To investigate changes of physical performance during long working hours and extended workweeks among construction workers, 19 construction workers with 12-h workdays and extended workweeks participated. Heart Rate (HR) during each of the two separate workdays corresponded to a relative workload of 25%. Sub-maximal HR was lower, reaction time faster and handgrip strength higher in the end of each test day. No trends of decreased physical performance were found after a workday or a work period.

Changes in physical performance among construction workers during extended workweeks with 12-hour workdays
Anne Faber , Jesper Strøyer, Nis Hjortskov and Bente Schibye
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, online 27 October 2009

Last year, the number of occupational disease claims rose by 6% according to figures from the Center for Insurance Statistics (CVS) in the Netherlands. More than three quarters of these claims relate to asbestos-related diseases. The reports of mesothelioma increased by 10% and its financial burden increased by 72% to 10 million euros.

The annual financial burden of all occupational diseases is 14 million euros. This burden increased by 46% in 2008 as compared to 2007 . Nellie Martens, linked to the Asbestos Institute, explains the long latency of asbestos: it takes on average 38 years before mesothelioma becomes visible. Since only in 1993 the asbestos ban went into force, it is to be expected that more patients will be diagnosed in the coming years. Until 2017 the number of victims will remain stable or rise slightly, and after that the number decreased gradually.

The average claim size of occupational diseases has increased slightly over 2008 and came out to almost 31,000 euros. Mesothelioma claims increased the most, rising almost 20%. The RSI claims have fallen sharply in the past six years.

In the October podcast, HSE’s Steve Coldrick talks about the Asbestos – the Hidden Killer campaign:

Listen to October 2009 Podcast – Asbestos: The Hidden Killer

 

Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a leading cause of lengthy disability.  To characterize associations between utilization of CTS surgery and duration of lost work 8224 workers’ compensation claims filed during 1990-1994 were studied. The findings suggest disability can be minimized by establishing the CTS diagnosis as early as possible and, if surgery is appropriate, conducting surgery without substantial delay and maximizing post-operative efforts to facilitate return to work.

Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Washington State workers’ compensation: Utilization of surgery and the duration of lost work
William E. Daniell, MD, MPH, Deborah Fulton-Kehoe, MPH, PhD , Gary M. Franklin, MD, MPH Am. J. Ind. Med. 2009

To get insight in the true burden of asbestosis in the population it’s not enough to rely on a single source. Triangulation of workers’ compensation, hospitalisation and outpatient databases records is necessary to get a better picture.

Population-based asbestosis surveillance in British Columbia
W Q Gan, P A Demers, C B McLeod M Koehoorn
Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;66:766-771 

To investigate the association between current rhinitis and pesticide use, a study was performed using data from 2245 Iowa commercial pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. Five pesticides used in the past year were significantly positively associated with current rhinitis: the herbicides 2,4-D, glyphosate and petroleum oil, the insecticide diazinon and the fungicide benomyl.

Rhinitis associated with pesticide exposure among commercial pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study
R E Slager, J A Poole, T D LeVan, D P Sandler, M C R Alavanja, J A Hoppin
Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;66:718-724

Playing volleyball and basketball has a positive association with the onset or worsening of jumper’s knee. Other risk factors are training and playing hours of at least 12 hours per week and/or in combination with weight training of at least 5 hours per week, and/or with playing or training on a hard surface. We did not find a specific occupational risk factor.

Risk factors for developing jumper’s knee in sport and occupation: a review
Ivo JH Tiemessen, P Paul FM Kuijer*, Carel TJ Hulshof and Monique HW Frings-Dresen BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:127 doi:10.1186/1756-0500-2-127

The primary aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the association between the use of ergonomic measures and musculoskeletal complaints among construction workers during an informational campaign on sector level. The researchers conclude that despite a large informational campaign, regular use of ergonomic measures remained low in a 4.5 year period. Regular use of the majority of ergonomic measures was associated, although not statistically significantly, with a lower likelihood of lower back or shoulder complaints.

The use of ergonomic measures and musculoskeletal complaints among carpenters and pavers in a 4.5-year follow-up study
Van der Molen HF, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MH. Ergonomics. 2009 Aug;52(8):954-63

The objective was to assess risk of work-related injuries in an acute care setting while contrasting injuries of aides and nurses. It turned out that aides had higher overall injury rates than nurses for no-lost work time (RR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.3) and lost work time (RR = 2.8, 95% CI: 2.1-3.8) injuries. The risk of an injury due to lifting was greater among aides compared to nurses for both non-lost work time and lost work time injuries. Injury rates among aides were particularly high in rehabilitation and orthopedics units.

Occupational injuries among aides and nurses in acute care
R.L. Rodríguez-Acosta et al. American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

Here you can find a video in several languages dealing with European measures to tackle stress at work