Background Sickness absence following surgery accounts for significant periods of sickness absence from employment. The duration of absence following two surgical procedures: benign abdominal hysterectomy (BAH) and Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR) was explored.
Aim To identify what advice patients who had undergone BAH or BHR surgery were given regarding their likely sickness absence duration and to [...]

Background Although the aetiology of glioma is poorly understood, the higher incidence in males has long suggested an occupational cause.
Aim To investigate possible associations between occupational exposure to ionizing, ultraviolet (UV), radiofrequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation and adult glioma risk.
Methods Case–control study using histologically confirmed cases of glioma first diagnosed between 1987 [...]

Background The Stockholm Workshop Scale (SWS) provides a staging scheme for hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) based on subjective history. Cold provocation finger thermometry and plethysmography are commonly used objective tests for the vascular component of HAVS.
Aim To examine the correlation between the cold provocation tests and SWS vascular stage. A secondary goal was to evaluate [...]

Background Serious accidental poisoning by pesticides is rare in the UK, but more minor pesticide-related illness may be under-reported. Anecdotally, use of sheep dip has been linked with flu-like symptoms.
Aim To explore the frequency, nature and determinants of acute symptoms following work with pesticides.
Methods A postal survey of men in three rural areas of England [...]

Background Investigation of the relations between job demands, health and sickness absence is required to design a strategy for the prevention of absence and disability.
Aim To study the relationships between (physical and psychological) job demands, health perception and sickness absence.
Methods Prospective study of 414 male employees working in two organizations with low company absence levels. [...]

Background Violence and threatening behaviour towards health care employees is a recognized hazard. There is a lack of research into the perceptions of general practice (GP) receptionists about this important workplace hazard.
Aim To determine the factors that influence reception staff perceptions regarding the risk of future violent and threatening incidents at work.
Methods A cross-sectional survey [...]

Background The post-operative advice given to patients by health care practitioners regarding return to work and return to driving may have an impact upon their absence duration. The only guidance that is readily available to assist health care practitioners give this advice is provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Aims To identify what [...]

Background This study examined factors associated with the use of prescribed medication at work.
Methods Questionnaire survey of employees with diagnosed chronic illnesses from four UK organizations. Data were collected on type of chronic illness, health status, health beliefs, work limitations, occupational health support, general practitioner (GP) and line manager support. Data were analysed using univariate [...]

Background There is difficulty in defining occupational health services among stakeholders of the service. Concurrently, there are concerns about the state of occupational health provision in the UK.
Aims To determine stakeholders’ perception of the services that occupational health encompasses and the level as well as the rationale behind the provision of these services.
Methods The research [...]

Background The evaluation of causality in cancers associated with firefighting presents problems common to other applications of occupational epidemiology in adjudication of individual claims for workers’ compensation. A trend in Canada to establish legislated presumptions for compensation of firefighters created an opportunity to re-evaluate the literature applying medicolegal standards of certainty.
Objective To evaluate causality in [...]

Background A 44-year-old industrial worker produced panels for folding doors for 9 years. During this period, he developed osteoarthritis (OA) of both first carpometacarpal joints. Surgery was performed without improvement.
Methods Clinical examination, demonstration and recording of work conditions, with photos and videos. The literature concerning first carpometacarpal OA was reviewed using PubMed.
Results The observation of [...]

Background Commercial ships flying the US flag must conform to Coast Guard standards and have medical care available onboard. Consultation with a physician is required if medication is to be prescribed.
Aim To evaluate the epidemiology of medical contacts for US ships at sea.
Method Retrospective analysis of cases where shipboard caregivers made contact with US emergency [...]