International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics最新文献

Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry - India identifier: CTRI/2021/09/036992.

Accidents such as collapses, fires, explosions and mechanical injuries occur frequently in cement manufacturing plants. Understanding the causes of past accidents is essential to prevent future incidents and reduce safety risks. Hence, this article analyzes cement accident cases based on a unified report analysis framework. By integrating text mining technology, the article identifies patterns in cement production accidents and establishes a cement accident causation analysis model to support safety management decisions. First, 245 accident records were categorized using the latent Dirichlet allocation model to identify causal factors. Subsequently, a systematic accident causal analysis based on the 24Model was proposed to establish a unified report framework. An improved Apriori algorithm was then developed for multidimensional, multilayer correlation rule mining in cement enterprises, enhancing text mining efficiency. By applying this algorithm, the study quantitatively analyzed correlations between accident types, causative factors and their interactions. Finally, targeted safety management recommendations were formulated.

Objectives. This study aimed to assess the impact of remote work on the mental well-being of employees and to identify factors influencing levels of anxiety, depression and stress. Methods. The study employed surveys and data analysis involving 1002 remote employees from various companies. A diverse range of statistical analyses, including correlation, regression and multivariate analysis, was employed to scrutinize the data. Results. Employees with children exhibited a higher job satisfaction level (with children M 7.5, without children M 6.8; p < 0.05). Women (M 5.2) displayed a statistically higher level of anxiety compared to men (M 4.5) (p < 0.05). Employees with more than 10 years of remote work experience (M 4.2) had lower levels of anxiety and depression than those with less than 2 years of experience (M 6.0) (p < 0.05). Men (M 4.5) reported lower stress levels than women (M 5.2) (p < 0.05). Disparities in job satisfaction were observed between information technology specialists (M 8.5) and marketers (M 7.2) (p < 0.05). Employees with higher education (M 8.0) exhibited lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to employees with secondary education (M 7.2) (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The findings underscore the significance of considering individual and professional factors in the management of remote employees' mental well-being.

This study examined which personality traits and organizational factors are relevant in predicting safety-awareness behavior among physical workers. Data for this study were obtained from a Hungarian electricity company characterized as a high-risk organization (N = 588). An empirical illustration is provided using structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. The results show that five personality traits (compliance, self-discipline, openness, cognitive complexity, cognitive failure) of physical workers have a direct impact on their safety-awareness. Further, the study found two organizational factors (error-handling, positive work environment) that indirectly affect the relationship between physical workers' personality traits and their safety-awareness. The findings demonstrate that all factors have a greater direct than indirect effect and, from all factors, compliance has the greatest indirect effect on safety-awareness. In addition, the third organizational factor studied (perceived safety) has no direct or indirect effect on safety-awareness. The theoretical and practical implications and applicability of these findings are discussed.

Objectives: Surgeons, like other healthcare providers, are susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal complaints (WMSCs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of WMSCs including musculoskeletal injuries among surgeons in Saudi Arabia and identify predisposing factors contributing to these complaints.

Methods: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was conducted and descriptive statistics, Pearson's χ² test, Fisher's exact test, ϕ coefficient and Cramér's V test were used to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 316 surgeons participated, of whom 63% were aged between 21 and 40 years, 40.2% were female, 61.7% were not married and 82.3% were in full-time practice. Of the surveyed surgeons, 65.5% complained of musculoskeletal symptoms including 15.2% who reported having musculoskeletal injuries. Position, years of experience and duration of daily practice were significantly associated with musculoskeletal injuries. There was no significant difference between male and female surgeons in developing musculoskeletal injuries; however, a higher proportion of females, compared to males, were thinking of retirement because of these symptoms.

Conclusions: A considerable proportion of surgeons reported experiencing WMSCs and injuries that negatively affected their work performance. This may lead some to consider early retirement. Based on the results, suggestions to minimize WMSCs among surgeons are presented.

Hand-held power tools with high levels of vibration can give rise to hand-arm vibration syndrome, involving chronic nerve and vascular damage. The objective of this study was to identify aspects that could affect the implementation and future use of low-vibration tools in four types of industries: construction, quarrying, steelworks and dental laboratories. Field visits including observations and interviews were conducted in six organizations. Results showed a need to increase knowledge and awareness of vibration exposure and risks in the organizations, as well as a need for increased communication on the topic. Aspects affecting implementation were also user acceptance of new tools (to overcome fear of changes in craftsmanship and conservatism), having a clear and consistent leadership for change with great commitment, and manufacturers ensuring availability of low-vibrating tools. Implementation requires well-thought-out change processes with worker involvement. Customer demand for low-vibrating tools is needed for tool development and supply.

In this study, four types of functional knee pads with structure partitions were designed for delivery workers based on leg movement patterns during delivery. By selecting three characteristic points of the knee, experiments were conducted with the subjects to objectively analyze the effects of the knee pads with different fabrics on thermal and pressure comfort. The results showed that the structural partition of the knee pads with different fabrics had a significant effect on temperature; sample 3 had the highest temperature at the end of the experiment, which increased by 0.69 °C. At the same time, in the pressure comfort experiment, at the same test point the pressure on the knee at three bending angles gradually increases with the bending angle. The zonal structural design of knee pads can protect delivery workers' knee joints more effectively, which holds significant value for the design of functional knee pads.

Safety performance, a critical metric directly linked to employees' well-being and property protection, serves as a cornerstone in advancing modern productive forces. Grounded in social interaction theory, this study employed a survey-based method and hierarchical regression analysis to explore the mechanism of how leader and colleague safety consciousness affect employee safety performance. Analyzing survey data from 535 questionnaires, the following research results were obtained: leader and colleague safety consciousness has a positive impact on employee safety performance; safety role identification plays a positive mediating role between leader and colleague safety consciousness and employee safety performance; the leader-member exchange relationship positively moderates the relationship between leader safety consciousness and safety role identification, and positively moderates the mediating role of safety role identification; and the team-member exchange relationship positively moderates the relationship between colleague safety consciousness and safety role identification, and positively moderates the mediating role of safety role identification.

Objectives: This study assessed the association between knowledge of workplace hazards and perceived compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations among certified refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to December 2021. The study ascertained from 204 technicians their knowledge of workplace hazards and perceived compliance with OHS regulations using a self-administered questionnaire. In addition, the association between the technician's knowledge of workplace hazards and their perceived compliance with OHS was estimated using Poisson regression models with log-link, adjusted for confounding factors. Effect size estimates were expressed as crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: With a 75% workplace hazards benchmark for RAC technicians, the crude and adjusted model analysis (cPR 1.75; 95% CI [1.39, 2.21]; p < 0.001) and 58% (aPR 1.58; 95% CI [1.23, 2.04]; p < 0.001), respectively, indicated a likelihood of perceiving themselves as compliant with OHS regulations compared to RAC technicians with average and below-average industry knowledge of workplace hazards.

Conclusion: With knowledge of workplace hazards likely influencing certified RAC technicians, its integration into the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) curriculum as a competency may strengthen OHS compliance.

Laboratory safety is a critical priority in educational institutions, particularly in microbiology laboratories where infectious disease diagnosis requires strict protocols. Contaminated personnel can unknowingly transmit pathogens beyond the laboratory, posing public health risks. This study explores strategies to enhance safety in a microbiology laboratory at an Egyptian university. A multidisciplinary team of microbiology and design experts collaborated to redesign the laboratory, addressing contamination risks and improving safety and comfort. The process included identifying hazards, redesigning the layout with appropriate materials and testing effectiveness through microbiological culturing. Results showed that epoxy surfaces had superior resistance to bacterial colonization compared to traditional marble surfaces. These findings suggest that material selection plays a crucial role in laboratory safety. Incorporating epoxy surfaces can significantly reduce contamination risks, contributing to a safer environment for students and staff. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based design in optimizing microbiology laboratory safety.