OIL REFINERY WORKERS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE:  REFINERY WORKERS, HEART DISEASE AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Oil Refinery Work is unique. Workers at refineries have responsibilities that may place them at risk for cardiovascular disease.  If refinery job responsibilities impact a worker’s cardiovascular health, this industrially caused or aggravated cardiovascular condition is the basis for a workers’ compensation claim. A valid workers’ compensation claim would entitle the Injured Worker to receive medical treatment, compensation in the form of temporary and permanent disability benefits and vocational rehabilitation benefits.

A recent study was conducted with respect to health issues for Refinery Workers. The findings of the study examined the refinery workers’ shifts. See  Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476

What is Shift Work?

Shift Work is a term that is used for the set hours that employees work. “Shift work is work that takes place on a schedule outside the traditional 9 am – 5 pm day. It can involve evening or night shifts, early morning shifts, and rotating shifts. Many industries rely heavily on shift work, and millions of people work in jobs that require shift schedules.” https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/what-shift-work

With respect to refineries, there are number of these facilities that require shift work.

Are There Health Risks With Shift Work?

“Several studies sought to identify such factors in different groups of people10,18,19,20,21, and shiftwork was found to contribute to serious physical, mental and/or social problems.” Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476.

“Shift work can also affect workers’ quality and length of life by making them more prone to various disorders, including cardiovascular disease.” https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/what-shift-work

What are Cardiovascular System Diseases?

The Cardiovascular System Diseases many medical conditions. These include acute myocardial infarction, angina, arrythmias, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and valvular heart disease.

Note: Not all cardiovascular disease may have an industrial contribution.  Medical Analysis and Medical Expert Witness Opinion is required to make such a determination.

What Was the Shift Work That Was Subject to the Study?

In the study, “[e]mployees with fixed schedule work Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 16:30, being off duty on weekends and holidays to a total of 40 hours/week. Shiftwork was implemented to ensure uninterrupted operation, through five rotational teams under three 8-hour shifts – 7:00 to 15:00, 15:00 to 23:00 and 23:00 to 7:00 – all seven days of the week, including holidays, with rest between shifts, to a total working time of 32 hours/week. These workers receive additional pay. The work/rest schedule was approved by the corresponding trade union and complies with the labor laws in force.” Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476

What Were the Findings of This Study?

The study found that

“[t]he highest odds of hypertension and high LDL corresponded to men above 40 and shift workers.

The highest odds of diabetes were exhibited by workers above 40 and those with fixed work schedule independently from sex. Risk of CVD was moderate, despite young age, high educational level and available resources at the company.

The results further indicated a high rate of employees exposed to three or more risk factors, whence one may infer a need for multiple interventions. Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476

Thus we found higher prevalence of hypertension and high LDL among shift workers compared to employees with fixed work schedule. Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476 [emphasis added]

I am a Refinery Worker, What Does This Mean?

Performing shift work may have an impact on your cardiovascular health. If you work at a refinery, perform shift work, and are having cardiovascular system issues, it may be in your interest to consider whether it is in your interest to pursue a workers’ compensation claim.

What If I Need Advice? 

If you would like a free consultation concerning any workers’ compensation case, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. They have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their worker’s compensation cases for 28 years. Contact us today for more information.

 

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