Kumagai S, Hirata M, Tabuchi T, Tainaka H, Andoh K, Oda H
Department of Occupational Health, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Japan.
Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2000 Sep;42(5):193-200. doi: 10.1539/sangyoeisei.kj00002552342.
In order to clarify the actual condition of occupational health management for hazardous and musculo-skeletally stressful work factors in small-scale enterprises (SSEs) in Japan, a questionnaire survey was conducted in an area near Osaka city. The hazardous work factors examined were dust, organic solvents, lead, specified chemical substances, anoxia, noise, hand-arm vibration, ionizing radiation, high and low temperatures, and high air pressure. The musculo-skeletally stressful work factors examined were VDT work, prolonged standing, unnatural postures, handling of heavy weights, and stress on neck, shoulders and arms. The number of SSEs that replied to the questionnaire was 765 (recovery rate: 69.3%). Enterprises with noise, dust, hand-arm vibration and organic solvents numbered 14.0%, 10.7%, 6.9% and 6.4%, respectively, and those with other hazardous factors numbered less than 3%. Special medical examinations and working environment measurements for hazardous factors were conducted in 0.0% to 26.7% and 0.0% to 13.3%, respectively, of the enterprises. Working environment controls were conducted in 0.0% to 40.2%. Enterprises with prolonged standing and VDT work, were 42.0% and 35.8%, whereas those with other stressful factors were approximately 30%. Special medical examinations for musculo-skeletally stressful factors were conducted in 3.0% to 5.1% of the enterprises, and work controls were conducted in 20.4% to 25.3%. Non execution of the special medical examinations and working environment measurements were mainly due to "lack of knowledge of the law (19.7% and 30.2%)" and "lack of time to perform (16.0% and 23.3%)". Non execution of the controls for the hazardous work factors was due to "lack of knowledge as to how to control (9.0%)", "high costs (7.4%)", "lack of time to perform (6.4%)" and "absence of a suitable adviser (5.9%)". Non execution of the controls for stressful work factors was due to "lack of knowledge as to how to control (15.6%)" and "lack of time to perform (10.2%)". Consequently, as a result of the survey, it was suggested that it is necessary to enlighten the employers of SEEs as to the importance of occupational health controls. It is also necessary to propose low-cost, feasible control methods.
为了弄清日本小型企业（SSEs）中有害及肌肉骨骼应激性工作因素的职业健康管理实际状况，在大阪市附近地区进行了问卷调查。所调查的有害工作因素包括粉尘、有机溶剂、铅、特定化学物质、缺氧、噪声、手臂振动、电离辐射、高温和低温以及高气压。所调查的肌肉骨骼应激性工作因素包括VDT作业、长时间站立、不自然姿势、重物搬运以及颈部、肩部和手臂的压力。对问卷做出回复的小型企业有765家（回收率：69.3%）。存在噪声、粉尘、手臂振动和有机溶剂问题的企业分别占14.0%、10.7%、6.9%和6.4%，存在其他有害因素的企业占比不到3%。分别有0.0%至26.7%的企业针对有害因素进行了特殊医学检查，0.0%至13.3%的企业进行了工作环境测量。进行工作环境控制的企业占0.0%至40.2%。存在长时间站立和VDT作业问题的企业分别占42.0%和35.8%，存在其他应激性因素的企业约占30%。有3.0%至5.1%的企业针对肌肉骨骼应激性因素进行了特殊医学检查，20.4%至25.3%的企业进行了工作控制。未进行特殊医学检查和工作环境测量主要是由于“对法律缺乏了解（19.7%和30.2%）”以及“缺乏执行时间（16.0%和23.3%）”。未对有害工作因素进行控制是由于“不知道如何控制（9.0%）”、“成本高（7.4%）”、“缺乏执行时间（6.4%）”以及“没有合适的顾问（5.9%）”。未对应激性工作因素进行控制是由于“不知道如何控制（15.6%）”以及“缺乏执行时间（10.2%）”。因此，调查结果表明，有必要让小型企业雇主了解职业健康控制的重要性。还需要提出低成本、可行的控制方法。
