The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health of the USA (NIOSH), which belongs to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), created the Center for the Study of Professional Robotics (CORR) and requests information to determine the priority areas of research. These are gaps in knowledge on the safety and health of people working with industrial robotics, with a focus on the field of occupational safety and health, which are unlikely to be conducted by other federal agencies, academia, or the private sector. The request was signed by NIOSH Director John J. Howard, CORR’s curator is Hongwei Xiao, Ph.D.; CORR funding is provided for by the NIOSH strategic work plan for 2019–2023. Below besides to the directions of CORR comments, the main information hygiene (IG) developments published in Russia are outlined. The role of sanitary inspection is also noted, along with standardization and regulation by competent authorities: the WHO / ILO Joint Committee on Occupational Health, ISO, IEC, etc. The Technical Committee of Rosstandart TC–194 “CyberPhysical Systems” was established in Russia, which began with terminology. The article presents a brief translation of the CORR request with our comments and some domestic literature on IG, thus reflecting two mainstreams of occupational safety and health robotics.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Introduction. Coal industry is one of the main economy sectors of many countries. However, it poses a danger to the environment and human health. Since the Kemerovo region is a region with a developed industry, the problem of maintaining genetic homeostasis is highly relevant. Miners are exposed to various harmful factors that can act as genotoxicants and cause various DNA damage.

The aim of the study was to explore the associations of polymorphic variants of DNA repair genes with chromosomal instability in coal mining workers.

Materials and methods. Polymorphic variants of genes of enzymes of reparation DNA (XPD (rs13181), XPG (rs17655), XRCC2 (rs3218536), XRCC3 (rs861536), XRCC4 (rs2075685), XRCC4 (rs1805377)) and chromosomal aberrations in blood lymphocytes of 307 miners of coal mines in Kuzbass, 338 residents of the Kemerovo region who did not work in industrial enterprises were analyzed.

Results. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the group of miners (4.01±0.14) was significantly higher than in the group of individuals who did not work in production (1.67±0.06, p<0.0000005). We found that allelic variants in genes XPD (rs13181), XRCC3 (rs861536), XRCC4 (rs2075685), are associated with the increased chromosomal damage in miners.

Conclusions. Coal production has a negative impact on the genome of workers and can lead to the formation of cytogenetic disorders, which determines the need to develop measures for the comprehensive prevention of diseases caused by the accumulation of DNA damage. The results of the study will expand the existing understanding of the formation of the human genetic apparatus individual sensitivity to the effects of genotoxic factors, as well as formulate recommendations for coal mining workers in accordance with their genetic characteristics.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Introduction. Timely and adequate diagnosis and treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the bone and joint apparatus, which include epicondylitis (epicondylosis), including professionally caused, continues to be a serious health problem today, since they cause significant economic damage associated with temporary and persistent disability of the active part of the world’s population. In this regard, the search for methods and methodological approaches to improve the radiation diagnosis of this disease remains relevant. The study is devoted to solution of important medical problems, including occupational diseases-optimization of X-ray of the ulnar epicondylitis based on the use of new methodological approaches quantifying the density of pathological remodeling of bone structures in the subject area, that allow to objectify the direction of changes in monitoring intensity changes in the estimated structures.

The aim of the study is to improve the quality of x-ray diagnostics of ulnar epicondylitis based on a precision assessment of the optical density of bone and periarticular tissues using digital radiography.

Materials and methods. A comparative analysis of the results of a comprehensive clinical and radiological examination of patients, workers of the main group (fitters and laborers machine-building plants) working age range of 30–50 years with a clinical picture of subacute phase of the ulnar epicondylitis in the absence of a pathognomonic ultrasound findings and x-ray morphological signs of the disease. X-ray studies were performed using digital low-dose x-ray diagnostic devices. Visualization, processing, analysis of medical images and comparison of results in the dynamics of research were carried out using the programs «Lins machaon doctor’s workstation». To measure the conditional optical density of bone and soft tissues, we used the ROI tool (zone of interest), which allows us to determine the desired value in areas of different dimensions. Measurements were performed on digital radiographs and computer monitor screens in the areas of interest: the lateral parts of the humerus condyles and adjacent periarticular tissues with the calculation of the average values of the optical density index (ID) and optical density gradients (IDG) relative to the density of periarticular soft tissues.

Results. Analysis of the results of a posteriori osteodensitometry of the distal humerus within the framework of the developed algorithm, which includes the use of absolute and relative indicators of conditional optical density after preliminary color correction of digital x-ray images of bone and paraossal tissue structures, allowed us to expand our understanding of the topography of the distribution of mineral saturation in the condyles of at-risk individuals relative to those of the control group. It was found that the indicators of optical density of bone and paraossal tissues can be a kind of (conditional), sometimes the only indicators of the degree of severity of changes, positive or negative dynamics of pathophysiological processes. Density differences in the distal parts of the right and left humerus (bony and soft -tissue paraossal structures of the condyles) in the control group (conditional norm) in terms of absolute optical density and its gradient, regardless of the assessment area, were insignificant (statistically unreliable), although they were multidirectional. In patients with clinical signs of epicondylitis in the absence of x-ray morphologically detectable structural changes, a decrease in ID and the dynamics of its recovery at various stages of observation were revealed. Even when the ID of the actual bone structure is relatively equal, the IDG differs in different people, since it is largely determined by metabolic processes that are dynamically more labile than in the bones, and thus serve as a kind of indicator of their intensity. Taking into account the relative torpidity of perestroika processes in the structures of the bone tissue of the condyles in epicondylitis, IDG should be considered a more informative indicator of their dynamics. The importance of optical density indicators as predictors of the considered pathology is particularly evident in the process of analyzing the results of its diagnosis and development in the dynamics of observations not so much at the collective as at the individual level of assessment.

Conclusions. The application of the developed methodological approach allows us to significantly expand our understanding of the topographical distribution of the density of bone and soft tissue structures of the distal humerus at various stages of examination of patients, including the early subclinical phases of possible pathology, even in the absence of visually detectable x-ray morphological changes. The use of an original algorithm for evaluating tissue density will reduce the negative role of the so-called «human factor» and thus significantly ensure the objectivity of the interpretation of research results.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Introduction. As a result of large-scale modernization of technological processes, the organism of workers in the petrochemical industry is affected by low intensity factors. With an increase in exposure time under the influence of such factors, the response of the body is characterized by various changes in physiological status, however, until now, medical examinations of workers in petrochemical enterprises have a clinical focus. In this regard, it becomes extremely important to systematically study the physiological functions of workers, considering their working experience for early detection of the adverse effects of the work environment and the development of effective preventive measures.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the features of the functional state of the organism of operators and operators of a petrochemical enterprise, depending on the length of service.

Materials and methods. To identify the features of the functional state of the body, 78 operators and 68 drivers, depending on the length of service, were divided into three subgroups. The functional state of the central, autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems was studied, and the level of biological adaptation and working capacity of workers were determined. The functional state of the central nervous system is assessed by indicators of the functional level of the nervous system, the stability of the nervous reaction, the level of functionality of the formed functional system and the level of performance on the hardware-soft ware complex.

Results. It was revealed that with an increase in seniority, the operators of the petrochemical enterprise changed the indicators of the functional state of the body, as evidenced by a decrease in the time of simple visual-motor reaction by 1.5 times, an increase in the rates of sympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system by 1.7 times, and an increase in 1.4 times the adequacy of regulation processes against a 1.7-fold increase in the vegetative rhythm indicator, which characterize increased disorganization in the intersystem interactions of central and an independent contour of regulation of physiological functions. With an increase in seniority, typists noted an increase in the parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system by 1.3 times, as well as an increase in the autonomic regulation rate by 1.2 times, which indicates a strengthening of the autonomous regulation loop by physiological functions.

Conclusions. The workers of the main professions of the petrochemical enterprise with an increase in their seniority noted the development of long-term adaptation, which is confirmed by a decrease in the number of workers with an unsatisfactory level of adaptation and an increase in operators and drivers with a normal level of working capacity.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Objective. To provide a basis for the effective prevention of the same type of poisoning events through analyzing the causes of an occupational acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident.

Method. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to investigate the related personnel of the poisoning incident, detect poisonous and harmful gases in the air of the scene, and collect and analyze the clinical data of patients.

Result. The poisoning incident led to 1 death and 2 poisoning. All of them were male. The dead patient was 38 years old, and two injured patients were 37 and 31 years old, respectively. The day after the accident, the contents of phenol, toluene, hydrochloric acid and oxygen were determined in the reactor where the accident occurred. The results showed that the maximum concentration of phenol, toluene and hydrochloric acid (CM) was 0/m3 , which did not exceed the occupational exposure limit of harmful factors in the workplace stipulated by GBZ2.1–2007. Also, the oxygen content was 10.0%, which was lower than the oxygen content in normal air.

Conclusion. This is an acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident caused by the employing unit managers and operators’ weak awareness of occupational hygiene and safe operation. The employing unit managers and operators should strengthen occupational safety training, strictly implement the occupational health management system, and prevent such incidents.

Funding. Th e study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

When working for a long time in sedentary conditions, the human body is adversely affected by the factor of inactivity. In this regard, large groups of workers and students need post-work rehabilitation, based primarily on increasing the level of motor activity. When using existing simulators, they are faced with their insufficient motivational component.

The aim of the study was to substantiate the relevance of the development of “psychophysical coupling” simulators. The dynamics of the functional status of the examined persons after using the simulators indicates the effectiveness of their use in the process of post-work rehabilitation.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The declare no conflict of interests.

Occupational oncological diseases have a very high social significance. It is necessary to concentrate the eff orts of all interested parties in the development and implementation of effective organizational measures aimed at the timely prevention and diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of professional origin. The purpose of the study is to develop and implement organizational measures at the regional level that will help to diagnose occupational malignant neoplasms in workers whose working conditions are associated with carcinogenic risk.

A comparative analysis of the number of detected cases of occupational malignant neoplasms in Russia and European countries is presented. The reasons for the low diagnosis of occupational malignant neoplasms in Russia are identified. A routing scheme for patients with suspected malignant neoplasms of professional origin was developed.

The results of the research showed that the proposed organizational form has proved its effectiveness in the diagnosis of occupational malignant neoplasms in workers whose working conditions are associated with carcinogenic risk.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Among the entire spectrum of respiratory pathologies in workers who come into contact with harmful industrial dust factors, those with pulmonary lesions deserve special attention. It should be remembered that in addition to pneumoconiosis, it is possible to develop other combined pulmonary pathology, including tuberculosis and sarcoidosis, which significantly complicates the differential diagnosis. In practical terms, doctors, especially occupational pathologists and pulmonologists, need to conduct a comprehensive full-fledged examination of patients with suspected occupational respiratory disease, paying special attention to various extrapulmonary lesions and the severity of inflammatory laboratory changes. Identification of the systemic nature of the pathology requires the exclusion of sarcoidosis — a disease of unknown etiology that occurs with granulomatous inflammation. In particularly difficult cases, it is necessary to perform morphological verification of the diagnosis with a thorough histological examination in a specialized expert institution. However, special difficulties may arise when a lung biopsy combines manifestations of pneumoconiosis and sarcoidosis, including the possibility of developing a so-called sarcoid reaction.

A clinical observation of rare comorbidity — sarcoidosis and silicosis — in a 38-year-old woman working at a mining and processing plant who was exposed to long-term exposure to silicon-containing dust in a concentration up to 14 times higher than the MPC is presented. The performed examination did not allow to clarify the cause of pulmonary dissemination, and therefore a lung biopsy was performed, which revealed a combination of sarcoidosis and pneumoconiosis in the patient. The importance of correct diagnosis is determined by the different choice of treatment tactics for these two diseases.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

The study of the movement of donation in enterprises with harmful working conditions in Tyumen. The influence of professional factors on red blood parameters (hemoglobin concentration, number of red blood cells, ESR, hematocrit, color index) of donors with regard to gender and age was studied. According to the results of a survey of 4,267 blood donors in 2013–2016, there was an increase in the number of withdrawals from donations, due to changes in red blood indicators, in workers at enterprises with harmful working conditions. The examined men and women, whose work is associated with harmful occupational factors, showed a significant decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells. Objective hematological observations along with subjective assessments of the donors ‘own health showed the development of anemic syndrome — one of the main syndromes of lead professional pathology. It is necessary to continue searching for factors that cause an increase in the percentage of donor withdrawal due to low hemoglobin concentrations. Among the promising measures for maintaining and developing donation in enterprises with harmful working conditions, specific plans for improving health should be developed, including specific tools and conditions for improving the blood system.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

The specific features of the course of chronic occupational bronchitis (OCB) and its relationships with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OCOPD) have not been adequately investigated in the clinic of occupational pathology. The aim of the study was to study risk factors, clinical features and prognosis of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis. 222 patients (metal workers) with OCB and OCOPD were randomly selected for the study. The medical histories of diseases were studied from the initial diagnosis to the present status (in average the period of 10 years).

Patients were divided into three groups: with the initial diagnosis of OCOPD (1), with the initial diagnosis of OCB, but transformed to OCOPD (2) and the patients with the initial diagnosis of OCB (3). Patients were divided into three groups: those initially diagnosed with COPD PE made up group No. 1, those initially diagnosed with CKD PE who did not show signs of COPD PE during the annual examination made up group No. 2, and those initially diagnosed with CKD PE who showed signs of COPD PE during the dynamic examination made up group No. 3. All groups showed a decrease in spirometry parameters. FEV1 was statistically significantly decreased by 12% in group 1, by 13% in the second group and by 27% in the third group. When analyzing modified Typhno index (MTI) values in group 3, there was a statistically significant decrease in MTI from baseline by 21% (p=0.002, Z = 2.9, Wilcoxon test). In 52 people out of 156 (or 34.6%) with the initial diagnosis of OCB, a manifestation of OCOPD occurred during the observation period. Two phenotypes of chronic bronchitis were distinguished: with favorable and unfavorable prognoses. Patients with OCB, after establishing a professional diagnosis, should be recommended to rational employment out of exposure to industrial aerosols, due to the high risk of disease progression.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Vibration disease (VD) is one of the most common occupational diseases. It is characterized by complex symptoms of the clinical picture. The study of the features of the course of VD of different severity from the position of metabolic disorders is an urgent issue, since it will allow to establish the most significant prognostic indicators in the future. Production vibration early enough leads to a shift in serum levels of higher fatty acids (HFA). This is largely due to the fact that HFA are structural units of lipids of cell membranes and precursors of biologically active mediators, are actively involved in the processes of energy supply. At present, there is no information on whether there is a reliable relationship between this indicator and the severity of clinical manifestations of VD.

The aim of the study was to study the dependence of changes in the concentration levels of fatty acids, reflecting the specifics of metabolic disorders in VD, on the severity of pathological manifestations.

The study of blood serum of workers of vibration-dangerous professions with vibration disease established in the clinic was carried out. The fatty acid composition of blood serum was studied using a gas chromatographic complex equipped with a flame ionization detector and a capillary column with a polyethylene glycol phase modified with nitroterephthalic acid. It is established that the complication of the clinical picture of vibration pathology on the background of authentic level shift s HFA: eicosatrienoic and arachidonic in males, γ-linolenic and eicosatrienoic in women. In addition, men tend to increase the levels of nervonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids with worsening of the degree of VD. Compared with workers exposed to vibration, but without pathological disorders, men have high levels of nervonic and docosahexaenoic, women-nervonic and palmitoleic acids.

With varying degrees of severity of clinical manifestations of vibration pathology, certain changes in the metabolism of the HFA are observed. The nature of shift s in their concentration levels reflects the depth of violations of energy exchange reactions, synthesis of Pro-and anti-inflammatory mediators, membrane-pathological processes. The study of fatty-acid composition of blood serum in VD has prognostic value of detected level shift s and HFA can be estimated, what the metabolic process in the body of the examinee was subjected to the most grave violations, and to adjust the complex of therapeutic measures.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

The features of production factors established at the main workplaces of shoe production are considered. The materials on the results of the study of the functional state of the central nervous system of women workers of shoe production in the dynamics of the working day are presented. The level of functional state of the central nervous system was determined by the speed of visual and auditory-motor reactions, installed using the universal device chronoreflexometer. It was revealed that in the body of workers of shoe production there is an early development of inhibitory processes in the central nervous system, which is expressed in an increase in the number of errors when performing tasks on proofreading tables. It was found that the most pronounced shift s in auditory-motor responses were observed in professional groups, where higher levels of noise were registered in the workplace. The correlation analysis showed a close direct relationship between the growth of mistakes made in the market and the decrease in production. An increase in the time spent on the task indicates the occurrence and growth of production fatigue.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.