Occupational Risk Assessment Research Articles

Procedural concept for complex risk assessment in a multinational company in Romania

Globally, the process of assessing the risks to the health and safety of workers is implemented through the use of hundreds of dedicated tools, used in a flexible and complementary way, according to clearly specified criteria. Unfortunately, in the national practice of occupational risk assessment, only one method has become generalized, which is used in a proportion of 90-95%, and the major problem is that often it is not even applied only formally. This paper has an ambitious goal, aiming to offer practitioners in our country a case study on good practice on the procedural structure for achieving and capitalizing on the results of risk assessment, in a manner that is both complex and pragmatic. The concept proposed and successfully implemented at the investigated multinational company, offers a major potential to improve the management of occupational safety and health in economic organizations, regardless of their size, form of ownership or other categories of conditioning.

Determination of High Risks and Elimination of Possible Risks in the Winding Section of an Energy Company Using the Fine-Kinney Method

In our country, risk assessment and risk analysis have been made mandatory in the workplaces by the relevant regulations of the Law No. 6331. However, despite this, potential hazards cannot be avoided both in industry and workplaces. Predicting what kind of dangers employers and employees may be exposed to in industrial companies is one of the important difficulties encountered. For this reason, it is one of the most important procedures to make a correct risk assessment and to identify, prevent and control Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks. One of the many techniques used for OHS risk assessment is the Fine-Kinney model. Most Fine-Kinney-based risk assessment approaches can take into account the relative importance of risk parameters. An improved Fine-Kinney occupational risk assessment approach is proposed in the study. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach, risk values and risk avoidance values have been systematically calculated in all parts of a power plant. A case study was conducted on the bobbin winding unit (Coiling), hazards were identified and measures were presented to eliminate and/or minimize the risk according to the results of the risk analysis.

Assessment of Occupational Risks Associated with Chemical Reagents in the Hemobiology Laboratory of an Eastern Algerian University Hospital Center

The variety and diversity of chemicals handled in hospital laboratories make it imperative to conduct periodic risk assessments for enhanced protection of medical personnel and the implementation of an appropriate prevention policy. It is within this context that our study was conducted in the hemobiology laboratories of an eastern Algerian university hospital center. We employed a semi-quantitative assessment method tailored to the specificities of hospitals. An inventory of chemical agents was conducted using data collection sheets detailing the product names, quantities, and frequencies of use. Relying on information from the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and associated pictograms.We characterized the hazards posed by these chemicals and prioritized their associated risks. The hemobiology laboratory staff use 49 chemical reagents, with 28% of them considered hazardous, demanding appropriate safety precautions. The study highlighted the significance of systemic and local cutaneous effects, such as sensitivity (94.6%). Ocular risk, with severe injuries, was caused by 33.3% of the reagents. Seventeen reagents could lead to respiratory systemic effects. Ten reagents posed a carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) risk, such as Chloroform, Formaldehyde, ADVIA Perox 1, ADVIA Perox 2, ADVIA Perox 3. This evaluation has highlighted the multiple health risks faced by the personnel in the hemobiology laboratory. It is imperative to establish a comprehensive strategy for managing occupational risks to ensure the long-term protection of the workers.

Priority directions for preserving the health of underground coal mining workers

Introduction. An increase in life expectancy, a decrease in the mortality rate of the working-age population and an extension of working longevity are the most important components in the development of the human potential of the Russian Federation. We observe the most unfavorable situation with the achievement of the above-mentioned targets in coal mining.
 The study aims to substantiate the priority directions for preserving the health of workers engaged in underground coal mining in modern production conditions based on an assessment of occupational risks to prolong their working longevity.
 Materials and methods. The authors have carried out the analysis of official statistics data (state reports of Rospotrebnadzor and the annual report of Rosstat) for 2021–2022 on the state of working conditions and occupational morbidity in the coal industry. We have summarized the materials of Rosugleprof for 2006–2022 on occupational morbidity in coal industry organizations. We have presented the data of epidemiological studies in a cohort of coal miners on the example of the Rostov region.
 Results. The authors note the largest proportion of cases of occupational pathology among employees of mining enterprises — 40.3%. The most at risk are: sinkers (10.2% of all newly identified cases of occupational diseases in 2022), miners of the treatment face (6.5%), excavator drivers (4.5%). In the structure of occupational morbidity of miners, the leading place is occupied by radiculopathy — 27.0%; sensorineural hearing loss — 22.9%; vibration disease — 22.0%; respiratory diseases (occupational bronchitis, pneumoconiosis, COPD) — more than 15.5%. In a cohort of miners with an established diagnosis of occupational diseases, it was shown that the standardized relative risk (SRR) of death from diseases of the circulatory system was 1.55 times significantly higher compared with the control population.
 Mortality from malignant neoplasms in miners was 44% higher than mortality in the population (SRR=1.44). At the same time, the death rate from the subclass malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system was 2.02 (95% CI 1.85–2.20), and from malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs 2.24 (95% CI 2.04–2.46). The risk of death from respiratory diseases in the cohort of miners was more than 2 times higher than the population indicator (SRR=2.18). A significantly higher frequency of deaths from this class of diseases indicates a causal relationship with dust loads. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among coal mine workers is higher than among the unorganized population of large cities and other groups of industrial workers.
 Conclusion. Scientists have recorded the most unfavorable working conditions in underground coal mining, which is due to the technologies used and production conditions. The prevention of diseases among miners requires the creation of health groups and the improvement of medical examination methods. Development of an integrated information system for health monitoring and personalized preventive and rehabilitation measures. To solve this problem, it is necessary to study working conditions, scientifically substantiate preventive measures, harmonize special assessment of working conditions and develop criteria for severity and intensity of work, as well as improve the technology for assessing working conditions and personalized risk assessment.
 Ethics. The study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Occupational risk assessment in AOPs labs and management system that comply with UN sustainable development goals

Accidents in chemical laboratories are usually less significant than in the chemical industry but, sometime, they have serious consequences. As mandated by legislation, risk assessment is also needed at laboratory. In the present work, risk analysis is applied to laboratory dedicated to wastewater treatment by Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The analysis was carried out according to widely accepted methodologies, although innovative aspects, such as a new occupational risk index or the specific application to AOP laboratories, are introduced. Based on the hazards detected, a risk level with a normalized score between 0 and 10 is established. Based on the suggested prevention measures, their cost and their execution time, an annual cost and its relation to the previously assigned score are calculated. This gives a new index (another novelty) for the prioritization of preventive measures. To be able to identify the accident causes, Root Cause Analysis techniques were also included in the risk assessment. AcciMap, Why technique as well as the Ishikawa diagram, that shows the relationship between risk factors and accidents or occupational diseases have been used. This innovative risk assessment has been also framed in the implementation of management system for occupational health and safety, according to ISO 45001:2018. The here proposed improvements in safety are also a way of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Assessment of Occupational Health Risks for Maintenance Work in Fabrication Facilities: Brief Review and Recommendations

BackgroundThis study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. ObjectivesThe objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. MethodsA literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. ResultsMaintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. ConclusionFurther research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.

Occupational health risk for workers in the production of synthetic polyacrylonitrile fibers

The high proportion of workers in the chemical industry working in hazardous working conditions and the justification of measures to preserve their health are an urgent task in the field of protecting the health of the working population, however, aspects of the formation of occupational risks in the production of chemical fibers remain insufficiently studied. The article presents the results of prospective cohort comprehensive studies of working conditions and health status of 137 workers in the production of polyacrylonitrile fibers. The factors of the working environment (chemical, microclimate, noise), the severity and intensity of the labor process, the first identified and chronic non-infectious morbidity for 2017–2021 were studied. It has been established that workers work under the influence of a complex of factors harmful to their health, including chemicals of hazard classes 1–4 (acrylonitrile, methyl acryate, hydrocyanide, sulfuric acid, caustic alkalis, ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol), industrial noise, physical and neuro-emotional overloads, the levels of which, to varying degrees, exceed the hygienic standards, forming harmful working conditions (classes 3.1–3.4). In the structure of the accumulated chronic morbidity of workers, the leading ranking places belonged to diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (24.3 %), the circulatory system (16.04 %), and the genitourinary system (15.0 %). As a result of the assessment of cause-and-effect relationships of health disorders with work, the production conditionality of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, represented by dorsalgia of various levels, of an average degree (RR = 1.893; EF = 47.183 %; CI = 1.192–3.007) was established. Quantitative assessment of group occupational risk corresponded to the category of «high risk» (4.780 × 10–2), indicating the need to reduce it to an acceptable level. The limitation of the study was the study of occupational risk factors for health disorders among employees of one enterprise. The results obtained were used to develop measures to reduce occupational health risks for workers in the production of synthetic polyacrylonitrile fibers.

Project Schedule Acceleration Optimization Integrated with Energy Source–Based Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Risks

Project Schedule Acceleration Optimization Integrated with Energy Source–Based Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Risks

Оценка степени воздействия виброакустических факторов производственной среды на работников горнодобывающей промышленности Арктической зоны

Assessment of occupational health risks for workers with basic mining occupations including those exposed to elevated levels of vibroacoustic factors remains a topical issue. Given that, the aim of this study was to assess degree of exposure to occupational vibroacoustic factors and its effects on mining industry workers in the Arctic zone using occupational risk as a basic criterion. Prior risk assessment relied on results of hygienic assessment of vibroacoustic factors according to data derived by the Special Assessment of Working Conditions (SAWC) and verified by instrumental research. Posterior risk quantification was performed using data on occupational incidence among workers over the last 10 years considering their numbers. Unacceptable prior occupational risks caused by exposure to noise were detected for all analyzed occupations. According to instrumental research, risks levels higher than those identified by SAWC were detected for open face miners and cargo handling machine operators. According to SAWC data, unacceptable prior occupational risks caused by exposure to vibration were identified only for cargo handling machine operators; additional instrumental research identified such levels of occupational risks for them as well but also for blast hole drillers. Occupational risk quantification established that unacceptable (above 1•10-3) levels of occupational risk caused by vibration disease (VD) and sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) were detected in all analyzed occupational groups. The highest risk levels caused by exposure to vibration were identified for such an occupational group as ‘cargo handling machine operators’ and ranked as ‘average’ (1.37•10-2). The highest risk levels caused by exposure to noise were identified for timbermen and were also ranked as ‘average’ (1.32•10-2). Results obtained by quantification of occupational health risks for mining industry workers in the Arctic zone refine results of prior assessment can be applied in planning activities aimed at mitigating health risks for workers caused by exposure to vibroacoustic factors.

Assessing degree of exposure to vibroacoustic occupational factors for mining industry workers in Аrctic zone

Assessment of occupational health risks for workers with basic mining occupations including those exposed to elevated levels of vibroacoustic factors remains a topical issue. Given that, the aim of this study was to assess degree of exposure to occupational vibroacoustic factors and its effects on mining industry workers in the Arctic zone using occupational risk as a basic criterion. Prior risk assessment relied on results of hygienic assessment of vibroacoustic factors according to data derived by the Special Assessment of Working Conditions (SAWC) and verified by instrumental research. Posterior risk quantification was performed using data on occupational incidence among workers over the last 10 years considering their numbers. Unacceptable prior occupational risks caused by exposure to noise were detected for all analyzed occupations. According to instrumental research, risks levels higher than those identified by SAWC were detected for open face miners and cargo handling machine operators. According to SAWC data, unacceptable prior occupational risks caused by exposure to vibration were identified only for cargo handling machine operators; additional instrumental research identified such levels of occupational risks for them as well but also for blast hole drillers. Occupational risk quantification established that unacceptable (above 1•10-3) levels of occupational risk caused by vibration disease (VD) and sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) were detected in all analyzed occupational groups. The highest risk levels caused by exposure to vibration were identified for such an occupational group as ‘cargo handling machine operators’ and ranked as ‘average’ (1.37•10-2). The highest risk levels caused by exposure to noise were identified for timbermen and were also ranked as ‘average’ (1.32•10-2). Results obtained by quantification of occupational health risks for mining industry workers in the Arctic zone refine results of prior assessment can be applied in planning activities aimed at mitigating health risks for workers caused by exposure to vibroacoustic factors.

Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Risk in the Tukad Ayung Bridge Replacement Project

Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Risk in the Tukad Ayung Bridge Replacement Project

Lessons from nanosafety research for effective regulation and safer handling of nanomaterials at the workplace

At the turn of the twentieth century, nanotechnology was regarded as the new innovation potential. However, increased industrial use of nanomaterials raised concerns whether nanomaterial exposure could pose occupational health risks similar to asbestos. In 2012, the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA) established the ‘Danish Centre for Nanosafety’ with the aim to provide evidence-based knowledge for policy advice on occupational handling of nanomaterials. Relevant stakeholders including the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA), the Danish Environment Protection Agency, and the social partners were engaged. The project achieved societal impact in various ways: NFA produced documentation for health-based occupational exposure limits for three engineered nanomaterials and diesel exhaust nanoparticles at the request of WEA. Denmark adopted a national occupational exposure limit for diesel particles in 2021. WEA made a guidance document on safe handling of nanomaterials. The Working Environment Council published fact sheets based on knowledge from NFA aimed at both nanomaterial providers and enterprises using nanomaterials. A revised law made it compulsory to register the presence of nanomaterials in products in the Danish Product Registry. Finally, the Danish Centre for Nanosafety supported development of a free, web-based control-banding tool for occupational risk assessment and -management of nanomaterials (NanoSafer.org).

Occupational risk assessment of glutaraldehyde through personal air monitoring in a hospital setting.

Glutaraldehyde is a high-efficiency disinfectant that has been included in the protocols of some hospitals for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2, together with sodium hypochlorite and quaternary ammonium disinfectants. However, exposure has been poorly studied in workplace settings, despite the association between glutaraldehyde and respiratory diseases and skin conditions in exposed workers. This study evaluated the magnitude of exposure associated with the use of glutaraldehyde in healthcare workers across various work areas of a first level of Hospital-Based Care in Colombia. Workers were classified into similar exposure groups (SEGs) based on work areas and tasks performed, and airborne concentrations of glutaraldehyde were measured in different work areas of each SEG through direct monitoring. The 95th percentile of glutaraldehyde concentrations in all SEGs studied exceeded the TLV-C immediately after use. Cleaning workers and nurses had the highest exposures to glutaraldehyde. Results indicate that workers were overexposed and highlight the need to implement controls to reduce exposure. The high-exposure levels also raise the need to consider glutaraldehyde substitution and adequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Ergonomic risk management process for safety and health at work.

The paper aims to provide the main principles and practical aspects of the model, to present the process of identifying, determining the level, as well as assessing and managing occupational and ergonomic risks. To conduct the research, as well as to identify the influence of various dangerous factors related to the working posture, pace, rhythm of work performance, equipment and individual characteristics of the employee's health condition, methods of complex analysis and synthesis, formal and dialectical logic are used to study the essence of the concept of occupational and ergonomic risks. Additionally, induction and deduction methods are used to examine the cause-and-effect relationships between dangers, dangerous factors, dangerous event, and the severity of consequences to determine the level of occupational and ergonomic risks based on the improved bow-tie model. The proposed approach effectiveness is tested based on the assessment of occupational and ergonomic risks of forest workers (loggers) with the participation of five experts to identify dangerous factors and develop precautionary measures. An algorithm for managing occupational and ergonomic risks has been developed, consisting of eleven steps, which can be divided into three steps: preparatory, main and documented. It has been determined that occupational and ergonomic risk is the probability of a dangerous event occurring due to employee's physical overload and its impact on the severity of damage to the employee's physical health. The level of occupational and ergonomic risk management is determined taking into account the probability (frequency), intensity and duration of physical overload, as well as the employee's adaptation index to physical overload and his/her health index. The novelty is the substantiation of the principles of occupational and ergonomic risk management, which are based on the bow-tie model and predict the impact on the probability and severity of consequences of a dangerous event, taking into account dangerous factors. Forms for drawing up occupational and ergonomic risk maps have been developed, in which it is necessary to consider interaction of occupational hazards and occupational-ergonomic risk - physical overload.

A framework for occupational health risk assessment of nursing personnel in Indian healthcare system

Nursing personnel are exposed to different kinds of health hazards because of various job characteristics and complex work systems. The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the risk factors related to occupational health hazards of nurses in the Indian healthcare system. A three-phase methodology is used to assess occupational risk factors. Through literature review and opinions of experienced nursing personnel, the risk factors such as biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial are identified and evaluated based on three parameters i.e., the effect of exposure, exposure period and exposure probability. The weights of the parameters are determined by Best-Worst Method (BWM) and the Fuzzy VIKOR method is considered to rank the risk factors in accordance with their level of severity. Biological and ergonomic risk factors are found to have higher levels of adverse effects in all the wards of Indian hospitals whereas, impact of chemical, physical and psychosocial risk factors varied from ward to ward. The risk assessment framework as developed helps to categorize risk factors from high degree to moderate degree, which might help to prepare an action plan to mitigate the risks associated with nursing activities in order to improve their health and safety status at the hospital.

MIARforest Reproducibility and Reliability for Assessing Occupational Risks in the Rainforest

The Method for the Integrated Assessment of Risks for rainforest (MIARforest) is a specific methodology for assessing the risk of occupational accidents associated with working in native tropical forests. MIARforest was validated for the results’ reproducibility and the reliability of calculated risk levels through the Delphi approach. Two rounds of questionnaires illustrating ten scenarios of activities associated with the logging process in the Eastern Amazon’s native rainforest (Brazil) were presented to forestry and occupational health and safety (OHS) experts. In the first round, the questionnaire was answered anonymously by 55 experts, and in the second, by 46. A percentage of agreement of at least 80% in each question was considered to close the process. Questions that did not meet the criterion in the first round were reassessed in the second round. The obtained results lead to the conclusion that MIARforest, an occupational accident risk assessment tool, has been effectively validated, demonstrating inter-rater reproducibility and reliability in determining risk values. These results highlight the objectivity and reliability of MIARforest.

Development of new methodological approaches to the design of special machinery and equipment, taking into account risks in the field of occupational safety and the influence of the human factor (on the example of investment projects for the development of forests)

The article discusses the development of a melodic approach to the design of equipment for use in logging processes (for example, in the implementation of investment projects for the development of forests). The authors have developed and presented an approach to the design of modern equipment and special equipment, which includes all stages: from the organization of research to development, design, construction and production. The proposed approach is based on the results of an assessment of occupational risks for the conditions in which the equipment and equipment will be used, and the influence of the human factor is proposed to be taken into account through a structured process of interaction, receiving feedback on the operation of equipment, which allows obtaining additional data on the parameters of equipment (nodes, working bodies, aggregates, etc.) and, on on this basis, allowing to reduce to the minimum the probability of injury, and also taking into account the peculiarities of the influence of human behavior (human factor) on the process and result of work.

Assessment of patient and occupational exposure and radiation risk from cath-lab procedure

Due to the extended localized fluoroscopy, many radiographic exposures, and multiple procedures that might result in tissue reaction, patients and personnel received a significant radiation dose during interventional cardiology (IR) procedures. This study aims to calculate the radiation risk and assess patient and staff effective doses during IC procedures. Thirty-two patients underwent a Cath lab treatment in total. Ten Cath lab personnel, including six nurses, two cardiologists, and two X-ray technologists. Optical stimulating-luminescent dosimeters (OSL) (Al2O3:C) calibrated for this purpose were used to monitor both occupational and ambient doses. Using an automated OSL reader, these badges were scanned. The Air Kerma (mGy) and Kerma Area Products (KAP, mGy.cm2) have a mean and standard deviation (SD) of 371 ± 132 and 26052, respectively. The average personal dose equivalent (mSv) and its range for cardiologists, nurses and X ray technologists were 1.11 ± 0.21 (0.96–1.26), 0.84 ± 0.11 (0.68–1.16), and 0.68 ± 0.014 (0.12–0.13), respectively. The current study findings showed that the annual effective dose for cardiologists, nurses, and X-ray technologists was lesser than the yearly occupational dose limit of 20 mSv recommended by national and international guidelines. The patients’ doses are comparable with some previously published studies and below the tissue reaction limits.

Occupational risk factors associated with Covid-19 among Health Workers in a tertiary referral Hospital, Nairobi Kenya: A case control study

Background: Covid-19 disease disproportionately affected health workers (HWs) by worsening the preexisting shortage of HWs in developing countries , thus overwhelming health systems and disrupting health delivery. However, evidence on the predominant sources of Covid-19 exposure among HWs in sub-Saharan Africa remains scarce. This study sought to identify the occupational risk factors associated with Covid-19 disease among HWs in a tertiary hospital in Kenya. Methods: An unmatched case-control study design was used to assess exposure differences between 39 randomly sampled PCR Covid-19 positive HWs (cases) and 108 conveniently sampled PCR Covid-19 negative and asymptomatic HWs(controls). An adapted WHO risk assessment questionnaire was administered via phone interviews to measure occupational exposure in the last two weeks before each participant’s PCR Covid-19 test between November 2021 and December 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify the statistically significant risk factors and the results on adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) were reported at 95% Confidence Intervals (P<0.05). Results: Controlling for the sex and the clinical status, sub-optimal adherence to face shields ((aOR 4,p<0.05), suboptimal infection prevention control (IPC) adherence in common staff dining rooms (aOR 8,p<0.05), working in medium risk departments (aOR 7,p<0.05) in the last 2 weeks before PCR Covid-19 testing were the significant occupational risk factors to Covid-19 disease among HWs. Conclusions: Reinforcing adherence to facial protective gears together with other personal protective equipment and promoting adherence to infection prevention protocols among HWs in occupational areas with perceived lower risk of infectious disease such as common hospital rooms can reduce the spread of Covid-19 among HWs. Future validation of occupational exposure risk assessment tool across different hospital and health delivery settings can improve comparability and generalizability of findings to inform policies for optimal protection of HWs during SARSCoV2 and similar infectious disease pandemics.

Working with collaborative robots and its influence on levels of working stress

ABSTRACT The use and the rapid growth of the cobot in industry are changing working conditions. New jobs can imply new advantages and inconveniences, which call for new occupational risk assessments. The aim here is to assess occupational risks in terms of mental stress, so as to determine whether a worker experiences greater stress when working in collaboration with a cobot rather than with another person while performing the same production-line process. The study involved a total of 32 volunteers of various ages, with no previous experience of cobots. An eye-tracker system that records a range of biometric data was used to quantify stress. Pupil diameter was mainly used in this investigation, as well as the number of gaze fixations by zones. The data registered were analyzed using the T-test method, with which data on two groups can be compared to test for significant differences. In addition, other secondary parameters were also analyzed, such as the time required to complete each test, and the number of errors that were committed. Among the most important conclusions, it was noted that working with cobots in no way increased stress levels, confirming one of the objectives for which these robots were designed.