Occupational medicine
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Occupational medicine · Jul 2013
Traumatic brain injuries from work accidents: a retrospective study.
The United Arab Emirates is a rapidly developing country with recent expansion in construction and manufacturing. ⋯ Occupational TBI requiring hospitalization is most frequently due to falls and falling objects, with potentially grave consequences. This study further highlights the urgent need to implement preventative measures to improve construction worker safety.
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Occupational medicine · Jul 2013
Stress management standards: a warning indicator for employee health.
Psychological stress is a major cause of lost working days in the UK. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has developed management standards (MS) to help organizations to assess work-related stress. ⋯ The findings support the utility of the MS as a measure of employee attitudes and performance.
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Occupational lung diseases remain common, and health surveillance is one approach used to assist identification of early cases. ⋯ Respiratory health surveillance remains a disparate process, even within disease type. A standard validated questionnaire and associated guidance should be developed. Lung function testing was common and generally supported by the evidence. Cross-sectional interpretation of lung function in younger workers needs careful assessment in order to best identify early cases of disease. More informed interpretation of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio, for example by using a lower limit of normal for each worker, and of longitudinal lung function information is advised. Immunological tests appear useful in small groups of workers exposed to common occupational allergens. Education, training and improved occupational health policies are likely to improve uptake of health surveillance, to ensure that those who fail health surveillance at any point are handled appropriately.