Occupational Safety Practices Research Articles

Redefining health, risk, and safety for occupational settings: A mixed-methods study

Clear and specific definitions are essential in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practice and research, guiding the development of methods, tools, and metrics for effective management. However, there remains a lack of consensus within the field when defining health, risk, and safety. This study addresses this gap by proposing comprehensive definitions of these constructs based on the combination of empirical data from workshops conducted at a major construction company in Australia with literature from various disciplines. The qualitative analysis of participant responses and thematic coding of definitions from various disciplines revealed diverse perspectives on health, risk, and safety, highlighting the need for context-specific definitions tailored to different organisational levels. Hence, this study recommends simplified, summarised, and comprehensive definitions of these constructs to enhance clarity and consistency in OHS communication and practice. These definitions aim to foster a shared understanding and improve the effectiveness of OHS initiatives across different contexts. The paper also discusses several theoretical, practical, and ethical implications these definitions may have for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers regarding the scope of health, risk, and safety, their relationships, and the validity of related constructs such as risk assessment and safety performance. Finally, our study advocates a shift from mainly approaching OHS as a business objective towards viewing it more as a positive duty and public health area.

Occupational safety and hidden risks in a furniture factory: A comprehensive assessment of hazards related to noise, lighting, thermal comfort, and dust exposure

This study assessed the occupational health and safety conditions in a furniture manufacturing facility, focusing on key environmental factors such as noise, lighting, thermal comfort, and dust exposure. Noise measurements recorded levels as high as 95.3 dB(A) during CNC machine operations, exceeding legal exposure limits of 87 dB(A), posing significant risks to workers’ hearing health. Lighting assessments showed levels ranging from 134 to 247 lux in production lines, which falls below the recommended threshold of 300 lux for adequate visibility. Thermal comfort was evaluated with temperature readings at 14.2 °C and relative humidity at 43%, revealing marginal comfort conditions that could reduce worker efficiency and satisfaction. Dust exposure measurements indicated respirable dust concentrations reaching 3.69 mg/m³ in the cutting department, which is close to the permissible exposure limit of 5 mg/m³, raising concerns about long-term respiratory health. These findings suggest several measures to improve workplace safety, including enhanced engineering controls, mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE), improved lighting systems, optimised thermal conditions, and advanced ventilation to reduce dust exposure. This comprehensive evaluation provides critical insights for improving furniture factories’ occupational health and safety practices.

Assessment of Employees' Ergonomic Issues in The Workplace in Terms of Occupational Health and Safety Practices: A Meta-Analysis Study

Purpose: This study is a meta-analysis aimed at evaluating ergonomic issues in workplaces in terms of occupational health and safety practices. Materials and Methods: This study is of a meta-analytic nature. Data used in the meta-analysis were obtained through searches on databases such as Google Scholar, YÖK Thesis, EBSCO, and Web Of Science without any time restrictions between January and March 2024. A total of 15 research studies were included in the search results. The data obtained were synthesized using narrative synthesis and meta-analysis methods. The total sample size of the studies used in this study is 65,160. Results: In this meta-analysis study, it was found that the practices implemented for addressing ergonomic issues faced by employees in the workplace were effective (SMD: 0.367, 95% CI: 0.055-0.679; Z = 2.305, p = 0.021, I2 = 97.761%, Q = 625.169). The variance among studies is statistically significant according to the analysis results (p < 0.05). It is believed that challenges related to the structure of work in workplaces lead to various discomforts in employees, and therefore, ergonomic practices can minimize physical strains on employees, contribute to work efficiency, and enhance employee health and safety.

Association of hospital safety climate and compliance with occupational safety practices among nurse interns: A cross-sectional study using canonical correlation analysis.

Nurse interns may be at a similar or higher risk than registered nurses. The key elements and mechanisms involved in the effects of safety climate on safety performance are not well understood. This study explores the relationship between the perceived hospital safety climate and compliance with occupational safety practices among nurse interns. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 nurse interns in three tertiary university hospitals in Chongqing city, China. The Chinese version of the Hospital Safety Climate Scale (HSCS) was used to measure the perceived hospital safety climate of nurse interns. Compliance behavior was measured using the Compliance with Occupational Safety Practice Scale (COSPS). Canonical correlation analysis and multiple linear regression modeling were used to examine their relationship. Total scores for the HSCS and COSPS were 92 (80,100) and 185 (175,185) [M (P25, P75)], respectively. Canonical correlation coefficients for canonical variates 1 and 2 were 0.636 (p < 0.001) and 0.414 (p < 0.001), respectively. Nurse interns' compliance with occupational safety practices was mainly influenced by management support, feedback/training, personal protective and engineering control equipment availability, and absence of job hindrance. Multiple linear regression showed that management support of HSCS accounted for 37.1% of the variance in compliance (β = 0.283, p = 0.039). Nurse interns reported high levels of perceived hospital safety climate and compliance with occupational safety practices. Younger nurse interns reported a lower level of perceived hospital safety climate. Nurse educators can improve interns' compliance by promoting better management support, feedback/training, personal protective and engineering control equipment availability, and fewer job hindrance.

ANALISIS PENERAPAN KESELAMATAN DAN KESEHATAN KERJA (K3) DALAM MEMINIMALISIR RESIKO KERJA PADA PT. POS INDONESIA (PERSERO) KANTOR CABANG GUNUNGSITOLI

In carrying out their duties, employees and office staff of PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Gunungsitoli Branch is faced with several occupational safety and health (K3) challenges. Observation data shows that as many as 75% of accidents occur in the field during package delivery, 15% occur during sorting activities, and the remaining 10% occur in administrative activities. Of the total accidents, 75% are caused by human error, such as carelessness or lack of knowledge about safety practices. Meanwhile, 25% was caused by unsafe and intensive environmental conditions, including storage facilities that were not neatly arranged and lack of warning signs. The aim of this research is to determine the Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) at PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Gunungsitoli Branch Office. This research method uses qualitative research with a descriptive approach. The research results show that PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Gunungsitoli Branch Office has so far implemented occupational safety and health implementation but it has not been optimal so there is still a lot that needs to be improved, including increasing K3 awareness and improving facilities and infrastructure. The conclusion of this research is that work accidents that occur are generally due to a lack of awareness and compliance with applicable K3 regulations, as well as a lack of work safety equipment. So it is recommended to make efforts to identify occupational safety and health practices, including analyzing compliance with regulations, as well as providing and improving facilities and infrastructure.

Solution-oriented development of the sound environment in industrial workplaces

Objectives. Research literature has not given much evaluation to why the proposed noise control actions in workplaces are not being implemented. There are views of the different personnel groups in the workplace and the reasons why the possibilities for solutions have not been examined. Methods. The companies under study were a welding machine shop, an assembly plant, a heavy steel company and an art glass factory. Noise management was approached by combining the perspectives of technology, acoustics and occupational safety with the examination of sociocultural factors at the workplace level. Results. Noise was not well represented in occupational safety practices. The productivity aspect was strongly emphasized. The use of personal protective equipment created the illusion that everything possible has been done and noise controlled. Conclusion. The study developed a model in which experts in the field of acoustics and sociocultural researchers together evaluated the state and development needs of noise abatement. The results of the project show that successful noise control solutions require a process involving all staff in the workplace.

Ergonomic challenges of mortuary attendants in Ghana: an exploratory study

Objective. Mortuary attendants in Ghana face various occupational health and safety hazards, including ergonomic and psychosocial factors, which can impact both their well-being and the quality of service provided. However, there is limited knowledge about the specific ergonomic hazards they encounter. This study aims to investigate and understand these ergonomic hazards at selected hospital mortuaries in Ghana. Methods. The study used a qualitative approach to investigate the experiences of 19 mortuary attendants, selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded digitally, and focused on participants’ demographics, work experiences, challenges and coping strategies. The collected data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results. The study found that mortuary attendants face ergonomic hazards, leading to physical discomfort, sleep problems and the need for sick leave and self-medication. Poor working conditions were a major risk factor. Conclusion. The study recommends the immediate inclusion of fundamental occupational health and safety practices into the informal apprenticeship training for mortuary attendants. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of providing necessary equipment to mortuary attendants to reduce or eliminate ergonomic hazards in their work environments.

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Occupational diseases continue to be one of the major health problems of the able-bodied population worldwide. The reasons for this are numerous, but the main one is of course the nature of these diseases which by definition are chronic, progressive and degenerative, and the period of latency in which the disease does not have to manifest clinically can last for decades. The factors that can contribute to the development of an occupational disease, ie disease, are numerous and range from chemical, physical and biological to psychosocial risks, so there is a need to find new ways to control long-known risks, to observations of the most common workplace pathologies in the last twenty years, such as recurrent traumatic illnesses, immunodeficiency transmitted as a result of biological injuries and violence, and psychological trauma in the workplace. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of noise as a function of its levels and the duration of workplace exposure on workers' health. This study was conducted with 10 workers from the metal factory "Zhelezara", Skopj which have been exposed to the noise the longest period. According to the results of the research, it can be noted that workers working in a noisy environment experience certain side effects from the noise, although they use different protective equipment for the entire duration of the working time. New knowledge in occupational health and safety practice is needed to respond to new challenges in this field.

Managing workplace AI risks and the future of work.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-the field of computer science that designs machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence-has seen rapid advances in the development of foundation systems such as large language models. In the workplace, the adoption of AI technologies can result in a broad range of hazards and risks to workers, as illustrated by the recent growth in industrial robotics and algorithmic management. Sources of risk from deployment of AI technologies across society and in the workplace have led to numerous government and private sector guidelines that propose principles governing the design and use of trustworthy and ethical AI. As AI capabilities become integrated in devices, machines, and systems across industry sectors, employers, workers, and occupational safety and health practitioners will be challenged to manage AI risks to worker health, safety, and well-being. Five risk management options are presented as ways to assure that only trustworthy and ethical AI enables workplace devices, machinery, and processes. AI technologies will play a significant role in the future of work. The occupational safety and health practice and research communities need to ensure that the promise of these new AI technologies results in benefit, not harm, to workers.

Does organisational myopia mediate the effect of occupational health and safety practices on the risk of occupational accidents in Turkish healthcare institutions?

Occupational health and safety (OHS) policies in healthcare institutions must be well managed, because healthcare practice involves many physical, biological, ergonomic, chemical, and psychosocial hazards that can affect the health of healthcare workers. In addition, their work performance may be affected by the so-called organisational myopia. In this context, the aim of our study was to determine how organisational myopia affects OHS practices in healthcare institutions and whether it increases the risk of occupational accidents. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 420 healthcare professionals working throughout Turkey who completed a questionnaire addressing these three domains: organisational myopia, OHS practices, and risk of occupational accidents. Their responses were analysed with exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and Spearman's correlation to assess the adequacy of measurement tools and identify relationships between variables, followed by mediation analysis. We found that OHS practices mitigate organisational myopia and the risk of occupational accidents. We also found no significant effect of organisational myopia on the risk of occupational accidents. Our findings underscore the importance of OHS practices in healthcare institutions and that organisational myopia should be evaluated in special contexts such as working time, experience, or routinisation.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and practice of occupational safety among diagnostic radiographers in university of port Harcourt teaching hospital, rivers state

Health workers particularly radiographers have continuously faced with various occupational hazards due to the occupational environment that is associated with unsafe working conditions and lack of protective equipment. This study aimed to explore knowledge of occupational hazards and practice of occupational safety among diagnostic radiographers in university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Rivers state. The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data from 226 radiographers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results shows good knowledge occupational hazards (72.8%); and good practice of occupational safety (68.5%). Regarding safety practices, radiographers exhibited moderate radiation protection practices (71.2%), with most portraying good practices. No significant gender or age differences were found in practices. Experience did not affect practices significantly. Radiographers with specialized training displayed better practices. The study concluded that radiographers had appreciably high knowledge and moderate safety practices. The study recommended continuing education programs, monitoring of practices, adequate protective facilities, and enhanced curriculum on radiation safety are required to address knowledge and practice gaps among radiographers in Nigeria.

Assessing occupational health and safety practices among kitchen staff of selected senior high schools in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

Assessing occupational health and safety practices among kitchen staff of selected senior high schools in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

Occupational Risks in the Technological Development of Construction Materials at Brazilian Public Universities

Objective: This study investigates occupational safety in a construction materials development laboratory at a public university, identifying risks and irregularities. To date, no similar research has been conducted for research and development laboratories, highlighting the novelty of this work. Method: The methodology adopted was an in situ case study analysis to identify the nonconformities of the work environment. Finally, the GUT method was used to prioritize interventions and occupational adjustments. Results and Discussion: Risks associated with chemical and physical agents were detected, a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) was noted, and the irregular disposal of materials and equipment was found, compromising the health and safety of workers. The absence of risk signage was also observed. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of occupational safety in the development of technological innovations. These implications may encompass public sectors, such as research centers and higher education institutions, as well as private sectors, such as research and development areas in industries. Originality/Value: A search in the Scopus and Web of Science databases did not identify studies addressing occupational health and safety practices applied to laboratories for the development of technological innovations. This result illustrates the novelty of the present research, which transcends the Brazilian reality and can be applied to laboratories and research centers in other countries.

Occupational Health and Safety Practices Among Coal Mine Workers in Pakistan

Occupational Health and Safety Practices Among Coal Mine Workers in Pakistan

Evaluation of School Occupational Health and Safety Practices Performance Indicators by School Administrators

Evaluation of School Occupational Health and Safety Practices Performance Indicators by School Administrators

The Effectiveness of Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Public Technical Training Institutes

The study aimed to evaluate the extent of occupation-related injuries and accidents, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training, and awareness and implementation of OHS policy among Technical Training Institutes (TTIs). The study used qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data from 99 final-year trainees, including 47 auto mechanics, 24 electricians, 16 welders, and six OHS focal persons. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews and analyzed using SPSS-16 and MAXQDA-2020. The study revealed a commendably low rate of hazards in training institutes (TTIs), with a mere 10.26% and a mean score of 2.1. This positive outcome, a testament to the high awareness of OHS and PPEs, should give reassurance about the current state of OHS practices in TTIs. The training system was a resounding success, with a mean rating of 4.09 for trainees' understanding and use of PPEs. However, the study also identified areas for improvement, particularly the urgent need for improved monitoring and management support. This need for immediate action is crucial for sustaining and enhancing these standards, and it should make the audience feel the urgency of the situation. [Abstract continued in PDF]

The Impact of Occupational Health and Safety Practices on Employees' Performance of Operational Level Employees in Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

The Impact of Occupational Health and Safety Practices on Employees' Performance of Operational Level Employees in Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

The Study of Exposure to Occupational Carcinogens in Iran: A Scoping Review

Background: Occupational exposure to carcinogens is a significant issue in occupational health and public welfare, with carcinogens encompassing a wide range of substances such as chemicals, metals, dust particles, and organic materials. This scoping review aims to identify, map, and summarize the existing literature on occupational carcinogen exposure in Iran across various industries and settings. It categorizes the types of carcinogens investigated, evaluates the methodologies employed for exposure assessment, and identifies research gaps and areas needing further exploration. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran. A total of 715 articles were identified, with inclusion criteria focusing on studies conducted in Iran, directly related to occupational carcinogen exposure, and available in full text in English or Persian. Title and abstract screening, followed by full-text evaluation, was performed by two independent reviewers. Key data were extracted and thematically analyzed to synthesize findings. Results: The review highlights prevalent types of occupational carcinogens studied in Iran and the industries that have been the primary focus of research. It discusses the various methodological approaches used to assess and quantify exposure levels, identifies key findings related to exposure and associated health risks, and uncovers significant gaps in the literature. Conclusion: This scoping review provides a nuanced portrait of occupational carcinogen exposure in Iran, identifying critical research gaps and offering a foundation for future studies. By consolidating existing knowledge, it aims to contribute to the enhancement of occupational health and safety practices in Iran, guiding the development of targeted interventions and regulatory policies.

The level of implementation of COVID-19 measures in workplaces: Ideas for the future

Objective: The initial phases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required a wide range of preventive measures for various settings, including workplaces. The evaluation of workplace applications may guide all stakeholders for future similar outbreaks. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of Turkish occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals regarding COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The study included responses of OSH professionals who were members of three national organizations. Data were collected during the third peak of COVID-19 cases in Turkey. Results: Of 457 respondents, 92.6% reported at least one infected worker, and 12.7% reported mortality among workers due to COVID-19. Multiple regression analyses revealed an association with workplace size ≥250 for any COVID-19 infection among workers (OR=6.70, 95% CI:2.64–16.98, p&lt;0.001) and for COVID-19 related mortality (OR=3.37, 95% CI:1.59–7.13, p=0.002). Moreover, working in governmental business enterprises was related to COVID-19 related mortality (OR=4.83, 95% CI:2.33–10.01, p&lt;0.001). The mean number of available measures was significantly lower (p&lt;0.001) in governmental business enterprises, the service sector, and workplaces with less than 250 workers. Conclusion: The results indicate a need for improvement in small- and large-sized workplaces, governmental business enterprises, and service sector workplaces.

A Bibliometric and Scientometric Network Analysis of Occupational Safety and Health in the Electric Power Industry: Future Implication of Digital Pathways

(1) Background: The demand for electricity in rural and urban areas has given rise to numerous related industries, resulting in perilous working conditions and a significant number of safety accidents for workers. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on improving occupational safety and health in the electric power industry. However, the lack of a systematic review or the integration of disaggregated studies has hindered our understanding of the state of the development of this research field. This study aims to provide bibliometric and scientometric network analyses and explore the untapped potential of digital pathways. (2) Methods: A bibliometric analysis focused on the research cooperation, author keywords, and journal co-citation patterns of studies was carried out, while a temporal trend analysis was employed to identify topical focuses and trends for further research on the occupational safety and health of electrical workers. Papers were searched for across three databases, namely Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Using “occupational safety and health” and “electric power industry” as keywords, the articles published from 1991 to 2022 were retrieved. (3) Results: A total of 608 articles published from 1991 to 2022 were collected for the bibliometric analysis. Four clusters were successfully recognized in the search results after adopting the process of cluster analysis based on a total of 608 articles. As for the countries, most of the publications and citations came from the United States. The most frequent keywords were safety, exposure assessment, electrocution, and electrical injury. (4) Conclusions: This is the first study to highlight occupational safety and health in the electric power industry and provides valuable insights into the knowledge structure, emerging trends, and future directions through the lens of digital pathways. This study sheds light on the importance of digital pathways in enhancing occupational safety and health practices within the industry. The findings contribute to the fields of occupational safety management and health promotion, providing a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at improving safety conditions and promoting the well-being of personnel in the electric power industry.