Workers And Worker Populations Flashcards
Expected increase in labor force between 2000 and 2010
17 million
Expected changes in workforce
- Increase in proportion of female workers
- Increase in average age of workers
- Growth of all ethnic groups
Compared with 1969 the average American now works ——- more hours per year
163
Percent of workers working 49 or more hours per week
Percent of workers working 60 or more hours per week
25%
11%
Average vacation time: Swedish German French English
5-8 weeks
6 weeks
6 weeks
6 weeks
Percent telework/telecommuters 2000
10%
Composition of workers who worked at home at least one day per week
50% wage and salary workers taking work home on unpaid basis
17% wage and salary workers taking work home on paid basis
30% self employed
Pros of working from home
- Less commuting
- Less stressful environment
- Possibly fewer occupational injuries and illnesses
Cons to working from home
- Lack of safety oversight
- Introduction of workplace hazards into the home
- Isolation from peers
- May potentially increase stress and potential for injuries
Portion of US workers who will be employed in industries that produce or intensively use information technology, products and services, by 2006
Nearly half of all workers
Trends in health care benefits provided at work sites
- Undergoing rapid changes
- Drastic reductions in employer provided health care insurance
- Workers paying more out of pocket expenses and reduced choice of provider
Major contributors to workplace stress
- Organization of work
- Increasing frequency of layoffs and corporate downsizing
- Longer hours
- Compressed work weeks
- Shift work
- Reduced job security
- Part-time and temporary work
Work organization refers to the following:
- Scheduling of work
- Job design
- Interpersonal aspects of work
- Career concerns
- Management style
- Organizational characteristics
Components of scheduling of work, related to workplace stress
- Work-rest schedules
- Number of hours of work
- Shift work
Components of job design related to workplace stress
- Complexity of tasks
- Skill and effort required
- Degree of worker control
Components of interpersonal aspects of work related to workplace stress
Relationships with supervisors and coworkers
Components of career concerns related to workplace stress
- Job security
2. Growth opportunities
Components of management style related to workplace stress
Participatory versus autocratic style
Organizational characteristics related to workplace stress
- Climate
- Culture
- Communication
Workplace violence includes…
Any action that threatens or causes harm to workers or to the work environment
Workplace violence may result in…
- Lost work time and wages
- Reduced productivity
- Medical costs
- Worker compensation payments
- Legal and security expenses
Warning signs for workplace violence
- Mood changes
- Negative behavior
- Verbal threats
Percent of people able to recogonize “red flag” behaviors for workplace violence
Less than 4%
US code that defines terrorism
Title 22 of United States Code, Section 2656f(d)
Terrorism
Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience
International terrorism
Terrorism involving citizens or the territory of more than one country
Terrorist group
Any group practicing, or having significant subgroups that practice, international terrorism
In 2001, number of civilians, security personnel and terrorists killed and number wounded in international terrorist acts
Killed: 6318
Wounded: 4160
Implications of current demographic and social trends for occupational and environmental health nurse
- Will need to take into account when designing and implementing programs and services
- Health care benefits may influence services available at work site
- Workers need assistance handling conflicting demands
- Less opportunity for face to face communication and need for development of less personal methods of communication
- Be alert to potentially dangerous affects of fatigue on worksite
- Programs needed to identify and prevent situations caused by stress and mental illness
- Violence prevention and control measures developed for worksite
- Development of comprehensive plans to deal with terrorism related events
Colors for Homeland Security Advisory System risk of attack
Green- low Blue- guarded Yellow- elevated Orange- high Red- severe
Homeland Security recommendations for businesses
Low-Green
- Use Red Cross “Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry” to develop written emergency plans
- Develop continuity of operations plan
- Arrange for staff to take Red Cross CPR/AED and first aid course
- Obtain “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected and Preparing Your Business for the Unthinkable”and distribute to all employees
Homeland Security recommendations for businesses
Guarded-Blue
- Complete recommended actions at lower levels
- Be alert of suspicious activities and report to authorities
- Dialogue with community leaders, emergency management, government agencies, community organizations and utilities about disaster preparedness
- Emergency communication plan updated to include purchase of needed equipment
- Have local Red Cross provide “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected” presentation at workplace
Homeland Security recommendations for businesses
Elevated-Yellow
- Complete recommended actions at lower levels
- Be alert of suspicious activity and report to authorities
- Contact private security firm for security risk assessment
- Contact voluntary organizations you support to determine how you can provide assistance in emergency
Homeland Security recommendations for businesses
High-Orange
- Complete recommended actions at lower levels
- Be alert to suspicious activity and report to authorities
- Review emergency plans to include continuity of operations and media materials on hand
- Determine need to restrict access to business
- Contact vendors/suppliers to confirm emergency response plan procedures
- If need is announced offer to organize blood drive
Homeland Security recommendations for businesses
Severe-Red
- Complete recommended actions at lower levels
- Listen to radio/TV for current information
- Be alert for suspicious activity and report to authorities
- Work with local community leaders, emergency management, government agencies, community organizations and utilities to meet immediate needs of community
- Determine need to close business
- Be prepared to work with a dispersed/ smaller workforce
- Ensure mental health counselors available
Most rapidly growing job sector in the United States between 2002-2012
Service sector jobs
Service sector job will account for — of the new wage and salary jobs generated
96%
—– share of total jobs will decline
Manufacturing
—— and —— will have the most growth between 2002-2012
Computer technology
Health care
Demand for skilled work is
Increasing
— out of ten workers were unskilled in the 1950s
6
Currently —- out of ten workers are skilled
6
Occupations requiring an associates degree or higher education accounted for —– of all jobs in 1998
25%
An associates degree or higher education will be required for —- of jobs from 1998-2008
40%
—- of the 50 highest paying occupations requires at least a bachelors degree
49
The pay gap between those with education and those without has more than —– since the mid-1980s
Doubled
High technology in the workplace
- equipment using will be in all work settings
- advances have increased speed of production and subsequent demands on workers
- increasing use of computers has caused higher incidences of cumulative trauma disorders
- automation eliminates certain types of jobs
- fewer workers are responsible for complex systems
Service sector jobs are more likely to involve
- Stress
- Confrontation
- Violence
Reasons for occupational stress related to technological changes
- Job ambiguity
- Role uncertainty
- Job insecurity
In 2003 —- of females age 16 and older were in the labor force
60%
In 1977 —— of females age 16 and older were in the workforce
51%
Since 2000 labor force participation of females age ——- has declined and growth in participation has slowed substantially
16-24
The proportion of female workers is expected to increase by —– by 2010
48%
—— females had the lowest rate of participation in the labor force in 2002
Hispanic
——-, ——- and ——- females participated in the workforce at essentially the same rate in 2002
Whites
African Americans
Asian
Workforce participation rate of mothers with children has ——- since 1999
Declined
Workforce participation rate for mothers with children age 6 to 17
75% participation
Workforce participation rate for mothers with children under age 6
59% participation
Workforce participation rate for mothers with children under age 3
56% participation
Since 1975, the labor force participation rate of mothers with children under the age of 18 has grown from —– to —–
47% to 72%
Labor force participation rates of female 55-64 in 1985, 1995 and 2003
1985: 42%
1995: 49.2%
2003: 56.6%
In the 1970s wives’ earnings accounted for —– of their families’ incomes
27%
In 2001 wives’ earnings accounted for —– of their families’ incomes
34%
Females are disproportionately represented in which type of job
Lower-paying service sector jobs
Females have greater responsibility outside of work for…..
Care of dependents both children and the elderly
Percentage of caregivers to the elderly that are female
72%
Why are females more at risk for certain types of injuries than males?
Women are often:
- Shorter
- Lighter
- Not as physically strong
Highest rates of work related musculoskeletal disorders have been reported in ——-
Females
Female risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders include
- Differences in structure and physiology
2. Nature of jobs performed
Lung cancer rates are increasing faster in ——- than ——
Females
Males
Worksite exposures can cause serious considerations for female workers when they….
Represent as reproductive hazard
Sources of work related stress for females often reflect….
Conflicts between meeting work demands and family and self care needs
Strategies to promote health and safety in females
- Education
- Support groups
- Referral to community resources
- Other strategies
Examples of worksite programs and services that address the specific needs and problems of females:
- Programs and services related to prenatal care, female health and menopause concerns
- Programs related to early detection of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer
- Support for caregiver roles assumed outside of work
- Work site day care for children and dependent adults
- Targeted for smoking cessation programs and services in view of increasing smoking rates
Worksite adjustments that may be needed to accommodate biological characteristics of females
- Work stations should be adjusted to accommodate females’ stature
- Ergonomic programs and services targeted to females to prevent musculoskeletal disorders
- Surveillance for potential reproductive hazards
- Personal protective equipment that fits females
Attention should be directed to he following issues regarding job stress in females
- Eliminating sex discrimination and harassment
- Developing coping skills
- Promoting participation in decision making
- Expanding opportunities for advancement
- Providing family support programs and services
An increasing proportion of the population consists of…..
Minority groups
Minority populations in the US are defined as:
- American Indian (AI)
- Alaskan Native (AN)
- Asian American
- African-American (black)
- Hispanic or Latino
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI)
By 2010, —— will replace African Americans as the largest minority group
Hispanic
By 2040 minorities will increase to almost —– of the population
One half
Minority status has been found to contribute to ——– , even when controlling for insurance status and access to primary care physicians
Health disparities
Leading causes of death differ by minority group: ——- is more common among African Americans
Hypertension
Leading causes of death differ by minority group: ——- is more common among Native Americans
Diabetes
Leading causes of death differ by minority group: ——- is more common among Hispanics
Chronic liver disease
In 2000, —- of the labor force was foreign born
12.6%
Minorities tend to work disproportionately in ———-
High risk occupations
Minorities suffer a disproportionate burden of workplace ——– and ——
Morbidity and mortality
Nonwhite workers experience higher ——– rates than white workers
Unemployment
Hispanic and African-American workers have a lower ——— than white workers
Median household income
Changes in labor force composition in all racial groups:
- Growth in female participation
- Decline in male participation
- Growth in all racial groups
Implications for occupational and environmental health nurse of minorities in the workforce:
- Need to have greater knowledge of and greater use of multicultural approaches
- Increased knowledge of diseases that are common in certain minorities
- For workers with fewer educational opportunities: remedial programs at the worksite
- Consideration of special needs of worked who are non English speaking or who has low literacy levels to ensure participation in worksite health and safety programs
The US population is growing…..
Older
The median age of Americans is proceed to climb from —- in 2000 to —— by the year 2050
- 5
40. 7
In 2003, there were —— workers age 55 and older, which was —– of total employment
- 2 million
15. 4%
—– elderly workers are returning to or remaining in the workforce
More
In 1965 the typical male worker would spend —— in retirement, today that has —— to 18 years.
13 years
Increased
The number of elderly per working adult is —–
Increasing
It is expected that the number of people 65 years of age per 100 working age Americans will nearly double from —– in 2000 to —– by 2050
- 6
34. 9
Is there a mandatory retirement age for workers in most job categories?
No
The middle-aged and older worker is more likely to have responsibilities for…..
A defendant parent or spouse
Often retirees would like to work, but they Fe confronted by barriers such as:
- Physical
- Social
- Emotional
By 2010, —— and ——- age groups will outnumber younger workers
Middle age and older
Workers over 55 are —- to be injured on the job
30% less likely
When injured workers over 55 take ——— on average to recover
Two weeks longer
Occupational and environmental health nurses should consider the following strategies to address the special needs and problems of older workers:
- Programs and services to prevent and treat musculoskeletal disorders related to poor ergonomics
- Increased light at work sites to improve visibility, because light requirements increase with age
- Increased attention to measures to ensure adequate hearing ability
- Increased support for caregiver roles assumed outside of work
- Promotion of work-site and community day-care facilities for dependent adults
- More programs and services focusing on the illnesses more common in middle age, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer
- More programs and services to prepare workers for retirement
Interactions with older workers should allow for possible decreases in their ability to…
- Hear
- Process information
- Handle new technology
Training programs for older workers should:
- Allow self paced learning
- Us training materials with high contrast colors and bold typeface
- Avoid posting training materials above eye level
- Speak clearly and distinctly during training sessions
- Use adult learning principles to train older adults in new skills
- Provide a friendly, supportive environment
- Eliminate jargon from the worksite, or at least explain it from the start
- Use multiple training methodologies
- Use older workers to teach other older adults
- Build upon valuable life experiences
- Link learning with rewards
- Give older learned something in writing to help reinforce learning
Disease prevention programs and services may become increasingly important as a means of…
Decreasing healthcare costs including the costs of supplemental health care insurance
As corporations attempt to improve their profit picture by reducing employment of ——— programs and services will be needed to assist workers with —————
Mid-level middle aged workers
Job and career transitions
Occupational and environmental health nurses should ensure that ————- take into consideration the needs and interests of older workers
Wellness programs and services
Health promotion by —— has been successful in reducing ———- of retirees an decreasing ———–
Health care costs
Health-risk behaviors
The minimum age for youth employment in the United States is…..
14 years
The exception to the minimum age for youth employment is….
1) Certain agricultural jobs in which 12 and 13 year olds are permitted to work
2) Children working on family farms are exempt from regulations and typically work at a much younger age
The minimum age for hazardous job activities is….
18 years of age in non agricultural settings, but 16 years of age in agricultural settings
In 2001, it was estimated that nearly ——- 15-17 year old youth were employed in the United States
3.7 million
The 3.7 million 15-17 year old employed in 2001 does not include the following:
- 14 year olds
- Newspaper carriers
- Family businesses, including farming
It is estimated that at least —— of 16-17 year olds work at some time during the school year
44%
Most minors are employed in the following industries:
- Retail trade
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Service industries
- Agriculture
Approximately —- of youth are employed illegally in violation of the laws restricting hours of work or the prohibited hazardous occupations
4%
——- and ——- children are less likely to be employed
Low income
Minority
When low income and minority children are employed they are more to ——– and —————– than high income children
Work more hours
In more hazardous jobs
Although most adolescents work part time, their injury rate has been found to be ———– than for adults, based on the number of hours worked
Two times higher
An average of —- adolescents die from injuries at work each year
70
Nearly ——- adolescents suffer nonfatal injuries, a substantial number of which require treatment in hospital ER
230,000
More than half of work related for adolescents occur in —— the majority of which are ——
Restaurants
Fast-food establishments
Other industries with high injury risk for adolescents include:
- Retail stores
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Many nonfatal work injuries for adolescents involve with/on
- Knives
- Hot oil
- Cooking appliances
- Wet and greasy floors
Most common work related injuries for adolescents:
- Overexertion from heavy lifting
- Lacerations
- Strains and sprains
- Contusions
- Burns
Adolescent Latino farm workers are routinely involved in handling pesticides without…..
- Proper training
2. Use of personal protective equipment
Barriers to adequate protection for adolescent Latino farm workers exposed to pesticides:
- Lack of age appropriate materials
- Language issues
- Lack of knowledge about risk
40% of work related fatalities among children occur in….
Agriculture
Primary area of agricultural work related fatalities among children
Crop production
—— of the children who died while working in agriculture were under the age of 15
50%
——- had the second highest number of fatalities among children
Retail trades
The majority of adolescent deths in retail trade occur due to…
Assaults and violent acts
About —- of occupational fatalities among minors involve motor vehicles
44%
Other common causes of occupational fatalities among minors include:
- Being caught or compressed by equipment
2. Being struck by a falling object
Boys are ———– to die in the workplace than girls
8 times more likely
Federal and state child labor laws regulate youth employment and establish…..
- Permitted hours of work
- Prohibited work activities
- Administrative requirements
Use of a permit system for minors to work is required in —- states
41
Youths who work without a permit are more likely to ——— and less likely to ——–
Perform dangerous job tasks
Receive appropriate health and safety training
More than 75% of employers of young workers are unfamiliar with…..
Child labor laws
Data suggest that a substantial percentage of occupational fatalities among youths are associated with……
Violations of child labor regulations
The federal law regulating youth employment
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938
FLSA has undergone few substantive changes since…..
1970
FLSA does not reflect:
- Changes in the work patterns for young people
- The nature of work and associated hazards
- Knowledge about the health and safety risks that young workers face
Little research has been done to evaluate children in the workplace for:
- Acute, chronic or latent effects from exposure to toxic chemicals, such as pesticides
- Physical hazards such as noise
- Long term effects of injuries sustained during early work experiences
——— leads all other industrialized nations in the employment of youth
The United States
Children who work have two jobs —– and —-
Education
Employment
Children’s work is typically not connected to…..
Their educational needs and goals
Contributing factors for the increase in the number of children working include:
- Social pressure
- High level of consumerism
- Acceptance of child employment
- Availability of low skilled jobs
- Lower wages
- Growing poverty
- Relaxation in law enforcement
- Increasing immigration
Teens are inexperienced workers and less likely to…..
Recognize hazards or to understand their legal rights on the job
——- and —— of adolescence puts youth at greater risk for disruption of organ system function as a result of chemical exposure
Biology
Physiologic immaturity
Rapid changes occurs in the following organ systems during adolescence:
- Reproductive
- Respiratory
- Skeletal
- Immune
- Central nervous system
The number of hours worked by teens may affect or lower….
- Academic performance
- Educational attainment
- Participation in peer and family activities
The number of hours worked by teens may increase the risk of….
Substance abuse and other minor Devine behaviors
Adolescents have a physiologic need for more —– than adults
Sleep
Longer and later work hours for teens may lead to ——- which may in turn cause ——–
Sleep deprivation
Falling asleep in school and increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression
Potential ways for occupational and environmental health nurses to get involved with children in the workplace:
- Advocacy
- Education and outreach
- Research
Ways the occupational and environmental health nurse can become involved in advocacy for children in the workplace:
- Reinforce that teens have the right to a safe and healthy work environment
- Participate in partnerships with diverse members of the community to develop a comprehensive educational approach to address the health and safety needs of young workers
- Encourage educators to use the opportunity of approving work permits to monitor the appropriateness of planned work activities and hours
- Provide information to schools regarding available health and safety curricula for students
- Reinforce to employers that they are responsible for providing a safe and healthy work environment for young workers
- Educate primary care and adolescent health care providers to inquire at their patients work activities
- Promote job opportunities that provide both educational opportunities and a balanced schedule
- Encourage teens to be involved in the development and delivery of health and safety training programs and services
- Advocate that the enforcement of existing regulations should be strengthened and updated
Nurse partnerships with diverse members of the community to advocate for educational approaches to health and safety needs of young workers should include:
- Parents
- Employers
- Educators
- Health care providers
- Teens
- Others
What topics should be enforced with employers in regards to providing a safe and healthy work environment for young workers?
- Must provide adequate (ie extra) supervision and training
2. Assign only age-appropriate activities
What should the occupational and environmental health nurse educate primary care providers for young workers about?
- Inquiring about their patients work activities
- Provide appropriate anticipatory guidance
- Workers compensation should be obtained for work related injuries or exposures
What are the benefits of encouraging teens to be involved in the development and delivery of health and safety training programs and services?
Such programs and services increase acceptance among peers and enhance their own investment in protecting themselves and understanding their rights
Existing child labor regulations should be updated to……
Reflect their appropriateness in the current work environment
Agricultural regulations for child labor laws should be updated to…..
Be consistent with the nonagricultural restrictions for hazardous activities
Occupational health and safety professionals and public health injury control experts should be educated regarding ————- and develop ———–
The risk of occupational injury for children and adolescents
Cross-training programs and services regarding occupational hazards for youth and prevention strategies
Workplace health and safety training programs and services such as ——, ——— and ——- should be age appropriate
Hazard communication
Injury and illness prevention
Safe task performance
Teen workers should be encouraged to do the following things in regards to hazardous work activities……
Ask questions and refuse to perform activities that they have not been trained to do or are too dangerous
Front-line supervisors and adult co-workers who directly interact with teens should receive…..
Extra training about the special needs of young workers
These types of programs should be established by the employer to help address the special needs of teen workers:
- Mentoring programs
2. Services to buddy experienced workers with new ones
What education should be provided in high schools regarding work?
Education about:
- Occupational health and safety issues
- Work related rights and responsibilities
Farm families should be involved in educational and prevention activities to increase awareness of……
The risk of injury in the home and farm work environment
More research is needed to examine the association of factors among adolescents such as:
Work experience, gender, work setting, and pace of work, with the occurrence of hazardous exposures and injuries
More research is needed regarding the association between work intensity and injury, including……
The number of hours worked per day and per week
More understanding is also needed about working ———— during adolescence
Late night hours
Research leading to a better understanding of ——— work activities in agricultural and nonagricultural settings for adolescents is crucial
Age appropriate
————- should be developed to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and services for adolescents
Intervention research projects
Examples of training programs and services that should be evaluated via intervention research projects for adolescents:
- Apprenticeship and other vocational education programs
- Integration of occupational health and safety curriculum in high schools
- Programs and services aimed at providing training to employers of youth about their special needs
- Enforcement of federal and state child labor laws
More surveys of teens regarding their beliefs and attitudes about ——- on the job should be taken
Safety
Surveys of teens regarding beliefs and attitudes about safety on the job would provide more information to assess….
Effectiveness of interventions aimed at reaching youth and to identify relevant health communication techniques, including issues regarding literacy,language and cultural differences
Research on the long-term impacts of early work related exposures and injuries should be done including:
- Evaluation of disability outcomes and psychologic response
- Attitudes towards work and the risk of occupational hazards
- Biologic effects of toxic exposures
- Changes in career options as a result of injury
- Special needs of young workers with disabilities
Expected US population increase between 2000 and 2025
24%