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Biomedical subjects

A Watterson

Publications and source records attributed to A Watterson.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Identifying and prioritizing gaming workers' health and safety concerns using mapping for data collection.

BACKGROUND: This research was prompted by the clinical presentation of workers from a variety of gaming occupations with injuries and illnesses and multiple health and safety concerns. METHODS: Using participatory action research principles, 51 gaming workers in Ontario and 20 gaming workers in Manitoba were consulted during a series of focus group sessions. Mapping exercises were used to survey the participants about their health concerns, perceived occupational hazards and the impact of working conditions on their personal lives. Participants were then asked to prioritize their concerns and make recommendations for improvements. RESULTS: Gaming workers from both provinces identified similar health, hazard and psycho-social concerns. They prioritized the issues of stress, ergonomics, indoor air quality (including second-hand smoke and temperature), biological hazards, physical hazards and noise. CONCLUSIONS: This study points to a need to more fully investigate and address health and safety issues in the gaming industry. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of a worker-driven, participatory consultation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Whither lay epidemiology in UK public health policy and practice? Some reflections on occupational and environmental health opportunities.

The problems of public and media interpretations of epidemiological studies--for instance, confusion about contradictory findings which indicate the hazards or advantages of consuming certain foods or drink or taking particular medical or pharmaceutical products, and one study on radiation exposure apparently overturning the results of another study within weeks or months--indicate the need for better communications by scientists, better education for the public on hazards and risks, and a better flow of information to the public on such topics. One democratic means for achieving this end, which would also increase community and worker participation in and control of health research affecting them, is through lay or community epidemiology. This subject has been discussed for some years but very little action has resulted in England. The concept relates to community groups and employees carrying out epidemiological research and using the expertise of professional epidemiologists. The epidemiologists work for and with the community rather than on the community: an experience which professionals may find threatening. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization and other groups rightly support such an empowering initiative, and some ways of introducing the approach into England are discussed.

Communication↗
PubMed1990

UK pesticide health and safety regulatory policy: past achievements and limitations.

The record of pesticide regulation in the United Kingdom appears to be good. Close examination, however, now reveals a number of shortcomings in past pesticide regulatory policy. Pesticides cleared for use in 1960 have been withdrawn over the last 30 years because of evidence on animal carcinogenicity not available at that time. Government, public and scientific attitudes to pesticide hazards today are briefly analysed. Several deficiencies and limitations in current pesticide clearance practice are outlined and an alternative approach is described.

Consumer Product Safety↗
PubMed1990

Occupational health education in the United Kingdom workplace: looking backwards and going forwards? The Industrial Health Education Society at work 1922-40.

Education on occupational medicine is a neglected area in the United Kingdom in terms of resources and staffing. Education on occupational health and safety is even more neglected and education in the workplace on occupational health is most neglected of all. 1944 saw the demise of the Industrial Health Education Society. This society had been established with the explicit aims of educating and informing ordinary shopfloor workers about occupational hazards and how to deal with them. The emphasis was almost exclusively on occupational health and not occupational safety. In this and indeed in several other respects the society was unique. The society functioned effectively between 1924 and 1940. Large numbers of doctors were recruited to give their time and services free to the IHES by talking to workers on occupational health topics. In this manner the society succeeded in attracting many thousands of workers to its meetings and worked without openly alienating employers, trade unions, the government, or the medical profession--a remarkable feat of diplomacy. The strengths and weaknesses of the society are charted as are the themes and issues still relevant in the 1990s. Progress in the 1980s is assessed against the background of the IHES achievements.

Health Education↗
PubMed1990

Pesticide health and safety policy in the UK: a flawed and limited approach?

The approaches to the environmental and occupational health regulation of pesticides vary from country to country. This paper looks at some of those approaches with particular reference to the UK. In the UK, control standards for certain pesticides are significantly less stringent than elsewhere in Western Europe and indeed the Americas. The reasons for these differences are examined, with examples given of the more cautious approaches and the wider control philosophies adopted outside the UK. UK pesticide legislation is set in an international context. Alternative strategies for regulating UK pesticides are outlined and new policy options presented.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pesticide health and safety and the work and impact of international agencies: partial successes and major failures.

The paper explores aspects of the international role and impact of key agencies in informing regulators and users about pesticides and controlling and preventing pesticide poisoning worldwide. The WHO, IPCS, ILO, World Bank, and related organizations such as ICPS, for instance, all have effects. Particular attention is paid to the IPCS environmental health criteria documents on pesticides. Political and economic influences affect decisions about whether or not to use pesticides, and the risk assessments and data used to assess pesticides. This has significant influence on the selection and use of particular pesticides and hence on both acute and chronic pesticide poisoning cases globally. Progress has been made to correct these covert and damaging influences and imbalances, but more needs to be done to ensure proper accountability and transparency in pesticide health and safety policy and practice.

Chemical Industry↗