Database

A relatively powerful study of the potential link between welding work and cause or aggravation of Parkinson’s Disease and diseases of a similar nature. It provides strong evidence that a history of welding work is not significantly associated with these outcomes. Evidence from: G Marsh et al. JOEM (2006) Vol.48#10 p 1031 – 1046 “Employment as a Welder and Parkinson’s Disease among Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Workers” Further detail: 6#7-8 20

The guidance identifies lifestyle choices, discrimination and bullying as significant causes of mental ill health in the working population. Methods for tackling these issues are described. The evidence base is probably a synthesis of individual study findings and expert opinion. The emphasis on these cited causes is quite different from the approach adopted in the Stress Management Standards. Evidence from: Department of Health. October 2006. “Action on Stigma: Promoting Mental Health, ending discrimination at work” The six principle of good management described in the Stress Management Standards [SMS] are not highlighted here [demands, control, role, relationships, support and change]. Instead, the new guidance focuses on a description of health promotion, anti discrimination, mutual respect and informed empathy but does not suggest objective or semi objective methods for demonstrating good practice. There is some overlap in that specific aspects of demands, relationships

The study shows that the concepts of burnout and depression are strongly correlated. This was the first attempt to measure this in a large cohort. The study lends weight to the idea that burnout precedes depression. If so, prevention of burnout would help prevent occupational depression. Job strain seems to be a strong predictor of burnout and of depressive symptoms but not of depressive disorder. The apparent contradiction could just be a measure of the low conversion rate from burnout to depression or, that job strain is not a predictor of depression. Previous history of mental disorder is a very strong predictor of burnout, depressive symptoms and current depression. Evidence from: K Ahola et al. JOEM (2006) Vol.48#10 p 1023 – 1030. “Contribution of Burnout to the Association between Job Strain and Depression: the Health 2000 Study” High job strain was predictive of burnout OR = 7.4 (95% CI = 5.6 to 9.6). High job strain was also predictive of depressive symptoms (OR of

Evidence from: HSE Research Report RR503. 2006 “An inventory of fibres to classify their potential hazard and risk” Details of factors which should affect potency. Further detail: 6#7-8 17

Evidence from: M Kabuto et al. Int J cancer. (2006) Vol.119 p 643 – 650 “Childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in Japan: A case-control study of childhood leukemia and residential power-frequency magnetic fields in Japan” The study reinforces the observation of a statistical association between domestic emf exposure and incidence of one kind of childhood leukaemia. G Berg et al. Am. J. Epidemiol. (2006) Vol.164#6 p 538 – 548 “Occupational Exposure to Radio Frequency/Microwave Radiation and the Risk of Brain Tumors: Interphone Study Group, Germany” No statistically significant association between occupational exposure and risk of diagnosed outcome was observed. S Lonn et al. Am. J. Epidemiol. (2006) Vol.164#7 p 637 – 643 “Mobile Phone Use and Risk of Parotid Gland Tumor” There was no statistically significant association between phone use (intensity, cumulative use or duration) and diagnosed outcome. Further detail: 6#7-8 16

Evidence in support of a causal association between night shift work and stomach ulcers. In this study the association with night shift work was moderate to strong but there was no attempt to identify which aspect of night shift work, or associated lifestyle choices, could provide a mechanism. Night shift work is of increasing prevalence, H Pylori infection is very common. Evidence from: A Pietroisti et al. Occ Env Med (2006) Vol.63 p 773-775 “Shift work increases the frequency of duodenal ulcer in H pylori infected workers” The prevalence of duodenal ulcer was higher in night shift workers than in day time workers; 29% vs. 9%. Odds ratio = 3.9 (95% CI = 2.1 to 7.5). Further detail: 6#7-8 15