Occupational Health And Safety Risks Research Articles

Elaboration and Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Data in the Frame of Occupational Safety and Health Assessment in Sustainable Engineering Systems

Facing the threat of SARS-CoV-2, several countries implemented protective measures to annihilate the waves of the pandemic. Apart from quarantine, social distancing, frequent disinfection, and the use of a face mask, vaccination against COVID-19 soon became available. The measures taken in the workplace to inhibit the spread of the virus were important, as some controversial policies emerged regarding the vaccination status of employees. The “health pass” changed the workplace environment immensely, as in many job sectors vaccination became mandatory. Unvaccinated employees were required to undergo specific COVID-19 tests to access their workplace, while other specialized workers such as health workers were removed from their work altogether. Such measures would be justified if it was certain that vaccinated people cannot transmit the virus, but over the course of years this hypothesis seems to have faded. The main aim of this study is the confirmation (or the non-validation) of this hypothesis and of the specific applied measures through the elaboration and statistical analysis of vaccination data from 35 countries in relation to their daily announced infections over the time frame from the forty-fourth week of 2021 to the fourth week of 2022. This is examined from an occupational safety and health (OSH) perspective (taking into account the three pillars of sustainability) concerning risk management and safety assessment at the workplaces of sustainable engineering systems (SES). The findings imply that this hypothesis is contestable. Therefore, it is doubtful whether workplace segregation measures were socially and economically sustainable. It is deduced that (i) the complete freedom of vaccinated employees was a situation which intensified occupational risk, degraded the safety level at the workplaces of sustainable engineering systems, and increased the OSH risk management difficulties, and, on the other hand, (ii) the financial burden of mandatory unemployment and frequent testing was not justified and economically sustainable for the unvaccinated individuals in the middle of a worldwide economic crisis.

Analysis of OSH risk level in forest management activities using remote sensing approach in RPH Takokak, KPH Sukabumi, West Java Province

Indonesian forests are known to have high diversity and play an important role in human life, so they need to be managed sustainably. Sustainable forest management does not only pay attention to productivity aspects but also demands protection of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). Remote sensing is used to provide information about hazard sources using geospatial data to analyze the level of risk of OSH interference in forest management activities at RPH Takokak, KPH Sukabumi. There are six hazard sources as parameters, namely slope, elevation, rainfall, type of soil, vegetation density, and accessibility, as well as the history of work accidents which are addressed to forest management stakeholders through the questionnaire method. From the five classification classes, it was found that the study location was dominated by class 3 classification or had a moderate level of risk of OSH interferences with an area of 1.661,02 ha or 77.36%, and an area of 0.49 ha or 0.02% included in risk class 4 or had a high level of risk of OSH interferences. The results and recommendations of this study are expected to provide information to Perum Perhutani in managing forest areas, especially risk management and can become a reference for further research.

OSH related risks and opportunities for industrial human-robot interaction: results from literature and practice.

Robotic systems are an integral component of today's work place automation, especially in industrial settings. Due to technological advancements, we see new forms of human-robot interaction emerge which are related to different OSH risks and benefits. We present a multifaceted analysis of risks and opportunities regarding robotic systems in the context of task automation in the industrial sector. This includes the scientific perspective through literature review as well as the workers' expectations in form of use case evaluations. Based on the results, with regards to human-centred workplace design and occupational safety and health (OSH), implications for the practical application are derived and presented. For the literature review a selected subset of papers from a systematic review was extracted. Five systematic reviews and meta-analysis (492 primary studies) focused on the topic of task automation via robotic systems and OSH. These were extracted and categorised into physical, psychosocial and organisational factors based on an OSH-factors framework for advanced robotics developed for the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). To assess the workers' perspective, 27 workers from three European manufacturing companies were asked about their expectations regarding benefits and challenges of robotic systems at their workplace. The answers were translated and categorised in accordance with the framework as well. The statements, both from literature and the survey were then analysed according to the qualitative content analysis, to gain additional insight into the underlying structure and trends in them. As a result, new categories were formed deductively. The analysis showed that the framework is capable to help categorise both findings from literature and worker survey into basic categories with good interrater reliability. Regarding the proposed subcategories however, it failed to reflect the complexity of the workers' expectations. The results of the worker evaluation as well as literature findings both predominantly highlight the psychosocial impact these systems may have on workers. Organisational risks or changes are underrepresented in both groups. Workers' initial expectations lean towards a positive impact.

Occupational safety and health and temporary agency work in multiemployer restaurants.

Current occupational safety and health (OSH) literature calls for sociotechnical, system-level approaches that increase understanding of the underlying reasons for insufficient OSH performance in nonstandard employment that is associated with lower labour and social security protection when compared with traditional forms of work. This study focused on temporary agency work (TAW) which is a central form of nonstandard employment. The objective was to explore OSH issues in temporary agency work (TAW) in small and medium-sized multiemployer restaurants in Finland and discuss the issues from the perspectives of the agency worker, user company and agency. A directed content analysis method was used to examine the data obtained from semi-structured interviews (n = 20) with agency workers, restaurant managers and experts representing the temporary work agencies, a pension insurer, and a labour union. The balanced work system theory was used as a framework for this qualitative analysis. A variety of OSH risks and hazards in TAW were identified. In addition, the complexity of OSH management was highlighted in this triangular employment relationship between the agency worker, the user company, and the agency. This study reveals problems related to OSH in TAW. Restaurants are entities separate from agencies, so establishing and adhering to a common process of OSH management is not simple.

Osh risk management of tank sinking procedure using bow tie analysis on the construction of a shell gasoline station in Surabaya

Introduction: The rate of work accidents in the construction sector is still high. Such a situation has led to the need for risk management in the area of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This study is aimed at finding the OSH risk management of the tank sinking procedure using Bow Tie Analysis method in the construction of a Shell Gasoline Station in Surabaya. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study with case study design. The subjects of the study were the employees of PT Usaha Jaya Engineering who worked on the Tank Sinking procedure in the construction of a Shell Gasoline Station in Surabaya with the minimum service period of 2 years and with a total number of 7 people. Data collection was executed using primary data derived from interviews and field observation as well as secondary data in the forms of supporting documents from the company. Results: As many as 9 hazards were found in the tank sinking procedure in the construction of a Shell Gasoline Station in Surabaya. These hazards were caused by 5 factors, i.e., human, machine/equipment, method, material, and environment. The possible consequence of such hazards is that the employees may experience light to serious injuries and even fatality. Prevention and mitigation measures might be implemented in 4 hierarchical steps of risk management, i.e., substitution, technical management, administrative management, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This study found 6 escalation factors and the barrier of escalation factor in the tank sinking process. Conclusion: The tank sinking procedure in the construction of a Shell Gas Station in Surabaya was a job with risks of work accident. Prevention and mitigation measures derived from the Bow Tie analysis might be implemented to prevent work accidents from occurring.

International Management System Standards Related to Occupational Safety and Health: An Updated Literature Survey

The implementation of an international management system (IMS) in any organization (or part thereof) creates an efficient framework regarding the sustainable development and the review of processes required to manage occupational safety and health (OSH) efficaciously. Moreover, Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) standards identify requirements regarding OSH management systems, with the aim of enabling an organization to adopt dynamic policy and objectives that take into consideration lawful requirements relating to OSH risks (e.g., safe and healthy workplaces, prevention of work-related injuries, etc.). This article extends the research and the results of a previous study of ours and comparatively presents (a) the main IMS standards concerning OSHMS and (b) the statistical results and new findings of an updated literature survey for additional time intervals (i.e., the years 1995–2005 and 2018–2020), ultimately covering the entire period of the years 1995–2020. Thus, the main targets of the study were (i) the implementation and comparative presentation of OSHMS standards, (ii) the reinforcement of their application at the worksites of any organization, and (iii) the development of a new ameliorated OSH management system model based on the knowledge from the literature review. On the other hand, some dominant results and findings are the following: (a) The industrial sector and construction sector demonstrate the highest percentage of OSHMS utilization. (b) The OHSAS 18001 standard remains the most frequent OSHMS standard even though, despite the fact that the ISO 45001:2018 is a recently developed OSHMS, it presents a considerable percentage distribution with reference to the total OSHMS articles despite its brief lifespan. (c) An effectual IMS OSHMS must merge various management systems, such as OSH (safety and health), QMS (quality), and EMS (environmental). (d) Organizations and businesses of any kind and any size can certainly develop and implement OSHMS standards. (e) Some substantial barriers to the implementation of an OSHMS standard are the high cost vis à vis implementation and management, the difficulty for the employees to realize its significance in OSH, and the complicatedness of combining different standards. (f) Occupational epidemiology must be one of the main features of an OSHMS standard. (g) Governments, employers, and employees admit day after day that the effectiveness of applying OSHMS standards at the organization level is considerable for decreasing the occupational hazards and risks and also for raising productivity.

Trend Analysis by Risk Observation: How the German Statutory Accident Insurance Prepares for the Future in Occupational Safety and Health

BackgroundThe risk observatory (RO) of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) provides strategic support to the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions (GSAII) in proactive prevention. It does so by identifying future challenges and opportunities for occupational safety and health (OSH) resulting from new trends and developments that affect employees as well as children in elementary education, pupils, and students. MethodsThe core of the RO is an online survey that relies on a pool of new trends and developments identified via internet and literature research. 865 prevention experts of the GSAII and the DGUV participated in the survey. They rated trends and developments regarding their sector-specific risks and opportunities for OSH in the 5 years to come. ResultsSector-specific and over-all results show that besides well-known OSH risks such as musculoskeletal stress and noise, developments relevant for OSH come to the fore that do not have their origin in work itself, but are strongly influenced by political, social, economic, environmental, or technical developments that accident insurance can only peripherally influence. Shortage of skilled staff was identified as a threat to OSH in almost all sectors. ConclusionsPrevention must find ways to address repercussions of such OSH risks. Cooperation and political awareness are therefore gaining in importance. Also, implementing a prevention culture in society and strengthening individuals’ health and safety literacy, e.g., by target-group-specific communication and sensitization, as well as early safety and health education, help to counteract those OSH risks.

Implementation of OSH Risk Management among SMEs in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

This study investigated the implementation of the occupational safety and health (OSH) risk management system, known as the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC), in small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Specifically, the implementation of the HIRARC system’s challenges and weaknesses faced by SMEs were investigated based on a systematic literature review of two databases, namely SCOPUS and Google Scholar. The results show that there was scant work on the HIRARC system implementation and limited specific industries, such as construction and production. Additionally, the challenges faced by SMEs were categorised into the HIRARC system’s weaknesses and the organisation’s inadequacy in implementing the system. This study provided implications to the OSH regulators in continuously promoting the HIRARC system’s significance while improving the system and encourage its assimilation among SMEs in Malaysia. This study is also hoped to provide some guidance to the SMEs in Malaysia in implementing OSH risk management system.

Occupational Safety and Health Coordinators – Puzzle-piece Caretakers or Necessary Evils

The construction industry continues to be high-risk in terms of occupational safety and health (OSH) issues. A pivotal instrument in preventing these risks at both European and Danish levels is the OSH coordinator. In spite of the important role of the coordinator, little research on their roles and functions exist, and critics have pointed out that OSH professionals in general may only confer limited impact on preventive OSH work. This study argues that professional identities and struggles to maintain preferred, as well as rejecting unwanted identities are highly important to understand OSH coordinators’ practices. The study investigates OSH coordinators professional identities and their implications for practice through analysis of interviews with 12 experienced OSH coordinators in the Danish construction industry. The study reveals how struggles for maintaining a positive self-image and social recognition may explain why coordinators struggle to prioritize preventing OSH risks over legitimization and social practices.

Development of risk assessment tool using damaging energy and argumentation theory for evaluating construction occupational safety and health risks

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a risk assessment model to assess the occupational safety and health (OSH) risks presented by different construction approaches, namely traditional and industrialised building system (IBS). The development process applies the concept of argumentation theory, which helps construction designers integrate the management of OSH risk into the design process. In addition, an energy damage model is used as an underpinning framework for developing the model.Design/methodology/approachDevelopment of the model was achieved through two phases. Phase I involved collection of data on the activities involved in the construction process and their associated OSH risks, derived from five different case studies, field observation and interviews. Knowledge of design aspects that have the potential to impact on OSH was obtained from document analysis. Using the knowledge obtained in phase I, a model was developed in the form of argument trees (Phase II), which represent a reasoning template with regard to options available to designers when they make judgements about aspects of their designs. Inferences from these aspects eventually determined the magnitude of the damaging energies for every activity involved. Finally, the model was validated by panels of experts, and revisions and amendments were made to the model accordingly.FindingsThe risk assessment model development revealed that the concept of argumentation theory and energy damage model is suitable to represent design safety risk knowledge and effectively address the designer's role in making decisions in their designs and further illuminate the level of OSH risk their designs pose.Practical implicationsThe developed model provides best-practice reasoning support for construction designers, which help them to understand the impact of their designs decisions on worker's safety and health, and thereby assist them to further mitigate the risk to an acceptable level.Originality/valueThis study departs from the existing tool in that the model was developed based upon the combination of argumentation theory and energy damage model. The significance of the model is discussed.

Risk-Based Thinking as a Basis for Efficient Occupational Safety Management in the Mining Industry

This article deals with the role and the place of risk-based thinking in today’s occupational safety and health (OSH) systems used by mining companies. A brief survey on modern challenges and pressures affecting companies, as well as on the structure of supply chains, is given. It is demonstrated that, despite all measures and actions that are being taken, occupational injuries in the mining sector: (a) remain a matter of serious concern and (b) should be examined and investigated through the lens of the company’s complexity. The objective of the article is two-fold: to trace the evolution of risk-based thinking from quality management systems towards OSH management systems and to demonstrate how this approach can be implemented by a company performing open-pit mining operations. The matrix method along with the Fine and Kinney’s method was used in assessing OSH risks, and the checklist method along with a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT)analysis was used while assessing OSH opportunities. The results of the study make it possible to conclude that risk-based thinking incorporated into an OSH management system can be a robust and efficient instrument for OSH planning and implementation. This article contains an example of assessing OSH risks and opportunities for a dragline operator and also discusses the possible ways of using the data on the OSH risks and opportunities that were identified in OSH activities. The final part also contains comments and reflections on various risks mining companies are facing nowadays.

Risk management of Material Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, Bali State Polytechnic for preparation of Occupational safety and health program

The purpose of this study is to determine the risks and hazards in the laboratory, it is necessary to identify hazards, risk assessment and risk control. Laboratories are often found in research and development institutions, service companies, industry and universities. The material laboratory is a place to carry out student practicum activities and conduct research which has a source of danger that can cause work accidents such as chemical explosion, fire, poisoning and ext. Work accidents can be avoided by improving the quality of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) which is related to the process of doing work safely and working conditions that are safe and comfortable. One effort that can help is to identify hazards and risk assessments so that effective control efforts can be made to increase work productivity and reduce work accidents. Hazard identification is a process that can be carried out to identify all situations or events that have the potential to cause work-related accidents and diseases that may arise in the workplace [1]. Carry out hazard identification to answer the question of what potential hazards can occur or befall the company organization and how it can occur. Hazard identification is the first step in developing OSH risk management and a systematic effort to understand the existence of organizational hazards and is the foundation of an accident prevention and risk control program [2].

Development and Validation of HOSHRA Index for Occupational Safety and Health Risk Assessment in Hospitals

Background: Despite huge advances in science, technology, and medical equipment, numerous concerns grow over healthcare workers (HCWs) since they are exposed to a wide range of biological hazards due to the nature of their work. Objectives: The current study aimed at developing and validating an index to assess the risk of occupational safety and health (OSH) in hospitals and healthcare settings. Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, an index called the hospital occupational safety, and health risk assessment (HOSHRA) was developed and validated through the face and content validity as well as internal consistency and inter-rater reliability. Ultimately, the developed index was utilized to assess OSH risks in 36 teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Results: The mean score of the HOSHRA index among the selected hospitals was 71.53 ± 5.93, indicating that the OSH risks were at a moderate level. According to the HOSHRA action levels, OSH risk level for ergonomic hazards was high, but it was moderate for physical, chemical, ergonomic, and psychological ones. In terms of physical hazard subcategories, the risk of electrical hazard, as well as fire and explosion, was high, but it was moderate for fall and slip, and radiation. Conclusions: The developed observation-based method showed an acceptable content validity and reliability for OSH risk assessment of hospitals. The HOSHRA index could also be used for hospitals as an applicable measure to improve their OSH.

On Future Occupational Safety and Health Challenges

Occupational safety and health (OSH) have constantly changed and evolved throughout the industrial revolutions and in recent years. The aim of this systematic literature review was to give an overview of future OSH challenges in industrialized countries. A search within the Scopus database returned 31 peer-reviewed journal articles published since 2014 on new and emerging OSH risks and challenges in the future. A review of articles identified future overall OSH challenges, OSH challenges caused by climate change, and OSH challenges related to sustainable development and responsibility. In addition, branch-specific challenges in industries and health care were determined. Individual employees can experience a wide range of OSH challenges from heat stress to poison absorption, musculoskeletal disorders, increased psychosocial load, ergonomic issues, and unexpected accidents and injuries. OSH management is discussed and future studies proposed.

What about the workers? — Experiences of arrangements for safety and health in global container terminals

Container terminals are purpose built or substantially adapted ports virtually exclusively involved with the transport of containerised goods. They now exist everywhere and have redesigned dock-work to increase productivity and efficiencies in the handling of goods, making physical handling by dock-workers increasingly redundant. Conventional wisdom suggests that arrangements for the safety and health of those who remain in employment are generally improved in comparison with past conditions. Yet, reliable evidence of the effects of work on the occupational safety and health (OSH) of these workers is scarce. This paper is based on research which examined the OSH experiences of workers involved with operational tasks in terminals operated by global network terminal (GNT) companies in four countries situated in Asia-Pacific and Europe. It explored these experiences along with the respondents’ perceptions concerning the effectiveness of arrangements made to manage their OSH risks, and compared findings between countries. The research demonstrated a significant gap between managers’ understandings of the operation of arrangements for OSH and the perceptions and experiences of workers, both in relation to OSH outcomes and the effectiveness of the OSH arrangements. This was especially evident for work-related ill-health, workers’ representation and consultation on OSH, and in the differences in the experience of all these between directly employed workers and those employed by contractors. The paper discusses the implications for improved OSH arrangements and outcomes.

Identification of the Activity-based Hazards/risks Involved in the IBS Construction Process: Case Study of Project That Uses Prefabricated Steel Framing System and Prefabricated Timber Framing System

Construction industry is known for its hazardous physical working environments and high accident risks. In reducing risk at the workplace, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is an important aspect. It is a standard which are set in legislation with the purpose to eliminate and reduce hazards at workplace. The objectives of this paper are to identify the major activities of the construction process in IBS residential and the OSH risks associated throughout the construction. This study involved a field observation to two different methods and two factory that use IBS as construction method which are ‘prefabricated timber framing system’, and ‘prefabricated steel framing system’. This involved interview to the executive staff, operatives and supervisors, and observing and documenting operations. In achieving this, four case study were descriptively analysed and availing a revelation exposure to UV and mobile plant risks as the major risk in IBS construction site. This paper intends to contribute in providing a way for designers to integrate construction process knowledge into design to eliminate or reduce hazards during construction. It will effectively address the designer’s role in making decisions in their designs and further illuminate the level of OSH risk their designs pose.

The Effect of Prefabricated Steel Framing System Towards Construction Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

Construction industry is known for its hazardous physical working environments and high accident risks. In reducing risk at the workplace, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is an important aspect. It is a standard which are set in legislation with the purpose to eliminate and reduce hazards at workplace. The objectives of this paper are to identify the major activities of the construction process in IBS residential and the OSH risks associated throughout the construction and to compare the impact of IBS construction with conventional method. This study involved field observation to one (1) construction sites that use IBS construction which are ‘prefabricated steel framing system’. Observations were also conducted at the manufacturing facilities of the prefabricated steel framing system. This also involved interview to the executive staff, operatives and supervisors and documenting analysis. The analysis is done by comparing the effect of IBS method with conventional method. In achieving this, one (1) case study was descriptively analyzed and availing a revelation exposure to UV and mobile plant risks as the main risk in IBS construction site. This paper intends to contribute in providing a way to integrate construction process knowledge to eliminate or reduce hazards during construction.

Posted Work and Occupational Safety and Health: A Literature Review

This article provides a review of the literature on posting and occupational safety and health (OSH). Although the vulnerabilities of posted workers are discussed in the literature on posting, and the overall OSH risk factors, including those relevant to migrant workers, are discussed in the literature on OSH, the two strands of literature barely intersect. There is therefore an immediate need to study the occupational safety and health of posted workers throughout the European Union. Social factors influencing OSH risks, such as employment fragmentation and precarity, and the various forms of cross-border labour mobility, such as posting, should also be further explored.

Proactive prevention in occupational safety and health: how to identify tomorrow's prevention priorities and preventive measures

Introduction. Global trends such as digitalization, globalization and demographic change are changing workplaces, and accordingly occupational safety and health (OSH) needs. To better prepare for the future and to foster proactive prevention, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) established an OSH risk observatory (RO OSH). Methods. The RO OSH relies on an online survey and calls upon the expertise of labour inspectors. In total, 398 labour inspectors participated in the first RO OSH enquiry. They rated developments with regard to their sector-specific relevance for OSH in the near future. The RO OSH also provides ideas for preventive measures that can be implemented by the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions. Results. Work intensity, demographic aspects and digitalization play a major role for most or all sectors. However, familiar OSH issues such as musculoskeletal strain and noise also continue to be of major importance and require further consideration and specific solutions in prevention. Outlook. For the DGUV, training and consulting have great potential for proactive prevention in these priority areas, e.g., by fostering a prevention culture and supporting companies in (psychosocial) risk assessment (also for mobile work). For instance, concepts for increasing physical activity at sedentary workplaces and data security require continued research.

An integrated OSH risk management approach to surgical flow disruptions in operating rooms

Surgical flow disruptions (SFDs) are the deviations from the natural progression of an operation in the operating rooms (ORs). Some tools and methodologies have been proposed in the literature for the systematic assessment of the SFDs especially for the cardiac surgeries. However, they lack a clear connection with the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) risks for the surgical team and the risks for the patient safety. In this paper, an integrated OSH risk management methodology adapted from International Labor Office (ILO) approach is proposed to account for the SFDs, surgical flow disruption effects (SFDEs), and the OSH risks by using the fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) as a tool for the risk prioritization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper which proposes an integrated OSH risk management methodology in the surgical environments by using the FCM that incorporates the SFDs and other factors such that the critical SFDs and the critical OSH risks can be identified. Then, the respective preventive and protective measures (PPMs) can be put into effect for eliminating, controlling or minimizing the OSH risks for a safe OR environment for both the surgical team and the patient. The methodology is not limited to the surgical environments or the healthcare industry; rather, it can be adapted to different work environments for an integrated OSH risk management. The methodology has been illustrated by using the hypothetical data, the limitations and the improvement potentials of the methodology have also been discussed in detail for further research.