Occupational Risk Assessment Research Articles

Application of Three-Dimensional Risk Matrix Approach for Occupational Injury Risk assessment in an Automotive Factory

Introduction: Risk assessment matrix is a tool used in a project’s risk assessment process to identify the probability of risks and evaluate the potential damages caused by those risks. Generally, a risk assessment matrix is drawn in a two-dimensional form, with two factors: the severity of the accident and the probability of its occurrence. So, the purpose of this study is to develop a specific risk assessment matrix in a three- dimensional form by using the accident severity grade (ASG) rating system, the accident probability, and taking into account the preventive approach that helps occupational injury risk assessment in the automobile industry. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1402 (2023) in one of the automobile assembly industries. One hundred cases were randomly selected by examining the reports of this industry’s past accidents. The ASG scoring checklist was designed and completed by the experts to assess the severity of accidents. Then, considering the ASG score, the frequency of the accident, and its preventability, a three-dimensional risk assessment matrix specific to this industry was presented. Results: According to the findings of the accident analysis, a total of 658 accidents and 15,019 lost working days were recorded in this period. The most influential factor in the occurrence of accidents is related to “surface condition” (influence factor = 0.6), and the least of them belongs to the “weather conditions” (influence factor = 0.028). The results of the three-dimensional matrix show that when the ability to prevent accidents increases, the risk of accidents decreases. Conclusion: Using the accident severity grade (ASG) and preventability in the proposed three-dimensional risk assessment matrix, the accident severity can be quantified immediately after the accident. This approach allows monitoring workplaces during the accident, leading to timely control and risk management implementation.

How do working conditions change for in-person versus digital work? The case of schoolteachers

Abstract Background Telework has significantly increased in Europe and internationally in the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns, with estimates of 22% of Europeans now doing some form of telework. However, it is unclear how working conditions for the same job differ when work is conducted in-person versus digitally, and if occupational health risks can be considered as equal across formats. Our study addressed the profession of school teaching to examine online working conditions versus those for in-person teaching. Methods To allow for close consideration of employment contexts, a qualitative study was conducted. Focus groups and interviews took place in 2023-24 with 45 teachers and tutors who teach from kindergarten to secondary grades across Canada. Results We found that online teaching added to emotional labour of teaching work and involved new occupational exposures. These included challenges with engaging students via cameras and microphones, digital surveillance of teachers by parents and students, unwanted exposure to students’ intimate home lives, and technostress. Conclusions The work of being an online teacher was very different than teaching in-person, yet there has been slow recognition of working condition differences for understanding of OHS exposures and for collective agreements. Key messages • In the context of a significant expansion of telework, assumptions cannot be made that the job conditions and exposures are the same job when performed in-person or at-home. • These differences will need to be recognized in job agreements and occupational risk assessments.

Occupational Risk Management for a Sustainable Workplace Using Simulation

Theoretical background: The article delves into the realm of occupational risk management within the context of supply chain management and enterprise logistics. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring safety and sustainable working conditions in today’s dynamic business environment, where supply chains are becoming increasingly globalized and complex. Purpose of the article: The primary objective of the article is to introduce a novel approach to occupational risk management that leverages advanced digital technologies and simulations. It aims to address the existing research gap by developing a method that considers dynamic environmental factors and individual worker needs. By analyzing the synergy of various hazards, monitoring employee workload, and employing simulations, the article seeks to enhance the accuracy of occupational risk assessment and facilitate more effective corrective actions. Research methods: The article employs a mixed-method research approach, drawing upon both theoretical analysis and practical application. It begins with a thorough literature review to establish the theoretical framework and identify research gaps. Subsequently, it discusses the proposed solution – a method for managing occupational risks using simulation – by presenting its theoretical description and implementation process. The research methodology involves the development and application of this method to a selected order picking process, followed by simulation to minimize occupational risks. The authors also utilize software tools to simulate work processes and assess health risks to workers. Main findings: The main findings of the research suggest that occupational risk assessment using simulation has a significant impact on improving work processes in terms of sustainable workplaces. By introducing elements of labor humanization and redesigning work processes, the study demonstrates a reduction in the sources of occupational risk. The innovative approach to risk assessment, based on recursion across different organizational resources, facilitates the identification of improvement action projects. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies in monitoring working conditions, identifying risks, and implementing preventive measures. Overall, the research contributes to shaping new standards for safe and sustainable work environments, thereby enhancing both safety and efficiency within organizations.

Occupational health risk assessment of exposure to major hazardous chemicals in copper and nickel smelting enterprises

Objective: To evaluate the risk of major chemical exposure positions in copper and nickel smelting enterprises, and provide a basis for risk assessment and prevention control measures. Methods: From September to October 2023, two copper nickel ore smelting enterprises in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected as the research objects. Relevant information on chemicals was collected through occupational hazard field investigations. Qualitative analysis and exposure index methods were used in GBZ/T 298-2017 "Technical Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Hazardous Factors in the Workplace" to conduct risk assessments on the main chemical exposure positions. The qualitative risk assessment results were checked for consistency using the Weighted Kappa coefficient. Results: The positions with high risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals in copper nickel smelting enterprises are saponification positions exposed to hydrochloric acid in refining processes, black nickel positions exposed to sodium hydroxide, and tail suction positions. The consistency between the two occupational health risk assessment results is poor (Kappa=0.14) . Conclusion: The amount of major hazardous chemicals in copper-nickel smelting enterprises is large, and the occupational health risks caused by exposure are complex and diverse, so the effects of chronic occupational health should be strengthened.

Анализ состояния охраны труда и промышленной безопасности на АО «Разрез Колыванский»

A risk-oriented approach at hazardous production facilities is a part of critical measures to maintain the safety of the production environment affecting both human health and performance during the working process and to minimize accidents and production hazards. The objective assessment of all stages of the production process is an important aspect of the enterprise's activities. Enterprises should immediately introduce and implement comprehensive measures of production safety that must simultaneously minimize threats to human health (occupational risk assessment — the development and implementation of unified criteria of accident risk assessment) and prevention of potential hazards at each workplace in particular and at the enterprise in general (establishing the industrial safety culture and awareness of personal responsibility for the workflow safety, compliance with industrial safety requirements). The latter is the key principle as it concerns cross-industry integration, i.e., the basic level of knowledge and skills obtained during the learning process and the practical experience of working with industrial equipment, and specifics of the enterprise’s operation. The article provides the analysis of outcomes of work in the sphere of occupational and industrial safety at Razrez Kolavansky JSC with the application of a risk-oriented approach. At the same time, the impact of education (qualification) on injuries of the employees of Razrez has been considered.

“Risk Hunting” as a competence resource in the training of occupational safety professionals

The article discusses the use of project-based learning in the training of experts in Technosphere Safety, particularly occupational safety and health professionals. For these categories, the main competence is obtaining knowledge of assessing working conditions, identifying hazards and occupational risks for the development and implementation of measures aimed to eliminate them. The article presents the results of the “Risk Hunting” project, including occupational risk assessment cards, hazard registers, projects of occupational risk reduction measures, labor protection competitions, the Occupational Safety Day presentation, and the training for Irkutsk National Research Technical University department heads. The article distinguishes between two types of educational results: development of competencies required for labor protection professionals and gaining experience in self-organization and self-education. Project-based learning is aimed at solving specific tasks and gaining professional experience, which needs to be developed and improved.

Occupational Exposure to Silica Dust and Silicosis Risk in Chinese Noncoal Mines: Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment.

Despite increasing awareness, silica dust-induced silicosis still contributes to the huge disease burden in China. Worryingly, recent silica dust exposure levels and silicosis risk in Chinese noncoal mines remain unclear. We aimed to determine recent silica dust exposure levels and assess the risk of silicosis in Chinese noncoal mines. Between May and December 2020, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on 3 noncoal mines and 1 public hospital to establish, using multivariable Cox regression analyses, prediction formulas of the silicosis cumulative hazard ratio (H) and incidence (I) and a cross-sectional study on 155 noncoal mines in 10 Chinese provinces to determine the prevalence of silica dust exposure (PDE), free silica content, and total dust and respirable dust concentrations. The qualitative risk of silicosis was assessed using the International Mining and Metals Commission's risk-rating table and the occupational hazard risk index; the quantitative risk was assessed using prediction formulas. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significant differences in the silicosis probability between silica dust-exposed male and female miners (log-rank test χ21=7.52, P=.01). A total of 126 noncoal mines, with 29,835 miners and 4623 dust samples, were included; 13,037 (43.7%) miners were exposed to silica dust, of which 12,952 (99.3%) were male. The median PDE, free silica content, total dust concentration, and respirable dust concentration were 61.6%, 27.6%, 1.30 mg/m3, and 0.58 mg/m3, respectively, indicating that miners in nonmetal, nonferrous metal, small, and open-pit mines suffer high-level exposure to silica dust. Comprehensive qualitative risk assessment showed noncoal miners had a medium risk of silicosis, and the risks caused by total silica dust and respirable silica dust exposure were high and medium, respectively. When predicting H and I over the next 10, 20, and 30 years, we assumed that the miner gender was male. Under exposure to current total silica dust concentrations, median I10, I20, and I30 would be 6.8%, 25.1%, and 49.9%, respectively. Under exposure to current respirable silica dust concentrations, median I10, I20, and I30 would be 6.8%, 27.7%, and 57.4%, respectively. These findings showed that miners in nonmetal, nonferrous metal, small, and open-pit mines have a higher I and higher qualitative silicosis risk. Chinese noncoal miners, especially those in nonmetal, nonferrous metal, small, and open-pit mines, still suffer high-level exposure to silica dust and a medium-level risk of silicosis. Data of both total silica dust and respirable silica dust are vital for occupational health risk assessment in order to devise effective control measures to reduce noncoal mine silica dust levels, improve miners' working environment, and reduce the risk of silicosis.

Posterior assessment of occupational risks associated with work hardness based on workers’ subjective perception of their health

Work hardness causes health impairments in workers of some occupations. Posterior assessment should be considered priority one in health risk analysis instead of relying solely on results obtained by prior assessment based on descriptions of working condition. This paper presents the results obtained by posterior occupational risk (OR) assessment associated with work hardness; the assessment is based on analyzing workers’ subjective perception of their health (workers employed at a bearing production were used as an example). A survey was accomplished within this study followed by analyzing subjective perception of one’s health. It gave an opportunity to accomplish quantitative posterior OR assessment (that considered both likelihood of diseases and their severity) at the group and individual levels. Work hardness creates unacceptable group health risks associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (1.93•10-2–2.56•10-2), nervous system (4.03•10-2–6.77•10-2), genitourinary system (2.04•10-2–2.7•10-2) and cardio-vascular system (1.47•10-2–1.69•10-2). Such indicators as ‘weight of constantly lifted cargo and cargo moved by hand’ (35–58 %) and ‘uncomfortable working posture / working upright’ (29–54 %) make major contributions to the integral risk. Risk categories were adjusted at the individual level (considering parameters of the relationship that describe how likelihood of disease is influenced by work hardness, age and working records). This allowed establishing that OR was predominantly caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (‘medium risk’ for 19–83 % of the workers and ‘high risk’ for 75–81 %), nervous system (‘high risk’ for 84–85 % and ‘extremely high risk’ for 15–16 % of the workers) and genitourinary system (‘moderate risk’ for 1 %, ‘medium risk’ for 8 %, and ‘high risk’ for 87 %). Occupational health risk assessment allowed identifying priority indicators of work hardness (‘weight of constantly lifted cargo and cargo moved by hand’ and ‘uncomfortable working posture / working upright’) and establishing proper scope of relevant prevention activities at the group and individual level.

Апостериорная оценка профессионального риска, связанного с тяжестью трудового процесса, на основе анализа субъективного восприятия работниками своего здоровья

Work hardness causes health impairments in workers of some occupations. Posterior assessment should be considered priority one in health risk analysis instead of relying solely on results obtained by prior assessment based on descriptions of working condition. This paper presents the results obtained by posterior occupational risk (OR) assessment associated with work hardness; the assessment is based on analyzing workers’ subjective perception of their health (workers employed at a bearing production were used as an example). A survey was accomplished within this study followed by analyzing subjective perception of one’s health. It gave an opportunity to accomplish quantitative posterior OR assessment (that considered both likelihood of diseases and their severity) at the group and individual levels. Work hardness creates unacceptable group health risks associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (1.93•10-2–2.56•10-2), nervous system (4.03•10-2–6.77•10-2), genitourinary system (2.04•10-2–2.7•10-2) and cardio-vascular system (1.47•10-2–1.69•10-2). Such indicators as ‘weight of constantly lifted cargo and cargo moved by hand’ (35–58 %) and ‘uncomfortable working posture / working upright’ (29–54 %) make major contributions to the integral risk. Risk categories were adjusted at the individual level (considering parameters of the relationship that describe how likelihood of disease is influenced by work hardness, age and working records). This allowed establishing that OR was predominantly caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (‘medium risk’ for 19–83 % of the workers and ‘high risk’ for 75–81 %), nervous system (‘high risk’ for 84–85 % and ‘extremely high risk’ for 15–16 % of the workers) and genitourinary system (‘moderate risk’ for 1 %, ‘medium risk’ for 8 %, and ‘high risk’ for 87 %). Occupational health risk assessment allowed identifying priority indicators of work hardness (‘weight of constantly lifted cargo and cargo moved by hand’ and ‘uncomfortable working posture / working upright’) and establishing proper scope of relevant prevention activities at the group and individual level.

A harmonized occupational biomonitoring approach

Biomonitoring has been widely used in assessing exposures in both occupational and public health complementing chemical risk assessments because it measures the concentrations of chemical substances in human body fluids (e.g., urine and blood). Biomonitoring considers all routes and sources of exposure. An occupational biomonitoring guidance document has been elaborated (OECD Occupational Biomonitoring Guidance) within the OECD framework and specifically, the Working Parties on Exposure and Hazard Assessment by scientific experts from 40 institutes and organizations representing 15 countries. The guidance provides practical information for assessing chemical exposures in occupational settings including the three common routes of exposure: inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion due to hand to mouth contact. The elaborated stepwise approach for conducting biomonitoring is tailored for occupational health professionals, scientists, risk assessors, and regulators. It includes methods for selecting appropriate biomarkers, devising sampling strategies, and assessing laboratories for validated analytical methods for the biomarker of interest, and ensuring timely feedback of results. Furthermore, it describes procedures for setting up efficient biomonitoring programs based on the Similar Exposure Group (SEG) approaches. Derived health-based human exposure biomarker assessment values called Occupational Biomonitoring Levels (OBLs) are proposed for use in occupational exposure and risk assessment. It also helps with the interpretation of biomonitoring results routinely collected and procedures for communicating biomonitoring results at individual, collective, and workplace levels. Ethical considerations associated with biomonitoring are also discussed. The ultimate goal of this biomonitoring approach is to promote harmonized application and interpretation of biomarkers as well as evidence-based occupational risk management measures.

Features of the assessment of occupational risks under hazardous working conditions

Features of the assessment of occupational risks under hazardous working conditions

Sampling targets to assess occupational health in occupational health and safety management system audits: a mixed-methods research in Japan.

Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) are the foundation of occupational health and safety activities within an organization. An important element of these systems is audits. However, OHSMS auditors often lack confidence in conducting occupational health audits compared with their proficiency in conducting occupational safety audits. For occupational health to be effectively managed by OHSMS, the sampling competence of auditors engaged in third-party audits should be improved. Therefore, we conducted this study to identify appropriate sampling targets for occupational health related to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 45001. We adopted a mixed methods approach to identify appropriate sampling targets. This involved conducting focus group discussions with experts in occupational health and performing systematic text condensation analysis. The validity of our findings was further reinforced through confirmation by external auditors who specialize in ISO 45001. In the qualitative phase, 6 occupational health sampling targets were identified, and of these, 5 were subsequently validated in the quantitative phase: (1) Health issues, legal requirements, and occupational health goals identified by the organization; (2) Occupational health risk assessment and control processes; (3) Processes related to occupational health and documented information showing the results of efforts; (4) Organizational roles and functions of occupational health professionals and opportunities for their professional development; and (5) Processes to ensure commitment to occupational health issues and objectives. To ensure effective and comprehensive occupational health audits, auditors should review these targets. This study will enhance the competence of auditors by identifying appropriate occupational health sampling targets.

Occupational Risk Management in OHS Based on Risk Assessment and Control

Abstract Nowadays, occupational risk management presents a significant challenge for enterprises and occupational health and safety (OHS) services. Economic changes drive efforts to verify working conditions and optimize production processes involving human participation. Employers are obligated to provide safe and hygienic working conditions using all available technical and organizational solutions. However, many enterprises still marginalize the correlation between reliable occupational risk assessments and employee absenteeism. Employers often fear high economic costs with potentially low returns. Such actions often stem from the lack of precise analyses clearly determining the costs of inadequate employee safety and ignorance of the possible consequences of workplace accidents. A well-prepared occupational risk assessment can beneficially impact employee safety, company profits, and the reduction or elimination of material and financial losses. This article discusses appropriate remedial measures for accurately determining occupational risk levels and the elements of its control. The reliability of the assessment will determine the effectiveness of the adopted OHS policy and management overall.

Occupational safety management and human reliability testing during the operation of a plastic injection molding machine

Work safety is a key element in the design and maintenance of industrial workplaces and processes. This article examines occupational safety and the reliability of the human factor in the role of a plastic injection molding machine operator. Analyzing the work process and the dangerous, harmful, and burdensome factors present in the environment and workplace allowed for the identification of occupational hazards. Additionally, factors such as the frequency of threats, the likelihood of events, the possibility of avoiding and limiting damage, and the consequences of events were considered to conduct an occupational risk assessment according to the JSA (Job Safety Analysis) method. Following this, human reliability was assessed by determining the probability of operator errors using the TESEO and HEART methods. Finally, the possibility of using selected immersion techniques on the results of the research was discussed. The research methods and tools used in this study included a literature review and analysis, observation, interviews, and inference.

Determination of toxicological relevant arsenic species in urine by hydride generation microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry

An analytical method for the determination of toxicological relevant species of arsenic in urine was developed and validated using hydride generation microwave-induced emission spectrometry (HG-MP-AES). This strategy can be used as an alternative to HG-HPLC-ICP-MS considered as a reference technique for arsenic speciation. This procedure is notably less expensive than other techniques and sample preparation and requires only a few steps.•Hydride generation with MP-AES detection has proven to be an effective technique for measuring arsenic metabolites in urine, which is relevant for occupational monitoring and health risk assessment purposes.•This method offers simplicity and cost-effectiveness, serving as an alternative to classical analytical procedures typically used for arsenic analysis in urine.•The methodology has been successfully applied for the purpose of workers' health surveillance.

Occupational Risk Assessment at Workplace of a Driller’s Assistant Based on the Integrated Use of the Risk Matrix and the Board’s Calculation Method

Occupational Risk Assessment at Workplace of a Driller’s Assistant Based on the Integrated Use of the Risk Matrix and the Board’s Calculation Method

Application of the occupational health risk assessment model in predicting the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in noise-polluted manufacturers in southern China

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and noise exposure in different positions within manufacturing facilities that primarily produce electronic devices, wooden furniture and hardware machinery in southern China and to investigate the practical application of the risk assessment model. Methods. Noise exposure data were collected from 115 workers in 10 manufacturing industries in southern China through on-site investigation. Subsequently, sample testing was conducted in accordance with Chinese standards. The 31 job positions investigated were classified into two similar exposure groups (SEGs). The occupational health risk assessment (OHRA) model was used to evaluate the risks of ONIHL in various job positions. Results. More than half of the positions in both groups had noise levels exceeding 85 dB. In both SEGs, male workers exhibited similar risk patterns of acquiring hearing impairment, with a more pronounced and earlier risk of hearing loss compared to female workers. Age was also found to be a risk factor for hearing impairments. Conclusion. The ORHA model demonstrated a positive correlation between noise exposure levels and NIHL. This model can help employers assess job management with noise exposure and take measures to implement an effective risk management system.

Assessment of waste workers occupational risk to microbial agents and cytotoxic effects of mixed contaminants present in the air of waste truck cabin [Letter]

Assessment of waste workers occupational risk to microbial agents and cytotoxic effects of mixed contaminants present in the air of waste truck cabin [Letter]

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Sustainable Shipyard Floating Dock Operations: An Integrated Spherical Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy CoCoSo Approach

Background: This study investigated the process of selecting sustainable safety protocols for floating dock operations in shipyards by identifying potential workplace risks in emergency situations. Thirteen occupational hazards for shipyard floating dock operations were identified through a literature review and expert discussions. Methods: We incorporated four risk elements (consequence: C, frequency: F, probability: P, and number of people at risk: NP) from the Fine–Kinney and Hazard Rating Number System (HRNS) approaches as the risk assessment criteria. We obtained the importance weights of the risk assessment criteria via the Spherical Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (SF-AHP) and extended the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method within the fuzzy framework to prioritize occupational hazards. This study demonstrated the practicality and efficiency of the proposed emergency risk assessment model for shipyard floating dock operations through a case example of occupational risk assessment. Results: The analysis results show that H4 is the occupational hazard with the highest priority, with a score of 3.553. H4 represents the hazard associated with insufficient access to the entire pool area. The second and third most important hazards are the inability of cranes to move freely in and out of the berthing dock and the inability to dispatch emergency teams. These hazards, denoted H1 and H12, follow closely behind with scores of 3.391 and 3.344, respectively. H10 is deemed the least concerning hazard, with a score of 1.802. Conclusions: Professionals can handle complex and uncertain risk assessment data more flexibly using the proposed system, which excels in accurately organizing occupational hazards.

ANALYSIS OF RISK MANAGEMENT TERMINOLOGY IN EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

An analysis of the main provisions and terms in accordance with domestic and international standards in the field of occupational health and safety of employees (hereinafter referred to as OSH) and risk management was carried out in order to avoid different interpretations in the draft Law on Occupational Safety and Health of Employees. To achieve this goal, the continuous sampling method, the descriptive method, the method of analyzing dictionary definitions, the method of word formation analysis, and the comparative method of component analysis were used. The study was conducted in four stages: analysis of the literature on occupational safety and health protection of workers; selection of terms for analysis; analysis of approaches to defining the concepts of "term", "terminology", analysis of lexical-semantic and structural features of terms; formation of general conclusions and prospects for further research. The justification of the change in the definitions of the main terms in OSH was carried out. It is proposed to present OSH at work as a part of the overall management system of the employer's activities, which is aimed at creating safe working conditions for employees and preserving their health by managing occupational risks. We recommend adding the concept of accident to the terms in the draft Law of Ukraine on occupational safety and health of workers, since the Procedure for Investigations and The Civil Protection Code of Ukraine defines the specified term. It is proposed to define occupational risk as a combination of the probability of occurrence of a work-related hazardous event(s) or exposure(s) and the severity of injury and health impairment that may be caused by this event(s) or exposure(s); occupational risk assessment as a process of comparing the results of occupational risk analysis with risk criteria to determine whether the occupational risk and/or its magnitude is acceptable (acceptable); occupational risk management is preventive and protective measures that reduce and/or modify (change) occupational risk to an acceptable (acceptable) level. The justification of the semantic load of the most used terms in the field of occupational safety and health protection of workers: risk, risk management, acceptable risk, dangerous event, incident was carried out for their qualitative use in the draft Law on Occupational Safety and Health of Workers. Recommendations for the description of terms and definitions for the draft Law of Ukraine on occupational safety and health of workers have been developed.