Working Conditions Research Articles

Recent trends in reduction of hand arm vibration syndrome for agricultural handheld equipment: A review based on challenges and future directions

A major occupational health risk in the agricultural industry is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which is brought on by exposure to vibration from handled machinery. This review thoroughly covers the historical background and prevalence of HAVS in agriculture, highlighting the harm it does to the health and productivity of workers. The goal is to solve the research deficit in this area by concentrating on vibration isolation and dampening approaches. The paper comprehensively examines measurement methods, such as accelerometer-based approaches, strain gauge and force plate methods, wireless sensor networks, for evaluating vibrations related to HAVS. These methods are compared in order to clarify their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, engineering controls, isolation mounts, dampers, and smart technologies are included in the categories of shock and vibration reduction solutions based on their efficiency and application. Also covered are human factors that affect vibration reduction. The difficulties in putting reduction strategies into practice are underlined. These difficulties include economic considerations, technological limitations, and user approval. In order to draw useful conclusions, case studies demonstrating effective vibration reduction methods in agricultural contexts are provided. Future directions for reducing HAVS in agriculture include interdisciplinary research opportunities, developing technologies for vibration reduction, and a global approach. This review concludes by highlighting the importance of tackling HAVS, providing insights into real-world applications, and suggesting future research initiatives.

Effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health interventions: a long way to go

BackgroundOccupational Safety and Health (OSH) has become an area of increasing concern for organizations and institutions. As it evolves, it has gradually posed ongoing challenges, becoming more complex, for organizations. Consequently, more comprehensive studies are required to advance academic and institutional research. From this perspective, this study aims to gather research contributions on the effectiveness of existing interventions for OSH improvement and identify areas for further exploration.MethodsAccording to the nature of scientific literature, the overall process of a literature review was investigated following an integrative approach, which involved searching for, selecting, and analyzing various literature in a creative and integrated manner, without a predefined structure.ResultsThe analysis suggests that there is room for improvement in understanding the effectiveness of OSH interventions and more concrete guidance is still desirable. Based on the literature, some research areas for future developments in OSH interventions are identified. One potential area to explore further is fostering human-centered technological development and a more conscious network of stakeholders, with higher coordination, shared knowledge, and open communication.ImplicationsFocusing on the proposed directions will support scholars and practitioners in pursuing continuous OSH improvement through more effective and well-grounded workplace interventions and encourage organizations to be proactive in daily OSH management.

Did safety-engineered device implementation contribute to reducing the risk of needlestick and sharps injuries? Retrospective investigation of 20 years of observation in a Specialist Tertiary Referral Hospital.

In Poland, there are numerous cases of injuries caused by sharp instruments annually, still significantly more than in other European Union countries. The aim of this study was to analyze work-related injuries among healthcare workers in a selected hospital before and after the implementation of safety-engineered devices (SED). Retrospective analysis of medical documentation regarding occupational needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSI) in a tertiary referral surgical hospital in 1998-2018. The study group consisted of nurses and doctors who had been injured and reported the incident. The frequency of injury reports, injury rate, and characterization of circumstances surrounding NSSI are presented. Over the period of 20 years, a total of 257 NSSI incidents were reported. The average injury rate was statistically significant for nurses (p = 0.004) and was higher before the introduction of SED. Moreover, the number of injuries among nurses showed a downward trend during the study period. However, for doctors, there was no statistically significant difference in the median puncture rate (p = 0.099), and the number of injuries showed an increasing trend. In this study, the authors' have demonstrated not only the occurrence of injuries and punctures in the daily work of medical personnel but also the potential for their reduction through the use of safety equipment at every workstation where healthcare services are provided using sharp medical instruments. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(2).

Slovakia's departure from strong labor protection of employees as a consequence of the pandemic and the transposition of european directives

This scientific paper delves into the notable shift in Slovak labor law, which has departed from its historically strong emphasis on safeguarding the rights of employees, traditionally seen as the weaker party in labor relations. Until recently, this emphasis served as a substantial barrier against the globalizing and standardizing influences of employers. The paper identifies two key factors driving recent legislative "reforms" in Slovakia's labor regulation. These changes are rooted in the transposition of European labor law directives while also embracing a more liberal political perspective regarding the nature of labor relations. This shift involves moving away from rigid employee protection and adopting the concept of "increased flexibility" in employee work as a remedy for addressing the post-Covid-19 economic challenges. The previous emphasis on employee or employee representative involvement in defining working conditions, wages, and important employer decisions regarding work organization has shifted. This shift allows employers to act unilaterally, contingent on fulfilling new information obligations towards employees. However, the recent labor law reforms run counter to this historical legal tradition. Taking into account the wage levels in the Slovak Republic compared to the majority of other European Union member states, these reforms establish an unsettling level of labor law protection pro futuro of Slovak employees.

Alloying strategy to stabilize monocrystalline zinc anode under high utilization and working capacity

Zn(002) has been proven as a dendrite-free anode for Zn batteries. However, stable Zn plating/stripping behavior at an areal capacity exceeding 5 mAh cm−2 has remained unfulfilled so far. In this study, we show that the planar deposit on pure Zn (002) substrate is loosely stacked with high corrosion tendency by the aqueous electrolyte, the key obstacle to achieving considerable efficiency under high-capacity working conditions. To mitigate the side reactions, we introduce an alloying approach by combining monocrystalline Zn(002) with eutectic Al and Cu. The alloying strategy enhances the electrostatic interaction between deposits and substrate, favoring a dense-packed deposition morphology with improved corrosion resistant ability. Solid solution property of Al and Cu in Zn matrix also ensures the structure stability during repeated plating/stripping cycles. As a result, significant extension in cycle life of Zn alloy (002)-based symmetric cells even under 50 mA cm−2 and 25 mAh cm−2 and performance with high utilization also achieves a leading level without extra methods on surface protection. The modified Zn alloy (002) anode induces high anode utilization, paving the way for Zn batteries to meet the requirements of practical applications.

Green HRM Practices

Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) integrates environmental sustainability into core HR practices. It goes beyond just business operations and promotes eco-friendly practices throughout the organization. Green HRM encompasses the entire employee lifecycle, from attracting environmentally conscious talent during recruitment to influencing employee behavior through training and performance management. By effectively implementing Green HRM practices, organizations can not only reduce their carbon footprint through practices like reduced paper usage or energy-efficient buildings, but also cultivate a more environmentally responsible workforce. This can lead to significant benefits like cost savings and attracting top talent who value sustainability, ultimately enhancing the organization's reputation. However, challenges like initial investment costs or employee resistance can arise during implementation. Green HRM has emerged as a critical concept in recent times, seamlessly integrating ecological management with practices in business, urbanization, and industrialization. Its core focus lies in managing human resources effectively while ensuring good working conditions. Green HRM procedures are strategically designed to minimize the carbon footprint of both individual employees and the organization itself. This extends beyond just carbon reduction, as Green HRM also plays a vital role in encouraging employees to conserve resources, participate in waste management initiatives, and contribute to pollution control efforts. The growing importance of Green HRM necessitates increased awareness among companies regarding its multifaceted capabilities. Striking a balance between ecological sustainability and effective human resource management has become crucial. Businesses are now recognizing the significance of considering not just financial gains, but also the social and environmental impacts of their operations to ensure long-term sustainability. This growing recognition has recently captured the attention of academic researchers and practitioners, leading to a surge in scholarly studies on the subject. This research paper delves into Green HRM practices within organizations, drawing insights from a comprehensive analysis of current literature. The aim is to explore the importance of Green HRM concepts, practices, and strategies while acknowledging the challenges faced by businesses and other organizations in implementing them. By utilizing established research methodologies, the study will observe, collect, and analyze contemporary research on Green Human Resource Management, providing valuable insights into this evolving field.

In Situ Construction of a Multifunctional Interphase Enabling Continuous Capture of Unstable Lattice Oxygen Under Ultrahigh Voltages.

The use of nickel-rich layered materials as cathodes can boost the energy density of lithium batteries. However, developing a safe and long-term stable nickel-rich layered cathode is challenging primarily due to the release of lattice oxygen from the cathode during cycling, especially at high voltages, which will cause a series of adverse effects, leading to battery failure and thermal runaway. Surface coating is often considered effective in capturing active oxygen species; however, its process is rather complicated, and it is difficult to maintain intact on the cathode with large volume changes during cycling. Here, we propose an in situ construction of a multifunctional cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI), which is easy to prepare, repairable, and, most importantly, capable of continuously capturing active oxygen species during the entire life span. This unique protective mechanism notably improves the cycling stability of Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cells at rigorous working conditions, including ultrahigh voltage (4.8 V), high temperature (60 °C), and fast charging (10 C). An industrial 1 A h graphite||NCM811 pouch cell achieved stable operation of 600 cycles with a capacity retention of 79.6% at 4.4 V, exhibiting great potential for practical use. This work provides insightful guidance for constructing a multifunctional CEI to bypass limitations associated with high-voltage operations of nickel-rich layered cathodes.

Study on the stable behavior of the river embankment system considering climate change impacts and pressure wave

Understanding the behavior of working conditions of the embankment structural system on reinforced concrete pile foundations is very important in design, construction, operation exploitation, and use. This study assessed the adaptive performance of the Hau River landslide protection embankment in regard to climate change scenarios, specifically the impacts of more extraordinary groundwater table drawdown conditions including pressure waves. The study uses Plaxis 2D V.22 software to simulate and calculate the safety factor of the stability of landslide protection embankment on the right bank of Hau River in the area of Binh Duc Ward, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province. Simulation. The research results on the effectiveness of shore protection works by the seawall system show that the impact of rising water levels as forecasted by climate change projections (+2.8m elevation) is still within the safe limits. Besides, the dangerous scenario of lowering water levels from the design elevation of -1.0 m (Msf = 1.114) down to the climate change water level of -1.5m elevation (Msf = 1.113)) affecting the protected shoreline also has a minor influence on the stability of the structure. Moreover, the impact of waves on the protection works, which is negligible, is also reduced by the shore protection seawall.

A Novel Numerical Model Considering Unsaturated Soil Properties and Computational Study on Heat and Moisture Transfer Characteristics of Helix Ground Heat Exchanger

Abstract A novel three-dimensional numerical simulation model for the helix ground heat exchanger was proposed in this paper, which takes into account unsaturated soil properties. This model is more suitable for real working conditions. To validate its accuracy, a miniature model heat transfer experimental platform was constructed. Additionally, the study conducted simulation research using three types of soil with significantly different thermal and moisture characteristics. Moreover, the comprehensive thermal conductivity and water diffusion coefficient of these three soil types were determined by relevant literature and experimental tests. The aim was to comprehensively explore the impact of different soil types on the heat and mass transfer of the helix ground heat exchanger. The results indicate that the numerical model developed in this paper accurately captures the heat and mass transfer characteristics of the helix ground heat exchanger to a certain extent. Increasing the comprehensive thermal conductivity and water diffusion coefficient of the soil can significantly enhance the heat exchange capacity of the exchanger. For instance, under sandy loam conditions, the heat exchange capacity is approximately 20.73% higher compared to clay loam conditions. The study also identifies two distinct areas around the helix ground heat exchanger: the severe change region and the soft change region. In the severe change region, there is a notable decrease in soil water content near the exchanger, which inevitably weakens the thermal conductivity of the soil. It is advised to minimize this effect through measures like active water spraying.

A meta transfer learning method for gearbox fault diagnosis with limited data

Intelligent diagnosis of mechanical faults is an important means to guarantee the safe maintenance of equipment. Cross domain diagnosis may lack sufficient measurement data as support, and this bottleneck is particularly prominent in high-end manufacturing. This paper presents a few-shot fault diagnosis methodology based on meta transfer learning for gearbox. To be specific, firstly, the subtasks for transfer diagnosis are constructed, and then joint distribution adaptation is conducted to align the two domain distributions; secondly, through adaptive manifold regularization, the data of target working condition is further utilized to explore the potential geometric structure of the data distribution. Meta stochastic gradient descent is explored to dynamically adjust the model’s parameter based on the obtained task information to obtain better generalization performance, ultimately to achieve transfer diagnosis of gearbox faults with few samples. The effectiveness of the approach is supported by the experimental datasets of the gearbox.

Design and operational control methodology for large-scale photovoltaic system in green port application

ABSTRACT Due to the complex-shading and ununiform-corrosion problems caused by the oceanic climate, the working conditions of photovoltaic (PV) system in port are poor. In this study, some effective PV topologies are developed and compared under typical oceanic conditions. In order to improve the output of port PV system, a novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method is developed, in which the convolutional neural network (CNN) and bidirectional long short time memory network (BiLSTM) are introduced to forecast the real-time optimal operation point. Finally, the developed topology and MPPT method are verified by a comprehensive set of case studies. Experimental results show that the total-cross-tied (TCT) and gradient (GT) topologies can achieve the best performance. However, by considering the complex structure and higher failure rate due to the large number of joints in TCT topology, the PV arrays installed on the roofs, in the free space of green belt, freight yard and near the seaside are suggested to be connected in GT topology to balance operation efficiency, failure rate and maintenance costs. Moreover, the developed CNN-BiLSTM-based MPPT method and PV topology can effectively work together, and the average forecasting error is just 3.482%, which outperforms the compared state-of-the-art methods significantly.

Effect of gasket material on flange face corrosion

Bolted flanged joints play a crucial role in connecting pressure vessels and piping systems. The corrosion of the flange surface is one of the most common causes of leakage failure in bolted flanged joints. This research investigates the effect of three gasket materials on the corrosion behavior of 321 stainless steel flange material using a novel setup specially designed for corrosion quantification of such assemblies. The results show that graphite gaskets cause more corrosion to flange surfaces under the same working conditions compared to graphite gaskets with metal foil inserts and virgin polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) gaskets. The mechanism of flange face corrosion is that, for PTFE gaskets, corrosion propagation mainly occurs at the gasket inner diameter and propagates through the depth of the flange while, for graphite gaskets, corrosion occurs on the whole contact surface of the flange and the gasket.

Assessing the impact of authorisation process as a regulatory tool in the European REACH regulation: A study on improving occupational safety for applying companies.

This study looks into the effectiveness of the authorisation procedure as a regulatory instrument within the framework of the European REACH regulation. It highlights its impact on enhancing occupational safety and health for both applicants and companies utilising the substances. This procedure encompasses manufacturers, importers, and downstream users of substances, as well as representatives of foreign manufacturers who are also eligible to seek authorisation. When applying for authorisation, the ECHA Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) assesses the risks associated with the intended uses of the substance, including the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Occupational Conditions (OCs) and Risk Management Measures (RMMs) described in the application and the risks posed by potential alternatives. If the RAC determines that the OCs/RMMs are inadequate for managing or controlling the risk, or if the measures to protect workers are deemed insufficient, it may recommend additional measures to enhance occupational safety and health or environmental protection. The 398 processed Applications for Authorisation (AfA) that have been submitted to date were examined to determine these recommended measures, categorised as Conditions for use, Monitoring arrangements, and Recommendations for Review Reports. Overall, a significant improvement concerning occupational safety and health seems necessary, as indicated by the large number of measures recommended by the ECHA Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and ECHA Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) or supplemented by the European Commission. In addition to the proposed measures, a short assessment provided by the committees as to whether the operational conditions and risk management measures are adequate in controlling the risks is also included in the study.

Evaluation of Ergonomic Risks for Construction Workers based on Multicriteria Decision Framework with the Integration of Spherical Fuzzy Set and Alternative Queuing Method

Ergonomic risks critically impact workers’ occupational health, safety, and productivity, and thereby the sustainability of a workforce. In the construction industry, the physical demands and dynamic environment exposes workers to various ergonomic hazards. While previous research has mainly focused on postural risks, there is a need to broaden the scope to include more relevant factors and assess them systematically. This study introduces a multi-criteria decision framework integrating the Spherical Fuzzy Sets (SFSs) and Alternative Queuing Method (AQM) to evaluate and prioritize ergonomic hazards. First, SFSs are employed to quantify the linguistic expressions of experts, addressing the inherent vagueness and uncertainty. Then, an entropy-based objective weighting method is adopted to determine the criteria weights. Finally, AQM is utilized to generate the risk priority. The proposed method has been implemented in a real-life construction project, where “overexertion due to unreasonable task organization”, “hypertension and heart diseases”, and “existing WMSD record” are identified as the top three ergonomic hazards. Then, a thorough discussion of intervention strategies regarding different risk categories is presented to facilitate ergonomic interventions. This proposed decision support system can promote effective ergonomic risk management, benefiting workers’ health and well-being and contributing to the sustainable workforce development of the construction industry.

Underpaid, undervalued, and overworked: The working conditions of cooks in India's school lunch programme

AbstractMotivationSchool feeding programmes employ more than 4 million people globally and have the potential to contribute to the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including decent work and reducing inequalities. However, the working conditions and experiences of workers in these programmes have received little attention from academics and policy‐makers alike. Consequently, it is currently unclear what the impacts of the employment generated are and whether this employment reduces or perpetuates inequalities.PurposeThis article examines the extent to which school feeding programmes can generate beneficial employment by examining the experiences of cooks in the world's largest school lunch programme, India's Midday Meal Scheme. The article focuses on five key areas: who is employed; their pay; their workload; their access to social protection; and the effects of privatization.Approach and methodsTo examine these five areas, data from three sources are combined: primary data collected in Rajasthan; state‐level secondary data; and the analysis of national‐level documents.FindingsThe findings show that national policy creates a system in which cooks in the Midday Meal Scheme are underpaid, undervalued, and overworked. These working conditions are underpinned by a series of assumptions and narratives which are all too common in perceptions of care work: that the work is unskilled, not time consuming, and motivated by altruism. The state's lack of regard for these workers is evident in the growing privatization of the scheme.Policy implicationsOverall, the findings show that policy on school feeding programmes, including those in India, needs to ensure that those working in the scheme are treated as employees and receive sufficient pay and benefits. Providing decent work in these programmes has the potential to not only reduce poverty and inequalities but also to improve the implementation of school feeding programmes.

Justification of design parameters of a two-stage cyclone vortex funnel using computer simulation

It has been established that in mini-feed mills with a productivity of up to 5 t/h, pneumatic transport systems with a cyclone unloader are more promising due to the lower emission of finely dispersed components. However, there are fewer such workshops on the market due to the smaller loading -volume of horizontal mixers on which cyclones are installed compared to vertical mixers that perform the function of cyclone-unloaders, in which emissions of fine dust into the work area are higher, which negatively affects working conditions, health of workers, as well as fire safety of premises. To reduce emissions of fine dust into the exhaust pipe of the cyclone, a technical solution in the form of a two-stage cyclone was proposed. A preliminary experimental test on a laboratory model showed an increase in particle collection by 32% about the serial cyclone-unloader CR under the same initial conditions and in the same standard size. As part of the design of a full-size version of the proposed two-stage cyclone, computer modeling of the separation process was carried out in the FlowSimulation software environment with dimensions close to the commercially produced cyclone BCR-450 to identify the influence of the geometric parameters of the -vortex funnel on the process of separation of fine particles from the transporting air flow with variable geometric dimensions diameter and height of the vortex funnel in the range from 100 to 270 and from 100 to 235 mm, respectively. Preliminary rational geometric parameters of the vortex funnel diameter equal to 180 mm and height equal to 150 mm of the proposed technical solution with a hydraulic resistance coefficient of8.4 are substantiated.

Design and Experimental Study of an Embedded Controller for a Model-Based Controllable Pitch Propeller

The controllable pitch propeller hydraulic system has high constraints and nonlinearity. Due to these inherent deficiencies, the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control algorithm cannot meet the control accuracy requirements of nonlinear systems. A control law based on a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is designed in this paper. The gain parameters of the predictive control are optimized. The MPC and PID control systems are compared and simulated to verify the MPC controller’s effectiveness. Subsequently, the embedded controller of a controllable pitch propeller is developed. The support package for the embedded circuit board target containing an underlying driver for each interface is written by introducing the C-MEX S-Function and TLC programming language. A semi-physical simulation experiment is performed. The results show that the established controllable pitch propeller with an embedded controller displays reliable running performance, good anti-interference, and the capacity to fulfill the control function of the pitch propeller under various working conditions.

Global Value Chains, Labor Rights, and the Nature of Transnational Law

Abstract This Article develops a framework to analyze the laws that bear on working conditions in global value chains (GVCs), a production structure based on hierarchical international firm networks. In so doing, it contributes to broader debates about how to conceptualize law under contemporary “globalization.” The Article argues against the widespread view that GVCs—and today’s globalized legal order—are fundamentally different from a prior regime of Westphalian state sovereignty. Instead of this vision of globalization as rupture with the past, the Article proposes a “monist” perspective according to which the state has always been embedded in a single body of conflicting and contested transnational legal rules. In this view, sovereign power was never something of which all states could have more or less. Rather, sovereignty is a bundle of rights that can only ever be distributed to specific states vis-à-vis one another and private actors like labor unions and corporations. The Article emphasizes the analytical benefits of this conceptualization of transnational law for policy projects like those of improving working conditions in GVCs and empowering workers globally.

Understanding Australia’s teacher shortage: the importance of psychosocial working conditions to turnover intentions

AbstractAustralian policymakers are currently attempting to address an ‘unprecedented teacher shortage’. Through a survey of 905 teachers in Australian government schools, this paper examines some of the key factors influencing the career intentions of teachers in Australian government schools. Drawing upon the concept of the psychosocial work environment from the field of occupational health, this analysis examines the relationship between key workplace demands, workplace resources, teachers’ experiences and attitudes towards work, teachers’ mental health outcomes, and their intentions to either remain in or leave their roles. The results reveal significant relationships between teachers’ intentions to leave their roles and challenging working conditions, adverse work experiences, as well as heightened levels of stress, burnout, and depressive symptoms. In contrast, remaining in their role was associated with factors indicative of a supportive psychosocial work environment, such as job recognition, trust in management, organisational justice, positive work experiences, and lower levels of mental health difficulties. The study underscores the urgent need to understand and assess the psychosocial work environments of teachers, and for multi-level strategies that address both protective and risk factors.

Automatic creation of personalised virtual construction safety training using digital twins

The construction industry faces persistent safety challenges, with many occupational accidents and fatalities. Virtual safety training methods often fall short in terms of realism. This article introduces a pioneering approach that exploits digital twins to create Virtual Training Environments (VTEs) tailored for construction safety. The Digital Twin for Construction Safety (DTCS) framework seamlessly integrates Building Information Modelling (BIM) models, schedules, resources, and hazard data into a prototype using the game engine Unity. It enables the generation of VTEs with minimal user interaction, empowering safety trainers to define personalised scenarios based on specific project parameters and training requirements tailored to the trainees’ needs. The evaluation of this approach through three distinct real-world projects and a case study with six trainees demonstrates its efficacy. Results indicate the DTCS framework’s ability to efficiently create VTEs independently of the project once a BIM model is available. Moreover, the framework provides meaningful feedback to the trainee by evaluating the performance using run-time data collection. The collected data promises use for several applications, but future research must validate its effectiveness. Beyond training, the study highlights the utility of VTEs in improving safety design and hazard mitigation strategies through data-driven insights.