Towards a software architecture to manage occupational safety at grain handling and storage facilities

Sabrina Dalla Corte Bellochio,Marcos Alves dos Santos,Vinícius Maran,Paulo Eduardo Teodoro,Luan Willig Silveira,Paulo Carteri Coradi

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06534-8

Sabrina Dalla Corte Bellochio, Marcos Alves dos Santos + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06534-8

Copy DOI

Abstract

The study had as objective to evaluate occupational hazards on grain storage unit to define a conceptual model, implemented in an algorithm to manage the grains storage facilities safety standards compliance. Sampling points location were defined for static quantification of noise, dust and heat stress hazards in grains pre-processing operations to indicate the effectiveness of the control measures implemented. Safety standards applied to grain handling and storage facilities were identified and selected. Chart flows were elaborated to the algorithm logics and conceptual modeling. The highest level of noise was present in the grain cleaning operation (99.1 dB), while the expedition operation has the highest level of dust (20.27%). The heat stress was present in the grain drying operation (43.64 WBGT). Noise analysis did not show a difference between grains, only between operations. The flow of corn grain mass caused higher dust concentrations in the expedition operation. The method applied to characterize and quantify the hazards in grain storage units was satisfactory, and it is recommended as standard, for use in corn and soybean grains handling and storage units. The algorithm to manage occupational safety at storage facilities collaborates to monitor the safety compliance on postharvest operations.

Highlights

The study had as objective to evaluate occupational hazards on grain storage unit to define a conceptual model, implemented in an algorithm to manage the grains storage facilities safety standards compliance
The statistical analysis showed that the lower confidence limit was higher than the tolerance limit of 85 dB (A), there is a 95% probability that the exposure at the beginning of the grains unloading is non-compliant
Noise and dust were characterized as occupational hazards in the pre-processing and storage operations for corn and soybean grains, and it is important to adopt hazards control and mitigation measures

Summary

Introduction

The study had as objective to evaluate occupational hazards on grain storage unit to define a conceptual model, implemented in an algorithm to manage the grains storage facilities safety standards compliance. The algorithm to manage occupational safety at storage facilities collaborates to monitor the safety compliance on postharvest operations. Many incidents and occupational diseases on agriculture are reported by workers of postharvest operations at grain storage facilities. Machinery and equipment operation, such ones used at grains reception and unloading, dryer’s operation, grains transport and handling, generates occupational n oise[28] and, especially the furnace on grain drying process, offers heat hazard at the activity of feeding and maintaining the fire[29]. One of the requirements of the occupational health and safety management system is compliance with the national standards established for grain handling[30]. To manage the legal compliance, especially in small and medium-sized businesses, is not a simple task, as it is essential that organizations have access to tools and methodologies that provide the necessary knowledge about health and safety standards[35]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion