Industrial Work Sites Research Articles

Effects of Technostress on Psychological Contract Violation and Organizational Change Resistance.

This study investigates the effects of technostress perceived by employees on psychological contract violations and resistance to organizational change, as information and communication technology is applied to various tourism industry work sites. This study's sample consisted of employees working in the Korean tourism industry in June 2023, who were surveyed using snowball sampling. Four hypotheses were proposed. First, technostress is associated with psychological contract violations. Second, psychological contract violations are associated with organizational change resistance. Third, technostress is associated with organizational change resistance. Fourth, psychological contract violations may play a mediating role in the relationship between technostress and organizational change resistance. All hypotheses in this study were adopted. Therefore, organizations and management in the tourism industry should identify and improve the factors that cause employee technostress arising from expanding information and communication technology to provide psychological stability.

Responding to and managing multijurisdictional outbreaks of COVID-19 in Canadian industrial worksite/work camp settings.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada(PHAC) and provincial/territorial(P/T) public health identified the need for a coordinated response to complex multijurisdictional COVID-19 outbreaks. The first large multijurisdictional industrial worksite COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the risk of transmission within these congregate work settings, the risk of transmission to the broader community(ies), and the need to develop setting-specific outbreak response frameworks. PHAC assembled a team to provide national outbreak support for multijurisdictional COVID-19 outbreaks in May 2020. The COVID-19 Outbreak Response Unit (ORU) worked with P/T partners to develop guiding principles for outbreak response and outbreak investigation processes, guidance documents, and investigation tools (e.g., minimum data elements and questionnaires). The ORU, P/T partners, and onsite industrial worksite health and safety staff leveraged outbreak investigation guidelines, industrial worksite outbreak process documents (including minimum data elements), and enhanced case questionnaires to respond to multiple COVID-19 outbreak investigations in industrial worksites. Clear roles/responsibilities and processes, along with standardized data, allowed for more efficient outbreak investigations and earlier implementation of mitigation measures. Multijurisdictional COVID-19 outbreaks highlighted the importance of public health collaboration with industry partners onsite. The assembly of a national outbreak response team was important to facilitate information sharing and provide technical support. Lessons learned and recommendations on outbreak preparation, detection, management, and communication are included to enhance a response framework applicable to future emerging or re-emerging pathogens with epidemic and/or pandemic potential.

Review - Construction Safety Management using Deep Learning and Computer Vision

Abstract: SafeZone is a deep learning and computer vision model that is aimed at improving the safety of construction workers and reducing potential hazards at construction sites. Three aspects are taken into consideration while designing the model – whether workers are wearing safety gear, potential accident zones at the site, and check for the quality of materials given to the workers. This project is intended to automate the task of identifying lack of safety and potential hazards at construction sites and subsequent implementation of safety measures to eliminate the chance of accidents. A vast majority of industrial work-sites are often never automated - and instead, manually supervised with minor application of object-based sensor technology. The project will attempt to bridge this gap with the help of Convolutional Neural Networks - which allows for a streamlined, utilitarian and flexible suite of tools that help supervisors and on-site working personnel in keeping their heads on a swivel.

A framework for evaluation and adoption of industrial exoskeletons

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) account for a significant portion of worker illnesses and injuries, resulting in high costs and productivity losses to employers globally. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the use of exoskeleton technology to reduce rates of WMSDs in industrial worksites. Despite the potential of exoskeletons to mitigate the risks of WMSDs, the required steps to properly assess and implement the technology for industrial applications are not clear. This paper proposes a framework that can help organizations successfully evaluate and adopt industrial exoskeletons. Through a focus group of industry professionals, researchers, and exoskeleton experts, and by building on existing literature, an overarching adoption framework is developed. The identified stages and tasks within the framework enable an organization to evaluate and adopt exoskeletons through a systematic approach and to identify the existing gaps in their technology adoption process. The findings also highlight the areas where further studies are needed to promote the adoption of industrial exoskeletons, including large-scale field studies and long-term monitoring.

Pechblende

Bringing together an assemblage of archival materials, photo documents, literature and found objects, Pechblende investigates concepts of scale, proximity and distance in relation to radioactivity and the body. Centred on the highly radioactive and uranium-rich mineral pitchblende (German: Pechblende), the work traces a history of scientific and photographic processes narrated through the interconnected sites of laboratory, archive, museum and mine. Pitchblende was mined in the Ore Mountains of the former German Democratic Republic between 1946 and 1989. Today, the former mining sites are under way to being transformed into a tranquil mountain vista, with few recognizable traces of the still-radiating industrial worksites. Concerned with both the literal and the political invisibility of radioactivity, Kriemann produced ‘autoradiographs’ – a unique type of photograph that is the result of directly exposing light-sensitive paper to the pitchblende specimens. Aiming to visualize what is invisible and yet acutely present: radioactivity.

A Delphi Study on Plans to Revitalize Occupational Health Nursing at Industrial Worksites

A Delphi Study on Plans to Revitalize Occupational Health Nursing at Industrial Worksites

Evaluation of a Health Literacy Instrument Designed for the Mining Industry.

Background:Health literacy can manifest as an outcome of health education and communication, and it has potential as an antecedent for changes in health-related attitudes, values, and behaviors. Effective communication is vital for the health and safety of mining industry workers, and the ability to accurately measure impact is a necessary advancement in evaluation practices. Higher-risk, production-driven industries require specialized instruments and data collection methods that are sensitive to the workplace environment and capable of generating comprehensive and representative data, with minimal impact on productivity.Objective:This research investigated the validity, reliability, and utility of the Health Communication Questionnaire (HCQ), a new instrument for measuring interactive and critical health literacy within the mining industry.Methods:The applied research methodology included HCQ readability assessment, content validity indexing, substantive validity analysis, and reliability appraisal via a test-retest procedure with regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots to evaluate intra-subject agreement.Key Results:The results demonstrate content validity, exceeding minimum target values after evidence-based refinement of the instrument via substantive validity analysis. Readability targets were met, and reliability outcomes verify that the HCQ is consistent across two time points when tested under true work conditions.Conclusion:This study determined the validity, reliability, and utility of the HCQ as an interactive and critical health literacy data collection instrument and an evidence-based solution to concerns regarding absent or highly variable evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety communication practices within the mining industry. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2020;4(2):e84–e93.]Plain Language Summary:This study sought to develop and evaluate a survey instrument capable of determining health literacy indicators within the complex environment of mining industry work sites. Outcomes of this research demonstrate the Health Communication Questionnaire accurately and consistently measures two forms of health literacy and is suitable for use within the mining industry.

Flue gas fine treatment by ejecting technology

PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less in the air. With PM2.5 continuously impacting people's lives, researchers are starting to pay more attention on the treatment of flue gas emitted from coal-fired boilers. This paper introduces a treatment device for ejected fine flue gas. The device uses ejectors to effectively remove acid substances and large dust particles contained in flue gas, and uses air dynamic ultrasonic atomizer to eliminate micro dust particles effectively. The overall scheme of the flue gas processing device is designed, the principle and simulation results of the main components of the ejector are studied, and the optimal value of the ejector ratio is determined by experiments. Finally, the efficiency of processing dust and sulfur dioxide in the flue gas is tested during experiments on the industrial worksite. For the gas emissions from domestic small- and medium-sized coal-fired boilers, this device is more efficient and costs less energy.

Study on Ultrasonic Assisted Ejectors Dust Removal Technology

With PM2.5 continuously impacting people’s lives, researchers are starting to pay more attention on the treatment of flue gas emitted from coal-fired boilers. This paper introduces an ultrasonic assisted ejectors dust removal device. The device uses ejectors to effectively remove acid substances and large dust particles contained in flue gas, and uses air dynamic ultrasonic atomizer to eliminate micro dust particles effectively. In the paper, principle of ejectors and air dynamic ultrasonic atomization nozzle are studied, and the optimal value of the ejector ratio of ejectors is determined through experiment. The paper also analyzes different atomization of air dynamic ultrasonic atomization nozzle under different working condition. Then the overall scheme of the flue gas processing device is designed. Finally, the efficiency of processing dust and sulfur dioxide in the flue gas is tested during experiments on the industrial worksite. For the gas emissions from domestic small and medium sized coal-fired boilers, this device is more efficient and costs less energy.

Study on Ultrasonic Assisted Ejectors Dust Removal Technology

With PM2.5 continuously impacting people’s lives, researchers are starting to pay more attention on the treatment of flue gas emitted from coal-fired boilers. This paper introduces an ultrasonic assisted ejectors dust removal device. The device uses ejectors to effectively remove acid substances and large dust particles contained in flue gas, and uses air dynamic ultrasonic atomizer to eliminate micro dust particles effectively. In the paper, principle of ejectors and air dynamic ultrasonic atomization nozzle are studied, and the optimal value of the ejector ratio of ejectors is determined through experiment. The paper also analyzes different atomization of air dynamic ultrasonic atomization nozzle under different working condition. Then the overall scheme of the flue gas processing device is designed. Finally, the efficiency of processing dust and sulfur dioxide in the flue gas is tested during experiments on the industrial worksite. For the gas emissions from domestic small and medium sized coal-fired boilers, this device is more efficient and costs less energy.

중공업 근로자의 악력 특성 분석에 관한 연구

The WMSDs are known to occur more in upper extremity than lower extremity, and such a ratio is increasing each year. The motions or repeated work requiring excessive strength beyond worker's maximum grip strength were known as a major cause of the WMSDs in upper extremity. To prevent the WMSDs in upper extremity, research on the grip strength characteristics analysis of field workers that can be used as basic data for work design and manual tool design is needed. The purpose of this study is to identify various variables affecting grip strength and is to find out the impacts of grip strength on WMSDs. This research measured the grip strength of 327 field workers at Heavy Industries, and also conducted a questionnaire survey on individual characteristics and job characteristics. As a result of analyzing grip strength, the grip strength was statistically significant (P<0.1) according to the body surface area (BSA) of the research subjects. The differences between percentile groups of grip strength were statistically significant (P<0.1) according to pain levels of hand/wrist/finger and arm/elbow. The comparison results between the average grip strength of Korean adult males and the average grip strength of the survey-targeted heavy industry workers show that the average grip strength of the heavy industry workers was higher by 9.75 kg. This study analyzed relationship between grip strength and the pain levels of hand/wrist/finger and arm/elbow, and compared the findings in this study with those of existing preceding studies. Also, this research comparatively analyzed the grip strength of Korean adult males and survey-targeted heavy industry workers. The findings of this study can be used as useful data for ergonomic work design and manual tool design to prevent WMSDs at industrial worksites, given that almost no data on the grip strength of workers in the industrial sites are found in Korea.

The effect on work ability of a tailored ergonomic learning program.

The physical working conditions and the musculoskeletal health of industrial workers have an effect on their work ability. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of an ergonomic learning program focused on the development of low strain working techniques. The project is evaluated in regard to its capacity to improve and sustain the work ability of industrial workers with high physical work demands. 249 employees at an industrial work site were followed over 2½ years. About one third of the employees were selected into differentiated courses according to the severity of musculoskeletal disorders. The reference group consisted of the departments that did not participate. The project was evaluated by using questionnaires and interviews. The evaluation of the project only showed minor, non-significant increases in the work ability of the group of employees participating in the most intensive activities. Self- reported productivity increased in all departments, with the largest improvement found among the employees in the department, where everyone participated in a course (8.6% , p = 0.003). Work ability is composed of many different factors, physiological, physical as well as psycho-social and this may explain the only limited results even of the extensive project activities in the present study. However, the evaluation indicated that job rotation in combination with more healthy work methods could sustain the work ability of employees with more severe musculoskeletal disorders.

From zero to hero. A case study of industrial injury reduction: New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited

There is a need to pursue more evidence to support the zero accident vision (ZAV). New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) has been operating under a ZAV for more than two decades and now consistently has fewer than ten lost-time injuries (LTI) per annum. While the ZAV has not been fully realised, NZAS is now one of the safest heavy industrial worksites in the world. This mixed method case study substantiates the significant reduction in LTIs and describes the interventions used to achieve the improvement. The interventions are rated using a hazard intervention effectiveness matrix and by contextualising their apparent efficacy within the available literature. The NZAS ZAV achievement is further analysed using goal theory. The study concludes by attributing NZAS’ relative success to an assiduous application of hierarchy of control methodology with a particularly strong ergonomic focus.

The Color Arrangement of Working Clothes for Visibility in Machine Industrial Work Site

This study is about the evaluation of the color arrangements of working clothes that are harmonized with working environment and assist in the protection of workers in industrial sites. This study attempted color arrangement design with the intention of giving order to the colors of working environment and working clothes so as to help improve the safety of work and the management aspects including human resource management, efficiency improvement, and the practice of business ethics. The study method consisted of literature research, empirical research, and evaluation research. The literature research performed theoretical examination about colors, industrial safety, and visibility. Three actual outdoor work sites in the machine industry were chosen and pictures were taken at 20-30 m from workers. The background colors of the work environment of each work site and the colors of the working clothes that were actually worn were analyzed through color values measured with a color-difference meter(CR-400). As a result, it was found that between value and chroma which affect visibility, color arrangement based on differences in chroma could be a greater influence than color arrangement based on differences in value. The results of this study could assist the integration of color schemes among working environment colors, people and working clothes by suggesting color arrangements with improved visibility that are applicable to the working clothes of domestic machine manufacturers that are playing a pivotal role in domestic industries and by presenting appropriate guidelines.

작업자 안전관리를 위한 유비쿼터스-실시간 위치추적시스템 연구

산업현장에서는 작업 효율을 높이기 위해 공정 과정에 자동화를 진행하고 있지만 전 공정에 자동화를 구축하기 어려운 반자동화 공간에서 작업하는 작업자들은 항상 위험에 노출되어 있다. 이러한 위험으로부터 작업자를 보호하기 위해, 본 논문에서는 Ubiquitous-Wireless Sensor Network(이하 U-WSN) 기반 위치인식 시스템을 이용한 산업현장에서의 작업자 안전관리 시스템을 연구하였다. 무선 신호를 이용하여 두 디바이스 사이의 거리를 측청하고, 3차원 삼각측량으로 작업자의 위치를 계산 할 수 있지만 무선 신호는 철과 구조물이 많은 산업현장에서는 신호의 반사, 멀티패스 등에 따라 오차가 발생하여 정확한 위치를 찾는 것에 많은 어려움이 있는 것이 현실이다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해서 첫째, 작업현장에 적합한 원형편파 패치 안테나를 적용한 Line Of Sight(이하 LOS)에서 안테나 방사 패턴에 의해 발생 할 수 있는 오차를 개선한다. 둘째, 3차원에서 위치를 계산 할 수 있는 3차원 위치계산 방법과 필터링 알고리즘을 활용한 위치 정확도를 개선한다. 개발된 시스템은 항만부두 크레인에 적용하여 정확성 및 실효성을 검증 하였고 본 시스템은 산업현장에서 작업자의 안전에 크게 기여 할 것으로 기대된다. At the industrial work site, the manufacturing process is being automated to improve work efficiency. However, it is often difficult to automate the entire manufacturing process, and there are spaces in which workers there are constantly exposed to danger. To protect such workers from the danger, this paper studied a worker safety management system for the industrial work site which uses a location recognition system and which is based on the Ubiquitous-Wireless Sensor Network (U-WSN). Using wireless signals, the distance between two devices can be measured and the location of a worker can be calculated using triangularization in 3-D. But at the industrial work sites where there are a lot of steel and structures, errors occur due to signal reflection and multi-path, etc., which makes it difficult to get the accurate location. To address this problem the following was done: first, a circular polarization patch antenna appropriate to the work site was used to reduce the degree of error that may occur from the antenna emission pattern and the particular Line of Sight (LOS); second, a 3-D localization technique and a filtering algorithm were used to improve the accuracy of location determination. The developed system was tested by using it on a wharf crane to validate its accuracy and effectiveness. The proposed location recognition system is expected to contribute greatly in ensuring the safety of workers at industrial work sites.

Dietary and physical activity behaviours related to obesity-specific quality of life and work productivity: baseline results from a worksite trial

Obesity is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (QOL) and reduced productivity; less is known about the effect of dietary factors. The present study investigated how dietary behaviours, physical activity and BMI relate to weight-specific QOL and work productivity. The study was conducted in thirty-one small blue-collar and service industry worksites in Seattle. Participants were 747 employees (33·5% non-White). Measures included self-reported servings of fruits and vegetables, dietary behaviours such as fast food consumption, Godin free-time physical activity scores, measured height and weight, Obesity and Weight-Loss QOL (OWLQOL) scores, and Work Limitations Questionnaire scores. Baseline data were analysed using linear mixed models separately for men (n 348) and women (n 399), since sex modified the effects. BMI was negatively associated with OWLQOL in both women (P<0·001) and men (P<0·001). The linear effect estimate for OWLQOL scores associated with a one-category increase in BMI was 30 (95% CI 25, 44)% for women and 14 (95% CI 10, 17)% for men. BMI was positively associated with productivity loss only in women (exp(slope)=1·46, 95% CI 1·02, 2·11, P=0·04). Eating while doing another activity was negatively associated with OWLQOL scores in men (P=0·0006, independent of BMI) and with productivity in women (P=0·04, although the effect diminished when adjusting for BMI). Fast-food meals were associated with decreased productivity in men (P=0·038, independent of BMI). The results suggest that obesogenic dietary behaviours and higher BMI are associated with decreased QOL and productivity to different degrees in women and men.

Measuring posture for epidemiology: Comparing inclinometry, observations and self-reports

The objective of this study was to use and evaluate three postural assessment methods for epidemiological studies of back disorders. The methods were: (1) a data-logging inclinometer; (2) observations by trained observers; (3) self-reports by employees. All methods were feasible in 50 heavy industry worksites. Inclinometry provided quantitative measures of flexion–extension (mean 17°, SD 11.2°), lateral flexion (mean 8.5°, SD 2.6°) and trunk movement speed (mean 14.3° per second, SD 4.9° per second). Observations and self-reports provided estimates of time spent in various trunk angles, general postures, materials handling and vehicles. Compared to observations, self-reports under-reported less common tasks, but over-reported task durations. In statistical modelling to determine if observations or self-reports could be used to estimate measured postures, observations accounted for 30 to 61% of the inclinometer measurement variance and self-reports for 33 to 40%. A combination of inclinometry and observations would be an ideal option to provide both depth and breadth of data on postures and other physical exposures for epidemiological research.

Edward Burtynsky's Manufactured Landscapes: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Creating Moving Still Images and Stilling Moving Images of Ecological Disasters

This paper analyzes the complex relationship between photography and film in the documentary “Manufactured Landscapes,” a film about the work of Edward Burtynsky: beautiful, painterly, large format photos of scarred landscapes, dumps and industrial worksites. Combining the format of an artist portrait, showing the photographer at work, with that of a social documentary about the impact of mass industrialization and globalization worldwide, the film has the power to make us look beyond the beauty of his images and see the big picture of the issues at stake: the impact of mass production and mass consumption in which we all take part. The film also forces us to think about the role of the artist in society as either aesthete or truth teller.

Improving community access for breast cancer screening.

Abstract Abstract #5016 Background: The Breast Health Outreach Program (BHOP) at the University of Tennessee Medical Center's Cancer Institute began in 1996 delivery breast health education and mobile mammography to underserved areas in East Tennessee. Through grant funding, dedicated personnel and community support, the program is able to provide breast health services to 25 East Tennessee counties.&amp;#x2028; Study Design: The BHOP is designed to deliver culturally and educationally sensitive breast health education classes prior to onsite mobile mammography screening. Thirty-minute classes inform women of appropriate, best breast health practices, eliminate fears associated with mammography and encourage women to obtain annual screening. Once relationships are established, the BHOP is offered annually in churches, industrial work sites, and community centers.&amp;#x2028; &amp;#x2028; Results: Since 1996, the BHOP has educated over 13,500 women, delivered approximately 8,800 screening mammograms and diagnosed 20 cancers. As delivery processes improved, 6,851 screening mammograms were provided between 2002 and 2006 with 1,080 women receiving their first-ever mammogram. Fourteen breast cancers were diagnosed in this period. Further data analysis from this time period reveals increases in education, screenings, first-ever mammograms and diagnosed cancers.&amp;#x2028; Conclusions: Mobile mammography is becoming "standard" in rural communities of East Tennessee. Most of the women now participating in the program have had previous mammograms through the BHOP. Each year the BHOP has increased the number of women obtaining their first-ever mammogram by targeting new sites. Companies and communities are moving to support healthy living practices and providing healthier environments for employees and their families. As the BHOP has matured and become widely recognized, measures of program effectiveness have improved. Future areas for research will address longitudinal data tracking to assess mortality impact and early diagnosis trends. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5016.

Finish Occupational Safety Card System

Companies increasingly operate as parts of regional or international networks. This trend in business has resulted in work sites where several employers’ staffs operate simultaneously. To improve mutual occupational safety at shared industrial work sites, a nation-wide procedure called occupational safety card (OSC) training has been developed in Finland. All interested groups have been actively involved in the development of this model. This article describes the process throughout which the OSC model was developed. Research and development (R &amp; D) at a university and within industry started 10 years ago, and was based on both practical and experiential needs and literature. This document presents the first analysis of how the frequency of accidents at work varied during the years of implementation at the work sites of the early adopters of the OSC. This article also contains an evaluation of the effects of OSC implementation on the safety management system.