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Maintenance Workers (maintenance + worker)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	80%

Selected Abstracts

Sexual Function in F-111 Maintenance Workers: The Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009
Anthony Brown MPH
ABSTRACT Introduction., In Australia, four formal F-111 fuel tank deseal/reseal (DSRS) repair programs were implemented over more than two decades, each involving different processes and using a range of hazardous substances. However, health concerns were raised by a number of workers. The "Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel" was commissioned by the Australian Department of Defence to investigate potential adverse health outcomes as a result of being involved in the deseal/reseal processes. Aim., To compare measures of sexual function in F-111 aircraft fuel tank DSRS maintenance workers, against two appropriate comparison groups. Methods., Exposed and comparison participants completed a postal questionnaire which included general questions of health and health behavior, and two specific questions on sexual functioning. They also completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to explore exposure status and outcome while adjusting for potential confounders. Main Outcome Measures., The three outcomes of interest for this study were the proportion of participants with erectile dysfunction (ED) according to the IIEF, the proportion with self-reported loss of interest in sex, and the proportion with self-reported problems with sexual functioning. Results., Compared with each of the comparison groups, a larger proportion of the exposed group reported sexual problems and were classified as having ED according to the IIEF. In logistic regression, the odds of all three outcomes were higher for exposed participants relative to each comparison group and after adjustment for potentially confounding variables including anxiety and depression. Conclusions., There was a consistent problem with sexual functioning in the exposed group that is not explained by anxiety and depression, and it appears related to DSRS activities. Brown A, Gibson R, Tavener M, Guest M, D'Este C, Byles J, Attia J, Horsley K, Harrex W, and Ross J. Sexual function in F-111 maintenance workers: The study of health outcomes in aircraft maintenance personnel. J Sex Med 2009;6:1569,1578. [source]

Maintaining change: the maintenance function and the change process

NEW TECHNOLOGY, WORK AND EMPLOYMENT, Issue 1 2003
Fang Lee Cooke
This paper explores the organisation of the maintenance function of five manufacturing and utility companies and the involvement of maintenance workers in plant improvement. It highlights the important role of the tacit skills of maintenance workers and the broader role of the maintenance function in technological change and organisational performance. [source]

Factors that distinguish serious versus less severe Strain and sprain injuries: An analysis of electric utility workers

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009
Michael A. Kelsh PhD
Abstract Background Occupational sprain and strain injuries are one of the most common types of nonfatal occupational injuries and a significant source of lost workdays. This study examines factors associated with severe work-related sprain/strain injuries to the back, shoulder, and knees. Methods A synthetic case,control study was performed (controls were selected from the same pool of utility workers as cases). Cases included all electric utility workers who had experienced a severe work-related sprain/strain injury to the back, knee, or shoulder. Primary controls were selected from all workers who had sustained a minor injury. Secondary controls were selected from employees with a minor sprain/strain injury to the back, knee, or shoulder. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results Workers 41 years and older were more likely to have experienced severe shoulder sprain/strain injuries [Age 41,50: OR,=,3.62, 95% CI: 1.71,7.65; age 51 and older: OR,=,4.49, 95% CI: 1.89,10.67] and severe back sprain/strain injuries [Age 41,50: OR,=,1.70, 95% CI: 1.06,2.33; age 51 and older: OR,=,1.5, 95% CI: 0.90,2.52]. Line workers and maintenance workers had an increased risk of serious sprain/strain injuries. Gender and day of week were not significantly associated with sprain/strain injuries. Discussion Though this study is limited by available data, future studies may benefit from this preliminary examination of occupational and demographic characteristics associated with serious sprain/strain injuries among electric utility workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:210,220, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Cancer incidence and mortality in aircraft maintenance workers,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008
Catherine D'Este PhD
Abstract Background A cancer incidence and mortality study was conducted in response to health concerns raised by workers from F-111 aircraft deseal/reseal fuel tank maintenance programs, to determine whether personnel exposed to deseal/reseal had an excess of cancers and mortality. Methods Number of deaths and cancers for individuals involved in F-111 DSRS activities were matched against two Air Force comparison groups. Analyses were weighted to adjust for differences in age, exposure period and rank. Results Eight hundred seventy-three exposed, 7,577 comparison group one, and 9,408 comparison group two individuals were matched against death and cancer data, with 431 cancers and 431 deaths. Cancer incidence was higher in the exposed group, with marginally significant increases of 40,50% (cancer incidence rate ratio range 1.45,1.62). Exposed group mortality was significantly lower than both comparison groups, likely due to survivor bias in the exposed group (mortality rate ratio range 0.33,0.44). Conclusions On the balance of probabilities, there is an increased risk of cancer associated with participation in F-111 deseal/reseal activities. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:16,23, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]