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Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology

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No 7 (2020)
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https://doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2020-7

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

424-434 907
Abstract

Introduction. The article presents the materials of a pilot study conducted during the rapid forced transition of educational organizations in the Russian Federation to the implementation of educational activities in a remote (distant) format.

The aim of study is a hygienic assessment of the use of information and communication technologies and features of the lifestyle of teachers during the organization of distance learning.

Materials and methods. A comparative analysis of the survey data was conducted (a questionnaire developed by teachers of the Department of hygiene of the faculty of Pediatrics of the Pirogov Russian State Medical University, the teachers of general education institutions, secondary and higher professional education on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the process of training in traditional and remote format, the issues of subjective evaluation by teachers of the impact of modern gadgets and time of their use on their health, as well as analyze the level of competence of teachers in matters of students’ health preservation and conservation of his health. A total of 1,452 teachers were interviewed, the main share being women (about 80%) living in various cities of Russia.

Results. School teachers and university teachers in general adequately assess the risk of behavioral factors of irrational use of electronic devices (ED) on the state of health. However, there is a group of teachers who “underestimate the risk of exposure” (about 20%), and their number increased in March-April 2020, i.e. during the transition to remote training. Online training has an impact on the state of the body of both the student and the teacher.
Comparative analysis showed that in the period of distance learning has increased the amount of used power plant; several times increased screen time; increased burden on the state of the visual analyzer, musculoskeletal system; has changed the way of life of teachers, significantly increased neuro-emotional voltage.
The obtained data confirm the feasibility of further research in this direction, the need to normalize the work of teachers in the new conditions of remote work in an online format in order to preserve their health.

Conclusions. The transfer of the educational process to a remote format contributes to a significant increase in the load on individual functional systems of the teacher’s body, which negatively affects the state of his health.

435-442 710
Abstract

Introduction. Performing flights on modern types of aircraft is accompanied by an increase in the role of process automation, changes in the structure of the pilot’s information field, an increase in the number of controlled indicators throughout the flight time and, as a result, an increase in sensory loads that contribute to the development of chronic depletion of functional reserves of the body and fatigue of the pilot, which can cause accidents and plane crashes.

The aim of the study is to assess the sensory loads of members of flight crews of civil aviation aircraft when they perform regular operating procedures in a Training center on fully functional complex simulators for training cadets, flight, dispatcher and technical personnel of civil aviation.

Materials and methods. A hygienic study was conducted to assess the sensory loads of pilots in the framework of performing simulation flights on full-featured complex simulators in strict step-by-step accordance with the manual for flight operation of the aircraft (33 flights were performed with the participation of 66 pilots aged 30–55 years).

Results. The data obtained indicate high levels of sensory loads in pilots, which are 9.5 times higher than the maximum values set by the Management of R 2.2.2006–05 and MI NTP. INT–17.01–2018. For 4 of the 6 evaluated indicators, sensory loads corresponded to class 3.2.

Conclusions. The general assessment of the labor intensity class for members of flight crews of civil aviation aircraft on the set of sensory loads corresponds to harmful strenuous work of the 3rd degree (4 indicators of sensory loads with class 3.2). The results of the study are the basis for the approval of new hygienic criteria for establishing a class of working conditions for certain indicators of sensory loads for members of flight crews of the aircraft of the civil aviation (CA) with the addition of their class 3.3. A real assessment of the pilot’s labor intensity should be obtained only on the basis of time-based measurements performed as part of a step-by-step analysis of the aircraft’s flight operation manual.

443-449 1020
Abstract

Introduction. In order to improve the efficiency of the staff of state bodies, an urgent task is to optimize the methods of prehire evaluation of candidates. In the practice of professional diagnostics of personnel, character accentuations usually become contraindications to employment. However, there is scientific evidence that character accentuations can, on the contrary, contribute to positive personal development. The study adopted a scientific hypothesis that certain characterological features are necessary for the effective implementation of various types of professional activities.

The aim of the study is to identify “profile character accentuations” in effective employees of various law enforcement agencies that have a positive impact on the performance of a particular professional activity.

Materials and methods. The sample included 5,237 law enforcement officers from 24 regions of Russia. Among them, 1,653 effective employees were selected, which had character accentuations. The respondents belonged to different divisions according to the type of activity they perform: analytical and legal, communication and information, inspection and communication, transport and inspection, and expert and analytical activities. The MMPI method was used to identify accentuations (Berezin F.B., Miroshnikov M.P., Sokolova E.D., 2011).

Results. It is established that the profile of character accentuations differs depending on the level of efficiency of the employee and his professional duties. The personal profile of effective employees performing analytical and legal activities is characterized by an increase in the scales of male or female traits, hypomania and social introversion (p<0.05). In the personal profile of effective employees who perform communication and information activities, the variables of hypochondria, hysteria, psychasthenia and introversion are significant (p<0.05). The personal profile of effective employees performing inspection and communication activities is characterized by a decrease in the scales of hypochondria, psychopathy, psychasthenia and schizoidy (p<0.05). The personal profile of effective employees performing transport inspection activities is characterized by a decrease in the scales of depression, psychasthenia and hypomania (p<0.05). The personal profile of effective employees engaged in expert and analytical activities is characterized by a decrease in the variables of hypochondria, psychopathy, psychasthenia, schizoidism, and introversion (p<0.05).

Conclusions. The results of the study confirm that using the technology of forecasting professional performance based on the personal profile of the applicant, it is possible to optimize the professional activities of people, improve the quality of their self-realization and involvement.

450-455 541
Abstract

Introduction. Determining the professional performance, endurance and stress resistance of power dispatchers who manage all power supply devices on the railway is one of the essential aspects of ensuring train safety.

The aim of the study is to determine the criteria for professional performance, endurance and the probability of developing professional stress by analyzing the psychophysiological parameters of railway power dispatchers.

Materials and methods. Psychophysiological studies were conducted to assess stress resistance; emotional stability; attention stability; attention switching; interference stability, attention distribution, and overall functional status in 63 energy dispatchers (40 men and 23 women; average age 40.6±10.68 years, experience 13.4±1.25 years).

Results. Based on the degree of intellectual, sensory, emotional and regime loads, according to the degree of labor intensity, the labor activity of energy dispatchers can be classified as class 3.2. It is shown that these psychophysiological parameters are the most significant for professional activity and allow an adequate assessment of their performance and professional fitness. In the absence of a significant dependence of the parameters of attention distribution, attention stability, reflecting the characteristics of mental fatigue and stability, on the age, length of service and gender of energy dispatchers, some gender features were identified for other indicators. Women were found to have a slightly higher noise immunity compared to men, apparently due to the predominance of excitatory processes over inhibitory ones, with greater stability and balance of excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system in men. This was accompanied by less emotional and stress resistance of female energy dispatchers, which may be a criterion for earlier development of professional stress in women. Additionally, an express test to assess the functional state also showed deeper manifestations of professional stress in female energy dispatchers,which may affect the quality of their professional activities.

Conclusions. The high adequacy and resolution of the applied set of methods for assessing the performance of dispatchers and early detection of manifestations of occupational stress is shown, and gender differences in the manifestations of the latter require further development of additional measures to prevent health disorders and increase the productivity of women energy dispatchers.

456-461 756
Abstract

Introduction. Despite the improvement of mining technologies and personal protective equipment for employees, working conditions in the mining industry create an increased risk of occupational diseases.

The aim of the study is to compare the working conditions and features of professional pathology of miners in the production of iron, apatite and copper — nickel ore in the Kola Polar region.

Materials and methods. The data of social and hygienic monitoring on the section “Working conditions and occupational morbidity” of the population of the Murmansk region in 2007–2017 were studied.

Results. It was found that in 2007–2017, there was no significant improvement in the working conditions of the studied groups of employees of mining enterprises. The structure of professional pathology of miners was still dominated by vibration disease (37.0%), radiculopathy (23.8%), mono-polyneuropathy (15.5%), sensorineural hearing loss (15.5%), and among the etiologically significant harmful industrial factors — the severity of labor (54.1%), general vibration (23.8%) and noise (13.1%). During the observation period, occupational morbidity in the mining of iron and copper-nickel ore decreased significantly, while in the mining of apatite ore it tended to increase. There is no causal relationship between changes in working conditions and the level of occupational morbidity of miners.

Conclusions. It is necessary to improve the quality of hygienic and clinical research when conducting a special assessment of working conditions and periodic medical examinations to obtain an objective assessment of occupational health risks for miners in the Kola Polar region.

462-467 712
Abstract

Introduction. The profession of “machine operator in metalworking”, one of the most common professions in various industries, characterized by a large volume of abrasive operations, accompanied by dust formation, which creates a potential for the occurrence of diseases of the visual organ.

The aim of the study is to provide a hygienic assessment of working conditions and occupational risk of visual organ pathology in metalworking machine operators.

Materials and methods. Observation groups — machine operators for metalworking of two training groups (experience up to 5 years, experience of 6–20 years). Two comparison groups (administrative and technical personnel of the enterprise) are formed according to the same age-experience principle.

Results. The working conditions of machine operators were classified as class 3.2. taking into account the severity and intensity of the work process and the noise level (80 dBA) in the workplace. Nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and manganese were registered in the air of the working area in concentrations below the permissible concentration (PC), and the aerosol dihydroxide was registered above the PC in 25.8% of cases. In the main working groups, diseases of the anterior segment of the eye were more often registered, among which dry eye syndrome (DYS) prevailed (94.1%), chronic blepharoconjunctivitis (79.9%), persistent corneal opacification (21.7%). There was an increase in the prevalence of detected diseases with an increase in work experience (p≤0.05). In machine operators, the frequency of inhibition of lacrimal formation and decreased stability of the tear film was recorded significantly more often, with increasing work experience, the degree of violation of lacrimal formation and stability of the tear film increased. The chances of detecting pathology of the anterior segment of the eye in machine operators are 5.9 and 3.5 times higher than in the comparison group. There are different forces of connection, increasing with the increase of work experience in the profession, between the working conditions of machine operators and the occurrence of SHG (relatively strong), with chronic blepharoconjunctivitis and persistent corneal opacity (medium strength), which suggests the professional conditionality of this pathology.

Conclusions. The results obtained suggest that the pathology of the anterior segment of the eye is professionally conditioned in metalworking machine operators and necessitate the introduction of preventive measures aimed at protecting the visual organ.

468-473 501
Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the volume activity of radioactive waste (RW) by surface and specific alpha contamination using portable gamma-spectrometry.

Materials and methods. Methods of rapid assessment of the content of α-emitting radionuclides in solid waste of various morphologies using gamma-spectrometers based on germanium detectors are considered. Computational methods for determining the effectiveness of radionuclide registration are presented.

Results. The possibility of using portable gamma-ray spectrometry to assess the surface and specific activity of various materials contaminated with α-emitters (232Th, 235U, 238U, 237Np, 239Pu, 240Pu and 241Am) is shown. The calculated values of the registration efficiency of low-energy gamma-emitters obtained by modeling the spatial-energy parameters of the detector are given.
To simplify the solution of this problem, the calculation program used 20 standard templates of various geometries (rectangular, cylindrical, conical, spherical, etc.). The main sources of error in the survey of contaminated surfaces, largesized equipment and building structures were investigated.

Conclusions. The possibilities of portable γ-spectrometry for estimating the volume of RW based on the surface density of contamination of materials with radionuclides of uranium and transuranic elements are investigated. When using γ-spectrometer with a high-purity germanium detector with a range of γ-quanta extended in the low-energy region, radionuclides such as 232Th, 235U,238U, 237Np, 241Am were determined by their own radiation or by the radiation of their daughter products.
The “problem” element is plutonium, for rapid evaluation of which it is proposed, in accordance with the radionuclide vector methodology, to use 241Am, which accumulates during the β-decay of 241Pu.
According to calculations, the most likely value of the activity ratio 239Pu/241Am for the object where the work was performed (scaling factor) varies in the range from 5.0 to 9.0.
Based on the results of calculations and experimental studies, the parameters of the efficiency of registration of various α-emitting radionuclides by portable γ-spectrometers. It has been found that for germanium detectors with an absolute efficiency of registering a point source of 7÷15%, it is n×10–5÷n×10–4%.

FOR THE PRACTICAL MEDICINE

474-478 544
Abstract

Pain in the hands is a key symptom of professional upper limb polyneuropathy. Its occurrence is caused by physical overloads and functional overstrain of the upper limb muscles, leading to traumatization of peripheral nerve fibers due to tension or damage to the nerve endings in the tense muscle in conditions of a pronounced decrease in blood flow.
The aim of study was to study the features of pain syndrome in professional polyneuropathies is an important task, the solution of which can contribute to more effective treatment of the main clinical manifestations of this disease.
We examined 236 patients with a diagnosis of occupational upper limb polyneuropathy aged 18 to 65 years without significant comorbidities. The study was conducted using standard questionnaires (DN4 neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire, short pain questionnaire, hospital scale of anxiety and depression).
The DN4 questionnaire survey revealed the presence of a neuropathic component of pain syndrome in 91.4% of patients. Quantitative assessment of pain using a short pain questionnaire confirmed the high intensity of pain in the hands of patients, as well as its impact on professional activities and other areas of life. In addition, most of the examined individuals showed signs of subclinical and clinical anxiety and depression.
Pain in the hands is a key symptom of professional upper limb polyneuropathy. Its occurrence is caused by physical overloads and functional overstrain of the upper limb muscles, leading to traumatization of peripheral nerve fibers due to tension or damage to the nerve endings in the tense muscle in conditions of a pronounced decrease in blood flow. The study of the features of pain syndrome in professional polyneuropathies is an important task, the solution of which can contribute to more effective treatment of the main clinical manifestations of this disease.
We examined 236 patients with a diagnosis of occupational upper limb polyneuropathy aged 18 to 65 years without significant comorbidities. The study was conducted using standard questionnaires (DN4 neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire, short pain questionnaire, hospital scale of anxiety and depression).
The DN4 questionnaire survey revealed the presence of a neuropathic component of pain syndrome in 91.4% of patients. Quantitative assessment of pain using a short pain questionnaire confirmed the high intensity of pain in the hands of patients, as well as its impact on professional activities and other areas of life. In addition, most of the examined individuals showed signs of subclinical and clinical anxiety and depression.
Hand pain in patients with occupational polyneuropathy is a complex problem due to its high intensity, long-term chronic course and impact on many aspects of the patient’s daily life. The disease is characterized by a mixed nociceptive-neuropathic nature of the pain syndrome. This explains the persistence of pain for many years after the termination of contact with the etiological harmful production factor (physical overload) and the low effectiveness of conventional courses of conservative therapy. Persistent symptoms of professional upper limb polyneuropathy, confirmed by clinical and instrumental methods of diagnosis, dictate the need to search for new methods of therapy aimed at reducing patient complaints and clinical manifestations of the disease.

479-483 712
Abstract

According to Rosstat forecasts for the period up to 2026, in the next 15–20 years, the population will decrease due to a decrease in the number of people of working age due to a low birth rate, a high death rate of the working-age population, an increase in morbidity and disability. One of the most common diseases among employees is the peripheral nervous system, which is detected in 32.3–58.0% of the surveyed employees of industrial enterprises. They make up 55.7–66.0% of the total occupational morbidity.
The purpose of the study is to assess the degree of professional disability in occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system. The analysis of occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system for the years 2015–2017, its structure on the materials of the Occupational Medicine Centre of the Republic and the results of their primary medical and social examination (MSE) according to the acts of examination the national Bureau of MSE to assess the occupational disability in occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
It was found that in 2015–2017, the average level of occupational morbidity due to diseases of the peripheral nervous system was 0.54 per 10 thousand working population of the Republic. The most frequent are sciatica of the lumbosacral level–0.29 o / o, which occupy more than half (53.4%) of the total occupational morbidity due to diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system were detected in the machine-building, metallurgical, mining, agricultural, oil-producing and construction sectors of the economy. Almost all (93.9 per cent) who applied to Bureau of MSE was installed, the percentage of occupational disability for a period of one year. The vast majority (73.2%) of those who applied to the MSE office found 30% loss of professional ability to work. In the year of establishment of an occupational disease, 65.0% of professional patients are referred to the Bureau of medical and social expertise (MSE). They continue to work at their previous workplace and are exposed to the same harmful and dangerous working conditions.
Effective prevention of occupational diseases and labor losses from them requires building an integrated system that combines primary, secondary and tertiary measures (rehabilitation by individual program) of prevention with the development of clear measures of responsibility for all those interested in a healthy employee.

BRIEF REPORTS

484-488 472
Abstract

At the present stage of development of labor physiology, the issues of scientific substantiation of research methods for the professional suitability of candidates for military specialties and their new instrumentation remain relevant in connection with the increasing requirements of the profession to the psychophysiological capabilities and qualities of employees.

The aim of study is to assess the predictive ability of the biometric video analytics system (for example, the “MIX-GT–19” complex) to determine the professional fitness of military personnel.

The method of videoculographic recording of responses was used to examine young men aged 17–20 years, classified in different categories of professional aptitude, when answering questions from two types of express questionnaires (adaptation and deviant behavior).

A classification of modern systems of biometric video analytics is proposed. The principles of their operation and functionality are described. The prognostic ability of the MIX-GT–19 complex was evaluated by identifying the correlation of its operation with the MLO “Adaptability” method of operation. The results of research conducted using the “MIX-GT–19” complex are presented. The prospects for its further development and application are described.

The physiological efficiency of using hardware and software complex (HSC) based on eye-tracker technology for the purposes of professional selection by studying psychophysiological and behavioral responses is established.

JUBILEES



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ISSN 1026-9428 (Print)
ISSN 2618-8945 (Online)