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Author Candura, S.M.; Verni, P.; Minelli, C.M.; Rosso, G.L.; Cappelli, M.I.; Strambi, S.; Martellosio, V. openurl 
  Title [Occupational risks among public safety and security forces] Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia Abbreviated Journal G Ital Med Lav Ergon  
  Volume 28 Issue 1 Pages 53-62  
  Keywords Burnout, Professional/etiology; Climate; Health Education; Humans; *Law Enforcement; Noise/adverse effects; *Occupational Diseases/chemically induced/etiology/prevention & control; *Occupational Health; *Police; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/etiology; Stress, Psychological/etiology; Vibration/adverse effects  
  Abstract (up) The present paper tries to identify the occupational risk factors (physical, chemical, biological, psychological), variable depending on jobs and tasks, to which the heterogeneous public safety/security workers are exposed. The fight against criminality and public order maintenance imply (sometimes fatal) traumatic risks, and expose to psychophysical and sensorial tiring, unfavourable macro- and microclimatic conditions, the risk of baropathy (air navigation, underwater activities), noise (generated by firearms and several other sources), vibrations and shakings (automatic weapons, transport vehicles), the risk of electric injury, ionizing (X and gamma rays) and non-inonizing (ultraviolet rays, microwaves and radiofrequencies, electromagnetic fields) radiations. Chemical hazards include carbon monoxide and other combustion products (fires, urban traffic), substances released in chemical accidents, tear gases, lead (firing grounds, metal works, environmental pollution), solvents, lubrificants and cutting oils (mechanic repair and maintenance), laboratory materials and reagents, irritant and/or sensitizing agents contained in gloves. The main biological risks are tetanus, blood-borne diseases (viral hepatitis, AIDS), aerogenous diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, Legionnaire's disease, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis), dog- or horse-transmitted zoonosis. Finally, emotional, psychosomatic and behavioural stress-related disorders (e.g., burn-out syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder) are typically frequent. The presence of numerous and diversified hazards among public safety/security forces imposes the adoption of occupational medicine measures, including risk assessment, health education, technical and environmental prevention, personal protective devices, sanitary surveillance and biological monitoring, clinical interventions (diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation of occupational accidents and illnesses), prompt medico-legal evaluation of occupational-related compensation claims.  
  Address Scuola di Specializzazione in Medicina del Lavoro, Universita degli Studi di Pavia, Italy  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Italian Summary Language Original Title Rischi professionali nelle Forze dell'Ordine  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1592-7830 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:16705889 Approved no  
  Call Number Serial 1871  
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Author Pritchard, J.C.; Lindberg, A.C.; Main, D.C.J.; Whay, H.R. doi  openurl
  Title Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Preventive Veterinary Medicine Abbreviated Journal Prev Vet Med  
  Volume 69 Issue 3-4 Pages 265-283  
  Keywords *Animal Welfare; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Developing Countries; *Equidae; Female; Health; Male  
  Abstract (up) Working animals provide an essential transport resource in developing countries worldwide. Many of these animals are owned by poor people and work in harsh environments, so their welfare is a cause for concern. A protocol was developed to assess the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys in urban and peri-urban areas, using direct observation of health and behaviour parameters. In this study, 4903 animals used for draught, pack and ridden work in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Jordan and Pakistan were assessed between December 2002 and April 2003. The data showed that donkeys were more likely than mules or horses to demonstrate avoidance or aggressive behaviour towards an observer, while horses were most likely to make a friendly approach. Fewer than 8% of working equines had abnormal mucous membranes, ectoparasites or poor coat condition. Body lesions occurred predominantly in the areas of the breast/shoulder, withers and girth in all three species, with mules having the highest prevalence of lesions in these areas (22.5, 21.3 and 28.4%, respectively). Among horses and donkeys, the prevalence of these lesions was influenced by the type of work carried out. Lesions on the head, neck, ribs, flank and tail base were seen in less than 10% of animals. Across all three species approximately 70% of animals were thin, having a body condition score (BCS) of 2 or less on a scale of 1-5 (1, very thin; 5, very fat) and more horses were in very thin condition (BCS 1) than mules or donkeys. Over 75% of animals demonstrated limb deformities and abnormalities of gait. The results of this study are being used as the initial stage of a long-term strategy to inform priorities for welfare interventions in working equines and to establish a welfare benchmark. Subsequent stages will rank the welfare concerns identified, assess the contributing risk factors and implement specific interventions to address these risks. Following intervention, success in improving welfare will be measured by repetition of this protocol and comparison with the benchmark.  
  Address Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK. joy.pritchard@bristol.ac.uk  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0167-5877 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:15907574 Approved no  
  Call Number Serial 1889  
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