Business analysis in occupational health and safety consultations

Article Abstract:

United States industry is faced with ever increasing costs associated with work-related injuries and illnesses. Increases in workers' compensation premiums and the actual cost of lost time are escalating rapidly. The bulk of injury-related expenses have been associated with traumatic events that are linked to ergonomic problems in the workplace. Many of these problems remain unresolved, even after they are identified and changes are recommended. Reasons for this include physical factors in the workplace that impede the recommended changes, extensive overtime, piecework, routinization and management practices that are not easily or readily changed. Occupational health (OH) consultants and advisors need to understand how management and other business practices operate and how they may contribute to injury cycles. Familiarity with these aspects of business will enhance the effectiveness of OH consultations. Information should be obtained in several areas: (1) company history, management and product changes, management personnel, product lines and volumes, and other details; (2) stated goals of management in relation to the areas of concern; (3) the working goals of the company as they impact the health and safety of workers; (4) the working organizational structure and identification of personnel responsible for health and safety; and (5) community and regional work-related issues that may impact on safety, such as competition and rates of unemployment. With understanding of these data and their significance in job performance, the OH professional can more effectively advise management. Familiarity with the total business picture can increase the value and the validity of health and safety recommendations. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Industrial management

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An outbreak of infectious conjunctivitis spread by microscopes

Article Abstract:

Viral conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the membranes that line the eyelids, has been reported in epidemic proportion among the workers of a microelectronic assembly plant. The plant employs approximately 350 individuals who work in three shifts around the clock. As electronics have become more miniaturized and microelectronics have permeated the society, the number of workers involved in assembly has exploded. In this particular case, the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Hygiene was alerted by a worker at the plant who complained of conjunctivitis. The plant's nurse confirmed that approximately 30 employees had been referred for ophthalmological problems. When visited by a physician from the department, a preliminary diagnosis of viral conjunctivitis was made and recommendations that all workers, most of whom shared microscopes, should wear protective glasses and be more cautious with routine hygiene such as hand washing. The attack rate of viral conjunctivitis varied within departments from 100 percent in the 'laser trim' area to 35 percent in engineering. The condition was related to the degree of contact with a microscope. In all, 57 percent of the workers surveyed were determined to be suffering from viral conjunctivitis. The elimination of the problem was neither easy nor inexpensive. The estimate of the final cost of eliminating the problem was $647,020 and included placing workers on extended periods of sick leave for 7 to 10 days and obtaining medical clearance before returning to work. Enhancing basic hygiene by such means as instruction on thorough hand-washing techniques, requiring safety glasses, using ultraviolet light sterilization, and temporarily closing the facility all contributed to successfully ending the problem.

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Ocular infections and the industrial use of microscopes

Article Abstract:

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, inflammatory conditions of the membranes lining the eyelids that are due to virus or bacteria, was reported in epidemic proportion among the workers of a computer plant. An outbreak of eye inflammations occurred at a large computer manufacturer in the class 100 clean rooms, where there are fewer than 100 small particles per cubic foot of air and where photolithographic processing was being carried out. Workers in this area wear special clean room uniforms, hats, shoe covers, masks and gloves. The 52 workers shared 17 microscopes over the three shifts. All workers were given a questionnaire to determine the level of cleanliness of the microscopes, individual work habits, use of glasses, and recent medical data. Workers who reported eye redness, discharge, itching and pain were defined as cases for study. Cultures were taken from both the eyes and the microscopes and compared to the cultures taken from microscopes at a nearby laboratory. The effect of isopropyl alcohol to sterilize the microscope eyepieces was also evaluated. The results suggest that inadequate hygienic practices may be at least partially responsible for the development of this outbreak. Isopropyl alcohol was found to be an effective means of reducing the observed bacterial contamination on microscopic oculars.

Clean rooms

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