RESUMO
Any work activity performed at elevations over 3,000 m above sea level is considered as work at high altitude. The changing environmental conditions result in an adaptation of the human organism, mainly due to a reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the air and a proportional decrease in barometric pressure. We carried out a systematic review of the scientific literature in this field so as to develop a health and risk protocol as well as a procedure of ascent for researchers and staff expected to work in a science research lab at an altitude of 5,100 m asl. We wish to highlight the crucial role that occupational medicine plays in the formulation of a medical protocol used to assess the suitability of staff to work in environments posing high risks to human health, as in this case, and of a protocol of ascent minimizing the risk associated with changes in altitude.
Assuntos
Doença da Altitude/diagnóstico , Altitude , Doenças Profissionais/diagnóstico , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Oxigênio/sangue , Vigilância da População , Adaptação Fisiológica , Doença da Altitude/sangue , Doença da Altitude/epidemiologia , Doença da Altitude/fisiopatologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Humanos , Itália , Doenças Profissionais/sangue , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/fisiopatologia , Projetos de Pesquisa , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Avaliação da Capacidade de TrabalhoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Psychosocial hazards and work-related stress have reached epidemic proportions in Europe. The Italia law introduced in 2008 the obligation for Italian companies to assess work related stress risk in order to protect their workers' safety and health. The purpose of our study was to propose an accurate measurement tool, using the HSE indicator tool, for more appropriate and significant work-related stress' prevention measures. METHODS: The study was conducted on 204 visual display unit (VDU) operators: 106 male and 98 female. All subjects were administered the HSE questionnaire. The sample was studied through a 4 step process, using HSE analysis tool and a statistical analysis, based on the odds ratio calculation. RESULTS: The assessment model used demonstrated the presence of work related stress in VDU operators and additional "critical" aspects which had failed to emerge by the classical use of HSE analysis tool. DISCUSSION: The approach we propose allows to obtain a complete picture of the perception of work-related stress and can point out the most appropriate corrective actions.
