Occupational Safety & Health Administration

The study's major objective is to investigate the impact of customer knowledge and marketing orientation on product and service improvement. Furthermore, emphasizing the ability of customers to think creatively is the most significant aspect in creating organizational creativity. It also aimed to demonstrate the importance of knowledge in institutions' survival and growth, as well as to improve their effectiveness and performance in light of the enormous challenges that organizations face, by establishing a competitive advantage, using forms of coordination, design, and structure to make the organization more flexible. The descriptive-analytical approach was used to respond to the research questions and to demonstrate the validity of the hypotheses. This study's methodology is based on positivism philosophy, and it also used the quantitative research approach, which attempts to collect data about a specific occurrence or condition to examine these data in order to make recommendations and suggestions. By collecting works and theoretical books on knowledge, marketing orientation, and the development of new products and services, this study tried to assess data, and then construct a questionnaire to evaluate reality based on the previous analysis and apply it to the study sample. The study using proper statistical techniques analyze the data to make a conclusion and interpret them to reach the most important ideas that will help and enrich the research area. The hypothesis has been confirmed, with the study's findings indicating that the independent variables (customer knowledge and marketing orientation) have a statistically significant positive impact on the dependent variable (product diversification and new service improvement).

This paper explores how religious narratives shape public understanding and acceptance of scientific knowledge, influencing social behavior across diverse communities. It discusses tensions and possibilities at the intersection of faith and empiricism in public health, environmental stewardship, and technological ethics. By The study is based on a qualitative research design premised on interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and comparative case study techniques using historical records, policy publications, and ongoing discourse. Examples of case studies, such as vaccine hesitancy, climate change solutions, and artificial intelligence ethics, reflect the interplay between religious beliefs and scientific evidence. Quantitative evidence points out that Catholic groups introducing the theological concept of stewardship and scientific evidence had as much as 85% of the population vaccinated, as opposed to 65 percent of those who focused on individual faith. Correspondingly, 57% of white evangelical Protestants believed the scientific consensus on climate change, but 32% did not, showing cultural cognition- and group-identification effects. These conclusions show that religious texts serve as spiritual doctrines and cultural constructs that might be problematizing and complementing scientific paradigms. The paper will add to a culturally sensitive approach to faith-science dialogue that focuses on cultural equality, respects dignity, and interdisciplinary education to solve the urgent global challenges.

Relatively few published studies have assessed the microbiological or chemical quality of bottled water in the USA. We purchased all single and multipackage bottled water sold in grocery and retail stores in one county in Virginia. 107 samples, across 26 brands, were tested for pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total coliform, E. coli, nitrate, sulfate, free chlorine, total trihalomethanes (THMs, a component of disinfection byproducts), fluoride, and heavy metals. 64.5% (n = 69) of samples were purified water and 35.5% (n = 38) were spring water. Contaminant concentrations were higher overall in spring water samples. Total coliforms and E. coli were not detected in any samples. 1.4% (n = 1) of purified bottled water samples exceeded regulatory standards for THM (80 ppb), and 7.2% (n = 5) and 10.5% (n = 4) of purified and spring samples exceeded 1/2 the THM standard, respectively. No spring water samples exceeded standards for heavy metals, but one purified bottled water sample exceeded the standard for cadmium. We observed considerable within-brand variability in concentrations for a number of parameters including THMs, calcium, silicon, and strontium. This is the first study we are aware of to analyze contaminant variability within bottled water brands. Our results indicate that monitoring and reporting requirements for bottled water should be improved.

Environmental injustice has an unequal impact on marginalized groups, which contributes to high differences in physical and mental health. The defined communities, especially those of color, experience a mix of environmental degradation and systematic inequality, which leads to long-term psychological trauma. This paper looks into the psychological impacts of environmental hazards on disadvantaged communities, such as stress, trauma, and anxiety. Based on case examples, like the Flint Water Crisis, Cancer Alley, and the experience of Indigenous people, this study reviews how environmental injustice permeates physical health challenges to affect mental health on a deeper level. The research combines the literature with qualitative and quantitative surveys, interviews, and environmental evaluations that fail to state the psychological cost of environmental injustice, which is seldom mentioned. To sum up, the paper suggests implementing trauma-informed community planning and policy changes that consider physical and mental health issues of vulnerable populations in terms of both aspects. The results add significance to the necessity of cross-systemic activities that facilitate the promotion of mental health support, resilience, and environmental justice.

This paper describes the critical shortage of physicians trained in occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) in California, analyzes the adverse impacts of that shortage, and proposes a specific target for increasing OEM residency slots. Literature review. The US ratio of OEM physicians to workers is 2 per 100,000 workers, compared with a ratio of 4 to 40 per 100,000 workers in most industrialized nations. California's shortage OEM physicians costs the state's employers over $1 billion annually in needless workers' compensation losses and other health impacts. Graduating 40 additional OEM residents in the state annually would cost an extra $27 to 32 million per year. The return-on-investment from increasing the number of OEM residencies and residency slots in California would be substantial, approaching at least 10-to-1, benefitting the state's workers and employers, and its environmental quality.

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2023,12,4,197-206.DOI:10.5530/ijpcs.2023.12.28Published:February 2024Type:Review ArticleAuthors:Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Badriya Mufflih Alrasheedi, Mohannad Ali Abu-sabaa, Naif Saleh Alamri, Abdulah Khalid Al-Otaibi, and Mohammed Hakami Author(s) affiliations:Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE Critical Care Clinical Pharmacists, TPN Clinical Pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Badriya Mufflih Alrasheedi, Bsc. Diploma Health Security General Administration of Security and Safety, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Mohannad Ali Abu-sabaa, Diploma Occupational Safety and Health Risk Management Administration, General Administration of Security and Safety, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Naif Saleh Alamri, Bachelor of Engineering Director General of the General Administration of Security and Safety, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Abdulah Khalid Al-Otaibi, Bachelor of Engineering Assistant Director General for Projects & Safety Affairs, General Administration of Security and Safety, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Mohammed Hakami, Ph. D Occupational Safety and Health Consultant, General Administration of Security and Safety, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Abstract:Objectives: To explore the occupational safety and health system education and training in pharmacy practice as a new initiative in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It was a narrative review of occupational safety and health policy and procedures in pharmacy practice. Literature searched various databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar. The search period is from the 1960s until 06 December 2023. The term is in full-text English and includes Case Reports, Classical Articles, Clinical Conferences, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trials, Evaluation Studies, Government Publications, Guidelines, meta-analyses, Observational Studies, Practice Guidelines, Randomized Controlled Trials, Reviews, Systematic Reviews, with Humans subject. All hospital or community pharmacy services are included in a search term. Besides, the National and international guidelines of occupational safety and health in hospital practice. The committee of pharmacy occupational safety and health policy and procedures formulated and consisted of various expert members. That includes clinical pharmacists, occupational safety specialists, Crisis and Disaster Management, and fire safety experts. The guidelines of the policy draft by one member by the second member were reviewed and corrected. The third revision was by the occupational safety specialists. The topic emphasizes the occupational safety and health system education and training of the Pharmacy policy. Results: The pharmacy occupational safety and health Education and Training consisted of various items. That has included program objectives, admission requirements, teaching and education methodology, and occupational safety and health Education and Training steps in pharmacy practice. The occupational safety and health education and training contained five models. For instance, Fire safety at pharmacy services, Pharmacy Crisis and Disaster Management, and Pharmacy Material Safety Data Sheet. Besides, the Pharmacy Safety and Occupational Health Surveillance and Monitoring and Quality Management of occupational safety and health. Each model describes the Module description, Learning Objectives, Module Outlines, and Competency items. Conclusion: The occupational safety and health system education and training in pharmacy practice is a new initiative for pharmacy career professionals. It will improve pharmacy occupational safety and health system skills and encourage all pharmacy staff (clinical, distributive pharmacist, and pharmacy technicians) to comply with occupational safety and health system regulations in different pharmacies in various healthcare organizations. Therefore, the occupational safety and health system education and training policy and procedures are required and mandated for pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia. Keywords:Education, Health, Occupational safety, Pharmacy, Policy, Saudi ArabiaView:PDF (249.88 KB) PDFClick here to download the PDF file. Images

Depression symptoms have impacts on quality of life, rehabilitation and treatment adherence, and resource utilization among patients in post-acute care (PAC) settings. The PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 are instruments for the assessment of depression, previously used in PAC settings, that have tradeoffs in terms of measurement depth versus respondent/assessor burden. Therefore, the present study tested a gateway version of the protocol (PHQ-2 to 9). In 143 PAC settings in 14 U.S. markets across 10 states from November 2017 to August 2018, facility and research nurses administered the PHQ-2 to communicative patients (n=3010). Nurses administered the full PHQ-9 if the patient screened positive for either of the two cardinal symptoms assessed by the PHQ-2 (depressed mood and anhedonia). We assessed the prevalence and frequency of depression symptoms using the PHQ-2 to 9, associations between depression screening results and patient characteristics and clinical conditions, and feasibility indicators. More than 1 in 4 patients (28%) screened positive on the PHQ-2. Only 6% of those completing the full PHQ-9 had a score indicating "minimal" severity. The average score (M=11.9) met the threshold for moderate depression. Positive PHQ-2 screening was associated with age, female gender, disposition at discharge, septicemia/severe sepsis, and dependence for ADLs of toileting and lying to sitting mobility. Age was also associated with full PHQ-9 scores; patients ages 45-64 had the highest mean score. Length of stay was not associated with PHQ-2 screening results or full PHQ-2 to 9 scores. Missing data were minimal (<2.4%). The average time to complete was 2.3min. Interrater reliability and percent agreement were excellent. These findings suggest the feasibility of a gateway scoring approach to standardized assessment of depression symptoms among PAC patients, and that depression symptoms are relatively common among this inpatient population.

Outbreaks of severe silicosis have affected workers who fabricate artificial stone countertops. Work-related asthma (WRA) has not been a prominent feature of those prior outbreaks. This report describes an outbreak of WRA and silicosis at a facility that manufactures and fabricates chemical-resistant countertops comprised of sand, epoxy resin, and phthalic anhydride (PA), a known respiratory sensitizer. The multi-disciplinary investigation included clinical examinations of workers, an industrial hygiene survey with qualitative and quantitative exposure assessments, and a cross-sectional questionnaire. Engineering controls and personal protective equipment were inadequate. Some workers were exposed to PA or silica above permissible exposure limits established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Clinical and epidemiologic investigations identified 16 workers with confirmed or suspected WRA. Two years later, after OSHA began to enforce its new silica standards, 12 workers received medical surveillance for silicosis. Of these 12 workers, four (33.3%) were diagnosed with silicosis based on abnormal chest computed tomography examinations. Artificial stone countertop workers can develop asthma or silicosis. Risk of asthma may be highest in workers exposed to asthmagens such as PA and epoxy resins while manufacturing the artificial stone material.

Vehicle suspension system would complement vehicle safety in terms of ride comfort, handling and braking, and also isolation from road irregularities. This can be better achieved by introducing a semi-active suspension system where the magneto-rheological (MR) fluid is used to manipulate its damping characteristics. This paper explains the controller development for MR semi-active suspension system. The process started by developing the non-parametric linearized data driven (NPLDD) double input with proportional-integral (PI) controller as an inner loop algorithm for MR damper modelling and force tracking control; then, Improved PI controller as an outer loop control algorithm for vehicle response improvement, and finally validation work using quarter-car test bench. All the algorithm development is based on Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional (PROTON) vehicle characteristics and specifications. From the simulation results, it is verified that the NPLDD double input model together with the PI control strategy has the capability to track the desired damping force well. Meanwhile, the Improved PI controller for the outer loop is capable to reduce the magnitude of vehicle body acceleration and displacement. The validation at the quarter-car test bench also shows significant reduction of these two parameters. As a result, the PI controller for the MR semi-active suspension system is found sufficient for vehicle safety improvement.