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Identifying and prioritizing gaming workers' health and safety concerns using mapping for data collection *
Author(s) -
Keith Margaret M.,
Cann Beverley,
Brophy James T.,
Hellyer Deborah,
Day Margaret,
Egan Shirley,
Mayville Kathy,
Watterson Andrew
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0274(200101)39:1<42::aid-ajim4>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - occupational safety and health , medicine , data collection , hazard , physical hazard , environmental health , participatory action research , human factors and ergonomics , focus group , poison control , applied psychology , nursing , marketing , psychology , business , statistics , chemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background This research was prompted by the clinical presentation of workers from a variety of gaming occupations with injuries and illnesses and multiple health and safety concerns. Methods Using participatory action research principles, 51 gaming workers in Ontario and 20 gaming workers in Manitoba were consulted during a series of focus group sessions. Mapping exercises were used to survey the participants about their health concerns, perceived occupational hazards and the impact of working conditions on their personal lives. Participants were then asked to prioritize their concerns and make recommendations for improvements. Results Gaming workers from both provinces identified similar health, hazard and psycho‐social concerns. They prioritized the issues of stress, ergonomics, indoor air quality (including second‐hand smoke and temperature), biological hazards, physical hazards and noise. Conclusions This study points to a need to more fully investigate and address health and safety issues in the gaming industry. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of a worker‐driven, participatory consultation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:42–51, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.