Protective devices

Commercial airlines in Australia do not require infants under the age of 24 months to occupy their own seats during flight, but all passengers must be restrained during taxi, take-off, landing and turbulence. Adults are required to wear the standard aircraft seat lap belt. For infants and young children, the situation is less clear. Child restraint systems (CRS) potentially offer the safest solution. However, the suitability and effectiveness of available Australian automotive CRS have not been investigated. Twenty models of CRS, certified to AS/NZS 1754:2004, were fitted to a typical commercial aircraft seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Fourteen of the CRS models had difficulty fitting within the available space or could not be adequately installed due to interference with the aircraft seat lap belt latch. Additionally, one required a top tether strap (not normally available in commercial aircraft) to be used in the installation. An FAA style turbulence test demons...

A prevalence survey was performed to estimate the magnitude and predictors for needlestick injury (NSI) in nurses of Fars province hospitals. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed in 52 hospitals to a stratified random sample of 2118 (46.3%) nurses between April and September 2005 to collect self-reported NSI in the past 12-months. RESULTS: Of the 1555 nurses who returned a completed questionnaire, 49.6% (95% confidence interval [95 CI] 47.1%-52.1%) recalled at least one sharps injury, of which 52.6% were classified as NSI. Just over one fourth (26.3%; 95 CI 24.1%-28.6%, 409/1555) of respondents sustained at least one NSI, 75.6% (95 CI 71.1%-79.6%) recalled having sustained between 1 and 4 injuries in the past 12-months, of which 72.2% involved a hollow-bore needle and 95.1% of injuries involved fingers. Predictors of NSI included being a registered nurse (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3) or midwife (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-3.9) compared with nurse managers, being employed in a hospital located in other cities smaller than Shiraz (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8). Nurses who reported a previous contaminated NSI were less likely to sustain a further injury (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.4). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NSI in Iranian nurses is high, with the majority of injured staff having sustained up to 4 NSIs in a 12-month period. Nearly all NSIs were high-risk injuries involving a hollow-bore needle. Providing nursing staff with safety-engineered devices, including retractable syringes when hollowbore needles are to be used, will be an important step toward reducing our NSI epidemic.

The expansion of chemotherapy raised concerns about the health and safety of hospital personnel. Very little is known about the conditions of handling of chemotherapeutic agents by healthcare workers in Greece and possible adverse effects related to their safety practices, as well as the safety policies adopted by the Greek hospitals. A self-evaluation questionnaire was completed by 353 healthcare workers involved with the use of chemotherapeutic drugs in 24 Greek hospitals and the answers were statistically analysed. The majority of the healthcare workers are aware of the dangers of their work, although they had received limited training and medical surveillance. A significant percentage of them does not use personal protective equipment or use it inadequately. The safety design of their workplace is rather poor. Different health problems have been experienced, deriving from the respiratory, central nervous system, reproductive, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal system. The improvement of safety training and procedures as well as medical surveillance seems to be a vital priority of hospital administration in Greece, in order to comply with the European guidelines and for the prevention of occupational diseases and environmental pollution.

The object of this study was to compare organ dose and image quality effects of using bismuth and barium vinyl in-plane shields with standard and low tube current thoracic CT protocols. A RANDO phantom was scanned using a 64-slice CT scanner and three different thoracic protocols. Thermoluminescent dosemeters were positioned in six locations to record surface and absorbed breast and lung doses. Image quality was assessed quantitatively using region of interest measurements. Scanning was repeated using bismuth and barium vinyl in-plane shields to cover the breasts and the results were compared with standard and reduced dose protocols. Dose reductions were most evident in the breast, skin and anterior lung when shielding was used, with mean reductions of 34, 33 and 10 % for bismuth and 23, 18 and 11 % for barium, respectively. Bismuth was associated with significant increases in both noise and CT attenuation values for all the three protocols, especially anteriorly and centrally. Barium shielding had a reduced impact on image quality. Reducing the overall tube current reduced doses in all the locations by 20-27 % with similar increases in noise as shielding, without impacting on attenuation values. Reducing the overall tube current best optimises dose with minimal image quality impact. In-plane shields increase noise and attenuation values, while reducing anterior organ doses primarily. Shielding remains a useful optimisation tool in CT and barium is an effective alternative to bismuth especially when image quality is of concern.

Objective: A driving simulator study was conducted in order to assess the relative utility of unimodal auditory, unimodal vibrotactile, and combined audiotactile (i.e., multisensory) in-car warning signals to alert and inform drivers of likely front-to-rear-end collision events in a situation modeled on real-world driving. Background: The implementation of nonvisual in-car warning signals may have important safety implications in lessening any visual overload during driving. Multisensory integration can provide synergistic facilitation effects. Method: The participants drove along a rural road in a car-following scenario in either the presence or absence of a radio program in the background. The brake light signals of the lead vehicle were also unpredictably either enabled or disabled on a trial-by-trial basis. Results: The results showed that the participants initiated their braking responses significantly more rapidly following the presentation of audiotactile warning signals than...

Anti-personnel landmines are a continuing threat to soldiers and civilians working overseas in post conflict situations. Several groups of governmental and commercial scientists are currently designing and/or testing footwear to protect the lower leg from the effects of close proximity blast. The general principles surrounding testing of protective footwear are examined together with an assessment of the known progress to date and the strengths and weaknesses of the designs produced.

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of proper fencing around outdoor swimming pools among US households and to describe this fencing in relation to demographic and other household factors. To estimate the number of drownings among children <5 years of age that might be prevented by having proper fencing around all residential pools in the United States. Methods. A 1994, randomly dialed national telephone survey contacted 5238 adults who reported demographic information and household characteristics including whether the household had an outdoor swimming pool and the fencing around the pool. Data were weighted to obtain national estimates and percentages. The number of preventable drownings was estimated with a population-attributable risk equation. Results. Approximately 18.5 million American households owned or had access to an outdoor swimming pool in 1994, and 76% (13.9 million) of them appeared to have had adequate fencing. Adequate fencing was associated with household i...

Two studies were carried out among workers exposed to dimethylformamide (DMF) in an acrylic fiber factory The first study involved 22 exposed workers and 28 control workers Blood was examined at the beginning and at the end of a working week for the presence of biological signs of liver dysfunction Pre and post-shift urine samples were also collected during 1 week for determination of N-methylformamide (NMF) concentration The airborne concentration of DMF was determined at different work places during the same period On prevention of direct skin contact with DMF solution a significant correlation was found on a group basis between the concentration of DMF vapor and the NMF concentration in post-shift urine samples When the concentration of NMF in post-shift urine samples from a group of workers does not exceed 30 mg/g creatinine, then their integrated exposure is probably below 60 mg/m 3 x h ( 10 mg/m 3 for 6 h) This exposure appears to be safe with regard to the risk of liver damage but does not necessarily preclude episodes of alcohol intolerance in some workers. During a second study, NMF concentrations in pre and post-shift urine samples were followed-up in seven workers during three weeks when different personal protective devices were used In an acrylic fiber factory, skin absorption was found to be more important than inhalation in the overall exposure to the solvent when no personal protective devices were used The use of impermeable gloves with long sleeves appears to be the best method of preventing skin absorption of DMF Silicone or glycerol barrier creams are less effective and should not be recommended.

Chemical pesticides, regardless of their inherent hazard, are used intensively in the fast changing agricultural sector of Ethiopia. We conducted a cross-sectional pesticide Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey among 601 farmers and farm workers (applicators and re-entry workers) in three farming systems [large-scale closed greenhouses (LSGH), large-scale open farms (LSOF), and small-scale irrigated farms (SSIF)]. Main observations were that 85% of workers did not attain any pesticide-related training, 81% were not aware of modern alternatives for chemical pesticides, 10% used a full set of personal protective equipment, and 62% did not usually bath or shower after work. Among applicators pesticide training attendance was highest in LSGH (35%) and was lowest in SSIF (4%). None of the female re-entry farm workers had received pesticide-related training. Personal protective equipment use was twice as high among pesticide applicators as among re-entry workers (13 versus 7%), while none of the small-scale farm workers used personal protection equipment. Stockpiling and burial of empty pesticide containers and discarding empty pesticide containers in farming fields were reported in both LSOF and by 75% of the farm workers in SSIF. Considerable increment in chemical pesticide usage intensity, illegitimate usages of DDT and Endosulfan on food crops and direct import of pesticides without the formal Ethiopian registration process were also indicated. These results point out a general lack of training and knowledge regarding the safe use of pesticides in all farming systems but especially among small-scale farmers. This in combination with the increase in chemical pesticide usage in the past decade likely results in occupational and environmental health risks. Improved KAP that account for institutional difference among various farming systems and enforcement of regulatory measures including the available occupational and environmental proclamations in Ethiopia are urgently needed.

The national death rates from rural trauma are disproportionately higher compared to urban areas. Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of hospital admissions in Hawai'i. This is the first in a two part series to explore this significant public health concern. Data on traumatic brain injuries from 2000-2004 was obtained from 2 sources. Male gender, alcohol use, and lack of protective devices resulted in higher rates of injury. Rates of severe injury were higher in young adults, the elderly, and in rural locations, but rural mortality rates here did not differ compared to urban settings. The greatest potential to reduce morbidity and mortality resides in the formulation and implementation of preventive strategies.

No Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM) desenvolveu-se um programa de reciclagem sobre as Medidas de Precaução Universais (MPU) e divulgou-se, através de uma cartilha, essas medidas e os procedimentos em caso de acidente de trabalho. Primeiramente, o funcionário era sensibilizado para a questão do estresse e sua influência sobre a qualidade de vida e, após, era realizada a reciclagem promovendo-se a reflexão sobre as conseqüências da não adoção das MPU. Foram respondidos e analisados 286 pré-testes e 242 pós-testes com um índice de acertos significativamente maior nestes últimos (p<0,01), principalmente quanto ao uso adequado de luvas.

Aims: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use and exposure among 189 farm workers in the Gaza Strip. Methods: A cross section of agricultural farm workers in the Gaza Strip were asked to fill in a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, practice towards pesticide use, and associated toxicity symptoms. Results: Farm workers reported high levels of knowledge on the health impact of pesticides (97.9%). Moderate to high levels of knowledge were recorded on toxicity symptoms related to pesticides. Most farm workers were aware of the protective measures to be used during applying pesticides. However, no one took precautions unless they knew about the measures. Burning sensation in eyes/face was the commonest symptom (64.3%). The prevalence of self reported toxicity symptoms was dependent on mixing and use of high concentrations of pesticides. The highest percentage of self reported toxicity symptoms was found among the farm workers who returned to sprayed fields within one hour of applying pesticides. Conclusions: Farm workers in the Gaza Strip used pesticides extensively. Despite their knowledge about the adverse health impact of the pesticides, the use of protective measures was poor. Most had self reported toxicity symptoms, particularly the younger workers. It would be useful to minimise the use of pesticides and encourage alternative measures. Prevention and intervention programmes regarding the use of protective measures and monitoring the health status of farm workers should be implemented.

Multiple species obtain repetitive head collisions throughout the course of their lifetimes with minimal neurologic deficit. Nature has allowed the unique development of multiple protective mechanisms to help prevent neurotrauma. In this review, we examine the concept of rapid brain movement within the skull 'Slosh' and what nature teaches on how to prevent this from occurring. We look at individual animals and the protective mechanisms at play. Marching from macroscopic down to the molecular level, we pinpoint key elements of neuroprotection that are likely contributing. We also introduce new concepts for neuroprotection and address avenues of further discovery.

Wash resistance and field bioefficacy of PermaNet 2.0 nets, long lasting insecticidal nets, against mosquitoes were evaluated in Assam, northeastern India. After repeated hand washings at 12-day intervals a decline in the mosquito killing ability of PermaNet nets was noted (trend chi2 38.9, p < 0.0001), yet these nets retained good insecticidal efficacy for up to 15 wash cycles, producing a 72.5% mean mortality of An. minimus 24 hours after a 3-minute exposure in World Health Organization cones after 15 washings. Significantly fewer (p < 0.001) mosquitoes were captured in self-baited landing collections in houses equipped with PermaNet nets than in houses using untreated nets in the case of culicines (p < 0.001) but not with anophelines, including An. minimus. The use of PermaNet nets resulted in noticeably fewer bites from Culex pseudovishnui (68.5%) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (70%). Blood-feeding inhibition of mosquitoes in deliberately torn PermaNet nets was seen, indicati...

BackgroundIn 2015, a China-UK-Tanzania tripartite pilot project was implemented in southeastern Tanzania to explore a new model for reducing malaria burden and possibly scaling-out the approach into other malaria-endemic countries. The 1,7-malaria Reactive Community-based Testing and Response (1,7-mRCTR) which is a locally-tailored approach for reporting febrile malaria cases in endemic villages was developed to stop transmission andPlasmodiumlife-cycle. The (1,7-mRCTR) utilizes existing health facility data and locally trained community health workers to conduct community-level testing and treatment.MethodsThe pilot project was implemented from September 2015 to June 2018 in Rufiji District, southern Tanzania. The study took place in four wards, two with low incidence and two with a higher incidence. One ward of each type was selected for each of the control and intervention arms. The control wards implemented the existing Ministry of Health programmes. The 1,7-mRCTR activities imp...

This study aimed to measure the level of knowledge of patients on the role of radiation used in the endourological intervention. Materials and Methods: Between January and February 2020, patients were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire before the procedure. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, ionizing radiation, and planned procedure. Results: Of the 118 respondents, 35.6% were female and 64.4% were male. The mean age was 55.6±15.3 years. Moreover, 25.4% of the participants were in the geriatric age (GA) group, and 17.4% were in the young age (YA) group. None of the GA group were aware of the risk when radiation was not used in the planned procedure, and the result was significant (p=0.006). Only 57% of the YA group and 34.4% of the GA group were aware of the harmful effects of radiation (p=0.027). Patients with higher education levels gave correct answers to the questions of whether the surgical procedure can be performed without radiation and whether they have knowledge about the negative effects of radiation (p=0.05, p=0.036). The results suggest that patients still have insufficient knowledge about fluoroscopy (X-ray), which has an important place in endourological surgeries, and they do not have enough knowledge about their planned procedure.

Malaria is a parasitic disease which is easily preventable, treatable and
curable, but still remains one of the major public health problems ill
Nigeria. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have long been used against
mosquito bites, and have been shown to give substantial protection
against malaria. This study was designed to appraise the awareness and
usage of insecticide treated nets among inhabitants of Warri metropolis.
Six hundred inhabitants of Warri metropolis were selected using
convenience sampling technique. A self-structured questionnaire
validated and with a reliability of 0.72 was used for data collection.
Percentages, frequency counts were used to analyse data collected.
Findings showed that 71.5% (429) inhabitants of Warri metropolis did
not use insecticide treated nets daily and 52% (312) were aware of  the
advantages of using ITNs to prevent malaria parasite. It was
recommended that there is needfor all stakeholders in health education
to increase public campaign on the use of ITNs.

Objective: To reduce the incidence of surgical fires. Background: Operating room fires represent a potentially life-threatening hazard and are triggered by the electrosurgical unit (ESU) pencil. Carbon dioxide is a fire suppressant and is a routinely used medical gas. We hypothesize that a shroud of protective carbon dioxide covering the tip of the ESU pencil displaces oxygen, thereby preventing fire ignition. Methods: Using 3-dimensional modeling techniques, a polymer sleeve was created and attached to an ESU pencil. This sleeve was connected to a carbon dioxide source and directed the gas through multiple precisely angled ports, generating a cone of fire-suppressive carbon dioxide surrounding the active pencil tip. This device was evaluated in a flammability test chamber containing 21%, 50%, and 100% oxygen with sustained ESU activation. The sleeve was tested with and without carbon dioxide (control) until a fuel was ignited or 30 seconds elapsed. Time to ignition was measured by high-speed videography. Results: Fires were ignited with each control trial (15/15 trials). The control group median ± SD ignition time in 21% oxygen was 3.0 ± 2.4 seconds, in 50% oxygen was 0.1 ± 1.8 seconds, and in 100% oxygen was 0.03 ± 0.1 seconds. No fire was observed when the fire safety device was used in all concentrations of oxygen (0/15 trials; P < 0.0001). The exact 95% confidence interval for absolute risk reduction of fire ignition was 76% to 100%. Conclusions: A sleeve creating a cone of protective carbon dioxide gas enshrouding the sparks from an ESU pencil effectively prevents fire in a highflammability model. Clinical application of this device may reduce the incidence of operating room fires.

In the acute study there were no differences in GSH redox status in WG or RG muscle. However, in the chronic study STZ-treatment profoundly increased the GSSG/GSH ratio in WG muscle and NIR treatment restored the GSSG/GSHR ratio to control values in WG. Our data indicate that chronic, but not acute, STZ-induced hyperglycemia reduced oxidative capacity, disrupted glutathione redox status and increased myocyte apoptosis. NIR treatment restored GSH redox status in WG muscle consistent with findings in other degenerative disease models and indicative of an improvement in mitochondrial energy metabolism and protection against antioxidant depletion.

Guide on respiratory protection against bioaerosols Recommendations on its selection and use Established in Québec since 1980, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) is a scientific research organization known for the quality of its work and the expertise of its personnel. Mission To contribute, through research, to the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases as well as to the rehabilitation of affected workers. To offer the laboratory services and expertise necessary for the activities of the public occupational health and safety prevention network. To disseminate knowledge, and to act as scientific benchmark and expert. Funded by the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, the IRSST has a board of directors made up of an equal number of employer and worker representatives. To find out more Visit our Web site for complete up-to-date information about the IRSST. All our publications can be downloaded at no ...

Praktik penggunaan long spine board (LSB) dalam transportasi pasien trauma oleh Emergency Medical Services (EMS) telah lama menjadi standar. Namun, berdasarkan sejumlah penelitian dan pernyataan posisi organisasi profesi kedokteran darurat sejak 2018, pendekatan ini telah terbukti memberikan lebih banyak mudarat daripada manfaat. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau kembali bukti ilmiah terkait penggunaan LSB, mengevaluasi dampaknya terhadap keselamatan pasien, dan memberikan rekomendasi kebijakan berbasis bukti. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa LSB sebaiknya hanya digunakan untuk ekstrikasi awal dan bukan untuk transportasi, serta pentingnya penerapan Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR) yang aman dan nyaman.

This article presents the new Italian database of physical agents, which is available at http://www.portaleagentifisici.it. It supports in risk assessment employers who have to comply with Italy&#39;s Legislative Decree 81/2008 (transposing into law European Union Directives 2003/10/EC, 2002/44/EC, 2004/40/EC and 2006/25/EC). The database currently contains measurements and declared European Community (EC) values from over 2540 machines; in particular, the database hosts data on mechanical vibration from over 1430 hand-held power tools (e.g., pneumatic and electric hammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, sanders and saws) and from over 1020 whole-body machines (e.g., buses, fork lifts and wheel tractors). The database is continuously updated as soon as new experimental and declared data are acquired.

Standard test tools have been evaluated for the assessment of safety associated with a prototype transducer intended for a novel radiation force elastographic imaging system. In particular, safety has been evaluated by direct measurement of temperature rise, using a standard thermal test object, and detection of inertial cavitation from acoustic emission. These direct measurements have been compared with values of the thermal index and mechanical index, calculated from acoustic measurements in water using standard formulae. It is concluded that measurements using a thermal test object can be an effective alternative to the calculation of thermal index for evaluating thermal hazard. Measurement of the threshold for cavitation was subject to considerable variability, and it is concluded that the mechanical index still remains the preferred standard means for assessing cavitation hazard.

The most common occupational exposure among farmers is exposure to pesticides. Organophosphate pesticides (OP) are widely used to control pests in agriculture. The main mechanism of Organophosphates (OPs) toxicity is irreversibly inhibiting of Butyl cholinesterase and acetyl cholinesterase. POEM model (Predictive Operator Exposure Model) was made to assess exposure to and absorption of the pesticides. The aim of this study was to estimate exposure to the organophosphates using POEM model and to compare its results with activity level of plasma cholinesterase (PChE) among farmers in the west regions of Iran. Material and method: In this descriptive and analytical research, farmers were divided into two same groups who were exposed to diazinon. One group of them wore full personal protective equipment (PPEs) and the second group including farmers with daily routine work had no proposed personal protective equipment. Before and after spraying operation, a blood sample was collected from both groups of farmers, as well as from control group. Then, plasma cholinesterase activity was measured by DGKC (German Biochemical Society) and photometric device. Farmer's exposure to OPs was estimated with POEM model. The activity mean PChE enzyme in the groups with and without personal protective equipment was 11639.3 mg/l and 8516.3 mg/l, respectively. The predicted mean total absorbed dose and predicted total exposure to the toxic substance in group with PPEs was 9.1 mg/day and 0.15 mg/kgbw/day, respectively and in the group with PPEs were 0.5 mg/day and 0.009 mg/kgbw/day, respectively. Using of the POEM model, dermal exposure average, percentage of dermal absorption, absorbed dose at the time of preparing the poison solution and spraying was significantly higher in the no PPE group as compared to the PPE group (P<0.001). This study showed that the use of personal protective equipment prevents from the effects appearing of pesticides by reducing the activity of PChE. With the increasing in PChE activity, the values of POEM model parameters decreases such as the absorbed dose of the skin and the inhalation of the toxin. Therefore, the POEM model can be used to check the exposure of people with pesticides. Finally, this study suggests that the POEM model can be considered as a screening tool to identify individuals at exposure of pesticides to the next steps for biological monitoring, diagnosis and treatment.

Thirty‐six owners of seasonally headshaking horses took part in a trial to compare the effectiveness of three types of nose net, a traditional cylindrical net (full net) and two forms of larger mesh nets which cover only the nostrils and dorsorostral muzzle (half nets). Baseline data relating to the overall severity of the problem and 18 specific behaviours describing the nature of the problem were recorded on a check sheet by the owners. A within‐subjects repeated measures design experiment, with each net used for a week before reassessment, was then used to assess the effect of the nets on the headshaking problem. Approximately 75 per cent of owners reported some overall improvement with each net; around 60 per cent recorded a 50 per cent or greater improvement and 30 per cent a 70 per cent or greater improvement. The nets significantly reduced the overall headshaking score and the following specific behaviours: up‐and‐down headshaking, nose flipping, acting as if a bee had flown ...

Home based injuries account for a significant number of injuries to children between 1 and 5years old. Evidence-based safety interventions delivered in the home with installation of safety equipment have been demonstrated to reduce injury rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a community based volunteer implemented home safety intervention. In partnership with a community with high injury rates for children between 1 and 5years old, a home safety bundle was developed and implemented by volunteers. The safety bundle included installing evidence based safety equipment. Monthly community emergency room attended injury rates as well as emergency room attended injuries occurring in intervention and nonintervention homes was tracked throughout the study. Between May 2012 and May 2014 a total of 207 homes with children 1-5years old received the home safety bundle. The baseline monthly emergency room attended injury rate for children aged 1-5years within our target comm...

This study applies conjoint analysis (CA) to estimate the marginal willingness‐to‐pay (MWTP) of elderly individuals for a reduction of the risk of fracture of the femur. The good in question is a hypothetical hip protector which lowers the risk of a fracture by different amounts. Other attributes are ease of handling, wearing comfort, and out‐of‐pocket cost, which are traded off against risk reduction. In 500 face‐to‐face interviews, pensioners stated whether or not they would buy the product.Results suggest that MWTP for wearing comfort exceeds that for risk reduction. Indeed, willingness‐to‐pay for the product as a whole is negative, indicating that it should not be included as a mandatory benefit in health insurance. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To identify the prevalence of exposure to potentially harmful occupational hazards in Australian female veterinarians and to report factors associated with prevalence of occupational hazards in this profession. Design National cross-sectional survey of a cohort population. Procedure A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 5748 veterinarians (males and females) graduating from Australian veterinary schools from 1960 to 2000. This paper reports the prevalence of occupational exposures in 1197 female veterinarians in their current job including radiation, anaesthetic gases, pesticides and long working hours. Comparisons were undertaken between respondents by practice type and decades of graduation. Multivariate logistic regression was undertaken to predict the risk for exposure to occupational hazards in female veterinarians by age, type of practice, graduation year and number of hours worked. The response rate for females was 59%. We found that age under 30 years, small and mixed animal practice, graduation year after 1990, and working more than 45 hours per week were all associated with greater exposure to putative risk factors. Mixed animal practitioners worked more than 45 hours per week (53%) and reported the highest exposure to anaesthetic gases (94%) and pesticides (54%). Twenty two percent of those who were exposed to anaesthetic gases did not have waste anaesthetic gas scavenging systems. Small animal practitioners reported they took more X-rays (90%). While taking X-rays, 56% of respondents reported physically restraining animals, and only one in five of respondents used film holders and lead screens. The high prevalence of potentially harmful exposures among female veterinarians and lack of use of protective equipment at work needs to be considered in developing and planning the safety of veterinary work.

Objectives: To determine whether exposure to physical and chemical occupational hazards and use of protective practices has changed in recent veterinary graduates, and to describe trends in exposure to occupational hazards and use of protective practices over time Methods: This paper reports on a retrospective cohort study of veterinarians who graduated from any of the four Australian veterinary schools between 1960 and 2000 and were currently in clinical practice. A self-completed postal questionnaire was used to collect personal details, professional history since graduation, and details of occupational hazards and protective practices used. The prevalence of occupational hazards and use of protective practices was examined by decade of graduation adjusting for gender, type of practice and number of hours worked. After adjusting for other factors, recent graduates tended to take more X-rays than early graduates -graduates since 1990 were 2.59 times more likely to take more than 7 Xrays a week compared with graduates before 1970. Recent graduates were also more likely to personally restrain animals during X-rays but were more likely to use X-ray protection. Of those who undertook surgery, recent graduates were more likely to use anesthetic waste gas scavengers. Over time, veterinary jobs have become more likely to involve longer hours of surgery, but shorter periods of driving. The use of scavengers for waste anaesthetic gas has increased markedly over time from 3.8% of jobs commencing in the 1960s to over 70% for jobs commencing since 1997. This survey is, to our knowledge, the first to examine trends in the occupational health and safety practices of veterinarians. We have shown that occupational health issues are still important in veterinary practice, with most veterinarians exposed to a number of physical and chemical hazards and many using inadequate protection.

Objective  To identify the prevalence of exposure to potentially harmful occupational hazards in Australian female veterinarians and to report factors associated with prevalence of occupational hazards in this profession.Design  National cross‐sectional survey of a cohort population.Procedure  A self‐administered questionnaire was mailed to 5748 veterinarians (males and females) graduating from Australian veterinary schools from 1960 to 2000. This paper reports the prevalence of occupational exposures in 1197 female veterinarians in their current job including radiation, anaesthetic gases, pesticides and long working hours. Comparisons were undertaken between respondents by practice type and decades of graduation. Multivariate logistic regression was undertaken to predict the risk for exposure to occupational hazards in female veterinarians by age, type of practice, graduation year and number of hours worked.Results  The response rate for females was 59%. We found that age under 30 ...

Although working smoke alarms halve deaths in residential fires, many households do not keep alarms operational. We tested whether theory-based education increases alarm operability. Randomised multiarm trial, with a single arm randomly selected for use each day, in low-income neighbourhoods in Maryland, USA. Intervention arms: (1) Full Education combining a health belief module with a social-cognitive theory module that provided hands-on practice installing alarm batteries and using the alarm&#39;s hush button; (2) Hands-on Practice social-cognitive module supplemented by typical fire department education; (3) Current Norm receiving typical fire department education only. Four hundred and thirty-six homes recruited through churches or by knocking on doors in 2005-2008. Follow-up visits checked alarm operability in 370 homes (85%) 1-3.5 years after installation. number of homes with working alarms defined as alarms with working batteries or hard-wired and number of working alarms pe...

Objective: To determine whether the depiction of injury prevention practices in children's movies released during 1998-2002 is different from an earlier study, which found that characters were infrequently depicted practicing recommended safety behaviors. Methods: The top 25 G (general audience) and PG (parental guidance suggested) rated movies per year from 1998-2002 comprised the study sample. Movies or scenes not set in the present day, animated, documentary, or not in English were excluded; fantasy scenes were also excluded. Injury prevention practices of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, bicyclists, and boaters were recorded for characters with speaking roles. Results: Compared with the first study, the proportion of scenes with characters wearing safety belts increased (27% v 35%, p,0.01), the proportion of scenes with characters wearing personal flotation devices decreased (17% v 0%, p,0.05), and no improvement was noted in pedestrian behavior or use of bicycle helmets. Conclusions: Despite a modest increase in safety belt usage, appropriate injury prevention practices are still infrequently shown in top grossing G and PG rated movies. The authors recommend that the entertainment industry incorporate safe practices into children's movies. Parents should call attention to the depiction of unsafe behaviors in movies and educate children to follow recommended safety practices.

Young, preschool-aged children spend a great deal of their time in the home environment. The home is a leading location of injury for younger children worldwide. Injuries are a leading cause of death for children worldwide and injury rates for children less than 5 years of age in low and middle-income countries are 5 times higher compared with high-income countries (49.6 compared to 8.5 injures per 100,000 children). As lower income nations develop economically, the child health problems of malnutrition and infectious disease are rapidly eclipsed by injury including falls, burns, road traffic crashes, poisoning, and drowning as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In the United States, unintentional injuries in the home environment account for more than 4 million visits to emergency departments (almost 40 percent of all unintentional injury visits), with over 74,000 hospitalizations and 2,800 deaths each year in children at a cost in excess of $3 billion annually and $800 per emergency visit. Although there are a wide variety of home safety devices produced in more developed areas of the world, preventing injury in the home in young children has been a challenge. Injuries to young children in the home environment are the result of a complex interplay of parental psychology and behavior, child temperament and behavior, and hazards in the built environment. There are likely complex pathways by which these variables interact to place a child at greater or lesser risk of injury. In addition, safety devices, while likely to be effective for specific injuries and their associated mechanisms, are not likely to impact all the myriad of ways that young children can be injured in the home environment. The systematic review of 98 studies involving over 2.6 million participants worldwide by Kendrick and colleagues sheds light on the extensive research produced in an effort to reduce injury in the home environment. Of the 98 studies analyzed by Kendrick and colleagues, 54 (55%) were included in at least one meta-analysis and 35 of these (65%) used

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) was designed to assist drivers in emergency braking situations. Though this technology is common to today's vehicles, not all drivers have knowledge and experience with ABS, especially the haptic brake pedal feedback. To educate drivers, a new training method was developed using an emergency braking interactive exercise, Pedals Emergency Stop©, and simulator with haptic brake pedal feedback. The exercise prompts drivers to press the brake in a motion consistent with emergency braking and feel the haptic feedback. During the exercise, if a driver presses the brake quickly, to the maximum travel and held the pedal position, the driver "passes" the trial. Drivers are presented with immediate feedback on their performance, and suggestions are presented to drivers who do not "pass" a trial.This new exercise is currently being used to educate novice teen drivers about emergency braking assist features during high school drivers' education classes.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and observance of proper mercury hygiene and amalgam waste management (AWM) among Jordanian general dental practitioners (GDPs). Subjects and Methods: Interviews were conducted with randomly selected 250 Jordanian GDPs, using a specially designed questionnaire. Out of the total of 250 GDPs, 228 (91.2%) agreed to participate. The questionnaire covered aspects related to professional information and total amalgam contact (TAC) of these practitioners. The second part focused on the degree of awareness of the protocols related to mercury hygiene and safe AWM. Results: Mean TAC was 3.2±3.6 hours per week. Of the Jordanian practitioners, 22.6% reported no undergraduate training in amalgam safety measures. Almost a quarter of GDPs did not have proper ventilation in their clinics, around 20-25% did not use protective clothing or eye protection, 5.3% were mixing amalgam manually, and 13.9% used their bare fingers for inserting the freshly mixed amalgam. Most of unused amalgam ends up through the drain or in trash; there are no recycling facilities to be used. Conclusions: Most Jordanian GDPs do not strictly follow the mercury hygiene and AWM guidelines. Promoting the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines through undergraduate and postgraduate training will help GDPs acquire proper attitude towards the proper hygiene practices described in these recommendations.

to investigate knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward infection control in two teaching hospitals on the island of Java by means of a questionnaire and to evaluate the use of the questionnaire as a tool. we investigated knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward infection control in two teaching hospitals on the island of Java by means of a questionnaire to identify problem areas, barriers and facilitators. The target was to include at least 50% of all health care workers (physicians, nurses, assistant nurses and infection control nurses) in each hospital, department and profession. Differences between demographic variables and scores for individual questions and groups of questions were compared using the chi-square statistic and analysis of variance and Spearman&#39;s rho was used to test for correlations between knowledge, attitude, self-reported behaviour and perceived obstacles. more than half of the health care workers of the participating departments completed the questionnai...

The AIDS epidemic has become one of the most important public health problems of this century. As the prevalence of HiV infection continues to rise, health care practitioners in all geographic regions can expect greater clinical exposure to patients infected with HIV. We conducted an anonymous survey of all practicing otolaryngologists in Ohio and California to investigate regional differences in attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding the care of patients infected with I-IN. We also examined the data with respect to year of completion of residency training to identify differences in attitudes or practices among otolaryngologists who trained in the era of AIDS (post-1982 graduates) in comparison with their predecessors (pre-1982 graduates). In comparison with Ohio otolaryngologists, California otolaryngologists reported more frequent clinical encounters with HIV-infected patients and displayed significantly better knowledge regarding the otolaryngologic aspects of HIV infection. Californians were more likely to support the right of an HIV-infected physician to maintain an unrestricted practice and would be less likely to disclose their HIV status to their patients and hospital if they were to become infected with HIV. Post-1982 graduates had more frequent encounters with HIV-infected patients than did pre-1982 graduates and demonstrated a better fund of knowledge. Although Californians were more likely than Ohioans to routinely double glove in surgery, the overall double gloving rate was low at 21%. Californians were no more likely than Ohioans to routinely use protective eyewear, water-impervious gowns, or indirect instrumentpassing techniques in surgery. No differences were observed in prevalence of protective surgical precautions between pre-1982 and post-1982 graduates. The results of the survey indicate a need for broader acceptance and use of "universal" surgical precautions among otolaryngologists. (OTOLARYNGOL HEAD NECK SURG 1995; 113:733-9.) The practice of medicine since the early 1980s has been transformed by the onset and progression of the AIDS epidemic. Today's otolaryngologist must be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of a broad variety of head and neck diseases associated with infection by HIV. In addition, the specter of possible occupational transmission of HIV from

Background: Pre procurement study of impact of using CSTD on environmental drug contamination, while reconstituting chemotherapeutic agents in a chemotherapy facility at Cancer center in North India. Methodology: A case control study conducted at two cubicles conducted over a period of one month for 50 reconstitutions of chemotherapeutic agents. A swi pe study analysis of 17 areas was done to evaluate surface contamination. Data regarding perception of nursing staff was collected using two internally validated structured close ended questionnaires. Records of all the vials being used and drugs being dispensed were recorded and documented. The cost analysis was done after ascertaining the minimum expense incurred. The data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: Chemotherapeutic drug preparation and administration was not as per ISOPP standards at the center. The swipe test results ascertained occurrence of environmental contamination at study site to as high as 4780 ng /cm2 in control phase, reduced in almost all areas in post intervention phase. An average of 3.5 hours/ day were spent by respondents in contact with chemotherapeutic agents where 75% respondents complained of experiencing acute symptoms after contact and all respondents found the system easy to use and useful in reducing drug spillage. Rs.65,862 /-INR could be saved by reducing wastage of drugs by the use of this device. Conclusion: The use of the device may be expensive in a lower middle-income country like India but the device is useful in reducing health hazards to the healthcare personnel.

Objective.-Suspension trauma refers to the pathophysiologic syndrome that occurs when a victim is suspended motionless in a vertical position for an extended period of time. This can occur in sports that use a harness system as well as in various occupational activities including work on high wires or helicopter rescue operations. We reviewed the scientific evidence published to date in order to improve the prevention and treatment of suspension trauma. Methods.-Medline, PreMedline, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant information about suspension trauma. Results.-Published data describing the pathophysiology of and the therapeutic approach to suspension trauma are sparse and consist mainly of case reports and a limited number of human experimental prospective studies. The pathophysiology of suspension trauma is related to hypovolemia induced by reduced venous return and by vagal stimulation. It is also influenced by the type of harness used. Chest harnesses may induce severe cardiorespiratory repercussions and have the lowest motionless suspension tolerance. Symptoms of suspension trauma include presyncope and can lead to a loss of consciousness. Conclusions.-Sports enthusiasts and workers who use a body harness system should never act alone and should not use a simple chest harness. If a victim shows symptoms of presyncope or is unconscious, he should be released from suspension as soon as is safely possible. There is no clear evidence to support the idea that the return to the horizontal position may contribute to the potential risk of rescue death.

We conducted a study on the control of mosquitos on Chisi Island in Lake Chilwa from August to November, 2006. The aim was to compare the cost and efficacy of deltamethrin, a pyrethroid based insecticide, when used in insecticide treated nets (ITN) and when used in indoor residual spray (IRS). Thirty village huts were enrolled in the study. Fifteen were systematically selected in a stratified manner and sprayed with deltamethrin following manufacturers' standard application procedures of 0.02g/m 2 . The remaining fifteen were provided with ITNs. In both groups deltamethrin KO tabs were used. Pyrethroid knockdown (PKD) spray was used for indoor rest captures in the houses monthly for three months. Houses treated with IRS had significantly reduced number of mosquitoes resting indoors than houses provided with nets (p<0.05). Based on the prevailing market price of MK550 each, the cost of five nets was calculated as MK2750.00 per house hold of five compared to five 20g knock-out tablets costing MK300.00 using IRS. The cost of IRS is 10 times cheaper than ITN. These results suggest that it is cheaper and more effective to use deltamethrin in IRS than in ITN.

Purpose: Strength athletes often employ the deadlift in their training or rehabilitation regimens. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity between sumo and conventional style deadlifts, and between belt and no-belt conditions. Methods: Six cameras collected 60-Hz video data and 960-Hz electromyographic data from 13 collegiate football players who performed sumo and conventional deadlifts with and without a lifting belt, employing a 12-RM intensity. Variables measured were knee angles and EMG measurements from 16 muscles. Muscle activity were averaged and compared within three 30°knee angle intervals from 90 to 0°during the ascent, and three 30°knee angle intervals from 0 to 90°during the descent. Results: Overall EMG activity from the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior were significantly greater in the sumo deadlift, whereas overall EMG activity from the medial gastrocnemius was significantly greater in the conventional deadlift. Compared with the no-belt condition, the belt condition produced significantly greater rectus abdominis activity and significantly less external oblique activity. For most muscles, EMG activity was significantly greater in the knee extending intervals compared with the corresponding knee flexing intervals. Quadriceps, tibialis anterior, hip adductor, gluteus maximus, L3 and T12 paraspinal, and middle trapezius activity were significantly greater in higher knee flexion intervals compared with lower knee flexion intervals, whereas hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and upper trapezius activity were greater in lower knee flexion intervals compared with higher knee flexion intervals. Conclusions: Athletes may choose to employ either the sumo or conventional deadlift style, depending on which muscles are considered most important according to their training protocols. Moderate to high cocontractions from the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius imply that the deadlift may be an effective closed kinetic chain exercise for strength athletes to employ during knee rehabilitation.

We analyzed the effectiveness of personal protective equipment and oseltamivir use during the 2003 avian infl uenza A (H7N7) epidemic in the Netherlands by linking databases containing information about farm visits, human infections, and use of oseltamivir and personal protective equipment. Using a stringent case defi nition, based on self-reported conjunctivitis combined with a positive hemagglutination-inhibition assay, we found that prophylactic treatment with oseltamivir signifi cantly reduced the risk for infection per farm visit from 0.145 (95% confi dence interval [CI] 0.078-0.233) to 0.031 (95% CI 0.008-0.073). The protective effect was ≈79% (95% CI 40%-97%). These results are comparable with the reported effect of prophylactic treatment with oseltamivir on human seasonal infl uenza. No signifi cant protective effect was found for use of respirators or safety glasses, possibly because of limitations of the data. A vian infl uenza A viruses are considered a threat to public health because they may result in new human infl uenza A strains. Thus, knowledge about preventing human infections with avian infl uenza viruses is essential. In 2003, a devastating epidemic caused by an avian infl uenza virus of subtype H7N7 occurred among the poultry sector of the Netherlands (1). During this epidemic, an unexpectedly high number of persons reported illness that appeared to be associated with subtype H7N7 infection after they were exposed to infected poultry (2); 1 veterinarian died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (3). Previous reports have documented transmission between poultry, between humans, and from poultry to humans . In this report, we extend earlier work by analyzing the effect of personal protective measures on poultry-to-human transmission. Specifi cally, we investigated the effects of use of respirators and safety glasses and the prophylactic use of oseltamivir on the risk for infection during depopulation of infected farms. Our quantitative estimates of the effect of personal protective measures can guide efforts to prevent human infections with avian infl uenza.