Safety impacts of alcohol and other drugs in construction : development of an industry policy and cultural change management program

There is increasing concern about the impact of employees‟ alcohol and other drug (AOD) consumption on workplace safety and performance, particularly within the construction industry. While most Australian jurisdictions have identified this as a critical safety issue, information is limited regarding the prevalence of AODs in the workplace and there is limited evidential guidance regarding how to effectively and efficiently address such an issue. The current research aims to scientifically evaluate the use of AODs within the Australian construction industry in order to reduce the potential resulting safety and performance impacts and engender a cultural change in the workforce - to render it unacceptable to arrive at a construction workplace with impaired judgement from AODs. The study will adopt qualitative and quantitative methods to firstly evaluate the extent of general AOD use in the industry. Secondly, the development of an appropriate industry policy will adopt a non-punitive and rehabilitative approach developed in consultation with employers and employees across the infrastructure and building sectors, with the aim it be adopted nationally for adoption at the construction workplace. Finally, an industry specific cultural change management program and implementation plan will be developed through a nationally collaborative approach. Final results indicate that a proportion of those sampled in the construction sector may be at risk of hazardous alcohol consumption. A total of 286 respondents (58%) scored above the cut-off cumulative score for risky or hazardous alcohol. Other drug use was also identified as a major issue. Results support the need for evidence-based, preventative educational initiatives that are tailored to the industry. This paper will discuss the final survey and interview results.

Volume-dependent response of precooling for intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat

Purpose: To assess the effects of pre-cooling volume on neuromuscular function and performance in free-paced intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat. Methods: Ten male, teamsport athletes completed four randomized trials involving an 85-min free-paced intermittentsprint exercise protocol in 33°C±33% relative humidity. Pre-cooling sessions included whole body (WB), head+hand (HH), head (H) and no cooling (CONT), applied for 20-min pre-exercise and 5-min mid exercise. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) were assessed pre- and postintervention and mid- and post-exercise. Exercise performance was assessed with sprint times, % decline and distances covered during free-paced bouts. Measures of core(Tc) and skin (Tsk) temperatures, heart rate, perceptual exertion and thermal stress were monitored throughout. Venous and capillary blood was analyzed for metabolite, muscle damage and inflammatory markers. Results: WB pre-cooling facilitated the maintenance of sprint times during the exercise protocol with reduced % decline (P=0.04). Mean and total hard running distances increased with pre cooling 12% compared to CONT (P<0.05), specifically, WB was 6-7% greater than HH (P=0.02) and H (P=0.001) respectively. No change was evident in mean voluntary or evoked force pre- to post-exercise with WB and HH cooling (P>0.05). WB and HH cooling reduced Tc by 0.1-0.3°C compared to other conditions (P<0.05). WB Tsk was suppressed for the entire session(P=0.001). HR responses following WB cooling were reduced(P=0.05; d=1.07) compared to CONT conditions during exercise. Conclusion: A relationship between pre-cooling volume and exercise performance seems apparent, as larger surface area coverage augmented subsequent free-paced exercise capacity, in conjunction with greater suppression of physiological load. Maintenance of MVC with pre-cooling, despite increased work output suggests the role of centrally-mediated mechanisms in exercise pacing regulation and subsequent performance.

Muscle, skin and core temperature after −110°C cold air and 8°C water treatment

The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the reductions in muscle, skin and core temperature following exposure to −110°C whole body cryotherapy (WBC), and compare these to 8°C cold water immersion (CWI). Twenty active male subjects were randomly assigned to a 4-min exposure of WBC or CWI. A minimum of 7 days later subjects were exposed to the other treatment. Muscle temperature in the right vastus lateralis (n = 10); thigh skin (average, maximum and minimum) and rectal temperature (n = 10) were recorded before and 60 min after treatment. The greatest reduction (P<0.05) in muscle (mean ± SD; 1 cm: WBC, 1.6±1.2°C; CWI, 2.0±1.0°C; 2 cm: WBC, 1.2±0.7°C; CWI, 1.7±0.9°C; 3 cm: WBC, 1.6±0.6°C; CWI, 1.7±0.5°C) and rectal temperature (WBC, 0.3±0.2°C; CWI, 0.4±0.2°C) were observed 60 min after treatment. The largest reductions in average (WBC, 12.1±1.0°C; CWI, 8.4±0.7°C), minimum (WBC, 13.2±1.4°C; CWI, 8.7±0.7°C) and maximum (WBC, 8.8±2.0°C; CWI, 7.2±1.9°C) skin temperature occurred immediately after both CWI and WBC (P<0.05). Skin temperature was significantly lower (P<0.05) immediately after WBC compared to CWI. The present study demonstrates that a single WBC exposure decreases muscle and core temperature to a similar level of those experienced after CWI. Although both treatments significantly reduced skin temperature, WBC elicited a greater decrease compared to CWI. These data may provide information to clinicians and researchers attempting to optimise WBC and CWI protocols in a clinical or sporting setting.

Change-induced stressors and effective coping strategies in nursing

This study seeks to examine the causality of non-nursing and nursing stressors on the job satisfaction of nurses and how coping strategies have a mediating influence on this relationship in the context of sector-wide reform. To conceptualize the relationships, a mediation path model was developed. Data were collected at two time points using a self-completed online survey over a six monthly interval. During time 1, 306 Australian nurses completed the online survey. In the first wave (time 1), 306 Australian nurses completed the survey. In the second wave (time 2), matched survey data were collected from 119 nurses. The analysis showed a significant causal relationship between time 1 administrative and role stressors and an increase in nursing stress in time 2. A significant relationship was also identified between job specific context stressors and the adoption of effective coping strategies to deal with increased level of change-induced stress and strain and the likelihood of reporting higher level of job satisfaction in time 2. This study contributes by providing an integrated theoretical perspective on how stress affects retention that has so far been elusive. This is useful to researchers wanting to examine this phenomenon further and practitioners responsible for implementing change programs.

Understanding pre-service teacher conceptual change through slowmation animation

This paper is an exploration of conceptual change. It reports on a study which utilised Hewson and Lemberger’s (2000) Conceptual Status Elements, and explores the unique contribution of Slowmation Animation in the conceptual learning of pre-service science teachers. 15 short animations were created by 55 participants in a single two hour tutorial class as a part of their methods training. Conceptual change was found to occur when their animation topic challenged their understandings of the processes within the scientific concept. The pre-service science teachers reported an enthusiasm for Slowmation Animation as a method for learning how to learn, as well as for highlighting what they thought they knew, but didn’t really know.

Adapting wheat sowing dates to projected climate change in the Australian subtropics: analysis of crop water use and yield

Projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) and air temperature associated with future climate change are expected to affect crop development, crop yield, and, consequently, global food supplies. They are also likely to change agricultural production practices, especially those related to agricultural water management and sowing date. The magnitude of these changes and their implications to local production systems are mostly unknown. The objectives of this study were to: (i) simulate the effect of projected climate change on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Lang) yield and water use for the subtropical environment of the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia; and (ii) investigate the impact of changing sowing date, as an adaptation strategy to future climate change scenarios, on wheat yield and water use. The multimodel climate projections from the IPCC Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) for the period 2030–2070 were used in this study. Climate scenarios included combinations of four changes in air temperature (08C, 18C, 28C, and 38C), three [CO2] levels (380 ppm, 500 ppm, and 600 ppm), and three changes in rainfall (–30%, 0%, and +20%), which were superimposed on observed station data. Crop management scenarios included a combination of six sowing dates (1 May, 10 May, 20 May, 1 June, 10 June, and 20 June) and three irrigation regimes (no irrigation (NI), deficit irrigation (DI), and full irrigation (FI)). Simulations were performed with the model DSSAT4.5, using 50 years of daily weather data.Wefound that: (1) grain yield and water-use efficiency (yield/evapotranspiration) increased linearly with [CO2]; (2) increases in [CO2] had minimal impact on evapotranspiration; (3) yield increased with increasing temperature for the irrigated scenarios (DI and FI), but decreased for the NI scenario; (4) yield increased with earlier sowing dates; and (5) changes in rainfall had a small impact on yield for DI and FI, but a high impact for the NI scenario.

Retirement villages : time for a change?

In retirement, many Australians relocate to a less onerous form of home occupation. Some downsize their house, or move to a strata title complex. Others, attracted by lifestyle perceptions, move into a retirement village. However, research shows Retirement Village documentation is complex and more analogous to commercial leasing than home ownership. The most recent government review by New South Wales, confirms the need for change. This paper identifies the current retirement village tenure models generally available in Australia. By comparing the various State/Territory systems the authors draw conclusions regarding the adoption of standardised documentation and uniform Australian Retirement Village legislation.

When does change begin following screening and brief intervention among depressed problem drinkers?

Brief interventions are effective for problem drinking and reductions are known to occur in association with screening and assessment. The present study sought to assess, among participants (N=202) in a clinical trial, how much change occurred between baseline assessment and a one-session brief intervention (S1), and the predictors of early change. The primary focus was on changes in the Beck Depression Inventory Fast Screen scores and alcohol consumption (standard drinks per week) prior to random allocation to nine further sessions addressing either depression, alcohol, or both problems. There were large and clinically significant reductions between baseline and S1, with the strongest predictors being baseline scores in the relevant domain and change in the other domain. Client engagement was also predictive of early depression changes. Monitoring progress in both domains from first contact, and provision of empathic care, followed by brief intervention appear to be useful for this high prevalence comorbidity.

Uptake of skin self-examination and clinical examination behavior by outdoor workers

This study investigated the association between outdoor work and response to a behavioural skin cancer early detection intervention among men 50 years or older. Overall, 495 men currently working in outdoor, mixed or indoor occupations were randomised to a video-based intervention or control group. At 7 months post intervention, indoor workers reported the lowest proportion of whole-body skin self-examination (wbSSE; 20%). However, at 13 months mixed workers engaged more commonly in wbSSE (36%) compared to indoor (31%) and outdoor (32%) workers. In adjusted analysis, the uptake of early detection behaviours during the trial did not differ between men working in different settings. Outdoor workers compared to men in indoor or mixed work settings were similar in their response to an intervention encouraging uptake of secondary skin cancer prevention behaviours during this intervention trial.

Skin Awareness DVD

The Skin Awareness DVD is a component of the research project 'The Skin Awareness Study'. This study is a randomozed controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of a video-delivered intervention designed to increase the prevalence of skin self-examinations and rapid presentation to a doctor among men 50 years and above.

Markers of cutaneous human papillomavirus infection in individuals with tumor-free skin, actinic keratoses, and squamous cell carcinoma

Separately, actinic keratosis (AK) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have been associated with cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. To further explore the association between HPV infection and SCC development, we determined markers of cutaneous HPV infection within a single population in persons with precursor lesions (AK), cancerous lesions (SCC), and without. Serum and plucked eyebrow hairs were collected from 57 tumor-free controls, 126 AK, and 64 SCC cases. Presence of HPV L1 and E6 seroreactivity and viral DNA were determined for HPV types 5, 8, 15, 16, 20, 24, and 38. Significant positive associations with increasing severity of the lesions (controls, AK, and SCC, respectively) were observed for overall HPV L1 seropositivity (13%, 26%, and 37%) and for HPV8 (4%, 17%, and 30%). In parallel, the proportion of L1 seropositive individuals against multiple HPV types increased from 14% to 39% and 45%. The overall E6 seroreactivity, however, tended to decline with AK and SCC, especially for HPV8 (21%, 11%, and 2%). HPV DNA positivity was most prevalent in the AK cases (54%) compared with the SCC cases (44%) and the tumor-free controls (40%). Among all participants, there was a positive trend between overall HPV DNA positivity and L1 seropositivity, but not E6 seropositivity. Taken together, our data suggest that cutaneous HPV infections accompanied by detectable HPV DNA in eyebrow hairs and HPV L1 seropositivity, but not E6 seropositivity, are associated with an increased risk of AK and SCC.

Re: Human papillomavirus infection and incidence of squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas of the skin

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause cervical cancer and some other types of epithelial cancers. HPV types from the phylogenic beta genus (beta-PVs), formerly known as epidermodysplasia verruciformis–associated HPV types, are frequently detected in nonmelanoma skin cancers, especially in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). An etiologic relationship with beta-PV infection is suspected...

Treating skin tears in nursing home residents : a pilot study comparing four types of dressings

A pilot study was conducted to compare four types of dressings used to treat skin tears in nursing home residents. Wounds treated with a non-occlusive dressing healed more quickly than those dressed with occlusive dressings. The results suggest that ease of use and product wastage are important considerations when treating skin tears. The pilot study also highlights the need for further research into skin tear management and the need for ongoing education for nurses regarding skin integrity risk assessment and product information.

Validity and use of the UV index : Report from the UVI working group, Schloss Hohenkammer, Germany, 5-7 December 2011

The adequacy of the UV Index (UVI), a simple measure of ambient solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, has been questioned on the basis of recent scientific data on the importance of vitamin D for human health, the mutagenic capacity of radiation in the UVA wavelength, and limitations in the behavioral impact of the UVI as a public awareness tool. A working group convened by ICNIRP and WHO met to assess whether modifications of the UVI were warranted and to discuss ways of improving its effectiveness as a guide to healthy sun-protective behavior. A UV Index greater than 3 was confirmed as indicating ambient UV levels at which harmful sun exposure and sunburns could occur and hence as the threshold for promoting preventive messages. There is currently insufficient evidence about the quantitative relationship of sun exposure, vitamin D, and human health to include vitamin D considerations in sun protection recommendations. The role of UVA in sunlight-induced dermal immunosuppression and DNA damage was acknowledged, but the contribution of UVA to skin carcinogenesis could not be quantified precisely. As ambient UVA and UVB levels mostly vary in parallel in real life situations, any minor modification of the UVI weighting function with respect to UVA-induced skin cancer would not be expected to have a significant impact on the UV Index. Though it has been shown that the UV Index can raise awareness of the risk of UV radiation to some extent, the UVI does not appear to change attitudes to sun protection or behavior in the way it is presently used. Changes in the UVI itself were not warranted based on these findings, but rather research testing health behavior models, including the roles of self-efficacy and self-affirmation in relation to intention to use sun protection among different susceptible groups, should be carried out to develop more successful strategies toward improving sun protection behavior. Health Phys. 103(3):301-306; 2012