ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hairdressers are exposed to hazardous chemicals in haircare products, which can cause adverse respiratory, skin, and reproductive effects. The incidence of these effects can be reduced with good occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Objective: The objective of the study was to assess Johannesburg hairdressers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards occupational health and safety. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-three hairdressers were recruited into this crosssectional study. They were categorised into employees/wage earners (earning a salary or wage, n = 151), or business owners (self-employed, n = 232). Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Frequency tables were generated and chi-square tests were used to test differences between KAP amongst business owners and wage earners. Results: Most of the study participant were female (n = 237, 61.9%). A higher proportion of business owners than wage earners knew that hairdressing was hazardous to their health, in general (n = 44, 29.1% and n = 120, 51.7%, respectively), and with regard to specific health risks such as asthma, cancer, and skin diseases. However, more of the wage earners than the business owners had good attitudes towards the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, (n = 143, 94.7% and n = 210, 90.5%, respectively). Overall, wage earners practised better OHS than business owners, e.g. 67.5% (n = 102) and 55.2% (n = 128) reported that they wore gloves, respectively. Conclusion: Wage earners had poorer OHS knowledge than those who owned or operated hairdressing salons. Both had good attitudes towards OHS, but self-employed hairdressers had poorer OHS practices. Training, including workshops and seminars, is needed to improve KAP regarding OHS amongst all hairdressers, regardless of their employment status.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Skin Diseases , Hazardous Substances , Beauty and Aesthetics Centers , Hair , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the risk rating for chemical hazards of aromatics complex in a petrochemical enterprise using two risk assessment methods. METHODS: Occupational hygiene investigation and chemical detection for workplaces of the construction project were made. The risk ratings were made in five workplaces including that of the aromatics extraction,disproportionation,isomerization,xylene fractionation and adsorptive fractionation. Two risk assessment methods were employed. They were the optimal indicator system of risk assessment on occupational chemical hazards( optimal indicator system) and the semi quantitative risk assessment model of Singapore. The results of risk rating generated by the two risk assessment methods were then compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Using the optimal indicator system,the risk rating of benzene was mild in the five workplaces; and the risk rating of methylbenzene and xylene was slight. However,using the semi quantitative risk assessment model of Singapore,the risk rating of benzene was extremely high in both the aromatics extraction and disproportionation workplaces; the risk rating was high in xylene fractionation,and was medium in the isomerization and adsorptive fractionation workplaces. The risk rating of methylbenzene was high in the aromatics extraction and disproportionation workplaces,and was low in the other three workplaces. The risk rating of xylene was low in the five workplaces. CONCLUSION: The optimal indicator system is more feasible,practical and objective for the assessment of chemical hazards. It is more suitable for risk assessment of occupational chemical hazards in our country.
ABSTRACT
The objectives of this paper are to highlight the benefits of sharing information to Western Pacific Region Member States and to identify similarities at the regional level in terms of food safety issues and public health protection. In addition, it aims to propose an improved partnership among regional food safety authorities and WHO on targeted objectives.