Safety Measures Research Articles

Outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and Lyme disease in Québec.

Lyme disease is a well-known occupational risk across North America caused by exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi via blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). As the geographic range of B. burgdorferi advances with the increasing distribution of blacklegged ticks, more outdoor workers are at risk of contracting Lyme disease. In this study, we examined the demography and personal perceptions of outdoor workers within one framework to better determine the overall risk for those working outdoors. We analysed outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and of behaviours that can prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We then compared these risk perceptions of individuals across age, sex, education, and industry, as well as time spent outdoors. We tested the hypothesis that the risk perception of an individual and their knowledge of Lyme disease transmission was dependent on their demographics, experience in their job, and the region in which they spend time outdoors. We estimated a knowledge-based risk score based on individuals' answers to a questionnaire on risk perception given to voluntary participants who work outdoors. Those who had higher risk scores were more at risk. We found that knowledge-based risk scores were correlated with geographic risk levels and with the number of hours per day spent outdoors. Those who work longer hours and who work in areas with mid-level risk had higher risk scores. Those who spend more time outdoors recreationally had lower risk scores. Further examination and acknowledgment of the reasoning behind why these factors are affecting workers' risks must be considered to recognize that it is not necessarily demographics or geographically high-risk areas that affect an individual's risk. Workers' knowledge of these risks is affected by several variables that should be taken into consideration when implementing safety measures and awareness programs.

Pediatric Trauma - A Silent Epidemic.

Trauma is the leading cause of preventable deaths in children all over the world. In the majority of cases, children are innocent victims of road traffic accidents. They suffer from both short-term and long-term impacts of trauma. Deaths from road traffic accidents can be prevented by adopting simple road safety measures and the use of protective equipment. Worldwide programs have been initiated to curb this ever-rising menace; however, the success of these programs depends on their outreach and acceptance among the population in general. Golden hours in trauma management is the initial hour post-trauma, the success of resuscitation depends on the appropriate management of pediatric trauma victims in hospitals dedicated to the management of pediatric trauma victims. The current review highlights the epidemiology, pattern of injury, road safety measures, and global health initiatives for the prevention of accident-related injury in children. The shortcomings of this review are as follows- Firstly pediatric trauma is an exhaustive topic, it is impossible to cover all aspects of pediatric trauma. Thus, the review might have missed some important aspects of pediatric trauma. Secondly, the concept of a pediatric trauma registry is nonexistent in almost all developing countries; hence a true picture of pediatric trauma epidemiology and injury patterns is missing. Thirdly not much work has been done on pediatric trauma in developing countries leading to insufficient data from these countries.

Research on thermal runaway and gas generation characteristics of NCM811 high energy density lithium-ion batteries under different triggering methods

Safety concerns, including thermal runaway and gas generation, present significant challenges for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. Thermal abuse, a common trigger for thermal runaway, can be induced by various methods, including heating rods, coils, plates, and lasers. This study compares the impacts of three heating techniques—heating rods, coils, and plates—on thermal runaway and gas generation in a commercially used NCM811 lithium-ion battery, which has a high energy density of 280.24 Wh/kg (the latest cylindrical 46950 model). The study found that the heating coil was the most effective, triggering thermal runaway more quickly and at a higher temperature than the heating plate and rod. Gas production analysis revealed that the heating coil method generated significantly more gas, particularly CO2, than the other methods. The concentrations of gases produced during thermal runaway (CO, CO2, H2, and CH4) varied by heating method, with the heating coil leading to a more complete battery reaction. The safety evaluation highlighted the hazardous nature of the heating rod method, which produced the widest flammable gas concentration range and the highest explosion risk among the tested heating methods. This study provides critical insights into heating techniques in lithium-ion battery thermal runaway scenarios and offers valuable data for improving safety measures in energy storage systems.

Combatting rabies outbreaks in Vietnam: High time to enforce restrictions on dog meat farming, a key source of transmission

In Vietnam, farming dogs for meat is not illegal but is increasingly marginalized as dog meat consumption comes under heightened social scrutiny. This loosely regulated practice likely increases the risk of rabies transmission to humans. At a time when human-wildlife conflict has become a major discussion point for global health, stray dogs escaping or being deliberately released from dog farms is a cause for serious concern. The first half of 2024 saw a significant spike in incidence of human rabies cases, occurring in not just rural hot spots but also urban conurbations. Bites from rabid feral dogs are the primary source of infection, the distribution of which often clusters in the vicinity of battery farms or slaughter houses that have recently downscaled or closed their business. Addressing this risk requires pursuing a One Health strategy that focuses on catching and euthanizing rabid dogs, vaccinating healthy dogs, implementing safety measures during dog slaughtering, and regulating dog meat trade. By robust enforcement of this comprehensive plan, it is hoped to prevent rabies outbreaks and protect public health. Already, Hanoi is taking a lead in introducing measures to avert a rabies crisis in the Vietnamese capital.

Continuity in public transport provision during the Covid-19 pandemic – responding to organisational and health challenges facing workers

PurposeThis paper explores and analyses the major challenges faced by both customer-facing and office-based public transport employees during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and the responses of their employers to their concerns.Design/methodology/approachQualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out, involving 39 employees and directors representing a wide range of professionals working in the transport sector in three European countries, Poland, Ireland and the UK. Data were analysed through thematic analysis and the emerging issues explored.FindingsMajor employee challenges included: access to resources for safe working; worker mental health and well-being; and the effects of changing working practices, particularly flexible working, on their wider household circumstances and work–life balance (especially combining childcare responsibilities with work). First, physical health safety measures (such as PPE) were put in place for all workers, although sometimes with delays. Second, concerning practical support for mental health and well-being at work, the findings highlight that their employers’ practical support was considered limited by some customer-facing participants. In contrast, participants working from home were offered considerably greater employer support for their well-being, including increased and regular communication regarding work and non-work-related topics to tackle isolation and lack of social interactions. Third, work–life balance, and especially childcare were significant issues for those working from home. To improve organisational resilience, employer support for workers needs to better reflect employees’ job role, work setting and location, as well as their household demands such as childcare.Practical implicationsThe lessons learned from this study contribute to future employer responses and practices and their organisational resilience, both in times of major crises and also for improving mental-health and childcare support in normal times.Originality/valueThe study considers the role of employee perspectives on organisational resilience and service continuity in public transport during a crisis and in three countries. Importantly, the data were gathered contemporaneously during the early stages of the pandemic, and so are not influenced by retrospective rationalisation or uncertain recollections.

Chemical Probes Review: Choosing the Right Path Towards Pharmacological Targets in Drug Discovery, Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Chemical probes are essential for academic research and target validation for disease identification. They facilitate drug discovery, target function investigation, and translation studies. A chemical probe provides starting material that can accelerate therapeutic values and safety measures for identifying any biological target in drug discovery. Essential read outs depend on their versatility in biochemical testing, proving the hypothesis, selectivity, specificity, affinity towards the target site, and valuable in new therapeutic approaches. Disease management will depend upon chemical probes as a primitive tool to ascertain the physicochemical stability for in vivo and in vitro studies useful for clinical trials and industrial application in the future. For cancer research, bacterial infection, and neurodegenerative disorders, chemical probes are integrated circuits which are on pipeline for the drug discovery process Furthermore, pharmacological modulators incorporate activators, crosslinkers, degraders, and inhibitors. Reports accessed depend on their structural, mechanical, biochemical, and pharmacological characterization in drug discovery research. The perspective for designing any chemical probes concludes with the utilization of drug discovery and identification of the potential target. It focuses mainly on evidence-based studies and produces promising results in successfully delivering novel therapeutics to treat cancers and other disorders at the target site. Moreover, natural product pharmacophores like rapamycin, cephalosporin, and α-lactamase are utilized for drug discovery. Chemical probes revolutionize computational-based study design depending on identifying novel targets within the database framework. Chemical probes are the clinical answers for drug development and goforward tools in solving other riddles for scientists and researchers working in this industries.

A Study on Surrogate Safety Measures at Unsignalized Intersection Blackspots in a Mixed Traffic Scenario

A Study on Surrogate Safety Measures at Unsignalized Intersection Blackspots in a Mixed Traffic Scenario

The Hidden Toll: Exploring the Impact of Challenging Patron Behaviors on Australian Public Library Staff

ABSTRACT As a public-facing profession, public library workers are often exposed to challenging behaviors that raise concern for their safety. To understand these concerns, this study explores these staff safety issues in Australian public libraries through semi-structured interviews with 59 staff members from six library services. Findings reveal that library workers frequently encounter challenging and sometimes violent behaviors from patrons. These incidents impact staff wellbeing, causing stress, anxiety, and potential long-term psychological effects. Many workers receive insufficient workplace support following traumatic incidents, leading to internalization of the trauma the experiences cause. The study highlights the need for improved institutional support and better safety measures. It also recognizes the tension created by libraries’ open-door policies, which may expose workers to potential harm.

AUVAsicher: Das österreichische Modell der Präventionsberatung für Klein- und Mittelbetriebe

The Austrian model of prevention consulting for small and medium-sized enterprises In the changing working environment, companies must ensure the health and safety of their employees and comply with legal requirements. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular often have limited resources for occupational health and safety measures. This is where the Austrian “AUVAsicher” model comes in.

SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR CHEMISTRY EDUCATION AND PUPILS LEARNING OUTCOMES IN CHEMISTRY SUBJECT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY DAY SCHOOLS IN RWANDAA CASE OF RUTSIRO DISTRICT

This research examined students learning results in chemistry courses in public higher-day schools in Rwanda as well as the creation of infrastructure for chemistry education in those schools. In particular, the study defined the infrastructure development for chemistry education in Rwandan public secondary day schools, examined the impact of this infrastructure development on students chemistry learning outcomes, and ascertained the correlation between the two. The study used both qualitative and quantitative techniques in a mixed-methods approach. A total of 662 respondents, comprising 175 instructors and 483 pupils in Rutsiro District, 1 District Director of Education, 1 District Education Officer, and 2 Sector Education Inspectors, were the studys target population. Using Slovins formula, the researcher calculated the sample size of 249 respondents. A pilot study was taken into consideration, and questionnaires and documentation research procedures were employed as instruments of data collecting. Respondents were selected by purposive selecting for district education officials and random sampling for students and instructors. SPSS version 21 was used to evaluate the data, and conclusions were drawn from the responses provided by the participants. Regarding the first objective, the findings show that: 95.3% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that the chemistry education infrastructure in public secondary schools is well-developed and used effectively 90.5% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that facilities and the infrastructure required for chemistry education are available for learning and teaching chemistry subjects in public secondary schools and 85.7% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that chemistry teachers in public secondary schools are properly trained to use laboratory equipment in conducting scientific experiments in chemistry subjects. Regarding the second goal, the study finds that 98.2% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that your schools chemistry students now learn more in their classes due to the laboratories and equipment that the schools have developed for chemistry education 82.1 percent strongly agreed or agreed that having well-functioning schools has improved students attention to chemistry concepts and 85.2 percent strongly agreed or agreed that students now have more access to chemistry-related educational resources and materials because of the development of schools infrastructure for chemistry education. Since the p-value for the third aim, which is the creation of school infrastructure for chemistry teaching, is less than 0.05, the results have a positive significance for students learning outcomes in chemistry. The development of chemistry education infrastructure in Rwanda is crucial for students learning outcomes. Recommendations include establishing well-equipped laboratories with modern equipment, ensuring safety measures, designating classrooms for chemistry education, stocking the school library with relevant resources, building a central science laboratory, providing teacher training, collaborating with educational authorities to develop a curriculum aligned with international standards, and establishing a system for assessing students progress in chemistry. These measures will help improve the countrys chemistry education infrastructure and support students in achieving better learning outcomes. The researcher suggested that the next study should focus on addressing gender disparities in chemistry education strategies to promote gender equity in public secondary schools.

Occupational health and safety in the construction industry: a comprehensive review with emphasis on Nigeria

The construction industry holds remarkable benchmarks of aptitude and creativity; however, it is among the most lethal industries when it comes to occupational health and safety (OHS). This study incorporates a detailed analysis of the key OHS issues within the construction sector with a special regard for developing countries such as Nigeria. The paper discusses different physical, chemical, biological, and psychological risks within the industry and highlights the importance of compliance with OHS requirements aimed at avoiding mishaps, incidents, and even fatalities. Moreover, it discusses the issues relating to poor training, funding limitations, and project pressures while highlighting the significance of maintaining a strong safety culture, workers' awareness, and compliance in enhancing OHS results. In addition to that, the review also examines current safety measures, identifies gaps, and suggests improvements, drawing on global best practices to inform future policies and strategies. This study serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, construction stakeholders, and employers to minimize health risks and optimize construction workers’ productivity and well-being.

Nonlinear Dynamics of a Zoonotic Disease with Control Interventions through Fractional Derivative

The zoonotic infection campylobacteriosis poses a significant public health burden, contributing to widespread morbidity and, in severe cases, mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The economic impact is considerable, with costs arising from medical care, hospitalization, lost productivity, and the need for stringent food safety measures. In this paper, we model the dynamics of campylobacteriosis with drug resistance in humans and animals using fractional derivatives. The fundamental concepts of fractional derivatives are presented to analyze the disease dynamics. Our work focuses on both the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposed model. The fixed-point theorem is applied to investigate the existence and uniqueness of solutions. We also examine the stability of the system through analytical techniques. To further explore the system, a numerical scheme is introduced to visualize the solution pathways and assess the influence of various factors. We demonstrate the dynamics of campylobacteriosis with drug resistance, highlighting the effects of different factors on infection levels. Furthermore, our results identify the key factors crucial for effective disease control and management.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Vehicles: Current Situation and Future Prospects

Hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal player in sustainable transportation, with hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) gaining substantial traction. Despite the higher production costs compared to petroleum, hydrogen boasts a higher energy content by weight and produces zero toxic emissions. Advances in hydrogen storage, including cryogenic, pressurized tanks, and metal-organic frameworks, are overcoming density-related challenges. HFCEVs are making significant strides globally, particularly in South Korea, the United States, and China. By 2030, fuel cell prices are expected to be comparable with internal combustion engines due to advancements in technology. Enhanced control strategies, evolving safety measures, and supportive government policies are fostering the adoption of hydrogen as a viable clean power solution for future conveyance needs. Additionally, investments in infrastructure, such as hydrogen refueling stations, are expanding, further supporting the growth of HFCEVs. This paper explores the current advancements, challenges, and future outlook of hydrogen fuel cells in the automotive industry, highlighting their potential to revolutionize sustainable transport and contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Risk factors threatening children’s safety in the school environment

School safety encompasses risk reduction efforts to ensure that children act in an environment that is safe and promotes the well-being of the students to achieve their full potential. Therefore, a safe and secure environment is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning. This scoping review aims to address a range of school safety risk factors and introduce the complexity of school safety. School is believed to be a safe learning and growing environment; however, various conditions can threaten children’s safety in a school setting and lead to injuries caused by accidents, risky or/ aggressive behavior, or environmental exposure. In addition to the physical, psychological, and behavioral characteristics of children that make them particularly vulnerable to accidents, there are several unpredictable risks associated with natural or man-made conditions or disasters that can also put children at extreme risk. A balance between safety, surveillance, and emergency preparedness measures may be beneficial to create a safety culture in schools that will enable student behavioral and intervention support.

Navigating ethical challenges of explainable ai in autonomous systems

The rapid integration of autonomous systems, such as vehicles, drones, and robots, into various sectors brings forth significant ethical challenges concerning their decision-making processes. This paper examines the role of Explainable AI (XAI) in addressing these challenges, particularly regarding accountability in the event of accidents and the necessity of human oversight in automated environments. We discuss the critical ethical implications of transparency, emphasizing how XAI can bridge the gap between complex algorithmic decision-making and public understanding, thereby fostering trust in these technologies. The paper also outlines the current regulatory frameworks for AI safety, analysing their effectiveness in promoting responsible innovation. Furthermore, we investigate the consequences of opaque algorithms, especially in life-critical applications where the stakes are exceptionally high. Through an analysis of case studies, we showcase how organizations have successfully implemented XAI to enhance safety measures and uphold ethical responsibility in their autonomous systems. Ultimately, this study advocates for the integration of XAI as a vital component in developing responsible autonomous technologies, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding public trust in an era increasingly defined by automation.

Integrated Geotechnical Modelling and Real-time Analysis for Predicting Earthquake-Induced Landslides and Rockfalls in the East African Fracture Zone

Background: The East African Fracture Zone (EAFZ) stands as a testament to the dynamic forces of Earth, marked by heightened seismic activity that frequently triggers geotechnical disasters such as landslides and rockfalls. Traditionally, the study of earthquake-induced geological risks has been reactive, with a focus on post-incident analysis. While significant advances have been made in spatial analysis and risk mapping, the capabilities for real-time prediction and proactive mitigation are still limited. Objectives: Current study presents an approach to predicting earthquake-induced landslides and rockfalls in the EAFZ. The aim is to change the perception of the problem by viewing disasters as manageable risks and informing decision-making in urban planning and disaster mitigation strategies. Methods: A combination of geotechnical engineering, remote sensing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and socio-economic analysis were used to develop a holistic software framework that solves the complex problem of earthquake prediction without any problems. Results: A software model has been developed that includes a dynamic learning component that refines its predictions with new data, allowing for a deeper understanding of geological subtleties and socio-economic impacts. Considerable attention is paid to the tangible consequences of landslides and rockfalls, including human, property and economic losses. Despite the inevitable challenges of data accuracy and natural unpredictability, the proposed approach opens up new possibilities for proactive disaster management. The results demonstrate a transformational step in data-driven geotechnics and highlight the global applicability of the methods proposed in this work. Conclusion: In this investigation, was taken a pioneering stride in the realm of geotechnical hazard analysis and prediction, focusing on the complex terrains of the East African Fracture Zone (EAFZ). The results provided critical insights into the dynamics of geotechnical hazards in the EAFZ, laying the foundation for future innovations and enhanced safety measures in vulnerable communities.

Desain dan Pengujian Pengaplikasian Omron CP1L sebagai Remote Emergency Shutdown pada Aset Cementing

PT. X, an oil and gas service company in Indonesia, has a client facing safety risks at one of PT Y’s cementing assets. The client requested the implementation of an emergency shutdown component to mitigate the risk of accidents at the site. The primary challenge was the potential operational safety failures during cementing operations, which could lead to serious incidents without additional safety measures. This study aims to design and implement an emergency shutdown system based on the Omron CP1L to enhance operational safety at the cementing asset. The RES system was developed through a process of requirement identification, design, integration, and testing, supported by relevant literature studies. The system’s design includes the selection of appropriate hardware and software, as well as the development of logic to execute the shutdown when PT Y’s crew presses the emergency push button. Testing results indicate that the RES functions with an average delay time ranging from 1.5 to 1.9 seconds. The conclusion from this study is that the RES system is effective in enhancing operational safety and minimizing risks at PT Y’s cementing asset.

Quantifying Well Clear Thresholds for UAV in Conjunction with Trajectory Conformity

The rapid advancement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has introduced new challenges in overseeing and managing their flight operations due to their diverse flight dynamics and performance metrics. To address these complexities, this study introduces a concept of trajectory conformity aimed at enhancing the supervision and control of UAV flights. Trajectory conformity, from a regulatory perspective, is defined as the distribution of deviations between a UAV’s actual flight path and its intended trajectory, offering a measure of system-wide operational error. The concept of conformity is hoped to simplify and strengthen the monitoring process to ensure conflict-free drone flying. The present work is also concerned with the development of a comprehensive UAV collision risk model grounded in trajectory conformity analysis. The normality and homogeneity of UAV trajectory deviations are validated by evaluating the trajectory data obtained from real-world UAV flights. Well clear thresholds between two UAVs operating in three orthogonal directions within the same airspace have been established by the developed model. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness in omni-encounter scenarios, underscoring the potential to strengthen safety measures. The present work is expected to enhance UAV safety systems, such as detect and avoid (DAA) and unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM), by enabling real-time collision warnings within predefined safety thresholds, supporting proactive risk mitigation. Furthermore, the model’s versatility allows it to be applied to various UAV operational aspects in future works, including route planning, flight procedure design, airspace capacity assessments, and establishment of separation minima.

A metamodel for sensitivity and uncertainty analysis in the modeling of loss of life due to dam failures

ABSTRACT Estimating the loss of life resulting from dam failures is required for devising emergency action plans and strategies for alert issuance and evacuation. However, current models for simulating fatalities are computationally expensive, forced by highly uncertain variables, and not readily interpretable, which may limit their use in engineering and research. For circumventing these problems, we utilize the polynomial chaos expansion technique (PCE) for approximating the loss of life as obtained from the agent-based model LifeSim and propagating uncertainty of inputs, namely, alerted population, mobilized population, alert issuance, and hazard identification, to the model responses. We also benefit from the PCE spectral representation for assessing the effects of each input in the loss of life associated with the dam failure in an urban area in Brazil, considering efficient and inefficient scenarios for alert and evacuation. The PCE error ranged from 10–3 to 10–2, and the mean squared error between the metamodel output and LifeSim was between two fatalities. In global sensitivity analysis, the variables alert issuance and hazard identification contributed the most to the number of fatalities. These findings provide objective guidelines for implementing more effective safety measures, potentially reducing loss of life resulting from a dam break in the study area.

The impact of restaurant safety measures on customer revisit intentions in the post-covid era

ABSTRACT Restaurant safety measures have become a key concern for customers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has increased customers’ awareness and concern toward restaurants’ hygiene standards. This study investigated the influence of restaurant safety measures on customer revisit intentions in the post-pandemic era with the mediating effect of customer engagement, gratification, and perceived risk reduction. A quantitative survey-based study was conducted using a structured questionnaire on 248 restaurant customers in Penang and Selangor, Malaysia. The findings reveal that restaurant safety measures do not directly influence customer revisit intentions. In contrast, customer engagement, gratification, and perceived risk reduction positively mediate the relationship between restaurant safety measures and customer revisit intentions. This study provides significant theoretical and practical implications by highlighting insights into how restaurant safety measures trigger customers to revisit restaurants for the restaurant authorities in Malaysia.