• Title/Summary/Keyword: Health and safety risks

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Construction Safety Training Methods and their Evaluation Approaches: A Systematic Literature Review

  • Ojha, Amit;Seagers, Jonathan;Shayesteh, Shayan;Habibnezhad, Mahmoud;Jebelli, Houtan
    • International conference on construction engineering and project management
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    • 2020.12a
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    • pp.188-197
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    • 2020
  • Due to hazardous working environments at complex, unstructured, and dynamic construction sites, workers frequently face potential safety and health risks throughout the construction process. In this regard, addressing safety challenges remains one of the top priorities. Construction workers' ability to identify and assess risks is acquired through training, which is one of the primary key factors to determine their safety and wellbeing in hazardous working environments. As such, safety managers constantly focus on the effectiveness of the training materials provided to the workers. However, the construction workers are considerably at greater risk of injuries and fatalities compared to the workers in other industries. In this regard, further studies are required to build up a body of knowledge on the conventional safety training approaches as well as their evaluation techniques in order to boost up the adoption by the practitioners in a widespread manner. This paper provides a systematic review of the current safety training approaches and the various techniques for measuring their effectiveness. The attributes of the current safety training methods for construction workers and their evaluation techniques are identified and analyzed. Results indicated that: 1) immersive environment-based training methods are effective than the traditional safety training methods; 2) this effectiveness can be empirically supported by evaluation strategies, but the current techniques are subjective, intrusive, and error-prone. This research offers fresh opportunities to investigate the training strategies by objectively monitoring the physiological responses of construction crews. The results of this study can be used by researchers and practitioners to identify and determine optimal safety training programs that could potentially become ubiquitous in the construction industry.

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European Approaches to Work-Related Stress: A Critical Review on Risk Evaluation

  • Zoni, Silvia;Lucchini, Roberto G.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.43-49
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    • 2012
  • In recent years, various international organizations have raised awareness regarding psychosocial risks and work-related stress. European stakeholders have also taken action on these issues by producing important documents, such as position papers and government regulations, which are reviewed in this article. In particular, 4 European models that have been developed for the assessment and management of work-related stress are considered here. Although important advances have been made in the understanding of work-related stress, there are still gaps in the translation of this knowledge into effective practice at the enterprise level. There are additional problems regarding the methodology in the evaluation of work-related stress. The European models described in this article are based on holistic, global and participatory approaches, where the active role of and involvement of workers are always emphasized. The limitations of these models are in the lack of clarity on preventive intervention and, for two of them, the lack of instrument standardization for risk evaluation. The comparison among the European models to approach work-related stress, although with limitations and socio-cultural differences, offers the possibility for the development of a social dialogue that is important in defining the correct and practical methodology for work stress evaluation and prevention.

A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Technology-aided Testing and Feedback on Physical Activity and Biological Age Among Employees in a Medium-sized Enterprise

  • Liukkonen, Mika;Nygard, Clas-Hakan;Laukkanen, Raija
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.8 no.4
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    • pp.393-397
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    • 2017
  • Background: It has been suggested that engaging technology can empower individuals to be more proactive about their health and reduce their health risks. The aim of the present intervention was to study the effects of technology-aided testing and feedback on physical activity and biological age of employees in a middle-sized enterprise. Methods: In all, 121 employees (mean age $42{\pm}10$ years) participated in the 12-month three-arm cluster randomized trial. The fitness measurement process (Body Age) determined the participants' biological age in years. Physical activity was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. Results: Physical activity did not change during the intervention. Biological age (better fitness) improved in all groups statistically significantly (p < 0.001), but with no interaction effects. The mean changes (years) in the groups were -2.20 for the controls, e2.83 for the group receiving their biological age and feedback, and -2.31 for the group receiving their biological age, feedback, and a training computer. Conclusion: Technology-aided testing with feedback does not seem to change the amount of physical activity but may enhance physical fitness measured by biological age.

Basic research, according to the inspection of crane equipment (크레인 설비의 검사에 따른 기초연구)

  • An, Tae-Keon;Shim, Kyu-Hyung;Rie, Dong-Ho
    • Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.169-175
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    • 2012
  • Self-Inspection is being used in the workplace hazardous, dangerous machinery and equipment to build capacity for the voluntary safety risks due to use of machinery and prevention of industrial accidents that inspect facilities for safety issues, is to check. However, December 31, 2008 as part of Article 36 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (safety inspection), the financial vanish as the self-test, Safety inspection program has been changed., In each individual workplace that creates its own standards and regulations to use the existing inspection system is in some cases. This study is located in the southeast industrial complex as a risk reducer manufacturer, machine-based target zones in S Corp owns most of the crane based on the results of the tests is to analyze the problem. Then check the results - to bring its measures and information you need to know for sure is to propose.

Role of Headmasters, Teachers, and Supervisors in Knowledge Transfer about Occupational Health and Safety to Pupils in Vocational Education

  • Andersson, Ing-Marie;Gunnarsson, Kristina;Rosen, Gunnar
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.317-323
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    • 2015
  • Background: Young people are at an increased risk for illness in working life. The authorities stipulate certain goals for training in occupational health and safety (OHS) in vocational schools. A previous study concluded that pupils in vocational education had limited knowledge in the prevention of health risks at work. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to study how OHS training is organized in school and in workplace-based learning (WPL). Methods: The study design featured a qualitative approach, which included interviews with 12 headmasters, 20 teachers, and 20 supervisors at companies in which the pupils had their WPL. The study was conducted at 10 upper secondary schools, located in Central Sweden, that were graduating pupils in four vocational programs. Results: The interviews with headmasters, teachers, and supervisors indicate a staggered picture of how pupils are prepared for safe work. The headmasters generally give teachers the responsibility for how goals should be reached. Teaching is very much based on risk factors that are present in the workshops and on teachers' own experiences and knowledge. The teaching during WPL also lacks the systematic training in OHS as well as in the traditional classroom environment. Conclusion: Teachers and supervisors did not plan the training in OHS in accordance with the provisions of systematic work environment management. Instead, the teachers based the training on their own experiences. Most of the supervisors did not receive information from the schools as to what should be included when introducing OHS issues in WPL.

Study on the Impact of use of Technology on Work Environment and the Health of Workers (기술사용이 근로환경과 근로자 건강에 미치는 영향력에 대한 연구)

  • Kim, Young Sun;Rhee, Kyung Yong;Jin, Ju Hyeon;Kim, Ki-Sik
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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    • v.29 no.5
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    • pp.146-153
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    • 2014
  • This study looks at the impact of psychological and physical factors of the working conditions on the health of workers depending on whether technology is used by such workers. The data used for the study is the third work environment survey. Out of 50,032 respondents, a total of 29,711 paid workers were used as analysis subjects. Although it was anticipated that the use of technology was a factor that hindered job autonomy and teamwork autonomy. However, the analysis results showed low levels of job autonomy and teamwork autonomy in the group that did not use technology. The study assumes a regression analysis model about work environment and work organizational practices of workspaces that have an impact on musculoskeletal complaints, stress symptoms and level of work satisfaction by controlling the social demographic variable that represents the level of individual sensitivity. As a result of the study, ergonomic risk had a significant effect on both groups that did or did not use technology with respect to stress symptoms, musculoskeletal complaints and level of work satisfaction. In particular, as workspace practices and work environment had an effect on the development of musculoskeletal complaints in the group that used machines, there is a need to improve such situation. The autonomous team work or level of job autonomy within the group that used technology may act as a risk factor to the health and welfare of workers. However, because it may also act as a buffer factor, there is a need for a change to reduce stress symptoms and increase the level of work satisfaction by improving autonomous team work and the level of job autonomy.

Application of JSA and Checklist in Asbestos Sealing (석면 해체제거 보양작업에서 JSA 및 Checklist 적용)

  • Cho, Guy Sun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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    • v.35 no.2
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    • pp.61-66
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    • 2020
  • As asbestos-containing buildings are getting older, asbestos deconstruction works are increasing. As a result, accident risks such as falls, cuts, electric shocks, and suffocation are increasing. Existing studies are mostly about health management and institutional policy research and there is little research on work risk. So workplace risk assessments that are easily applicable in the field are required to be applied. Sealing is the first process of asbestos deconstruction and is the first step to ensure worker's safety. Job Safety Analysis(JSA) and Checklist were used to identify the risk factors and to calculate the level of the risk. By comparing the two risk assessment tools, it was figured out that the JSA is appropriate for the initial process and change of work procedure while Checklist is appropriate for repetitive work. Because the sealing process is sort and simple, it is unlikely to cause serious injury. But since the risk of falling and cuts are exist, safety education and supervision are necessary to maintain a safe working environment.

A Cross-sectional Study of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Risk Factors in Cambodian Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Region, Thailand

  • Thetkathuek, Anamai;Meepradit, Parvena;Sa-ngiamsak, Teerayut
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.192-202
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    • 2018
  • Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are accumulative disorders that are most frequently found in agricultural farmers. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect symptoms resulting from work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Cambodian farm workers working in fruit plantations in the eastern region of Thailand. Methods: The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, and Hazard Zone Jobs Checklist techniques were used to interview 861 farmers who participated in the study. Results: The data showed that men who had been working for >10 years were more at risk of neck pain than those working for <1 year with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.90, 14.5). Among women those who had been working for >10 years experienced lower back pain with aOR 8.13, 95% CI (1.04, 63.74), compared with those who had been working for <1 year. Men whose tasks required raising the arms above shoulder height had a risk factor contributing to neck pain of aOR 1.68, 95% CI (1.08, 2.61) when compared with those who did not work with this posture, and women had aOR 1.82, 95% CI (1.07, 3.12) when compared with those who did not work with this posture. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that work-related health conditions are monitored in migrant plantation workers to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders.

A Systematized Overview of Published Reviews on Biological Hazards, Occupational Health, and Safety

  • Alexis Descatha;Halim Hamzaoui;Jukka Takala;Anne Oppliger
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.347-357
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    • 2023
  • Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic turned biological hazards in the working environment into a global concern. This systematized review of published reviews aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the specific jobs and categories of workers exposed to biological hazards with the related prevention. Methods: We extracted reviews published in English and French in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Two authors, working independently, subsequently screened the potentially relevant titles and abstracts recovered (step 1) and then examined relevant full texts (step 2). Disagreements were resolved by consensus. We built tables summarizing populations of exposed workers, types of hazards, types of outcomes (types of health issues, means of prevention), and routes of transmission. Results: Of 1426 studies initially identified, 79 studies by authors from every continent were selected, mostly published after 2010 (n = 63, 79.7%). About half of the reviews dealt with infectious hazards alone (n = 38, 48.1%). The industrial sectors identified involved healthcare alone (n = 16), laboratories (n = 10), agriculture (including the animal, vegetable, and grain sectors, n = 32), waste (n = 10), in addition of 11 studies without specific sectors. The results also highlighted a range of hazards (infectious and noninfectious agents, endotoxins, bioaerosols, organic dust, and emerging agents). Conclusion: This systematized overview allowed to list the populations of workers exposed to biological hazards and underlined how prevention measures in the healthcare and laboratory sectors were usually well defined and controlled, although this was not the case in the agriculture and waste sectors. Further studies are necessary to quantify these risks and implement prevention measures that can be applied in every country.

A Case Study of Developing E-Learning Contents of Agricultural Safety and Health based on Risk Assessment (위험성 평가에 기반한 농작업 안전관리 E-Learning 체험 프로그램 개발 사례 연구)

  • Kim, J.H.;Lee, K.S.;Kim, D.M.;Lee, K.S.;Kong, Y.K.;Jung, M.C.;Lee, Inseok
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.140-146
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    • 2014
  • This paper presents a case study to develop e-learning contents of agricultural safety based on the assessment of risks of 4 selected crops and stock farming: rice, potatoes, apples, tomatoes and stock raising. The aged farmers, who are main workforce of current Korean agriculture and relatively more vulnerable to various risks of agricultural work compared to younger workers, were considered as the main users of the contents in developing them. The safety guidelines were presented as simple as possible and the interfaces were designed to be simple and easy to use so that the older users can use it without much difficulty. In making the scenarios of the contents, risk assessments were carried out for each crop and stock farming with the focus being on occupational diseases rather than accidental injuries. To make the contents more attractive to the farmers, the functions requiring active responses from the users, such as answering simple questions, were included in the contents. Usability evaluation by experts of ergonomics and agricultural tasks were carried out in modifying the draft version, whereas formal usability test was not included in the case study. Though there are some limitations in the developed contents in the aspects of evaluation of usability and effectiveness, this case study shows the structured procedure of developing e-learning safety contents based on the risk assessments on agricultural tasks. The developed e-learning contents are expected to be used practically and easily in educating and training older farmers about safety and health of agricultural tasks.