Documents Ribak, Joseph 5 results

The examination of managers' personal determinants that encourage or thwart notification of workers about hazards in their workplaces was investigated. One hundred and six managers and their 460 workers in 40 departments at three public sector industrial facilities in Israel were invited to participate in the study. Managers' perception of risks and model of notification, as well as workers' perception of risks and effectiveness of notification efforts were considered in the study. Significant differences between managers and workers were found on the following variables: perception of the use and importance of notification and hazards and the mode in which information about risks was delivered. Both of these variables were quite high with regard to perception of the use and importance of notification. Managers attached less importance to information about safety procedures and hazards than workers. A significant difference was noted between managers and workers with regard to ways of communicating about risks. Managers reported using a personal mode of communication far more often than workers. Workers and managers agreed that immediate supervisors more often notify than other work functionaries. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the greater a manager's sense of self efficacy and positive outcome expectations, the more often workers perceived receiving information about work hazards. The greater the denial by managers of work risks, the less workers reported receiving information about work hazards. The higher a manager's self efficacy cognition, the more often they used the personal mode of communication.

Levels of blood cadmium and urine cotinine (a nicotine metabolite) were determined as biological markers of exposure to cigarette smoke in a group of workers comprising 47 active smokers, 46 passive smokers, and 65 unexposed nonsmokers. The mean blood cadmium levels in the active and passive smokers were significantly higher than in the unexposed nonsmokers. The mean cotinine level was significantly higher in active smokers than in the passive smokers or nonsmokers. Exposure to cigarette smoke is harmful in both active and passive smokers and is a confounder to be taken into account in epidemiologic studies and surveillance programmes on cadmium-exposed workers.