Working Conditions Research Articles

Sample Thickness and Edge Proximity Influence Spatial Behavior of Filaments and Treatment Uniformity of RF Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

AbstractThe ability of atmospheric pressure plasma jets to treat complex non-planar surfaces is often cited as their advantage over other atmospheric plasmas. However, the effect of complex surfaces on plasma parameters and treatment efficiency has seldom been studied. Herein, we investigate the interaction of the atmospheric pressure plasma slit jet (PSJ) with block polypropylene samples of different thicknesses (5 and 30 mm) moving at two different speeds. Even though the distance between the slit outlet and the sample surface was kept constant, the treatment efficiency of PSJ ignited in the Ar and $$\hbox {Ar/O}_2$$ Ar/O 2 gas feeds varied with the sample thickness due to the plasma parameters such as filament count and speed being affected by the different distances of the ground (the closer the ground is, the higher the discharge electric field). On the other hand, the $$\hbox {Ar/N}_2$$ Ar/N 2 PSJ diffuse plasma plumes were less affected by the changes in the electric field, and the treatment efficiency was the same for both sample thicknesses. Additionally, we observed a difference in the efficiency and uniformity of the PSJ treatment of the edges and the central areas in some working conditions. The treatment efficiency near the edges depended on the duration of the filament contact, i. e., how long the local electric field trapped the filaments. Conversely, the treatment uniformity near the edges and in the central areas was different if the number of filaments changed rapidly as the discharge moved on and off the sample (the 5 mm samples treated by easily sustained Ar PSJ).

Negative effects of casualisation in Sokoto, Nigeria’s banking sector

Contract workers are the direct victims of casualization but beyond that, the effects they suffer transcend to their families and the larger society. The study examined the effects of casualization on the contract workers of banks in Sokoto, Nigeria. The primary methods of gathering data for the study were in-depth and key informant interviews, with sixty individuals who were specifically chosen. Following content analysis, the gathered data were presented narratively with verbatim quotations. According to the study, there are a number of negative effects of casualization, such as low wages that contribute to a low standard of living and the inability of employees and their families to adequately meet their basic needs, the arbitrary termination of casual employees without cause, and the lack of a claim for work-related injuries or diseases in the event of an accident or death. The overall inference is that the temporary employees are working in appallingly subpar conditions. The study suggests that in order to raise the living standards of their temporary employees, banks should provide welfare packages. Additionally, because inflation is on the rise, contract employees’ compensation should be reviewed upward.

The Effect of Occupational Safety and Health Counseling on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment at the Special UPTD of the Medan Hajj Hospital

The development of occupational safety and health science in the work environment can be seen with the development of advanced science and technology as well as the emergence of new innovations in the work environment and encouraging companies to improve the knowledge and skills of their human resources. The purpose of this study is to determine the Influence of Occupational Safety and Health Education (K3) on the Behavior of Using Personal Protective Equipment at the Special UPTD of Haji Medan Hospital. This research includes quasi-experimental research. This study uses a one group pretest and pottest design. The population in this study is emergency room nurses at the Special UPTD of Haji Medan Hospital which totals 50 nurses in June-August 2024. The sampling technique in this study is total sampling. The measuring tool in this study uses a univariate and bivariate distribution of non-parametric data with the Wilcoxon test. The results of the Wilcoxon statistical test of both knowledge and attitude obtained a P-value of 0.000. This means that at alpha 5% there is a significant difference in median score between before and after counseling. Meanwhile, in the aspect of action, there was an increase in the number of PPE users between before and after counseling. Because the results of Asymp.Sig of knowledge, attitudes and actions are less than 0.05, H0 is rejected so that there is an influence of occupational health and safety counseling (K3) on the behavior of using PPE. In conclusion, there is an influence of Occupational Safety and Health Counseling (K3) on the behavior of using personal protective equipment at the Special UPTD of Haji Medan Hospital. The suggestions are expected to increase the frequency of counseling and provide information on the importance of using personal protective equipment in the workplace, provide strict sanctions against nurses who do not use personal protective equipment at work, increase the frequency.

Preventing occupational injuries in the informal construction industry: a study protocol for the development of a safety education intervention for bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria

BackgroundOccupational injuries are a growing public health problem. Approximately 1,000 workers die daily from occupational injuries globally. Artisans working in the informal sector of the construction industry in many low/middle income countries like Nigeria have a higher injury predisposition. This study will assess the determinants of occupational injuries and design a safety intervention for informal sector artisans in the Nigerian construction industry.MethodsA sequential mixed-methods design will be employed to study 840 bricklayers and carpenters (420 per artisan group) in Osun State, Nigeria. Quantitative data will be collected first while qualitative data will be collected thereafter. Thirdly, a modified Delphi-technique will be employed to co-design a safety education intervention. For the quantitative study, artisans will be recruited via multi-stage sampling and a semi-structured questionnaire will be administered to obtain information on artisans’ socio-demographics, work-patterns and occupational injuries. A multivariable regression model will be used to determine the association between injury occurrence and independent variables. Twelve to sixteen focus group discussion (FGD) sessions will be conducted for artisans to obtain group perspectives about injuries and preferred safety training topics. From the FGD and quantitative study findings, a list of items for the safety training module will be compiled for the modified-Delphi process. Thereafter, the content validation index (CVI) will be derived and items with CVI of ≥0.80 will be included in the final safety training module.ConclusionThis paper describes the process required to assess the determinants of occupational injuries among artisans in the informal sector of the construction industry in Nigeria and further proposes the design of a context-relevant safety training intervention. The information from this study will be essential in promoting safe working environments for construction artisans.

Prevalence of injury and utilization of personal protective equipment among building construction workers and associated factors in Bale and West Arsi Zones, southeast Ethiopia 2022

IntroductionThe building construction industry is well known for being one of the most dangerous industries worldwide. Statistics show it is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of injury, personal protective equipment usage among building construction workers, and associated factors in Southeast Ethiopia.MethodsInstitutional-based cross-sectional study was done among 406 selected construction workers in Southeast Ethiopia. Study participants were selected randomly. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize study variables. Binary logistic regression was utilized to investigate factors associated with injury among study participants. Accordingly, adjusted odds ratio along its 95% confidence interval were calculated and a p value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Generalized linear models were utilized to investigate factors associated with the use of personal protective equipment. Accordingly, an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was determined and a p value of <0.05 was used as a level to declare a significant statistical association.Result and discussionIn this research 406 building construction workers were interviewed and 393 participants gave complete responses, yielding a 96.8% response rate. Of all participants included in this study, 27 (6.8%) drink alcohol and 26 (6.6%) chew khats. Uses of personal protective equipment among study participants was 133 (33.3%, with a 95% confidence interval of 28.3% to 37.7%). Of 393 participants in this study, 213 (54.2%) of them sustained at least one building work-related injury in the last year. The commonest type of injury that occurred among this population was abrasion 43.3% followed by muscular pain (13%). Not having orientation about personal protective equipment, without safety training, didn’t use personal protective equipment, and rural residence were factors significantly associated with injury among building construction workers. Residence, age, monthly income, service year, orientation about personal protective equipment, safety training, and start using personal protective equipment immediately after the job offers were significantly associated with the uses of personal protective equipment by participants of this study. In general, this study has identified a relatively high prevalence of injury and low use of personal protective equipment in the study subjects and associated factors.

Role of the Regulation Framework in Occupational Safety in Construction Excavation Works—A Survey Analysis in Turkey

The construction sector is known to have the highest risks of occupational accidents. A rationale for this high occurrence of occupational risks can be related to legislative requirements to enforce safe construction practices within this sector. Within the context of excavation works in Turkey, this study investigates the leading risks for any compliance shortfalls and ultimately presents recommendations to mitigate occupational accidents’ occurrences during excavation works in the construction sector. Based on a quantitative methodology, a closed-ended survey consisting of 35 questions and based on legislative requirements was applied to project managers in the construction industry, such as site supervisors, occupational safety experts, auditors, and control personnel. A sample size of 277 responses was found to have stability and validity through a reliability analysis and an exploratory factor analysis, and was used for testing statistical significance via cross-tabulation analysis and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that the major deviation of safety in excavation works from legislative requirements is executing works during adverse weather conditions. Moreover, it was also noteworthy that protective curtains did not surround the excavation sites, and most of the employees encountered ground slippage during excavation work. Therefore, the findings revealed preliminary research that will contribute positively to providing incentives for a focus on and development of relevant security and technical measures. It also provided information to protect the safety and welfare of the workers involved in excavation works. Finally, though these findings may be considered context-specific, this research can be used for comparative purposes for similar studies into the safety practices of excavation works in different countries, where generalized findings can be later derived to inform academia and practice.

A Cross-Sectional Study On Profile And Working Conditions Of Mortuary Workers At Victoria Hospital

Mortuary workers play a crucial role in ensuring the respectful, safe and dignified handling of human bodies. But despite of their irreplaceable role, there is prolonged neglect and under recognition of these mortuary staff in our country. It is in fact correct to say that mortuary workers were as important as nurses were to the Forensic Pathologists. The mortuary attendants assist in preparing bodies, specialized dissection and collecting specimens that were pertinent in performing meticulous autopsy techniques. Apart from this they also help in the examination of sexual offenders. These kind of diverse responsibilities makes them an integral part in the medicolegal system in India. There was only a few research done in regard to the mortuary staff. Understanding the work conditions and challenges faced by them will help in improving work environment. This will help in promoting the quality of work they offer and attract more eligible youth to take up this essential, yet risky profession.

Comparative Approach to Performance Estimation of Pulsed Wave Doppler Equipment Based on Kiviat Diagram

Quality assessment of ultrasound medical systems is a demanding task due to the high number of parameters to quantify their performance: in the present study, a Kiviat diagram-based integrated approach was proposed to effectively combine the contribution of some experimental parameters and quantify the overall performance of pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) systems for clinical applications. Four test parameters were defined and assessed through custom-written measurement methods based on image analysis, implemented in the MATLAB environment, and applied to spectral images of a flow phantom, i.e., average maximum velocity sensitivity (AMVS), velocity measurements accuracy (VeMeA), lowest detectable signal (LDS), and the velocity profile discrepancy index (VPDI). The parameters above were scaled in a standard range to represent the four vertices of a Kiviat plot, whose area was considered the overall quality index of the ultrasound system in PWD mode. Five brand-new ultrasound diagnostic systems, equipped with linear array probes, were tested in two different working conditions using a commercial flow phantom as a reference. The promising results confirm the robustness of AMVS, VeMeA, and LDS parameters while suggesting further investigations on the VPDI.

Study of the Micro-Vibration Response and Related Vibration Isolation of Complex Traffic Load-Induced Experimental Buildings

In view of the high-sensitivity vibration effect of precision instrument laboratory buildings under the influence of surrounding traffic loads, field micro-vibration tests under various working conditions were carried out based on actual projects. Combined with numerical simulation, measured data served as input loads to simulate the vibration effect of various traffic loads on the floor of a building structure, and the structural vibration laws under the comprehensive action of various loads were analyzed. The vibration isolation effect of the isolation ditch on the oblique orthogonal load was investigated according to the corresponding safety index. The results show that the main frequency components of the site vibration frequency caused by various traffic loads are approximately 25 Hz and that the root-mean-square speed value is stable below VC-E, which meets the design requirements. Under the comprehensive action of multiple loads, the site structure will produce a vibration amplification effect, which is obvious when all types of loads are distributed symmetrically and the curve distribution is controlled by load factors with large amplitudes. The isolation effect of a small isolation ditch is best when it is located close to the source and the building. The depth of the isolation ditch must be greater than the maximum depth of the source to achieve better results, and the width has little influence. The effect of a small isolation trench on vertical vibration is poor, and the oblique orthogonal triaxial load has a counteracting effect on the vertical component. Thus, additional structural vibration isolation measures are needed. The research results provide a reference for engineering vibration isolation, damping measures, and structural design.

Research on Multi-Objective Optimization Methods of Urban Rail Train Automatic Driving Based on NSGA-II

In order to improve the control performance of automatic train operation (ATO) in urban rail trains, five typical operating sequences of urban rail trains were studied. Under the condition of meeting the safety and comfort principles of train operation, a train dynamics model was established to achieve the goals of low energy consumption, short running time, and high stopping accuracy in urban rail transit trains. In the process of finding a multi-objective solution to this problem, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) was used with an elite retention strategy, and the optimal Pareto multi-objective solution set was sought. In the process of optimal solution weight assignment, the hierarchical analysis Mahalanobis distance method, which combines subjective and objective analysis, was used. Finally, taking the Beijing Yizhuang subway line as the background design example, the simulation verified the effectiveness and feasibility of the algorithm and obtained high-quality automatic train driving curves under various working conditions. This research has important reference significance for the actual operation of automatic driving in urban rail trains.

Measurement and health risks assessment of BTEX compounds exposure in beauty Lahijan City salons

The presence of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene) compounds in beauty salons has raised concerns about potential health risks. This study aimed to measure the levels of BTEX compounds in the air of beauty salons in Lahijan, Iran and assess the associated health risks. Air samples were collected from 15 beauty salons, and the concentrations of BTEX compounds were measured according to 1501 NIOSH standard method. The results showed that the mean concentrations of benzene (20.62 µg/m3), toluene (18.3 µg/m3), ethylbenzene (38.36 µg/m3), and O and P-xylene (27.35, 23.6 µg/m3) were above the recommended levels. The indoor to outdoor ratios for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, O and P-xylene were 3.04, 2.36, 3.75, 4.89, and 6.54, respectively. Also, the toluene/benzene (T/B) ratio in indoor and outdoor was 20.9 and 2.68 respectively. Almost half of the technicians (49.12%) reported adverse health effects, including joint pain, itchy eyes and nose, and respiratory allergies. The IARC guideline suggests that there is a potential risk of cancer development for individuals in all salons with LCR values exceeding 10−6, but the HQ index values indicate no non-carcinogenic risk. The findings suggest that beauty salon workers and customers are at risk of developing health problems from exposure to BTEX compounds. Effective risk management strategies, such as proper ventilation, use of personal protective equipment, and substitution of harmful chemicals with safer alternatives, to minimize exposure and protect the health of salon workers and customers recommended.

Detection and characterization of Campylobacter in air samples from poultry houses using shot-gun metagenomics – a pilot study

BackgroundFoodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni are responsible for a large proportion of the gastrointestinal infections worldwide associated with poultry meat. Campylobacter spp. can be found in the chicken fecal microbiome and can contaminate poultry meat during the slaughter process. Commonly used sampling methods to detect Campylobacter spp. at poultry farms use fecal droppings or boot swabs in combination with conventional culture techniques or PCR. In this pilot study, we have used air filtering and filters spiked with mock communities in combination with shotgun metagenomics to detect Campylobacter and test the applicability of this approach for the detection and characterization of foodborne pathogens. To the best of our knowledge is this the first study that combines air filtering with shotgun metagenomic sequencing for detection and characterization of Campylobacter.ResultsAnalysis of air filters spiked with different levels of Campylobacter, into a background of mock or poultry house communities, indicated that we could detect as little as 200 colony forming units (CFU) Campylobacter per sample using our protocols. The results indicate that even with limited sequencing effort we could detect Campylobacter in the samples analysed in this study. We observed significant amounts of Campylobacter in real-life samples from poultry houses using both real-time PCR as well as shotgun metagenomics, suggesting that the flocks in both houses were infected with Campylobacter spp. Interestingly, in both houses we find diverse microbial communities present in the indoor air which reflect the fecal microbiome of poultry. Some of the identified genera such as Staphylococcus, Escherichia and Pseudomonas are known to contain opportunistic pathogenic species.ConclusionsThese results show that air sampling of poultry houses in combination with shotgun metagenomics can detect and identify Campylobacter spp. present at low levels. This is important since early detection of Campylobacter enables measures to be put in place to ensure the safety of broiler products, animal health and public health. This approach has the potential to detect any pathogen present in poultry house air.

Metagenomic analysis of sedimentary archives reveals ‘historical’ antibiotic resistance genes diversity increased over recent decades in the environment

Abstract Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) are widespread in freshwater environments and represent a concealed threat to public health and aquatic eco-system safety. To date, only a limited number of studies have investigated the historical distribution of ARGs and their hosts through the analysis of freshwater sedimentary archives. This research gap constrains our comprehensive of the mechanisms underlying natural bacterial resistance formation during pre-antibiotic era (prior to the 1940s) and the development of human-induced bacterial resistance in post-antibiotic era (since the 1940s). In this study, we examined the vertical distribution patterns of ARGs and their associated hosts within a sedimentary core from a eutrophic lake, employing shotgun sequencing methodology. The findings revealed a marked increase in ARG diversity during post-antibiotic era, and the predominant ARG types identified included those conferring resistance to multidrug, bacitracin, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin, beta-lactam, tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, glycopeptide and aminoglycoside, collectively accounting for 78.3–85.6% of total ARG abundance. A total of 127 ARG subtypes were identified in samples, and 48 ARG subtypes shared across vertical sediment resistome profile with two of them, bacA and bcrA, occurring only in post-antibiotic era. Further, 138 metagenome-assembled genomes (83 species belonging to 12 phyla) were identified as ARG hosts, mainly belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Nitrospirota, Chloroflexota, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes. Significant correlation was found between the diversity of ARG and the concentrations of organic matter and heavy metals, suggesting a common source of contamination. Aside the fact that human-induced eutrophication is a forcing factor acting in parallel to increase ARGs releases in water systems, both being indicators of increased urbanization in the catchment, eutrophication may significantly increase bacterial activity, thereby facilitating the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in environment. This study reveals the marked increased in ARG diversity with the onset of antibiotic use by human societies with potential impact of aquatic ecosystem.

The properties of cement stabilized dredged sludge solidifying in seawater and its application in the protection of subsea pipelines

Hundreds of millions of tons of dredged sludge are generated by waterway dredging worldwide every year. Traditional disposal of dredged sludge, such as in-situ stockpiling and offshore dumping, cannot avoid the waste of land resource and the pollution to marine environment. Sludge stabilization/solidification treatment currently used can achieve the reuse of drudged sludge but requires large investment and time. Therefore, how to turn waste into treasure in an effective, environmentally friendly and cheap way is a notable problem. In this study, the variation of strength of solidified sludge cured in air with water-cement ratio, water content and curing time by unconfined compression test was investigated, and the inner mechanism of strength influenced by water-cement ratio and water content was revealed by XRD test, which offered an optimal working condition. Also, solidified sludge with the maximum strength in the optimal working condition was immersed into seawater at different times, which showed the 7d strength after mixing completion for 8 h immersed into seawater could reach 20.60 MPa (1.37 times of the strength in air), and the prediction formulas considering all the parameters mentioned above were established. At last, a field test of solidified dredged sludge for protection of submarine pipelines was carried out in Bohai Bay, China, which demonstrated the feasibility of mixing dredged sludge with cement on board and solidifying in seawater environment. Compared to the traditional subsea pipeline protection solutions, the cost of using solidified sludge to protect subsea pipelines is 25 % and 39 % less than the cost of using sandbags and concrete mats, respectively. This study provides a more economic and environmentally friendly idea for dredged sludge treatment and subsea pipeline protection than the conventional methods, which provides a new source of green ocean building materials, reduces the pollution of the marine environment by the discharge of dredged sludge, turns waste into treasure and has wide applications in ocean engineering.

Antioxidant, Nutritional Properties, Microbiological, and Health Safety of Juice from Organic and Conventional ‘Solaris’ Wine (Vitis vinifera L.) Farming

This study investigated the technological parameters, microbiological, and functional properties of juice from Solaris grapes grown under conventional and organic farming systems to assess how these cultivation methods influence juice quality. The one-year study focused on key aspects such as the levels of health-promoting polyphenols, the presence of mycotoxins, and pesticide residues. Organic grapes showed greater bacterial and fungal diversity, with significant differences in dominant genera. Sphingomonas and Massilia were the predominant bacteria across both systems, while Erysiphe was more common in conventional grapes, and Aureobasidium was abundant in both. Despite the presence of genes for mycotoxin production, no mycotoxins were detected in the juice or pomace. Organic juice exhibited significantly higher levels of polyphenols, leading to enhanced antioxidant properties and improved technological characteristics, including lower acidity and higher nitrogen content. However, residues of sulfur and copper, used in organic farming, were detected in the juice, while conventional juice contained synthetic pesticide residues like cyprodinil and fludioxonil. These findings highlight that while organic juice offers better quality and safety in terms of polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, it also carries risks related to residues from organic treatments, and conventional juice poses risks due to synthetic pesticide contamination.

EMS Clinicians in the West Texas Area Frequently Encounter Firearms During Patient Assessments with Limited Gun Safety Training

Introduction - Firearms are commonly encountered in the prehospital setting, sometimes with devastating consequences. However, the frequency with which EMS workers find and handle firearms when evaluating patients in the field and the firearm safety training they have received remains largely unstudied. Objectives - We sought to answer the following questions: 1) How frequently do EMS personnel in West Texas and Southern New Mexico USA encounter and handle firearms when caring for patients? 2) How many of these clinicians are aware of agency policy or have received agency training in the safe handling of firearms? 3) Do these clinicians support integrating firearm training into the EMS curriculum? Methods - In this observational, cross-sectional study, a survey evaluating weapon and firearm encounters, confidence handling firearms, and formal firearms training was distributed to EMS providers in West Texas and Southern New Mexico between July 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023. Results - Two hundred forty-seven out of a potential 609 EMS clinicians completed the online survey, representing a 41% response rate. Among respondents, 61% reported encountering firearms at least once per year. These firearms were handled by EMS personnel over a quarter of the time. Sixty-eight percent of prehospital providers were unaware of any agency policy regarding handling firearms. Despite broad personal experience with firearms, 90% of respondents received no agency training in gun safety. Eighty-seven percent of providers reported they would attend an agency training course on firearm safety, and 95% indicated that this topic should be added to the EMS curriculum. Conclusion - EMS personnel in West Texas and Southern New Mexico routinely encounter and handle guns despite minimal agency firearm safety training. This initial study may demonstrate a potential need for introducing firearm safety didactics and training into the EMS curriculum, and the need for additional research.

Occupational health and safety among farmers: a comprehensive study in Central Anatolia, Turkey

BackgroundThe agricultural sector is vital for food production, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. However, it also poses significant occupational health and safety challenges due to factors such as heavy machinery usage, exposure to chemicals, and challenging environmental conditions.MethodThis cross-sectional study involved 366 farmers affiliated with the Yozgat Chamber of Agriculture in Turkey. Data on demographic characteristics, occupational factors, and work accidents were collected with interview technique between May and August 2023. While descriptive data were expressed as categories with numbers and percentages, chi-square analysis was used to compare the obtained answers with the status of having or not having a work accident. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of independent variables on the probability of having a work accident.ResultsThe study revealed that 33.0% of farmers experienced work accidents in the last year. Most accidents occurred during work shifts (28.8%) and in the fall season (34.8%). Factors contributing to accidents included lack of personal protective equipment (51.5%) and transportation-related issues (36.4%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that working more than 8 h daily, working 5 days or more per week, and using bus/minibus transportation significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing work accidents.ConclusionFindings underscore the importance of implementing effective occupational health and safety measures, including proper training, provision of personal protective equipment, and improving transportation safety. Addressing these issues can enhance the well-being of agricultural workers and contribute to a safer working environment in the sector.

Analysis of The Main NBR-ISO Standards in The Implementation of An Integrated Management System For Environment, Health, and Occupational Safety

Purpose: This research aims to provide companies with valuable insights into the implementation of an Integrated Management System (IMS), offering a straightforward and practical approach that addresses both environmental and occupational safety aspects. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on qualitative research aimed at exploring and analyzing Management Systems to gain a deeper understanding of the requirements of the NBR ISO 14001:2015 and NBR ISO 45001:2018 standards. It emphasizes the use of the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to identify areas for organizational improvement, along with the PDCA cycle (Plan - Do - Check - Act) as a strategic tool for system control and continuous improvement. Additionally, the study investigates the key factors that facilitate or hinder the implementation of these standards using the Root Cause Analysis method. Findings: An analysis of the NBR ISO 14001:2015 and NBR ISO 45001:2018 standards in the implementation of an IMS revealed that the SWOT matrix and the PDCA cycle are essential tools for effective planning. The study concludes that successful system implementation requires not only a thorough understanding of the standards' criteria but also a robust organizational culture that supports compliance and continuous improvement. Discussion: Management systems based on the NBR ISO 14001:2015 and NBR ISO 45001:2018 standards have experienced growing market demand. Implementing these systems is crucial for maintaining a company's competitiveness. However, the complexity of their structure and the associated high costs present significant barriers for many organizations, limiting their ability to compete with more established firms.

Advanced AIE Materials for Environmental Monitoring: Selective Sensing of Thorium(IV) in Aquatic Systems.

Thorium (Th) is commonly used in various applications, but its long-term exposure poses health risks, necessitating its detection in aqueous environments. Traditional methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are sensitive but require complex instrumentation. Optical sensors, particularly fluorometry-based methods, are simpler, cost-effective, and selective. However, developing effective aggregation-induced emission (AIE) turn-on sensors for Th(IV) requires water-soluble fluorophores with a low background fluorescence. In the present work, we report a turn-on detection method for Th(IV) based on the AIE of the fluorophore tetra(4-sulfophenyl) ethylene (SuTPE). Th(IV)-induced aggregation of SuTPE and the simultaneous drastic enhancement of the emission property of SuTPE have been utilized for the selective sensing of Th(IV) in 100% aqueous media. The sensing mechanism was explored using ground-state absorption, steady-state and time-resolved emission, FTIR, DLS, SEM, AFM and quantum chemical studies of the SuTPE-Th(IV) complex. The selectivity of the present probe toward Th(IV) ions has been established by studying the interference of several metal ions, including lanthanides and uranyl ions. The LOD for Th(IV) was estimated to be 240 nM (56 ppb). The performance of the probe was demonstrated in tap water and diluted seawater matrixes. This work provides a significant advance for Th(IV) detection in aqueous environments, with implications for environmental monitoring and health safety.

Awareness Levels of Small-Scale Contractors Regarding the Provision of Welfare Facilities on Construction Sites in Sarawak, Malaysia

Welfare facilities on construction sites are critical to ensure workers' health, safety, and well-being. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the awareness level of welfare facilities provisions, especially those focusing on small-scale contractors (G1-G3) in Sarawak. Hence, this study explores small-scale contractors' awareness levels regarding welfare facilities in Sarawak, Malaysia. To address this issue, the researchers employed a thorough quantitative research methodology with cross-sectional descriptive analysis, delivering a well-organized questionnaire survey primarily to small-scale contractors in Sarawak. The respondents with convenience sampling were chosen from the contractor registry of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), specifically from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A total of 27 questionnaires were handed out, and 283 replies were gathered. The data collected from a survey utilizing a 5-point Likert Scale were analyzed using Excel and SPSS software. The research findings show that small-scale contractors are highly aware of toilet facilities, washing facilities, changing rooms and lockers, and rest facilities. Nevertheless, they are moderately aware of the drinking water based on the mean score. Therefore, the report proposes enhanced regulatory enforcement and the establishment of focused training initiatives to enhance contractors' understanding and compliance with welfare standards, particularly with the provision of drinking water. These findings are essential for improving occupational health and safety protocols within the construction industry in Sarawak.