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Objective To understand the basic information of the number, classification, and distribution of radiation work units in non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province, China, and to analyze the status quo of health management and radiation protection measures for radiation workers, so as to provide a scientific basis for occupational exposure protection in non-medical radiation work units and better protect the occupational health rights and interests of radiation workers. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate some non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province. On-site testing was carried out to determine the risk factors for radioactive occupational diseases in the selected non-medical institutions. Results In 220 non-medical institutions, there were 340 radiation devices and 2284 radioactive sources. The rate of individual dose monitoring was 92.7% and the rate of occupational health examination was 87.2%. These devices were equipped with 325 detection instruments for radiation protection, 1316 personal protective equipment, and 730 personal dose alarms. Radiation occupational disease risk factors were investigated in 101 institutions. Conclusion The occupational health management of radiation workers in non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province is generally in line with the national standards. However, there is still a big gap with the level of occupational health management in medical institutions. The health administration departments should clarify the management measures for non-medical institutions and strengthen their supervision and management functions.
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Objective To investigate the number, distribution, and types of radiation of non-medical radiation institutions in Hebei Province, China, and to explore the current radiation protection in the employing units and occupational health management of radiation workers in 2022. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted in the non-medical institutions engaged in nuclear technology application in Hebei Province, and different types of employing units were selected to monitor the radioactivity level in the workplace. Results A total of 681 non-medical institutions engaged in radiation technology application completed the survey, covering all cities with subordinate districts in the province, including 1605 radioactive devices, 2960 active devices, 45 non-uranium metal mines, and 14 non-sealed workplaces. A total of 8617 radiation workers were surveyed, with a personal dose monitoring rate of 70.9%, a radiation protection training rate of 61.1%, and an occupational health examination rate for radiation workers of 59.3%. A total of 614 radiation protection monitoring instruments were provided, with a personal protective equipment allocation rate of 51.1% and a personal dose alarm device allocation rate of 51.8%. The radiation occupational hazardous factor testing was completed for 54 workplaces, and the results were all qualified. Conclusion There are still significant deficiencies in personal dose monitoring in the radiation work units in non-medical institutions and occupational health examination in the radiation work units in our province. The health administrative departments should strengthen health supervision and law enforcement, enhance radiation protection and skill training for employers, and more effectively control the impact of radiation hazards on personnel health.
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Objective To investigate the current status of radiation protection in non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai, China, and to provide a scientific basis for occupational health management in non-medical radiation workplaces. Methods Non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai were investigated using a questionnaire survey in 2022, including radiation source term, occupational health examination, personal dose monitoring, personal protective equipment, and radiation protection testing workplaces. Data were entered by a double-entry method and then analyzed. Results There were 56 non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai, covering manufacturing, nonferrous metal ore mining, nuclear power plant, transportation, and technical services. There were 0 Class I radiation device, 150 Class II radiation devices, and 10 Class III radiation devices; there were 80 Class I radiation sources, 16 Class II radiation sources, 14 Class III radiation sources, 62 Class IV radiation sources, and 135 Class V radiation sources. There were 998 radiation workers, with an occupational health examination rate and personal dose monitoring rate of 98.3%. Among the 56 non-medical radiation workplaces, 47 (83.9%) were equipped with radiation protection monitoring instruments, 24 (51.1%) workplaces had verified the radiation protection monitoring instruments, with 2017 personal dose monitoring instruments and 2327 personal protective equipment in place, 42 (75%) workplaces carried out occupational health assessments, 44 (78.6%) workplaces carried out self-detection, and 53 (94.6%) workplaces carried out entrusting detections (monitoring pass rate: 100% [53/53]). The declaration rate of occupational hazard items was 87.5% (49/56). Conclusion There is still a gap between the current status and the requirements in the national regulations and standards regarding radiation protection in non-medical radiation workplaces. Therefore, the supervision and management of non-medical radiation workplaces should be further strengthened, especially the configuration and verification of radiation protection monitoring instruments.
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Since the implementation of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health in November 2007, it has played an extremely important role in protecting the occupational health of radiation workers. There are more than 700 000 radiation workers in about 100 000 workplaces with potential radiation exposure, as well as a large number of miners exposed to high levels of radon. As the radiation health monitoring project suggests, measures of occupational health management such as personal dose monitoring and occupational health examination of radiation workers have been widely implemented and achieved good results in the protection of radiation workers. However, the risks of chromosomal aberration and specific turbidity of the eye lens of radiation workers have increased in high-risk positions such as interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and industrial flaw detection. The control of high radon exposure in miners needs to be strengthened. It is necessary to adapt to the new situation in view of new challenges and actively promote the revision of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health, so as to further improve the occupational health management of radiation workers in China.
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Occupational health management is one of the major indicators for evaluating the occupational disease prevention and control status of employers. However, there is still a lack of occupational health management evaluation standards or specifications in China. Analysis and evaluation of the problems in occupational health management by employers require technicians to master the relevant laws, regulations, standards, and specifications. In contrast to this high technical demand, in reality various methods have been used for occupational health management evaluation. There are great differences in evaluation contents and the analysis is incomplete, resulting in numerous problems and low practical feasibility. In the Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Act (2016 Amendment), the cancellation of the certificates for institutions and individuals in evaluation of the damage caused by occupational diseases resulted in an increased number of assessment report writers with insufficient capability. Since 2018, the duty of occupational health supervision has been transferred from the work safety administrative department to the health administrative department. The ability of occupational health supervisors needs to be improved urgently. This article mainly analyzes and discusses the contents and methods of occupational health management evaluation, as well as the problems and suggestions. Our results provide a guideline for improvement of occupational health management.
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@#<b>Objective</b> To investigate the number and categorical distribution of non-medical radiation institutions in Fujian Province, China, and to explore the current situation of radiation occupational hazards prevention and control and the occupational health management of radiation workers in employing units. <b>Methods</b> The industrial enterprises engaged in the application of nuclear technology in our province were investigated, and different types of employing units were selected to monitor the radioactivity level in the workplace. <b>Results</b> A total of 377 non-medical radiation institutions were reported in the province, with a total of 5221 radiation workers (except luggage detector units); 1246 radiation workers held radiation worker certificates, accounting for 23.87%; 5103 radiation workers carried out personal dose monitoring, accounting for 97.74%; 5061 radiation workers participated in radiation protection knowledge training, accounting for 96.94%; a total of 4895 (93.76%)radiation workers received physical examination. <b>Conclusion</b> Health supervision authorities in Fujian Province should strengthen the supervision of non-medical radiation institutions, further improve the level of occupational health management, and protect the health rights and interests of radiation workers to the maximum extent.
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In recent years, labor dispatch has become a new form of employment in medical institutions for final disinfection, cleaning, garbage recycling and other work. Concerning the ambiguity of responsibilities and obligations in regard to dispatching workers′ occupational health management, most of employers and labor dispatching agencies failed to protect the legal rights and interests of dispatching workers during working. This article discusses the case of occupational health management and supervision of labor dispatch for cleaning worker at a nuclear medicine workplace in a medical institution.
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Objective To investigate and analyze the current situation of nuclear technology utilization and radiation workers' occupational health management in non-medical institutions in Huai'an City, and to strengthen the prevention and control of occupational radiation diseases. Methods 37 non-medical institutions of nuclear technology utilization in Huai'an City were surveyed by questionnaire, including radioisotope and radiation apparatus, personal dose monitoring of radiation workers, implementation of occupational health examination, protective equipment, etc. Results The industry covers manufacturing industry, transportation, warehousing and postal industry, scientific research and technical service industry, residential service, repair and other service industries, 0 class I radiation device, 15 class II radiation devices, 67 class III radiation devices; 0 class I and II radiation sources, 1 class III radiation device, 16 class IV radiation sources, 51 class V radiation sources, 1 unsealed radioactive material Class B workplace; 493 radiation workers, 90.5% with certificates, 85.4% with personal dose monitoring rate, rate of 37.8% with radiation protection monitoring equipment, and 68.0% with occupational health examination rate. It has 13 institutions equipped with personal protective equipment, 23 with dose alarming devices and 14 with radiation protection monitors. 30 radiation workplace tests have been carried out in the past two years. Conclusion The occupational health management of radiation workers in non-medical institutions is weak. At present, the responsibility of occupational health supervision has been assigned to the health department. Therefore, the health administrative department should strengthen the supervision of non-medical nuclear technology utilization institutions and improve the emergency mechanism of radiation emergencies in Huai'an city.
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Objective To understand the occupational hazards of dust related enterprises in Tianjin, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating regulatory policies and effectively curbing the high incidence of pneumoconiosis. Methods The basic situation of the enterprise, the occupational health management status, and the occupational health status of the workers were described and analyzed. Results Most of the enterprises exposed to dust in Tianjin were small and micro enterprises, manufacturing enterprises and private enterprises. The reporting rate of occupational hazard items was uneven (P < 0.01). As the scale of the enterprise decreased, the comprehensive training rate of occupational health, the training rate of enterprise leaders, the training rate of occupational health management personnel, the comprehensive implementation rate of occupational hazard detection and the detection rate decreased accordingly (P < 0.01). Conclusion Tianjin should focus on the supervision of small and micro enterprises, strengthen the occupational health training of small and micro enterprises, and implement hierarchical and effective supervision for enterprises of different sizes in different regions. Meanwhile, enterprises should bear the main responsibility of occupational health, so as to ensure the continuity of occupational health management measures such as occupational hazard detection and occupational health inspection.
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BACKGROUND: We examined the current status of specialized agencies for occupational health management (SAs) and their workforce. Furthermore, we aimed to clarify the current practice status of SA healthcare professionals and factors that influence their performance. METHODS: To examine the current SA workforce, we analyzed data from the 2014 Survey of Current Status of SA and their Workforce from the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). Furthermore, we mailed out an original questionnaire to SA professionals to determine their current health management status and factors that affect their performance. Data from the respondents (N = 384) were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2014, the workforce performing health management in SAs comprised 232 physicians, 507 nurses, and 312 occupational hygienists, with no significant regional differences in the distribution of physicians and nurses. According to the findings of the questionnaire, the average daily number of worker consultations by physicians and nurses was 22.8, while the average time taken for health management ranged from 74.3 to 104.3 min, depending on the size of the firm. Most of the respondents (41.5%) answered that they were following-up on more than 80% of individuals with illnesses. Among health management tasks, performance scores of “consultations for general diseases” and “consultations for lifestyle habits” were relatively high, whereas health promotion activities at workplaces were relatively low. There was a significant correlation between the utilization of general and special health examination results and task performance. CONCLUSION: Among health management tasks, follow-up management of individuals with illnesses and consultations for disease/lifestyle habits were relatively well performed, whereas health promotion activities at workplaces were not performed well. Among factors that positively influenced SA performance at workplaces, only the utilization of health examination results had significant effects. Therefore, to accomplish health management goals and perform effective health management at workplaces, there is a need to establish a comprehensive system of occupational health service outsourcing integrating health examinations and health management services. Furthermore, the current task system, which focuses on follow-up management, should be expanded to incorporate preventive and health promotion functions—the fundamental functions of occupational health services (OHS).
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Cross-Sectional Studies , Delivery of Health Care , Employment , Follow-Up Studies , Health Promotion , Life Style , Occupational Health Services , Occupational Health , Outsourced Services , Postal Service , Referral and Consultation , Surveys and Questionnaires , Task Performance and Analysis , Work PerformanceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to collect data on the occupational health systems implemented across selected healthcare facilities in the Philippines, including: (1) governance system for occupational health and safety (OHS), (2) OHS information systems, (3) OHS financing systems, (4) technology and related systems for OHS, (5) the OHS workforce, and (6) the delivery of OHS services.METHODS: The data were collected through a walkthrough survey of the selected facilities as well as through the review of records and relevant documents found in the facilities.RESULTS: Governance and financing systems for OHS are not present in any of the facilities. 3 out of the 13 hospitals studied have employee medical records, accident/incident reports while none of the 19 facilities have Workplace Environment Monitoring Reports (WEM), implying the lack of OHS information systems. Due to the lack of a financing mechanism for occupational health services, there is a lack of OHS technology in the facilities which include but are not limited to the presence of an Immunization and Post-Exposure Program (present in 7 out of 13 hospitals and none of the 6 RHUs studied). 1 out of 19 facilities reported to having personnel delegated for OHS activities in their facility. Lastly, 1 out of 19 facilities have emergency treatment and medical facilities for their employees, indicating inadequate OHS service delivery in the facilities studied.CONCLUSIONS: Standards and laws such as the Philippine OHS Standards and Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order (AO) 2012-0020 have provisions with regard to OHS in these facilities, and stricter implementation of these provisions could help in filling in the gaps in the OHS systems in these facilities. This will provide a healthy workforce capable of giving better healthcare services to the general population.
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Humans , Occupational Health Services , Occupational Health , Workplace , Rhus , Safety , Immunization , Vaccination , Hospitals , Medical Records , Emergency TreatmentABSTRACT
Due to the various toxic chemicals, accidents and job stress, the firefighter has been known as a dangerous job. However, in Korea, there is no proper system to improve their health or job fitness. The authors tried to look into the current state of occupational health problems of firefighters and to suggest some important points to improve their health and fitness for work. The injury incidence of firefighters was higher than that of other jobs and their life expectancy was shorter than any other public servants. Even though the health examination for firefighters was applied since 2004, there is no appropriate approach to examine the health and to assess the fitness for firefighting work. A standardized periodic special health examination based on their work conditions or health risks, for instance various chemicals, physical factors and psychosocial factors, is needed. We suggest that the other health examination system that firefighters can take a specialized health examination in case of uncommon situation to be a risk on health. In addition, the fitness test for injured or ill workers is necessary. As a conclusion, the comprehensive occupational health management system is necessary to make firefighters healthy and for the citizens' safety.
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Humans , Firefighters , Incidence , Korea , Life Expectancy , Occupational HealthABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the symptom prevalence and the primary intervention of work-related musculoskeletal diseases(WMSDs) and their related factors among manufacturing workers. METHOD: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 2,457 workers, at 22 enterprises in Chungnam province, Korea, from September 1 to December 1, 2003. The contents of the questionnaire included general and work-related characteristics, musculoskeletal symptoms and workers' past one-year experience of primary interventions. RESULTS 1. The overall symptom prevalence of the musculoskeletal diseases was 23.9%. The WMSD symptom prevalences at the neck/shoulder, arm/elbow, hand/wrist and back/leg were 14.8%. 2.7%. 7.3% and 12.0%, respectively. 2. In multivariate analysis, all WMSD symptom prevalences were high in the high workload, high force & high repetitiveness, and 'high job strain' groups. The WMSD symptom prevalence at neck/shoulder was also high in females and the group experiencing low social support from the supervisor. 3. The rates of the primary interventions were as follows : 13.7% for health education, 5.8% for health counselling, 18.8% for preventive exercise, 24.7% for ergonomic intervention, and 9.8% for administrative intervention. 4. In multivariate analysis, the size of the enterprises and the type of occupational health management system(OHMS) were significantly associated with all primary interventions except health counselling(p or =40 years), irregular employment, and the active group of Karasek's job strain model. Those for the preventive exercise were male, older age, longer tenure and regular employment. Those for the ergonomic intervention were longer tenure, job of physical force and/or repetitiveness, high job stain and the group experiencing high social support from the supervisor. The predictive factor for the administrative intervention was male (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To establish an effective strategy for the primary prevention of WMSDs, approaches are needed which consider the individual nature of small and medium sized enterprises. IAlso necessary is to promote the participation of labor and management because the activation of the primary intervention was associated with the type of OHMS and union presence. Moreover the reduction of workload and increased intervention into the high risk group could be effective in the prevention of WMSDs.
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Female , Humans , Male , Employment , Health Education , Korea , Multivariate Analysis , Musculoskeletal Diseases , Occupational Health , Prevalence , Primary Prevention , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We tried to establish a Regional Occupational Surveillance System (ROSS) for estimating the prevalence and monitoring the trend of occupational dermatitis among 718 manufacturing workers exposed to organic solvents and nonmetallic chemicals in small and medium sized businesses of 1,2 industrial complex area of taejon City. METHODS: Through the report from the nurses of Group Occupational Health Management System, we made a case referral and immediate health examination system with occupational medical clinics. We also performed a survey for detecting occupational dermatitis by a self-administered questionnaire. Case must meet 3 criteria; 1) He/She must have one or more significant cutaneous signs and symptoms. 2) The symptom should be changed by the work condition or caused by risk chemicals. 3) Dermatitis should be diagnosed by a doctor. Results Among the 131 workers(17. 7 %) with significant symptoms screened by the questionnaire, 4 workers(0. 6 %) met the case definition criteria. And among the 45 workers (6. 3 9o) referred to the immediate diagnosed system, 14 workers (l. 9 %) were Strongly suspected to have occupational dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: These prevalence rates were quite underestimated because of deficient recognition of the disease severity among the workers, reversibility of the target diseases, and life-threathening mood due to nationwide economic crisis and the socioeconomic withdrawal of each business. Ultimately, harmonized activities of government, industry, labor unions, volunteer organization and academy relating to occupational health in a community should be encouraged to do creative, consistent efforts for evolution and development of this first trial of ROSS.
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Commerce , Dermatitis , Dermatitis, Contact , Dermatitis, Occupational , Labor Unions , Occupational Health , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Referral and Consultation , Solvents , VolunteersABSTRACT
In order to develop the computerized information system of occupational health management at worksite, we surveyed actual states of computer use at worksites. We used a self-administrative questionnaire to the members of Korean Association of Occupational Health Nursing(KAOHN) from July 4 to August 21 in 1997. Among the members of KAOHN, 147 members answered. The worksites where they, were employed were very diverse in aspect of jobs, locations, and size. Occupational health computerized system was used at 30(20.4%) worksites among 147 respondents. When they first introduced the computerized system the most difficult problem was the lack of support of manager. The programs that they have used mainly consist of drug management, health examination management, disease management, but the program of worksite environment management have been rarely used. Most users felt that the computerized system was effective, but there were problems in connection within programs. Many worksites have plans to take or expand the computerized information system within several years. It is necessary to develop the effective and integrated occupational health computerized system.
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Surveys and Questionnaires , Disease Management , Information Systems , Occupational Health , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkplaceABSTRACT
The first purpose of this study was to compare the mean Knowledge, Attitude & Practice(KAP) scores concerning major occupational Health between two types of occupational health management in small & medium-scale textile factories. Sample number was 1,138 workers. In small & medium factories with 300 workers or less, they have two alternatives for occupational health management; Individual Health Management or Vicarious Health Management. The second purpose was to determine if there was a relationship between duration of Vicarious health management and mean kap scores for 694 workers from the Vicarious Health Management group. We used self-administered questionnaires for measuring KAP. The results of this study were; 1. There was significant difference concerning all socioeconomic & occupational variables(gender, age education level, marital status, Blue/White collar, working duration of present factory, working duration of total factories) except for shift. 2. There was no significant difference of mean scores of Knowledge and attitude between the Individual Health Management Group and the Vicarious Health Management. But, the mean score of Practice was significantly different. 3. According to multiple regression analysis, the mean score of Knowledge significantly increased with age, education level, working duration of all factories increased. The mean score of Attitude significantly increased with age, education level and married. The mean score of Practice significantly increased with age, education level, working duration of all factories, married and men. 4. In conclusion, The type of Health management did not significantly affect the mean KAP scores concerning major occupational Health problems. 5. But, the Duration of Vicarious Health management significantly increased the mean KAP scores.
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Humans , Male , Education , Marital Status , Occupational Health , Surveys and Questionnaires , TextilesABSTRACT
The purposes of this study are to define the scope of occupational health management and to classify occupational management by review of related journals from 1945 to 1994 in Korea. The steps of this study were as follows: (l)Search of secondary reference; (2) Collection and review of primary reference; (3) Survey; and (4) Analysis and discussion. The results were as follows; 1. Most of the respondents majored in occupational health(71.6%), and were working in university (68.3%), males and over the age 40. Seventy percent of the respondents agreed with the idea that classification of occupational health management is necessary, and 10% disagreed. 2. After integration of the idea of respondents, we reclassified the scope of occupational health management. It was defined 3parts, that is, occupational health system, occupational health service and others (such as assessment, epidemiology, cost-effectiveness analysis and so on). 3. The number of journals on occupational health management was 510. It was slightly increased from 1986 and abruptly increased after 1991. The kinds of journals related to occupational health management were The Korean Journal of occupational Medicine(18.2%), several kinds of Medical College Journal(17.0%), The Korean Journal occupational Health(15.l%), The Korean Journal of preventive Medicine(15.l%) and others(34.6%). As for the contents, the number of journals on occupational health management systems was 33(6.5%) and occupational health services 477(93.5%). Of the journals on occupational health management systems, the number of journals on the occupational health resource system was 15(45.5%), occupational finance system 8(24.2%), occupational health management system 6(l8.2%), occupational organization 3(9.1%) and occupational health delivery system l(3.0%). of the journals on occupational health services, the number of journals on disease management was 269(57.2%), health management 116(24.7%), working environmental management 85(18.1%). As for the subjects, the number of journals on general workers was l85(71.l%), followed by women worker, white color workers and so on. 4. Respondents made occupational health service(such as health management, working environmental management and health education) the first priority of occupational health management. Tied for the second are quality analysis(such as education, training and job contents of occupational health manager) and occupational health systems(such as the recommendation of systems of occupational and general disease and occupational health organization). 5. Thirty seven respondents suggested 48 ideas about the future research of occupational health management. The results were as follows: (l) study of occupational health service 40.5%; (2) Study of organization system 27.1%; (3) Study of occupational health system (e.g. information network) 8.3%; (4) Study of working condition 6.2%; and (5) Study of occupational health service analysis 4.2%.
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Female , Humans , Male , Classification , Surveys and Questionnaires , Disease Management , Education , Epidemiology , Korea , Occupational Health Services , Occupational HealthABSTRACT
The concept of workers' participation in occupational health was introduced to Korea recently in relation to primary health care in occupational health. But there is confusion and debate about workers' participation concept. The purpose of this study was to review the concepts of workers' participation and to conduct evaluation the workers' participation status in occupational health and safety. 394 workers and 54 employers (5.6%) in north area of Kyunggi-Do, were selected and interviewed with a questionnaire by a trained interviewer from August to September 1990. In general, the concept of workers' participation is based on industrial democratization and Declaration of Human Rights which had been powerful ideologies in labor movement. Contrary to workers' participation, community participation is rooted in the Health Rights. So, it is necessary to consider concept of workers' participation to improve participation. The results of survey were as follows: 1. Most of companies (71.75) carried out occupational health education to workers in study area. 2. The Occupational Safety and Health Committee (OSHC) were set up in 24.1% among the study companies, and 72.7% of workers among respondents thought that OSHC was helpful to workers health. 3. The workers signed his name to personal health report in 43.1% and the rate of participation in occupational environment examination was 54.9%. 4. The workers prefer the OSHC (39.3%), owner (35.1%) and union (25.8%) as a occupation health organization, but owners prefer OSHC (54.5%), manager (43.2%) and union (2.3%). 5. Among the factors of the general characteristics, the existence of labor union was a major determinant of workers' attitude and level of workers' participation. As we have seen, most levels of workers' participation are low in occupational health. The variable of existence of labor union among the factors was a major determinant of workers attitude and level of workers' participation. Therefore, in order to promote workers health, it is necessary to ponder long deeply on occupational health care system under the viewpoint of workers' participation.