International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics最新文献

This study explored the use of forearm electromyography data to distinguish eight hand gestures. The neural network (NN) and random forest (RF) algorithms were tested on data from 10 participants. As window sizes increase from 200 ms to 1000 ms, the algorithm accuracies increased with RF from 85% to 97% due to the increased temporal resolution. It was also noticed that the RF performed better with an accuracy of 85% than the NN with accuracy 80% when the temporal resolution was smaller, indicating the RF will be efficient when quick-response time is important. As the window size increases, the NN showed higher performance, suggesting that NN will be useful when higher accuracy is required. Future studies should increase the sample size, include more hand gestures, use different feature extraction methods and test different algorithms to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the system.

Objectives. This study aimed to identify potential health problems and ergonomic risks that office workers face. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted among Ankara Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports office workers. The dependent variables of the study were musculoskeletal complaints and eye problems. Independent variables included gender, age, total and weekly working time, smoking, alcohol consumption, perceived health, burnout, working conditions and workplace ergonomic risks. The study successfully reached 251 office workers, achieving a response rate of 95.4%. Results. The participants spend an average of 5.79 h per day in front of their computers. The most common musculoskeletal disorders were neck pain (59.0%) and back pain (51.0%). Eye problems, such as itching, redness or watering, were reported by 45.8%. More than half of the participants reported not engaging in any form of exercise during work. Differences existed in back pain according to emotional and physical burnout, perceived health, and chair adjustability; and itching, redness and watering in the eyes according to the screen positioning at an appropriate distance. Conclusion. The findings highlight the importance of addressing musculoskeletal and eye issues among office workers. Integrating ergonomics into health and safety training can help employees mitigate hazards, promoting a healthier workplace.

The objective of the study was to examine the mechanical and electrostatic properties of poly(vinyl chloride) intended for use in protective footwear. The poly(vinyl chloride) material was made with graphite (flake side dimensions 5 and 10 µm) additive in weight concentration variants from 0.5 to 10.0%. The influence of incorporating graphite in the polymer matrix was evaluated by testing mechanical parameters and electrostatic parameters (according to Standard No. EN ISO 20344:2021). In addition, the surface morphology, analysis of thermal properties and stability were evaluated. The results indicated the highest increase in tear resistance for the variant containing 1.5- 2.0% graphite. In terms of electrostatic parameters, the addition of graphite caused an increase in electrical resistance. Based on the obtained preliminary test results, it can be concluded that the use of graphite additive can increase the mechanical properties and find application in the production of protective footwear components.

Objectives. This study explores the association between sleep quality, cumulative fatigue and occupational injuries among shift workers in Pakistan's manufacturing industries. Methods. The study surveyed 200 shift workers using a self-administered questionnaire. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and fatigue with the standard shiftwork index (SSI). Statistical analyses included t tests, χ² tests and logistic regression. Results. Night shift employees had higher odds of occupational injuries (odds ratio [OR] 3.591, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.079, 11.944], p = 0.037) compared to day shift workers. Cumulative fatigue (OR 3.044, 95% CI [1.145, 8.089], p = 0.026) and PSQI global score (OR 1.249, 95% CI [1.002, 1.556], p = 0.048) also indicated an increased injury risk. Conclusion. Night shift workers experienced poorer sleep quality, higher fatigue and increased injuries than day shift workers. Employers should implement artificial intelligence to detect and manage fatigue, set strategic shift schedules for maximum sleep opportunities and train workers to improve sleep quality.

Ground handling companies (GHCs) have the highest potential for occupational accidents in the air transportation sector. Understanding the success factors of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) implemented by GHCs ensures effective and efficient use of resources. Knowing the relative importance of success factors will enable companies to focus their energies on the most important factors. The analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the relative importance of success factors. The data of the study were obtained through a questionnaire survey of participants working as occupational safety and health (OSH) managers in GHCs operating in Turkey. According to the results of the study, the most critical success factor is 'top management support', followed by 'positive safety culture'. The differentiating result of the research from the literature is that 'OSH professionals' ranks third as an important success factor. Other success factors include 'OHSMS practices', 'stakeholder attitudes and characteristics' and 'regulations'.

Objectives. Interest regarding the associated impact of leadership style on employee safety and well-being across organizational settings is on the rise. Transformational leadership forms part of the six leadership constructs with significant research-focused settings. On this premise, this study examines the role played by the transformational leadership style in enhancing a positive safety climate that promotes safety participation and employee well-being in organizations. Method. Data were generated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). A qualitative literature review of 350 published studies between 2013 and 2023 was performed and 31 studies informed the study outcome. Results. Based on the analysis of each article, the study concluded that transformational leadership does have a positive role in the development of a strategic workplace safety climate and enhancement of employees' psychological well-being and productivity. The study also reveals existing research gaps in this context and provides useful suggestions for future research in both academia and industry. Conclusion. Further research that examines other factors that mediate the relationship between leadership behaviour and employee well-being will assist with understanding of the role of transformational leadership and the promotion of job satisfaction and performance.

This literature review investigates the application of wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) to enhance hearing protection and communication among workers in a noisy environment. Given the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss, there is a major need to provide workers, with or at risk of hearing loss, with a solution that not only protects their hearing but also facilitates effective communication. WDRC, which amplifies softer sounds while limiting louder sounds, appears a promising approach. This review explores 46 articles investigating WDRC performance on speech intelligibility and loudness perception in noise for individuals with normal hearing or mild to moderate hearing loss. The findings illustrate a complex interplay between several factors such as WDRC parameters, noise types and personal factors. Although WDRC holds promise for enhancing auditory protection and communication in noisy work settings, targeted research towards customizable and adaptive WDRC configurations is crucial for optimizing its application across industrial noise environments.

Objectives. Facing risk of contracting COVID-19, adopting individual health and safety behaviors to prevent infection was critical for first responders to ensure personal and public safety. This study assessed direct and indirect relationships between safety leadership, safety behaviors and the effect of risk perceptions on these relationships among aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method. A total of 127 ARFF frontline personnel participated in an online survey. COVID-19-specific constructs of safety leadership, safety behaviors and risk perceptions were assessed using a structural model with moderation and serial mediation analysis using the mixed-model method. Results. Safety leadership had significant direct effects on safety compliance and indirect effects on safety participation and mask use. ARFF personnel's perceived severity of the virus had significant direct effects on mask use and indirect effects on safety compliance and participation behaviors. The interaction of safety leadership and perceived susceptibility to the virus had significant direct effects on safety compliance behaviors and indirect effects on safety participation and mask use. Conclusion. There are practical implications to strengthen safety compliance behaviors through leadership. This study contributes to the literature on leadership and safety behaviors among ARFF personnel during exceptional circumstances and times of crisis.

Oil rigs require mud as a drilling fluid to make boreholes into the earth for crude oil exploration. The operator movements in drilling rigs are repeated bending, lifting of sacks for mud mixing, pushing and/or pulling of sacks and working in hazardous body postures. This study adopts risk assessment tools such as rapid entire body assessment and the revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lifting equation to analyse the risks in postures of the mud mixing operator. Also, the study develops a digital human model of the mud mixing operator using Jack digital human modelling for simulating selected tasks associated with mud mixing operation. Finally, lower back analysis and static strength prediction are performed using a digital human Jack model. Safety of mud mixing operators can be improved with the results obtained from the study, thereby reducing non-productive time reports in drilling operations.

This article examines the dual effects of occupational health and safety cost (OHSC) fluctuations due to the occupational accident number (OAN), and the impact of the OAN on operating period costs (OPCs). Initially, OHSCs, OANS and other operational data from the company were compiled to build a foundational infrastructure. Subsequently, econometric analysis using regression techniques was conducted to identify relationships between OHSCs and OANs, and between OHSCs and OPCs. Findings suggest that a 1% increase in OAN correlates with a 0.18% rise in OPC, while a 1% increase in OHSC corresponds to a 0.26% increase in OAN. The study also indicates that effective OHSCs can lead to a reduction in OAN, and without the expenditure of OHSCs in the relevant period, the likelihood of OANs occurring increases by approximately 84 times. These insights underscore the critical role of OHSCs in managing operational risks and enhancing performance.