SUMMARY: Seaports are complex systems in which workers can be exposed to a large variety of safety and health risks. Nevertheless, a little literature is available concerning this topic, if we exclude the specific area of shipbuilding industry. Objectives. The aim of this paper is to update the review of the scientific literature previously published as result of a project concerning the occupational risks in seaports. Methods. Literature on this theme, obtained consulting the main databases (PubMed, Scholar and CCOHS) from 2012 and up to April 2019, was reviewed. Results. 5 of 8 articles published after 2012 were related to risk of release or formation of volatile compounds in restricted and poorly ventilated areas or inhalation of particles from specific goods. Three papers specifically debated musculoskeletal disorders related to loading/unloading procedures, occupational diseases and injuries. Conclusions. The update of the literature highlighted intrinsically dangerous goods, toxic volatile compounds and emissions as critical aspects of seaport activities related to goods handling. Recently, the literature shows a growing interest in occupational health, especially work-related musculoskeletal diseases. Prevention measures and implementation of worker's training and information are identified by all authors as the more effective action to increase health and safety..

Il complesso ambiente portuale espone i lavoratori ad una vasta gamma di rischi per la salute e la sicurezza. Ciononostante, in letteratura esistono pochi lavori sull’argomento, se si escludono quelli specificamente riguardanti l’industria di costruzione navale. Obiettivi. Il presente lavoro si propone di aggiornare la revisione pubblicata in occasione di un precedente progetto riguardante i rischi associati al lavoro nei porti. Metodi. La ricerca sull’argomento è stata condotta consultando i principali database (PubMed, Scholar e CCOHS) fino all’inizio dell’anno 2019. Risultati. Degli 8 articoli inseriti nel nuovo studio, 5 sono incentrati sul problema dell’emissione o formazione di sostanze tossiche volatili in ambienti confinati o dell’inalazione di particelle dovute alla presenza di carichi particolari. I restanti 3 articoli trattano invece nello specifico le patologie muscoloscheletriche connesse alla movimentazione dei carichi, le malattie professionali e gli incidenti. Conclusioni. Dall’analisi della letteratura reperita in aggiornamento alla revisione emerge che l’aspetto più critico e maggiormente indagato rimane il problema delle merci intrinsecamente pericolose, dei composti tossici volatili e delle potenziali emissioni collegate al trasporto e alla movimentazione in porto delle rinfuse. Negli ultimi anni vi è stato però un crescente interesse verso l’aspetto della salute e delle malattie professionali e in particolare verso le patologie muscoloscheletriche. Fondamentali rimangono la prevenzione e la formazione, sia per quanto riguarda gli aspetti della salute che della sicurezza.

Occupational safety and health risks in seaport: an update of narrative review

Sabatini L.;Graziosi F.;Violante F. S.
2019

Abstract

SUMMARY: Seaports are complex systems in which workers can be exposed to a large variety of safety and health risks. Nevertheless, a little literature is available concerning this topic, if we exclude the specific area of shipbuilding industry. Objectives. The aim of this paper is to update the review of the scientific literature previously published as result of a project concerning the occupational risks in seaports. Methods. Literature on this theme, obtained consulting the main databases (PubMed, Scholar and CCOHS) from 2012 and up to April 2019, was reviewed. Results. 5 of 8 articles published after 2012 were related to risk of release or formation of volatile compounds in restricted and poorly ventilated areas or inhalation of particles from specific goods. Three papers specifically debated musculoskeletal disorders related to loading/unloading procedures, occupational diseases and injuries. Conclusions. The update of the literature highlighted intrinsically dangerous goods, toxic volatile compounds and emissions as critical aspects of seaport activities related to goods handling. Recently, the literature shows a growing interest in occupational health, especially work-related musculoskeletal diseases. Prevention measures and implementation of worker's training and information are identified by all authors as the more effective action to increase health and safety..
2019
Barbieri A.; Sabatini L.; Graziosi F.; Severi E.; Mancini G.; Violante F.S.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/898394
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