Safety Executive Research Articles

An insight on technical regulations for new activities in space

Space Traffic Management (STM) is becoming increasingly important as new space activities emerge, such as mega-constellations, on-orbit servicing etc. These developments, although promising great advances, nevertheless present complicated issues that demand stringent technical constraints. Effective STM necessitates extensive rules to ensure the safety, sustainability, and orderly execution of space operations. This research emphasizes the critical need for updated technical regulations that address the operational complexities involved with these new activities. It seeks to build a secure and collaborative space environment by establishing detailed legislative frameworks and emphasizing international cooperation, so ensuring the long-term profitability and success of space exploration and usage. Through meticulous analysis, the paper identifies regulatory gaps and proposes a robust framework capable of accommodating the evolving landscape of regulations. Drawing upon humanity's collective experience across different domains, the proposed framework aims to foster responsible growth in outer space while safeguarding its integrity for future generations. This paper examines the existing regulatory framework applicable to four distinct categories of New Technologies and Activities in space; identifies gaps where they exist; and suggests a capable and robust regulatory framework. This framework leverages humankind's experience in other domains to nurture and assist responsible growth in the outer space domain while ensuring proper stewardship of that domain, now and in the future. This paper is based on the report prepared by members of working group 4.2 of the Space Traffic Management Committee (TC 26).

Presence of asbestos in building materials and soils in postfire areas of Mati, Kineta and Varimbombi in Greece.

The present study was carried out to determine the presence of asbestos in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas of Attica, Greece affected by wildfires between 2018 and 2021. It concerns the first major campaign that took place in Greece. The samples tested in this work were collected from prespecified buildings of the burned area. The samples included different types of building materials such as bricks, wall coatings, insulation plates etc. Soil samples nearby the buildings were also collected to examine dispersion of the fibers. The identification of asbestos was based on the optical properties of the fibrous particles and was performed with stereo microscope and Polarized Light Microscopy according to P401 provided by BOHS (Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 2021). Scanning Electron Microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was also used to validate the presence of asbestos and determine its chemical composition. In this work, 2 different types of asbestos were determined, chrysotile and crocidolite. In some cases, fragments of asbestos containing materials were also detected in the afore-mentioned soil samples indicating dispersion of asbestos containing debris in an area around the burned spots. The presence of asbestos that was identified in this preliminary study could raise concerns to humans in the urban areas. For that reason, a risk assessment for the identified asbestos containing materials (ACMs) was conducted according to the guidelines on management and abatement of ACMs of Health and Safety Authority and the Asbestos: Survey guide, Appendix 4: Material assessment algorithm of Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Asbestos and the skills gap

The asbestos sector is unique within the built environment. The history of asbestos extends well beyond the 100 years that we are commonly aware of. It is known to be one of the most devastating workplace killers, with figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) demonstrating a current trend of approximately 5,000 deaths annually attributed to diseases caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. This paper looks at the highly specialised job roles that the industry struggles to attract fresh talent into. It summarises some of the statistics and make observations as to how asbestos continues to be a prevailing hazard affecting management, maintenance and modernisation of aging buildings across the UK. The aim is to continue to help educate the built environment sector about a unique culture of highly specialised persons that float between and around the realms of inspection, testing, certification, occupational hygiene, health and safety, and construction and demolition. The paper comments on the position of the industry in the current economic climate and proposes a change of attitude and understanding to progress and ensure the risk to human health posed by asbestos continues to be reduced and quality of service delivery improved.

Noise in operating theatres, is it safe?

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a condition caused by repeated exposure to loud noise, with operating theatre personnel potentially at risk. The aims of this study were to establish the typical noise levels in orthopaedic theatres and to compare these to The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. We measured the average noise levels in 40 trauma and orthopaedic surgeries in a single centre. We used the Decibel X app to take measurements, then performed corrections to ascertain noise levels at the surgeon's ear (Leq). The daily noise exposure level for theatre staff for each procedure (LEP, d) and the LEP, d over an average 8-hour working day when performing different groups of procedures were calculated. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-test and the Pearson coefficient of correlation. The LEP, d lower action value (80 dBA) as set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was met by performing a single revision total knee replacement or a right open ankle debridement. Assuming three procedures are conducted per list, lists consisting of joint replacements (82 dBA) or medium elective procedures (81 dBA) exceed this lower limit. Additionally, lists comprising large and medium bone fractures would be within 1 dB of the limit (79 dBA and 79 dBA, respectively). Soft tissue (74 dBA), arthroscopic (73 dBA), and small bone fracture (71 dBA) procedures had the lowest LEP, d. The greatest contributors to noise levels were surgical instruments. The number of people in the room made a significant difference to noise levels (p = 0.032). We have established the baseline noise levels in various orthopaedic procedures. Measures should be taken to meet UK regulations. Further research should determine suitable measures for protection from hearing damage for theatre staff and evaluate the risks high noise levels pose to patients.

What is the relationship between resilience and perceived levels of workplace stress among middle leaders in education?

ABSTRACT According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there has been a 36.5% rise in reported cases of work-related stress between 2018/19 and 2019/20, to over 822,000 individual cases. Europe stress-related absence was second only to musculoskeletal disorders, with estimated work-related stress costing European companies 20 billion euros per year and accounted for nearly 60% of lost working days. This paper focuses on the under-researched area of stress among middle leaders in education. While it is widely reported that teachers face high levels of stress, as a result of organisational pressures, there is a paucity of research on middle leaders. This paper considers whether there will be a significant negative relationship between self-reported levels of resilience and self-reported levels of stress amongst 61 middle leaders. The two sets of data were subjected to cross-correlational quantitative analysis to establish the strength of the relationships between each of the six dimensions of resilience on perceived stress. Among the findings, a key result was that the question in the title was answered, namely that high resilience results in low stress in middle leaders in education. However, it was more nuanced than this and there were factors such as levels of peer support and an individual’s perception of their future which did contribute to a reduction in perceived levels of stress. The findings suggest that senior leaders in education have a greater impact on middle leaders’ levels of resilience and perceived levels of stress than they may think.

Real time monitoring of carbon dioxide levels in surgical helmet systems worn during hip and knee arthroplasty

BackgroundOrthopaedic surgical helmet systems (SHS) rely on an intrinsic fan to force clean external air over the wearer. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced through aerobic metabolism and can potentially accumulate inside the SHS. Levels above 2500 ppm have previously been shown to affect cognitive and practical function. Maximum Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 8-h exposure limit is 5000 ppm. There is a paucity of data on real-world CO2 levels experienced during arthroplasty surgery whilst wearing a SHS. ObjectivesTo determine intra-operative levels of CO2 experienced within SHS. MethodsCO2 levels were continuously recorded during 30 elective arthroplasties, both primary and revision. Data was recorded at 0.5Hz throughout the procedure utilising a Bluetooth CO2 detector, worn inside a surgical helmet worn with a toga gown. Five surgeons contributed real time data to the study. ResultsThe average CO2 level across all procedures was 3006 ppm, with 23 of the cases measured within the surgeons’ helmets having a mean above 2500 ppm, but none having a mean above 5000 ppm. For each procedure, the time spent above 2500 and 5000 ppm was calculated, with the means being 72.6 % and 5.4 % respectively. Minimum fan speed was associated with only a marginally higher mean CO2 value than maximum fan speed. DiscussionThe use of surgical helmet systems for elective orthopaedic surgery, can result in CO2 levels regularly rising to a point which may affect cognitive function. ConclusionFurther research is needed to corroborate these findings however, we recommend that future designs of SHS include active management of exhaust gases, possibly returning to Charnley's original design principles of the body exhaust system.

A Systematic Review of the Socio-Legal Dimensions of Responsible AI and Its Role in Improving Health and Safety in Construction

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction industry could revolutionise workplace safety and efficiency. However, this integration also carries complex socio-legal implications that require further investigation. Presently, there is a research gap in the socio-legal dimensions of AI use to enhance health and safety regulations and protocols for the construction sector in the United Kingdom, particularly in understanding how the existing legal frameworks can adapt to AI integration effectively. Comprehensive research is indispensable to identify where the existing regulations may fall short or require more specificity in addressing the unique implications introduced by AI technologies. This article aims to address the pressing socio-legal challenges surrounding the integration of AI in the UK construction industry, specifically in enhancing health and safety protocols on construction sites, through a systematic review encompassing the PRISMA protocol. The review has identified that the existing legal and regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for risk management. Still, it needs to sufficiently account for the socio-legal dimensions introduced by AI deployment and how AI may evolve in the future. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will require standardised authorities to effectively oversee the use of AI in the UK construction industry. This will enable the HSE to collect data related to AI processes and carry out technical, empirical, and governance audits. The provision of sufficient resources and the empowerment of the HSE within the context of the construction industry are critical factors that must be taken into consideration to ensure effective oversight of AI implementation.

Investigation of occupational stress among radiologic technologists in Saudi Arabia using HSE stress indicator tool

BackgroundThe increasing concern about occupational stress and its effects on radiologic technologists (RTs) has been noted, as it can lead to decreased productivity and compromised healthcare quality. This study aimed to evaluate occupational stress and pinpoint the primary indicators of organizational psychosocial hazard exposures among RTs working in hospitals under the Saudi Ministry of Health. The Health and Safety Executive Indicator Tools (HSE-IT) for occupational stress were utilized for this assessment. MethodsThe study employed a cross-sectional online survey that utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method was based on the HSE-IT, which focuses on six HSE Management Standards that represent potential stress hazards, namely: demands, control, support, relationships, roles, and change. The qualitative method, on the other hand, was based on narrative comments that shed light on the most common sources of occupational pressure and suggestions on how to alleviate this pressure in the radiology department. ResultsA total of 864 responses were collected from RTs in Saudi Arabia. This study revealed that urgent action was needed for demand, managers’ support, workplace relationship, and organizational roles, while assessment of control and organizational change standards were indicated as a “clear need for improvement” and “good, but in need of improvement”, respectively. This study identified particular areas of concern such as workload, shortage of staff, lack of control, feedback, social support, personal harassment, job description, and consultation of staff with changes in their work environment. The relationship between the sociodemographic data and the overall stress results revealed statistically significant differences related to gender (P = 0.020), living place, and working night shifts (P = 0.003). ConclusionThe study found that the risks of occupational stress for RTs are substantial and are not being appropriately addressed. The need for awareness to manage occupational stress is warranted, and therefore, this study presented recommendations for reducing the risks associated with occupational stress.

Manual rolling load and low back pain among workers in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

Manual rolling of heavy objects remains in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom recommends load weights of <400kg in the rolling task. However, the association of rolling weights <400kg with work-related low back pain (LBP) has not been sufficiently investigated. This study examined the effect of rolling loads weighing <400kg on LBP among Japanese workers. A web-based survey gathered information from 15 158 workers in 2022. Among them, 15 035 did not handle loads, whereas 123 handled rolling weights <400kg. Load weight was categorized into 4 groups: no-handling (0kg) and rolling weights of ≤20, 20-40, and >40kg. Multiple logistic regression analysis examined the association between the subdivided rolling weight and LBP. No significant differences in odds ratio (OR) of LBP were found for workers handling ≤40kg rolling weights compared with that for no-handling workers. However, workers handling >40kg rolling weights had a significantly greater OR of LBP than those not handling loads. Rolling weights between 40 and 400kg could place a high stress on the lower back. Implementation in Japan of the HSE recommendations regarding rolling load should be carefully considered.

Study on impact of robotic-assisted orthopaedic industrial noise (SIREN).

The aim of this study was to evaluate noise exposure to the operating room staff consisting of the surgeon, assistant, anaesthetist and Mako Product Specialist (MPS) during Mako robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). We aimed to determine whether employees were exposed to noise at or above a lower exposure action value (LEAV) set out by the Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK. We prospectively recorded intra-operative noise levels in Mako robotic-arm assisted TKA and THA over a period of two months using the MicW i436 connected to an iOS device (Apple), using the Sound Level Meter App (iOS) by the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH). Data obtained was then used to calculate "worst case" daily exposure value to assess if sound levels were compliant with UK guidelines. Comparison between operating room staff groups was performed with ANOVA testing. A total of 19 TKA and 11 THA operations were recorded. During TKA, for the primary surgeon and the assistant, the equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) was over 80 dB, exceeding the LEAV set out by the Noise at Work Regulations by HSE. During THA, the average LAeq and peak sound pressure levels did not exceed the LEAV. The calculated daily exposure for the primary surgeon in TKA was 82 dB. A Tukey post hoc test revealed that LAeq was statistically significantly lower in the anaesthetist and MPS (p < .001) compared to the primary surgeon and assistant in both TKA and THA. Operating room staff, particularly the primary surgeon and assistant are exposed to significant levels of noise during Mako robotic-arm assisted TKA and THA. Formal assessments should be performed to further assess the risk of noise induced hearing loss in robotic-arm assisted arthroplasty.

AUV instantaneous velocity estimation method based on azimuth and Doppler shift

Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), as a new underwater operation platform, has been widely used in the field of ocean engineering. AUV underwater condition monitoring is an important guarantee for the safety and effective execution of AUV operations. To meet the requirement of real-time and high-precision underwater instantaneous velocity monitoring of AUV, this paper proposed an AUV instantaneous velocity estimation method. The method takes the target azimuth and Doppler shift as the observation information. It comprehensively uses the geometric relationship among the target azimuth, heading angle, radial velocity angle, and the physical relationship between Doppler and radial velocity to construct an AUV instantaneous velocity estimation model based on distributed dual acoustic observation nodes. We derive the analytical solution of AUV speed and heading angle and analyze the influence of each observation error on the estimation precision of the algorithm. The research and practical data processing results show that the proposed method can effectively estimate the instantaneous velocity of AUV. Compared with the traditional method based on position difference, it has the advantages of high estimation precision, is not limited by frame interval, and is adaptive to many kinds of motion modes. When AUV moves in a straight line at a uniform speed, the precision of speed estimation and heading angle estimation of the algorithm proposed in the paper is 0.506 m/s and 6.146°, which is equivalent to that of the traditional method based on position difference with 50 frame intervals.

Overview and Correlation Between Work Stress and Dry Eyes Syndrome among Nurses in Indonesia

Exhausted nurses in providing nursing care can impact work stress. Many factors cause work stress. Work stress is the type of psychological stress that reduces the lacrimal gland's activity, affecting dry eye syndrome. The study aims to analyze the correlation between work stress and nurses' dry eye syndrome in Nganjuk General Hospital. The study was a descriptive correlative observational with a cross-sectional design. The sample was 84 nurses, taken by simple random sampling. Data were collected using Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Ocular Surface Disease (OSDI) questionnaires. The study showed nurses experienced mild stress (96.43%) and moderate dry eye syndrome (36.90%). There was a positive correlation between work stress and dry eye syndrome in nurses in the weak category (r=0.356; p= 0.001&lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences in work stress by age, gender, working period, and marital status (p=0.388; p=0.687 p=0.730; p = 0.839 &gt; α 0.05). There was a significant difference in work stress based on education (p=0.033 &lt; α 0,05). There were no significant differences in dry eye syndrome with age, gender, working period, and marital status (p=0.644; p=0.436; p= 0.865; p=0.072; p=0.719 &gt; α 0,05). The study conclusion is that work stress is related to dry eyes syndrome. Apart from that, work stress is also influenced by the level of education. Therefore, interventions to reduce work stress in nurses should pay attention to education level to reduce the risk of dry eyes syndrome.

Probabilistic Analysis of Basic Causes of Vessel–Platform Allision Accidents

This paper proposes a methodology to estimate the probability of basic causes of allision accidents between vessels and offshore platforms that overcomes the problem of data scarcity required for causal analysis. The approach uses information derived from incidental data and expert elicitation, processed by a multiple attribute utility method and hierarchical Bayesian analysis. First, the methodology is detailed, briefly describing the adopted approaches. A dataset of allision incidents provided mainly by the UK Health and Safety Executive and other agencies is prepared. The features of the incidents’ causation in terms of the causal factors and basic causes are presented and discussed. A novel scheme is proposed to evaluate the annual occurrence rates of basic causes of accidents from the relative importance of each basic cause derived by the Deck of Cards method. Then, a hierarchical Bayesian analysis is conducted to predict the posterior distribution of the occurrence rate of each basic cause in the time frame under analysis. The proposed holistic methodology provides transparent estimates of allision causation probabilities from limited and heterogeneous datasets.

Health and Safety Performance of UK Universities and How to Improve It

BackgroundThis research suggested a method for evaluating health and safety performance as a combination of reactive and active monitoring. MethodsA number of Freedom of Information requests (FoI) were sent to the Health and safety Executive (HSE) and 100 UK universities. Data on the number of reportable incidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences were compiled for UK universities and combined with the Impact Ranking for good health and well-being. A semi-structured survey was used to identify best H&S practices. Subsequently, the effect of workers' involvement in H&S management on RIDDOR and near-miss reports, was investigated using statistical analysis. ResultsA ranking of UK universities that perform highly in Health and Safety (H&S) was assembled and selected universities were contacted to identify best practices. Best practices were divided into three categories: team management, roles and responsibilities, and H&S performance monitoring. One of the findings demonstrated a reverse dependence between provision of a refresher training in risk assessments and a number of reported RIDDOR incidents. ConclusionHealth and Safety professionals in the universities may find it useful to reflect on these findings and the identified best practices in order to improve the H&S performance in their own organisations.

Factors associated with burnout among healthcare providers in a rural context, South Africa.

Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at risk of burnout in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is little research in rural and primary care settings. To evaluate burnout and its associated factors among public sector HCPs in South Africa. Primary health care clinics, community health centres and district hospitals in Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga province. Quantitative study design using a cross-sectional survey. Healthcare providers (n= 1139) working in Nkomazi Local Municipality were invited to participate. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. A demographic and occupational questionnaire, the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire and the Health and Safety Executive Indicator Tool were used. A total of 302 HCPs, between 23 and 61 years, mostly female (n= 252; 83.44%) and nurses (n= 235; 77.81%) participated. High burnout was observed for Emotional Exhaustion (median score 26 [IQR {interquartile range}: 34-16]) and Personal Accomplishment (median score 29 [IQR: 34-25]). Most participants (n= 215; 71.19%) would seek help if they had an emotional problem. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations between workplace demands, control, management support, peer support, relationships, role and change with all subscales of burnout. Multivariate regression analysis found that Personal Accomplishment improved by 0.49 (95% CI: 0.10-0.89) for every point in improved work demands, by 0.84 (95% CI: 0.01-1.67) for every point towards improved management support and by 1.19 (95% CI: 0.48-1.90) for every point towards having an improved role. During 2022, HCPs working in a rural area in South Africa displayed high levels of burnout for Emotional Exhaustion and Personal Accomplishment but not for Depersonalisation.Contributions:Improvements in work demands, managerial support and role clarity may reduce burnout among HCP in a rural, primary care setting.

Health and Safety Executive research on wood dust exposure controls in British manufacturing.

To generate new intelligence on occupational exposure to wood dust in woodworking manufacturing activities in Britain, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) performed 22 occupational hygiene site visits to assess exposure and exposure controls between 2014 and 2017. The work aimed to characterise good practice and therefore sites with a poor health and safety record, as identified from HSE inspection records, were not invited to participate. Sites selected covered furniture production, joinery, saw milling, and boat building and repair. Twenty-three follow-up telephone interviews were also carried out across 15 of the companies with supervisors and managers to explore how they tried to promote good practice among the workforce, and if there are any potential challenges encountered. The aim of the interviews was to gain a better understanding of how to enable organisations to improve the management of wood dust exposure. This study found that 6.0% of all wood dust exposure measurements (15 out of 252) were above 5 mg/m³, and 17.6% of exposures to hardwood dust or mixtures of hardwood and softwood dust (38 out of 216) were above 3 mg/m³ (the then current and future workplace exposure limits). Sanding, cleaning, and maintenance activities were of particular concern. Improvements to exposure controls are required, in particular, improvements to local exhaust ventilation controls for hand-held power tools and hand sanding. The management, selection, and use of respiratory protective equipment were poor. All the managers and supervisors recognised that exposure to wood dust can pose serious health risks, and that controls were crucial to protecting workers' health. The findings from the telephone interviews suggest that supervision and provision of information about the health effects of exposure to wood dust were common approaches that organisations used to raise awareness and promote good practice, in relation to managing wood dust exposure. Worker attitudes towards controls, such as perceptions that they hinder task completion and habitual ways of working, were identified as factors influencing the use of controls. Risk communication approaches that focus on increasing workers' awareness of their susceptibility to ill-health using credible sources, such as peers, can help enhance the uptake of messages on the use of controls. Financial constraints were identified as a challenge to improving the control of wood dust, particularly for small companies.

Unlocking Prevalence Data: Describing the Job Stress and Well-being of U.S. Correctional Nurses.

Little is known about the health and well-being of U.S. correctional nurses. To protect correctional nurses, a better understanding of organizational characteristics, job stress, and well-being must be undertaken. A cross-sectional design was used in the form of an online survey. Correctional nurses were conveniently recruited using national listservs and snowball sampling. Variables were measured with the Health & Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool, Nurse Wellbeing Index, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analyses of variance. Two hundred seventy participants (142 registered nurses, 83 licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses, and 42 advanced practice nurses) completed the survey. Job stress scored moderate (M = 16.26, SD = 7.14), and well-being levels were just below the risk for adverse events (M = 1.8, SD = 3.06). Lower scores were noted for managerial support (M = 3.13, SD = 0.35) and job demands (M = 3.56, SD = 0.92), but slightly better for job control (M = 3.57, SD = 0.77), peer support (M = 3.85, SD = 0.64), and workplace relationships (M = 3.73, SD = 0.95). Significant differences between organizational characteristics, job stress, and well-being were found across nursing licensure, workplace environments, biological sex, and employment through state or private agencies. Registered nurses working in U.S. prisons experienced the highest job stress and worse well-being. This work is an essential next step in promoting healthy workspaces, urging the need for further research establishing the impact of organizational characteristics and job stress on nurse well-being.

Investigating the role of organizational stress in nurses' psychosomatic complaints: Evidence from a study in northeastern Italy

&lt;abstract&gt;&lt;sec&gt; &lt;title&gt;Background&lt;/title&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nursing is pivotal to healthcare delivery but is often associated with high levels of organizational stress. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to organizational stressors, measured using the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool, and psychosomatic complaints among nurses in a medium-sized city hospital in northeastern Italy.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/sec&gt;&lt;sec&gt; &lt;title&gt;Methods&lt;/title&gt; &lt;p&gt;A total of 215 nurses participated in the study, completing self-report questionnaires assessing organizational stressors and the prevalence of psychosomatic complaints experienced over the preceding six months.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/sec&gt;&lt;sec&gt; &lt;title&gt;Results&lt;/title&gt; &lt;p&gt;Significant associations were observed between various organizational stressors and psychosomatic complaints among nurses. Specifically, the Relationships factor emerged as a significant predictor of palpitations, irritability, anxiety, physical and mental tiredness, and headache. Additionally, Demands and Managers' support were identified as significant predictors of specific psychosomatic complaints.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/sec&gt;&lt;sec&gt; &lt;title&gt;Conclusion&lt;/title&gt; &lt;p&gt;This study highlights the critical role of addressing organizational stressors, particularly those related to interpersonal relationships, in promoting nurse well-being and optimizing patient care delivery. Despite its strengths, including the use of a well-established measurement tool and a comprehensive assessment of psychosomatic complaints, limitations such as the cross-sectional design and self-report measures warrant consideration. By prioritizing supportive work environments and implementing targeted interventions, healthcare organizations can cultivate a culture of well-being among nurses, ultimately enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare delivery.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/sec&gt;&lt;/abstract&gt;

Working conditions, psychological distress and suicidal ideation: cross-sectional survey study of UK junior doctors.

Evidence attests a link between junior doctors' working conditions and psychological distress. Despite increasing concerns around suicidality among junior doctors, little is known about its relationship to their working conditions. To (a) establish the prevalence of suicidal ideation among junior doctors in the National Health Service; (b) examine the relationships between perceived working conditions and suicidal ideation; and (c) explore whether psychological distress (e.g. symptoms of depression and anxiety) mediates these relationships. Junior doctors were recruited between March 2020 and January 2021, for a cross-sectional online survey. We used the Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards Tool; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21; and Paykel Suicidality Scale to assess working conditions, psychological distress and suicidality, respectively. Of the 424 participants, 50.2% reported suicidal ideation, including 6.1% who had made an attempt on their own life. Participants who identified as LGBTQ+ (odds ratio 2.18, 95% CI 1.15-4.12) or reported depression symptoms (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.07-1.14) were more likely to report suicidal ideation. No direct relationships were reported between working conditions (i.e. control, support, role clarity, strained relationships, demand and change) and suicidal ideation. However, depression symptoms mediated all six relationships. This sample of junior doctors reported alarming levels of suicidal ideation. There may be an indirect relationship between working conditions and suicidal ideation via depressive symptoms. Clearer research exploring the experience of suicidality in junior doctors is needed, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Systematic interventions addressing working environment are needed to support junior doctors' mental health.

Hazardous area classification for in flammable liquid storage tanks

Many chemical plants use flammable liquids as raw materials or produce flammable liquids. In both cases, the flammable medium will most likely need to be stored. One option is to use storage tanks. Currently, in Hungary, the fire and explosion protection requirements for upright cylindrical steeltanks are laid down in MSZ 9910-2:1993 and for horizontal cylindrical steeltanks in MSZ 9909-3:1998, supplemented by the MSZ 15633 series of standards. These standards have not changed in the last 30 years and have not followed the innovations in the field, unlike NFPA 497:2021; NFPA 59A:2023; API RP 505:2018; Area Classification Code for Installations Handling Flammable Fluids Part 15:2005 (IP 15); Health and Safety Executive (HSE) HSG 176 Storage of flammable liquid in tanks, 2nd edition:2015 and EIC 60079-10-1:2008. The aim of this study is to compare the conclusions of these standards and to propose a new standard that could be applied in Hungary.