejo de sustancias. En los factores ambientales se estudió al ruido ambiental y la iluminación. En los accidentes laborales se observó que en el personal de enfermería los eventos se presentaron en un promedio de edad de 34 años, se apreció mayor predisposición en el sector de clínica médica; el grado de formación arrojo un porcentaje mayoritario de auxiliares en ambos grupos, promedio de antigüedad laboral de 9 años en los accidentados y de 15 años para el grupo control. En los factores de riesgo psicosociales la jornada laboral de 16 horas diarias predominó en quienes presentaron accidentes; los factores biológicos arrojaron un porcentaje mayoritario en el manejo de sustancias

Personnel working in health facilities, such as any worker, are exposed to some type of accident, among the factors that affect health personnel (nursing) are those related to the conditions in which the work is performed. A study was carried out on "risk factors in nursing personnel according to the occurrence of occupational accidents at the S.A Medical Center of the city of Corrientes during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2015". The methodological design used was quantitative, descriptive with group in study and control group, retrospective, transversal, observational, with non-probabilistic sampling for convenience. During the month of August, 2016, a sample of 30 people (nursing staff) were taken, 10 interviewed as a study group (with occupational accidents) and 20 as a control group (without occupational accidents). Non-probabilistic sampling was used for convenience. The variables studied for the two groups were: gender, age, workplace, psychosocial risk factors where they were studied: degree of training, length of work, length of working day, passive guards and rotating schedules. In order to measure biological risk factors, contact with body fluids, short prongs and substance handling was studied. Environmental noise was studied in environmental factors and lighting. In work accidents, it was observed that in the nursing staff the events were presented at an average age of 34 years, there was a greater predisposition in the medical clinic sector; The degree of training resulted in a majority percentage of auxiliaries in both groups, average of 9 years in the injured and 15 years in the control group. In the psychosocial risk factors, the 16-hour workday per day predominated in those who presented accidents; The biological factors gave rise to a majority percentage in the handling of substances. Key words: Accidents at work, nursing staff, Psychosocial, biological and environmental risk factors

An aftermath analysis of the 2014 coal mine accident in Soma, Turkey: Use of risk performance indicators based on historical experience.

On the 13th of May 2014 a fire related incident in the Soma coal mine in Turkey caused 301 fatalities and more than 80 injuries. This has been the largest coal mine accident in Turkey, and in the OECD country group, so far. This study investigated if such a disastrous event should be expected, in a statistical sense, based on historical observations. For this purpose, PSI's ENSAD database is used to extract accident data for the period 1970-2014. Four different cases are analyzed, i.e., OECD, OECD w/o Turkey, Turkey and USA. Analysis of temporal trends for annual numbers of accidents and fatalities indicated a non-significant decreasing tendency for OECD and OECD w/o Turkey and a significant one for USA, whereas for Turkey both measures showed an increase over time. The expectation analysis revealed clearly that an event with the consequences of the Soma accident is rather unlikely for OECD, OECD w/o Turkey and USA. In contrast, such a severe accident has a substantially higher expectation for Turkey, i.e. it cannot be considered an extremely rare event, based on historical experience. This indicates a need for improved safety measures and stricter regulations in the Turkish coal mining sector in order to get closer to the rest of OECD.

Improving occupational injury surveillance by using a severity threshold: development of a new occupational health indicator.

BACKGROUND: Hospital discharge data are used for occupational injury surveillance, but observed hospitalisation trends are affected by trends in healthcare practices and workers' compensation coverage that may increasingly impair ascertainment of minor injuries relative to severe injuries. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the development of a severe injury definition for surveillance purposes and (2) assess the impact of imposing a severity threshold on estimated occupational and non-occupational injury trends. METHODS: Three independent methods were used to estimate injury severity for the severe injury definition. 10 population-based hospital discharge databases were used to estimate trends (1998-2009), including the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) and State Inpatient Databases (SID) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Negative binomial regression was used to model injury trends with and without severity restriction and to test trend divergence by severity. RESULTS: Trend estimates for occupational injuries were biased downwards in the absence of severity restriction, more so than for non-occupational injuries. Imposing a severity threshold resulted in a markedly different historical picture. CONCLUSIONS: Severity restriction can be used as an injury surveillance methodology to increase the accuracy of trend estimates, which can then be used by occupational health researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to identify prevention opportunities and to support state and national investments in occupational injury prevention efforts. The newly adopted state-based occupational health indicator, 'Work-Related Severe Traumatic Injury Hospitalizations', incorporates a severity threshold that will reduce temporal ascertainment threats to accurate trend estimates.

Barriers to the Adoption of Safety-Engineered Needles Following a Regulatory Standard: Lessons Learned from Three Acute Care Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: A number of jurisdictions have introduced regulation to accelerate the adoption of safety-engineered needles (SENs). This study examined the transition to SENs in three acute care hospitals prior to and following the implementation of a regulatory standard in Ontario. This paper focuses on the ongoing barriers to the prevention of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers. METHODS: Information from document review and 30 informant interviews were used to prepare three case studies detailing each organization's implementation activities and outcomes. RESULTS: All three hospitals responded to the regulatory requirements with integrity and needlestick injuries declined. However, needlestick injuries continued to occur during the activation of safety devices, during procedures and during instrument disposal. The study documented substantial barriers to further progress in needlestick injury prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare organizations should focus on understanding their site-specific challenges that contribute to ongoing injury risk to better understand issues related to product limitations, practice constraints and the work environment.

Trends of occupational fatalities involving machines, United States, 1992-2010.

BACKGROUND: This paper describes trends of occupational machine-related fatalities from 1992-2010. We examine temporal patterns by worker demographics, machine types (e.g., stationary, mobile), and industries. METHODS: We analyzed fatalities from Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. We used injury source to identify machine-related incidents and Poisson regression to assess trends over the 19-year period. RESULTS: There was an average annual decrease of 2.8% in overall machine-related fatality rates from 1992 through 2010. Mobile machine-related fatality rates decreased an average of 2.6% annually and stationary machine-related rates decreased an average of 3.5% annually. Groups that continued to be at high risk included older workers; self-employed; and workers in agriculture/forestry/fishing, construction, and mining. CONCLUSION: Addressing dangers posed by tractors, excavators, and other mobile machines needs to continue. High-risk worker groups should receive targeted information on machine safety.