[Proposal of a computerized method to assess work related stress according to legal requirements in Italy]. / Aggiornamento delle Linee di indirizzo della Regione Toscana sullo stress lavoro-correlato. Realizzazione di un software per l'applicazione facilitata del modello di valutazione proposto alla luce delle indicazioni tecniche del documento di coordinamento tecnico delle regioni.

Assessing psychosocial factors in occupational environment requires complicated procedures according to most methods. The project of Tuscany region has the aim to realize a free computerized instrument for a gradual risk assessment with two different modes, expert and beginner. A decisional flow chart helps to approach the risk assessment step by step on the basis of company features, management and organization problems and company symptoms of stress. This experience means a proposal of a computerized method for a quantitative assessment of psychosocial risks at workplace, but at the same time offers a detailed analysis of the problems in the organization suggesting different priority to solve them.

[The regions' contribution to assessment of work-related stress: an operative guide]. / Il contributo delle Regioni sulla valutazione del rischio stress lavoro-correlato: la guida operativa.

In order to formulate indications for work-related stress assessment established by Italian health and safety regulation (D.Lgs. 81/2008), the interregional technical committee has instituted a working group to define an operative guide. The guide indicates the elements that must be considered in the evaluation, criteria and methods for the assessment, the minimum requirements for the evaluation instruments, and the specific contents of the risk assessment document.The medical surveillance and the role of health and safety local authorities are also considered. The risk assessment must examine work organization indicators and the direct or indirect effects of work-related stress, like morbility, frequent accidents, changing job requests, legal actions, etc. Detecting subjective factors is a second step of the assessment, which must be carried out if the work organization indicators show considerable work-related stress problems, and only in the companies which employ more then ten workers.

[The role of "competent physician" for prevention of accidents at work]. / Il ruolo del medico competente nella prevenzione degli infortuni.

Using at best the professional and legal tools at his/her disposal, the "competent physician" can have a relevant role in reducing accidents in the workplace. In assessing the worker's suitability to specific tasks, the competent physician checks the presence of pathologies or functional impairments of organs or apparatuses that can be an additional risk for the occurrence of accidents at work. The activity aimed to preventing accidents at work translates also in taking part in the planning and implementation of information activities and workers' training within the company. The various risk factors inherent in the workplace and so-called "human factors" can interact in a negative way to the point of becoming a cause of accidents. The human variables of accident risk at the industrial, occupational and even individual level, may be numerous. In this paper we shall review these important aspects and attempt to clarify the role that can be played by the competent physician in the prevention of accidents at work.

[Estimate of the previous exposure to asbestos through mineralogical examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in a population working in a sugar industry]. / Stima della pregressa esposizione ad asbesto mediante esame mineralogico del liquido di lavaggio broncoalveolare in una popolazione di lavoratori di uno zuccherificio.

In this study the past professional exposure and the health state of sugar refinery workers in Arezzo (Italy) are reviewed. The medical examinations, confirmed by chest CT, showed asbestos pleural thickening and one asbestosis case. Mineralogical analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was carried out in this population to measure the pulmonary burden. Total fiber's concentration was not different in either subjects with or without asbestos-related disease. Notably, comparison between total fiber's concentration in sugar refinery workers and subjects employed in other industries, revealed a lower professional exposure of the former with respect to shipyard workers and electric plants. In other groups of Italian sugar refinery workers, a concentration of asbestos fibers higher than in the studied population was found. Thus, the study highlights the necessity to develop standardized methodologies to carry out health intervention programmes in workers previously exposed to asbestos.

[Repetitive movements of the upper limbs: results of exposure evaluation and clinical investigation in the manual sanding of wood in the Valdichiana region]. / Movimenti ripetitivi degli arti superiori: risultati della valutazione dell'esposizione e dell'indagine clinica nella carteggiatura manuale del legno in Valdichiana.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of risk exposure deriving from repetitive movements of the upper limbs, among a population of female workers manually sand papering timber products. The study also included an anamnestic and clinical assessment for the purpose of detecting and diagnosing WMSDs in the study population. The authors report a distinct prevalence of such disorders among the female workers exposed to a high level of risk, also in view of the total absence of recovery periods.