Special Issue: Recent Research in Occupational Exposure Assessments and Hazard Control Measures

1. Introduction

According to the International Labour Organization, there are 340 million cases of work-related accidents and 160 million victims of occupational illness globally every year [1]. These numbers are staggering and a driving force as to why this Special Issue was initiated. In an effort to reduce the number of work-related injuries and illnesses, we need evidence-based information to assist with the assessment and control of workplace hazards. This Special Issue showcases the work of research teams from different corners of the globe to address the worldwide problem of improving workplace health and safety. An overview of the publications in this Special Issue is found below.

The study by Hon and Motiwala was important for two reasons: (1) biological monitoring can be used to assess exposure through all the different routes of entry as well as to understand the total body burden; and (2) biological monitoring is an underused exposure assessment tool [2]. The results of Hon and Motiwala’s scoping review suggests that biological monitoring of healthcare workers who are exposed to hazardous drugs should be considered as a tool to assess occupational exposure. Their conclusion is noteworthy as Jeddi et al. (2022) recently proposed a “vision and a strategy for the use of (human biomonitoring) in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond” [3].

The study by Ioannou et al. focused on a novel means of assessing heat strain which is both important and timely as global temperatures are steadily rising along with the corresponding increased risk of associated health effects [4]. In fact, it is estimated that heat-induced labor productivity loss will be equivalent to nearly USD 2.5 trillion in 2030. [5]. This research team developed a relatively accurate mobile app that allow users to assess physiological heat strain. Not only would this mobile app be important for individuals who work in heat stress conditions, but it is pertinent to members of the public as well.

In their study, Santos-Romero et al. examined occupational noise and vibration—whereby the former hazard is found in virtually every workplace [6]. Not surprisingly, noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases worldwide [7]. The researchers found that teachers in a vocational educational training center had elevated exposure to both noise and vibration. There is a dearth of literature which examines the health and safety of teachers involved with vocational training and this article helps to address this gap. The authors suggest that further studies regarding this job cohort are required to better understand the occupational hazards that they may encounter.

Lastly, Yoo et al. used artificial intelligence to predict accidents in the construction sector. This is an important initiative as it is estimated that 60,000 construction workers die annually [8]. Employing technology is important because, not only can it be used to prevent work-related injuries, but it can also reduce a significant amount of man hours that could then be redistributed to other tasks that still requires human intervention [9]. It is hoped that the successful outcomes of this study can be applied to the management of worker safety beyond the construction sector.

Recent Research in Occupational Exposure Assessments and Hazard Control Measures https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/Occupational_Exposure_Hazard_Control.

2. Conclusions

This Special Issue highlights the breadth and depth of workplace health and safety as it addresses various health and safety issues including healthcare worker’s exposure to hazardous drugs, work-related thermal stress, exposure to noise and vibration of a unique job cohort, and accident prevention in the construction sector. I hope that you found this global collection illuminating and that it compels you to adopt the findings from these studies to assist in your continued efforts to maintain the health and well-being of your workforce. Despite the novel and practical information presented in this collection, a great deal of work remains with respect to reducing the number of occupational injuries and illnesses worldwide.