WorkSafeBC

Highlights the need for improved occupational health and safety programs in forest products manufacturing industries. From 1993 to 1997, the WCB paid more than $325 million for claims in this sector, with the most common accident types being overexertion, struck-by, and caught-in accidents. Employers should review the orientation, training and supervision of workers in their operations to determine if they are effective in preventing injuries.

For the health care industry as a whole, there was an overall increase in the number of claims, days lost, and claims costs from 1994 to 1998, with cumulative totals of 35,751 claims, 568,500 work days lost, and $155.3 million spent in claims costs during this time period. In 1998, the injury rate for workers in the health care industry was higher than the provincial injury rate for workers in all industries combined. The most common accident type in the health care industry was overexertion due to patient and material handling, accounting for 55 percent of all claims.

Statistics show that construction is an industry accounting for a high percentage of injury and disease claims, and it has been identified as a priority under the WorkSafe plan. Over the years 1991 to 1995, construction has employed more than 105,000 British Columbians and has been contributing over six percent to the province's gross domestic product each year. In that same time period the construction industry experienced 76 fatalities, 44,187 time-loss claims, 1,822,778 lost work days, and $313 million spent on claims costs. Key issues facing the construction industry are: falls from elevations, exposure to toxic substances, hearing loss, electrocution, moving objects and equipment, overexertion and improper lifting, lack of experience and orientation, and collapses during construction.

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The health care industry is defined as hospitals and related facilities registered under industry subclass 262. The health care sector is associated with more days lost per claim and a higher injury rate than the provincial average for all BC industries combined. Strains were responsible for 71% of the serious claims from 1991 to 1995. Practical nurses, aides, and orderlies experienced 41% of all serious claims. Occupations with the highest costs and number of days lost to acts of violence include: practical nurses, aides, orderlies, registered nurses, and psychiatric nurses. (LON)

Sawmill fatalities from 1985 to 1994 represented 2.9% of all WCB fatal claims accepted during this period. Primary causes include mobile equipment accidents, lack of worker training, improper work procedure, equipment failure, falls from elevations, failure to lock-out, industrial disease, and saw kick-back. Over half of the traumatic injuries and amputations suffered by sawmill workers involved planers/moulders, chop/trim/hula saws, chains, miscellaneous saws, and V-belt pulleys. In general, improper work procedures, lack of guarding or lock-out, and lack of training were the main causes of injury. (LON)

Seven provincial government ministries were found to be responsible for over 90% of all disability claims by the provincial government during the period 1993 to mid-1995. The Ministries of Health and the Attorney General had the highest claims costs. Back strains and other strains accounted for over half of all injuries reported. (LON)

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Injuries and fatalities in heavy manufacturing may result from strains or overexertion, being caught in or struck by machinery or tools, eye damage from flying matter or particles, falls from elevation, and breathing in noxious or toxic materials. This report supplies statistics on accident and injury claims, provides information on the frequency and sources of common accidents, identifies the five occupations with the highest number of claims (welders, boilermakers, machinists, sheet metal workers, heavy duty mechanics), offers advice on accident prevention, and describes how employers and workers can create and maintain a safe workplace. (LON)

Provides employers, supervisors, workers, and health and safety personnel in hotels and restaurants with information on accidents in these industries and how to prevent them. It describes the frequency and source of such accidents, and offers safety tips on cuts, knives, slips and falls, floors, stairways, storage areas, ladders, and burns and scalds. It also contains overviews of a health and safety program and a violence prevention program. (LON)

Provides information on the scope and causes of injury to young workers and preventative measures. The injury rate for males aged 15-24 has historically been higher than males aged 25 and over, more than females of all ages, and higher than the overall injury rate. Industries in which young workers are frequently injured include retail, construction, manufacturing, logging, and service. (LON)

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Based on 1991-1995 data, the occupations most at risk for fatalities were fallers, truck drivers, and log loaders and sorters. The most common injuries were strains, bruises, and cuts. Accident types with the highest frequency of occurrence included being struck by an object (especially chainsaws, logs, and trees), falls from elevation, and overexertion. (LON)

This study measured airborne and surface concentrations of diazinon, chlorpyrifos (Dursban) and bendiocarb (Ficam) at intervals up to ten days after broadcast spray application in seven offices. Results from this work and similar studies provide information to evaluate the potential health impact for office workers and others returning to treated buildings. Additionally, the results can assist public agencies in setting guidelines or regulations that are realistic and usable by pesticide applicators and building managers, but which will not compromise the health of building occupants. Diazinon and chlorpyrifos airborne concentrations peaked four hours after application at 163 and 27 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively. The highest level of bendiocarb (2.7 micrograms per cubic metre) was measured during treatment. Highest diazinon concentrations exceeded the permissible concentration (PC) established by the Workers' Compensation Board of B.C., and remained at over one-half the PC for more than one day. Chlorpyrifos levels did not exceed one-eighth of the PC. No exposure guidelines have been set for bendiocarb, although it is classed as a "very toxic" pesticide. Airborne concentrations measured for diazinon indicate that building occupants should not enter unventilated rooms for at least two days after spraying. Re-entry into unventilated rooms one day after treatment with chlorpyrifos or bendiocarb would appear to present minimal health risk. Highest concentrations of surface deposition were found in rooms treated with diazinon and bendiocarb. Although residue concentrations were relatively low, the extent of skin contact and absorption, and the consequent potential impact on health, is difficult to evaluate. Workers re-entering buildings after insecticide application are often unaware of treatment plans and are, therefore, unable to take precautions to minimize their exposure. Worker inhalation and skin contact with insecticides can be reduced by providing office workers and building occupants with information on treatment times, the potential health effects of insecticide overexposure, steps to take to reduce contact, and the perceived health risk. (Authors' abstract)

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The study surveyed 320 pulpmill workers and compared the results to those of 237 railyard workers. Average levels of lung function did not differ between the pulpmill population and railyard population, nor among the different job types or work areas within the pulpmill. In both populations, smokers were significantly more likely to report respiratory symptoms and had significantly lower levels of lung function than did non-smokers. Pulpmill workers reported significantly more wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath than did railyard workers. Within the pulpmill, an increased prevalence of wheezing was found among workers in the digest area and maintenance trades. Pulpmill workers who reported one or more incident of accidental chlorine gassing were significantly more likely to report wheezing and to have missed work due to chest illness than pulpmill workers who never experienced such incidents. (LON)

This report examines resistance of gloves and clothing materials to permeation of organophosphorus insecticides. Protective gloves and clothing materials commonly worn by B.C. fruit and vegetable growers were tested against parathion, Guthion (azinphos-methyl), phosdrin (mevinphos) and diazinon. Neoprene, nitrile and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) glove materials showed excellent resistance to permeation when tested in American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) cells. Little or no breakthrough of insecticides was found after 8-hours contact with concentrated solutions. Ten pairs of gloves were immersed to approximately the wrist level in a bath of concentrated insecticide for one hour. The immersion test detects pin-holes or weak spots in gloves made from impervious materials. Amounts of parathion or Guthion measured inside neoprene, nitrile or PVC gloves ranged from less than 0.005 mg/glove to 7 mg/glove. Penetration of Guthion to glove interiors was generally greater than for parathion. Natural rubber or latex gloves were not resistant to concentrated solutions of parathion or Guthion. Appearance of the gloves did not change, so there was no visible indication that pesticide was penetrating inside gloves. Once concentrated organophosphorus insecticides are diluted with water to prepare spray solutions, all the gloves tested would provide good protection. For clothing materials, neoprene on nylon fabric gave excellent resistance to concentrated solutions of parathion, Guthion, phosdrin and diazinon. PVC on cotton fabric performed better than neoprene on nylon against Guthion, phosdrin and diazinon concentrates, but allowed a small amount of parathion to permeate through the fabric within one hour of contact with the concentrated solution. PVC on nylon fabric showed signs of degradation and significant breakthrough in contact with concentrated solutions. However, this fabric would provide adequate protection against diluted spray solutions. (Author's abstract)

A lower limb prosthesis ideally transmits the forces of ambulation to the amputee's residuum in as comfortable and effective manner as possible. The ability of the prosthesis to provide this function is highly dependent on the fit and the alignment of the prosthetic socket. The purpose of this project was to improve on the conventional alignment procedure by developing a new alignment device which increased the repeatability, accuracy and speed of the alignment procedure. An alignment coupling device was designed, constructed and evaluated for use in lower limb prosthetics. The design of the coupling facilitated powered control of the alignment process. An alignment coupling was designed which provided plus or minus 10 degrees of adjustment between the prosthetic socket and foot, in both the A-P and M-L directions. A microprocessor-controlled, powered drive system was developed which when integrated with the alignment coupling provided the prosthetist with alignment angle data in real time as well as automatic positioning and calibrating capabilities. The rapid alignment device (RAD) was evaluated in-house for strength and durability, and was then tested on two occasions at a local prosthetics facility. All of the participants (both prosthetists and patients) were impressed with the unit and felt that it showed potential. A system of this nature will improve a prosthetist's ability to consistently prescribe prosthetic alignments for patients which allow for comfortable and efficient gait and will in turn reduce the number of clinical visits required by the amputee. (Authors' abstract)

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Introduces a handbook designed to assist health care organizations to develop, implement and review violence prevention programs and to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Program steps are: (1) establish a working group and enlist support, (2) conduct a risk assessment, including gathering information, obtaining input from staff, inspecting the workplace, analyzing all of the information, recording and communicating results, (3) develop and implement control measures, (4) provide education and training, and (5) conduct an annual review.

Reviews the literature regarding current trends in the workplace and predictions about the future nature of work, with a focus on trends in the industrialized nations of the world within the next ten to fifteen years. The nature of work is presently undergoing a profound transformation. The highly competitive environment being created by free trade and economic deregulation is forcing firms to become more efficient and flexible, and to cut costs wherever and whenever possible in order to survive. Additional trends include new production strategies, new technology and automation, the shift to service and skilled employment, and workplace diversity.

Predicts trends for growth, employment and injury claims in the eight British Columbia industries that had the highest number of serious claims: logging, sawmills, heavy manufacturing, health care, retail food, building construction, truck, and hotel and restaurant. The nature of work and changing trends in health and safety, which may result in an increased or decreased risk of injury, were taken into consideration in these predictions.

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Reviews the short term disability (STD), long term disability (LTD) and fatal claims in the fishing industry accepted by the Workers' Compensation Board from 1993 to 1995. The number of accidents decreased during this period, with most injuries occurring from July through October each year coincident with the salmon season openings. The most frequent types of injuries were strains, fractures, cuts and bruises. Most accidents were caused by slippery surfaces, moving heavy objects, rough working environments and awkward postures. Accident and injury statistics are presented for salmon seining, salmon gillnetting or trolling, and trawling. (LON)

It is known that hand-arm vibration from chain saws may cause vibration white finger disease (VWFD). This is characterized by frequent episodes in which the fingers turn white and numb, usually after a cold stimulus. Studies have suggested that more than 50% of chain saw workers suffer from this disease. This study was initiated to establish if new work practices, as well as the introduction of new anti-vibration chainsaws in the early 1970s had an effect on the progression or reversal of the disease. A group of researchers from UBC analyzed 144 fallers in the British Columbia forest industry on the prevalence of VWFD using both subjective (Stockholm Score) and objective testing (finger systolic pressure measurements, FSP) methods. The study results demonstrate that there is a relationship between total chainsaw use and VWFD, and the prevalence of VWFD was 65.7% and 60.8% based on Stockholm Scores and FSP % measurements respectively. The use of anti-vibration chainsaws did not result in a decrease in the prevalence of VWFD, therefore has no protective or reversal effect on the chainsaw users. (Prevention Technical Writers)

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This report examines current work practices and equipment of carpetlayers and tilesetters to determine ways that knee and back injuries may be minimized. For carpetlayers, the various devices used to stretch carpet were compared for stress imparted to the worker, posture during use, and mechanical effectiveness. Requirements of a successful carpet-stretching device are specified. For tilesetters, body postures and spinal loads during work tasks were measured and compared with recommended guidelines. The knee-kicker was found to be an inefficient device for stretching carpet compared with the power stretcher. Although potentially harmful to the knee, and mechanically inefficient, the knee-kicker is used by carpetlayers five times more frequently than the power stretcher. Reasons include cost, speed, portability, versatility, and availability. Knee injuries to B.C. carpetlayers, who kneel and strike a kicker, represent a larger percentage of injuries (28%) than for tilesetters, who kneel but do not use a knee-kicker (15%), and for other construction workers who kneel infrequently (7%). The major recommendation arising from this study is that the use of the knee-kicker as the primary carpet-stretching tool be phased out. When lifting and placing tiles, tilesetters experience high degrees of lateral flexion, forward flexion, and axial rotation of the spine. Resulting asymmetry of movement causes unequal stress concentrations on different components of the spine. Forces measured at the knee varied throughout tilesetting tasks with a peak force of 69 kg. Activities generating sustained pressure will cause time-dependent deformation of the tissue leading to changes in fluid content, elasticity, and shock-absorbing properties. The major recommendation is that the amount of time spent in a kneeling posture be minimized and that modifications be made to work procedures to minimize the stress to the spine. (Author's abstract).

Four systems designed for the prevention of needle-stick injuries were evaluated for six months at Royal Columbian Hospital. No significant differences were found in incidence of needle-stick injury between the four systems. An average of 38% of syringe injuries was due to recapping and 54% to uncapped needles either left unattended or protruding from disposal containers. Half of syringe recapping injuries were on point-of-use units where syringes should not have been recapped. (Author's abstract)

The study was designed to evaluate pre-employment strengthening and gradual return-to-work on repetitive stain injuries (RSI) symptom development in seasonal workers and to assess stretching and strengthening exercise breaks in reducing symptoms of RSI for employees doing intensive hand-arm tasks. The long-term objective of both studies was to minimize the onset of repetitive strain injury symptoms in employees (seasonal or full-time) doing intensive hand-arm work. The literature review and discussions with experts revealed conflicting views as to the benefits of exercise as a prophylactic strategy for the prevention of RSI. Some concern was expressed that exercise may facilitate the development of RSI. Stretching breaks were seen as less controversial than strengthening breaks. (Author's abstract)

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The study surveyed 1502 workers at the Alcan plant in Kitimat, B.C. Workers who spent over 50% of their working time on the potline had a higher prevalence of chest symptoms and chronic bronchitis compared to the other exposure groups. The mean pulmonary function tests were highest among the controls and lowest among those exposed to coke dust. Potroom asthma appeared to be absent. In a comparison with results of an earlier study of the same workers in 1980, it was found that: (a) the prevalence of cough and sputum decreased in most work groups, probably related to reduced levels of air contaminants at work, (b) the prevalence of of breathlessness increased more than can be accounted for by increased age of the population, (c) the annual decline in lung function is influenced by age, smoking and initial peripheral leukocyte count. Older workers, smokers and those with high initial peripheral leukocyte count had a faster decline in lung function than younger workers, nonsmokers and those with lower initial peripheral leukocyte count. Environmental monitoring showed that the levels of air contaminants measured in 1986 were lower than those measured in 1980 indicating that the working environment on the potlines has improved considerably as a result of the efforts put in by the company. (Authors' abstract)

To determine the significance of changes in motor performance as measured by lumbar dynamometry, serial lumbar dynamometry was performed on a group of 45 male Workers' Compensation patients with chronic "mechanical" low back pain and in a group of 20 healthy male volunteers. The patients were men aged 20-60 years, whose current episode of low back pain had lasted for at least 3 months (mean 19.5 weeks, range 12-47 weeks). Testing was performed at entry into a "back school" program of therapy and again 2 weeks and 4 weeks later. The control group showed a slight improvement in almost all variables of strength and range of motion between the first and second tests but no significant change between the second and third tests. This was consistent with a learning effect. The patient group was analyzed as a whole and also in two groups based on their response to the Waddell maneuvers at entry: Waddell score 0-2 (no excessive illness behavior) and 3-5 (excessive illness behavior). As a whole, the patients showed significant progressive improvement in most variables on successive tests. The group with the low Waddell score had significantly greater strength and range of motion than the group with the high Waddell score but the trend of improvement with time was similar in the two groups. The authors conclude that in this sample of patients with low back pain, serial lumbar dynamometry reveals a progressive improvement in performance, which is greater than the improvement expected from the natural history of physical recovery and greater than the improvement expected from an increase in strength and range of motion attributable to the therapeutic exercises performed and is much larger than any learning effect related to the test procedure. (Authors' abstract)

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A prospective blinded cohort study was performed to test for a difference in the pattern of physical activity factors measured with the ERGOS work simulator in subjects with low back injuries versus those with limb injuries. Also tested was the relationship between physical activity factors measured with the ERGOS and several psychological tests and measures of nonorganic pain behavior in subjects with low back pain. Subjects were 70 men, 22 to 64 years old, who attended a 2-week physical capacity assessment after undergoing rehabilitation for a work-related injury. In subjects with a complaint of low back pain, nonorganic pain behavior was measured with the Waddell score. In addition, two brief psychological tests, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and analog self-rating of wellness, were administered. It was found that subjects with low back complaints underperformed globally in comparison with subjects with limb complaints. This underperformance was statistically significant (P < .05) for 7 of 13 strength variables and 2 of 7 dexterity variables. In the subjects with low back complaints, those who exhibited excessive illness behavior (Waddell score, 3 to 5) performed significantly worse on all 13 strength variables and on 3 of 7 dexterity variables. In the subjects with low back complaints, those with low self-assessment ratings were found to have a high Waddell score (P < .01) and to perform significantly worse (P < .05) on 12 of 13 strength variables and 6 of 7 dexterity variables. There were no significant relationships (P > .05) between Coopersmith Self-Esteem score and Waddell score or performance on ERGOS testing. (Authors' abstract)

A prospective blinded cohort study was performed in an interdisciplinary vocational evaluation program to investigate the concurrent validity of the ERGOS work simulator in comparison to current methods of evaluation. Seventy men and eight women, aged 22 to 64 years, who attended for a 2-week physical capacity assessment participated in the study. Physical activity factors as defined by the Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations and the American Dictionary of Occupational Titles were assessed for all subjects under three evaluation conditions: the ERGOS work simulator, an exercise-oriented physical evaluation by a rehabilitation therapist, and performance of project-format industrial tasks. In addition, 17 men and 7 women were assessed with VALPAR standardized work sample tests. The statistical significance of the relationships between results obtained by the various evaluation methods was examined. There was a strong correlation between the ERGOS dynamometry and the clinical assessment of strength for all standard movements tested (P < .001). The Methods Time Measurement rating by the ERGOS for dexterity variables, according to industrial engineering standards, tended to rate subjects as more restricted than did the clinical evaluators. There was a significant relationship (P < .001) between the "overall physical activity rating" from ERGOS dynamometry, clinical evaluation, and performance in an industrial workshop setting. There was also a significant relationship (P < .001) between the "overall physical activity rating" for endurance of a full workday produced by the 4-hour ERGOS evaluation and by the 2-week functional capacity evaluation. (Authors' abstract)

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Over 15,000 workers in British Columbia have experienced 20 or more workplace accidents. In response, the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia has created a "Preventing Accident Repetition Project" to develop interventions aimed at health and safety approaches and attitudes in worksites with employees at risk of repeat accidents. Three interventions are identified, including a letter from the WCB President to BC employers and workers at risk, accident prevention workshops, and meetings with employers and union representatives. Preliminary observations reaffirm the need for better coordination and commitment toward established health and safety doctrines. (LON)

Although neuroimaging (NI) techniques are promising tools, they should be considered as simply another source of information to be used in conjunction with subject reports. While NI techniques have provided important knowledge on pain, much of this work has been focused on understanding how pain is processed by the nervous system. Human pain perception may be predominantly an emotional response to potentially damaging stimuli and, as such, NI findings are influenced by the individual's attention to the pain, their interpretation of what is causing the pain, and their expectations for recovering and/or for the effectiveness of anaesthetics. (LON)

As of November 1995, over 15,000 workers in British Columbia had submitted 20 or more WCB injury reports. Over 1/3 of these 20+ claims were made in the last ten years, and preliminary investigation suggests that this trend is continuing. Proactive strategies for dealing with this issue are presented. (LON)

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STUDY DESIGN. Tests of limb and back motor performance were administered to males with low back pain at the completion of a back-school program. OBJECTIVES. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between such motor performance and the propensity for abnormal illness behavior as indicated by the Waddell score. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. Previous studies in similar subjects had revealed a nonbiologic pattern of lumbar strength and movement in back-school patients, and correlations between lumbar variables, Waddell score, and 'global' psychologic measures. This suggested that psychologic factors might affect motor performance in body segments unrelated to the low back in such patients. RESULTS. Mean performance of the group with a high Waddell score (indicating a propensity for abnormal illness behavior) was lower on all tests, including those that did not involve the low back, in comparison to the group with a low Waddell score (P < .01, sign test). CONCLUSION. For all members of this population of patients, motor performance on dynamometry of any body segment does not necessarily reflect the maximum physical capacity. (Authors' abstract)

Evaluates a pilot project aimed at refining a process of early selection of clients with soft tissue injuries and referral of such workers to appropriate treatment. Presents initial results from the first six weeks of operation and makes several recommendations concerning the next stage of the pilot. (LON)