Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
Occupational inhalation accidents in the UK: findings from the Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD) scheme 1999–2018
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Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
Occupational inhalation accidents in the UK: findings from the Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD) scheme 1999–2018
Occupational inhalation accidents in the UK: findings from the Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD) scheme 1999–2018
Subject
Occupational inhalation accidents, UK, Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD)
Description
Introduction: Although inhalation accidents are important occupational cause of preventable lung injuries, little is known about their cause and epidemiology. This study aimed to investigate changes in the incidence of medically reported occupational inhalation accidents and their potential causes over time in the UK.
Methods: Data on incident cases of occupational inhalation accidents
reported to SWORD surveillance scheme between 1999 and 2018
(inclusive) were extracted and analysed in groups of four 5-year time periods. Descriptive analyses of causative exposure, occupation and industrial sectors were conducted and incidence rates were estimated.
Results: A total of 172 cases were reported. The average annual incidence rate (1999–2018) was 0.9 cases/million employed, with
estimates falling from 1.7/million employed in 1999–2003 to 0.5 in
2014–2018. Cases were reported most frequently from the public
administration and defence sector (13%), followed by the medical
sector (9%), with domestic cleaners (4%) and fire service officers (4%)
the most frequently reported occupations. Certain historic causative
exposures (e.g. smoke inhalation) were no longer reported by the end
of the study period, while many known causes (e.g. cleaning agents)
were persistently linked to reported cases over the study period.
Conclusions: Whilst the incidence of inhalation accidents appears
to have fallen, certain established causative exposures appear to be persistently linked to reported cases. Awareness of current causative exposures is necessary in order to define evidence-based interventions to reduce their occurrence.
Methods: Data on incident cases of occupational inhalation accidents
reported to SWORD surveillance scheme between 1999 and 2018
(inclusive) were extracted and analysed in groups of four 5-year time periods. Descriptive analyses of causative exposure, occupation and industrial sectors were conducted and incidence rates were estimated.
Results: A total of 172 cases were reported. The average annual incidence rate (1999–2018) was 0.9 cases/million employed, with
estimates falling from 1.7/million employed in 1999–2003 to 0.5 in
2014–2018. Cases were reported most frequently from the public
administration and defence sector (13%), followed by the medical
sector (9%), with domestic cleaners (4%) and fire service officers (4%)
the most frequently reported occupations. Certain historic causative
exposures (e.g. smoke inhalation) were no longer reported by the end
of the study period, while many known causes (e.g. cleaning agents)
were persistently linked to reported cases over the study period.
Conclusions: Whilst the incidence of inhalation accidents appears
to have fallen, certain established causative exposures appear to be persistently linked to reported cases. Awareness of current causative exposures is necessary in order to define evidence-based interventions to reduce their occurrence.
Creator
David Fishwick, Melanie Carder, Ireny Y.K. Iskandar, Beth C. Fishwick, Martie J. van Tongeren
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
January 2022
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
Files
Citation
David Fishwick, Melanie Carder, Ireny Y.K. Iskandar, Beth C. Fishwick, Martie J. van Tongeren, “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
Occupational inhalation accidents in the UK: findings from the Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD) scheme 1999–2018,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed March 13, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2328.
Occupational inhalation accidents in the UK: findings from the Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Diseases (SWORD) scheme 1999–2018,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed March 13, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2328.