Safety Initiatives Research Articles

Assessment of Fire Safety Management for Special Needs Schools in South Africa

The safety and well-being of learners with special educational needs in South Africa remain a paramount concern, significantly impacting their constitutional rights and dignity. Despite legislative commitments aimed at fostering inclusive education, a pervasive absence of adequate fire safety measures in special needs schools (SNSs) in South Africa has persisted, leading to the vulnerability of these learners. Tragic incidents, such as fatal fires in these schools, as reported in the literature, underscore the urgent need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety and security of these learners, especially with regards to fire hazards. This study, conducted within the Northwest Province of South Africa, assessed the state of fire safety management in SNSs by applying a series of chi-squared (χ2) tests of independence for categorical variables, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), Version 20 and found that limited access to power is the potential root cause of fires in these schools; also, the limited amount of fire safety initiatives was a problem. In addition, the ordinal regression showed a statistically significant relationship when the question of to what extent the learners in the sampled schools are involved in fire safety programs was regressed with the questions of whether management and stakeholders were involved in fire safety programs and also on taking part in the physical fire safety programs (χ2 = 47.412; df = 2; p < 0.001; R2 = 70.5%). Furthermore, fire safety management was not sufficiently implemented in the sampled schools and the safety legislations of the country were not implemented accordingly when it came to fire safety. This study identified root causes of fire risks, gauged stakeholders’ awareness and involvement in fire safety management, and advocated for more stringent safety policies and practices within the SNS based on the above findings.

ACCIDENT DETECTION USING TENSOR FLOW AND CNN

Accident detection is a critical aspect of road safety management, with timely identification and response being paramount to minimizing casualties and damage. In this project, a comprehensive approach to accident detection utilizing Deep learning techniques is proposed. The system aims to automatically detect accidents in real time using information obtained from diverse sources like video feeds, sensor inputs, and audio signals. The project involves the development and implementation of Deep learning models trained on labeled datasets containing examples of accident and non-accident scenarios. Supervised learning techniques like classification, regression and advanced neural network architecture like convolution, recurrent neural network are considered to effectively process and analyze the data. The deployed system continuously monitors the environment, processing incoming data streams to identify patterns indicative of accidents. Upon detection, the system triggers appropriate response mechanisms, such as alerting emergency services or nearby vehicles, facilitating swift intervention. The project aims to contribute to road safety initiatives by providing a scalable and efficient solution for accident detection. Additionally, the insights gained from the data collected by the system can inform policymakers and urban planners in implementing measures to prevent accidents and improve overall road safety. Through this project, the students gain valuable experience in applying Deep learning techniques to address real-world challenges and contribute to societal welfare.

The Role of Human Factors in Maintaining Service Quality in Hospitals

The delivery of high-quality healthcare services is a multifaceted endeavor influenced by various factors, among which human factors play a pivotal role. This paper explores the significance of human factors in upholding service quality within hospital settings. Drawing upon interdisciplinary research from fields such as psychology, sociology, and healthcare management, it examines the intricate interplay between healthcare professionals, patients, and organizational structures. In today's healthcare landscape, where patient-centric care is increasingly emphasized, understanding the impact of human factors is paramount. One of the primary focuses is on patient satisfaction, which is not only influenced by clinical outcomes but also by the quality of interactions with healthcare providers. Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients is essential for building trust, managing expectations, and ensuring informed decision-making. Moreover, the demeanor, empathy, and interpersonal skills of healthcare staff significantly contribute to patients' overall experience and satisfaction levels. Safety is another critical aspect of service quality in hospitals, and human factors play a central role in patient safety initiatives. Research has shown that the majority of adverse events in healthcare are attributable to human error, highlighting the importance of addressing factors such as fatigue, stress, and workload among healthcare professionals. Furthermore, teamwork and collaboration are vital for promoting a culture of safety, where healthcare providers work together cohesively to identify and mitigate risks, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and reducing preventable harm. Effective leadership within healthcare organizations is also instrumental in shaping service quality. Strong leadership sets the tone for organizational culture, values, and priorities, influencing the behavior and performance of healthcare staff. Leaders who prioritize patient-centered care, employee well-being, and continuous quality improvement foster an environment conducive to delivering high-quality services. To optimize service quality, hospitals must invest in staff training, development, and support programs. Ongoing education ensures that healthcare professionals stay abreast of the latest evidence-based practices, technological advancements, and regulatory requirements. Moreover, initiatives to promote staff well-being, such as employee assistance programs, work-life balance initiatives, and resilience training, are essential for preventing burnout and maintaining morale. In conclusion, human factors play a multifaceted role in maintaining service quality in hospitals, encompassing aspects such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and staff well-being. By recognizing the complexities of human interactions within healthcare systems and implementing targeted interventions, hospitals can enhance service delivery, improve patient outcomes, and cultivate a culture of excellence.

Healthcare team resilience during COVID-19: a qualitative study

BackgroundResilience, in the field of Resilience Engineering, has been identified as the ability to maintain the safety and the performance of healthcare systems and is aligned with the resilience potentials of anticipation, monitoring, adaptation, and learning. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the resilience of US healthcare systems due to the lack of equipment, supply interruptions, and a shortage of personnel. The purpose of this qualitative research was to describe resilience in the healthcare team during the COVID-19 pandemic with the healthcare team situated as a cognizant, singular source of knowledge and defined by its collective identity, purpose, competence, and actions, versus the resilience of an individual or an organization.MethodsWe developed a descriptive model which considered the healthcare team as a unified cognizant entity within a system designed for safe patient care. This model combined elements from the Patient Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) and the Advanced Team Decision Making (ADTM) models. Using a qualitative descriptive design and guided by our adapted model, we conducted individual interviews with healthcare team members across the United States. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and extracted codes were organized within the adapted model framework.ResultsFive themes were identified from the interviews with acute care professionals across the US (N = 22): teamwork in a pressure cooker, consistent with working in a high stress environment; healthcare team cohesion, applying past lessons to present challenges, congruent with transferring past skills to current situations; knowledge gaps, and altruistic behaviors, aligned with sense of duty and personal responsibility to the team. Participants’ described how their ability to adapt to their environment was negatively impacted by uncertainty, inconsistent communication of information, and emotions of anxiety, fear, frustration, and stress. Cohesion with co-workers, transferability of skills, and altruistic behavior enhanced healthcare team performance.ConclusionWorking within the extreme unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19 affected the ability of the healthcare team to anticipate and adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Both team cohesion and altruistic behavior promoted resilience. Our research contributes to a growing understanding of the importance of resilience in the healthcare team. And provides a bridge between individual and organizational resilience.

A Study on Labour Welfare Measures in Srinivasa Hatcheries Company Pvt. Ltd.

This research focuses on evaluating the labor welfare measures implemented at Srinivasa Hatcheries Company Pvt. Ltd., recognizing the significance of employee well-being in fostering a positive work environment. The study employs a comprehensive research design incorporating surveys, interviews, and organizational assessments to gauge the effectiveness and impact of existing welfare measures on the workforce. Key areas of investigation include health and safety initiatives, employee benefits, working conditions, and overall job satisfaction. The primary objective is to understand the extent to which the company's labor welfare initiatives contribute to employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational productivity. Additionally, the research aims to identify potential areas for enhancement in the existing welfare framework. The findings of this study have practical implications for Srinivasa Hatcheries Company Pvt. Ltd. and provide insights for other organizations seeking to optimize labor welfare strategies.

A Study on Labour Welfare Measures at Abhishek Rolling Mills India Pvt. Ltd.

This research focuses on assessing the labor welfare measures implemented at Abhishek Rolling Mills India Pvt. Ltd., recognizing the significance of employee well-being in the industrial setting. The study employs a comprehensive research design incorporating surveys, interviews, and organizational evaluations to gauge the effectiveness and impact of existing welfare measures on the workforce. Key areas of investigation include health and safety initiatives, employee benefits, working conditions, and overall job satisfaction. The primary objective is to understand the extent to which the company's labor welfare initiatives contribute to employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational productivity. Additionally, the research aims to identify potential areas for enhancement in the existing welfare framework. The findings of this study have practical implications for Abhishek Rolling Mills India Pvt. Ltd. and offer insights for other industrial organizations seeking to optimize labor welfare strategies.

Exploring the challenges and risks of dead body handling faced by healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic: Cross sectional survey study

The coronavirus pandemic shocked the already overwhelmed global healthcare system, challenging its preparedness to deal with mass fatalities. Our research examines the safety issues faced by healthcare workers when handling dead (deceased) bodies, highlighting the need for better strategies in the event of mass fatalities. Healthcare providers involved in dead body handling during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. were eligible to participate in our study. Using a web-based survey, we analyzed responses of 206 participants across 43 U.S. states. We used the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) framework to deduce themes from participants’ open-ended responses. The study showed how routine tasks become extraordinarily challenging during pandemic due to increased workload, emotional stress, and resource constraints. Tasks such as lifting and transferring bodies, underscored physical and emotional toll on workers. The mental strain induced by mass fatalities and the complexities of communicating with families and peers were also prominent, adding to the overall burden on healthcare workers. The participants emphasized the importance of specialized training, policy refinements, and improvements in its implementation. In conclusion, our study contributes to understanding the complexities of dead body handling during a pandemic. It underscores the need for emergency response planning and systemic changes in healthcare policies and practices to ensure the safety and well-being of healthcare workers engaged in these critical tasks.

Enhancing global food safety standards through international collaboration and policy harmonization

In an increasingly interconnected world, ensuring the safety of the global food supply has emerged as a paramount concern. With foodborne illnesses affecting millions annually and international trade in food products reaching unprecedented levels, the need for robust food safety standards has never been more pressing. This abstract explores the vital role of international collaboration and policy harmonization in enhancing global food safety standards, with a focus on the mechanisms, challenges, and potential solutions involved. At the heart of global food safety efforts lie collaborative endeavors among nations facilitated by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. These entities serve as platforms for harmonizing food safety regulations by developing science-based standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. Through regular consultations, expert committees, and consensus-building processes, these organizations foster agreement on key principles and practices governing food safety across diverse national contexts. However, achieving harmonization in food safety policies poses significant challenges. Divergent regulatory frameworks, varying levels of institutional capacity, and disparities in resources among countries can impede efforts to establish uniform standards. Moreover, geopolitical tensions and trade disputes may hinder cooperation, leading to fragmentation in global food safety governance. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to build trust, enhance communication, and promote transparency among stakeholders. Technological innovations offer promising avenues for overcoming barriers to international collaboration and policy harmonization in food safety. Blockchain technology, for instance, enables transparent and tamper-proof recording of food supply chain data, enhancing traceability and accountability. Internet of Things (IoT) devices provide real-time monitoring of food storage and transportation conditions, helping to prevent contamination and spoilage. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms analyze vast datasets to identify emerging food safety risks and inform regulatory decision-making. By leveraging these technologies, countries can strengthen their capacity to implement harmonized food safety standards and improve compliance with international regulations. Furthermore, public-private partnerships play a crucial role in advancing global food safety initiatives. Collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders, academia, and civil society organizations facilitates knowledge sharing, capacity building, and resource mobilization. By pooling expertise and resources, these partnerships enable more effective surveillance, response, and mitigation of food safety risks on a global scale. Moreover, they promote information exchange and best practice dissemination, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in food safety management. Policy harmonization efforts must also embrace risk-based approaches to prioritize interventions and allocate resources effectively. By identifying and assessing food safety hazards based on their likelihood and severity, countries can tailor their regulatory measures to address the most significant risks. Moreover, regular monitoring, evaluation, and review of food safety policies are essential to ensure their relevance, effectiveness, and adaptability in the face of evolving threats and challenges. Enhancing global food safety standards requires sustained international collaboration and policy harmonization. By fostering consensus, leveraging technology, and fostering partnerships, the international community can strengthen the resilience of the global food system, protect public health, and promote equitable access to safe and nutritious food for all.

Delivery Room Resuscitation of Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Lessons Learned through Video Review

Introduction: Delivery room (DR) interventions for infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are not well described. This study sought to describe timing and order of DR interventions and identify system factors impacting CDH DR resuscitations using a human factors framework. Methods: This was a single-center observational study of video-recorded CDH DR resuscitations documenting timing and order of interventions. The team used the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model to identify system factors impacting DR resuscitations and time to invasive ventilation. Results: We analyzed 31 video-recorded CDH resuscitations. We observed variability in timing and order of resuscitation tasks. The “Internal Environment” and “Tasks” components of the SEIPS model were prominent factors affecting resuscitation efficiency; significant room and bed spatial constraints exist, and nurses have a significant task burden. Additionally, endotracheal tube preparation was a prominent barrier to timely invasive ventilation. Conclusion: Video review revealed variation in event timing and order during CDH resuscitations. Standardization of the room setup, equipment, and event order and reallocation of tasks facilitate more efficient intubation and ventilation, representing targets for CDH DR improvement initiatives. This work emphasizes the utility of rigorous human factors review to identify areas for improvement during DR resuscitation.

Pragmatic Approach to In Situ Simulation to Identify Latent Safety Threats Before Moving to a Newly Built ICU.

Transitions to new care environments may have unexpected consequences that threaten patient safety. We undertook a quality improvement project using in situ simulation to learn the new patient care environment and expose latent safety threats before transitioning patients to a newly built adult ICU. Descriptive review of a patient safety initiative. A newly built 24-bed neurocritical care unit at a tertiary care academic medical center. Care providers working in neurocritical care unit. We implemented a pragmatic three-stage in situ simulation program to learn a new patient care environment, transitioning patients from an open bay unit to a newly built private room-based ICU. The project tested the safety and efficiency of new workflows created by new patient- and family-centric features of the unit. We used standardized patients and high-fidelity mannequins to simulate patient scenarios, with "test" patients created through all electronic databases. Relevant personnel from clinical and nonclinical services participated in simulations and/or observed scenarios. We held a debriefing after each stage and scenario to identify safety threats and other concerns. Additional feedback was obtained via a written survey sent to all participants. We prospectively surveyed for missed latent safety threats for 2 years following the simulation and fixed issues as they arose. We identified and addressed 70 latent safety threats, including issues concerning physical environment, infection prevention, patient workflow, and informatics before the move into the new unit. We also developed an orientation manual that highlighted new physical and functional features of the ICU and best practices gleaned from the simulations. All participants agreed or strongly agreed that simulations were beneficial. Two-year follow-up revealed only two missed latent safety threats. In situ simulation effectively identifies latent safety threats surrounding the transition to new ICUs and should be considered before moving into new units.

Road Accident Severity Detection In Smart Cities

Ensuring safety, in cities is a focus in the development of urban areas requiring new and creative methods for categorizing and managing accidents. Traditional approaches often face challenges in evaluating accident seriousness within changing city environments. This research utilizes Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) techniques to create a system that categorizes accidents into three severity levels; minor, moderate and severe. By leveraging learning capabilities, our method boosts the precision and efficiency of safety protocols in cities. The outcomes exhibit promising results in categorizing accident severity offering a tool for enhancing urban safety infrastructure. Through empowering cities to handle accidents, our model establishes a foundation for safety initiatives. In essence, this study contributes to enhancing safety standards in cities promoting resilience and sustainability, within settings.

Quality and Patient Safety Metrics: Developing a Structured Program for Improving Patient Care in the Department of Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital.

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of quality and patient safety in academic medicine, challenges remain with ensuring physician participation in quality assurance and quality improvement efforts, such as lack of compensation and enabling resources. An organizational culture that includes physician leadership and a supportive infrastructure is needed to encourage physician backing of quality and patient safety initiatives. The authors describe the development of a robust quality and patient safety program in the Department of Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital over the past 7 years and highlight how the department changed its organizational culture by prioritizing quality and patient safety and establishing the necessary infrastructure to support this program. Program development was characterized by 4 overarching themes: incentives, administrative structure and physician leadership, training and support, and system enhancements. As a result of the program, the department broadly implemented a standardized framework for conducting quality committee meetings and morbidity and mortality rounds and reviewing patient safety incidents and patient experience across its 16 divisions. This has led to 100% departmental compliance on corporate quality assurance metrics each year (e.g., regular multidisciplinary divisional quality committee meetings), along with physician participation in formal quality improvement initiatives that align with larger corporate goals. The authors reflect on lessons learned during the implementation of the program and the essential elements that contributed to its success. Next steps for the program include using a centralized repository of quality and patient safety data, including patient safety incident dashboards, to encourage greater divisional collaboration on quality improvement initiatives and continuous institutional learning over time. Another important avenue will be to create an academic hub for excellence in quality and a formal approach to reward and promote physicians for their quality work.

Enhancing Healthcare Worker Well-Being and Patient Safety in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Analysis

Providing a healthy and safe hospital environment improves employee health and prevents occupational diseases and accidents. This increases the motivation and productivity of employees and contributes to the improvement of service quality in hospitals. Healthcare workers have to work meticulously to provide accurate diagnosis, treatment and care services while competing with time. Working under pressure can cause fatigue, stress and burnout in healthcare workers. This can affect their decision-making abilities and lead to malpractice. Errors can cause occupational accidents or occupational diseases, while misunderstanding or misapplication can cause serious damage to the patient's health. In this study, hazards and risks were identified in order to ensure that employees working in the pediatric emergency department of the hospital work in a healthier and safer environment. Fine Kinney method was used as a risk analysis method in the study. It was observed that the high rate (86.7%) of employees' inability to participate in social and cultural activities (86.7%) due to occupational fatigue caused a decrease in the desire to work (70%), as well as the intense feelings of burnout and frustration (70%) caused by stress caused by the profession. As a result of the challenging conditions experienced, it was determined that the desire not to see patients during the day (76.7%) and dissatisfaction increased (46.6%). Healthcare workers need to be vigilant and careful, and occupational health and safety initiatives should be carried out systematically, team-based, and education-focused.

Space-time analysis of accident frequency and the role of built environment in mitigation

The focus of this paper is to analyze the trends and locations of accidents in the Greater Melbourne Area (GMA) during a 15-year period (2006–2020). The places where accidents were most prevalent were discovered and the reasons which are contributing to the high accident rates in those areas are determined. Analyzing the patterns over time and variations in the frequency of accidents helped to identify areas that have improved or deteriorated in terms of road safety. A Tweedie model was developed to examine the intricate interaction between the accident frequency and its potential contributing factors such as socio-demographics, road transport infrastructure, and built environment. Ultimately, a clustering analysis was performed to elucidate the dispersion of road accident risk ratings among different local government areas (LGAs), offering useful insights into road safety initiatives and prioritization.

“God, whatever you do, don't tell people it's unsafe”: Public transport service providers' perspectives on women's safety from sexual violence on public transport

In Australia, one in two women have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime and one in five women has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. Public facing organizations, such as public transport providers, have a role to play in providing safe environments and preventing violence.Our study examined the experiences and views of those working in public transport delivery organizations about the organizational challenges and opportunities to provide safe transport for women. Using Normalization Process Theory (NPT), our analysis of 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews with stakeholders focused on three key areas: making sense of safety of women on public transport; working towards women's safety on public transport; and monitoring the progress of safety initiatives.We found that public transport is delivered by multiple stakeholders, with individual and combined organizational and relational complexity. Participants highlighted the importance of leadership and the need for an overarching strategy for women's safety. Macro-level organizational and environmental barriers to implementing safety initiatives include a lack of proactive, consistent, and collaborative approaches. Differing understandings of what women's safety means can lead to conflicting strategies among organizations, but there are opportunities to develop and integrate enhanced and conceptually consistent training and policies in response to women's safety. At the micro-level, providers recognize the need to prioritize safety for women across public transport. Our findings indicate key opportunities to inform the development of interventions and policies for public transport, and public facing organizations more broadly, to provide for and sustain women's safety.

Factors influencing safety behaviours of construction tradesmen

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) observed that 90% of fatalities arise from the familiar ‘fatal four’- falls, electrocutions, stuck-bys and caught –in between. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) also fingered other four hazards due to exposures on construction jobs not paid attention to yet far more construction workers suffer chronic injuries or illness. These infamous concerns make research findings on factors influencing safety behaviours of construction workers ever relevant and this is the focus of this paper. A total of 117 construction tradesmen out of the 159 sampled within Lagos indicated their degree of agreement with factors capable of influencing construction workers’ safety behaviour on a five-point Likert scale. These were factors adjudged to influence construction workers safety behaviour based on extant literature. The data were analysed using Mean Item Score and Factor Analysis. Construction tradesmen agreed that they are influenced by 25 of the 37 (67.56%) identified factors influencing safety behaviour firms of construction workers. Meanwhile, construction firms’ management commitment to the safety behaviour of tradesmen is the most prominent principal factor. The commitment of the management in developing safety initiatives, training, provision of personal protective equipment, and enforcement of safety rules among others will enhance safety behaviour among construction tradesmen. The study only assessed the opinions of tradesmen in the construction industry in Lagos state. The identified factors might not be generalized to construction professionals. This paper recommends that construction managers make deliberate effort in enhancing good safe behaviour of their tradesmen. This will improve their physical wellbeing, boost construction health and safety in the construction industry and significantly reduce construction fatalities. This paper fulfils a present pertinent need of reducing construction fatalities by focusing on factors influencing the safety behaviour of construction tradesmen.

The Life Cycle of a Code White: A Framework for Managing Workplace Violence

A global challenge affecting health care organizations in the Covid-19 pandemic recovery era has been an increase in the incident frequency as well as qualitative severity and complexity of workplace violence (WPV) incidents. In Ontario, Canada, WPV in health care settings is often managed using an emergency response procedure known as a Code White (CW). The Toronto-based University Health Network (UHN) — a research and teaching hospital network with four centers of care and about 18,000 employees (including about 1,200 physicians and 3,900 registered nurses), a learning institute serving about 17,500 learners, and a research team with about 1,150 principal investigators — has engaged in a comprehensive quality improvement (QI) framework with the view to fully understand the complexity of CWs and effectively implement and evaluate complex interventions required to address the multidimensional problem of WPV. As part of this effort, UHN has developed the Life Cycle of a Code White (LCCW) by leveraging principles of System Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety 101, including the application of a journey map to outline the steps and involvement of specific functional units in CW incidents. This task necessitated extensive engagement with diverse stakeholders across the organization. The authors provide an example of how the LCCW initiative can be applied to enable the organization to operationalize the complexity of CW QI, catalyzing the formation of a formal CW governance structure, 12 distinct QI initiatives, and 17 quality indicators to inform data-driven change management.

Community policing and urban safety: reinventing security in city centers

Research objective: The purpose of the study is to delve into community policing and the revolutionary changes it has brought about in terms of city centre security and safety. This research looks at how partnerships and problem-solving tactics help decrease crime and disruption in public spaces by analysing how this philosophy is integrated into police agencies.
 Methodology: This research synthesises results from current community policing approaches by drawing on a comprehensive literature review and case studies. It lays forth the efficacy of these tactics in varied urban contexts using theoretical and empirical data.
 Main conclusions: The research uncovers significant insights into how community policing fosters a collaborative relationship between law enforcement and community members, leading to improved safety and a reduction in crime. The study identifies key factors such as trust-building, proactive problem-solving, and community engagement as vital elements of successful community policing.
 Application of the study: The implications of this study are far-reaching for policy-makers, urban planners, and law enforcement agencies seeking to reinvent the approach to security in city centers. The results provide a structure for applying community policing tactics that can be adjusted to various urban environments, highlighting the significance of community engagement in establishing secure public areas.
 Originality/Novelty of the Study: This research contributes to the discourse on urban safety by providing a nuanced understanding of community policing as a method for reinventing security in city centers. It presents novel insights into the interdisciplinary nature of community policing, which intersects with urban development, social policy, and public administration. The study suggests a paradigm shift from traditional law enforcement to a more integrated, community-focused approach, potentially guiding future urban safety initiatives.

Effectiveness of educational interventions in minimizing reactance in traffic accident prevention

IntroductionClassical mechanics concepts are vital for understanding traffic safety, encompassing speed, acceleration, stopping distance, impact speed, deformation, kinetic energy, and their effects on vehicle occupants. Statistical physics principles are also employed to study multiple vehicles as a many-particle system. This study examines the effectiveness of using a damaged car and structured instruction in road safety initiatives.MethodsParticipants engaged with a damaged car and discussed deformation caused by excessive speed. They participated in role simulations, envisioning and solving risky traffic scenarios, while considering the potential boomerang effect resulting from excessive fear appeals within the campaign.ResultsCombining emotional appeals with solution-focused, action-oriented, and self-esteem-enhancing interventions is essential to mitigate the boomerang effect and encourage safety-compliant behavior. Educational institutions must implement tailored follow-ups to emotionally charged prevention campaigns. Using Design-Based Research, we developed effective methods for knowledge acquisition and transfer, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy and established traffic safety programs.DiscussionThis publication explores non-standardized social training within focus groups, focusing on negative emotional states following an emotionalizing campaign similar to “Crash Kurs NRW,” targeting upper-level courses in North Rhine-Westphalian schools. Methods from cognitive behavioral therapy and social learning initiated, observed, and documented changes in participants’ norms, values, and attitudes, discussed herein. Additionally, we investigated whether the presence of police officers in prevention campaigns influences reactive behavior. Comparing pre- and post-surveys confirmed reactance after emotionalizing campaigns, and our structured post-survey effectively influenced stage-event-induced behavior. Surprisingly, police officers’ presence did not significantly impact reactive behavior. Furthermore, our follow-up tool extends its applicability to similar emotionalizing prevention campaigns, broadening its potential reach. Our future research will delve into students’ physics literacy during traffic space analysis of accident hotspots, advancing traffic safety initiatives.

Psychosocial factors, psychological well-being and safety incidents among long-distance bus drivers in Ghana: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundCommercial bus drivers account for most road traffic crashes and related mortality. The psychosocial working conditions of these drivers have been found precarious. However, road safety initiatives in Ghana still focus on correcting risky driving behaviours, ignoring the conditions under which these drivers operate. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine whether psychosocial work factors can predict the psychological well-being and risky driving behaviours of long-distance bus drivers in Ghana. MethodsThis quantitative cross-sectional survey recruited 7315 long-distance bus drivers that operate from Accra to other parts of Ghana and cities in other West African countries. Hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). ResultsWe found that job demands and job resources are direct and significant predictors of psychological well-being and safety incidents among these drivers. Moreover, psychological well-being of the drivers had a significant inverse relationship with their safety incidents. Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) had a negative association with safety incidents, and a positive but non-significant association with psychological well-being. PSC had a negative and significant association with job resources contrary to the notion of the PSC theory. ConclusionPsychosocial work factors are predictors of psychological well-being and safety incidents of long-distance bus drivers. Owners and managers of bus transport businesses in Ghana, driver unions and station masters need to highly prioritise psychological health and safety of this bus drivers by providing suitable job resources and adopting bottom-up communication that might help the drivers effectively cope with their job demands.