Safe Work Practices Research Articles

Perspectives of Safe Work Practices: Improving Personal Electrical Safety of Low-Voltage Systems from Electrical Hazards

A person’s understanding of a safety hazard has a dramatic effect on his or her behavior. An in-depth understanding of a hazard usually results in a healthy respect for what can happen. People who know the most about a specific hazard tend to rely more heavily on procedures and plans to guide their actions. Personal protective equipment selection and use are influenced by increased understanding of a hazard. Training and training programs are influenced by the depth of knowledge held by all members of the line organization. Recent work has focused attention on the thermal effects of arc flashes. However, when electrical energy is converted into thermal energy in an arcing fault, still another energy conversion is taking place. Applications are on record that suggest that a considerable amount of force is created during an arcing fault. Concrete block walls can be destroyed by the increased pressure that is created during an arcing fault. This study is present about preventing injuries to people. We will study about injuries and then develop some understanding about electrical hazards. Also, we will present about safe work practices, responsible, and then about what makes us act as we do.

Perspectives of Safe Work Practices: Improving Personal Electrical Safety of Low-Voltage Systems from Electrical Hazards

Perspectives of Safe Work Practices: Improving Personal Electrical Safety of Low-Voltage Systems from Electrical Hazards

Risk shifting and disorganization in multi-tier contracting chains: The implications for public safety

Organizational responses to financial crises have contributed to workplace changes, including a reliance on multi-tier sub-contracting chains. An extensive research literature discusses the adverse impact of these trends on worker health and safety. Research has shown that economic pressures leading to unsafe practices by contractors, hazardous forms of disorganization in contracting chains and regulatory failure contribute to adverse health and safety outcomes for workers. Less research has addressed the impact of sub-contracting chains on the potential for complex catastrophic incidents in which the public could be impacted. We contribute to a growing body of work on this subject by examining excavation work around high pressure natural gas pipelines in Australia. We draw on past research complemented with concepts from the economics literature to highlight the impact of ‘risk shifting’ as contractors seek to cope with financial pressure in highly competitive sectors. Contract terms incentivize contractors to work as quickly as possible while also prioritizing compliance with safety-related rules. Using qualitative data from 36 face-to-face interviews we discuss the way that supply chains characterized by these types of contracts can lead to situations where the pressure to work quickly means that contractors might trade off safe work practices in order to meet project deadlines and make a profit. We argue that in times of acute financial pressure, safety can become fungible with an associated increase in risk to the public. The findings of this research may have broader implications for other public risk situations in sectors with similar structures and organizational arrangements.

A qualitative assessment of safe work practices in logging in the southern United States.

The logging industry is recognized as one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S., but little is known about safety management practices on remote logging sites. A total of six focus group sessions were held among logging supervisors and front line crew members in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (N = 27 participants). Participants perceived that logging was a dangerous profession, but its risks had been mitigated in several ways, most notably through mechanization of timber harvesting. Log trucking-related incidents were widely identified as the primary source of risk for injury and death on logging work sites. Human error, in general, and being out of the machinery on the work site were highlighted as additional sources of risk. Participants indicated high levels of personal motivation to work in a safe manner but tended to underestimate workplace hazards and expressed widely varying levels of co-worker trust. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:58-68, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Experimental analysis of using examples and non-examples in safety training

IntroductionThe effects of training content consisting of examples and/or non-examples was studied on the acquisition of safety-related skills. MethodParticipants (N=160) were randomly assigned to first receive computer-based training on office ergonomics that included either no examples of safe or at-risk postures, safe examples only, at-risk examples only, or both safe and at-risk examples. Participants then attempted to classify as safe or at-risk various postures depicted in short video clips and demonstrate with their own posture the range of safe postures. ResultsGroups that were trained with both safe and at-risk examples showed greater classification accuracy and less error in their demonstration of safe postures. Training with only safe or at-risk examples resulted in a moderate amount of error and a consistent underestimation of risk. ConclusionTraining content consisting of both examples and non-examples improved acquisition of safety-related skills. Practical applicationsThe strategic selection of training content may improve identification of risks and safe work practices.

A work observation study of nuclear medicine technologists: interruptions, resilience and implications for patient safety

BackgroundErrors by nuclear medicine technologists during the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals or at other times can cause patient harm and may reflect the impact of interruptions, busy work environments and deficient...

A web-based collection and analysis of process safety incidents

Process safety incidents have large consequences on people, community and environment; hence, it is important to have a learning organization to build on lessons learned from incidents both within and outside the organization. In this study, a web-based collection of process safety incidents is categorized and analyzed in a two-tiered manner to identify proximate causes. Further, a risk-based framework is used to determine deficiencies in the safety management systems. 96 incidents were collected and subjected to the analysis. Even though these incidents are from across the world, they are not statistically representative due to the lack of a universal database of process safety incidents. During the analysis, it was observed that 60% of the incidents resulted in explosions and 16% had equipment malfunction as a proximate cause. In addition, the analysis using the risk-based framework showed that incidents were influenced by a deficiency of safe work practices, operating procedures and conduct of operations. Future work in this area includes the development of tools for continuous monitoring of safety critical systems by leveraging lessons learned from previous incidents.

Kako mladim delavcem približati varnost in zdravje pri usposabljanju za delo

Podatki Evropske skupnosti kažejo, da je mlada delovno aktivna populacija v starosti od 18 do 24 let zlasti zaradi pomanjkanja izkušenj in znanja o zagotavljanju varnosti in zdravja pri delu ter nezadostne usposobljenosti za varno in zdravo delo posebej ogrožena v smislu večjega tveganja poškodb pri delu in poklicnih bolezni v primerjavi s preostalo delovno populacijo. Delodajalci morajo vzpostaviti ustrezen sistem za zagotavljanje varnosti in zdravja pri delu s poudarkom na usposabljanju za varno delo dijakov in študentov, ki so na delovni praksi, ter novozaposlenih mladih oseb. Ministrstvo za delo, družino, socialne zadeve in enake možnosti vodi vrsto projektov promocije varnosti in zdravja pri delu, s katerimi si prizadeva spodbuditi kulturo varnosti med mladimi v Sloveniji. Cilj nacionalnega programa uvajanja varnosti in zdravja pri delu v vzgojo in izobraževanje je, da vzgojiteljem in učiteljem ponudi različna orodja in pripomočke, s katerimi bodo lahko mladim na zanimiv način približali varnost in zdravje pri delu.

Transient therapeutic communities: the “living-learning experience” trainings

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe transient therapeutic communities (TCs) and their value for training. Design/methodology/approach – This is a descriptive account which includes the findings of two field study evaluations, and direct participant feedback. It is an exploration of the application of TC and group analytic theory to transient TCs. Findings – The transient TC format is an excellent training format for creating a powerful and effective environment for learning and personal development in the very short time frame of three days. Practical implications – These courses are a very efficient and effective way of promoting reflective practice, enabling environments, and emotionally safe working practices. The trainings are useful for a wide range of people from mental health professions, those working in human resources, and those in senior positions in industrial, commercial and public sector fields. Social implications – This paper will raise awareness that target-driven training is insufficient to improve quality of services beyond a certain point. A relational focus of training is needed to deal with issues of complexity which cannot be resolved by simple managerial methods. This experiential training can help to meet the need for inculcating compassion, kindness, and empathy in its participants. Originality/value – Although other psychotherapy and group relations courses exist, and are used beyond the mental health field, the focus on generating an experience of belonging, emotional safety and democratic empowerment in the relational field of the course itself – by use of TC methodology – is novel, and could be of considerable value more widely.

Posture and lifting exposures for daycare workers

Daycare employees, specifically caregivers, are a distinct population that may experience increased risk of injury due to the high exposure to bent postures, lifting conditions and high stress associated with their work. The objectives of the study were to collect up to date data on daycare workers and to compare the data between groups working with children of different ages (Infant, Toddler and Preschool). The study consisted of two distinct phases: Phase 1 – Questionnaire distribution, Phase 2 – Observation and analysis involving three dimensional postural monitoring and video recording as well as an analysis of the low back forces and moments in lifting. Phase 1: Consisted of the distribution of questionnaires to all employees in each of the participating daycares (n = 73). Of the 73 questionnaires distributed 32 responses were obtained (44%). Of the 32 employees who completed the questionnaires, 19 caregivers volunteered to participate in Phase 2 of the study. An additional 5 caregivers participated in phase 2 of the study, but did not complete any questionnaires. The questionnaires indicated 81% of the workers have experienced low back pain. Phase 2: Observational data were collected on site in five local daycares, throughout the first half of each subject's shift (∼3.5 h). Caregivers from each of the three classroom age groups were recruited for participation in the direct observation (Infant: n = 7, Toddler: n = 7, Preschool: n = 8). Posture analysis revealed that on average, workers adopted trunk flexion angles greater than 55°, for 10% of the collection time, and greater than 70°, for 5% of the collection time. These postures correspond to both moderate and severe flexed postures respectively. The lifting analysis (completed using the data recorded in phase 2) revealed that workers lifted with frequencies of 0.25 lifts/minute, lifted a total weight of 501 kg (over 3.3 h) and experienced average compression and shear forces of 3323 N and 371 N, respectively. A between-group comparison showed that when compared to the Preschool group, the Infant (p = 0.008) and Toddler (p = 0.001) groups demonstrated higher relative flexed postures and lifting frequencies, and the Toddler group (p = 0.023) demonstrated higher total weight lifted. Results suggested that these employees experience an elevated risk of low back injury caused by their occupational tasks and thus, further research is required to determine appropriate worker accommodations and safe work practices to help mediate these risks for all daycare caregivers. Relevance to industryIt is thought that the results from this study could lead to the development of safe working and job sharing guidelines for daycare workers.

Chemical Safety in Academic Laboratories: An Exploratory Factor Analysis of Safe Work Practices & Facilities in a University

<p class="1"><span lang="EN-US">Academic laboratories considered as more hazardous than industry due to relaxed approach of academic management for chemical safety. This study designed to analyze the safe work practices and facilities by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using Varimax rotation. A designed checklist of 26 safety items administered personally in 68 academic laboratories in a Saudi university. From EFA, five factors were extracted: “Availability of laboratory safety documents (5 items, α = 0.92)”, “Maintenance of fume hood (2 items, α = 0.75)”, “Proper chemical storage (3 items, α = 0.64)”, “Proper use of fume hood for chemical handling (4 items, α = 0.62)” and “Laboratory safety labelling (2 items, α = 0.73)”. The results revealed the 5 factors model that grouped 16 safety items that may be crucial for chemical storage, fume hood, laboratory safety plans and labels in the academic laboratories. The extracted factors derived from EFA are expected to help in the development of chemical safety management in the academic laboratories. </span></p>

Managing safely in humanitarian projects

The recent update to the UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations has brought into focus the responsibility of all those involved in construction projects to construct safely. This paper uses experience of scoping, designing and constructing development projects in Costa Rica and Uganda to discuss the role of clients and designers in humanitarian projects in ensuring safety, and the methods that can be used to encourage safe working practices. Humanitarian projects are often constructed with local labour, but designed and specified elsewhere. Consideration at the early stage should be given to both the end user and those carrying out construction when selecting materials, method and structural forms. Although it is unreasonable to expect a change in a country’s attitude towards construction risk in a single project, a variety of methods can be employed to educate, train and incentivise local labour forces to improve awareness and their safety culture.

Toward responsible development and effective risk management of nano-enabled products in the U.S. construction industry

The global construction sector is experiencing major improvements to building materials used in large quantities through commercial applications of nanotechnology. Nano-enabled construction products hold great promise for energy efficiency and resource conservation, but risk assessments lag as new products emerge. This paper presents results from an inventory, survey, and exposure assessment conducted by the authors and explores these findings in the broader context of evolving research trends and responsible development of nanotechnology. An inventory of 458 reportedly nano-enabled construction products provided insight into product availability, potential exposures, and deficiencies in risk communication that are barriers to adoption of proactive safety measures. Seasoned construction trainers surveyed were largely unaware of the availability of nano-enabled construction products. Exposure assessment demonstrated the effectiveness of ventilation to reduce exposures during mechanical abrasion of photocatalytic tiles containing titanium dioxide (TiO2). Dissociated particles of TiO2 just above the nanoscale (138 nm) were detected in the debris collected during cutting of the tiles, but measurements were below recommended exposure limits for TiO2. Exposure assessments remain scarce, and toxicological understanding primarily pertains to unincorporated nanomaterials; less is known about the occupational risks of nano-enabled construction products across their life cycle. Further research is needed to characterize and quantify exposure to debris released from nanocomposite materials for realistic risk assessment, and to ascertain how nanocomposite matrices, fillers, and degradation forces interact to affect release dynamics. Improving risk communication strategies and implementing safe work practices will cultivate responsible development of nanotechnology in construction, as will multidisciplinary research efforts.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of occupational risks in Colombian taxi drivers

Objective. The objective of this study was to learn about the health and safety strategies in a sample of taxi drivers in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 taxi drivers. A survey was used to identify the socio-demographic and working characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices according to their occupational risk. Results. Eighty-five percent of the workers labored 9–15 h/day. Of those who suffered accidents, 27% were not affiliated to an occupational risk administrator (p = 0.028). Of the workers who had a work-related accident, 58% considered that the use of a cell phone while driving would not always reduce their attention, 50% always used their seat belt and 7% took active breaks and wore their seat belt (p = 0.01). Conclusions. Within this group of taxi drivers, having or believing to possess knowledge regarding an occupational risk did not ensure that they had a safe attitude or safe working practices.

Practices of Health Care Personnel Regarding Occupational Exposure.

With advancing health care sciences, the prevalence of Accidental Exposure to Patient's Blood (AEBP) amongst Health Care Personnel (HCP) is bound to increase. The only means of preventing such accidental exposure is safe working practices. It is the responsibility of the teachers to inculcate these practices amongst their students. To evaluate the knowledge, practice and attitude regarding Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Hepatitis-B Virus (HBV) immunization amongst faculty and undergraduate students and to assess the frequency of these occupational exposure with the objective of inculcating safe working practices in the teaching curriculum. The present study is a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study done from May 2012 to August 2012 in a newly established ESIC dental college at Rohini, Delhi. A 36-item survey questionnaire was distributed to 50 faculty and 115 dental undergraduate students. The survey included questions on demographic details of the respondents, the prevalence of AEBP, the knowledge regarding PEP and HBV immunization and the status of the respondents. The data was analysed using SPSS 12.0 software using various statistical tests such as frequency analysis, Chi-square test and others. The mean age of the study group was 23.3±6.3 years. The prevalence of such accidental exposure was high being 49.7% in our study group. More than half of these respondents did not report the injury. The knowledge regarding the transmissibility of blood borne pathogens and the post exposure prophylaxis was suboptimal amongst the students and even teachers. Almost 20% of the study group was not immunized for HBV. Managing AEBP in HCP is a challenging issue. They are highly prevalent, largely underreported and poorly managed because of the unawareness regarding the hospital's protocols for reporting and PEP as is seen in the present study. Besides the administrative measures, orientation and reinforcement training of all the staff including faculty is desirable to maintain high level of knowledge and effectively handle such occupational exposure.

Key Element Performance In Occupational Safety And Health Management System In Organization (A Literature)

Setting an effective safety and health management system is crucial in order to reduce problem relating to accident and ill in management organizational. It is involve with multiple level of management and stakeholders who empower the organization to the management in handling the safety and health cases and issues in organizational. It is necessary to prepare a well knowledge about safety and health management systems and preparing the framework for setting a certain scale in measuring its performance in this area. The successful or failure of management does showing the capability of the organization in delivering the responsible to management levels [1]. The problem in safe work issues and practices cause by the management commitment and involvement that create improper safety program and procedures, and this crisis keep continuing till present [2]. This paper describes about key element of safety and health management system and measuring the performance in order to get an effective management system in organization that describes the process in achieving effectiveness in management. The literature review will be conducted through the data collection from research findings and defined the strong character of key element in which focusing on measuring performance. A guide on key element performance in occupational safety and health management system is specifically drawn to prepare for a future research.

Awareness of blood-borne infections and burden of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids among health care personnel in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Background and Objectives:Occupational exposures (OEs) to blood and body fluids (BBFs) pose significant risk of transmission of blood-borne infections (BBIs) to health care personnel (HCP) and are grossly underreported. We aimed to study the awareness of BBIs and their prevention, burden of OEs, assess factors contributing to them and their poor reporting and assess the practices for their prevention among HCP.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital located in south India used a self-administered questionnaire to assess the awareness of BBIs, attitude and practice of HCP for prevention of OEs, and to quantify the burden of exposures. All formally self-reported OEs during the study period of 2 years were documented prospectively.Results:Majority (369/401, 92%) of HCP surveyed had fair general awareness of BBIs. Though 90% were aware of the concept of universal precautions (UPs), self-reported adherence to barrier precautions was acceptable in only 80%. Overall, 56% and 46% of HCP were aware of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) respectively. Eighteen percent (74/401) were either not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated against hepatitis B. Recapping of used needles was reported by 79% (317/401). Nearly half (208/401) reported OEs over preceding year and 70% (146/208) of exposed had not formally reported them. Over the 2-year study period, 53 formally self-reported exposures were documented prospectively. Needle stick injuries accounted for 83% of the exposures, and appropriate personal protective devices were not being used during 47% of exposures. Though doctors had the highest awareness, they reported lowest adherence to barrier precautions and highest burden of exposures (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Though majority of HCP had fair awareness of BBIs, it did not translate into adequate adherence to UPs and safe practices. High burden of OEs and their poor reporting emphasize the need to motivate our HCP to adhere to safe work practices and to promptly seek professional counselling after exposures. There is an urgent need to educate HCP about the availability and effectiveness of PEP for HIV and hepatitis B. A uniform national policy for prevention and reporting of OEs has to be framed.

Nurse to Nurse Hostility: A Cause of Concern

Workplace aggression can have devastating effects on nurse's productivity and their morale. Usually the young and the novice nurses are the victims of lateral violence. Nurse to nurse hostility is the perfect crime which sabotages the work environment and creates a sense of insecurity among nurses. If left unaddressed, the impact is felt at all levels: individual, professional and organizational. Workplace bullying can take a major toll on nurse's mental health as well as creating serious physical consequences. It is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any workplace. Nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing have the right to work in a safe and healthy work environment free from violence and aggression. Hence it is the need of the hour for the organizations to chalk out the strategies to control and prevent nurse to nurse hostility and promote safe working practices in health care industries for the nurses. Nurse administrators should emphasize the need for nurses to communicate any questions or concerns they may have about hazards of horizontal hostility. This article examines the many facets of nurse to nurse hostility and suggests ways to deal with it and move toward more healthy styles of relationships and interactions in the work environment.

Effect of STOP technique on safety climate in a construction company.

Safety programs are a core part of safety management in workplaces that can reduce incidents and injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Safety Training Observation Program (STOP) technique as a behavior modification program on safety climate in a construction company. This cross-sectional study was carried out on workers of the Petrochemical Construction Company, western Iran. In order to improve safety climate, an unsafe behavior modification program entitled STOP was launched among workers of project during 12 months from April 2013 and April 2014. The STOP technique effectiveness in creating a positive safety climate was evaluated using the Safety Climate Assessment Toolkit. 76.78% of total behaviors were unsafe. 54.76% of total unsafe acts/ at-risk behaviors were related to the fall hazard. The most cause of unsafe behaviors was associated with habit and unavailability of safety equipment. After 12 month of continuous implementation the STOP technique, 55.8% of unsafe behaviors reduced among workers. The average score of safety climate evaluated using of the Toolkit, before and after the implementation of the STOP technique was 5.77 and 7.24, respectively. The STOP technique can be considered as effective approach for eliminating at-risk behavior, reinforcing safe work practices, and creating a positive safety climate in order to reduction incidents/injuries.

Influence of multiple factors on the incidence of occupational blood and body fluid exposures in health care workers in Guizhou, China: A structural equation modeling approach

We investigated the influence of multiple factors on the incidence of occupational blood and body fluid exposures (BBFEs) in health care workers (HCWs) in Guizhou, China, using structural equation modeling (SEM). SEM tested in general hospitals was evaluated using survey data from a sample of 1,774 HCWs from 25 hospitals in Guizhou, China, between January and April2014. The incidence of occupational BBFEs in HCWs was affected by HCWs' knowledge of safe work practices, HCWs' belief in their ability to use safe work practices, HCWs' use of safe work practices, the workplace safety environment, sufficiency of the controls implemented at health care facilities, and workloads. Knowledge of safe work practices had the most influence on the incidence of occupational BBFE in doctors and laboratory technicians. Ability to use safe work practices had the most influence on the incidence of occupational BBFEs in nurses. The workplace safety environment, sufficiency of controls implemented at health care facilities, HCWs' knowledge of safe work practices, HCWs' belief in their ability to use safe work practices, HCWs' use of safe work practices, and workload influence the incidence of occupational BBFEs in HCWs.