Industrial Workers Research Articles

Association of long working hours and multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders among transportation industry workers in Beijing, China

Association of long working hours and multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders among transportation industry workers in Beijing, China

‘A fine spirit of comradeship’: class, sisterhood, hope, and solidarity in the Woman Worker, 1907–1910

ABSTRACT In the first decade of the twentieth century, very few of London’s women workers were organized in trade unions. In contemporary discourse, female labourers appear alternately as bad workers, ‘natural blacklegs,’ ‘masculine,’ and immodest. Women union leaders sought to resolve these discursive tensions between work and femininity by framing collective action as a collaborative project defined by sisterhood. This article interrogates their efforts by examining the discourse of sisterhood in the trade journal, the Woman Worker. It demonstrates that outsid observers defined working-class women’s lives in terms of misery and poverty as well as female camaraderie and solidarity. Industrial women workers, on the other hand, imagined more expansive worlds for themselves and their families. Their published stories and their actions depict a range of affective experiences, from joy and desire to frustration, disappointment, and ambivalence. By highlighting the female labourer, this article recentres emotions, workers’ subjectivity, and women’s individual stories in historical narratives about gender, work, and Britain’s early labour movement.

Integrating an Ethics Advisory Committee Into Public Health Response: A Case Study of COVID-19, Infection Prevention and Control, and Essential Work in the United States.

A lack of infection prevention and control protections for essential industries in the United States led to increased risk and incidence of COVID-19 among essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the nation deems an industry essential during a disease outbreak, an ethical obligation exists to safeguard the health of workers who are at increased risk of being exposed to disease. The Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center began work to rapidly develop and disseminate infection prevention and control guidance for essential industries, such as meat processing. The Global Center for Health Security established an ethics advisory committee to support COVID-19 response efforts. The ethics advisory committee supported the development of guidance on infection prevention and control to promote justice, reciprocity, health, safety, and equity for workers in the meat processing industry. Our experience highlighted the fundamental role of ethical analysis in public health response efforts, but ethical analysis in this case required an interdisciplinary approach, including the need for effective community-relevant solutions. The integration of an ethics committee into public health emergency response efforts can address ethical concerns for workers in industries that must remain operational during public health emergencies.

Application of physical and mathematical modeling in the educational process by the example of power plant simulators

This article discusses the application of digital twin technology in thermal power engineering. Special attention is paid to the influence of digital models of the existing equipment of the powerplant on the educational process in higher educational institutions and professional development of service personnel. The article summarizes the results of the introduction of power plant simulators into the curriculum, the methodology of laboratory work and the organization of training sessions. It is also shown that the introduction of physical and mathematical modeling in education and practice contributes to improving the safety and efficiency of work in the energy sector. The results of the introduction of plant simulators into the curriculum are summarized. The software of computer equipment provided for classes at a higher educational institution is considered as a tool for practicing operation skills and creating digital models. When working in a software package, the user is given the opportunity to control units of equipment individually, collectively as a whole unit, or create computational models consisting of simple blocks of equipment. The proposed mutual cooperation between software developers and universities can lead to the creation of digital models to enable retraining of specialists in the workplace, as well as increasing the level of knowledge of graduates. The result of the introduction of a virtual testing ground in a higher educational institution in order to verify the knowledge of students is considered. Thus, the introduction of digital twins into the educational process and practice of work in the thermal power industry is a promising direction for the development of the industry. It contributes to improving the level of training of specialists, ensuring the safety and efficiency of equipment operation, as well as reducing the risks of emergency situations

Passive shoulder occupational exoskeleton reduces shoulder muscle coactivation in repetitive arm movements.

Humans naturally employ muscle coactivation to facilitate a broad range of movements, enhancing joint stability and movement accuracy. However, excessive muscle coactivation can become unfavorable or even detrimental. This phenomenon is often observed in industrial workers who endure repetitive or prolonged joint stress, particularly in areas such as the shoulders. Prolonged stress can result in soft tissue damage and the onset of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In recent years, there have been efforts to mitigate the emergence of work-related MSDs among industrial workers through the implementation of upper-limb occupational exoskeletons (OEs). While previous research has demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing shoulder muscle activation, particularly in static and overhead work activities, there has been a lack of studies examining the impact of upper-limb OEs on muscle coactivation during repetitive arm movements. To bridge this gap in knowledge, our study systematically assesses the influence of a passive exoskeleton's anti-gravitational support on shoulder muscle coactivation during repetitive arm movements. Results show that peak and mean coactivation levels linearly decrease with the increase of the amount of anti-gravitational support provided by the upper-limb OE, reaching approximately 51% and 54%, respectively. Conversely, the percentage of the movement cycle corresponding to the coactivation peak appears unaffected by the level of assistance. This study marks the first instance in which a passive upper-limb OE has been shown to reduce shoulder muscle coactivations, potentially paving the way for a novel methodology in their evaluation.

STUDI PENGAPLIKASIAN APPSHEET SEBAGAI MEDIA PENDUKUNG MONITORING PRAKTIK KERJA LAPANGAN PRODI TEKNIK OTOMOTIF SMK N 5 SURAKARTA

<p class="abstrak"><em><span>The duration of the internship program in Indonesia has changed, from 3 months to 6 months. Increasing the duration of the internship program requires a supportive monitoring model, considering the problem of student attendance and the limited costs of monitoring the internship program. The AppSheet platform is a solution that needs to be developed and implemented as a support tool for student monitoring. The research method uses a qualitative phenomenological, to find out the results of implementing the AppSheet application as an online attendance and recap of the attendance of automotive engineering students at SMK N 5 Surakarta during the internship program from April 1 to September 30, 2023. Observation Interview data and documentation are presented in text form descriptive narrative, through interactive analysis techniques. As a result, the AppSheet application helps teachers monitor student attendance during industrial work practices, makes it easier to detect student absences, and becomes the basis for providing personal and group guidance for students who experience problems during the internship program.</span></em></p><p class="abstrak"> </p>

Investigation of Excellence in Nd-YAG laser cutting of Al6061-T6 Thin sheet using GRA coupled with PCA

Abstract Cutting flying materials with minimum deviations and metallurgical damages is always preferred for airframe work in aircraft industries. In the present scenario, the laser cutting process has become the preferred choice for fine cutting of sheet materials with close tolerances. This paper reports the investigation of excellence in pulsed laser cutting of Al-alloy (Al6061-T6) sheet. Five quality characteristics for quantifying the dimensional accuracy (i.e., kerf width and deviation at the top and bottom side) and metallurgical damage (i.e., heat-affected zone) have been considered for the proposed work. These characteristics depend on the lamp current, laser parameters (pulse width and frequency), and relative motion between the sheetmetal and laser source. The experiments have been performed using the design of experiments technique. Further, the results of laser cutting have been optimized by using grey relational analysis (GRA) coupled with principal component analysis (PCA). The application of GRA-PCA is found capable of optimizing all five process responses at a time. The unevenness within the kerf is reduced by 22% and 32% at the top and bottom sides, respectively.

Hubungan Kelengkapan Alat Praktek Siswa Konsentrasi Keahlian Teknik Kendaraan Ringan dengan Kesiapan Siswa untuk Melaksanakan Praktek Kerja Industri di SMK Negeri 1 Padang

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the completeness of practical tools and student readiness to carry out Industrial Work Practices (Prakerin) at SMK Negeri 1 Padang. A quantitative approach with a correlational method was used in this study, with a sample of 56 students from the Light Vehicle Engineering (TKR) department selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaires measuring the completeness of practical tools and student readiness, and analyzed using Pearson correlation test and simple linear regression. The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between the completeness of practical tools and students' readiness to carry out Prakerin, with a correlation coefficient of 0.70. Regression analysis revealed that the completeness of practical tools contributed 49% to student readiness, while the other 51% was influenced by other factors. The implications of this study indicate the importance of providing adequate practical tools to improve student readiness to face the industrial world. Good completeness of practical tools can help students master practical skills and increase their confidence in a real work environment.

Design of hydraulic lift system of technical equipment working in amusement industry

This paper examines the design and application of a telescopic hydraulic system for amusement industry equipment that experiences cyclic passenger loads. The system comprises three hydraulic cylinders, each with different diameters, which activate at various points as the device moves. To achieve static balance and lift the main beam from a horizontal to a vertical position, the forces exerted by the cylinders were calculated using static equilibrium equations. The system's design, including the length and angle of each cylinder, was based on the technical specifications of the equipment. Analytical and numerical methods were used to ensure the correct sizing of the cylinders and the system's overall effectiveness, resulting in a structure that operates safely and efficiently.

Endothelial dysfunction in combination of occupational pathology of the respiratory system and atherosclerosis in coal industry workers

Introduction. The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular pathology among industrial workers determines the importance of studying not only occupational diseases, but also their combination with diseases of the circulatory system. Endothelial dysfunction is a key link in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Evaluation of endothelial function indicators in occupational respiratory diseases in combination with atherosclerosis in workers of the coal mining industry is an urgent task. The study aims to consider the indicators of endothelial function in miners with occupational respiratory diseases in combination with atherosclerosis. Materials and methods. The authors have examined 88 miners with previously diagnosed occupational respiratory diseases (chronic dust bronchitis, anthracosilicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), 45 of them showed signs of atherosclerosis. There were two comparison groups without signs of atherosclerosis: 44 miners who work long-term in harmful working conditions, without lung pathology (control group) and 42 residents of Novokuznetsk who have never worked in harmful working conditions, and without lung pathology (unexposed group). Results. We found that miners with occupational respiratory diseases in combination with atherosclerosis had several forms of endothelial dysfunction: vasomotor (decreased synthesis of nitric oxide, increased endothelin-1 levels), hemostatic (increased levels of Willebrand factor), adhesive (increased levels of endothelial adhesion molecules sVCAM-1). The development of respiratory insufficiency in miners with occupational respiratory diseases increases endothelial dysfunction: miners with respiratory insufficiency have lower levels of nitric oxide (NO), higher levels of endothelin-1 and endothelial adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 than miners without respiratory insufficiency. There are correlations between indicators of endothelial function and production factors: with work experience in harmful working conditions, the level of the average concentration of coal-rock dust in the workplace and the frequency of exceeding the maximum permissible concentration of coal-rock dust. Limitations. The study is limited to a sample of workers in the main professions of coal mines who were examined at the Research Institute of Complex Hygiene Problems and Occupational Diseases, aged 40 to 54 years, with more than 15 years of experience working in underground dust conditions. Conclusion. Miners with occupational respiratory diseases in combination with atherosclerosis develop several forms of endothelial dysfunction: vasomotor, hemostatic, adhesive. The development of respiratory failure increases endothelial dysfunction. Ethics. This medical study involving a human as a subject was carried out in compliance with the Ethical principles presented in the latest version of the Helsinki Declaration, developed by the World Medical Association.

THE ROLE OF MILITARY TRIBUNALS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST LABOUR DESERTION AT TEXTILE ENTERPRISES OF IVANOVO REGION IN 1942–1943

This article examines the punitive practice of military tribunals against textile workers who committed unauthorised departure from enterprises, as well as production disrupters influential among workers, from November 1942 to November 1943. It became possible after the adoption by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on October 11, 1942, of Decree ‟On the extension of the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR” dated December 26, 1941, to workers and employees of enterprises of the People’s Commissariat of the Textile Industry of the USSR. ‟On the responsibility of workers and employees of enterprises of the military industry for unauthorised withdrawal from enterprises.” As a result, textile workers were equated with workers in the defence industry; they were considered mobilised for the period of the war and assigned to permanent work at the textile factories and factories where they worked. The unauthorised departure of workers and employees from work was considered as desertion, and those guilty of committing them (deserters) were sentenced by military tribunals to imprisonment for a term of 5 to 8 years. The article reflects the dynamics of this process, provides data on deserters by profession and sex; we call preventive measures on labour collectives, etc. Attention is paid to such positive practice of the tribunals as conditional conviction with the obligation to return to the enterprise. It was prepared on the materials of the State Archive of Ivanovo Region, which had first been introduced into scientific circulation. It is addressed to specialists in the field of the history of Soviet textile industry, to graduate students, undergraduates and students of higher educational institutions.

AI integration in creative industries: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract. This paper delves into the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the film and creative industries, with a focus on AI-driven content creation, audience engagement, market analytics, and the ethical considerations that accompany technological integration. Through detailed analysis of specific applications, such as scriptwriting, visual effects, personalized content, and recommendation systems, the study reveals how AI technologies are reshaping traditional creative processes and audience interaction. It also addresses the implications of AI on employment within creative sectors, intellectual property, authorship rights, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in AI applications. By examining both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, the paper aims to provide a balanced view on the future of work in creative industries and the ethical framework needed to guide the responsible use of AI technologies.

Modelling of constant and realistic chronic intake scenarios and their implications.

Chronic inhalation intake of radionuclides is possible for radiation workers in the nuclear industry. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) provides organ retention fractions as well as daily urinary and fecal excretion for chronic intake of various radionuclides. In this study, organ retention fractions and daily urinary excretion for chronic intake were estimated for constant chronic intake (CCI) and realistic chronic intake (RCI) scenarios. CCI is a daily intake of 1Bq, and RCI is an intake of 1.4Bq for five working days followed by two days gap. Radiologically important radionuclides such as 239Pu, 60Co, 137Cs, 131I, and 3H having long, moderate, and short effective half-lives in the deposited organ or whole body were considered. The retention fractions and daily urinary excretion of all the radionuclides studied for RCI were found to converge with those for the CCI scenario at ~40 to 200days except for daily urinary excretion of 131I.

The Contribution of Quality of Work Life to Employee Job Satisfaction in Travel and Tourism Industry: A Theoretical Construct

Tourism industry is one of the most intensive labor sector in the world which generates employment opportunities and income for the global economy, but the work in tourism industry is characterized by difficulty due to irregular and long working hours and pressure that employees have to work under to satisfy the expectations of various customers. For the purpose of sustainable tourism development, the management of tourism industry has to take care of quality of work life in order to enable employees to meet their important personal needs and to effectively balance their personal and work life. The objective of the current study is to find out whether there is contribution of QWL to employees job satisfaction in tourism industry, to add to literatures of tourism and human resources and to provide some valuable recommendations that can be applicable by tourism service providers to enhance QWL of employees and hence their level of job satisfaction.. After reviewing several literatures the study found that there is a significant relationship between QWL and employee job satisfaction or in other words, QWL contributes significantly to employee job satisfaction in tourism industry. The study highly recommended that the management of tourism industry should promote QWL practices to enhance the level of employee job satisfaction and hence employee productivity in tourism industry from one hand and to enhance customer satisfaction from the other hand and this last plays a crucial role in success of tourist establishments and tourism industry in general.

The impact of noise-induced hearing loss on individual job performance: exploring the role of aggression and work-related quality of life.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) may have a significant effect on individual job performance (IJP). These effects may exert through aggression and work-related quality of life (WRQoL). Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the modeling of the impact of NIHL on IJP by exploring the role of aggression and WRQoL. In 2022, a comprehensive study was carried out on 335 industrial workers in Kaveh Industrial Town, Saveh, Iran. The study encompassed a range of assessments, including a questionnaire-based survey that included the IJP questionnaire, WRQoL questionnaire, and Aggression questionnaire, as well as a pure tone audiometry test. The data gathered from these assessments were analyzed using structural equation modeling, providing a robust framework for understanding the complex relationships between variables. Based on Spearman correlation test there is a negative correlation between NIHLtotal and WRQoL and IJP, with coefficients of -0.459 (P-value < 0.01) and - 0.575 (P-value < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between NIHLtotal and aggression, with a coefficient of 0.374 (P-value < 0.05). The direct effect coefficients for the impact of NIHLtotal on WRQoL, aggression, and IJP were - 0.412, 0.453, and - 0.128, respectively. Moreover, the indirect effect coefficients of NIHLtotal on the IJP through aggression, through WRQoL, and through both aggression and WRQoL were - 0.057, -0.275, and - 0.078, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that NIHL had a negative and positive association with WRQoL and aggression among workers, respectively. Furthermore, IJP was found to be directly and indirectly influenced by NIHL, through reduced WRQoL and aggressive behavior as negative consequences of NIHL.

Deciphering the link between shift timing, psychosomatic health, fatigue, and sleep in Indian industrial workers

Deciphering the link between shift timing, psychosomatic health, fatigue, and sleep in Indian industrial workers

Knowledge and attitude of tile industry workers in the field of heat stress management

Introduction: One significant factor affecting employee performance is high ambient temperature or heat. Numerous studies have highlighted the negative effects of heat stress in various work environments. Therefore, enhancing workers' knowledge and attitudes toward heat stress can improve their performance. Materials and Methods: This semi-structured content analysis was conducted among tile industry workers in Yazd city in 2023. Participants engaged in both individual and group interviews. Initially, three unstructured interviews helped identify key points, followed by semi-structured interviews, which served as the primary data collection method. The study's reliability and validity were assessed using Lincoln and Guba. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and the findings were organized into main themes and subcategories. Results: The workers' perspectives on the issue were explored from various angles, leading to two main themes: knowledge and attitude, each with different subcategories. The knowledge theme includes individual and management factors, while the attitude theme encompasses individual and environmental factors. Conclusion: The tile industry workers in Yazd City demonstrated varying levels of knowledge about heat stress and held attitudes that reflected the negative impacts of this stressor. Factors such as age and education level influenced their knowledge and attitudes. Workers' understanding and attitudes towards heat stress can be achieved through proper training.

Evaluating the impact of experiential learning on entrepreneurial intentions among university students in emerging markets

This study aims to have an insight into the experiential learning impact on entrepreneurial intentions among university students in emerging markets. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is chosen to be the focus of this study. The intention is to find out how programs of internships, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), trade fairs, entrepreneurial summit, and competitions create an impact among students with high propensities toward entrepreneurship. This study has used a descriptive, correlative, and regression analysis approach to assess the relationship of these experiential learning activities with entrepreneurial intentions using a questionnaire with a sample size of 230 students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. The findings indicated that internship and SIWES are more robust drivers of building entrepreneurial intention when compared to the trade fair. These findings show that structured and immersive learning is crucial in the instillation of an entrepreneurial mindset. The study concludes by making recommendations to universities and policymakers on how to develop experiential learning programs so as to better equip the student for entrepreneurial ventures. Keywords: Experiential Learning, Entrepreneurial Intentions, University Students, Internships, Emerging Markets.

Investigating Blood Lead Levels and Its Health Effects on Employees of a Petroleum Industry and the Surrounding Residents: A Case Study of Kirkuk City, Iraq.

This study has been aimed to investigate factors associated with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) across different percentiles in individuals employed in the petroleum industry and residents of Kirkuk City . In addition, to provide evidence-based approaches to mitigate exposure risks and safeguard vulnerable populations. The study involved 357 participants and utilized quantile regression to examine BLL in petroleum industry workers and Kirkuk residents. Median BLLs were higher among workers (17.5 μg/dL) compared to residents in the city (9.9 μg/dL) and suburbs (7.4 μg/dL). Factors such as smoking, outdoor work, and lower education were associated with elevated BLLs, as confirmed by quantile regression. This study found higher BLLs in petroleum workers compared to Kirkuk residents, associated with smoking, outdoor work, and lower education. The results emphasize the need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate lead exposure risks in this industrial region.

Household Budgets Among Different Income Groups in Klang Valley

Budgeting is a common approach financial advisors introduce to teach individuals how to manage their expenses. Without budgeting, however, family living expenses may exceed the available income and jeopardise the family's overall financial goals. Financial issues are one of the significant causes of instability among families, especially lowincome earners who live below the usual standard and have an income that can only go for food and housing, making it impossible to satisfy their family's needs and attain goals. This scenario puts low-income families in a problematic state or condition that can be resolved through adequate financial support. This study examines the dynamics of household budgeting practices across various income groups within the Klang Valley region. The study also aims to identify the importance of budget allocation and expenditure priorities among low-income, middle-income, and high-income households. It underscores the crucial role of financial literacy and planning factors in budgeting practices, empowering individuals with the knowledge to manage their finances effectively. Data were collected from 65 tourism industry workers with multiple backgrounds by distributing questionnaires using a convenient sampling approach. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how income disparities shape household finances and inform policy interventions to enhance financial resilience and equity within the Klang Valley community.