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Biomedical subjects

Linda Forst

Publications and source records attributed to Linda Forst.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Barriers and benefits of protective eyewear use by Latino farm workers.

Agricultural work is one of the riskiest occupations for the eyes. Protective eyewear can prevent eye injuries in upward of 90% of cases. Latino migrant and seasonal farm workers (LFWs) are at particular risk of eye injury because of economic, social, and cultural barriers to safe employment. The goal of this project was to determine the perceived benefits and barriers to use of protective eyewear during agricultural work among LFWs. In the year 2000, 55 workers who spent at least part of their time working in Illinois and Michigan as seasonal, hired farm workers were interviewed either individually (9) or in six focus groups (46) regarding their perceptions of eye hazards and the factors that encourage or discourage the use of protective eyewear. Subsequently, safety glasses and training on eye safety were delivered by promotores de salud to LFWs from the same cohort over two summer seasons. During the second season, the promotores observed the use of safety eyewear by farm workers at least once per week on 17 farms over a three-month period. At each point of observation, the promotores asked those wearing the glasses why they chose to wear them and those who were not wearing them, why not. At both points of the study (pre-intervention interviews and post-intervention observations), the reasons for use fell into the following categories: protection from hazards, appearance, whether it was mandated/provided by the employer, and whether others used it. The reasons for non-use include perceived lack of protection, discomfort, undesirable appearance, interference with visual acuity, slowing down the work pace, and no mandate from employers. Since eliminating the eye injury hazard is not possible in most agricultural settings, administrative strategies and use of personal protective equipment are critical. Perceptions of the target audience, LFWs, should be used to develop a comprehensive eye safety program; this should include allowing LFWs to select a style from effective prototypes, providing eyewear and promoting/mandating its use in hazardous job tasks, and implementing a comprehensive PPE program for eye safety. In addition, addressing functional problems - falling off, fogging, loss and forgetting glasses, the pace slowdown that reduces production and leads to lower wages for workers - should be addressed.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2006

Dust emission rates from food processing.

A field study was performed to develop emission rates for dust exposure at a food processing facility. Eight 2-hour periods were monitored over 2 days. Area total suspended particulate samples were collected on 37 mm polyvinyl chloride filters with 5 mum pore size according to NIOSH Method 0500. Filters were analyzed gravimetrically. Ventilation and production activity data were collected during air sampling. Two mass balance models were used to calculate emission rates. The first was an experimental mass balance model, with the mass of contaminant generated determined by air flow and concentration measurements at room exit and entry points. The second treated the work environment as a completely mixed space, utilizing ventilation and area concentration measurements. Emission rates generated from mass balance models ranged from 2.09-542 mg/min for the various processing operations and food products. Process emission rates with production activity data allow estimation of dust exposure in similar facilities, and help direct development of exposure control strategies.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

Effectiveness of community health workers for promoting use of safety eyewear by Latino farm workers.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate The Community Health Worker "promotor de salud" (CHW) model is evaluated as a tool for reducing eye injuries in Latino farm workers. METHODS: In 2001, 786 workers on 34 farms were divided into three intervention blocks: (A) CHWs provided protective eyewear and training to farm workers; (B) CHWs provided eyewear but no training to farm workers; (C) eyewear was distributed to farm workers with no CHW present and no training. RESULTS: Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires demonstrated greater self-reported use of eyewear in all blocks after the intervention (P < 0.0001), with Block A showing the greatest change compared to B (P < 0.0001) and C (P = 0.03); this was supported by field observations. Block A showed the greatest improvement in knowledge on questions related to training content. CONCLUSION: CHWs were an effective tool to train farm workers in eye health and safety, improving the use of personal protective equipment and knowledge.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

Toxic inhalation fatalities of US construction workers, 1990 to 1999.

Construction workers account for a disproportionately large number of occupational fatalities. A small percentage of these deaths is attributable to poisoning. Risk factors for such deaths using national data have not been reported previously. Construction poisoning fatalities from 1990 to 1999 in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Integrated Management and Information System data set were analyzed. Risk and risk factors were determined using Bureau of Labor Statistics and census data. Eighty-seven poisoning deaths of construction workers are characterized, all attributable to toxic inhalation. Cellular and simple asphyxiants accounted for the largest numbers of fatalities. The majority of these deaths occurred in confined spaces. Water, sewer, and utility line workers are at increased risk for poisoning fatality. Toxic inhalation fatalities in the construction industry are preventable. Extending the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's confined space standard could save lives, particularly among water, sewer, and utility line industry workers.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distance learning in occupational health.

The burden of occupational illnesses and injuries in the developing world is now enormous. Local experts in occupational health and safety are needed to address the growing worker and environmental health problems brought about by global industrial expansion, but such expertise is lacking. The author describes a 15-week, online, instructor-led course, Principles of Environmental and Occupational Health, that was offered to international students over two semesters. She suggests the needs that must be determined and recommends collaborative development of a real-time, online curriculum to enhance the training of professionals in occupational and environmental health.

Curriculum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of a national reporting system for occupational injuries in Costa Rica.

Occupational injury surveillance in developing countries may be hindered by the lack of health data infrastructure as well the large numbers of informal-sector workers. The goal of this study was to elucidate the scope of occupational injury in the Monteverde district of Costa Rica using data collected through the national workers social security system. A list of occupational injuries occurring in the district reported to the National Insurance Institute (INS) central office between 1998 and 2002 was taken to the regional INS office, and the original injury reports for the cases were pulled. Specific data on the injuries were collected. There were 184 injuries reported during the five year period. Occupations with the highest number of injuries included production, building and grounds maintenance, and agricultural/forestry/fishing. Descriptive data showed that prevention efforts in this rural region should target food manufacturing, hotels, and construction.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ethical issues in worker productivity.

Occupational health has always operated at the intersection of corporate economic concerns and worker health. Conflicting demands on the loyalty of occupational health professionals by the interests of labor and industry have made negotiating this minefield an essential part of the practice of occupational medicine. In recent years, occupational health professionals have found themselves increasingly required to rationalize worker health measures with economic arguments. This has led to physician engagement in the realm of defining and measuring worker productivity. Ethical guidelines that hold worker health as a top priority are critical in preserving the responsibility of occupational physicians to their patients.

Codes of Ethics↗