Affiliations: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic
Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | De Witte Raaf Arbodienst BV, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Judith K Sluiter, Coronel
Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of
Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31
205662735; Fax: +31 206977161; E-mail: j.sluiter@amc.nl
Abstract: Objective: The objective was to find the factors that pose a
possible health risk to OR personnel. Work-related health problems of operating
room (OR) personnel were signalled by an occupational physician and
preparations for the development of new Worker's Health Surveillance (WHS) were
started with a systematic review of the literature. Methods: A systematic
review was performed of articles in Pubmed, published from January 1991 to
December 2007, concerning risks or health effects in the working conditions of
OR personnel. Results: Twenty-three articles reported that workers in the
OR are exposed to infectious agents, noise, anaesthetic gases and radiation.
Eleven studies reported elevated risk for (allergic) skin diseases,
musculoskeletal complaints and infectious diseases. Conclusions: Factors
that form a health risk for workers in the operating room are infectious
agents, noise, anaesthetic gases and radiation. Health effects on workers in
the OR are (allergic) skin disorders, musculoskeletal complaints and infectious diseases.
Keywords: Workers health surveillance, working conditions, exposure, infection, allergy
