Identifying and prioritizing gaming workers' health and safety concerns using mapping for data collection.
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.
Keith
M M
MM
Faculty of Health and Community Studies, DeMontfort University, Leicester, UK. mkeith@ohcow.on.ca
Cann
B
B
Brophy
J T
JT
Hellyer
D
D
Day
M
M
Egan
S
S
Mayville
K
K
Watterson
A
A
D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003256:Community Participation; D003625:Data Collection; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005715:Gambling; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D009864:Ontario; D012449:Safety; D017751:Safety Management; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013696:Temperature; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D017132:Workplace
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution