ISSUE 21

|

  16 Mar 2015
Latest HSE Statistics YTD 15 Mar
  2014 2015
Workplace fatalities
1 1
Non-work related fatalities
0 0
Non-accidental deaths (NADs)
6 2
Lost Time Injuries (LTIs)
13 9
All injuries (excluding first aid cases)
39 29
Motor Vehicle Incidents (MVIs)
25 20
Roll over - MVIs
9 6
Serious MVIs
4 1
Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF)
0 0
Life Saving Rules Violations
YTD 15 Mar
Journey management
11
Speeding/GSM
2
Seatbelts
6
Overriding safety device
0
Working at heights
0
Permit
1
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 15 Mar
Class A
28
Class B
936
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
 

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 breastfet infants, older adults, people who get limited sun exposure, people with inflammatory bowel disease, and dark-skinned and obsese people. Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults are the classical vitamin D deficiency diseases.

   

Rickets is 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

 
 
Diagnostic tools:

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.

Women be aware:

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

 
ISSUE 21

|

  16 Mar 2015
         

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.

For more information or back issues, please access www.pdo.co.om/hseforcontractors or email Nasra Maamery (MSE/51)