Pub Date : 2018-07-18DOI: 10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75948
H. Awang, T. Yoong
This chapter examined the impact of an intervention program on the psychological well- being of injured workers. Data consisted of 4041 injured workers who were insured with Social Security Organization (SOCSO) and participated in the case management reha- bilitation program from 2012 to 2015. Psychological well-being was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS) consisting of seven and three components, respectively. The assessments were conducted before commencement and after completion of rehabilitation. Results showed significant improve - ment in all 10 components of VAS and DASS. Workers registered higher scores on skills, career goals, independence, self-esteem, confidence, health condition and pain tolerance in the post-intervention assessment while significant reduction was observed in the level of depression, anxiety and stress. This improvement suggested the importance of a struc- tured disability management program in enhancing the quality of life and motivation for workers to return to work.
{"title":"Impact of Intervention on the Psychological Well-Being of Injured Workers","authors":"H. Awang, T. Yoong","doi":"10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75948","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter examined the impact of an intervention program on the psychological well- being of injured workers. Data consisted of 4041 injured workers who were insured with Social Security Organization (SOCSO) and participated in the case management reha- bilitation program from 2012 to 2015. Psychological well-being was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS) consisting of seven and three components, respectively. The assessments were conducted before commencement and after completion of rehabilitation. Results showed significant improve - ment in all 10 components of VAS and DASS. Workers registered higher scores on skills, career goals, independence, self-esteem, confidence, health condition and pain tolerance in the post-intervention assessment while significant reduction was observed in the level of depression, anxiety and stress. This improvement suggested the importance of a struc- tured disability management program in enhancing the quality of life and motivation for workers to return to work.","PeriodicalId":443649,"journal":{"name":"Occupational Health and Safety - A Multi-Regional Perspective","volume":"101 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121786777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-07-18DOI: 10.5772/INTECHOPEN.77949
M. Pillay
The management of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks is an important part of any business. ISO 31000 risk management has been suggested to represent the natural standard for integrating OHS risk management into business operations. However, published research on this standard is very limited, so its ability to influence the management of OHS risks is unknown. The aim of this chapter is to report on the first part of the findings of a pilot study aimed at investigating the utility of the ISO 31000 risk management standard for managing occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. A review of the published literature on ISO 31000 is presented first. This is followed by a modified theoretical framework, M-31000, taking into account OHS risk management practice. The results of 42/149 key informants selected as part of a purposive sampling strategy identified three main advantages of ISO 31000, including acting as a good starting point for risk management, supplementing other risk management strategies, and allowing for easier integration with other similar strategies. The two main shortfalls identified in this pilot included the standard being vague and difficult to implement. The study also revealed that M-31000 was much simpler and more consistent with safety management practice.
{"title":"The Utility of M-31000 for Managing Health and Safety Risks: A Pilot Investigation","authors":"M. Pillay","doi":"10.5772/INTECHOPEN.77949","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.77949","url":null,"abstract":"The management of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks is an important part of any business. ISO 31000 risk management has been suggested to represent the natural standard for integrating OHS risk management into business operations. However, published research on this standard is very limited, so its ability to influence the management of OHS risks is unknown. The aim of this chapter is to report on the first part of the findings of a pilot study aimed at investigating the utility of the ISO 31000 risk management standard for managing occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. A review of the published literature on ISO 31000 is presented first. This is followed by a modified theoretical framework, M-31000, taking into account OHS risk management practice. The results of 42/149 key informants selected as part of a purposive sampling strategy identified three main advantages of ISO 31000, including acting as a good starting point for risk management, supplementing other risk management strategies, and allowing for easier integration with other similar strategies. The two main shortfalls identified in this pilot included the standard being vague and difficult to implement. The study also revealed that M-31000 was much simpler and more consistent with safety management practice.","PeriodicalId":443649,"journal":{"name":"Occupational Health and Safety - A Multi-Regional Perspective","volume":"45 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126095299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-07-18DOI: 10.5772/INTECHOPEN.76861
I. Uher, Iveta Cimboláková, D. Kaško
Human adaptation to varying degree of heat stress receiving great attention in the last few decades. Scientific studies confirm that higher temperature can significantly impact on productivity and leads to stress, loss of concentration, and increased tiredness and that reality can become a health and safety issue especially for unwell and older workers in the workplace. The aim of our systematic review is to examine related ailments of heat exposure, when and why heat disorder (HD) occurs, also preventive measures, and first aid and emergency measures when HD is suspected. Nonetheless, guidance for manage - ment of working environment is discussed. We can conclude that organizations can do a great deal to be indwelt, creating a healthy workplace environment and promoting education and guidance toward welfare of employees.
{"title":"Preventive Measures of Heat Disorder in the Workplace","authors":"I. Uher, Iveta Cimboláková, D. Kaško","doi":"10.5772/INTECHOPEN.76861","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.76861","url":null,"abstract":"Human adaptation to varying degree of heat stress receiving great attention in the last few decades. Scientific studies confirm that higher temperature can significantly impact on productivity and leads to stress, loss of concentration, and increased tiredness and that reality can become a health and safety issue especially for unwell and older workers in the workplace. The aim of our systematic review is to examine related ailments of heat exposure, when and why heat disorder (HD) occurs, also preventive measures, and first aid and emergency measures when HD is suspected. Nonetheless, guidance for manage - ment of working environment is discussed. We can conclude that organizations can do a great deal to be indwelt, creating a healthy workplace environment and promoting education and guidance toward welfare of employees.","PeriodicalId":443649,"journal":{"name":"Occupational Health and Safety - A Multi-Regional Perspective","volume":"39 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115110304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-07-18DOI: 10.5772/INTECHOPEN.76567
Ponnapat Watjanatepin, D. Prodanov
Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are used in a wide variety of applications: from cosmetics and paints to sportswear and semiconductor chips. While for chemicals there are established regulatory frameworks dealing with the risk for the consumers, workers, and the environment, this is not the case for nanomaterials. This is precisely why ENMs are used—the properties of matter change at the nanoscale and become dependent on the particle morphology and size. Our understanding on how such nano-systems react with biological matter, such as cells and tissues, is far from complete, and this brings about an increasing level of uncertainty in the research and development process. This chapter will give an overview of several materials, which are either used or have potential applications in nanoelectronics. While silicon dioxide and metal oxide nanoparticles are used in semiconductor processing in standard polishing steps, applications of carbon materials may be more disruptive. As promising materials with broad applications, we focus on carbon nanotubes and graphene. So-identified materials are used to illustrate the use of different risk assessment tools in the occupational setting of nanoelectronics. The application of such tools in itself is also a growing area of research efforts supported by international stakeholders, such as the European Commission.
{"title":"Tools for Assessment of Occupational Health Risks of some Engineered Nanoparticles and Carbon Materials Used in Semiconductor Applications","authors":"Ponnapat Watjanatepin, D. Prodanov","doi":"10.5772/INTECHOPEN.76567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.76567","url":null,"abstract":"Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are used in a wide variety of applications: from cosmetics and paints to sportswear and semiconductor chips. While for chemicals there are established regulatory frameworks dealing with the risk for the consumers, workers, and the environment, this is not the case for nanomaterials. This is precisely why ENMs are used—the properties of matter change at the nanoscale and become dependent on the particle morphology and size. Our understanding on how such nano-systems react with biological matter, such as cells and tissues, is far from complete, and this brings about an increasing level of uncertainty in the research and development process. This chapter will give an overview of several materials, which are either used or have potential applications in nanoelectronics. While silicon dioxide and metal oxide nanoparticles are used in semiconductor processing in standard polishing steps, applications of carbon materials may be more disruptive. As promising materials with broad applications, we focus on carbon nanotubes and graphene. So-identified materials are used to illustrate the use of different risk assessment tools in the occupational setting of nanoelectronics. The application of such tools in itself is also a growing area of research efforts supported by international stakeholders, such as the European Commission.","PeriodicalId":443649,"journal":{"name":"Occupational Health and Safety - A Multi-Regional Perspective","volume":"150 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116351889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-07-18DOI: 10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75821
Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah
This paper highlights some pertinent issues regarding the effects of socio-cultural prac- tices on the health and safety behavior of Ghanaian workers. These practices tend to unimaginably flout occupational safety rules in organizations but are unfortunately given little attention. Employers must therefore take cognizance of the fact that any attempt at controlling and eradicating the negative effects of occupational hazards or accidents would prove futile if the issues of socio-cultural values that control workers’ behavior are trivialized. Thus, it is incumbent on managers and policy makers to focus their attention on the socio-cultural environment of developing countries if strategies aimed at improving work practices are to be successful.
{"title":"Socio-Cultural Practices and Health and Safety Behaviors Among Ghanaian Employees","authors":"Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah","doi":"10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75821","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75821","url":null,"abstract":"This paper highlights some pertinent issues regarding the effects of socio-cultural prac- tices on the health and safety behavior of Ghanaian workers. These practices tend to unimaginably flout occupational safety rules in organizations but are unfortunately given little attention. Employers must therefore take cognizance of the fact that any attempt at controlling and eradicating the negative effects of occupational hazards or accidents would prove futile if the issues of socio-cultural values that control workers’ behavior are trivialized. Thus, it is incumbent on managers and policy makers to focus their attention on the socio-cultural environment of developing countries if strategies aimed at improving work practices are to be successful.","PeriodicalId":443649,"journal":{"name":"Occupational Health and Safety - A Multi-Regional Perspective","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130013234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-07-18DOI: 10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75533
M. Hitka, P. Joščák, S. Lorincová, Ž. Balážová
All devices and equipment helping humans to do everyday things are adapted to human body proportions. Projects would not meet the needs of customers regardless their proportions. Therefore, anthropometric measurements are a key factor in manufacturing any products. Sampling unit consisted of Slovak adult population. Empirical measurements of selected attributes of actual population were conducted in the years 1993-2015. Sampling unit consisted of 3358 students. Gained data were processed and described using descriptive statistics. Results are based on calculations of arithmetic and weighted mean. Standard deviation, asymmetry coefficient, percentiles, standard error, symmetry, and pointing were used for further processing. Following the outcomes associated with the body dimensions of Slovak population, we can propose the dimensions of bedroom furniture corresponding to the dimensions of actual adult population. Bed dimensions must be 102 × 222 cm (95th percentile) to satisfy the needs of people, their comfort, and health. Therefore, testing must be focused on strength and structural properties of bed as well. Increase in dimensions can result in the increase in product price. Staff of the finance department must deal with this issue to prevent economic damage of the company.
{"title":"Bed Size, Quality Sleep and Occupational Safety: An Investigation of Students at Slovak Universities","authors":"M. Hitka, P. Joščák, S. Lorincová, Ž. Balážová","doi":"10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75533","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.75533","url":null,"abstract":"All devices and equipment helping humans to do everyday things are adapted to human body proportions. Projects would not meet the needs of customers regardless their proportions. Therefore, anthropometric measurements are a key factor in manufacturing any products. Sampling unit consisted of Slovak adult population. Empirical measurements of selected attributes of actual population were conducted in the years 1993-2015. Sampling unit consisted of 3358 students. Gained data were processed and described using descriptive statistics. Results are based on calculations of arithmetic and weighted mean. Standard deviation, asymmetry coefficient, percentiles, standard error, symmetry, and pointing were used for further processing. Following the outcomes associated with the body dimensions of Slovak population, we can propose the dimensions of bedroom furniture corresponding to the dimensions of actual adult population. Bed dimensions must be 102 × 222 cm (95th percentile) to satisfy the needs of people, their comfort, and health. Therefore, testing must be focused on strength and structural properties of bed as well. Increase in dimensions can result in the increase in product price. Staff of the finance department must deal with this issue to prevent economic damage of the company.","PeriodicalId":443649,"journal":{"name":"Occupational Health and Safety - A Multi-Regional Perspective","volume":"107 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126997317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}