Stressful life events and occupational accidents

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between stressful life events and occupational accidents. Methods: This was a population-based case-control study, carried out in the city of Botucatu, in southeast Brazil. The cases consisted of 108 workers who had recently experienced occupational accidents. Each case was matched with three controls. The cases and controls answered a questionnaire about recent exposure to stressful life events. Results: Reporting of environmental problems, being a victim of assault, not having enough food at home and nonoccupational fatigue were found to be risk factors for work-related accidents with estimated incidence rate ratios of 1.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-1.7], 1.3 (95% CI 1.1 1-1.7), 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.6), and 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.7) respectively. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggested that nonwork variables contribute to occupational accidents, thus broadening the understanding of these phenomena, which can support new approaches to the prevention of occupational accidents.

Attributable fraction of work accidents related to occupational noise exposure in a Southeastern city of Brazil

Noise is the most frequent type of occupational exposure and can lead to both auditory and extra-auditory dysfunction as well as increasing the risk of work accidents. The purpose of this study was to estimate the attributable fraction of work accidents related to occupational noise exposure in a medium-sized city in Southeast Brazil. In this hospital-based case-control study, including 600 cases and 822 controls, the odds ratio of work accidents (controlled for several covariables) was obtained classifying occupational noise exposure into four levels and determining the prevalence at each level. Based on these data, the calculated attributable fraction was 0.3041 (95%CI: 0.2341-0.3676), i.e., 30% of work accidents in the study area were statistically associated with occupational noise exposure. The authors discuss the causes of this association and the implications for the prevention of work accidents.

Diagnostic de sécurité d’une entreprise brésilienne à partir de l’analyse des accidents du travail par la méthode de l’arbre des causes

We present here the results of a study of 21 work-related accidents that occurred in a Brazilian manufacturing company. The aim was to assess the safety level of the company to improve its work accident prevention policy. In the last 6 months of 1992 and 1993, all accidents resulting in 15 days' absence from work, reported for social security purposes, were analyzed using the INRS causal tree method (ADC) and a questionnaire completed on site. Potential risk factors for accidents were identified based on the specific factors highlighted by the ADC. More universal trees were also compiled for the safety assessment. Three hundred and thirty specific accident factors were recorded (mean of 15.71 per accident). This is consistent with there being multiple causes of accidents rather than the assertion of Brazilian business safety departments that accidents are due to dangerous or unsafe behavior. Introducing the idea of culpability into accidents prevents the implementation of an appropriate information feedback process, essential for effective prevention. However, the large number of accidents related to material (78%) and environment (70%) indicates that working conditions are poor. This shows that the technical risks, mostly due to unsafe machinery and equipment are not being dealt with. Seventy-five potential accident factors were identified. Of these, 35% were organizational, a high proportion for the company studied. Improvisation occurs at all levels, particularly at the organizational level. This is thus a major determinant for entire series of, if not most, accident situations. The poor condition of equipment also plays a major role in accidents. The effects of poor equipment on safety exacerbate the organizational shortcomings. The company's safety intervention policy should improve the management of human resources (rules designating particular workers for particular workstations; instructions for the safe operation of machines and equipment; training of operators, etc.) and introduce programs to detect risks and to improve the safety of machines and equipment. We also recommend the establishment of a program to follow the results of any preventive measures adopted.

Occupational Safety and Health Symposia, 1979.

Mode of access: Internet.

Operational accidents & radiation exposures at DOE facilities.

"DOE/EV-0091."

Oversight hearings on the Occupational safety and health act : hearings before the Subcommittee on Manpower, Compensation, and Health and Safety of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Ninety-fourth Congress, first session.

Hearings held in Washington, D. C., April 17-Dec. 8, 1975, and in Waterbury, Conn., May 3, 1975.

Wisconsin occupational injury and illness rates.

WI docs. no.: Cmp.6/3:1971-1978

Census of fatal occupational injuries, Illinois, 1995 /

"November 1996."

Census of fatal occupational injuries, Illinois, 1999.

"This project was supported by cooperative agreement number W9J48C4171 from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Census of fatal occupational injuries, Illinois, 1997.

"This project was supported by cooperative agreement number W9J48C4171 from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Census of fatal occupational injuries and illnesses, Illinois, 2003.

"This project was supported by cooperative agreement from the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Occupational fatalities related to roofs, ceilings and floors as found in reports of OSHA fatality/catastrophe investigations /

Report prepared by William W. Cloe under the direction of Patricia P. Breslin.

Occupational fatalities related to fixed machinery as found in reports of OSHA fatality/catastrophe investigations /

Report prepared by Carol Mancini Vira and William W. Cloe under the direction of Patricia P. Breslin.

Occupational safety & health : assuring accuracy in employer injury and illness records : report to the chairman, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate /

"B-232872"--P. 1.