In our final guest blog for Men’s Health Week, Jani Ruotsalainen from the Cochrane Occupational SafetyRefers to serious adverse effects, such as those that threaten life, require or prolong hospitalization, result in permanent disability, or cause birth defects. and Health Group looks at the hazards of being a ‘he’ at work and the evidence on things that might help men stay safe.
Men’s Health Forum runs a Men’s Health Week from June 9th to June 15th. Being a bloke and knowing a thing or two about occupational safety and health, I was asked to write a little something about keeping us chaps healthy and alive at work. I was happy to oblige. The intention here is to slap some evidence-based sense into the especially macho end of the spectrum in my fellow trouser-sporting half of the species.
Being a bloke at work is a dangerous business
Safer sex?
Truck drivers and soldiers are also mostly guys and due to the nature of their work spend long times away from home. This often leads
Safer sharp things for surgeons?
And when it comes to safety measures, you might think that men with a higher level of education, such as surgeons, would be more willing to adopt them but no. Operating theatres are also dominated by those with Y-chromosomes and they are equally reticent when it comes to improving their own safety. We showed that by using blunt suture needles instead of sharp ones whenever possible would reduce needlestick injuries in half. When the patient has HIV or Hepatitis C, it can take just one little prick of a needle on the surgeon’s own finger to transmit that nasty virus. Still most surgeons are willing to take the risk so that they can better display their skills.
Are lifting machines for wimps?
Real men wear ear defenders
Noise is another big favourite for us gents. Factories, airport runways and the like can be pretty noisy places. Thankfully wearing hearing
Groovy evidence for guys on staying safe at work!
The writer is the Managing Editor of the Cochrane Occupational Safety and Health Review Group. He is an author on a handful of Cochrane reviews and a blog on evidence-based medicine. He is also an exercise freak (cross-country skiing to work is the best!), sci-fi geek and P.G. Wodehouse enthusiast and he sings in a choir but otherwise he’s almost normal.
Links:
van der Molen HF, Lehtola MM, Lappalainen J, Hoonakker PLT, Hsiao H, Haslam R, Hale AR, Frings-Dresen MHW, Verbeek JH. Interventions to prevent injuries in construction workers. Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsIn systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. 2012, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD006251. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006251.pub3. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD006251/interventions-to-reduce-injuries-in-construction-workers
Rautiainen R, Lehtola MM, Day LM, Schonstein E, Suutarinen J, Salminen S, Verbeek JH. Interventions for preventing injuries in the agricultural industry. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006398. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006398.pub2. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD006398/interventions-for-preventing-injuries-in-the-agricultural-industry
Ojo O, Verbeek JH, Rasanen K, Heikkinen J, Isotalo LK, Mngoma N, Ruotsalainen E. Interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour for preventing HIV infection in workers in occupational settings. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD005274. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005274.pub3. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD005274/workplace-interventions-can-reduce-risky-sexual-behaviours-among-workers.
Johnson WD, Diaz RM, Flanders WD, Goodman M, Hill AN, Holtgrave D, Malow R, McClellan WM. Behavioral interventions to reduce risk for sexual transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001230. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001230.pub2. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001230/behavioral-interventions-can-reduce-unprotected-sex-among-men-who-have-sex-with-men-msm.
Parantainen A, Verbeek JH, Lavoie MC, Pahwa M. Blunt versus sharp suture needles for preventing percutaneous exposure incidents in surgical staff. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD009170. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009170.pub2. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD009170/the-use-of-blunt-needles-compared-to-sharp-needles-for-preventing-needle-stick-injuries-in-surgical-staff
Verbeek JH, Martimo KP, Karppinen J, Kuijer PPFM, Viikari-Juntura E, Takala EP. Manual material handling advice and assistive devices for preventing and treating back pain in workers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD005958. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005958.pub3.Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD005958/advice-on-material-handling-techniques-and-using-assistive-devices-to-prevent-and-treat-back-pain-in-workers
Verbeek JH, Kateman E, Morata TC, Dreschler WA, Mischke C. Interventions to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD006396. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006396.pub3. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD006396/interventions-to-prevent-hearing-loss-caused-by-noise-at-work
Ruotsalainen JH, Sellman J, Lehto L, Jauhiainen M, Verbeek JH. Interventions for treating functional dysphonia in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD006373. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006373.pub2. Cochrane summary http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD006372/interventions-for-preventing-voice-disorders-in-adults