ISSUE 21

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Latest HSE Statistics YTD
  2014 2015
Workplace fatalities
0 0
Non-work related fatalities
0 0
Non-accidental deaths (NADs)
 0 0
Lost Time Injuries (LTIs)
 0 0
All injuries (excluding first aid cases)
 0 0
Motor Vehicle Incidents (MVIs)
 0 0
Roll over - MVIs
 0 0
Serious MVIs
 0 0
Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF)
 0 0
Life Saving Rules Violations
YTD
Journey management
0
Speeding/GSM
0
Seatbelts
0
Overriding safety device
0
Working at heights
0
Permit
0
Confined space
0
Lock out tag out
0
Drugs and alcohol
0
Gas testing
0
Smoking
0
Suspended Load
0
Vehicle Class A/B Defect
YTD
Class A
0
Class B
0
HSE TIP
Although the amount of vitamin D adults get from their diet is often less than what's recommended, exposure to sunlight can make up for the difference.
 
 

Important News
   
 

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it regulates calcium and phosphate absorption in the body to enable healthy bone mineralization and growth. It is naturally present in a few foods, and it can be produced internally when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sunlight. Those at risk of vitamin D deficiency include breastfed infants, older adults, people who get limited sun exposure, people with inflammatory bowel disease, and dark-skinned and obese people. Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults are the classical vitamin D deficiency diseases.

   

Ricketsis a disease characterised by failure of bone tissues to properly mineralise, resulting in soft bones and skeletal deformities. Osteomalacia is a condition resulting in weak bones, bone pains and muscle weakness. A recent study conducted at Sultan Qaboos University to assess the vitamin D status in a sample of healthy Omanis revealed that 87.5% of the study population had a vitamin D deficiency. The study applied a cut-off point limit of a vitamin D level at 50 nmol/L and women, as compared to men, had a markedly lower vitamin D Level.

 

What You Need to Know
 
 
How do I know if I have Vitamin D deficiency?:

Clinical symptoms, followed by a confirmatory laboratory blood test for vitamin D are the main diagnostic tools.  The vitamin D lab test is not recommended for everyone but for only those who are symptomatic and are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
 
Vitamin D target levels:

A vitamin D level of 50nmol/L is considered just sufficient to support and maintain bone and mineral health. However, the recommended vitamin D target level should be at a minimum of 75-100 nmol/L.

Vitamin D and osteoporosis:

Women should be aware of their increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and post-menopausal osteoporosis.
 
ISSUE 21

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Dietary sources of vitamin D are limited, so it is difficult to get enough of this important vitamin from food alone. Here is some dietary advice to improve your vitamin D status:
 

  • Include  a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products in your diet
  • Include lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.  Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are very good sources of vitamin D.  Small amounts of vitamin D are also found in beef liver and egg yolks

  

  • Consume vitamin D fortified food
  • Stay within your daily calorie needs
  • Use calcium and vitamin D supplements if indicated. Adequate calcium and vitamin D are essential to optimise your bone health.
  • The daily recommended maintenance dose of vitamin D varies by age; for infants, 1,000 IU/day and 2,000 IU/day are recommended for children and adults respectively. However, higher doses of vitamin D given either daily or weekly are recommended for vitamin D-deficient children and adults.

  

Patients who are on vitamin D supplements should have a repeat blood test for their vitamin D level to confirm that they are within the normal range. If the vitamin D concentration remains persistently low despite several attempts at correction with oral vitamin D supplements, a trial of UVB light therapy (i.e. by tanning lamps) may be considered to improve vitamin D status.  Too much vitamin D in your blood can be toxic and so it is important to consult your doctor and discuss the dosage and duration of the intake.