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Health And Safety (health + and_safety)
Kinds of Health And Safety Selected AbstractsHealth and Safety in the Medieval Monasteries of BritainHISTORY, Issue 309 2008JULIE KERR The arduous nature of monastic life could impact on the monks' physical and mental well-being, causing minor injuries but also fatalities. Back problems might develop from ringing the heavy monastery bells, digestive disorders could result from years of fasting, and those holding important offices invariably suffered from stress and strain. There has been significant discussion of healthcare in the monastery , of disease and illness, the treatment of the sick, the infirmary, and the role of professional practitioners within the monastery. Less consideration has been given to the various hazards that might affect the monks on a daily basis, from the obstacles that caused them to trip and tumble to the injuries and fatalities that could result from natural disasters, outbreaks of fire and faulty repair work. This article seeks to explore more fully the perils and pitfalls that the religious community might face, but includes a brief discussion of the general impact of monastic observance on the monks' well-being, and the spiritual and physical recourse they sought to prevent mishaps and to treat casualties. Analysis centres on the monastic houses of Britain in the high middle ages, but refers to later and continental examples for comparative purposes and where they are likely to be indicative of conditions in Britain in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. [source] Caffeine, cognitive failures and health in a non-working community sampleHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 1 2009Andrew P Smith Abstract Rationale Most studies of the effects of caffeine on performance have been conducted in the laboratory and further information is required on the real-life effects of caffeine consumption on cognition. In addition, possible effects of caffeine consumption on a range of health outcomes should also be assessed in these studies to enable cost-benefit analyses to be conducted. Objectives Secondary analyses of a large epidemiological database (N,=,3223 non-working participants, 57% female, with a mean age of 49.6 years, range 17,92 years) were conducted to examine associations between caffeine consumption (mean caffeine consumption was 140,mg/day, range 0,1800,mg) and cognitive failures (errors of memory, attention and action) in a non-working sample. Associations between caffeine consumption and physical and mental health problems were also examined. Methods The study involved secondary analyses of a database formed by combining the Bristol Stress and Health at Work and Cardiff Health and Safety at Work studies. Associations between caffeine consumption and frequency of cognitive failures and health outcomes were examined in a sample of non-workers. Results After controlling for possible confounding factors significant associations between caffeine consumption and fewer cognitive failures were observed. Initial analyses suggested that many health variables were associated with regular level of caffeine consumption. However, most of the significant effects of caffeine disappeared when demographic and lifestyle factors were controlled for. Consumption of caffeine was, however, associated with a reduced risk of depression. These effects were also observed in separate analyses examining the source of the caffeine (coffee and tea). Conclusions Overall, the results show that caffeine consumption may benefit cognitive functioning in a non-working population. This confirms earlier findings from working samples. This beneficial effect of caffeine was not associated with negative health consequences. Indeed, consumption of caffeine was found to be associated with a reduced risk of depression. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sex Work and the City: The Social Geography of Health and Safety in Tijuana, Mexico by Yasmina KatsulisAMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST, Issue 4 2009PATTY KELLY No abstract is available for this article. [source] Health and Safety Needs in Early Care and Education Programs: What do Directors, Child Health Records, and National Standards Tell Us?PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2010Abbey Alkon ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the overlapping and unique health and safety needs and concerns identified by early care and education (ECE) directors, health records, and observed compliance with national health and safety (NHS) standards. Design and Sample: Cross-sectional study. 127 ECE programs from 5 California counties participated in the study, including 118 directors and 2,498 children's health records. Measures: Qualitative data were collected using standardized ECE directors' interviews to identify their health and safety concerns; and objective, quantitative data were collected using child health record reviews to assess regular health care, immunizations, health insurance, special health care needs, and screening tests and an observation Checklist of 66 key NHS standards collected by research assistants. Results: The overlapping health and safety needs and concerns identified by the directors and through observations were hygiene and handwashing, sanitation and disinfection, supervision, and the safety of indoor and outdoor equipment. Some of the health and safety needs identified by only one assessment method were health and safety staff training, medical plans for children with special health care needs and follow-up on positive screening tests. Conclusions: Comprehensive, multimethod assessments are useful to identify health and safety needs and develop public health nursing interventions for ECE programs. [source] Health and safety in waste collection: Towards evidence-based worker health surveillance,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010P. Paul F. M. Kuijer PhD Abstract Background Waste collectors around the world are at risk for work-related disorders and injuries. The aim of this study was to assess work demands, acute physiologic responses, illnesses, and injuries as a starting point for worker health surveillance (WHS). Methods A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase on work demands, acute bodily responses, health, and injuries. A quality assessment and evidence synthesis was performed. Results From a total of 379 retrieved studies, 50 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Waste collecting varied from informal manual gathering to semi-automated systems. Most studies ("number of studies") on work demands and/or acute bodily responses addressed bioaerosols (14). Studies of health effects addressed respiratory complaints (8), and those on injuries addressed acute musculoskeletal disorders (3). Strong evidence is available that exposure to bioaerosols exceeds recommendations. Moderate evidence is available for an increased risk of respiratory complaints and musculoskeletal injuries, with significant odds ratios reported varying between 1.9,4.1 and 1.5,3.3, respectively. Limited evidence exists for gastrointestinal disorders and hearing loss. Conclusions WHS in waste collection is warranted for early detection of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders, and hearing loss. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1040,1064, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] FS13.5 Occupational contact dermatitis: printer worker's viewpointsCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Terry Brown Introduction:, Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is very common in the printing industry due to contact with chemicals, paper, and wet work. It can be avoided by adequate protective measures, but the effectiveness of intervention depends heavily on the employer's and employee's awareness of this health risk. Objectives:, The study aimed to collect information on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of print workers about the risk of OCD and methods of prevention. Methods:, A series of focus groups were held with print workers, health and safety officers and managers to discuss their awareness of dermal risk factors, risk behaviour at work, attitudes to health and safety and options on possible preventive measures. A number of companies were also visited to observe, overtly and covertly, the normal work practices. Results:, OCD was not perceived to be either a major problem or a health and safety priority. There was general agreement about the processes and work practices that could cause skin problems. However, work practices varied considerably and did not always reflect this awareness. There was general concern about the type and availability of personal protective equipment, especially gloves and after-work skin cream. The provision of an occupational health service was generally felt to be inadequate, and no company had a policy in place that specifically addressed skin care. Conclusions:, These findings highlight the urgency to intensify health and safety education on skin care within the printing industry. Recommendations were developed for the evaluation of a series of risk reduction strategies. [source] On the concept of a universal audit of quality and environmental management systemsCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2002Stanislav Karapetrovic There is a definite trend in industry today toward the integration of internal management systems (MSs), including those for managing quality, environment, health and safety, and social accountability. The standards describing the minimum requirements for such systems have been made largely compatible, but are not yet fully aligned or integrated. Apart from several national standards for integrated quality, environment and safety MSs, the world has yet to see a corresponding and internationally accepted guideline. In contrast, integrative standardization activities in the realm of MS auditing are proceeding in full force, with the introduction of the pioneering ISO 19011 guideline for quality and environmental auditing expected soon. This paper focuses on the concepts, principles and practices of a truly generic audit, applicable for the evaluation of diverse aspects of organizational performance against the criteria stated in MS standards. A universal audit model based on the systems approach and several important questions regarding the compatibility and integration of the current auditing schemes are discussed. These issues include the ability of integrated audits to foster unification of supported MSs, as well as different strategies for the development of a universal audit guideline (UAG) and integration of function-specific audits. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment. [source] Prospects of a unified management systemCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2002Dr Tine Herreborg Jørgensen In this article, the trend among management systems towards a common structure and the inclusion of additional areas of corporate concern (quality, environment, occupational health and safety and social responsibility) is outlined. The article suggests that a large part of the work associated with implementing and maintaining standardized management systems can be rationalized by developing a ,unified system'. The unified system is proposed to consist of a common basic standard of general managerial methodology expandable with supplements, which are related to the specific areas of concern that the company could wish to include in their management system and possibly have certified. It is estimated that such a unified management system would contribute to synergy between the activities related to each area of concern, resulting in a more careful and efficient treatment of the increasing number of areas of concern. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment [source] Accountability Disclosures by Queensland Local Government Councils: 1997,1999FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2002Christine Ryan The annual report is promoted and regarded as the primary medium of accountability for government agencies. In Australia, anecdotal evidence suggests the quality of annual reports is variable. However, there is scant empirical evidence on the quality of reports. The aim of this research is to gauge the quality of annual reporting by local governments in Queensland, and to investigate the factors that may contribute to that level of quality. The results of the study indicate that although the quality of reporting by local governments has improved over time, councils generally do not report information on aspects of corporate governance, remuneration of executive staff, personnel, occupational health and safety, equal opportunity policies, and performance information. In addition, the results indicate there is a correlation between the size of the local government and the quality of reporting but the quality of disclosures is not correlated with the timeliness of reports. The study will be of interest to the accounting profession, public sector regulators who are responsible for the integrity of the accountability mechanisms and public sector accounting practitioners. It will form the basis for future longitudinal research, which will map changes in the quality of local government annual reporting. [source] Large-Area Silver-Coated Silicon Nanowire Arrays for Molecular Sensing Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2008Baohua Zhang Abstract A new and facile method to prepare large-area silver-coated silicon nanowire arrays for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based sensing is introduced. High-quality silicon nanowire arrays are prepared by a chemical etching method and used as a template for the generation of SERS-active silver-coated silicon nanowire arrays. The morphologies of the silicon nanowire arrays and the type of silver-plating solution are two key factors determining the magnitude of SERS signal enhancement and the sensitivity of detection; they are investigated in detail for the purpose of optimization. The optimized silver-coated silicon nanowire arrays exhibit great potential for ultrasensitive molecular sensing in terms of high SERS signal enhancement ability, good stability, and reproducibility. Their further applications in rapidly detecting molecules relating to human health and safety are discussed. A 10 s data acquisition time is capable of achieving a limit of detection of approximately 4,×,10,6M calcium dipicolinate (CaDPA), a biomarker for anthrax. This value is 1/15 the infectious dose of spores (6,×,10,5,M required), revealing that the optimized silver-coated silicon nanowire arrays as SERS-based ultrasensitive sensors are extremely suitable for detecting Bacillus anthracis spores. [source] Changing the internal health and safety organization through organizational learning and change managementHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 3 2006Peter Hasle Research from several countries indicates that the internal health and safety organization is marginalized in most companies, and it is difficult for the professionals to secure a proper role in health and safety on the companies' present agenda. The goal of a Danish project involving a network of 11 companies was to search for a solution to this problem. The health and safety managers and safety representatives played the role of "change agents" for local projects aiming to develop the health and safety organization. The study showed that 3 of the 11 companies proved to be able to implement successful changes; 5 were partially successful; 3 were nonperformers. The more successful outcomes seem to depend on the abilities of change agents to handle a complex and unpredictable project. Based on these case studies, it has been possible to deduce some strategies change agents must follow to fulfill such a process. Such strategies require the ability to be able to identify opportunities for change, establish a sustainable problem definition, and build coalitions. An amoeba model is suggested as a metaphor for this type of development project. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 16: 269,284, 2006. [source] Towards a model for assessing workers' risks resulting from the implementation of information and communication systems and technologiesHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 1 2006Ricardo Vyhmeister The authors investigate the effects of information and communication systems and technologies (ICST) on workers' health and safety. A multidisciplinary and convergent perspective is used to define a model that evaluates the risks associated with the implementation of any information system. The model incorporates the organizational, individual, and social elements that affect workers' risks. Special attention has been paid to the incorporation of ergonomic and organizational factors including culture, technological change, and informatics ethics. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 16: 39,59, 2006. [source] The concept of work compatibility: An integrated design criterion for improving workplace human performance in manufacturing systemsHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 4 2004S. Abdallah In this paper, we present the concept of work compatibility as an integrated work design criterion that simultaneously improves human health and safety, productivity, and work quality in manufacturing systems. In this respect, we have modeled work compatibility as a work design parameter that mathematically integrates the energizing (i.e., system resources) and the demand (i.e., system requirements) forces in the work system. A mathematical equation has been derived for the work compatibility matrix. Furthermore, an operating zone has been developed in which there is a region of optimality for the employee to function on practical grounds with a good degree of efficiency and sustainability. An application example is provided to demonstrate the potential of work compatibility to improve productivity and quality along with improvement in worker safety and health. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 14: 379,402, 2004. [source] Ergonomic weighted scores to evaluate critical instructions for improvements in a printed circuit assembly factoryHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 1 2003Rabindra Nath Sen A survey was conducted on the efficacy of the Printed Circuit Assembly operations using newly designed Ergonomic Weighted Scores (EWSs) to evaluate Critical Instructions (CIs) to operators. This helped to choose priorities of problematic operations. Five EWSs were drafted, tried, and finalized by a team of experts, for the purpose of checking the adherence to CIs, failing any of which could cause adverse effects on the quality of products. The top three priority operations were identified and the follow-up studies resulted in an increase in monthly revenue of US$227,880 and improvements in quality, productivity, occupational health and safety of the operators. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 13: 41,58, 2003. [source] Risk assessment: A regulatory strategy for stimulating working environment activities?HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 2 2001Per Langaa Jensen This article analyzes the Danish approach to workplace assessment (WPA) following European requirements to establish legislation on occupational health and safety. Quantitative studies show that WPA can be interpreted as a success within the larger Danish firms. However, data from qualitative studies modify this picture by showing how attention has been focused on physical working environment problems while wider psychosocial problems have been ignored. The article claims there is no evidence from either the quantitative or the qualitative studies that WPA,even though positively evaluated,has become a recurrent activity within firms. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Employee ,voice' and working environment in post-communist New Member States: an empirical analysis of Estonia, Latvia and LithuaniaINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2008Charles Woolfson ABSTRACT This article examines employee ,voice' in workplace health and safety in three Baltic New Member States by means of a cross-national survey. The data point to unresolved problems of voice in the context of rather poor working environments. These present opportunities for collective renewal by trade unions, but paradoxically are more likely to be addressed by employers in the context of significant labour shortages created by a post-European Union accession labour ,exit'. [source] Occupational health and safety in transitional LithuaniaINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003Charles Woolfson Using the example of occupational health and safety regulation, this article examines the tensions between neo-liberalism and social democratic policy approaches in the context of pre-accession transitional Lithuania. It is argued that attempts to provide a ,business-friendly' investment climate may be creating a ,race to the bottom' as legislative failures to provide for employee voice come into conflict with assumptions of the so-called European social model. [source] Worker representation in health and safety: options for regulatory reformINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2002Phil James Worker representation in health and safety in Britain has received statutory support since the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977. Subsequent developments have, however, acted to undermine the effectiveness of these regulations. The paper consequently discusses a range of reforms that could be introduced to strengthen the present regulatory regime. [source] The regulation of health and safety in Britain: from old Labour to new LabourINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 1 2000Matthias Beck The Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA 1974), passed twenty-five years ago, has been hailed as a significant advance for organised labour and a model for modern work-place regulation. This article argues that, contrary to conventional interpretations, the making of the Act was dominated by business interests. We suggest that the Act's emphasis on self-regulation and goal-setting made it vulnerable to deregu-latory initiatives, which are unlikely to be reversed by new Labour in the foreseeable future. [source] Mental health nurses: De facto policeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2007Jacklin E. Fisher ABSTRACT:, This paper examines the consequences for nursing staff and patients when police bring to hospital a person they assess to have a mental illness who exhibits violent or criminal behaviour. In particular, the impact on the nurse,patient relationship and the occupational health and safety of patients and staff is explored. Tensions between the conflicting roles for nurses of controlling the behaviour of this small minority of patients, while providing care and therapy, are examined within the context of health policy, bed shortages, and staffing problems. Recent Australian government and non-government reports are examined to assess the capacity of current health services in the State of New South Wales, to adequately and safely control behaviour while also provide therapeutic care for patients who are seeking help for their mental illness and emotional distress. [source] Enhancing occupational health and safety in young workers: the role of social marketingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 3 2008Anne M. Lavack Young workers (age 15,24) suffer work-related injury at a much higher rate than older workers, yet research on the role and effectiveness of social marketing to influence and improve workplace safety is limited. A review of the relevant literature reveals that significant gaps exist in terms of effectively using social marketing to reduce young worker injury rates. A comprehensive, multi-faceted social marketing approach is required to address young worker safety. Directing more attention toward the practice of social marketing can enhance the effectiveness of campaigns to reduce workplace injuries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Planning for stingray tourism at Hamelin Bay, Western Australia: the importance of stakeholder perspectivesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 5 2003Anna Lewis Abstract Stingray tourism continues to be developed at various locations around the world with the concept being marketed on television travel programmes, documentaries, internet sites and travel brochures. Food provisioned stingray tourism, for example, now attracts some 100,000 visitors a year to ,tingray city' in the Caymen Islands. At Hamelin Bay in southwest Western Australia, up to 16 large stingrays (Dasyatis brevicaudata and Dasyatis thetidis) and numerous eaglerays (Myliobatis australis) are fed by visitors from the waters edge. This study reports on stakeholder perspectives relating to tourism development and potential management of the Hamelin Bay site. From the results of this study it is clear that there is sufficient interest in stingray tourism (by all the stakeholders surveyed) to develop Hamelin Bay as a permanent feeding site. Visitors on average gave their experience with the rays a satisfaction value of 8.9 out of 10. Twenty-five per cent of visitors surveyed did not want commercialisation, tour groups or excessive visitor numbers. Their main concern was that the health and safety of the rays may deteriorate with an increase of visitors if the situation is not managed correctly. Visitors desire to be educated about the rays, and how to best interact with them safely. Visitors also acknowledged that the site needs management through more signs, information and a management plan. Management for the site is therefore likely to be best implemented through the application of signage, development of guidelines/codes of conduct, protection of the rays and zoning the beach according to specific recreational purposes. Management regimes should also use various indicators to monitor the impacts of stingray tourism at Hamelin Bay. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Stakeholder Perspectives about Marine Oil Spill Response Objectives: A Comparative Q Study of Four RegionsJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2009Seth Tuler Marine oil spills can cause major social, economic, and ecological disruptions. Spill response managers must weigh different options and objectives when deciding what to do. We investigated the ways in which preferences for spill response objectives vary among those who are responsible for oil spill contingency planning and response in Buzzards Bay, Delaware Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Washington State regions. We begin this paper with a discussion of the research method used in the study: the Q method. In Buzzards Bay, Delaware Bay, and San Francisco Bay three perspectives were identified in each case. In Washington State, two perspectives were identified. An analysis of the 11 case-specific perspectives reveals that they can be described by four ,composite' perspectives that describe how different stakeholders prioritize spill response objectives. These four perspectives are compared on several themes, including the emphasis they placed on mitigating economic impacts, protecting health and safety, mitigating ecological impacts, implementing a coordinated and timely response, addressing the needs and concerns of the affected public/communities, gaining public support for the response, mitigating cultural impacts, and mitigating social nuisance impacts. The implications for spill response planning and spill response evaluation are discussed. [source] Looking through the Lens of Gender: A Postmodern Critique of a Modern Housing ParadigmJOURNAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, Issue 2 2002Lucinda Kaukas Havenband M.A., M.Phil. ABSTRACT The shift from a modern to postmodern paradigm has dramatically impacted the nature and content of academic inquiry and has opened new categories and methods for research. Interior design has been traditionally critiqued on the basis of aesthetics, formal qualities, function, health and safety, and social/behavioral factors. A postmodern critique expands that criteria to include analysis of how designs may be inscribed with particular ideologies and meanings and consideration of how these meanings may empower or disempower certain groups, or philosophies. In a feminist critique, that analysis considers specifically the ideology of gender. This paper will demonstrate the use of the postmodern deconstructive method of "close reading" in a feminist critique of the Case Study program, a paradigm for modern housing in postwar America. A close reading makes the assumption that the text is not neutral and attempts to discover its biases by thoroughly examining how information has been edited, framed, explained, and constructed. Through this method every aspect of the design process as it has been documented will be scrutinized as texts to examine ideas about roles for women that are constructed through this method; it will not only demonstrate how ideological issues, specifically in this case about gender, can be inscribed within our designs for built spaces, but also provide a greater awareness of our ability as designers to perpetuate, create, or eliminate stereotypes. [source] Changing Organizational Forms and the Employment RelationshipJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 5 2002Jill Rubery This paper draws upon new research in the UK into the relationship between changing organizational forms and the reshaping of work in order to consider the changing nature of the employment relationship. The development of more complex organizational forms , such as cross organization networking, partnerships, alliances, use of external agencies for core as well as peripheral activities, multi-employer sites and the blurring of public/private sector divide , has implications for both the legal and the socially constituted nature of the employment relationship. The notion of a clearly defined employer,employee relationship becomes difficult to uphold under conditions where employees are working in project teams or on-site beside employees from other organizations, where responsibilities for performance and for health and safety are not clearly defined, or involve more than one organization. This blurring of the relationship affects not only legal responsibilities, grievance and disciplinary issues and the extent of transparency and equity in employment conditions, but also the definition, constitution and implementation of the employment contract defined in psychological and social terms. Do employees perceive their responsibilities at work to lie with the direct employer or with the wider enterprise or network organization? And do these perceptions affect, for example, how work is managed and carried out and how far learning and incremental knowledge at work is integrated in the development of the production or service process? So far the investigation of both conflicts and complementarities in the workplace have focused primarily on the dynamic interactions between the single employer and that organization's employees. The development of simultaneously more fragmented and more networked organizational forms raises new issues of how to understand potential conflicts and contradictions around the ,employer' dimension to the employment relationship in addition to more widely recognized conflicts located on the employer,employee axis. [source] Overview and Summary: School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 8 2007Laura Kann PhD ABSTRACT Background:, The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 is the largest, most comprehensive assessment of school health programs in the United States ever conducted. Methods:, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts SHPPS every 6 years. In 2006, computer-assisted telephone interviews or self-administered mail questionnaires were completed by state education agency personnel in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and among a nationally representative sample of districts (n = 538). Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted with personnel in a nationally representative sample of elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 1103) and with a nationally representative sample of teachers of classes covering required health instruction in elementary schools and required health education courses in middle and high schools (n = 912) and teachers of required physical education classes and courses (n = 1194). Results:, SHPPS 2006 describes key school health policies and programs across all 8 school health program components: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutrition services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. SHPPS 2006 also provides data to monitor 6 Healthy People 2010 objectives. Conclusions:, SHPPS 2006 is a new and important resource for school and public health practitioners, scientists, advocates, policymakers, and all those who care about the health and safety of youth and their ability to succeed academically and socially. [source] Babies Can't Wait: A Judicial ResponseJUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2004JUDGE SHARON S. TOWNSEND During my career as a Family Court Judge over the past 12 years, I was faced daily with the difficult task of deciding whether or not to remove a newborn infant from the care of her mother and place the child in foster care upon discharge from the hospital. In the huge majority of cases, removal was ordered based upon the mother's history of substance abuse and the subsequent positive toxicology of the infant at birth. I could not risk the health and safety of this often premature and vulnerable infant to a mother with such an addiction to drugs that she would expose her child in utero to these toxic substances. Such a mother was incapable of caring for the basic needs of this vulnerable infant, and therefore removal was ordered. This decision saddened me because, as a mother myself, I knew of the critical bond existing between infant and mother during those critical first days and weeks of a child's life. That bond must be nurtured and strengthened and is crucial to a child's development. [source] Monitoring working conditions and health of older workers in Dutch construction industryAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Peter Hoonakker PhD Abstract Background Accurate reporting of work-related conditions is necessary to monitor workplace health and safety and to identify the interventions that are most needed. In the Netherlands, working conditions and health are monitored on an aggregated level in the construction industry. One of the purposes of monitoring is to identify specific risk factors and risk groups. The objectives of this study was to examine (1) whether older workers (,55 years) in the construction industry are a special group at risk and (2) whether there are specific risk factors for older workers in the construction industry. Methods Every 2 years, more than 70,000 construction workers in the Netherlands fill out a questionnaire as part of their periodic health checkup. In a repeated cross-sectional (trend) design, we compared working conditions (physical and psychological demands), musculoskeletal disorders (symptoms and conditions), and injuries of older workers with other age categories. Results Older construction workers have fewer complaints about physically demanding work and psychosocial workload, but have more complaints about working in awkward postures. Older workers have more complaints about their health than workers in other age categories. Older construction workers have fewer injuries than younger workers. Conclusions Older construction workers are a risk group for musculoskeletal disorders. Working in awkward postures can be considered a risk factor for older workers in construction industry. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 641,653, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Using community-based participatory research to design and initiate a study on immigrant worker health and safety in San Francisco's Chinatown restaurantsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Meredith Minkler DrPH Abstract Background Restaurant workers have among the highest rates of work-related illness and injury in the US, but little is known about the working conditions and occupational health status of Chinese immigrant restaurant workers. Methods Community-based participatory research (CBPR) was employed to study restaurant working conditions and worker health in San Francisco's Chinatown. A community/academic/health department collaborative was formed and 23 restaurant workers trained on research techniques and worker health and safety. A worker survey instrument and a restaurant observational checklist were collaboratively developed. The checklist was piloted in 71 Chinatown restaurants, and the questionnaire administered to 433 restaurant workers. Results Restaurant workers, together with other partners, made substantial contributions to construction of the survey and checklist tools and improved their cultural appropriateness. The utility of the checklist tool for restaurant-level data collection was demonstrated. Conclusions CBPR holds promise for both studying worker health and safety among immigrant Chinese restaurant workers and developing culturally appropriate research tools. A new observational checklist also has potential for restaurant-level data collection on worker health and safety conditions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:361,371, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational health crossing borders part 2: Comparison of 18 occupational health systems across the globeAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Katja Radon MSc Abstract Background Occupational health and safety (OHS) is considered one of the most important factors for a sustainable development; however, it is often considered a luxury by decision-makers. This article compares OHS systems of 18 countries at different stages of development. Methods In an international summer school, structure of the national OHS system, definition of occupational accidents and diseases, procedures for compensation claims, outcome (expressed as incidence of occupational accidents) and training opportunities were presented. Results National OHS systems ranged from non-existent to systems implemented almost 200 years ago. Priorities, incidence of occupational accidents and training opportunities varied. Common problems included the lack of OHS service for small enterprises and in rural areas. Conclusions International training programs like this summer school might enhance the exchange about OHS opportunities around the globe and contribute to improved workers health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:55,63, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||