Algunas experiencias de la aplicación de la ergonomía en el sector minero / Some Experiences on the Ergonomics Application in Mining / Algumas experiências da aplicação da Ergonomía no setor mineiro

Introducción: Cerrejón, al igual que la mayoría de las empresas en Colombia, presenta retos complejos en materia de salud y seguridad en el trabajo. En 2012, en Cerrejón, cerca del 75% de los días perdidos por condiciones de salud fueron enfermedades generales y 9 de cada 10 empleados incapacitados por situaciones de salud lo hicieron por esta misma contingencia. Alrededor del 45% de los diagnósticos por situaciones de salud en ese mismo año fueron por condiciones asociadas al sistema músculo-esquelético. Materiales y métodos: para el control integral de esta problemática, Cerrejón viene implementado un sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica para la prevención de los desórdenes músculo-esqueléticos (DME); este artículo presenta algunas experiencias que desde diferentes dominios de la ergonomía ha implementado Cerrejón en los últimos años. Discusión: en relación con la morbilidad laboral, Cerrejón sigue un comportamiento similar al del país, en el que el aumento constante tanto del número de casos como de la tasa de morbilidad es la característica común. Siguiendo la tendencia mundial y nacional, son las patologías músculo-esqueléticas la primera causa de morbilidad laboral en Cerrejón.

Introduction: Cerrejón Ltd., like most companies in Colombia presents complex challenges in the field of health and safety at work. In 2012 at Cerrejón about 75% of the days lost by health conditions were general diseases and 9 of every 10 employees incapacitated by situations of health did by the same contingency. Around 45% of diagnosis to health situations in that year went for conditions associated with the muscle-skeletal system. Materials and methods: For comprehensive control of this problem, Cerrejón Ltd. comes implemented a system of epidemiological surveillance for the prevention of muscle skeletal disorders (MSD) this article presents some experiences which, from different domains of ergonomics, Cerrejón Ltd. has implemented in recent years. Discussion: In relation to occupational morbidity, Cerrejón Ltd. follows a behavior similar to the country, where the constant increase both the number of cases and the rate of morbidity is common property. Following global and national trends are the leading cause of occupational morbidity in Cerrejón-skeletal pathologies.

Introdução: Cerrejón, ao igual que a maioria das empresas na Colômbia, apresenta retos complexos em matéria de saúde e segurança no trabalho. No ano 2012 em Cerrejón cerca do 75% dos dias perdidos por condições de saúde foram doenças gerais, e 9 de cada 10 empregados incapacitados por situações de saúde se declararam doentes igualmente por esta contingência. Ao redor do 45% dos diagnósticos por situações de saúde nesse mesmo ano, foram por condições associadas ao sistema músculo esquelético. Materiais e métodos: para o controle integral desta problemática, Cerrejón vem implementando um sistema de vigilância epidemiológica para a prevenção das desordens músculo esqueléticas (DME). Este artigo apresenta algumas experiências que desde diferentes domínios da ergonomia tem implementado Cerrejón nos últimos anos. Discussão: em relação à morbidade laboral, Cerrejón segue um comportamento similar ao do país, no que o aumento constante tanto do número de casos quanto da taxa de morbidade, é a característica comum. Seguindo a tendência mundial e nacional, são as patologias músculo esqueléticas a primeira causa de morbidade laboral em Cerrejón.

La muerte en el trabajo / Mortality in labor time

Esta revisión describe la situación actual de la mortalidad en el trabajo en el mundo y en Colombia, reconociendo la magnitud social, económica y política de este fenómeno. Asimismo se plantean algunas reflexiones sobre el papel y la responsabilidad que han de tener los diferentes actores del Sistema General de Riesgos Profesionales en Colombia en la promoción de la salud en el trabajo y en la vigilancia y control de las actividades críticas o de alto riesgo

Bone mineral density 6 years after a hip fracture: a prospective, longitudinal study.

The purpose of this prospective study was to extend the results of previous studies to determine if an accelerated rate of loss of bone mineral density (BMD) continues for 6 years after a hip fracture. Eighty-five elderly patients who had sustained a hip fracture had determinations of BMD made at the time of fracture; 55 of these patients were available for reassessment of BMD 1 year later, and 21 were available for reassessment of BMD 6 to 7 years later. The change in BMD from injury to 1 year and from 1 to 6 years was determined and correlated with pre- and postinjury variables, such as ambulatory ability, dietary intake of calcium, serum vitamin D levels, and mental status. There was a marked decrease in BMD in the in the first year after fracture, with the mean change in BMD being -4.3% at the femoral neck and -1.8% at the lumbar spine. Between 1 and 6 years after fracture, however, there was a dramatic increase in the BMD at both the femoral neck and lumbar spine measurement sites. Relative to 1 year after fracture, the mean increases were 7.7% at the femoral neck and 4.5% at the lumbar spine. In many cases, the loss of bone mineral that occurred in the first year after fracture was completely recouped in the subsequent 5 years. Five of the 21 patients (24%) sustained a contralateral hip fracture in the 6 years after the index fracture. Lumbar spine BMD was lower at baseline (p = 0.112), 1 year after fracture (p = 0.007), and 6 years after fracture (p = 0.003) in patients who sustained a second hip fracture than in those who did not. There was a general decrease in the functional activity level of patients in the 6 years after a hip fracture, but there were no statistically significant relationships between changes in BMD and the functional mobility of patients. The mean calcium intake in patients improved remarkably in the 6 years after fracture, but there was no correlation between daily calcium intake and changes in BMD. During the first year after a hip fracture, there is a rapid loss of bone mineral from the lumbar spine and contralateral femoral neck. Between 1 and 6 years after fracture, however, BMD is likely to increase, perhaps to levels greater than those at baseline. Although this investigation is small, the findings of this study point to the importance of further larger studies to further clarify the natural history of BMD after a hip fracture and the potential impact of pharmacological intervention on that natural history.

Descripción de las características de la accidentalidad en Ecopetrol Gerencia Complejo Barrancabermeja en el periodo de 1995 a 1997 / Description of the characteristics of the accident rate in Ecopetrol Industrial Complex in Barrancabermeja, 1995-1997

Con el fin de conocer la real problemática de la accidentalidad en la Gerencia Complejo Barrancabermeja de la Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos, Ecopetrol, que permitiera fortalecer las estrategias preventivas de forma integral, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de las principales características de la accidentalidad dentro y fuera del trabajo en esta empresa entre 1995 a 1997. Diversas categorias analíticas fueron consideradas en el análisis, cuyos resultados mostraron la poca variación en los índices de accidentalidd (frecuencia y severidad) en los tres años de estudio, a pesar de la implementación de distintas acciones y programas para el control de la accidentalidd. Así mismo fueron identificadas áreas críticas frente a la accidentalidad donde las acciones preventivas se hacen necesarias de forma inmediata. Las lesiones oculares fueron los sitios más frecuentemente involucrados en los accidentes ocurridos en el período de estudio y los oficios identificados como críticos fueron el electricista, el pailero y el soldador. Fue encontrada una situación crítica frente a la accidentalidad con los trabajadores temporales a diferencia de los trabajadores con contrato de trabajo a término indefinido. Con relación a la accidentalidad fuera del trabajo se encontró un alto porcentaje de accidentes relacionados con actividades caseras, deportivas y accidentes de tránsito en moto. Se proponen en consecuencia una serie de recomendaciones que de manera integral permitirán desarrollar las condiciones de trabajo y salud de los trabajadores, garantizando un impacto efectivo sobre la accidentalidad de la empresa

Safety, immunogenicity and protective effect of the SPf66 malaria synthetic vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum infection in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled field trial in an endemic area of Ecuador.

A total of 537 subjects were randomized to receive either SPf66 malaria vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum or placebo in three doses (days 0, 30 and 180). Subjects completing the course of vaccination (230 in the vaccine and 238 in the placebo group) were followed up for a further 12 months. Case detection surveillance was implemented by parasitological cross-sectional surveys every 2 months and by monthly household visits to each participant. Symptomatic subjects were also diagnosed in a local health centre. Minor local side-effects were observed mainly after the second dose in about 19% of the vaccinated subjects and in 3.7% of the placebo group. Thirty days after the third dose the prevalence of anti-SPf66 antibodies was 57% in the vaccine and 8.8% in the placebo groups. The prevaccination prevalence of antibodies measured by indirect immunofluorescence assay increased with age and seemed to be inversely related to anti-SPf66 antibody production. Immune response to SPf66 was independent of age. Vaccine efficacy was calculated based on person-time of exposure. The protective effect considering any malaria episode was 66.8% (95% confidence interval = -2.7-89.3%) and considering only one episode per individual was 60.2% (95% confidence interval = -26-87.5%).

Intimations of mortality: integrative simplification as a precursor of death.

This article tested the hypothesis that a "terminal drop" in cognitive functioning occurs a few years prior to death. Letters written during the last 10 years of life were selected from the published correspondence of 18 eminent individuals and scored for integrative complexity--a variable which is related to the degree of integration and differentiation in information processing. The overall analysis supported the terminal drop hypothesis. The predicted decline in complexity was found during the five years prior to death among subjects who died of protracted illness or old age but only in the year immediately prior to death among subjects who died suddenly. There was no relation between complexity and age; the mean complexity scores of men were higher than those of women. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.