Injuries in European Injuries in European Communities Communities

By: Aaron Baker, Curtis Cox, Neil By: Aaron Baker, Curtis Cox, Neil Esarte, Toby Mattson, Steve Esarte, Toby Mattson, Steve

MeagherMeagher

Selection Criteria for ExpertsSelection Criteria for Experts

• The experts selected for this study had to meet the following criteria:– Be a researcher involved in the areas related to Occupational

Health and Safety (OSH) and physical risks– Have at least five years of experience in the sub-field he replies

to – Have authored at least two publication in this sub-field

• In further steps to make the study more complete the study included experts with a less academic background but still high-level expertise– This was extended to labour inspectors, policy-makers, safety

practitioners and to people involved in activities related to the field of physical OSH risk

Responses to the SurveyResponses to the Survey

• In the first round 62 experts were approached to participate in this survey– 48 returned the questionnaire

• In the second round 110 experts were approached to participate in this survey– 47 returned the questionnaire

• In the third round 137 experts were approached to participate in this survey– 66 returned the questionnaire

• Over the three rounds of surveys experts from 53 organization from 14 European countries and from USA participated in this predictor of emerging risks.

Characteristics of RespondentsCharacteristics of Respondents

• Majority responded as – Head of a Department – Researcher

• President/ Director• Professor/Lecturer• Technician• Labour Inspector• Other

Characteristics of Respondents Characteristics of Respondents Con’tCon’t

• Main Fields of Activities– Research– Development– Policy & Standards– Testing & Certification– Law Enforcement– Research Management– Labour Inspector– Training &Teaching– Consulting– Other

What are emerging risks?What are emerging risks?

• An ‘emerging risk’ can be defined as any risk that is both new and increasing– New means:

• The risk was previously non-existent; or• A long-standing issue is now considered to be a risk due to a

change in social or public perceptions or to new scientific knowledge

– The risk is increasing if:• The number of hazards leading to the risk is growing; or • The likelihood of exposure to the hazard leading to the risk is

increasing; or• The effect of the hazard on workers’ health is getting worse

How to identify emerging risks?How to identify emerging risks?

• Consists of a three-round Delphi survey– The Delphi method is based on an alliteration process

in which the results of the previous rounds are feedback to the experts for new evaluation

• Rating of risk is done using a five point Likert scale

What is the DELPHI METHODWhat is the DELPHI METHOD

• Widely used methodology to create foresight information on topics for which only uncertain or incomplete knowledge is available.

• Based on a process consisting of at least 2 survey rounds in which the results from the previous rounds are re-submitted for new evaluation

• Ensures experts are aware of views of other experts and allows for revisions of their first evaluation.

DELPHI METHODDELPHI METHOD

DELPHI METHOD: First Survey DELPHI METHOD: First Survey RoundRound

• An exploratory survey carried out in 2002 aimed at identifying the emerging risks related OSH (open end questions)

• Risks were sorted into 9 categories according to the field they are related to: musculoskeletal disorders, noise, vibration, thermal risks, non-ionizing radiation, ionizing radiation, risks related to machinery, work processes and technologies, mechanical risks and other general ergonomic risks.

DELPHI METHOD: Second Survey DELPHI METHOD: Second Survey RoundRound

• Second questionnaire-based survey round in 2003 aiming at validating and completing the first round

• Experts had to indicate which of the issues listed they identified as emerging risks (yes or no closed questions)

• Result of the second survey was a prioritized list of risks based on: – Frequency of rating (the number of experts who considered

a specific item to be a risk)– The mean value of the points attributed to an item, which

represents the weight the experts allocate to the risk– The standard deviation of the mean was also calculated as

an indication of the degree of consensus amongst the experts

DELPHI METHOD: Third Survey DELPHI METHOD: Third Survey RoundRound

• Carried out in 2004• Additional experts were invited to participate in the

survey to have a larger number of responses within each risk category

• The category mechanical risks was removed from the third survey because it is actually related to personal protective equipment (PPE) matters, these issue were then included into the category other ergonomic risks

• Respondents were asked to rate each issue independently from the others on a five-point scale, 1 strongly disagree to 5 strongly agree

• Only data collected from experts meeting the selected criteria for the risk category in concern were taken into consideration

AnalysisAnalysis• Risk is strongly agreed to be emerging if mean

value is above 4• Mean value between 3.15 and 4 is considered

an emerging risk• If the mean value is 2.85 and 3.15 is undecided• A mean between 2 and 2.85 is considered NOT

an emerging risk• A mean value below 2 indicates a string

agreement that a risk is not emerging

Lack of Physical ActivityLack of Physical Activity

• Correlation between prolonged sitting and musculoskeletal disorders.

• Lack of physical activity usually results in the worker gaining weight which in turn raises not only the obesity population but also raises the risk factors for various health problems.

• Prolonged sitting can cause a lack of energy that can effect production at work.

• To help reduce the complications associated with prolonged sitting the equipment and work schedule should accommodate various body positions spaced out throughout the day.

Lack of Physical Activity Con’tLack of Physical Activity Con’t

• The causes identified are:– Growing use of visual display units and automated

systems resulting in prolonged sitting at the workplace.

– Also increase time spent sitting during business travel– A higher incidence of musculoskeletal disorders

(MSD) due to prolonged sitting, but prolonged standing is also a concern

• Solutions:– Multiple schedule breaks, alternate tasks, set-up

different working stations

Exposure to MSD and Exposure to MSD and Psychosocial Risk FactorsPsychosocial Risk Factors

• European Foundation found that 33% of workers in EU-15 complained of back pain 25% complained of neck and shoulder pain.

• Absence from work because of MSD is rising in European communities having a gross impact economically.

• Emotional Stress and perceived muscle tension have an effect on musculoskeletal pains.

• The wellbeing of a worker must be assessed in order to relieve the stresses that add to the high prevalence of MSD’s.

• Workers who experience frequent stressful situations have an increased risk of musculoskeletal pain.

• Job demand is also a factor when assessing a worker’s well being. High demand is associated with shoulder/Neck pain.

• Low demand can also be a risk factor for shoulder pain.

Exposure to MSD and Exposure to MSD and Psychosocial Risk Factors Con’tPsychosocial Risk Factors Con’t

• Psychosocial risk factors that increase incidence of MSD’s are:– Too high or too low of job demand– Complex tasks– High time pressure– Low job control– Low decision level– Poor support from colleagues– Job insecurity or fear of the future– Bullying

• Solutions:– Education on psychosocial health, changes to work organization

and changes to workplace ergonomics

Multi-Factorial RisksMulti-Factorial Risks

• Literature focuses on call center workers. • Visual display units (VDU) have been associated with

physical complaints especially with regard to the shoulder and neck problems.

• Other tasks involved; talking on the phone, working a heavy schedule in a noisy environment and rarely standing are also regular stimulus received.

• The environment should be assessed and adjusted accordingly.– Proper equipment– Noise should be limited– Good lighting

Multi-Factorial Risks Con’tMulti-Factorial Risks Con’t

• The causes identified– Prolonged sitting – Background noise– Inadequate headsets– Poor ergonomics– High mental and

emotional demands– MSD’s– Varicose veins – Nose and throat

diseases– Fatigue

• Solutions– More breaks– Ergonomically friendly

work environment– Access to professional

help

Complex Human-Machine Complex Human-Machine Interaction Interaction

• Interface should be easy, comfortable and efficient to use in order to prevent human error.

• Operators not understanding the system they operate will lead to problems and potential accidents.

• To prevent accidents, the maximum amount of functions that an operator can handle without producing errors and developing stress must be determined.

• Human-Machine interfaces should be built for the workers’ acquired skills.

• Proper instruction and training is also essential when a worker is new to the skill/technology.

Complex Human-Machine Complex Human-Machine Interaction Con’tInteraction Con’t

• The causes identified– Poor ergonomic design– Mental and emotional strain

• Solutions– Proper training on the machines– Interfaces should be more user friendly so

that it is easier to use by the worker

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

• Efforts still need to be made to reduce the amount of radiation; in some parts of the world outdoor workers can be exposed to 250 times the minimal erythema dosage.

• Although UVR is more of a concern in outdoor environments, it is also seen in many indoor jobs; UVR is used to disinfect food packaging materials and to dry dyes and paints.

• Exposure to UVR is known to speed up the growth of and cause various cancers; skin cancer is more prominent in people who work outdoors.

• Raising awareness is an important struggle we need to accomplish in order to minimize the risks factors.

• Those who work with radiation can avoid potential risks by following proper procedure.

Ultraviolet Radiation Con’tUltraviolet Radiation Con’t

• The causes identified– Cataracts– Different types of cancer – Malignant melanoma – Squamous cell carcinomas

• Solution– Eliminated source through technical measures,

reduce exposure an acceptable level through organizational measures, individual measures need to be adopted

– Eye protection, sun hats