International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics最新文献

Objectives. Two-dimensional (2D) woven fabrics are inefficient in exhibiting viable thermal comfort and protective function in high-tech applications that govern a need for three-dimensional (3D) weaves. Such 3D fabrics offer superior performance over 2D fabrics; however, no study has reported the simultaneous comparison of thermal and protective performance properties of 2D and 3D structures with equal thread densities. Methods. This work developed four woven structures, i.e., single, double, three and four layers, using eco-friendly hemp yarn for low to medium tear and puncture hazard protection. Plain weave was used in 2D structures while orthogonal through thickness (OTT) interlocking was used with plain weave in 3D woven structures. Thermal comfort and protective performance were evaluated to analyze the application suitability of designed structures. Results. Four-layered 3D fabric showed the best results of dry fluid transmission, indicating an increase in transmission with increasing out-of-plane layers owing to the highest volume porosity of 97.8%. The overall moisture management capability (OMMC) index and thermal conductivity exhibited a decreasing trend from single-layered to four-layered fabrics. Initially, tensile and puncture resistance attributes increased with increasing number of layers; afterwards, both properties compromised by 11-50%. All terms were found statistically significant with p < 0.05 by analysis of variance.

Objectives. The first aim of this study was to examine the differences between dominant and non-dominant hand and finger muscle contractile abilities. The secondary aim was to assess the relationship between variables used in assessing healthcare workers' hand and finger muscle contractile abilities. Methods. The study included 129 healthcare women who performed handgrip strength and endurance tests. Quantitative data on the maximum force, time to maximum force, time to maximum rate of force development, the rate of force development and the time of endurance in force, expressed as the force impulse, were measured. Results. The t test for paired samples showed significant differences between dominant and non-dominant hands in maximum force and rate of force development. The factorial analysis revealed three main components. Contractile force included maximum force and rate of force development, neural speed included time to maximum force and time to rate of force development, while neuro-muscular endurance included endurance of the non-dominant and dominant hands. Conclusion. The results of this research show that it is essential to continue to assess variables from all three components of the resulting model in future research and clinical practice, regardless of the hand tested.

Hospital work situations concerning risks and accidents are complex and create a situation of uncertainty. Hence, there is a need to understand the underlying factors of workplace incidences and their prevention. This study investigates the link between fatalistic beliefs, perceived effectiveness of preventive actions and safety behaviour. Healthcare workers (n = 611) from public and private hospitals in three south-eastern states in Nigeria responded to scales measuring fatalistic beliefs, perceived effectiveness of preventive actions and safety behaviour. The results showed that fatalistic beliefs are negatively related to adoption of safety behaviour. Fatalistic individuals have low perceived effectiveness of preventive actions. Moreover, when individuals perceive that preventive actions are effective, they tend to adopt safer behaviour. An interaction analysis with age showed that the negative effect of fatalistic beliefs on perceived effectiveness of preventive actions is stronger when healthcare workers' age increases. Recommendations for effective preventive actions are discussed.

Objectives. Cold-related adversities among poultry workers in Thailand vary by subgroup, but the impact of clothing insulation (I_cl) is not well understood. Methods. The authors interviewed 283 poultry workers and compared I_cl values across subgroups, adjusting for confounding factors. Results. The average worksite temperature was 3.8 °C, with average I_cl of 1.23 clo. After adjustments, I_cl was 0.38 clo lower in office workers compared to other job categories, and 0.11 clo lower in workers with the highest body mass index (37.5) compared to those with the lowest (15.6). I_cl was 0.08 clo higher in the oldest workers (age 57 years) compared to the youngest (age 18 years), 0.07 clo higher among weekly alcohol consumers compared to non-consumers, 0.06 clo higher in women than in men and 0.04 clo higher among those engaged in light compared to heavy work. Perceiving temperatures >0 °C as cold was associated with an increase of 0.22 clo in I_cl. Conclusions. Office workers should wear more clothing. Relatively high I_cl values observed in some subgroups suggest sensitivity to cold, warranting further individual examination to determine optimal I_cl levels. Targeting preventive measures at vulnerable worker groups in Thailand's poultry industry could reduce the burden of cold-related harm.

This study, grounded in the theories of psychological capital and social cognition, constructs a theoretical model exploring the impact of abusive management on employee unsafe behavior, incorporating psychological capital as a mediating variable and transformational leadership as a moderating variable. Survey data were collected from 412 employees of large coal mining enterprises, and structural equation modeling was employed for empirical validation. The findings reveal that abusive management can trigger unsafe behaviors among employees and diminish the influence of psychological capital. Additionally, psychological capital, serving as an intermediary, indirectly reduces unsafe production behaviors. Transformational leadership, by facilitating employees to attain optimal safety performance through personalized care, exerts a negative moderating effect between abusive management and unsafe behavior. The conclusions of this study offer valuable insights for enterprises aiming to minimize employee unsafe behaviors and enhance the efficiency of safety management.

Objectives. This study aimed to construct a theoretic framework for evaluation of the occupational safety and health culture in university laboratories, and develop an evaluation index system by applying the analytic hierarchy process in combination with fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (AHP-FCE). Methods. A theoretic framework was developed based on the literature review of 69 publications and expert consultation. The AHP method was applied to construct an index system with indicators for the safety culture of university laboratories, and the criteria weights were determined. The FCE method was applied to construct an evaluation model for calculation of the membership degree of each indicator and the corresponding evaluation value using YAAHP. Results. The '1-3-10-33' hierarchical index system was established in this study. The pilot evaluation revealed that safety culture in the study university belonged to the proactive stage with a comprehensive score of 3.9984. Low scores were recorded for four key indicators, i.e., combating deviance (3.5000), incident reporting (3.4000), incentive methods (3.4000), and matching power and responsibility (3.5000). Conclusion. The novel findings shed lights on the continuous monitoring and evaluation of occupational health and safety, and inform policy and practice to improve safety culture in university laboratories in China.

Struck-by accidents involving vehicle intrusions and heavy equipment in construction work zones, particularly utility systems, highways, streets and bridge projects, pose significant safety risks. These incidents often resulting from interactions between workers, machinery and vehicles, frequently lead to serious or fatal injuries. This study utilized a comprehensive dataset of 3,268 OSHA accident reports from 2000 to 2022 to examine patterns, contributing factors, and the severity of struck-by accidents. Through a multi-method approach combining descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and predictive modeling (logistic regression, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting), the study addressed four core research questions focused on frequency, risk factor association, and injury severity prediction. The results revealed that struck-by incidents comprised over 50% of all reported construction work zone accidents and accounted for nearly 70% of related fatalities. Risk factors significantly associated with fatality included injury nature (e.g., amputation, asphyxia), worker occupation (e.g., construction laborers, highway maintenance workers), project type, cost, time of day, and specific activities such as excavation and trenching. While logistic regression offered interpretability (AUC-ROC = 0.74487), ensemble models provided greater predictive accuracy (AUC-ROC = 0.78-0.79). It also underscores the need for standardized data reporting to enhance future modeling efforts.

Objectives. This study investigated muscular, functional, metabolic and user's perception aspects of the Exosoft exosuit during two tasks - a simulated patient handling scenario and a repetitive lifting task - using statistical parametric mapping. Methods. In Experiment 1, 16 healthy participants performed a simulated patient handling task to examine muscle activation and functional outcomes. In Experiment 2, 20 healthy participants completed repetitive lifting to assess metabolic cost, perceived exertion and discomfort, and user satisfaction. Results. In Experiment 1, Exosoft significantly reduced activation of the erector spinae longissimus (-7.8%) and iliocostalis (-10%) during lifting and lowering phases, and decreased lower trapezius activity (-11.4%) during holding and lowering movements. However, ankle dorsiflexion declined (-10.7%), representing a functional side effect. In Experiment 2, no significant changes in metabolic cost were detected. Nevertheless, participants reported high satisfaction, with an average score of 4/5. Effectiveness and comfort emerged as the most valued features. Conclusion. Exosoft effectively reduced back-muscle loading during simulated patient handling, highlighting its potential to support caregivers in healthcare contexts. Further research should address real-world implementation, including prolonged use, heavier loads and a broader spectrum of patient handling tasks to confirm its practical utility.

Highway work zones are hazardous areas where construction and maintenance activities occur alongside active traffic, posing significant safety challenges for on-site workers. This study investigates the effectiveness of hazard mitigation strategies from the workers' perspective, focusing on safety, mobility, comfort and adaptability. Fourteen mitigation strategies were evaluated using the best-worst method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, across three types of work zones: utility, maintenance and construction. Findings show that the importance of safety and mobility varies by work zone type; safety is most critical in the utility type, while mobility is prioritized in the construction type due to its influence on traffic flow and worker risk. Key effective strategies include enhanced traffic control devices, speed enforcement and intrusion alert systems. Automatic flagging devices are helpful in utility and maintenance work zones, while dynamic systems like variable speed limits and intelligent transportation systems improve safety in construction work zones.

Objectives. Occupational exposure to heavy metals has emerged as a significant public health threat. These metals can induce oxidative stress, a significant risk for green space workers due to frequent exposure to air pollutants in urban areas. Even with these high-risk levels, exposure to heavy metals among this group is understudied. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of exposure to nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) on oxidative stress among these workers. Methods. Air samples were taken from 88 male participants for Ni, Pb and Mn analysis using NIOSH-7300. Urine samples were taken for heavy metal and 8-hydroxy-2^'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) biomonitoring. Results. The exposed population of green space workers showed significantly elevated levels of airborne Ni and Pb (p ≤ 0.001) and urinary Mn and Ni (p ≤ 0.001) compared with a control group of office workers. The exposed population also had elevated urinary 8-OHDG levels, indicating increased oxidative stress. The strong correlation and regression analysis (R² = 0.7964) confirm that metal exposure had a significant effect on oxidative stress. Conclusion. The study underscores the occupational risk of heavy metal exposure in outdoor settings, emphasizing the need for effective health and safety policies despite limitations such as sample size and city-specific focus.