Paulo Antonio Barros Oliveira

Acidentes de trabalho: violência urbana e morte em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

This article focuses on the magnitude of work-related deaths in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Death certificates were used to investigate 159 cases, or 18% of the 877 deaths from external causes in 1992. Some 31 cases were identified. The principal cause of death among these workers was homicide, with 58% of cases (15 from fire arms and 3 from knives), followed by traffic accidents, with 29% (5 motor vehicle collisions and 4 pedestrians run down by motor vehicles). Of these 31 deaths, 17 were workers from the formal labor market, of whom 11 did not fit into the regular reporting procedures for work-related accidents. The other 14 deaths were of workers from the informal labor market (7), individuals involved in illicit activities (6), and unknown (1), in which cases reporting as work-related accidents was also inappropriate. These data suggest negligence by the public sector in dealing with this issue and the fact that official statistics fail to reflect the reality of daily working conditions. The authors conclude that health surveillance requires other data collection mechanisms besides those used by the Social Welfare System, so as to include all actual risks related to work situations.

LER/DORT na terceira década da reestruturação bancária: novos fatores associados?

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of cases suggestive of repetitive strain injury/work-related musculoskeletal disorders (RSI/WRMSD), three decades after restructuring of banking. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study on 356 employees in 27 bank branches of public and private banks in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, between April and August 2009. After crude statistical analysis, adjustments were made using a Poisson regression model with robust variance and a three-level hierarchy that incorporated the design structure and adjustments for the clusters. The results were stratified according to the size of the bank branch and were dichotomized (> 25; ≤ 25 employees). RESULTS The prevalence of cases suggestive of RSI/WRMSD was lower among the men (PR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.47-0.81). Workers aged 26 to 45 years (PR = 2.51; 95%CI 1.02;6.14) presented greater prevalence of this outcome. Individuals with postgraduate qualifications (PR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.22;0.90) and length of time in the job between 5.1 and 15 years (PR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.47;0.81) presented protection against RSI/WRMSD. On stratifying the analyses according to size, it was found that age, income and length of time in the job remained associated in branches with 25 employees or fewer, while in branches with more than 25 employees, sex and schooling level were associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of importance in relation to bank employees who become ill due to rsi/wrmsd seem to be different today from those that were known historically. greater attention to organizing work and management strategies should be taken into consideration in drawing up illness prevention programs for banking work.OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de casos sugerentes de LER/DORT y factores asociados tres decadas posteriores a la restructuracion bancaria. METODOS: Estudio transversal con 356 funcionarios de 27 agencias bancarias de las redes publicas y privada de Porto Alegre, Sur de Brasil, entre abril y agosto de 2009. Se utilizo analisis estadistico bruto y ajustado por el modelo de Regresion de Poisson con varianza Robusta, conducida por el modelo jerarquico en tres niveles, incorporandose la estructura del delineamiento y ajuste para los conglomerados. Los resultados fueron estratificados por porte de la agencia y clasificados por dicotomias (>25; <25 funcionarios). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de casos sugerentes de LER/DORT fue menor en los hombres (RP = 0,62 IC95% 0,47;0,81). Trabajadores con edad entre 26 y 45 anos (RP = 2,51 IC95% 1,02;6,14) presentaron mayor prevalencia de resultado. Individuos con postgrado (RP = 0,45 IC95% 0,22;0,90) y tiempo en la funcion entre 5,1 y 15 anos (RP = 0,62 IC95% 0,47;0,81) presentaron factor de proteccion para los casos sugerentes de LER/DORT. Al estratificar los analisis por porte, en las agencias con 25 funcionarios o menos, edad, renta y tiempo en la funcion permanecieron asociados, mientras que en las agencias con mas de 25 funcionarios, sexo y escolaridad se asociaron al resultado. CONCLUSIONES: Aspectos importantes en las enfermedades por LER/DORT entre bancarios parecen ser hoy en dia diferentes a los historicamente conocidos. Mayor atencion a la organizacion del trabajo y a las estrategias de gestion deberia ser considerada en la elaboracion de programas de prevencion de enfermedades en el trabajo bancario.

Processo de trabalho e condições de trabalho em frigoríficos de aves: relato de uma experiência de vigilância em saúde do trabalhador

This article presents the report of a survey on health surveillance activities performed in poultry processing plants in the south of Brazil. It aims to contribute to an understanding of the work process developed, the growth of the sector, the organization of labor and the confrontation with the economic model of this sector, which has been exposing employees to working conditions that undermine their health. The working conditions identified are considered largely incompatible with health and human dignity. The study supports interinstitutional intervention, especially with the Public Ministry of Labor, criticizes the weak implementation of specific government interventions in health conditions in the industry and introduces the new Regulatory Standard 36 as a positive perspective for the near future.

1014 Is workplace bullying an independent risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders? a study with brazilian civil servants

Introduction Workplace bullying has been described as an important determinant for many health outcomes, such as depression, suicidal ideation and sleeping problems. However its role as a possible determinant of musculoskeletal disorders is still on discussion. We aimed to evaluate the independent association between workplace bullying and neck/upper limb musculoskeletal pain in a sample of Brazilian civil servants. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of 1616 workers from the Brazilian Federal Judiciary. The Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ-r) was used to measure bullying at work and an adapted version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate neck and upper limb musculoskeletal pain. Poisson and logistic regressions were used to test and estimate associations of interest, controlling for confounders. Results The overall prevalence of frequent (weekly or daily) neck and upper limb musculoskeletal pain was 49.9%. The prevalence of workplace bullying was 17.0%. In the regression analysis controlling for social, demographic and occupational confounders, workers exposed to bullying (weekly or daily negative acts) presented a 2.04-fold higher prevalence of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal pain than those who did not suffer bullying (p<0.001). Discussion Our findings suggest that workplace bullying can be an independent risk factor for musculoskeletal pain in workers. New longitudinal studies are needed in order elucidate the role of workplace bullying in determining occupational musculoskeletal disorders.

991 Work organisation as the main determinant of workplace bullying: an epidemiological and aetiological approach

Introduction Workplace bullying has been currently described as one of the main psychosocial factors at work that reflects in workers’ health. Its determination has been increasingly discussed in literature. We aimed to evaluate the association between work organisation and bullying in a Brazilian Civil Servants sample, in order to understand this phenomenon. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of 2073 workers from the Brazilian Federal Judiciary. Work Context Assessment Scale (EACT) was used to evaluate dimensions of work organisation (OT), working conditions (CT) and interpersonal relationships (RSS). The Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ-r) was used to measure bullying. Poisson and logistic regression models were used to test associations of interest, controlling for confounders. Results The overall prevalence of bullying (exposure to a weekly negative act) was 17.0%. In the regression analyses controlling for social, demographic and occupational confounders, all factors of the work context, when classified as severe, were strongly associated with bullying (p<0.01), increasing the prevalence of the outcome in 10.4 (OT), 3.6 (CT) and 11.0 (RS) times. After including working context as a covariate in the model, in order to verify the isolated effect of each dimension, severe OT and RS remained strongly associated with bullying (Prevalence ratio=4.8 and 6.5, respectively, p<0.01). Discussion These findings corroborate the hypothesis that work organisation is one of the main determinants of workplace bullying. Labour characteristics of this public service and the quality of instruments support an adequate temporality between exposure and outcome. Interventions to eliminate bullying and protect workers health should focus on work organisation and work processes.

1007 Association between workplace bullying and common mental disorders in brazilian civil servants

Introduction Bullying has been described in literature as an important determinant for workers mental health. We aimed to evaluate the association between workplace bullying and common mental disorders in a sample of Brazilian civil servants. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of 1883 workers from the Brazilian Federal Judiciary. The Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ-r) was used to measure bullying at work and the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to evaluate Common Mental Disorders (CMD). Poisson and logistic regressions were used to test associations of interest, controlling for confounders. Results The overall prevalence of CMD was 27.1%. The prevalence of workplace bullying was 17.0%. In the regression analysis controlling for social, demographic and occupational confounders, workers exposed to occasional bullying (now and then or monthly negative acts) was associated with a 2.17-fold higher prevalence of CMD (p<0.001). Subjects exposed to bullying frequently (weekly or daily negative acts) presented a 4.78-fold higher prevalence of CMD than those who did not suffer bullying (p<0.001). Discussion Very few studies on the association between bullying and mental health in low and middle income countries are published. Our findings corroborate the results of longitudinal studies from high-income countries, where bullying appears to be an important determinant of worse mental health. Prevention actions to eliminate bullying in organisations are urgent, in order to preserve workers mental health. Civil servants are at high risk of being exposed to bullying, worsening their health condition.

LER/DORT en la tercera década de la restructuración bancaria: nuevos factores asociados?

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of cases suggestive of repetitive strain injury/work-related musculoskeletal disorders (RSI/WRMSD), three decades after restructuring of banking. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study on 356 employees in 27 bank branches of public and private banks in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, between April and August 2009. After crude statistical analysis, adjustments were made using a Poisson regression model with robust variance and a three-level hierarchy that incorporated the design structure and adjustments for the clusters. The results were stratified according to the size of the bank branch and were dichotomized (> 25; ≤ 25 employees). RESULTS The prevalence of cases suggestive of RSI/WRMSD was lower among the men (PR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.47-0.81). Workers aged 26 to 45 years (PR = 2.51; 95%CI 1.02;6.14) presented greater prevalence of this outcome. Individuals with postgraduate qualifications (PR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.22;0.90) and length of time in the job between 5.1 and 15 years (PR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.47;0.81) presented protection against RSI/WRMSD. On stratifying the analyses according to size, it was found that age, income and length of time in the job remained associated in branches with 25 employees or fewer, while in branches with more than 25 employees, sex and schooling level were associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of importance in relation to bank employees who become ill due to rsi/wrmsd seem to be different today from those that were known historically. greater attention to organizing work and management strategies should be taken into consideration in drawing up illness prevention programs for banking work.OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de casos sugerentes de LER/DORT y factores asociados tres decadas posteriores a la restructuracion bancaria. METODOS: Estudio transversal con 356 funcionarios de 27 agencias bancarias de las redes publicas y privada de Porto Alegre, Sur de Brasil, entre abril y agosto de 2009. Se utilizo analisis estadistico bruto y ajustado por el modelo de Regresion de Poisson con varianza Robusta, conducida por el modelo jerarquico en tres niveles, incorporandose la estructura del delineamiento y ajuste para los conglomerados. Los resultados fueron estratificados por porte de la agencia y clasificados por dicotomias (>25; <25 funcionarios). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de casos sugerentes de LER/DORT fue menor en los hombres (RP = 0,62 IC95% 0,47;0,81). Trabajadores con edad entre 26 y 45 anos (RP = 2,51 IC95% 1,02;6,14) presentaron mayor prevalencia de resultado. Individuos con postgrado (RP = 0,45 IC95% 0,22;0,90) y tiempo en la funcion entre 5,1 y 15 anos (RP = 0,62 IC95% 0,47;0,81) presentaron factor de proteccion para los casos sugerentes de LER/DORT. Al estratificar los analisis por porte, en las agencias con 25 funcionarios o menos, edad, renta y tiempo en la funcion permanecieron asociados, mientras que en las agencias con mas de 25 funcionarios, sexo y escolaridad se asociaron al resultado. CONCLUSIONES: Aspectos importantes en las enfermedades por LER/DORT entre bancarios parecen ser hoy en dia diferentes a los historicamente conocidos. Mayor atencion a la organizacion del trabajo y a las estrategias de gestion deberia ser considerada en la elaboracion de programas de prevencion de enfermedades en el trabajo bancario.

RSI/WRMSD in the third decade after restructuring of banking: new associated factors?

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of cases suggestive of repetitive strain injury/work-related musculoskeletal disorders (RSI/WRMSD), three decades after restructuring of banking. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study on 356 employees in 27 bank branches of public and private banks in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, between April and August 2009. After crude statistical analysis, adjustments were made using a Poisson regression model with robust variance and a three-level hierarchy that incorporated the design structure and adjustments for the clusters. The results were stratified according to the size of the bank branch and were dichotomized (> 25; ≤ 25 employees). RESULTS The prevalence of cases suggestive of RSI/WRMSD was lower among the men (PR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.47-0.81). Workers aged 26 to 45 years (PR = 2.51; 95%CI 1.02;6.14) presented greater prevalence of this outcome. Individuals with postgraduate qualifications (PR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.22;0.90) and length of time in the job between 5.1 and 15 years (PR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.47;0.81) presented protection against RSI/WRMSD. On stratifying the analyses according to size, it was found that age, income and length of time in the job remained associated in branches with 25 employees or fewer, while in branches with more than 25 employees, sex and schooling level were associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of importance in relation to bank employees who become ill due to rsi/wrmsd seem to be different today from those that were known historically. greater attention to organizing work and management strategies should be taken into consideration in drawing up illness prevention programs for banking work.OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de casos sugerentes de LER/DORT y factores asociados tres decadas posteriores a la restructuracion bancaria. METODOS: Estudio transversal con 356 funcionarios de 27 agencias bancarias de las redes publicas y privada de Porto Alegre, Sur de Brasil, entre abril y agosto de 2009. Se utilizo analisis estadistico bruto y ajustado por el modelo de Regresion de Poisson con varianza Robusta, conducida por el modelo jerarquico en tres niveles, incorporandose la estructura del delineamiento y ajuste para los conglomerados. Los resultados fueron estratificados por porte de la agencia y clasificados por dicotomias (>25; <25 funcionarios). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de casos sugerentes de LER/DORT fue menor en los hombres (RP = 0,62 IC95% 0,47;0,81). Trabajadores con edad entre 26 y 45 anos (RP = 2,51 IC95% 1,02;6,14) presentaron mayor prevalencia de resultado. Individuos con postgrado (RP = 0,45 IC95% 0,22;0,90) y tiempo en la funcion entre 5,1 y 15 anos (RP = 0,62 IC95% 0,47;0,81) presentaron factor de proteccion para los casos sugerentes de LER/DORT. Al estratificar los analisis por porte, en las agencias con 25 funcionarios o menos, edad, renta y tiempo en la funcion permanecieron asociados, mientras que en las agencias con mas de 25 funcionarios, sexo y escolaridad se asociaron al resultado. CONCLUSIONES: Aspectos importantes en las enfermedades por LER/DORT entre bancarios parecen ser hoy en dia diferentes a los historicamente conocidos. Mayor atencion a la organizacion del trabajo y a las estrategias de gestion deberia ser considerada en la elaboracion de programas de prevencion de enfermedades en el trabajo bancario.