Regular Safety Research Articles

ASSESSING FOOD SAFETY AWARENESS AND PRACTICES AMONG STREET FOOD VENDORS IN KATSINA STATE, NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Food safety is a critical global issue, with contaminated food posing serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children under five, the elderly, and the sick. This study examined food safety practices among street food vendors in major towns of Katsina State. Using structured questionnaires and a multi-stage sampling technique, data were collected from a total of 316 street food vendors to assess vendors' awareness and adoption of food safety measures. Descriptive statistics and traffic light model were used to analyse the data. While vendors demonstrated high awareness of basic hygiene practices like washing utensils and avoiding work when ill, the adoption of other crucial practices, such as using hand gloves and maintaining clean selling locations, was found to be low. This gap between awareness and practice highlights the need for targeted interventions, including training programs and public awareness campaigns, to bridge the knowledge-behaviour gap. The traffic light model categorized food safety risk to levels, revealing that many vendors operate at high to moderate risk levels. These findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring, feedback, and enforcement of food safety regulations. Recommendations include enhancing access to resources, providing incentives for good practices, and implementing regular health and safety audits. This can significantly reduce foodborne illnesses, ensuring safer food consumption, and supporting national health and economic development through safer trade and tourism activities. This study contributes to the on-going discourse on food safety in developing regions and highlights critical areas for policy and practical interventions to safeguard public health.

Effect of Feedback Provision on Improving Patient Safety Indices Based on Hospital Accreditation Model: A Study in Shahid Rahnemoon Hospital, Yazd

Background: Accreditation means systematic evaluation of health service centers with specific standards. One of the most important goals of the accreditation process is to improve patient safety. Patient safety visits are one of the most important standards for improving safety. One of the ways to increase the effectiveness of visits is holding feedback sessions. Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing the effect of feedback provision on improving patient safety indices based on the hospital accreditation model in Shahid Rahnemoon Hospital, Yazd. Methods: The present study is a semi-experimental study with a before-and-after design that was conducted in Shahid Rahnemoon Hospital, Yazd, from September to December 2021 and January to August 2022. After each visit, formal feedback sessions were held with the attendance of patient safety team members and officials of the visited wards/units. Evaluation indicators included patient safety indicators in accreditation standards, such as error reporting, rate of unwanted events, and patient safety culture score. These were measured before and after feedback. The tools used were the patient safety standards evaluation checklist based on the accreditation model, the patient safety culture questionnaire, and other indicators extracted using documentation. The Patient Safety Culture Evaluation Questionnaire was completed by 360 nurses working in the hospital in the form of a census. Analysis was done using descriptive statistical tests and paired t-tests with STATA 14.2 software. Results: Based on the results of the study, safety feedback was provided to increase patient safety indicators in different departments and units of hospitals [t = - 4.8652, w/df = 10, P = 0.0007, (P = 0.05)]. A significant difference was observed in the amount of error reporting (P = 0.031) and patient safety (P < 0.001) before and after the intervention. The degree of compliance with the dimensions of the patient safety culture had a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Providing a safety feedback program had a significant positive effect on the consumption and consequences of the patient’s safety culture. Therefore, conducting regular safety visits and setting up a direct feedback program to each department/unit after the visit, and the follow-up of corrective measures, will lead to an increase in patient safety standards.

Assessing PV inverter efficiency degradation under semi-arid conditions: A case study in Morocco

The worldwide shift towards renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, is progressing rapidly. This change is driven by decreasing prices and technical advancements that are becoming more centralized. The objective is to develop a cutting-edge approach and technology that seamlessly incorporates photovoltaic (PV) energy sources into a power network while ensuring grid stability. This research evaluates the lifetime and degradation of PV inverters under real operating conditions, focusing on semi-arid climate scenarios. Current papers demonstrate a yearly failure rate of 1–15% for PV inverters, highlighting the need for a thorough reliability evaluation. This investigation research applied a unique technique that included continuous monitoring of PV inverter performance parameters by comparing the measured with the predicted normal operating output. The results show that Sandia's inverter performance model is highly suitable for accurately modeling normal PV inverter behavior. Furthermore, weighted efficiency dropped by 3.96%, 0.63% and 1.29% respectively for 7kW, 15kW and 20kW photovoltaic systems over the five years. These findings have implications for comprehensive maintenance strategies, including regular inspections, safety protocols, and remote monitoring solutions. Ultimately, this research paper sheds light on the causes of declining solar inverter performance and provides suggestions for enhancing PV plant maintenance and reliability. It also represents an outstanding reference given the literature shortage.

Green Occupational Health, Safety and Performance of Devolved Healthcare Services in Kenya

Green human resource management is the adoption of policies and practices to attain sustainable use of a firm's resources while enhancing environmental sustainability, which also boosts employee morale and satisfaction with firm performance. Level Five hospitals in Kenya are increasingly expected by law to implement environmentally sustainable practices. This study aimed to determine the effect of green occupational safety and health on the performance of devolved healthcare services in Kenya. A mixed-methods research design was used, whereby the researchers combined the elements of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study targeted 5,960 employees working in 12 Level 5 hospitals in Kenya. This study applied multi-stage random sampling, which refers to dividing the population into units or smaller and smaller groups and selecting the sample (Kothari, 2019). In the first stage, simple random sampling was used to select four of the 12 Level Five hospitals with an accessible population of 1310. In the second stage, purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 131 respondents, representing 10% of the accessible population (Mugenda & Mugenda, 2013). Data collection tools were questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially while qualitative data was subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between green occupational safety and health and the performance of devolved healthcare services in Kenya. The study concluded that green occupational safety and health had a significant effect on the performance of devolved healthcare services. The study recommended that devolved healthcare services should improve if they continuously used green occupational safety and health management systems that reduce accidents and injuries; utilized paperless offices so as to create a clean and safe work environment; applied eco-friendly medical waste disposal methods such as waste minimization, segregation, and recycling; used eco-friendly safety gadgets; and conducted regular safety and health audits.

A qualitative evaluation of rural and provincial surgery wānanga to enhance cultural safety among surgical registrars in Taranaki, New Zealand.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) recently instituted cultural safety and cultural competency as its 10th competency with formalized cultural safety training yet to be instituted. Wānanga are Indigenous Māori teaching institutions that can be used contemporarily for cultural safety training. In 2022, surgical registrars based at Taranaki Base Hospital (TBH) held in-hospital wānanga ranging from 1 to 3 h focussed on cultural safety, professionalism and wellbeing. This study explores the perspectives of these registrars who attended wānanga using a Kaupapa Māori aligned methodological stance and interpretive phenomenological analysis. Twenty-six wānanga were held from March 22nd 2022 to January 30th 2023. Six registrars provided their perspectives with four major themes emerging from their stories including: cultural safety; unity; time, place and person; and a new era. Registrars valued the wānanga which was scheduled for Friday afternoons after daily clinical duties. Wānanga facilitated unity and understanding with registrars being able to reflect on the context within which they are practicing - describing it as a new era of surgical training. 'Time' was the biggest barrier to attend wānanga however, the number of wānanga held was testament to the commitment of the registrars. Regular wānanga set up by, and for, surgical registrars cultural safety development is feasible and well subscribed in a rural or provincial NZ setting. We present one coalface method of regular cultural safety training and development for surgical registrars and trainees in NZ.

Investigation of Heavy Metal Composition and Associated Health Risks from Selected Groundwater Wells in Temeke, Dar-es-Salaam

Water quality continues to be the challenge to residents in Dar es Salaam due to various anthropogenic activities in the city. This study was conducted to assess groundwater quality by determining concentrations of heavy metals. Both probability and Nonprobability sampling techniques were used to collect samples from 40 groundwater wells in 24 wards of Temeke municipal and analysed using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (Agilent 4210 MP-AES) at the Geochemistry Laboratory of the University of Dar es Salaam. Results indicated varying heavy metal concentrations ranging from 0.71 ± 0.08 to 6.64 ± 0.21 mg/l for As, 0.02 ± 0.01 to 0.07 ± 0.01 mg/l for Co and 0.16 ± 0.01 to 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/l for Pb. The As, Co and Pb concentrations exceeded (P < 0.05) the recommended TBS standards of 0.05 mg/l, 0.003 mg/l and 0.01 mg/l respectively. Other concentrations ranged from 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.88 ± 0.01 mg/l for Cu, 0.02 ± 0.01 to 3.55 ± 0.02 mg/l for Fe, 0.00 ± 0.00 to 4.63 ± 0.03 mg/l for Mn and 0.01 ± 0.01 to 3.00 ± 0.01 mg/l for Zn. The Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations were below (P > 0.05) the allowable TBS limits of 0.05 mg/l, 0.3 mg/l, 0.1 mg/l and 3 mg/l respectively. Health risk analysis revealed potential adverse health effects from long term consumption of As, Mn and Pb with Hazard Quotient exceeding 1 (HQ > 1). The Hazard Index (HI) for all groundwater samples was also above 1 (HI > 1) indicating a higher likelihood of adverse health effects. The study concluded that groundwater wells in Temeke Municipal are affected through natural and anthropogenic activities leading to high levels of heavy metal concentrations. Also, this study provides valuable information on risk associated by continued usage of groundwater in Temeke region and hence informs respective stakeholders on groundwater quality and potential risks thereby emphasizing the need for remedial measures and stricter regulations to safeguard public health. The study recommends the need for regular groundwater quality and safety monitoring to assess the levels of heavy metals concentrations and implement sustainable groundwater management strategies to address the increasing water demand in Temeke municipal, Dar es Salaam.

Work-Life Conflict, Burnout, and Associated Factors Among Hydroelectric Power Plant Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey.

Power plants are associated with numerous occupational health and safety risk factors, with psychosocial risks being particularly significant. This study examines work-life conflict and burnout among power plant employees and discusses the factors associated with these issues. This cross-sectional study focused on employees at three hydroelectric power plants in Turkey. The inclusion criteria included employees with at least one year of tenure. Using cluster sampling, three plants were selected in Adana, Ankara, and Samsun. The sample size was determined to be 262, and 201 employees participated, yielding a 76.7% response rate. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, which encompasses the sub-dimensions of a valid and reliable scale: The Work-Life Conflict and Burnout sub-dimensions of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire-III (COPSOQ-III) were used to measure the dependent variables. The independent variables included age, education level, total and weekly working hours, perceived health status, and department. The dependent variables were work-life conflict and burnout. Ethical approval was obtained from the Gazi University Ethics Committee. Statistical analysis compared the Pearson chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Yates correction with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. The mean age was 40.83 years, with an average tenure of 11.54 years and a weekly work time of 43.51 hours. Most participants (94.5%) were male; technical unit workers comprised 71.6%. Health issues included smoking (39.8%) and chronic diseases (19.9%). Concerns about the working environment include insufficient knowledge about safety (25.4%) and lack of knowledge about risk assessments (32.3%). Many workers reported lacking personal protective equipment (11.4%) and rest areas (15.4%). Negative health impacts from work were noted by 31.8%. In addition, 51.2% believed that noise levels were outside the acceptable range. Two-thirds of employees reported inadequate measures against physical risks in the workplace. Many participants experienced work-life conflict (13.9%) and burnout (14.5%). High work-life conflict was significantly associated with younger age groups, less tenure, and negative perceived health status. Burnout was significantly related to the duration of employment, weekly working hours, and perceived health status. The study highlights the seriousness of burnout and work-life conflict among hydropower plant workers, emphasizing the need for administrative and organizational interventions to alleviate these issues. Regular occupational health and safety training, involvement in risk assessments, fair workload distribution, supportive work environments, and counseling services are recommended to reduce burnout and improve work-life balance.

Assessment of occupational exposure to lead among workers engaged in a city bus garage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

BackgroundLead is one of the most nonessential toxic heavy metal agents found in automotive garages. The occupational exposure of garage workers to lead commonly poses acute and chronic health risks that can be prevented. In Ethiopia, there have been limited studies on lead exposure among garage workers, who overemphasize exposure to lead. This study aimed to assess occupational blood lead levels and associated factors in garage workers using a cross-sectional comparative design.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study design was used to compare the occupational blood lead levels of 36 randomly selected garage workers and 34 office workers who were matched by age and sex. Blood specimens were collected by trained medical laboratory experts. The collected blood samples were tested in a certified laboratory using a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) device at a wavelength of 405.78 nm. Excel and SPSS Version 26 were used for data management and analysis, respectively.ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the exposed group was 39.0 (7.5) years, whereas the mean age of the unexposed group was 38.0 (6.1) years. The occupational mean (SD) blood-lead-level in the exposed groups was 29.7 (12.2) µg/dl, compared to 14.8 (9.9) µg/dl among the unexposed groups. The mean blood-lead level among the exposed workers was significantly different from that among the unexposed workers (P < 0.01). Of all the study participants, only 22.2% of the exposed groups had blood lead levels higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 40 µg/dl. The main significant predictors of occupational blood-lead-level exposure among workers were extra working hours, service years, and having a previous (prior) employment history in a garage. The occupations of the two groups did not significantly differ in terms of blood-lead levels (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe BLL of the Garage workers was significantly greater than that of the Non-Garage workers. Hence, it is advised that garage management should encourage workers to use exposure prevention methods, such as washing their hands before eating and taking showers after the completion of work, by providing regular occupational safety training.

Analysis Of Determinants Related To Work Accidents In Nurses In Hospital Dr. Mm Dunda Limboto

Labor is a human resource which is a very important asset and is an inseparable element in the process of production service activities and other supporting elements (Mudjimu, 2019). Hospitals as a part of the health service system generally provide services to the community in the form of health services including medical services, medical support services, medical rehabilitation, and nursing services. This research aims to analyze the determinants of factors related to work accidents among nurses at RSUD. Dr. M.M Dunda Limboto . Analytical survey research method with a cross-sectional study design. The population is all RSUD ASN nurses. MMDunda Limboto has as many as 152 people. Sampling used Simple Random Sampling, the sample size was 110 people which was calculated using the Slovin formula. Analysis was carried out using the chi-square test and linear regression test. The results of the chi-square test research showed age (ρ value 0.000), obesity (ρ value 0.018), education (ρ value 0.000), years of service (ρ value 0.000), knowledge (ρ value 0.000), attitude ( ρ value 0.000). The linear regression test obtained the variable gender and length of service, F counts 13.972 and ρ value 0.000, R=0.455 and R Square =0.207. This research concludes that there is a relationship between age, obesity, education, length of service, knowledge, attitude, and work accidents among nurses at RSUD. Dr. M.M Dunda Limboto . Gender and length of service are the variables most related to work accidents among nurses at RSUD MM Dunda Limboto at 20.7%, a medium level of significance. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses use PPE such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and protective gowns when necessary and take part in regular safety training.

Noise exposure assessment of workers inspecting construction machinery vehicles in the Republic of Korea.

Previous studies have investigated the health hazards caused by exposure to the noise of heavy equipment used at construction sites. Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport operates a registration system for construction machinery, and regular safety inspections are mandatory. Although workers inspecting construction machinery vehicles are exposed to unwanted noise, no noise exposure assessment has been made regarding these workers in Korea. The time-weighted average (TWA) daily average noise exposure level among construction machinery inspectors at 18 inspection centers was 75.3 dB(A). Among the inspection steps, the exhaust gas inspection step was found to exhibit the highest noise exposure level, up to 100 dB(A). In Korea, if the noise level of a workplace exceeds 85 dB(A) as a TWA, workers are required to undergo special medical examinations. This study found that special medical examinations were required for two of the 18 target inspection centers (approximately 115 workers) as the 8-hour TWA noise level exceeded 85 dB(A). Therefore, regular noise exposure assessment and special medical examinations for noise are required to prevent inspectors from developing hearing disorders due to noise exposure.

Navigating Road Traffic Accidents in Jordan: A Retrospective Exploration of the Health and Economic Impacts.

Background Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are considered a major public health threat. The causes of RTAs are multifactorial, comprising both human and non-human factors. RTAs may result not only in detrimental health consequences but also in serious economic burdens. This study aimed to provide a retrospective overview of the health and economic impacts of RTAs in Jordan during the period 2013-2021, including the implemented multisectoral mitigation strategies. Methodology This study presents a retrospective chart review of the traffic reports published by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) in Jordan during the period 2013-2021. The examined variables were the total number of road accidents involving human injuries per year, average road accidents per day, annual deaths, average deaths per day, deaths per 100,000 population, annual number of injuries, average number of injuries per day, severity of human injury, number of registered vehicles, and the annual financial costs. Data were extracted from PSD reports and presented descriptively. Results The number of registered vehicles has risen from 1,263,754 in 2013 to 1,795,215 in 2021 with a 42.1% increase. This was also associated with an increase in the average RTAs per day from 28.0 in 2013 to 30.8 in 2021. The total number of RTAs that involved human injuries during the period 2013-2021 fluctuated with 8,451 in 2020 (lowest) and 11,241 in 2021 (highest). In the same period, annual deaths caused by RTAs peaked in 2013 with 768 deaths (highest) compared to 461 in 2020 (lowest). In the five years from 2017 to 2021, the total financial cost of RTAs in Jordan was nearly 1.561 billion Jordanian Dinars (~2.2 billion U.S. dollars) compared to 1.363 billion Jordanian Dinars (~1.92 billion U.S. dollars) in the five years from 2012 to 2016. Conclusions Targeting human and road infrastructure factors through effective government-society partnerships is crucial in mitigating the health and economic burden of RTAs in Jordan. More strict enforcement of traffic laws, along with incremental increases in the penalties for dangerous traffic violations, and regular road safety campaigns are expected to provide more control over the human factors of RTAs. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of the recently amended traffic law on the trends of RTAs in the country.

Socioeconomic constraints on low‐income individuals' perceptions toward food safety

AbstractFood safety has emerged as a critical concern in Vietnam, posing a significant threat to public health due to the prevalence of unsafe foods in the market. Among those most vulnerable to contaminated foods, low‐income individuals are significantly affected. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of food safety among this demographic, utilizing qualitative and quantitative approaches, including focus groups, survey questionnaires, and behavioral experiments using steamed bun as a stimulus. Participants were generally from low‐income classes with certain variations in household monthly income. Results from focus groups and the survey highlighted that the factors influencing food purchases included perception of safety, sensory properties, and acceptable pricing. The behavioral experiment revealed that participants with lower incomes were more inclined to select foods containing unsafe chemicals. In conclusion, the study underscored the heightened vulnerability of low‐income individuals to unsafe foods, with their perception of food safety bounded by socioeconomic status.Practical ApplicationsThe study highlights the high risk of contaminated food consumption among low‐income individuals in Vietnam, intensified by economic struggles and heightened vulnerability to food insecurity. With this demographic relying on regulations for their health, urgent actions are needed. Governmental policymakers should focus on implementing food safety educational campaigns, promoting affordable and safe alternatives, and providing food aid to economically disadvantaged communities. Mandatory food safety training programs for street food vendors, food handlers, and small businesses, coupled with regular safety practice monitoring, can play a crucial role in mitigating serious consequences. In addition, the research methodologies employed in this study, especially the behavioral experiment approach, can serve as valuable tools for researchers in the field of consumer behavior, enabling them to attain valid and reliable results.

Unsafe-Net: YOLO v4 and ConvLSTM based computer vision system for real-time detection of unsafe behaviours in workplace

AbstractUnsafe behaviour is a leading cause of death or injury in the workplace, including many accidents. Despite regular safety inspections in workplaces, many accidents occur as a result of breaches of occupational health and safety protocols. In these environments, despite efforts to prevent accidents and losses in hazardous environments, human error cannot be completely eliminated. In particular, in computer-based solutions, automated behaviour detection has low accuracy, is very costly, not real-time and requires a lot of time. In this study, we propose Unsafe-Net, a hybrid computer vision approach using deep learning models for real-time classification of unsafe behaviours in workplace. For the Unsafe-Net, a dataset is first specifically created by capturing 39 days of video footage from a factory. Using this dataset, YOLO v4 and ConvLSTM methods are combined for object detection and video understanding to achieve fast and accurate results. In the experimental studies, the classification accuracy of unsafe behaviours using the proposed Unsafe-Net method is 95.81% and the average time for action recognition from videos is 0.14 s. In addition, the Unsafe-Net has increased the real-time detection speed by reducing the average video duration to 1.87 s. In addition, the system is installed in a real-time working environment in the factory and employees are immediately alerted by the system, both audibly and visually, when unsafe behaviour occurs. As a result of the installation of the system in the factory environment, it has been determined that the recurrence rate of unsafe behaviour has been reduced by approximately 75%.

Integrating Safety Practices into the Supply Chain for Sustainable Development in Malaysia's Building Construction Sites

The construction industry plays a vital role in driving sustainable development in Malaysia. However, the sector is also associated with various safety risks and challenges. Safety practices on building construction sites are crucial for the well-being of workers and the overall success of construction projects. This research employs a quantitative approach with descriptive analysis to the extent of the Integration of Safety Practices into the Supply Chain. Utilizing mean and standard deviation calculations, the study analyses rates, compliance levels and other key safety indicators across firms in the construction sectors. Addressing safety concerns at every stage of the supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to final project delivery, stakeholders can mitigate risks, minimize accidents and create a secure working environment. In the context of sustainable development, incorporating safety practices into the supply chain aligns with Malaysia's commitment to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, it contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By prioritizing safety, the construction industry can foster a culture of well-being and productivity, attract skilled workers, and promote responsible business practices. Key safety practices that can be integrated into the supply chain include rigorous supplier vetting, ensuring the use of certified and safe construction materials, implementing proper handling and storage procedures, and conducting regular safety training for all workers involved. Additionally, leveraging technology such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wearables, and real-time monitoring systems can enhance safety management and enable prompt response to potential hazards.

Science lab safety goes immersive: An ecological media-comparison study with gender analyses assessing iVR’s learning effectiveness

We conducted a media-comparison study in ecologically valid settings to understand immersive virtual reality’s (iVR’s) instructional effectiveness in a university science course. We tested how complementing regular science lab safety instruction with interactive iVR simulation, desktop simulation, or the re-viewing of a text-heavy manual compare with each other in terms of knowledge-related and affective learning outcomes. We also explored gender differences in the outcomes across these instructional conditions. 102 undergraduates (51 females) were randomly assigned to one of the instructional conditions. Throughout the one-day course, all students received the same set of instructions, demonstrations, and hands-on lab safety training except for the following: the iVR group engaged with HMD-based interactive lab safety iVR training simulation; the desktop group interacted with the same simulation on a laptop, whereas the remaining group re-viewed the text-heavy course material in detail. Topic knowledge-related and self-report affective data were collected before and immediately after the course. Statistical analyses revealed that: (i) all three instructional modes helped students gain significant lab safety knowledge, (ii) there were several significant between-group differences in multiple affective measures, and (iii) the instructional modes affected/benefited the two genders considerably differently. Besides extending previous findings, the strong ecological grounding of our results adds important insights into real-life implications of integrating different media in undergraduate education. Our gender-related findings merely scratch the surface on the complex issue of “designing for diversity”, inviting scaled-up efforts to develop more equitable technology-enhanced science learning settings to address the cognitive-affective needs of different genders and other diversities.

Działalność Międzyresortowej Komisji ds. Najwyższych Dopuszczalnych Stężeń i Natężeń Czynników Szkodliwych dla Zdrowia w Środowisku Pracy w 2023 r.

In the sixth phase of the national programme “Governmental Programme for Improvement of Safety and Working Conditions” in 2023, three meetings of the Interdepartmental Commission for Maximum Admissible Concentrations and Intensities for Agents Harmful to Health in the Working Environment were considered, during which: eight documentations of the occupational exposure limit values, a position regarding the extension of the transitional period for the OEL for nitrogen oxide by 3 years for the underground mining and tunnel construction sector, the position of the Cobalt Institute, the Group Expert of Chemical and Dust Agents regarding the proposal of the ECHA Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) for OEL values for cobalt and its inorganic compounds (as Co) and the position of the regarding the exemption for nickel and lead compounds included in the annex to the Regulation of MAC and MAI of 2018. The Interdepartmental Commission for MAC and MAI adopted and submitted to the minister responsible for labour three proposals to amend the list of MAC and MAI in the following scope: introduction of occupational concentration values for five new chemical substances, leaving the current MAC value for the inhalable fraction of glyphosate (herbicide), extension by 3 years of the transitional period for the permissible concentration of nitrogen oxide in the underground mining and tunnel construction sector, i.e. until August 21, 2026, removal of exclusions regarding nickel and lead compounds included in the annex to the regulation on NDS and NDN of 2018 (implementation of Directive 2022/431/EU). The results of the Commission’s activities in 2023 were presented in three notes, communication No. XVI, a popular science publication, at the 23rd PTHP Symposium, and in a brochure entitled “Harmful factors in the work environment - limit values for carcinogenic/mutagenic, reprotoxic substances” as well as regular occupational health and safety training and in postgraduate studies.

Algae-Based Supplements Claiming Weight Loss Properties: Authenticity Control and Scientific-Based Evidence on Their Effectiveness.

The worldwide prevalence of obesity impacts more than 600 million adults. Successfully managing weight is effective in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but sustaining long-term weight loss remains a challenge. Although there are supplements based on algae that claim to aid in weight loss, there is a notable scarcity of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, and their regular consumption safety remains inadequately addressed. In this work, commercially available Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis Gomont and/or Fucus vesiculosus L. supplements showed moderate capacity to inhibit the activity of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, and to scavenge biologically relevant reactive species. IC25 values varying between 4.54 ± 0.81 and 66.73 ± 5.91 µg of dry extract/mL and between 53.74 ± 8.42 and 1737.96 ± 98.26 µg of dry extract/mL were obtained for α-glucosidase and aldose reductase, respectively. A weaker effect towards α-amylase activity was observed, with a maximum activity of the extracts not going beyond 33%, at the highest concentrations tested. Spirulina extracts showed generally better effects than those from F. vesiculosus. Similar results were observed concerning the antiradical capacity. In a general way, the extracts were able to intercept the in vitro-generated reactive species nitric oxide (•NO) and superoxide anion (O2•-) radicals, with better results for O2•-scavenging with the spirulina samples (IC25 values of 67.16 and 122.84 µg of dry extract/mL). Chemically, similar pigment profiles were observed between spirulina supplements and the authenticated counterpart. However, fucoxanthin, the chemotaxonomic marker of brown seaweeds, was not found in F. vesiculosus samples, pointing to the occurrence of a degradation phenomenon before, during, or after raw material processing. Our findings can contribute to providing data to allow regulatory entities (e.g., EFSA and FDA) to better rule these products in a way that can benefit society.

Spontaneous Coal Combustion, Direct and Indirect Impact on Mining in China: A Prospective Review and Proposal of a Five-Level Comprehensive Mine Safety Management Structure (5L-CMSMS) Coupled with Hazard Zoning and Barrier Systems

ABSTRACT To prevent, predict, control, and reduce the catastrophe caused by spontaneous coal combustion (SCC), and the subsequent direct and indirect adverse impact on the environment and health, this review proposed a five-level comprehensive mine safety management structure (5 L-CMSMS) to augment the already existing technological interventions. The 5 L-CMSMS features a 3-Phase Model and a continuous review of safety measure/accident prevention program handled at the national level and which can be replicated by all the five levels (i.e. national, provincial, city, district, and the mine). Additionally, hazard zoning and barrier systems to augment the 5 L-CMSMS and the other advanced technology currently being employed to prevent most mine disasters are also proposed. With all incidents and accidents happening principally in the mines, the implementation of a constructive monitoring and supervision team at the facility level by using safety committees, safety officers, and unit heads can reduce the incidents and accidents drastically. With regular and proper safety training, assessment and evaluation, and awareness creation the coal mine safety risk management which is a systematic project and an interconnected organic whole, involving multiple subjects such as enterprise management, enterprise employees, government regulators, and the external environment can be salvaged.

Ageing in Place: Ensuring Home Safety and Adaptations for the Well-Being of Seniors

This paper investigated the living considerations in ageing, emphasizing the importance of ensuring home safety and adaptations for senior well-being. When ageing in place, seniors' desire to remain in their familiar homes is explored to preserve independence and autonomy. This study delved into the existing literature on home safety for seniors, employing methodologies such as home safety assessments and fall incident surveys. The literature review emphasized the significance of home safety for seniors, particularly in preventing falls, a leading cause of injuries among older adults. Strategies such as home modifications, including the installation of grab bars and non-slip flooring, are examined, along with the integration of assistive technology like wearable devices and smart home automation. The study's methodology involves a comprehensive evaluation of home safety through standardized assessment tools, surveying seniors and analyzing the impact of home modifications and assistive technology on safety and well-being. The study revealed variations in home safety assessment scores among seniors, with higher scores corresponding to safer home environments. The number of fall incidents reported by participants in the past year underscores the need for proactive fall prevention strategies. Home modifications and usage of assistive technology, including wearable devices and smart home automation, positively influenced home safety scores. Recommendations include regular home safety assessments, prioritizing fall prevention strategies, education and awareness, individualized solutions, and continuous monitoring. The study concluded that by implementing these recommendations, seniors' safety and quality of life could be enhanced, enabling them to age comfortably and independently while reducing the risks associated with ageing.

Compatibility of the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (Uniform) Based On Standard Operational Procedures in PT Ochiai Menara Indonesia Quality Control Subdivision

This study aims to determine the suitability of using PPE (Uniform) based on SOP in the quality control subdivision of PT Ochiai Menara Indonesia. PT Ochiai Menara Indonesia is a manufacturing company that produces spare parts for the needs of the automotive industry which is located at Jl. Maligi Raya, Lot K-1 Industrial Area KIIC Karawang 41361 West Java Indonesia. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method with triangulation techniques. There were 3 subjects in this study, namely Assistant Manager, Leader, Coordinator of the quality control subdivision of PT. Ochiai tower of Indonesia. The results of the study showed that there was a mismatch in the use of PPE (uniform) when working. The solution to this problem is that management must give a direct warning to employees who wear uniforms that are not in accordance with company SOPs, and must replace uniforms by buying new uniforms from the company. conduct regular safety patrols so that employees comply with all company rules.