<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aims of our study were to determine risk factors of the work environment in the wood processing industry in Latvia during 1998-2006, to conduct a survey and self- evaluation of health of the employees and to elaborate a set of preventive measures for improvement of the work environment. The work conditions in wood processing companies in Latvia over the study period were poor; of a total of 940 evaluated workplaces/processes in more than one half of cases (n = 483), the risk factors of the working environment exceeded the occupational exposure limits. Measurements made in wood processing and furniture manufacturing most frequently limiting values or recommended values of the occupational exposure were exceeded for noise, indoor air, lighting, welding spray, whole-body vibration, wood dust and other risk factors. Self-evaluation of health by employees indicates that the main health problems were pain in the back and joints, poor hearing, eye irritation, skin irritation and inflammation, chronic coughing, rhinitis, recurring windpipe inflammations, and frequent headaches. Self-evaluation of employees indicated poor diagnostics of occupational diseases and work related diseases as for 82% of the respondents with health complaints they were not confirmed with medical diagnosis.</p></abstract>

The aims of our study were to determine risk factors of the work environment in the wood processing industry in Latvia during 1998-2006, to conduct a survey and self- evaluation of health of the employees and to elaborate a set of preventive measures for improvement of the work environment. The work conditions in wood processing companies in Latvia over the study period were poor; of a total of 940 evaluated workplaces/processes in more than one half of cases (n = 483), the risk factors of the working environment exceeded the occupational exposure limits. Measurements made in wood processing and furniture manufacturing most frequently limiting values or recommended values of the occupational exposure were exceeded for noise, indoor air, lighting, welding spray, whole-body vibration, wood dust and other risk factors. Self-evaluation of health by employees indicates that the main health problems were pain in the back and joints, poor hearing, eye irritation, skin irritation and inflammation, chronic coughing, rhinitis, recurring windpipe inflammations, and frequent headaches. Self-evaluation of employees indicated poor diagnostics of occupational diseases and work related diseases as for 82% of the respondents with health complaints they were not confirmed with medical diagnosis.

Estimation of risk factors of the work environment and analysis of employees' self estimation in the wood processing industry

Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, Rīga, LV-1007, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

The aims of our study were to determine risk factors of the work environment in the wood processing industry in Latvia during 1998-2006, to conduct a survey...

Estimation of risk factors of the work environment and analysis of employees' self estimation in the wood processing industry

Publié en ligne: 18 août 2010

Pages: 73 - 78

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-010-0016-7

Mots clés
wood processing industry, risk factors of work environment, noise, vibration, wooden dust, chemicals, microclimatic conditions, ergonomical factors

This content is open access.

Estimation of risk factors of the work environment and analysis of employees' self estimation in the wood processing industry

Publié en ligne: 18 août 2010

Pages: 73 - 78

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-010-0016-7

Mots cléswood processing industry, risk factors of work environment, noise, vibration, wooden dust, chemicals, microclimatic conditions, ergonomical factors

This content is open access.

Mots clés
wood processing industry, risk factors of work environment, noise, vibration, wooden dust, chemicals, microclimatic conditions, ergonomical factors