Burden of carpal tunnel syndrome and its associated factors among construction industry workers in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as pain, numbness, or tingling on the anterior surface of the index, middle, or radial half of the ring finger, which is frequently associated with weakness of hand grip, and nocturnal pain and/or numbness resulting from compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel between the carpal bones and the transverse ligament. The construction industry involves many activities aside from the building process, such as landscaping, painting, electrical supply, plastering, paving, and telecommunications. Performing such tasks involves repetition of wrist flexion and extension, forceful grip with the hand, and/or vibrations of the hand and arm. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome and its associated risk factors among construction workers. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among six construction sectors in Gondar from April to July 2021. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was prepared from the literature with a Katz hand diagram, and a physical examination and a special test (carpal compression test, Phalen's, and Tinel's test) were carried out for those participants who reported pain during the interview. Binary logistic regression was conducted with SPSS 25 to identify the associated risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. The strength of the association was detected by the adjusted odds ratio. Result: A total of 333 study participants aged 18-70 years were included in this study. Among the participants, 11.7% (AOR: 95%CI: 8.1-15.3) had carpal tunnel syndrome. Age, cigarette smoking, work experience, and working with finger-pressing tools were risk factors significantly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome among construction workers with a p-value of <0.05. Conclusion: The magnitude of carpal tunnel syndrome was 11.7% among construction workers. Being of older age, having more experience, cigarette smoking, and working with finger-pressing tools were risk factors significantly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome among construction workers. Employers should implement work safety education programs that raise awareness about the risks of cigarette smoking and encourage employers and supervisors to seek early medical intervention and treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome before it becomes a chronic problem.

Enhancing construction safety: predicting worker sleep deprivation using machine learning algorithms.

Sleep deprivation is a critical issue that affects workers in numerous industries, including construction. It adversely affects workers and can lead to significant concerns regarding their health, safety, and overall job performance. Several studies have investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on safety and productivity. Although the impact of sleep deprivation on safety and productivity through cognitive impairment has been investigated, research on the association of sleep deprivation and contributing factors that lead to workplace hazards and injuries remains limited. To fill this gap in the literature, this study utilized machine learning algorithms to predict hazardous situations. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the applicability of machine learning algorithms, including support vector machine and random forest, by predicting sleep deprivation in construction workers based on responses from 240 construction workers, identifying seven primary indices as predictive factors. The findings indicate that the support vector machine algorithm produced superior sleep deprivation prediction outcomes during the validation process. The study findings offer significant benefits to stakeholders in the construction industry, particularly project and safety managers. By enabling the implementation of targeted interventions, these insights can help reduce accidents and improve workplace safety through the timely and accurate prediction of sleep deprivation.

The impact of safety attitude on hazard identification and risk analysis: evidence from event-related potentials.

A questionnaire survey and an event-related potential (ERP) experiment were used to reveal the impact of safety attitudes on risk perception. The results revealed that during hazard identification, the N130 amplitude of subjects with negative safety attitude was significantly higher, which implied that subjects with negative safety attitude were more likely to feel confused. During risk analysis, subjects with positive safety attitude were more inclined to overestimate the probability and damage degree of risks; subjects with positive safety attitudes displayed higher P150 and late positive potential amplitudes, which indicated that subjects with positive safety attitudes devoted more attention to risks in the early stage of risk analysis and had a more intense affective response in the later period. The risk judgment ability of subjects with positive safety attitude was affected by time pressure, and they exhibited higher risk judgment accuracy only under no time pressure.

Evaluation of the Level of Psychological Distress in Construction Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Spain.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major challenge for construction companies, which were confronted with the need to prevent the enormous negative socio-psychological impact of the pandemic on their employees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of psychological distress among construction workers in an advanced phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Andalusia, southern Spain. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using online questionnaires with data on sociodemographic variables and employment situation, COVID-19 pandemic-related data, and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total of 860 questionnaires from all provinces of Andalusia, Spain, were collected between March and May 2022. Descriptive statistical analyses and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests were performed, followed by logistic regression analysis. The incidence of psychological distress was higher among women, individuals under 43 years of age, those with a family income below EUR 1200, participants whose working conditions had been affected by the pandemic, those who had not received adequate means or specific training to protect themselves from infection, those who had experienced symptoms, those who had suffered side effects after vaccination, and those who had been hospitalised. The logistic regression analysis predicted the occurrence of psychological distress in this study by the effect of the pandemic on mental/emotional well-being, the working conditions affected during the pandemic, health-related variables, and the age of the worker. The correctly classified percentage was 75.1%. Assessing psychological distress in construction sectors may allow for the identification of vulnerable groups or even help to reduce the number of errors in daily practice and potential risks of occupational injury or illness.

A mixed-methods study on risk perception and safety practices among unorganized construction workers in a municipal area of West Bengal.

BACKGROUND: The construction industry in India heavily relies on unorganized workers, who often lack adequate access to safety measures, placing them at significant risk of accidents and injuries. The objective was to determine risk perceptions of construction workers, and explore their safety practices, facilitators, and barriers. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach with a convergent parallel design (QUAN + qual) was undertaken. Quantitative strand included face-to-face interviews with 203 randomly selected building construction workers from 10 construction sites in five selected municipal wards in Kolkata. Questions pertained to socio-demographics, occupational characteristics, risk perception, and safety practices. The qualitative arm involved key informant interviews to unravel the facilitators and barriers affecting safety practices and nonparticipant observation. RESULTS: The perceived risk for respiratory problems due to dust, pain from carrying loads, slips, trips or falls, and heat-related illnesses was in the medium- to high category for 64.0%, 58.6%, 39.9%, and 36.5% of the study participants, respectively. However, the safety practices for these respective domains were in the good practice category for 6.9%, 4.9%, 54.2%, and 34.5% of the workers. From the qualitative arm, it was evident that availability of PPE, a conducive environment, and availability of worker-friendly technology could be important predictors of safety practices. Barriers such as time constraints and feasibility due to discomfort and expenditure were also identified. CONCLUSION: Despite high-risk perception, safety practices were not consistently good among construction workers. Further research is crucial to enhance the health and safety of unorganized workers in India.

Characterizing applications, exposure risks, and hazard communication for engineered nanomaterials in construction.

BACKGROUND: Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may pose health risks to workers. Objectives were to characterize ENM applications in construction, identify exposure scenarios, and evaluate the quality of safety data sheets (SDSs) for nano-enabled construction products. METHODS: SDSs and product data were obtained from a public database of nano-enabled construction products. Descriptive statistics were calculated for affected trades, product categories, and types of ENMs. A sample of SDSs (n = 33) was evaluated using modified criteria developed by NIOSH researchers. Bulk analysis via transmission electron microscopy characterized nanoparticles in a subset of products. RESULTS: Companies report using >50 ENMs in construction products. ENM composition could not be determined via SDSs for 38.1% of the 907 products examined. Polymers and metal oxides tied for most frequently reported ENMs (n = 87, 9.6%). Nano silica, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and silver nanoparticles were also frequently reported. Most of the products were paints and coatings (n = 483, 53.3%), followed by pre-market additives, cementitious materials, insulation, and lubricants. Workers in twenty construction trades are likely to handle nano-enabled products, these particularly encompass cement and brick masons, painters, laborers, carpenters, glaziers, and insulators. A wide range of exposure scenarios were identified. SDSs were classified as satisfactory (18%), in need of improvement (12%), or in need of significant improvement (70%). Bulk analyses revealed discrepancies between actual ENM composition and those in SDSs. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There has been significant progress investigating risks to construction workers posed by ENMs, but SDSs need major improvements. This study provides new insights on the use of ENMs in construction, exposure risks, and hazard communication.

Environmental and occupational exposure to bisphenol compounds in Finland.

The aim of the study was to assess non-occupational and occupational exposure to bisphenol compounds in Finland. The participants were 151 non-occupationally exposed volunteers and 15 potentially exposed employees of a sewage-pipe relining company and a floor-coating company. The following chemicals were measured in the urine samples: bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE), and the metabolites of the latter two [bisphenol A (2,3-dihydroxypropyl) glycidyl ether (BADGE·H2O), bisphenol A bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) ether (BADGE·2 H2O), bisphenol A (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) (2,3-dihydroxypropyl) ether (BADGE·HCl·H2O), bisphenol A (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) glycidyl ether (BADGE·HCl), and bisphenol A bis(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) ether (BADGE·2HCl) and bisphenol F bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) ether (BFDGE·2 H2O), and bisphenol F bis(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) ether (BFDGE·2HCl)]. BADGE and BFDGE were also measured in breathing zone air samples and hand-wipe samples of the sewage-pipe relining and floor-coating workers. Non-occupational exposure to BPA has decreased in Finland. The BPF level of the non-occupationally exposed was higher than the respective levels reported in the recent literature. BPA and BPF concentrations in the workers' urine samples were in the same range as those in the corresponding concentrations of the non-occupationally exposed population. Higher concentrations of BADGE and BFDGE metabolites were found in some of the workers' urine samples. Elevated urine concentrations were also observed in the samples collected the next morning. Some of the urinary BADGE and BFDGE metabolite results correlated with the hand-wipe results. The results show that occupational exposure to BADGE and BFDGE may occur in sewage-pipe relining and floor-coating work. They also indicate that dermal contamination plays a role in total exposure. Although the measured urinary levels indicate that the absorption of these bisphenol compounds are unlikely to pose a systemic health risk, the risk of dermal sensitization remains.

Structural equation modeling approach for the analysis of ergonomics risk factors and occupational injuries among building construction workers in Bahir Dar City-Ethiopia.

Ergonomic risk factors are a prominent cause of fatality and severe injuries in building constructions. Hence, this study applies a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach to analyze ergonomics risk factors and occupational injuries among building construction workers in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. The results indicate significant relationships between ergonomics risk factors and the prevalence of occupational injuries. This study's findings contribute to the understanding of occupational health and safety in the construction industry, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. A cross-sectional study has been carried out, where data was collected through direct observations and standardized pretested questionnaires. The study recruited 220 participants in the construction industry. The data was analyzed using AMOS to study the direct and indirect effects of the identified variable. SEM has shown that the magnitude of the prevalence of occupational injury was 65.2 %. The results also revealed that the mostly affected body parts were lower arm, lower leg, hand, toe, and knee. Carpenter & roofers, plasterer and daily labors & other helpers were highly injury subjected occupations in respective order. The six leading significant risk factors were, do not tie belt at scaffold, falling stairways & ladders, exposure hazardous substances, tools & machinery, electricity (electric power accidents), repetitive tasks, the layout didn't consider health & safety aspects in the site, and do not provide safety orientation for new workers engaging the job. Employees are mostly affected on their lower body parts which needs more focus to prevent it, especially carpenter & roofers, plasterer and daily labors. Also the findings show that 50 % of respondents agree that the higher priority for safety and health management practices should be given to finishing part of the construction followed by excavation and earth work, masonry, and electrical installations. Therefore, it is recommended that the contractors must focus more on the finishing phase.

A critical review of the feasibility of emerging technologies for improving safety behavior on construction sites.

INTRODUCTION: Advancements in the modern construction industry have contributed to the development of a range of technology-based interventions to improve the safety behavior of front-line construction workers. Notwithstanding the extensive research on safety behavior, there is still a paucity of research on assessing technology interventions of safety behavior to provide an overview of their strengths and limitations. The present study aims to bridge this gap in the literature and identify the main trends of research. METHOD: A systematic review and critical content analysis are adopted to capture an overview of the state of knowledge on safety behavior technologies. As a result of searching Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases in the period from Jan 2010 to Feb 2023, a total of 359 potential studies went through the systematic screening process and finally, 48 representative studies were selected followed by an assessment of the feasibility and applicability of the safety behavior technologies. RESULTS: It was found that safety behavior technology is characterized by seven technologies including virtual-reality simulation (T1), eye-tracking technology (T2), prediction modeling of safety behavior (T3), computer-based training (T4), drone/sensor-based hazard monitoring (T5), vision-based behavior monitoring (T6), and real-time positioning (T7). CONCLUSIONS: This research improves understanding of the status of safety behavior technologies and provides a critical review of their feasibility from the perspective of four assessment criteria including application, limitation, benefit, and feasibility. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The categorizations of technologies add value to the body of knowledge in terms of generic requirements for their implementation and adaptation on construction sites.

Assessing Health Seeking Behaviors and Economic Consequences of Morbidity in Indian Construction Workers: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Construction laborers succumb to poor health due to the inherent workplace health hazards and poor socio-economic living conditions. With rising healthcare expenses, the increased risk of poor health may aggravate their economic status, pushing them deeper into poverty. Settings and Design: The current cross-sectional multicenter study comprehensively investigated the determinants of health, health-seeking behavior, and poor economic impact regarding catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among construction laborers. Methods and Material: We collected details on illnesses among self and family members of the construction laborers that required healthcare visits during the previous year and their approximate expenses. Among the 1110 participants with complete data, 37% reported illness requiring a healthcare visit either for self or a family member. Results: Regression models to ascertain demographic and living condition determinants of perceived illness revealed an increased risk of illness when the kitchen is shared with the living space (OR = 1.87) and use unhygienic smoky cooking fuels (OR = 1.87). More than 25% of those who reported illness incurred CHE. Conclusion: We conclude that the frequency of perceived illness and the economic impact, i.e., CHE is relatively higher among the construction laborers. Our results demonstrate that poor living conditions add to the burden of morbidity in construction workers and families. Providing healthcare coverage for this population and engaging and educating them about affordable healthcare are necessary future steps to prevent the worsening of the economic situation.

The Burden of Protozoal and Helminth Intestinal Infections and Related Risk Factors Among the Households of Migrant Construction Workers in Bhopal.

There are a few existing gaps and paucity of literature from Southeast Asia on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among migrant construction workers. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to address this gap among migrant construction workers and their households in Bhopal. The study design included an interview questionnaire survey prior to the enrollment of participants and stool sample collection. The stool samples were processed according to the study protocol of macroscopy, occult blood testing, microscopy techniques combined with modified acid-fast, and sedimentation techniques. Participants were deemed positive if they exhibited microscopic findings in one out of three stool samples per recruit. We recommended clinical consultation for these cases and provided a report. Direct therapeutic intervention was not part of the study. The total recruits were 361. The predominant age group was young, i.e., aged 21 to 30 years (122/361, 33.8%), with the majority of females (55.2%). Most workers were occupied with work of digging soil (47.4%). The majority of participants (93.1%) practiced open field defecation (OFD). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among migrant workers and households was 36.9% (133/361). Monoinfection was 88.7%, with 41% from Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar. Monoinfection with Hymenolepis nana (10.2%) was a predominant helminth. The most common coinfection observed was of Giardia intestinalis with Ancylostoma duodenale (26.7%). Hand washing was the only independent predictor with an odds ratio of 3.6. Migrant behavior of the construction workers and their households was the major reason for not reaching the benefits of deworming schemes for children and vulnerability to intestinal parasitic infections.

The moderating effect of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in relation to occupational stress and health-related quality of life of construction workers: a cross-sectional research.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), occupational stress, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); identify the factors that affect HRQoL; and investigate the moderating effects of WMSDs on occupational stress and HRQoL. METHODS: The participants were construction workers who had worked in the construction industry for over three months. A total of 178 construction workers voluntarily participated and anonymously completed the musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, short-form 36. The moderation effect of WMSDs on occupational stress and HRQoL were analyzed by Haye's Process Macro Model. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that 96 subjects (53.9%) had WMSDs, and the most common pain site was the lower back (33.3%). The group with WMSDs had higher occupational stress than did the group without WMSDs (p < 0.01). Compared with the group without WMSDs, the group with WMSDs displayed significant differences in HRQoL (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the factor affecting HRQoL was WMSDs (p < 0.001). In the impact of occupational stress on HRQoL, WMSDs had a significant moderating effect (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that construction workers' WMSDs significantly impact occupational stress and HRQoL, and WMSDs have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and HRQoL. Therefore, to improve the HRQoL of workers in the construction industry, it is necessary to develop methods to reduce occupational stress and prevent and treat WMSDs.

Occupational daily walking steps have inverse relationship with papillary thyroid cancer risk and progression: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the impact of daily occupational walking steps on the progression of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a topic hitherto underresearched. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors analyzed the data from 800 individuals with PTC across stages 0-IV. Participants were evenly divided into 2 distinct occupational groups: office workers and construction workers (N = 400 each). Data included comprehensive records of daily walking steps, demographic information, and clinical indicators. Pearson's correlation coefficients or analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to assess the linkage between daily walking steps and PTC risk and stage, as well as associated biochemical markers. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between daily walking steps and PTC risk. A higher frequency of daily steps was associated with reduced chances of PTC onset and a lower diagnostic stage of the disease. This protective effect of physical activity was particularly pronounced in the construc- tion worker cohort. Subsequent evaluations showed that construction workers who consistently logged higher daily steps had markedly lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroglobulin antibody, and thy- roglobulin (Tg). Notably, daily walking steps exhibited a strong inverse correlation with body mass index (BMI), age, PTC volumes, and levels of TSH and Tg across both occupational groups (ρ < -0.37). The increase in daily steps was associated with the reduction in PTC stages (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The research underscores the potential benefits of increased daily walking steps, suggesting that they may play a protective role in reducing PTC risk and moderating its progression. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):58-71.

Prevalence of Occupational Injuries of the Oral and Maxillofacial Region and Their Covariates Among Building Construction Workers in Chennai.

Background and aim With many risky environmental conditions, civil construction sites are prone to physical injuries, especially those pertaining to the oral and maxillofacial regions. The current study was an effort to assess the magnitude and pattern of such oral and maxillofacial injuries and the factors associated with them. Methodology This descriptive study was carried out on 524 construction workers, of whom 254 met the inclusion criteria related to work site injuries. An interviewer-administered proforma with basic demographic details is used in conjunction with an intraoral examination to classify the dental injury. Descriptive statistics were done to evaluate the frequency of injury occurrence, while inferential statistics, including the chi-square test and regression analysis, were done to evaluate the association between injury and the variable under concern. Result The study includes a total of 254 participants, with ages ranging from 20 to above 50 years, of whom 230 (91%) were males and 24 (9.4%) were females. The majority, 200 (78.7%), were unskilled laborers, and 195 (76.7%) were migrant workers with language barriers. It was found that 95 (76.7%) had a history of dental injury alone, while 59 (23.2%) had a history of oral maxillofacial injury. Among the reasons for injury, the increased odds ratios (OD) were noted in the collapse of the surrounding area as 0.050 (0.029-0.075), rainy season 1.001 (0.891-1.281), unskilled labor 1.020 (0.910-1.30), and migrants 1.010 (0.901-1.200). The OD for males is 2.052 (1.941-2.101). Conclusion The current study confirms that the magnitude of workplace-related injuries is significant, and the majority of them stem from basic language barriers among migrant workers and a lack of knowledge to adhere to safety protocols and instructions given.

Factors associated with poor sleep quality among construction workers in Arba Minch town, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Sleep is critical for human physical and cognitive health. Even though poor sleep quality had a major negative impact on workers' health and safety, there is a scarcity of study that attempts to demonstrate its magnitude and causative factors in labor-intensive environments. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 423 individuals were selected using a simple random sampling technique, starting from April 1, 2020 to May 1, 2020. Interviews were administered using the validated and pretested Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool. EpiData version 4.4.3.1 was used for data entry and SPSS version 25 for analysis. To associate factors with poor sleep quality binary logistic regression model was fitted at 95% confidence interval (CI). A p < 0.25 and p < 0.05 were used to declare association in bivariable and multivariable analysis, respectively. Results: A total of 415 building construction workers take part in this study, with a response rate of 98.1%. A PSQI global score showed 66.3% (95% CI: [0.63, 0.71]) of construction workers suffering from poor sleep quality. Working hours, work experience, previous injury status, managerial support on occupational safety and health, cigarette smoking, and job satisfaction were the factors that were associated with poor sleep quality significantly. Conclusions: Two-thirds of construction workers suffer from poor sleep quality. Risk factors include shorter working years, longer working hours, prior injury, lack of managerial support, cigarette smoking, and low job satisfaction. Efficient health education and promotion through taking the identified associated factors into account could help reduce poor sleep quality.

From brain to worksite: the role of fNIRS in cognitive studies and worker safety.

Effective hazard recognition and decision-making are crucial factors in ensuring workplace safety in the construction industry. Workers' cognition closely relates to that hazard-handling behavior. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neurotechique tool that can evaluate the concentration vibration of oxygenated hemoglobin [HbO2] and deoxygenated hemoglobin [HbR] to reflect the cognition process. It is essential to monitor workers' brain activity by fNIRS to analyze their cognitive status and reveal the mechanism in hazard recognition and decision-making process, providing guidance for capability evaluation and management enhancement. This review offers a systematic assessment of fNIRS, encompassing the basic theory, experiment analysis, data analysis, and discussion. A literature search and content analysis are conducted to identify the application of fNIRS in construction safety research, the limitations of selected studies, and the prospects of fNIRS in future research. This article serves as a guide for researchers keen on harnessing fNIRS to bolster construction safety standards and forwards insightful recommendations for subsequent studies.

Hazard and Injury Experiences of Latino Day Laborers in Houston, Texas.

Latino day laborers in the United States provide skilled labor to businesses and homeowners through informal work arrangements. We conducted exploratory qualitative research with Latino day laborers in Houston, Texas, to investigate their perceptions of safety risks and circumstances related to work-related injuries. We conducted focus groups with 34 participants and used risk mapping and body mapping activities to elicit greater engagement by the Latino day laborers in the conversations. Participants described physical, occupational, and psychosocial hazards that affected their risk for workplace injuries. They indicated a significant risk for injury was employers failing to provide proper tools or equipment for the job being done. The themes that emerged from the analysis were lack of control over employment conditions and the risk of performing unsafe work in order to meet financial needs. This formative qualitative research informed a pilot test and subsequent clinical trial of injury risk reduction strategies for Latino day laborers. Interventions to protect day laborers from work-related injuries should be informed by recognizing the employment and social dilemmas they confront.

Construction industry workers' compensation injury claims due to slips, trips, and falls - Ohio, 2010-2017.

PROBLEM: Compared to other industries, construction workers have higher risks for serious fall injuries. This study describes the burden and circumstances surrounding injuries related to compensable slip, trip, and fall (STF) claims from private construction industries covered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. METHODS: STF injury claims in the Ohio construction industry from 2010-2017 were manually reviewed. Claims were classified as: slips or trips without a fall (STWOF), falls on the same level (FSL), falls to a lower level (FLL), and other. Claim narratives were categorized by work-related risk and contributing factors. Demographic, employer, and injury characteristics were examined by fall type and claim type (medical-only (MO, 0-7 days away from work, DAFW) or lost-time (LT, ≥8 DAFW)). Claim rates per 10,000 estimated full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) were calculated. RESULTS: 9,517 Ohio construction industry STF claims occurred during the 8-year period, with an average annual rate of 75 claims per 10,000 FTEs. The rate of STFs decreased by 37% from 2010 to 2017. About half of the claims were FLL (51%), 29% were FSL, 17% were STWOF, and 3% were "other." Nearly 40% of all STF claims were LT; mostly among males (96%). The top three contributing factors for STWOF and FSL were: slip/trip hazards, floor irregularities, and ice/snow; and ladders, vehicles, and stairs/steps for FLL. FLL injury rates per 10,000 FTE were highest in these industries: Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (52); Building Finishing Contractors (45); and Residential Building Construction (45). The highest rate of FLL LT claims occurred in the smallest firms, and the FLL rate decreased as construction firm size increased. Discussion and Practical Applications: STF rates declined over time, yet remain common, requiring prevention activities. Safety professionals should focus on contributing factors when developing prevention strategies, especially high-risk subsectors and small firms.

Occupational physical activity and resting blood pressure in male construction workers.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between occupational physical activity (OPA) and resting blood pressure in a cohort of Swedish construction workers. METHODS: The final sample included 241,176 male construction workers. Occupations with low OPA were foremen and white-collar workers. The most frequent occupations in the medium OPA group were electricians, pipe workers, and machine operators, and in the high OPA group woodworkers, concrete workers, and painters. RESULTS: Mixed effects models showed higher systolic and lower diastolic blood pressure with higher OPA, but the associations varied depending on the year of participation and participant age as shown by significant interaction terms (OPA*age, OPA*calendar year, age*calendar year). Age-stratified linear regression analyses showed a pattern of slightly higher systolic (1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.90 mmHg) and lower diastolic (0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.65-1.13 mmHg) blood pressure when comparing low with high OPA, but not among the oldest age groups. CONCLUSION: Despite a rather large contrast in OPA, the differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure according to OPA were small.