Construction Industry Briefing: Issue 17(November 08)
The following topics are covered in this issue: Crystalline silica, Ergonomics, Inhaled particles, Stress and Lung cancer
An article published in the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health assesses occupational exposure to crystalline silica in Poland and throughout the world. There is a link from the abstract page to the full text of the article…
http://versita.metapress.com/content/6238755v4r85k0g2/
A study published in 'Human factors in Ergonomics and Manufacturing' measures the work compatibility of the different work-related variables to determine their association with both musculoskeletal disorders and stress symptoms. The abstract is available at…
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1348704.1348712
Erik Tielemans and others have written an article published in the 'Annals of Occupational Hygiene' that explores the accuracy of the web-based Stoffenmanager exposure algorithm, which was initially developed to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises to prioritize and control risks of handling chemical products in their workplaces. Inhalable dust measurements were conducted in a number of industries including construction. It was found that the highest GM dust exposure levels were in the painting industry and the construction industry.
http://annhyg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/men033
The abstract of an article entitled 'The effects of organizational supports on the stress of construction estimation participants' is available on the ASCE Research Library web site. The paper concludes that 'A good communication and team decision-making process and a fair reward and treatment system may help establish close relationships among cost engineers in a company and ensure sufficient autonomy to cost engineers and the participants in the estimation process.’
http://scitation.aip.org/getabs
An article entitled 'Occupational lung cancer among men in the Netherlands' was published in 'Occupational and Environmental Medicine' 64(5). The paper assessed male lung cancer rates for industrial sectors, including the construction industry, in the Netherlands. The abstract of the paper is available at...
http://oem.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/65/4/249
If you would like us to feature any specific construction occupational health issue then let us know.
CONSTRUCTION BRIEFINGS ARCHIVE
Construction Briefing (March 2007)
Construction Briefing (April 2007)
Construction Briefing (May 2007)
Construction Briefing (June 2007)
Construction Briefing (July 2007)
Construction Briefing (August 2007)
Construction Briefing (September 2007)
Construction Briefing (October 2007)
Construction Briefing (November 2007)
Construction Briefing (December 2007)
Construction Briefing (January 2008)
Construction Briefing (March 2008)
Construction Briefing (April 2008)
Construction Briefing (June 2008)
Construction Briefing (August 2008)
Construction Briefing (September 2008)