Problem-The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence and characteristics of physical and non-physical WPV in a state-based cohort of education workers.Method-A sample of 6,450 workers was drawn using de-identified union membership lists, stratified on gender, occupation, and school location. A cross-sectional survey was mailed to participants.Results-An estimated 7.8% (95%CI = 6.6-9.1) of education workers were physically assaulted and 28.9% (95%CI = 26.4-31.5) experienced a non-physical WPV event during the 2009-2010 school year. Special education teachers were significantly more likely to be physically assaulted and experience a non-physical WPV event compared to general education teachers (Prevalence Rate Ratio = 3.6, 95% 2.4-5.5; PRR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.1-1.8).Discussion-Special education teachers were at the highest risk for both physical and nonphysical WPV. If not already present, schools should consider implementing comprehensive WPV prevention programs for their employees.Impact on Industry-Special education teachers have unique workplace hazards. Strategies that protect the special education teacher, while still protecting the special education student should be considered.

BACKGROUND A study by Hesketh et al. found that 20% of psychiatric nurses were physically assaulted, 43% were threatened with physical assault, and 55% were verbally assaulted at least once during the equivalent of a single work week. From 2005 through 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that mental health occupations had the second highest average annual rate of workplace violence, 21 violent crimes per 1,000 employed persons aged 16 or older. OBJECTIVE An evaluation of risk factors associated with patient aggression towards nursing staff at eight locked psychiatric units. PARTICIPANTS Two-hundred eighty-four nurses in eight acute locked psychiatric units of the Veterans Health Administration throughout the United States between September 2007 and September 2010. METHODS Rates were calculated by dividing the number of incidents by the total number of hours worked by all nurses, then multiplying by 40 (units of incidents per nurse per 40-hour work week). Risk factors associated with these rates were analyzed using generalized estimating equations with a Poisson model. RESULTS Combining the data across all hospitals and weeks, the overall rate was 0.60 for verbal aggression incidents and 0.19 for physical aggression, per nurse per week. For physical incidents, the evening shift (3 pm – 11 pm) demonstrated a significantly higher rate of aggression than the day shift (7 am – 3 pm). Weeks that had a case-mix with a higher percentage of patients with personality disorders were significantly associated with a higher risk of verbal and physical aggression. CONCLUSION Healthcare workers in psychiatric settings are at high risk for aggression from patients.

The vermiculite ore and concentrate of a mine and mill located near Libby, Montana was found to be contaminated with a fiber of the tremolite/acetinolite series. A study was conducted to estimate the exposure-response relationship for mortality for 575 men who had been hired prior to 1970 and employed at least 1 year at the Montana site. Individual cumulative fiber exposure (fiber-years) was calculated. Results indicated that mortality from nonmalignant respiratory disease (NMRD) and lung cancer was significantly increased compared to the U.S. white male population. For those workers more than 20 years since hire, the standard mortality rate (SMR) for lung cancer (ICDA 162-163) was 84.7, 225.1, 109.3, and 671.3 for less than 50, 50-99, 100-399, and more than 399 fiber-years respectively. Corresponding results for NMRD (ICDA 460-519) were 327.8, 283.5, 0, and 278.4. Based on a linear model for greater than 20 years since hire, the estimated percentage increase in lung cancer mortality risk was 0.6% for each fiber-year of exposure. At 5 fiber-years, the estimated percentage was 2.9% from an unrestricted (nonthreshold) linear model and 0.6% from a survival model.

We conducted a nested case-control study of 1,377 cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation (UGIB) and 10,000 controls to evaluate the association of individual non? steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), utilization char? acteristics, and other risk factors for these conditions. Age was the strongest risk factor for UGIB. Male gender, history of complicated peptic ulcer disease, and current use of steroids were also risk factors for UGIB. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for current NSAID use was 4.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.7-5.0]. The ORs for current NSAID use were similar for fatal cases and for the gastric, duodenal, prepyloric, and mul? tiple sites of lesion, but the OR was substantially increased for perforations (OR = 16.9; 95% CI = 9.1-31.5). Women age 80 years or older experienced the greatest effect of NSAID use. Current users of multiple NSAIDs and recent switchers showed ORs of 9.0 and 6.2, respectively. Ibuprofen showed the lowest OR and diflunisal, the highest. ORs for low, medium, and high NSAID daily dose were 2.9, 4.2, and 5.8, respectively. This trend was present among new, short-term, and long-term users. Simultaneous use of multiple NSAIDs as well as use of a single individual NSAID at high doses greatly increases the risk of complicated peptic ulcer disease. (Epidemiology 1997; 8:18-24) Keywords: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, corticosteroids, drug interaction, gastrointestinal toxicity, medical record linkage, drug utilization, age. Current users of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a three-to fivefold increase in risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation (UGIB). Epidemiologic studies in this area have recently focused on the evaluation of effects of individual NSAIDs, pat? terns of drug use, and other risk factors for this condi? tion.1-9 We present here the results of a nested casecontrol study conducted in the general population of Saskatchewan, Canada. This study was implemented in parallel with another study1 of a general practice patient population in the United Kingdom, with the aim of addressing gastrointestinal safety of individual NSAIDs From 'Pharmacoepidemiology Research, CIBA-GEIGY S.A., ? 1996 by Epidemiology Resources Inc. 18(toxicity ranking, effect of duration of therapy, individ? ual dose effect, patterns of use) and risk among the elderly. The present study was also designed to provide detailed data on absolute rates of complicated peptic ulcer disease. Population and MethodsThe Canadian province of Saskatchewan has 1.1 million residents. Over 95% are entitled to receive benefits through the Department of Health.10 As a by-product of providing these health services, the Saskatchewan De?partment of Health has been accumulating a large vol? ume of health care information in computerized data? bases over a number of years. This study examined the relation between exposure to NSAIDs and several serious categories of outcomes in Saskatchewan during the period January 1, 1982, to December 31, 1986.5,1112 During the stu...

Transportation-related deaths were nearly as common as homicides as a cause of occupational injury death among US LEOs. Struck by vehicle incidents remain an important and overlooked cause of death. This research points to opportunities for the prevention of transportation-related deaths in law enforcement.