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Safety
Number of Followers: 2  Open Access journalISSN (Online) 2313-576X Published by MDPI  [258 journals]
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- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 55: Insights into Agricultural Machine Injuries in
Pakistan: An Orthopedic Surgeons Survey (2022–2023)
Authors: Mian Muhammad Sajid Raza, Zamir Hussain Tunio, Ikram Din Ujjan, Salah F. Issa
First page: 55
Abstract: As one of the most perilous industries, agriculture presents both fatal and non-fatal risks to farmers. Pakistan, a notable Asian nation, heavily depends on agriculture, which constitutes 23% of its GDP and employs 37.4% of its workforce. The study investigates the challenges within Pakistan’s agriculture sector and enriches the existing literature by gathering data on agricultural machine-related injuries in Pakistan during 2022–2023. The survey, conducted from November 2022 to April 2023, involved 55 respondents, predominantly from Sindh and Punjab. The findings indicate a total of 507 injuries, with approximately a quarter being fatal (121 incidents). Sindh emerges as a significant hotspot, with the majority of injuries documented there. With respect to the key sources of injuries, the fodder cutter is a primary source of injuries with 201 injuries documented, accounting for approximately 40% of all injuries. Threshers contributed to 197 injuries, approximately 39% of the total, and about 52 are tractor-related injuries, making up about 10% of machine injuries. Regarding the severity and demographics of injuries, about 38% of cases involve amputation, with a higher incidence among males (77%) and individuals aged 15–34 years (65%). It is important to acknowledge the study’s limitations, including a small participant pool and a brief data collection period. This research advocates for safety regulations, accident reduction measures, and increased safety awareness among farmers, aiming to foster a safer and more sustainable agricultural environment in Pakistan.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-25
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030055
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 56: Assessing the Short-Term Effects of Dual
Back-Support Exoskeleton within Logistics Operations
Authors: André Cardoso, Ana Colim, Paula Carneiro, Nélson Costa, Sérgio Gomes, Abel Pires, Pedro Arezes
First page: 56
Abstract: Logistics activities involve significant risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), particularly low back pain. Exoskeletons have emerged as potential solutions to mitigate these risks. This study assesses the short-term effects of dual passive back-support exoskeletons (Auxivo and Htrius) on WMSD risk factors in logistics operations. Two workstations were evaluated using self-report ratings, postural assessment, and surface electromyography (EMG). The results indicate that both exoskeletons provided relief and support during tasks, with Htrius showing a slight advantage. Exoskeletons reduced perceived exertion, especially during trunk flexion tasks, and improved posture, particularly in tasks involving manual lifting loads at lower height levels. While variations in muscular activity were observed, the Htrius exoskeleton showed a trend of reducing lumbar muscle activity. Overall, Htrius demonstrated promise in improving workers’ comfort, safety, and efficiency, potentially reducing WMSD risk and muscular fatigue. However, individual preferences and workplace-specific characteristics should be considered when selecting exoskeleton models. Future research should explore the effects on different loads, genders, and EMG of different muscles to further enhance the understanding and application of exoskeletons in occupational contexts.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-28
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030056
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 57: Modelling of Safety Performance in Building
Construction Projects Using System Dynamics Approach in Tanzania
Authors: Kamugisha Kajumulo, Juma Matindana, Fatma Mohamed
First page: 57
Abstract: Issues in construction safety in Tanzania cast a long shadow, claiming lives and hindering project success. Understanding the complex dynamics at play is crucial for improving safety performance. This research aims to develop a system dynamics model to understand the factors influencing safety performance in building construction projects. Smart PLS was used to identify key variables using factor reduction, and 19 factors were determined as key factors to be used in this study from 143 variables from a questionnaire; then, STELLA was used to develop system dynamic modelling. A study was conducted on 255 building construction projects in five regions of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Arusha, Mwanza, and Mbeya, and later, the model was tested in one contractor’s company. By simulating the interactions between these diverse elements and their impact on accident rates, it was found that both safety performance and safety management processes for construction projects are not stagnant but are expected to rise at the beginning of the project and to grow steadily as the project execution approaches its end. The sensitivity analysis conducted on the system dynamics model found that the extent, frequency, and cost of incidences are positively correlated. This study contributes facts on the status of safety climate, a new definition of safety climate, and the integration of different analysis methods in evaluating safety performance in Tanzania.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-28
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030057
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 58: Review of Integrated Management Systems to
Re-Engineer Existing Nonconformances Troubleshooting System
Authors: Matshidiso Moso, Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju
First page: 58
Abstract: Total quality management (TQM) is a strategic philosophy that has adopted kaizen activities which drives the business to carry out activities effectively to yield the best desired output, hence, a profitable organization. The kaizen philosophy acts as a catalyst in productivity rate and integrated management systems (IMS) which results in drastic improvements. When the nonconformity arises within the process, the accuracy of the problem solving determines quality of preventive action, therefore the preventive action should be accompanied by the opportunity of improvement from the raised nonconformance. This research seeks to add more knowledge and upgrade technology of problem-solving models relating to the integrated management systems by examining various troubleshooting models for problem solving and preventive action related to quality nonconformances, safety incidents and engineering breakdowns. Hence, the aim of this research is for troubleshooting model technique enhancement for issues related to process engineering, quality management systems and occupational health and safety by creating a model which analyses kaizen projects from the corrective and preventive action analysis of nonconformances. The proposed troubleshooting model was developed using lean techniques and risk rating tools; it was then applied to the case study company for simulation and the outcomes resulted in the closure of nonconformances and continual improvement of future projects. The proposed model is more advantageous to the manufacturing industries seeking to improve their Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA) systems.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-05
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030058
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 59: Subjective Effects of Using a Passive Upper
Limb Exoskeleton for Industrial Textile Workers
Authors: Edda Maria Capodaglio, Federica Amitrano, Armando Coccia, Vittorio Gabba, Gaetano Pagano, Giovanni D’Addio, Monica Panigazzi
First page: 59
Abstract: Industrial wool textile production exposes workers mainly to the biomechanical loading of the shoulder joint. In this work context, which is characterized by poor machine ergonomics, exposure to biomechanical risk factors, and variable work organization, exoskeletons could facilitate work processes or could be a valuable means to protect workers from overuse injuries. Field evaluation is essential to verify the suitability of specific devices and their acceptance by users. As part of a pilot study, we examined the short-term subjective effects of a passive Arm-Support Exoskeleton (ASE) on workers performing repetitive overhead tasks. In a textile factory, eight workers participated in the study, answering questionnaires after carrying out a work session with (ASE) and without an exoskeleton (FREE). Participants had been using the Paexo exoskeleton for 4.2±5.8 months (min 0–max 12). Subjective evaluations were collected regarding the workload (NASA-TLX) and relief (Borg’s CR10 scale) obtained from the use of the exoskeleton, satisfaction (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST)), usability (System Usability Scale (SUS)), and opinions on the ergonomics of the device (Ergonomics questionnaire). Workers reported a high workload (NASA 7.2±1.0) and assessed a 46% reduction in effort on the CR10 in ASE conditions compared to FREE. They expressed high satisfaction with most characteristics of the ASE (100% satisfied with durability and effectiveness), high level of usability (62% of scores above 80, out of a maximum score of 100), and ergonomics of the device (88±12, out of a maximum score of 110). In addition to the objective effects (electromyography (EMG) reduction) already demonstrated in a previous publication, these qualitative results demonstrate a positive perception by textile workers regarding the effectiveness, usability, and suitability of the exoskeleton. The adoption of ASE in the textile industry appears beneficial in the short term, but the impact associated with individual variables and long-term effects remains to be explored.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-05
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030059
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 60: Occupational Chemical Exposure and Health
Status of Wildland Firefighters at the Firefront: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tatiana Teixeira, Liliana Almeida, Isabel Dias, João Santos Baptista, Joana Santos, Mário Vaz, Joana Guedes
First page: 60
Abstract: Wildland firefighting represents a physically and mentally demanding endeavour fraught with various risk factors. The primary aim of this study is to delineate occupational chemical exposure within the firefighting work environment on the firefront and its implications for firefighters’ health status. A systematic literature review was conducted utilising diverse keyword combinations across Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and ScienceDirect databases. Only English-language journal articles, real-world monitoring reports, and studies featuring samples of firefighters were considered for inclusion. Forty-one studies were analysed, with 26 focusing on firefighters’ occupational exposure to chemical agents during wildland firefighting and 15 addressing the health impairments of wildland firefighting activities. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), VOCs, and particulates emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents in the exposure profiles of frontline firefighters. They were shown to be the main incidents of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and work-related cancer. The rigorous demands of wildland firefighting have been demonstrated to significantly impact firefighter health, resulting in a notable prevalence of fatalities and illnesses. Given that an elevated number of health issues are common in this occupation, adopting advanced assessment technologies is imperative.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-05
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030060
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 61: An Analysis of Occupational Hazards Based on
the Physical Ergonomics Dimension to Improve the Occupational Health of
Agricultural Workers: The Case in Mayo Valley, Mexico
Authors: Víctor Manuel Ramos-García, Josué Aarón López-Leyva, Ana Paola Balderrama-Carmona, Iván Ochoa-Vázquez, Juan José García-Ochoa, Manuel de Jesús Espinoza-Espino
First page: 61
Abstract: The occupational health and safety of agricultural workers is a topic that has a direct impact on the agricultural sector worldwide. For this reason, investigations into ergonomic factors are relevant to the health and safety of agricultural workers. In this study, nine variables of the physical–ergonomic dimension were analyzed to determine which factors represent occupational risks for agricultural workers in Mayo Valley, Mexico. A sample of 200 people was considered. The sample was separated by gender and divided into groups according to age. A closed-ended survey was developed and validated to assess physical ergonomics variables using a five-level Likert scale. Using Principal Component Analysis, it was found that there are physical ergonomic variables that affect male agricultural workers more than female workers (the risk of carrying heavy objects, PE3, and the risk of performing repetitive movements, PE4). It was also found that certain physical ergonomic variables are not perceived as hazardous by agricultural workers (the risk of using inappropriate materials, PE9). In addition, various research findings are discussed to determine the implications and recommendations for improving the occupational health and safety of agricultural workers in Mayo Valley, Mexico.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-08
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030061
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 62: Operational Management and Improvement
Strategies of Evacuation Centers during the 2024 Noto Peninsula
Earthquake—A Case Study of Wajima City
Authors: Tomoya Itatani, Michio Kojima, Junichi Tanaka, Ryo Horiike, Kuniomi Sibata, Ryohei Sasaki
First page: 62
Abstract: On 1 January 2024, a large earthquake occurred in Japan’s Noto region. Many buildings collapsed as a result of violent shaking. Electricity and water supplies were cut off, and communications were disrupted. On 5 January, four days after the earthquake, we visited Noto and conducted disaster-relief activities. This report integrates and discusses the results of the site visits, information broadcasts by public institutions, and previous research. Evacuation centers lacked water and proper sanitation, leading to health issues, including infectious diseases. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) were delayed in implementing infection control measures. Isolated evacuation centers faced communication and supply challenges. Infrastructure restoration, power supply, and toilet facilities at evacuation centers were delayed because of geographical challenges. It is important to have a team that can determine and carry out the necessary activities on site, even without instructions from the DMAT. It is believed to be effective to decide in advance how volunteer teams and the private sector will conduct their activities, assuming that they will be unable to contact public institutions during a disaster. In large-scale disasters, evacuees must operate evacuation centers autonomously. To achieve this, it is necessary for residents to regularly come together as a community. Systematically recording and accumulating these experiences will contribute to improved disaster prevention and mitigation planning. We hope that the experiences we obtained through the abovementioned disaster will be useful for preparing for future disasters.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-12
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030062
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 63: Evaluation of Shoulder Risk Factors in the
Repetitive Task of Slaughterhouse
Authors: Ana Sophia Rosado, Isabella Cabrini, Natalia Duarte, João Santos Baptista, Joana C. Guedes
First page: 63
Abstract: Repetitive movements and the speed of upper limbs increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to analyse the risk of shoulder injuries in repetitive tasks by evaluating the humerus angle, angular velocity, and angular acceleration during simulated chicken wing cutting. The study was conducted in a laboratory simulating a real environment. Thirty-six healthy right-handed volunteers were assessed using an electromagnetic tracking device, TrakSTAR, integrated with MotionMonitor™ (Innovative Sports Training, Inc. Chicago, IL) and software to collect 3-D kinematic data developed in the research centre. The equipment measured the angles performed by the upper limbs during the entire movement. The humerus angles were automatically transformed into angular velocity (°·s−1) and angular acceleration (°·s−2). Maximum angular velocities were 27.39°·s−1 (men, right humerus) and 22.39°·s−1 (women, left humerus), both below the safe limit. Maximum accelerations were 25.32°·s−2 (men, left side) and 28.94°·s−2 (women, left side); safety values for these accelerations are not established. Monotony is a risk factor, especially for the dominant side. Future studies should evaluate risk factors simultaneously in repetitive tasks. Repetitiveness exceeds the safe limit according to the OCRA method.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-16
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030063
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 64: A Model of Adaptive Error Management Practices
Addressing the Higher-Order Factors of the Dirty Dozen Error
Classification—Implications for Organizational Resilience in
Sociotechnical Systems
Authors: Nicki Marquardt, Ricarda Gades-Büttrich, Tammy Brandenberg, Verena Schürmann
First page: 64
Abstract: Within the dynamic, complex, and often safety-critical operations of many process industries, the integration of technology and human elements has given rise to sociotechnical systems (STSs), where the interaction between people and technology plays a pivotal role. To thrive in this complex environment, organizations must adopt adaptive error management strategies and cultivate organizational resilience. This approach involves managing the unexpected and designing systems to embrace disorder by organizational learning from errors in STSs. The main objective of this article was to present empirical data of error-causing elements in STSs based on the Dirty Dozen concept, their underlying structure, and implications for error causation screening and adaptive error management systems. A sample of 544 workers employed in seven process industries, such as automotive, chemicals, defense, metal, and timber, participated in this study. The results revealed a three-factor model of human error causation in STSs. Based on these results, an adaptive error management system (AEMS), which includes evidence-based interventions to manage causes of human errors and mitigate their risky consequences, was presented. Finally, implications for organizational resilience and safety culture in STSs were discussed.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-17
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030064
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 65: The Illusive Pipedream of Zero Harm: A South
African Mining Industry Perspective
Authors: Oscar Rikhotso, Mesala Shabangu, Yolanda Havenga
First page: 65
Abstract: Mining industry activities are fraught with inherent exposure to occupational health and safety hazards, often with fatal outcomes, injuries and occupational diseases. This occurs amidst the introduction of contemporary mining methods and targeted health and safety regulation. This historical study evaluated company annual reports through document analysis, on a textual level, to evaluate the extent of OHS performance reporting, a measure of the attainment status of the zero-harm aspirational goal. The reporting of OHS performance indicators in annual reports by South African mining companies is widespread, though variable in format, content and context. There were variances in the reporting of OHS indicators by the case mining companies which obfuscate attempts for intra- and inter-company comparisons of OHS performance. The case companies included have not attained the stated goal of zero harm in view of the historically reported and protracted incidences of fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases, a direct threat to the decent work principle. The status quo challenges all affected stakeholders, including regulators, employers, employees and unions alike, to continuously investigate measures for arresting the situation.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-26
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030065
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 66: Measuring the Prevalence, Treatment, and
Associated Treatment Costs of Injury for Older Adults in India: Insights
from the National Longitudinal Aging Study
Authors: Jeetendra Yadav, Priyanka Yadav, Amy E. Peden
First page: 66
Abstract: This cross-sectional analysis of secondary data aimed to examine the injury prevalence, treatment, and associated healthcare expenditure among older adults in India. Longitudinal Aging Study India Wave 1 data for those aged 60+ years comprising sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported major injury, injury mechanism, falls and joint/bone fractures, treatment sought, and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) were analyzed. Descriptive, relative risk, bivariate, and two-part regression model analyses were conducted. Fifteen percent of the 31,464 older adults surveyed had experienced a major injury, 13% a fall and 5% a bone/joint fracture. The risk of injury increased with age and income and was higher for urban residents and females. Seventy-eight percent of those who experienced injury sought medical treatment, 56% needing treatment for a serious fall and 3% undergoing surgery. Higher proportions of females than males required medical treatment for falls and injury-related surgery, yet on average, females were spending less than males for public or private hospital treatment. Injury-related OOPE increased with age and decreased with lower education. Scaling up injury prevention efforts specifically focused on older adults will be vital given the projected growth in the older adult population in India in coming years. Such efforts will prevent unnecessary health impacts and reduce health system utilization and associated individual and family economic burden.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-07-31
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030066
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 67: Trends in Accidents Involving Healthcare
Workers in the Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Periods: Injury Notifications
from an Emergency Department
Authors: Claudia Cipollone, Paola Guerriero, Mario Muselli, Riccardo Mastrantonio, Giada Mastrangeli, Stefano Filauri, Leila Fabiani
First page: 67
Abstract: Occupational accidents are a serious public health issue. In this retrospective observational study, we examined all injuries involving healthcare workers of the Abruzzo Local Health Authority No. 1 (Italy) during the three years 2019–2021. Data were collected by tracing the injury reports filed by the emergency service during the workers’ admission and analyzing the cause, type, distribution by sex, and geographical district to which they belonged, taking into account the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Most injuries (45.7%) were reported in the Marsica area; the most common cause was commuting accidents (10.7%). Assaults were more common among men (8.6%), while commuting accidents were more common among women (11.8%). In 36% of cases, the upper limbs were affected. The most common type of injury was contusions (22.2%). When the frequency of reports was compared between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, there was an increase in injuries in healthcare assistants (p = 0.052), while the percentage of injuries in administrative (p = 0.056) and other categories decreased (p = 0.002). This analysis allows us to identify points of interest relating to the Marsica area, to specific types of accidents, such as aggression and commuting accidents, and to specific duties.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-08-01
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030067
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 68: Risk Analysis of Underground Tunnel
Construction with Tunnel Boring Machine by Using Fault Tree Analysis and
Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Nitidetch Koohathongsumrit, Wasana Chankham
First page: 68
Abstract: Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are preferred for constructing tunnels, particularly for underground mass transit railways, because of their speed, minimal environmental impact, and increased safety. However, TBM tunneling involves unavoidable risks, necessitating careful assessment and management for successful project completion. This study presents a novel hybrid risk-analysis method for tunnel construction using TBMs. The proposed method integrates fault tree analysis (FTA) and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP). FTA was employed to calculate the probabilities of risk occurrences, while fuzzy AHP was utilized to determine the consequences of the risks. These probability and consequence values were used to calculate continuous risk levels for more accurate risk analysis. The proposed method was applied to a real case of metro line construction. The results demonstrated that the proposed method effectively analyzes the risks, accurately reflecting decision support data. The risks were categorized based on the continuous risk levels in descending order. The most significant risk was the deterioration of the TBM. The benefits of this study provide project managers and stakeholders involved in underground construction with a new risk-analysis method that enhances work safety and facilitates the timely execution of urban tunnel construction projects.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-08-01
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030068
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 69: A New Approach to Prevent Injuries Related to
Manual Handling of Carts: Correcting Resistive Forces between Floors and
Wheels to Evaluate the Maximal Load Capacity
Authors: Stephane Gille, Isabelle Clerc-Urmès
First page: 69
Abstract: Test methods that use pushing forces to evaluate the maximal load capacities of carts in design standards require a flat, smooth and horizontal steel plate and thus do not take into account the real conditions of work. Resistive forces of a single wheel of a cart in a uniform rectilinear motion were measured using a unique test bench with five loads. Forty-four wheels were tested (varying diameters, treads and bearings) with one steel plate and four resilient floor coverings. Based on a linear mixed model, all the following results were significant (p < 0.05). Resistive forces were increased linearly with the load and depended on the characteristics of both the wheel and floor. These forces decreased as the diameter increased. They were important for wheels with sleeve bearings but decreased for cone ball bearings and precision ball bearings. Resistive forces depended on the material of the tread and were higher for solid rubber treads. In contrast, the hardness of the tread had little effect. Resistive forces strongly depended on the hardness of the base foam of resilient floor coverings: the softer the base foam, the higher the resistive forces. Test methods in design standards should be reviewed, using corrective forces based on these present results, to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-08-02
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030069
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 70: Finite Element Modeling for Stability
Assessment of Sedimentary Rock Slopes
Authors: Refky Adi Nata, Gaofeng Ren, Yongxiang Ge, Ardhymanto Am Tanjung, Fadhilah Muzer, Verra Syahmer
First page: 70
Abstract: To prevent landslides, the slope is a crucial component that needs to be evaluated. Mining activities produce slopes, both natural slopes and artificial slopes, and if a slope is not designed properly, its stability will be adversely affected. The purpose of this study is to determine the stability of a slope supported by sedimentary rocks as the constituent material of the slope. Data processing is carried out using the RS2 Version 11 software and finite element methods (FEMs) by considering the value of the strength reduction factor (SRF) and maximum displacement of the slope. The results obtained for stage 1 show that a maximum displacement of 0 m was obtained, along with a critical value of SRF = 1. A maximum displacement of 0.2 m was obtained in stage 2, with a critical SRF of 1.25. In stage 3, 0.2 m was the highest attained displacement, and the critical SRF was 1.26. A maximum displacement of 0.4 m and a critical SRF of 1.31 were found in stage 4. The maximum displacement in stage 5 was 0.8 m, while the critical SRF was 1.34, and the critical SRF in stage 6 was 1.35, while the maximum displacement was 0.8 m. Finally, the maximum displacement in stage 7 was 1.6 m, while the critical SRF was 1.36. A general pattern emerged from the results of stages 1 through 7. Specifically, the maximum permitted displacement value increased with the critical value of SRF. As the slope moved, it also became more stable, with a big critical SRF. If a slope’s deformation exceeds 1.6 m, it will collapse at a safety factor of 1.36. Furthermore, the contour level showed that the factor of safety (FoS) falls between 1.4 and 4.2. Additionally, as sigma 1 and 3 increase, the resulting FoS value increases as well.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-08-02
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030070
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 71: Is Declined Cognitive Function Predictive for
Fatal Accidents Involving Aging Pilots'
Authors: Douglas D. Boyd, Alan J. Stolzer
First page: 71
Abstract: Background. Civil aviation comprises airlines/charters and general aviation (GA). Currently, airlines are experiencing a pilot shortage, partly reflecting scheduled retirements mandatory for airline (but not GA) pilots aged 65 years, fueling a debate as to whether the retirement age should be increased. Herein, using 16–40 years-of-age aviators as a reference, we determined whether GA pilots aged 60+ years (i) incurred an elevated accident rate, employing, for the first time, age-tiered flight time as a measure of risk exposure and (ii) carried an excess risk for cognitive deficiency-related fatal accidents. Methods. Airplane accidents (2002–2016) involving Class 3 medical certificated pilots were per the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) databases. Age-tiered pilot risk exposure represented a summation of flight hours per Class 3 medical applications. Cognitive decline measures were per NTSB field codes. Statistical analyses employed Chi-Square, Mann–Whitney, logistic regression, and binomial tests. Results. Using flight hours as the denominator, the fatal accident rate for older pilots (41–80 years) was unchanged compared with aviators aged 16–40 years. In the logistic regression, no cognitive deficiency measure was predictive (p = 0.11, p = 0.15) for pilots aged 61+ years who were involved in fatal accidents. Conclusion. These findings question the necessity of an automatic disqualification of air transport pilots at 65 years of age.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-08-05
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030071
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 72: A Performance Evaluation Method for Long and
Steep Uphill Sections of Heavy-Haul Railway Lines
Authors: Jing He, Ao Di, Changfan Zhang, Lin Jia
First page: 72
Abstract: Any system for evaluating the safety service performance of heavy-haul railway lines must effectively reflect the real-time service status of the line. The working conditions of heavy-load lines are complex and diverse, particularly on uphill sections. Existing evaluation systems struggle to accurately reflect the service conditions of long and steep uphill sections bearing heavy loads, posing a significant threat to the safe operation of these lines. To address this problem, we propose a new method for evaluating the safety service performance of long and steep uphill sections of heavy-haul railway lines by establishing a scoring system based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). First, damage indicators for heavy-haul lines are categorized into three groups: track geometry status indicators, track structure status indicators, and track traffic status indicators. Using data from existing heavy-haul lines and maintenance experiences, we determine a score deduction standard, classifying lines into four levels based on their safety service quality. Next, we establish a coefficient table for the service performance of long and steep uphill sections after the corresponding scores are deducted. Using data for the length and elevation grade of the actual uphill section, we adjust the deducted scores of the track structure status indicators, enhancing the evaluation system’s accuracy in describing the working conditions. Finally, we verify the stability of the entire system by conducting a sensitivity analysis of the indicator evaluation results using the One-At-a-Time (OAT) method. This method fills a critical gap in the safe operation and maintenance of heavy-haul railways and provides a safety guarantee for the operation of long uphill sections of heavy-haul railways.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-08-05
DOI: 10.3390/safety10030072
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 3 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 34: The BowTie as a Digital Twin: How a BowTie
Looks Different from a Data Perspective
Authors: Paul Singh, Coen van Gulijk, Neil Sunderland
First page: 34
Abstract: This work follows from a research project for safety management system re-engineering that turned a safety BowTie into a digital twin. A digital twin is a model embedded in software that mirrors a specific aspect of a real system; the aspect in this case is the risk space associated with a process. The well-known BowTie is the model that turns out to be singularly well suited as a digital twin from the risk perspective as it maps out the risk space together with real-life controls. However, for a BowTie to be a high-fidelity digital twin of a real system, the rules and processes for designing and operating a BowTie are changed.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-31
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020034
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 35: Monitoring Occupational Radiation Dose in
Radiography Students: Implications for Safety and Training
Authors: Mohamed Abuzaid, Zarmeena Noorajan, Wiam Elshami, Manal Ibham
First page: 35
Abstract: Background: This study aimed to investigate the occupational exposure of undergraduate radiography students to ionising radiation and evaluate the effectiveness of safety protocols and training in reducing radiation exposure. Methods: This study tracked undergraduate radiography students from the University of Sharjah, UAE, using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) from 2015 to 2023. TLD readings were conducted every 15 weeks during 384 h of clinical placement. This study encompassed various radiographic procedures, and the TLDs were used to measure shallow (HP (0.07)) and deep doses (HP (10)). Results: A data analysis from 599 dosimeters revealed an average of 74 students annually. The average effective doses for HP (10) and HP (0.07) were 0.227 mSv and 0.222 mSv, respectively. These doses were well-below the recommended annual limits. Conclusion: This study’s results indicated that radiography students’ occupational radiation exposure during clinical training was within the safe limits, demonstrating the effectiveness of training and safety protocols. A comparison with international data corroborated the low exposure levels. Clinical training is essential for radiography students, and this study highlights the success of safety protocols in minimising occupational radiation exposure. Continuous monitoring and education are crucial to sustaining these positive outcomes.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-04
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020035
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 36: Bio-Risk Management Systems: Biosafety
Assessment in COVID-19 Referral Hospitals in Indonesia
Authors: Windri Handayani, Anom Bowolaksono, Fatma Lestari, Abdul Kadir, Saraswati Andani Satyawardhani, Duta Liana, Alyssa Zahwa Ananda, Saravanan Gunaratnam
First page: 36
Abstract: Numerous hospital laboratories in Indonesia need to implement improved bio-risk management (BRM) systems. There are many potential biohazards in laboratory activities that can impact health and the environment, leading to laboratory incidents. To minimize the impact and occurrence of such incidents, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of BRM in every hospital laboratory that uses biological agents. This study was conducted in eight COVID-19 reference hospitals in Indonesia in the regions of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Java, which have committed to implementing BRM systems in their laboratory activities. This research employed a descriptive study design and quantitative methods, with the aim of analyzing and evaluating the implementation of BRM systems in laboratories by assessing the achievements and gap analysis obtained from each laboratory. This research utilized primary data in the form of checklist forms referencing ISO 35001:2019 for the laboratory BRM system. Then, the assessments were based on virtual interviews conducted by the researcher with laboratory personnel as the primary data. The evaluation conducted on gap analysis from the seven clauses in ISO 35001:2019 across all hospitals revealed large gaps, particularly in three clauses: leadership, support, and performance. However, the aspects concerning organization, improvement, and performance evaluation were relatively satisfactory. Hence, there is a need for further improvement in leadership, support, and performance evaluation clauses. Additionally, it is essential to highlight the importance of comprehensive performance assessment, including proactive audits and continuous enhancements to achieve optimal bio-risk management.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-08
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020036
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 37: Tailored Incident Investigation Protocols: A
Critically Needed Practice
Authors: Ahmed Jalil Al-Bayati
First page: 37
Abstract: Construction scholars and practitioners have identified a repetitive pattern of direct causes leading to both fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers. Over the years, direct causes such as falls, electrocutions, and being struck have consistently represented a substantial proportion of recorded and reported injuries in the United States. One potential factor contributing to this repetition is the absence of root cause investigations for incidents. Incident investigations should focus on system deficiencies and shortcomings instead of individual behaviors. While the identification of incident root causes provides the needed information to eliminate the direct causes, it is inherently complex. Recently, the use of tailored incident investigation protocols as a practical and systematically conducted method was suggested to uncover the root causes of incidents, subsequently assisting in reducing their recurrence. To illustrate the feasibility of such an approach, this article provides a step-by-step guide to creating a tailored investigation protocol for revealing the root causes of arc flash incidents by utilizing a panel of safety experts. In addition, this study demonstrates the feasibility of developing tailored investigation protocols for other common causes, such as falls and electrocutions. Tailored investigation protocols streamline the identification of potential root causes to a manageable number, relying on subject matter experts. Consequently, they enhance learning from incidents by mitigating investigators’ biases and potential lack of experience. Safety practitioners can use the method presented in this article to create tailored investigation protocols based on their working environment to improve learning for occupational injuries.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-11
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020037
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 38: Altered Haematological Parameters in Gasoline
Station Workers due to Benzene Exposure
Authors: Sunisa Chaiklieng, Umakorn Tongsantia, Pornnapa Suggaravetsiri, Herman Autrup
First page: 38
Abstract: Benzene is harmful to human health and early detection of haematological alterations is important in preventing adverse health effects. This study aimed to investigate the biomarkers of benzene exposure and its effects due to haematological alterations. Gasoline station workers with potential risks according to the biomatrix concerning benzene exposure underwent blood and urine evaluation for the biological monitoring of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA), and haematological and biochemical parameter evaluation. The results were analysed for correlations between biological and haematological effects. The tt-MA biomarker was detected in some workers and approximately 50% of workers had a blood profile that showed abnormal parameters with respect to the haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct) and white blood cell parameters, which were outside the normal range. A significant correlation was observed between the tt-MA biomarker’s level and the levels of the haematological and biochemical parameters, which were Hb, Hct, eosinophil, neutrophil, SGOT and blood creatinine. The level of urinary tt-MA as a marker of benzene exposure correlated with haematological and biochemical changes in the blood, suggesting that the gasoline station workers were affected by benzene exposure. Moreover, the current study suggests that early detection of haematological abnormalities may be possible by analysing biomarkers of their effects through regular health surveillance of workers.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-12
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020038
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 39: Nose-Over and Nose-Down Accidents in General
Aviation: Tailwheels and Aging Airplanes
Authors: Alex de Voogt, Kayla Louteiro
First page: 39
Abstract: Safety in General Aviation has been a continuous concern. About 12% of all airplane accidents in General Aviation involve nose-overs and nose-down events. A total of 134 accidents reported by the National Transportation Safety Board that include nose-overs and nose-downs were analyzed for their main causes. It was found that 35% of the defining events involved a loss of control on the ground while 58% of the total dataset involved tailwheel-type aircraft. A relatively high proportion of aircraft built before 1950 were found, which are also aircraft that have tailwheel-type landing gear, and thereby a higher propensity for ground loops and nose-overs. It is shown that the high accident rate in General Aviation, especially for accidents that did not result in a fatality, was, to an important extent, explained by tailwheel and older aircraft in the US General Aviation airplane fleet struggling with controlling the aircraft on the ground. Attention to this group of aircraft in future studies may help to more effectively address the relatively high accident rates in General Aviation.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-13
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020039
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 40: Occupational Safety Assessment for Surface Mine
Systems: The Case in Jordan
Authors: Samir K. Khrais, Tamer Elia Yared, Noor Majid Saifan, Tarek H. Al-Hawari, Fikri Dweiri
First page: 40
Abstract: Surface mining is one of the hazardous industries that have several risky operations, including transportation, treatment, and mineral extraction. To avoid the risk of disaster, it is important to evaluate safety procedures and determine expected hazards. The aim of this study is to develop a thorough safety evaluation model for the surface mining industry based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), one important multi-criteria decision-making approach. A total of 11 criteria and 36 sub-criteria that are both independent and homogeneous were involved in the decision problem. Further, a deep sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the ranking preference. The findings indicate that four out of the eleven criteria are particularly significant. To test the model’s applicability and effectiveness, a case study was conducted involving three surface mining companies located in the north of Jordan. The results demonstrate that the model is reliable, applicable, and effective in addressing real-world problems.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-25
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020040
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 41: A Risk Assessment Framework Based on Fuzzy
Logic for Automotive Systems
Authors: Francesco Merola, Cinzia Bernardeschi, Giuseppe Lami
First page: 41
Abstract: Recent advancements in the automotive field have significantly increased the level of complexity and connectivity of modern vehicles. In this context, the topic of cybersecurity becomes extremely relevant, as a successful attack can have an impact in terms of safety on the car navigation, potentially leading to harmful behavior. Risk assessment is typically performed using discrete input and output scales, which can often lead to an identical output in terms of risk evaluation despite the inputs presenting non-negligible differences. This work presents a novel fuzzy-logic-based methodology to assess cybersecurity risks which takes attack feasibility and safety impact as input factors. This technique allows us explicitly model the uncertainty and ambiguousness of input data, which is typical of the risk assessment process, providing an output on a more detailed scale. The fuzzy inference engine is based on a set of control rules expressed in natural language, which is crucial to maintaining the interpretability and traceability of the risk calculation. The proposed framework was applied to a case study extracted from ISO/SAE 21434. The obtained results are in line with the traditional methodology, with the added benefit of also providing the scatter around the calculated value, indicating the risk trend. The proposed method is general and can be applied in the industry independently from the specific case study.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-25
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020041
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 42: Navigating the Power of Artificial Intelligence
in Risk Management: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Mohammad Yazdi, Esmaeil Zarei, Sidum Adumene, Amin Beheshti
First page: 42
Abstract: This study presents a responsive analysis of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in risk management, contrasting traditional approaches with those augmented by AI and highlighting the challenges and opportunities that emerge. AI, intense learning methodologies such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have been identified as pivotal in extracting meaningful insights from image data, a form of analysis that holds significant potential in identifying and managing risks across various industries. The research methodology involves a strategic selection and processing of images for analysis and introduces three case studies that serve as benchmarks for evaluation. These case studies showcase the application of AI, in place of image processing capabilities, to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and suggest control measures. The comparative evaluation focuses on the accuracy, relevance, and practicality of the AI-generated findings alongside the system’s response time and comprehensive understanding of the context. Results reveal that AI can significantly enhance risk assessment processes, offering rapid and detailed insights. However, the study also recognises the intrinsic limitations of AI in contextual interpretation, advocating for a synergy between technological and domain-specific expertise. The conclusion underscores the transformative potential of AI in risk management, supporting continued research to further integrate AI effectively into risk assessment frameworks.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-26
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020042
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 43: Assessment of Fire Safety Management for
Special Needs Schools in South Africa
Authors: Tlou D. Raphela, Ndivhuwo Ndaba
First page: 43
Abstract: The safety and well-being of learners with special educational needs in South Africa remain a paramount concern, significantly impacting their constitutional rights and dignity. Despite legislative commitments aimed at fostering inclusive education, a pervasive absence of adequate fire safety measures in special needs schools (SNSs) in South Africa has persisted, leading to the vulnerability of these learners. Tragic incidents, such as fatal fires in these schools, as reported in the literature, underscore the urgent need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety and security of these learners, especially with regards to fire hazards. This study, conducted within the Northwest Province of South Africa, assessed the state of fire safety management in SNSs by applying a series of chi-squared (χ2) tests of independence for categorical variables, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), Version 20 and found that limited access to power is the potential root cause of fires in these schools; also, the limited amount of fire safety initiatives was a problem. In addition, the ordinal regression showed a statistically significant relationship when the question of to what extent the learners in the sampled schools are involved in fire safety programs was regressed with the questions of whether management and stakeholders were involved in fire safety programs and also on taking part in the physical fire safety programs (χ2 = 47.412; df = 2; p < 0.001; R2 = 70.5%). Furthermore, fire safety management was not sufficiently implemented in the sampled schools and the safety legislations of the country were not implemented accordingly when it came to fire safety. This study identified root causes of fire risks, gauged stakeholders’ awareness and involvement in fire safety management, and advocated for more stringent safety policies and practices within the SNS based on the above findings.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-30
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020043
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 44: Analysis of Hydrogen Value Chain Events:
Implications for Hydrogen Refueling Stations’ Safety
Authors: Eulàlia Badia, Joaquín Navajas, Roser Sala, Nicola Paltrinieri, Hitomi Sato
First page: 44
Abstract: Renewable hydrogen is emerging as the key to a sustainable energy transition with multiple applications and uses. In the field of transport, in addition to fuel cell vehicles, it is necessary to develop an extensive network of hydrogen refueling stations (hereafter HRSs). The characteristics and properties of hydrogen make ensuring the safe operation of these facilities a crucial element for their successful deployment and implementation. This paper shows the outcomes of an analysis of hydrogen incidents and accidents considering their potential application to HRSs. For this purpose, the HIAD 2.0 was reviewed and a total of 224 events that could be repeated in any of the major industrial processes related to hydrogen refueling stations were analyzed. This analysis was carried out using a mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative techniques, considering the following hydrogen value chain: production, storage, delivery and industrial use. The results provide general information segmented by event frequency, damage classes and failure typology. The analysis shows the main processes of the value chain allow the identification of key aspects for the safety management of refueling facilities.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-04-30
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020044
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 45: Enhancing Road Safety Decision-Making through
Analysis of Youth Survey Data: A Descriptive Statistical Approach
Authors: Zohra Bohdidi, El Khalil Cherif, Hamza El Azhari, Ayman Bnoussaad, Aziz Babounia
First page: 45
Abstract: Unsafe roads have posed a significant threat to public health, economic stability, societal well-being, and national interests for numerous decades. Road traffic accidents constitute the primary cause of death among Morocco’s youth population. This study facilitates a comprehensive exploration of the opinions held by youth in Morocco with regard to decision-making in road safety. Through a rigorous analysis of their perspectives, the research endeavors to scientifically categorize these opinions. 97.8% of the surveyed youth strongly agree that road safety holds national importance and 58% recognize road safety as a personal responsibility. The overarching aim is to provide decision-makers with valuable insights to enhance the implementation of effective strategies and actively involve youth in shaping future road safety initiatives.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-05-10
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020045
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 46: Evolution of Occupational Safety and Health
Disclosure Practices: Insights from 8 Years in Taiwan’s Construction
Industry
Authors: Chieh-Wen Chang, Tomohisa Nagata, Louise E. Anthony, Ro-Ting Lin
First page: 46
Abstract: The construction industry has been identified as a major contributor to occupational accidents that can lead to fatalities. As a result, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of new safety and health regulations and revised guidelines in improving safety and health disclosures and performance within the construction industry. We retrieved safety and health disclosure reports from 25 Taiwanese construction companies between 2013 and 2020 using the Market Observation Post System website. We analyzed the data using the Kaplan–Meier method to assess the timing of disclosures and differences between larger (≥300 employees) and smaller (<300 employees) companies. We found that construction companies reported safety indicators more promptly than health indicators and that larger companies disclosed earlier compared to smaller ones. Only 45% of companies provide detailed reviews and preventative measures in their sustainability reports despite 64% disclosing occupational accidents. We found that from 2013 to 2020, more companies improved their occupational safety and health (OSH) reporting. This improvement coincided significantly with the adoption of international standards and Taiwan’s government regulations. In summary, the study found that larger companies were more likely to disclose OSH data compared to smaller ones. This suggests that company size and available resources could have an impact on reporting practices. While some progress was made, companies still struggle to provide detailed reports on major accidents, balancing transparency with competitiveness.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-05-13
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020046
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 47: Insights into Women’s Occupational Health
and Safety: A Decade in Review of Primary Data Studies
Authors: Somayeh Bolghanabadi, Aida Haghighi, Mehdi Jahangiri
First page: 47
Abstract: Women play integral roles across various sectors, including mining. Moreover, they often form a majority in certain sectors, such as healthcare and education. Biological (sex) and social (gender) differences can influence how hazards are assessed and controlled for women at work. Therefore, because of the importance of women’s occupational health and safety (OHS), this study reviews and analyzes OHS-related research studies to explore (i) the attention given to women’s OHS; (ii) the specific occupations studied; and (iii) the primary OHS issues and challenges faced by women. Following PRISMA guidelines, the study examined articles from 2010–2021, selecting 62 that utilized primary data, with all or part of their participants being female. The results indicate that the included studies examined women’s OHS in specific occupations. These include healthcare workers, farm and forestry workers, office staff, teachers, firefighters, police officers, nail technicians, workers in the clothing industry, and general industrial workers. The trend of publishing articles on women’s OHS has been growing, with most studies focusing on healthcare and agriculture. The USA and South Korea are leading in publications in the field of women’s OHS, while the USA, Australia, and the Netherlands have the highest collaboration rates. Key findings reveal that the most common OHS issues faced by women in various occupations include stress, fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders and pain, sleep disorders, long working hours, depression and anxiety, workplace violence, and allergies and skin problems. Many of these issues are related to mental health. Specific issues based on the nature of the work vary; for example, teachers experience voice disorders, while farmers face digestive problems. This study contributes theoretically by enhancing understanding of women’s OHS, serving as a foundation for further research, and providing practical guidance for employers and policymakers seeking to implement effective strategies for guaranteeing women’s OHS across sectors.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-05-27
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020047
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 48: Examining Risky Riding Behaviors: Insights from
a Questionnaire Survey with Middle-Aged and Older Motorcyclists in
Thailand
Authors: Sayam Sunmud, Tosporn Arreeras, Suchada Phonsitthangkun, Sirin Prommakhot, Krit Sititvangkul
First page: 48
Abstract: This research endeavors to achieve three primary objectives. Firstly, it seeks to develop a measurement model capable of assessing the motorcycle riding behavior of middle-aged individuals in Thailand. The construction of this model integrates the motorcycle rider behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) with statistical and descriptive analyses. Secondly, the research examines the accuracy of the measurement model using a factor analysis approach, comprising both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Lastly, the study aims to furnish the people of Thailand with a set of guidelines for self-assessment of their motorcycle riding habits. The examination involves 399 middle-aged motorcycle riders aged 35 years or older, a significant majority of whom (81%) possess the requisite licenses for motorcycle operation, with the majority (83%) accumulating over a decade of riding experience. Through analysis, a set of 39 items capturing nuanced behaviors exhibited by middle-aged motorcyclists in Thailand is identified. These items are categorized into four distinct clusters: speed violations, control errors, traffic errors, and adherence to safety equipment protocols. The utilization of the MRBQ in this study holds significant importance, as it provides valuable insights into the riding practices of the Thai population. The resultant findings hold the potential to inform safety initiatives and strategies aimed at enhancing the overall motorcycle riding experience.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-05-27
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020048
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 49: A Study on the Relationship between
Work-Related Health Problems and the Working Conditions of Electronics
Industry Workers in South Korea
Authors: Sul A. Won, Jae Wook Choi, Kyung Hee Kim
First page: 49
Abstract: Background: The electronics industry has characteristics, such as the continuous occurrence of new hazards and risk factors due to rapid technological changes, the occurrence of safety and health blind spots due to the outsourcing of work, trade secrets, and a lack of information, so research is needed from a safety and health perspective. This study sought to determine the relationship between work-related health problems and the working conditions of electronics industry workers. Methods: The study subjects were 3354 workers in the electronics industry from the raw data of the 4th to 6th Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). The variables were divided into general, occupational, and working environment characteristics, and a logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between work-related health problems and working conditions. Results: Among the general and occupational characteristics, gender, education, night work, and working time appropriateness were analyzed as effect factors. In terms of working environment characteristics, physical work risk, musculoskeletal work risk, possibility of risk to work, subjective health impact, and working environment satisfaction were found to have effects on work-related health problems. Conclusions: The results of this study are meaningful in that they identified the effect factors of work-related health problems in the working conditions of workers in the electronics industry, where prior studies are lacking. Therefore, improvements, such as the management of night workers, appropriate working time, reduction in exposure to work risk factors, and improvement in working environment satisfaction, appear to be necessary.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-05-31
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020049
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 50: Exploring Students’ and Teachers’
Insights on School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Safety: A Case Study
of Western Morava Basin, Serbia
Authors: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Neda Nikolić, Tin Lukić
First page: 50
Abstract: Integrated disaster risk reduction in schools represents a key component of safety strategies within the educational sector of every country. The aim of this study is to comprehensively explore the impact of various demographic and socio-economic factors on the perceptions of students and teachers regarding disaster risk reduction and safety in schools. This study is distinguished by its extensive empirical approach, employing a multistage random sampling method to conduct 850 face-to-face interviews (650 with students and 200 with teachers) throughout 2023 in 10 out of the total 18 municipalities in the Western Morava Basin of the Republic of Serbia. Two structured survey instruments were developed, incorporating a mix of qualitative (closed-ended) multiple-choice questions and five-point Likert scales. The research proposes two central hypotheses regarding school-based disaster risk reduction. Firstly, it suggests that gender, age, parent’s employment, academic achievement, living situation, parental education levels, and engagement with social media collectively influence students’ perspectives on this matter (H1–H8). Secondly, it posits that gender, age, marital status, parenthood, and educational background significantly impact teachers’ viewpoints on school-based disaster risk reduction (H1–H5). Multivariate linear regression was used to explore predictors of students’ and teachers’ insights on school-based disaster risk reduction. Various statistical tests, including Chi-square, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation, were employed to investigate the influence of demographic and socioeconomic factors on these insights. The results of multivariate regression analyses indicate that age, gender, and marital status emerge as the primary predictors across various facets of students’ and teachers’ insights on school-based disaster risk reduction, including awareness of disasters, disaster education activities, attitudes toward disaster risk reduction education, and enhancement of disaster information accessibility. The findings of this study provide comprehensive insights into the key factors influencing students’ and teachers’ perceptions of disaster risk reduction in schools. This research not only contributes to the academic discourse on disaster education but also serves as a foundational basis for improving educational programs, developing policies and strategies, refining normative educational frameworks, guiding teacher training, and informing further research in disaster education.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-05-31
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020050
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 51: Proposed Changes to the Inspection Strategy for
Fire Alarm Systems: Empirical Analysis of Weak Points and Technical
Influencing Factors
Authors: Stefan Siegfried Veit, František Steiner
First page: 51
Abstract: Fire alarm systems are an important part of the safety concept in complex buildings. For this reason, there are high availability requirements for the systems, which must be sustained by a maintenance concept. A shortage of skilled workers and rising costs in the construction and operation of buildings are pushing these concepts ever further. This study deals with proposed changes to the maintenance strategies to achieve cost and time savings in addition to an improvement in quality. As a first part of the work, the current state of research on developments in fire alarm systems and their maintenance and inspection concepts is analyzed within a literature review. The results serve as a basis for further research, which is based on a qualitative content analysis of expert interviews and standardized surveys to identify the weaknesses in current inspection strategies and future factors influencing the methods and technology of inspections through technical innovations. As a data basis for this study, expert interviews were conducted with experts from manufacturers, industry associations, and standards bodies in order to determine the possible influencing factors. To determine their relevance for the inspection, more than 40 experts were surveyed about testing the systems. The presented results show that new technical risks, such as cyber threats and networked plant structures, are insufficiently covered by current inspection strategies. Furthermore, inspection steps can be substituted by new technologies. The most important influencing factors that can be identified here are automatic self-test functions of components and remote inspection techniques of the systems. Finally, the results are discussed within the framework of a PESTEL analysis. In conclusion, it can be stated that the integration of identified impacts in future inspection strategies brings time and efficiency benefits in the operation of systems.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-09
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020051
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 52: Exploring Perception of Warning Labels:
Insights from Color, Signal Words, and Symbol Evaluation
Authors: Miskeen Ali Gopang, Tauha Hussain Ali, Shakeel Ahmed Shaikh
First page: 52
Abstract: Protecting people from the risks associated with products is a critical concern in today’s economy. Pakistan, being the world’s fifth most populous country, lacks the framework of warning labels and therefore faces a significant gap in product warning labels. Pakistan is a representative of a number of countries that export a variety of products to Pakistan; however, warning labels on these goods are typically in English, which might mislead people of Pakistan in perceiving the hazard level. It is therefore imperative to conduct research into the non-textual and cross-cultural understanding of labels from the perspective of Pakistan. This study examined the applicability of ANSI Z535.4 in the context of Pakistan. A total of 66 (34 male and 32 female) undergraduate students with a mean age of 20.5 participated in this study. A meticulous experiment was designed using a nine-point rating scale with anchors on both sides, where one represented ‘not at all hazardous’ and nine represented ‘extremely hazardous’. Participants rated each component of warning labels, i.e., color, symbol, signal words, and their complex configurations. The results showed alignment with the ANSI Z535.4 standards for some components (i.e., colors, symbols, and signal words) and complex configurations, whereas no significant difference was found in perceived hazard levels between green (M = 3.167), blue (M = 3.591, and yellow (M = 3.652) colors, with a p-value greater than 0.05. Participants did not differentiate significantly between signal words, i.e., caution (M = 5.182) and warning (M = 5.879). Participants also did not differentiate significantly between complex configurations, i.e., safety alert–caution–yellow (M = 5.076) and safety alert–warning–orange (M = 5.197), with p-values greater than 0.05. These results state that discrepancies in the perception of warning labels exist. This study is the first of its kind conducted in the context of Pakistan, which will help policy makers to consider the findings before implementing a policy. In fact, differences in perception could result in failure to take appropriate precautions. Nonetheless, these nuances can be overcome with proper awareness through training for the people.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-14
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020052
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 53: Numerical Dolly Rollover Evaluation Using a
Damping-Harmonic System with a Low Back Booster to Reduce Injuries in a
Six-Year-Old Child
Authors: Ivan Lenin Cruz-Jaramillo, José Luis Torres-Ariza, Mario Alberto Grave-Capistrán, Elliot Alonso Alcántara-Arreola, Carlos Alberto Espinoza-Garcés, Christopher René Torres-SanMiguel
First page: 53
Abstract: This study examined injuries sustained by a six-year-old child dummy in a numerical dolly rollover crash using a Toyota Yaris 2010. A harmonic dynamic system (HDS) composed of spring, dampers, and masses with a Low Back Booster (LBB) is denominated as HDS-LBB model. The HDS-LBB was designed to allow damping movements along three Cartesian axes (X, Y, Z) to reduce the energy transferred to the child by a motor vehicle accident and avoid a high injury risk. The HDS-LBB incorporates springs into the vertical axis to decrease the vertical movement during the rollover. The numerical analysis was conducted using LS-Dyna® R12.1 version during an interval of 1 s, and the boundary conditions were set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 for child restraint recommendations and the FMVSS 208 for a dolly rollover procedure. Data on head and thorax decelerations, neck flexion-extension, and thoracic deflection were acquired at a rate of 1 ms. The injury values obtained by the HDS-LBB were compared with the injury values by another configuration denominated LBB-ISOFIX to assess the effectiveness of the model proposed. The results show a higher peak injury value in the neck and thorax because of seatbelt displacement across the child’s shoulder. Nevertheless, despite this seatbelt behavior, the injuries sustained remained below the Injury Assessment Reference Values (IARVS).
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-18
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020053
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 54: “Emergency Decisions”: The Choice
of a Simulated Emergency Scenario to Reproduce a Decision-Making Condition
in an Emergency Context as Close to Reality as Possible
Authors: Ivan D’Alessio
First page: 54
Abstract: Decisions are a crucial aspect of human life, especially when made in emergency contexts. This research involved 348 subjects, evaluating the relationship between socio-demographic variables and the choice of one of the proposed emergency scenarios suitable for reproducing a decision-making condition in an emergency. Three scenarios were presented: one on climate change, one on pandemics, and one on seismic events. The survey captured individuals’ perceptions of the scenarios for dimensions such as realism (present, past, and future), emotions, risk, worry, emergency, catastrophe, immediate choice, and immediate decision. The results suggest that age, gender, education, and previous experience are predictive factors for subjects’ preferences regarding the chosen scenario and their evaluation of the related dimensions. To optimize decisions in emergencies by institutional decision makers and crisis managers, it is useful to expand knowledge and have data relevant to this area. This research provides a basis in terms of data and tools for designing future research and studies on decision making in emergency contexts.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-06-20
DOI: 10.3390/safety10020054
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 5: Perceived Factors Affecting the Implementation
of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems in the South African
Construction Industry
Authors: Rejoice Kunodzia, Luviwe Steve Bikitsha, Rainer Haldenwang
First page: 5
Abstract: Although notable efforts have been made in the past to improve Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), the overall performance has not significantly improved as high-level injuries, risks, and fatalities continue to occur. Earlier studies have shown that implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) ensures a reduction in accidents on site, which is, however, not easy due to the many challenges arising during its implementation. The research objectives were to identify, in order of importance, factors that affect the implementation of an OHSMS on construction sites and to analyse how an OHSMS can be implemented in the construction industry of the Western Cape, South Africa, using the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) method. The research questionnaire obtained online opinions from construction professionals. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 27.0. The data were interpreted through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, frequencies, descriptive statistics, and a multi-regression analysis. A multi-regression test was conducted to determine the relationship between internal and external factors and the implementation of an OHSMS, including the use of the PDCA method. The findings reveal that both internal and external factors affected the implementation of the OHSMS. The most important internal factors were risk control strategies, senior management commitment, and support and communication channels. The most common external factors were pressure from clients on project delivery, company reputation, OHS enforcement, and government legislation. A framework was developed to outline how an OHSMS can be implemented using the PDCA approach based on the findings from this study. The framework can be adopted by the construction industry to improve effectiveness when implementing their OHSMS.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-02
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010005
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 6: Elaboration and Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Data in
the Frame of Occupational Safety and Health Assessment in Sustainable
Engineering Systems
Authors: Stefania F. Tatli, Panagiotis K. Marhavilas
First page: 6
Abstract: Facing the threat of SARS-CoV-2, several countries implemented protective measures to annihilate the waves of the pandemic. Apart from quarantine, social distancing, frequent disinfection, and the use of a face mask, vaccination against COVID-19 soon became available. The measures taken in the workplace to inhibit the spread of the virus were important, as some controversial policies emerged regarding the vaccination status of employees. The “health pass” changed the workplace environment immensely, as in many job sectors vaccination became mandatory. Unvaccinated employees were required to undergo specific COVID-19 tests to access their workplace, while other specialized workers such as health workers were removed from their work altogether. Such measures would be justified if it was certain that vaccinated people cannot transmit the virus, but over the course of years this hypothesis seems to have faded. The main aim of this study is the confirmation (or the non-validation) of this hypothesis and of the specific applied measures through the elaboration and statistical analysis of vaccination data from 35 countries in relation to their daily announced infections over the time frame from the forty-fourth week of 2021 to the fourth week of 2022. This is examined from an occupational safety and health (OSH) perspective (taking into account the three pillars of sustainability) concerning risk management and safety assessment at the workplaces of sustainable engineering systems (SES). The findings imply that this hypothesis is contestable. Therefore, it is doubtful whether workplace segregation measures were socially and economically sustainable. It is deduced that (i) the complete freedom of vaccinated employees was a situation which intensified occupational risk, degraded the safety level at the workplaces of sustainable engineering systems, and increased the OSH risk management difficulties, and, on the other hand, (ii) the financial burden of mandatory unemployment and frequent testing was not justified and economically sustainable for the unvaccinated individuals in the middle of a worldwide economic crisis.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-02
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010006
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 7: Factors Associated with Uptake of No-Cost Safety
Modifications to Home Access Steps: Implications for Equity and Policy
Authors: Michael D. Keall, Nevil Pierse, Chris W. Cunningham, Michael G. Baker, Sarah Bierre, Philippa Howden-Chapman
First page: 7
Abstract: (1) Background: Fall injuries in the home present a major health burden internationally for all age groups. One effective intervention to prevent falls is home modification, but safety is only increased if opportunities to install safety modifications are taken up. This study sought to identify factors that may lead to a higher uptake of no-cost home modifications when these are offered to people living in the community. (2) Methods: We studied 1283 houses in the New Zealand cities of New Plymouth and Wellington. Using logistic regression, we modelled the odds of uptake according to the number of access steps, the provider who was undertaking the modifications, occupant ethnicity, prior fall injury history, and age group. (3) Results: Homes with older residents (age 65+) had higher uptake rates (35% vs. 27% for other homes). Larger numbers of access steps were associated with higher uptake rates. There was indicative evidence that homes with Indigenous Māori occupants had a higher uptake of the modifications for one of the two providers, but not the other. (4) Conclusions: No-cost home safety modifications offered via cold calling are likely to have relatively low uptake rates but the households that do consent to the modifications may be those who are more likely to benefit from the concomitant increased safety.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-04
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010007
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 8: Analysing the Impact of Human Error on the
Severity of Truck Accidents through HFACS and Bayesian Network Models
Authors: Dwitya Harits Waskito, Ludfi Pratiwi Bowo, Siti Hidayanti Mutiara Kurnia, Indra Kurniawan, Sinung Nugroho, Novi Irawati, Mutharuddin, Tetty Sulastry Mardiana, Subaryata
First page: 8
Abstract: Truck accidents are a prevalent global issue resulting in substantial economic losses and human lives. One of the principal contributing factors to these accidents is driver error. While analysing human error, it is important to thoroughly examine the truck’s condition, the drivers, external circumstances, the trucking company, and regulatory factors. Therefore, this study aimed to illustrate the application of HFACS (Human Factor Classification System) to examine the causal factors behind the unsafe behaviors of drivers and the resulting accident consequences. Bayesian Network (BN) analysis was adopted to discern the relationships between failure modes within the HFACS framework. The result showed that driver violations had the most significant influence on fatalities and multiple-vehicle accidents. Furthermore, the backward inference with BN showed that the mechanical system malfunction significantly impacts driver operating error. The result of this analysis is valuable for regulators and trucking companies striving to mitigate the occurrence of truck accidents proactively.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-08
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010008
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 9: A Semantic Hybrid Temporal Approach for
Detecting Driver Mental Fatigue
Authors: Shahzeb Ansari, Haiping Du, Fazel Naghdy, Ayaz Ahmed Hoshu, David Stirling
First page: 9
Abstract: Driver mental fatigue is considered a major factor affecting driver behavior that may result in fatal accidents. Several approaches are addressed in the literature to detect fatigue behavior in a timely manner through either physiological or in-vehicle measurement methods. However, the literature lacks the implementation of hybrid approaches that combine the strength of individual approaches to develop a robust fatigue detection system. In this regard, a hybrid temporal approach is proposed in this paper to detect driver mental fatigue through the combination of driver postural configuration with vehicle longitudinal and lateral behavior on a study sample of 34 diverse participants. A novel fully adaptive symbolic aggregate approximation (faSAX) algorithm is proposed, which adaptively segments and assigns symbols to the segmented time-variant fatigue patterns according to the discrepancy in postural behavior and vehicle parameters. These multivariate symbols are then combined to prepare the bag of words (text format dataset), which is further processed to generate a semantic report of the driver’s status and vehicle situations. The report is then analyzed by a natural language processing scheme working as a sequence-to-label classifier that detects the driver’s mental state and a possible outcome of the vehicle situation. The ground truth of report formation is validated against measurements of mental fatigue through brain signals. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid system successfully detects time-variant driver mental fatigue and drowsiness states, along with vehicle situations, with an accuracy of 99.6% compared to state-of-the-art systems. The limitations of the current work and directions for future research are also explored.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-09
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010009
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 10: Adaptive Intervention Algorithms for Advanced
Driver Assistance Systems
Authors: Kui Yang, Christelle Al Haddad, Rakibul Alam, Tom Brijs, Constantinos Antoniou
First page: 10
Abstract: Advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) have recently gained popularity as they assist vehicle operators in staying within safe boundaries, helping them thereby to prevent possible collisions. However, despite their success and development, most ADAS use common and deterministic warning thresholds for all drivers in all driving environments. This may occasionally lead to the issuance of annoying inadequate warnings, due to the possible differences between drivers, the changing environments and driver statuses, thus reducing their acceptance and effectiveness. To fill this gap, this paper proposes adaptive algorithms for commonly used warnings based on real-time traffic environments and driver status including distraction and fatigue. We proposed adaptive algorithms for headway monitoring, illegal overtaking, over-speeding, and fatigue. The algorithms were then tested using a driving simulator. Results showed that the proposed adaptive headway warning algorithm was able to automatically update the headway warning thresholds and that, overall, the proposed algorithms provided the expected warnings. In particular, three or four different warning types were designed to distinguish different risk levels. The designed real-time intervention algorithms can be implemented in ADAS to provide warnings and interventions tailored to the driver status to further ensure driving safety.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-09
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010010
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 11: Nonlinear Analysis of the Effects of
Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Technological Factors on the Number of
Fatal Traffic Accidents
Authors: Nassim Sohaee, Shahram Bohluli
First page: 11
Abstract: This study explores the complex connections among various socioeconomic, demographic, and technological aspects and their impact on fatal traffic accidents. Utilizing the Lasso polynomial regression model, this study explores the impact of demographic variables, including income, education, unemployment rates, and family size. Additionally, socioeconomic factors such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, inflation rate, minimum wage, and government spending on transportation and infrastructure are examined for their impact on the occurrence of fatal accidents. This study also investigates the influence of technological advances in vehicles on the outcomes of traffic safety. The findings of this research reveal that certain factors, such as average, alcohol consumption, unemployment rate, minimum wage, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT), among others, have a substantial impact on the multifactorial model and play a considerable role in the frequency of fatal accident rates. The research results have significant implications for policymakers, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that accounts for the interdependence of economic indicators, behavioral patterns, and traffic safety outcomes. This study underscores the importance of considering a wide range of socioeconomic, demographic, and technological factors to develop effective policies and strategies to reduce fatal traffic accidents.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-10
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010011
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 12: A Cross-Sectional Observational Pilot Study of
the Main Risk Factors Related to Lower Back Pain in Spanish Hospitality
Workers
Authors: Melania Zamorano García, Gema Santamaría, Marina Seco-Casares, Ana M. Celorrio San Miguel, Eva Lantarón-Caeiro, Juan F. García, Diego Fernández-Lázaro
First page: 12
Abstract: Lower back pain (LBP) describes pain of indeterminate duration between the lower edge of the ribs and the buttocks. LBP hinders movement, quality of life, and mental well-being, and limits work activities and engagement with family and friends. LBP represents a public health problem, and most workers are expected to experience LBP symptoms throughout their working lives. The study’s main objective was to characterize LBP in the hospitality population of the province of León, Spain, determining the risk factors. A pilot study with a cross-sectional observational design was developed following the guidelines of Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) for 150 Spanish hotel workers. Sociodemographic and lifestyle, occupational, and clinical data related to LBP were obtained through surveys. The annual prevalence of LBP in this study was 87.1% which was higher in women. A significant relationship (p < 0.05) was obtained between sex, income, smoking, sleep quality, and all labor variables with LBP. In addition, the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) results revealed that 49% of the participants had a score > 14. Also, 83.3% of patients with >6 annual LBP crises suffered from sciatica. Once the results were known, preventive intervention would be needed to reduce these main risk factors for LBP for hospitality workers.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-11
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010012
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 13: Enhancing Patient Safety in Spain: Streamlining
Adverse Event Detection in Occupational Healthcare Records
Authors: Diego Moya, Rafael Manzanera, Jordi Ortner, Marta Torres, Joan Carles Serfaty, Carme Sauri, Lourdes Jimenez, Jose Joaquin Mira
First page: 13
Abstract: Background: Given the lack of previous studies on adverse events (AEs) in the area of occupational healthcare in Spain, it is very important to begin to understand this phenomenon in order to act on it. The objective was to accurately quantify AE occurring in occupational healthcare in MC Mutual during May 2021. Methods: We conducted a review of a representative random sample of 250 clinical records to identify AEs through an active search audit, focused on the frequency, type, severity, and preventability of these events, categorized using standardized scales. Results: We detected seven AEs in the sample of clinical records, representing 3% AEs per clinical record, while in the APEAS Spanish Study, they were detected in 10% of patients. The most frequent AE type was postoperative, followed by medication and diagnostic delay. The AEs were of intermediate severity and high severity and with a variable degree of being preventable. Conclusions: The detection of AEs has been useful in the development of projects and action plans such as specific training courses, safety patient newsletters, ambulatory risk maps, and treatment plans framed in the official certification of patient safety. These results should be evaluated in other companies similar to MC Mutual.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-16
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010013
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 14: Exploring the Benefits of a Simulator-Based
Emergency Braking Exercise with Novice Teen Drivers
Authors: Rakesh Gangadharaiah, Johnell O. Brooks, Lauren Mims, Patrick J. Rosopa, Mark Dempsey, Robert Cooper, Donnie Isley
First page: 14
Abstract: This exploratory study investigated whether using the Pedals Emergency Stop© interactive driving simulator exercise improved the understanding and performance of emergency braking among novice teen drivers. Seventy-one high school driver education students (aged 15–19) participated. All of the teens completed the Pedals Emergency Stop© interactive exercise driving simulator task and then an on-road ABS exercise in a driver’s education vehicle; there was no control group. Students’ ability to complete the simulator-based emergency braking task increased from an initial passing rate of only 18.3% to a maximum of 81.7% by the end of the simulation exercise. A positive trend was observed over successive simulator trials, with the linear effect explaining 51.1% of the variance in emergency stopping “pass” rates using the simulator task. In addition, participants who passed more trials during the Pedals Emergency Stop© simulator exercise were 12.3% more likely to fully activate the ABS during the on-road emergency stop activity using the driver’s education vehicle. Post-study surveys revealed that 95% of the participants improved their understanding of ABS as a result of the simulation-based training, and 98% felt there was a positive impact from the driving simulation exercise on their real-world emergency braking capabilities. Participants highly endorsed the Pedals Emergency Stop© exercise for ABS education and refresher training, with a rating of 4.7 out of 5. This study emphasizes the potential benefits of incorporating simulator-based exercises into driver education and training, with the long-term goal of promoting safe driving behaviors and outcomes.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-01-24
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010014
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 15: Noise Exposure, Prevention, and Control in
Agriculture and Forestry: A Scoping Review
Authors: Massimo Cecchini, Leonardo Assettati, Pierluigi Rossi, Danilo Monarca, Simone Riccioni
First page: 15
Abstract: Noise is a major physical hazard in agricultural activities, and numerous research activities have managed to detect its effects, resulting in surveys and measurements which help to define exposure limits, prevention methods, and control strategies. This review aims to collect and analyse the data from research studies and to provide a comprehensive overview on the subject. Thus, a set of 81 papers, gathered from the Scopus and PubMed scientific databases, has been analysed to provide information regarding the evolution of noise exposure levels over time, to highlight findings on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and to list strategies for noise prevention and control in agriculture. Bibliographic research showed that noise measurements between 1991 and 2022, included in scientific research on farming, forestry, and animal husbandry, mainly reported values beyond the threshold of 85 dB(A); furthermore, several research activities on NIHL showed that farmers’ family members and children are often exposed to high levels of noise. Lastly, an analysis of the prevention and control strategies over time is provided, focusing on prevention programmes, screening, and the use of hearing protection devices (HPD). The identified literature suggests that additional efforts are required in regards to machinery design relating to the socio-technical aspects of agricultural activities and that side-effects of NIHL, as well as the negative impact of noise on other risks, might deserve further investigation.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-01
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010015
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 16: Inertial Motion Capturing in Ergonomic
Workplace Analysis: Assessing the Correlation between RULA, Upper-Body
Posture Deviations and Musculoskeletal Discomfort
Authors: Steven Simon, Jonas Dully, Carlo Dindorf, Eva Bartaguiz, Oliver Walle, Ilsemarie Roschlock-Sachs, Michael Fröhlich
First page: 16
Abstract: (1) Background: Mobile movement analysis systems, for example, those based on Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), enable digital real-time methods of collecting data in workplace ergonomics, but the relationship between observational method scores such as Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), upper-body posture, and their influence on musculoskeletal discomfort, has not yet been well investigated. This field study aimed to evaluate the relationship of these variables in two different target groups: production and office workers. (2) Methods: There were 64 subjects (44 men and 20 women) participating. Data collection was divided into two categories: (1) Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) (n = 64) and 3D stereophotogrammetric posture analysis (n = 58), and (2) Investigation of workload via IMU-based motion capture (MoCap) and the Borg CR-10 body map (n = 24). Correlation tests and regression analysis were performed using SPSS and MATLAB software to examine the relationship between the upper-body posture and RULA. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied to examine group differences. (3) Results: The findings did not support the authors’ hypothesis that posture risk at work significantly correlates with static upper-body posture and musculoskeletal discomfort. Pelvic tilt had a weak but significant influence on RULA. The data revealed interesting trends in physical exertion, musculoskeletal discomfort, and differences between production and office workers. However, the statistical analysis did not support this. Such approaches have the potential to enhance the accuracy of assessment outcomes and, in turn, provide a stronger foundation for enhancing ergonomic conditions.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-02
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010016
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 17: The Relationship between Psychosocial and Work
Stress among Construction Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cheryl Khairunnisa Miyanda, Dadan Erwandi, Fatma Lestari, Abdul Kadir
First page: 17
Abstract: Many aspects of society were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including physical health, psychological well-being, social dynamics, and the economy. The construction sector experienced a significant influence from the pandemic. This research aimed to analyze the relationship between psychosocial factors (individual, home, and work factors) and the level of work distress among construction sector workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed a quantitative analytical approach with a cross-sectional design. Data collection took place in November–December 2021, and the total sample that met the inclusion criteria was 110 respondents. Work distress and psychosocial data were collected using a questionnaire that had undergone validity and reliability tests. Univariate analyses (frequency distribution), bivariate analyses (chi-square test), and multivariate analyses (multiple logistic regression tests) were conducted to analyze the data. The research revealed that the most closely related variables to the work distress levels were work duration, followed by employment status and career opportunities. This study underscores the importance of regulating working hours and providing opportunities for permanent employment and career advancement for the mental health of construction workers.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-02
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010017
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 18: Prioritizing Work Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
in Corporate Strategies: An Indicative Framework
Authors: Brent Halliday, Luke van der Laan, Aldo Raineri
First page: 18
Abstract: As a prominent organizational issue, there was limited evidence in the literature regarding the relationship between organizational strategy, workplace health, safety, and wellbeing, and performance measurements that demonstrate a measurable impact on organizational performances. Based on this gap in the literature, the purpose of the study was to examine business practices, health, safety, and wellbeing practices, and measurement systems to inform the development of a health, safety, and wellbeing strategy and employee engagement framework in order to add strategic value to businesses beyond standard practice. An exploratory mixed methods study, consisting of eight semi structured interviews and ninety-five survey responses from a cross section of private and public sectors leaders and health, safety, and wellbeing and human capital professionals was undertaken. Thematic analyses and exploratory factor analyses revealed a seven-factor health, safety, and wellbeing strategy framework that integrates key concepts, resilience engineering, wellbeing, health and safety management, employee engagement, risk management, and corporate governance. The final strategy framework provides empirical evidence supporting a suitable framework for businesses to improve individual and organizational performance.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-05
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010018
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 19: Physiological and Thermal Sensation Responses
to Severe Cold Exposure (−20 °C)
Authors: Tomi Zlatar, Denisse Bustos, José Torres Costa, João Santos Baptista, Joana Guedes
First page: 19
Abstract: Various jobs, indoors and outdoors, are subjected to severe cold temperatures during daily activities. Extremely low-temperature exposure and work intensity affect health, safety, and occupational performance. This work aimed to assess the physiological and thermal sensation responses before, during, and following a 60 min exposure to cold (−20 °C), during which occupational activities were developed. Using ingestible telemetric temperature pills, eight skin temperature sensors, blood pressure equipment, and the Thermal Sensation Questionnaire, experiments were conducted with 11 healthy male volunteers wearing highly insulating cold protective clothing. The most notorious alterations were reported in mean skin temperatures and thermal sensation responses during the first 20 min of cold exposure. Among the eight skin temperature points, the forehead and left hand showed a higher sensitivity to cold. The mean core temperature reported significant variations throughout the protocol, with decreases during the initial 10 min of cold exposure and posterior increases despite the cold environment. Blood pressure showed slight increases from the initial to the recovery period. Overall, outcomes contribute to current scientific knowledge on physiological and perception responses in extremely cold environments while describing the influence of protective clothing and occupational activities on these responses. Future research should be developed with additional skin temperature measurements in the extremities (fingers, face, and toes) and the analysis of thermal sensation potential associations with performance changes, which can also be of great significance for future thermal comfort models.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-12
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010019
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 20: Mitigating the Negative Effect of Air Traffic
Controller Mental Workload on Job Performance: The Role of Mindfulness and
Social Work Support
Authors: Bader Alaydi, Siew-Imm Ng
First page: 20
Abstract: Air traffic controllers (ATCOs) play a substantial part in securing the safety of flights, such that a compromise of the ATCOs’ performance may lead to tragedies. Given the mental workload that comes with the nature of ATCOs’ work, this study intends to investigate the impact of mental workload on ATCOs’ job performance and identify conditional factors that could mitigate the mental workload–ATCOs’ job performance relationship. Underpinned by the job demands–resources theory, a framework was developed to investigate the impact of job demands (mental workload) on job performance and whether personal resources (mindfulness and social work support) weaken the relationship. A total of 324 ATCOs across Saudi Arabia responded to the questionnaire. There were three notable findings. First, mental workload was indeed found to bring detrimental effects to ATCOs’ job performance. Second, mindfulness played a mitigating role, where more mindful ATCOs demonstrated less workload effect on performance. Thirdly, social work support also played a mitigating role, where ATCOs who perceived receiving greater job support experienced less detrimental impact from the workload on performance. This study verified the negative linkages between mental workload and job performance and identified the boundary conditions (mindfulness and social work support) that weaken the relationship. The limitations and future research directions are then discussed.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-20
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010020
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 21: Understanding Musculoskeletal Loadings among
Supermarket Checkout Counter Cashiers: A Biomechanical Analysis
Authors: Tânia T. Silva, Catarina Sousa, Ana Colim, Matilde A. Rodrigues
First page: 21
Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are highly prevalent among supermarket cashiers. These disorders are frequently related to the adoption of awkward postures and manual materials handling. This study aimed to analyze musculoskeletal loadings in supermarket cashiers, considering the handling of different products and different checkout conditions. To accomplish this, we employed an inertial motion capture system to measure full-body kinematics while simulating 19 cashier tasks. The study included five female cashiers from a supermarket in Northern Portugal, ranging in age from 19 to 61 years old. Using joint angles, material load, and muscle function as input parameters, we conducted the musculoskeletal loadings assessment using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) methods. Results showed that RULA scores were higher for the microtasks that involved product scanning. Regarding microstasks analyzed by REBA, the replacement of paper rolls for the receipt machine at the checkout counter yields the highest scores. Based on these findings, there is a compelling need to redesign supermarket checkout workstations to alleviate the physical demands placed on cashiers and to ensure organizational sustainability.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-21
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010021
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 22: Analyzing Pile-Up Crash Severity: Insights from
Real-Time Traffic and Environmental Factors Using Ensemble Machine
Learning and Shapley Additive Explanations Method
Authors: Seyed Alireza Samerei, Kayvan Aghabayk, Alfonso Montella
First page: 22
Abstract: Pile-up (PU) crashes, which involve multiple collisions between more than two vehicles within a brief timeframe, carry substantial consequences, including fatalities and significant damages. This study aims to investigate the real-time traffic, environmental, and crash characteristics and their interactions in terms of their contributions to severe PU crashes, which have been understudied. This study investigates and interprets the effects of Total Volume/Capacity (TV/C), “Heavy Vehicles Volume/Total Volume” (HVV/TV), and average speed. For this purpose, the PU crash severity was modelled and interpreted using the crash and real-time traffic data of Iran’s freeways over a 5-year period. Among six machine learning methods, the CatBoost model demonstrated superior performance, interpreted via the SHAP method. The results indicate that avg.speed > 90 km/h, TV/C < 0.6, HVV/TV ≥ 0.1, horizontal curves, longitudinal grades, nighttime, and the involvement of heavy vehicles are associated with the risk of severe PU crashes. Additionally, several interactions are associated with severe PU crashes, including the co-occurrence of TV/C ≈ 0.1, HVV/TV ≥ 0.25, and nighttime; the interactions between TV/C ≈ 0.1 or 0.45, HVV/TV ≥ 0.25, and avg.speed > 90 km/h; horizontal curves and high average speeds; horizontal curves; and nighttime. Overall, this research provides essential insights into traffic and environmental factors driving severe PU crashes, supporting informed decision-making for policymakers.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-23
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010022
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 23: Which Technologies Make Australian Farm
Machinery Safer' A Decision Support Tool for Agricultural Safety
Effectiveness
Authors: Amity Latham, Zoran Najdovski, Rebecca Bartel, Jacqueline Cotton
First page: 23
Abstract: This project combined systems engineers, farm safety researchers, work health and safety inspectorate and policymakers with the aim of designing a way in which to reduce fatal farm injury caused by run-overs and roll-overs by tractors and side-by-side vehicles. The team made comparisons between farm machinery and powered mobile plant that is used in the industrial manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, mining, and construction sectors. Current and emerging safety technologies and engineering solutions were collated. Safety standards, legislated engineering controls, retrofit designs, and known ways in which farmers’ workaround safety features were considered. These elements were used as criteria to propose a way to resolve which safety technologies or engineering controls should be recommended for aftermarket retrofitting or incorporated at the original equipment manufacturer design stage. The concept of measuring safety effectiveness to prevent fatal farm injury emerged. This developed into a score sheet and a corresponding matrix to highlight engineering strength and industry acceptance. The project resulted in the conceptual design of the agricultural safety effectiveness score (ASES). The next phase is a multi-stakeholder validation process and a protocol for the scoring system. It requires a hypothesis to test the theory that when safety technologies and engineering solutions are mature in other industries or if they are associated with agricultural productivity gains, their adoption into the agricultural sector is more likely, which in turn will reduce the incidence of tractor and side-by-side run-overs and roll-overs on farms.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-02-26
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010023
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 24: Effects of Behavior-Based Driver Feedback
Systems on the Speeding Violations of Commercial Long-Haul Truck Drivers
Authors: Anuj K. Pradhan, Brian T. W. Lin, Claudia Wege, Franziska Babel
First page: 24
Abstract: A third of large truck crashes are associated with driver-related factors, especially speeding. This study aimed to examine the impact of behavior-based safety (BBS) programs on speeding. Speeding data were examined from a trucking fleet that had incorporated a BBS program using in-vehicle data recorders (IVDR) and post hoc feedback. Speeding events were examined over 37 weeks in two stages—an initial 4-week period (Stage 1), and the final 30 weeks (Stage 2). In Stage 1, data were collected without any feedback. In Stage 2, a subset of the drivers received feedback. A cluster analysis was performed based on the speeding event rate from Stage 1. The analysis yielded two clusters per group based on risk. The higher-risk cluster contained fewer drivers and showed a greater reduction in speeding with the BBS program, compared to the lower-risk cluster. Both clusters showed significant decreases in speeding across Stage 2. The BBS program was associated with reduced speeding, with a more pronounced reduction for the higher-risk drivers, highlighting the role of BBS programs in trucking and underscoring the importance of driver sub-groups. Targeted safety approaches may be more efficient and yield higher safety benefits than a one-size fits all approach.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-04
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010024
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 25: Effective Trigger Speeds for Vehicle Activated
Signs on 20 mph Roads in Rural Areas
Authors: Adebola Olowosegun, Grigorios Fountas, Adrian Davis
First page: 25
Abstract: This paper aims to offer novel empirical evidence as to the identification of the most effective Trigger Speeds (TS) for Vehicle-Activated Signs (VAS) in rural areas. To achieve this, an experimental study was carried out in the area of Scottish Borders, UK, in settlements with 20 mph speed limits. To determine the effective trigger speeds for VAS, in terms of reducing vehicle speeds, a comparative quantitative analysis was conducted using traffic and speed data collected during different waves of a traffic survey, for which various TS settings were deployed (24 mph, 28 mph and 35 mph). The descriptive analysis showed that the 24 mph TS threshold seems to be more effective compared to the other TS settings considered, mainly in terms of reducing the 85th percentile speeds. The 28 mph threshold was identified to yield slightly lower mean speeds compared to the other TS settings. Non-parametric and parametric statistical tests were conducted on the basis of approximately 2.8 million speed observations to identify any statistically significant speed differences under various TS settings. Overall, the findings of this study show that the application of VAS in addition to 20 mph speed limits helps reduce vehicle speeds. In particular, setting a TS to remind drivers, especially those driving between 21–24 mph, that they should slow down has led to statistically significant reductions in speeds driven. This provides road safety benefits both from the reduction in kinetic energy in the transport system, any consequent crash-related outcomes, and also by improving perceived safety for all who use and live close to roads where 20 mph speed limits augmented with VAS have been implemented.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-06
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010025
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 26: Deep Learning for Detection of Proper
Utilization and Adequacy of Personal Protective Equipment in Manufacturing
Teaching Laboratories
Authors: Adinda Sekar Ludwika, Achmad Pratama Rifai
First page: 26
Abstract: Occupational sectors are perennially challenged by the potential for workplace accidents, particularly in roles involving tools and machinery. A notable cause of such accidents is the inadequate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), essential in preventing injuries and illnesses. This risk is not confined to workplaces alone but extends to educational settings with practical activities, like manufacturing teaching laboratories in universities. Current methods for monitoring and ensuring proper PPE usage especially in the laboratories are limited, lacking in real-time and accurate detection capabilities. This study addresses this gap by developing a visual-based, deep learning system specifically tailored for assessing PPE usage in manufacturing teaching laboratories. The method of choice for object detection in this study is You Only Look Once (YOLO) algorithms, encompassing YOLOv4, YOLOv5, and YOLOv6. YOLO processes images in a single pass through its architecture, in which its efficiency allows for real-time detection. The novel contribution of this study lies in its computer vision models, adept at not only detecting compliance but also assessing adequacy of PPE usage. The result indicates that the proposed computer vision models achieve high accuracy for detection of PPE usage compliance and adequacy with a mAP value of 0.757 and an F1-score of 0.744, obtained with the YOLOv5 model. The implementation of a deep learning system for PPE compliance in manufacturing teaching laboratories could markedly improve safety, preventing accidents and injuries through real-time compliance monitoring. Its effectiveness and adaptability could set a precedent for safety protocols in various educational settings, fostering a wider culture of safety and compliance.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-07
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010026
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 27: Cognitive and Motivational Antecedents of
Different Driving Styles in a Sample of Lithuanian Drivers
Authors: Justina Slavinskienė, Auksė Endriulaitienė
First page: 27
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess whether road risk, road hazard perception skills, and attitudes towards risky driving are significant psychological antecedents of different driving styles. The study sample consisted of 446 non-professional drivers (with an average age of 32.6 years) and 200 professional drivers (with an average age of 47.7 years) from Lithuania. The study questionnaire included demographic questions, a multidimensional driving style assessment, a Lithuanian version of a hazard prediction test, a risk perception scale, and a subjective evaluation of driving competenc3 (perceptual, motor, and safety driving skills), as well as an evaluation of attitudes towards risky driving. The results confirmed that cognitive factors, together with attitudes towards driving and demographic factors, are important for understanding the origins of different driving styles. Cognitive factors like hazard perception and risk perception skills were found to be significant predictors of anxious, careless, and angry driving styles, mainly for professional drivers. Attitudes towards risky driving together with demographic characteristics and cognitive factors were found to important in predicting anxious, careless, and angry driving styles among professional as well as non-professional drivers. The subjective evaluation of driving competence (driving skills) was found to be crucial in predicting all four driving styles, but only in the non-professional drivers sample.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-13
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010027
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 28: Personal Competencies for Work–Family
Integration and Its Relationship with Productivity and Comprehensive
Health in Salaried Professionals
Authors: Crisdalith Cachutt-Alvarado, Ignacio Méndez-Gómez-Humaran, Jonás Velasco-Álvarez
First page: 28
Abstract: Work–Family Integration (WFI) is the decision-making process that enables an individual to effectively balance work, family, and personal responsibilities, generating a level of personal satisfaction aligned with the management of these demands. This research aims to explore the potential links between personal competencies facilitating work and family integration (WFI Competencies), employer-provided support (WFI Support), perceived satisfaction in role integration (WFI Satisfaction), and their association with organizational performance indicators and the overall health of professionals in dependent employment. Data were obtained via an online questionnaire administered to 270 professionals possessing a university education or higher, employed in public or private organizations spanning various sectors in Venezuela. The data were subsequently analyzed utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study was divided into two main parts: the factorial analysis (both exploratory and confirmatory) of measurement models and the analysis of the relationships and modeling inherent to the structural model. Initially, two diagnostic instruments were developed, one for WFI Competencies and another for WFI Indicators; though applied simultaneously, their structuring and validation were conducted separately. In the subsequent phase, conceptual models for structural analysis were defined. A positive relationship was observed between WFI Support and WFI Satisfaction, corroborating findings from previous research. The relationships between WFI Competencies and Satisfaction led to insights into the necessity of training to strengthen the personal decision-making process under the dual pressures of work and family roles. Future longitudinal studies could elucidate the effects of relationships within such programs on WFI Satisfaction. Concerning organizational indicators, this study found that WFI Satisfaction positively correlates with organizational commitment, enhancing work productivity and mitigating negative health effects. This research presents a model that could be replicated in other countries and with various sample types, facilitating comparative analyses that enrich the body of knowledge on this subject.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-14
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010028
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 29: Development and Reliability Review of an
Assessment Tool to Measure Competency in the Seven Elements of the Risk
Management Process: Part Three—Evaluation of the Group Results from
the RISK Tool
Authors: Garry Marling, Tim Horberry, Jill Harris
First page: 29
Abstract: This study used ratings to form teams of participants with different risk management competence levels to determine if a collectively optimised team performed a risk management exercise better than a marginally or a sub-optimised team. This paper also determined whether team performance was better than individual performance on a risk management exercise. An experimental group was split into three teams of six participants based on their individual risk scenario exercise outcomes. The collectively optimised team had at least one member rated as having some high-level or expert competency in one of the seven risk management process elements. So, jointly, the group had this competency level in all elements. Similarly, the marginally optimised team’s members were rated as having just above average or high-level competency in the seven elements. Likewise, the sub-optimised team’s members were rated as having just above average competency, just below average, or no competency in the seven elements. Each team undertook the risk scenario exercise, and two observers rated their performances, as recorded on a video camera. The results were that the collectively optimised team performed better in each of the seven risk management elements than the other teams (the marginally optimised or the sub-optimised team). However, a significant difference was only evident between the collectively optimised and sub-optimised teams across all elements. Also, the teams performed better in each of the seven elements than individuals. These results imply that a team collectively optimised in the seven elements of the risk management process can better perform a risk management process than a sub-optimised team. These competency outcomes could be used to assemble risk management teams that are collectively optimised, leading to better results from the risk management process.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-14
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010029
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 30: Determination of Occupational Exposure to
Ultrafine Particles in Different Sectors of Activity
Authors: Fernando Miguel Moreira, Ana Ferreira, Nelson Barros
First page: 30
Abstract: The primary sources of ultrafine particulate matter are linked to human activity. Certain particulate emissions, particularly those of a finer nature, can significantly impact human health, making them one of the most concerning pollutants. Ultrafine particles (UFPs), which have a diameter of less than 100 nm, are of particular concern due to their impact on human health and the difficulty in controlling them. The concentration of ultrafine particles (UFPs) in the workplace is a growing concern and is classified as an emerging risk. Workers may be exposed to UFPs through inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, or a combination of these routes. This study aims to determine the levels of UFP exposure among workers in environments with varying direct particle emission patterns. Measurements were conducted to compare the results with the levels recommended by the WHO. The study monitored industrial workplaces with direct particulate matter emissions, such as a carpentry workshop and a bakery, as well as social sector sites without or almost without direct particle emissions, such as a school and a health clinic. One conclusion drawn from this study is that all tasks and occupations are susceptible to high levels of UFPs, exceeding WHO recommended values in virtually all monitored environments. Therefore, monitoring and controlling UFPs is crucial. Further in-depth studies on this subject are also necessary.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-15
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010030
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 31: A Comparative Approach Study on the Thermal and
Calorimetric Analysis of Fire-Extinguishing Powders
Authors: An-Chi Huang, Fang-Chao Cao, Xin-Yue Ma
First page: 31
Abstract: This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of expansible graphite (EG) and potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) in suppressing metal fires, which are known for their high intensity and resistance. Our assessment, utilizing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealed that compositions of EG–KHCO3 can endure temperatures of up to 350 °C, indicating their thermal resilience. The 3:1 EG–KHCO3 mixture demonstrated exceptional performance in fire suppression tests by extinguishing sodium flames in a mere 20 s, using approximately 50 g of the agent. This highlights a substantial improvement in efficiency. In addition, FTIR analysis identified important gaseous compounds released during decomposition, while XRD and SEM techniques confirmed the advantageous insertion of KHCO3 into the EG matrix, enhancing its resistance to heat and chemical reactions. The mixture with a ratio of 3:1 also demonstrated a higher cooling rate of 2.34 °C/s within the temperature range of 350 to 200 °C. The results emphasize the potential of EG–KHCO3 compositions, specifically in a 3:1 ratio, for efficient fire management by integrating fire suppression, heat resistance, and quick cooling. Subsequent investigations will prioritize the evaluation of these compositions across different circumstances and the assessment of their environmental and industrial viability.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-15
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010031
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 32: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Drones
Authors: Olufemi Olayiwola, Miles Elsden, Mahmoud Dhimish
First page: 32
Abstract: While there is evidence of substantial improvement in efficiency and cost reduction from the integration of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Drones (RAID) in solar installations; it is observed that there is limited oversight by international standards such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in terms of the hazards and untapped potentials. This is partly because it is an emerging application and generally burdened with social acceptability issues. Thus, the safety regulations applied are adaptations of device-specific regulations as deemed fit by individual companies. Also, due to the fast-paced technological development of these platforms, there is huge potential for applications that are not currently supported by the device-specific regulations. This creates a multi-faceted demand for the establishment of standardized, industry-wide polices and guidelines on the use of RAID platforms for Solar PV integrations. This work aims to address critical safety concerns by conducting a comprehensive high-level system examination applicable to the monitoring and maintenance of Solar PV systems. Standard safety assurance models and approaches are examined to provide a safe autonomy perspective for Solar PVs. It is considered that, as RAID applications continue to evolve and become more prevalent in the Solar PV industry, standardized protocols or policies would be established to ensure safe and reliable operations.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-18
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010032
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Safety, Vol. 10, Pages 33: Socio-Cognitive Determinants of
Pedestrians’ Intention to Cross on a Red Light Signal: An
Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Boško Matović, Aleksandra Petrović, Milanko Damjanović, Aleksandar Bulajić, Vladimir Ilić
First page: 33
Abstract: The present research describes the development and validation of a self-reported instrument that measures the determinants of pedestrians’ intention to violate traffic rules, based on the theory of planned behaviour. Moreover, the research deals with the analysis of the predictive validity of an extended theoretical framework of the theory of planned behaviour in relation to pedestrians’ intention to violate. Based on the quota sample, adult pedestrian respondents (n = 383) completed a questionnaire assessing the relevant variables. Valid and reliable scales were developed, and they measure subjective, descriptive, normative, and personal norms, cognitive and affective attitudes, perceived behavioural control, habit formation, and behavioural intention concerning pedestrians’ misdemeanour. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that all components, except descriptive norms, were significant simultaneous predictors of pedestrians’ intention to violate. The most powerful predictor is the personal norm. Overall, the findings considerably support the concept of the extended theoretical framework of the theory of planned behaviour.
Citation: Safety
PubDate: 2024-03-21
DOI: 10.3390/safety10010033
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
