Safety Regulations Research Articles

IMPROVING INDUSTRIAL POLICY MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEMATIC REGULATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL SAFETY IN RUSSIA UNDER SANCTIONS

The subject of research in the article is the technological security of Russia, which is acquiring particular relevance in the context of growing geopolitical tensions. Special attention is paid to technological sovereignty as a significant factor in ensuring the country's technological security in the context of unprecedented sanctions. In line with this current topic, the goal is to develop a number of significant industrial policy measures that will make it possible to strengthen the systematic regulation of technological safety in Russia in the context of sanctions. The novelty of the research lies in the substantiation and development of four groups of systemic measures aimed at ensuring consistency, coherence, diversification and balance of regulatory influences when solving technological safety problems. The first group of proposed measures affects the Concept of Technological Development of the Russian Federation. Their implementation will improve the consistency of the Concept with existing strategic planning documents and eliminate identified logical inconsistencies through the use of a specially developed structural and logical design. The second group of measures relates to the formation of feedback, which makes it possible to adjust priorities and distribute government funding among government support options, taking into account assessments of business preferences. The third group of measures is focused on ensuring diversification and balance of external sources of technology, which allows reducing the risks of dependence on one partner and thereby increasing the country’s technological security. The fourth group of measures is aimed at ensuring diversification and balance of domestic sources of technology. The need for a combination of adaptation (urgent) and long-term measures of state support for technological projects is substantiated. In general, the proposed measures will help strengthen the consistency and improve the quality of state regulation in the field of ensuring Russia’s technological security under sanctions.

Research on the Design of Multi-Rope Friction Hoisting System of Vertical Shaft Gravity Energy Storage System

Renewable energy generation methods such as wind power and photovoltaic power have problems of randomness, intermittency, and volatility. Gravity energy storage technology can realize the stable and controllable conversion of gravity potential energy and electric energy by lifting and lowering heavy loads. The hoisting system is an important component of a gravity energy storage system, and its lifting capacity and speed seriously restrict its energy storage capacity, energy conversion efficiency, and operational safety and reliability. In this paper, a design method for a multi-rope friction hoisting system of a vertical shaft gravity energy storage system is proposed. The parameter design and calculation of the hoisting rope, balance rope, and friction wheel of the friction hoisting system under typical conditions were carried out. The static and dynamic anti-slip capabilities of the friction hoisting system under the typical condition were explored. The results show that the maximum acceleration and deceleration speed of the compacted strand wire rope scheme is the largest, and the lifting and lowering time is the shortest. The maximum acceleration and deceleration speed of the triangular strand wire rope scheme is the lowest, and the lifting and lowering time is the longest. The dynamic tension of the hoisting rope at the heavy-load end is positively correlated with the acceleration, and the maximum value occurs in the accelerated lifting stage and decelerated lowering stage of the heavy load. The static anti-slip safety factor between the hoisting rope and the friction lining and the specific pressure between the hoisting rope and the friction lining comply with the requirements of China’s Safety Regulations for Coal Mines. The dynamic anti-slip safety factor of the hoisting system under different rope selection schemes is greater than the minimum value of 1.25 stipulated in the Safety Regulations for Metal and Nonmetal Mines. The research results are of great significance for the safety, reliability, and stable and efficient energy storage of a gravity energy storage system.

Novel eco-friendly bio-nano flame retardant via the electrostatic-driven hybridization of natural halloysite nanotubes and phytic acid for superior fire safety of epoxy composites

Driven by increasingly stringent safety regulations and enhanced fire hazards awareness, rationally designing a highly flame-retardant and eco-friendly polymer composites has become critically significant, but remains challenging. Herein, to endow epoxy resin (EP) composites with exceptional fire safety while maintaining its desirable performances, a novel bio-nano flame retardant GPP@HNTs was successfully prepared via the electrostatic-driven hybridization of two natural-available green materials, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and phytic acid (PA). It was found that the GPP@HNTs can uniformly disperse in EP matrix due to its strong interfacial interaction with EP. In compassion with EP, the flame retardancy of GPP@HNTs/EP composites was effectively enhanced, reaching UL-94 V-0 rating and exhibiting a 42.55 % increase of LOI value, 32.76 % decrease in peak heat release rate (PHRR), 25.92 % reduction in total heat release (THR). Furthermore, the GPP@HNTs/EP composites also present excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties. Such a facile yet efficient hybridization design of bio-nano flame retardant paves the way for wide practical applications of the flame-retardant and mechanically robust EP composites in various industrial fields.

Effect of vehicle on the in vitro penetration and metabolism of genistein and daidzein in ex vivo skin explants and the Phenion full-thickness skin model.

In a read-across assessment of the safety of genistein and daidzein in cosmetic products, additional information was required to account for differences in their systemic exposure after topical application in a typical body lotion formulation. Therefore, we measured the penetration and metabolism of two doses (3 and 30 nmoles/cm2) of genistein and daidzein applied in ethanol and in a body formulation to fresh pig skin, fresh and frozen human skin, and PhenionFT models. Both chemicals readily penetrated all skin models when applied in ethanol. The same sulfate and glucuronide metabolites were formed in fresh pig skin, fresh human skin, and PhenionFT models, which also all demonstrated that (a) these pathways could be saturated between 3 and 30 nmoles/cm2 and (b) the extent of metabolism of daidzein was lower than genistein. Although the relative amounts of radiolabeled chemical in human skin and medium compartments were altered by freezing, their overall bioavailability was not affected. The greatest impact on the bioavailability and distribution of both chemicals was observed when they were applied in the formulation. Most of the dose applied in the formulation was retained on the skin surface, especially at 30 nmoles/cm2 (60%-90%), resulting in much lower amounts in the medium and/or skin. In conclusion, all four skin models demonstrated first-pass metabolism of genistein and daidzein and a marked alteration in their disposition by applying them in a body lotion formulation. This supports the use of fresh pig skin and PhenionFT models as alternatives to human skin for investigating skin metabolism and formulation effects for these two chemicals. The results were used to develop the dermal module of a PBPK model and dose setting for organ-on-chip experiments. They could also be used to refine internal exposure estimates in regulatory safety assessments.

The National Electrical Safety Code, powerline clearances, and wildfires

AbstractThe provisions of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) have a long, but undocumented history. They are the primary means by which Public Utilities Commission agencies in various States in the United States enforce requirements for electrical clearances pertinent to high‐voltage powerlines. Examination of the NESC provisions for clearances between grounded guy wires and distribution phase conductors in the context of the Woolsey Fire indicates a comprehensive lack of realism in the Code provisions. While they may be entirely sufficient to prevent sparkover under normal operating conditions, they are wholly insufficient to cope with even modest adverse events. The profession should consider explicitly assessing factors beyond sparkover that affect the adequacy of clearance requirements. The provisions of the NESC (and California's parallel General Order No. 95) should be systematically reexamined in order to ensure that safety regulations can cope with adverse events that are serious, but not extreme. Since the vast majority of the electrical power network is aging and not new construction, a scheme should be developed to establish priorities for upgrading existing facilities at the highest risk of failure.

Rotation insensitive implantable wireless power transfer system for medical devices using metamaterial-polarization converter

This article introduces an innovative approach for creating a circular polarization (CP) antenna-based rotation-insensitive implantable wireless power transfer (WPT) system for medical devices. The system is constructed to work in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency band of 902–928 MHz. Initially, a flexible, wide-band, and bio-compatible open-ended CP slot antenna is designed within a single-layer human skin tissue model to serve as the receiving (Rx) element. To form the implantable WPT link, a circular patch antenna is also constructed in the free-space to use as a transmitting (Tx) source. Further, a new metamaterial-polarization converter (MTM-PC) structure is developed and incorporated into the proposed system to enhance the power transfer efficiency (PTE). Furthermore, the rotational phenomenon of the Rx implant has been studied to show how the rotation affects the system’s performance. Moreover, a numerical analysis of the specific absorption rate (SAR) is conducted to confirm compliance with safety regulations and prioritize human safety from electromagnetic exposure. Finally, to validate the introduced concept, prototypes of the different elements of the proposed WPT system were fabricated and tested using skin-mimicking gel and porcine tissue. The measured results confirm the feasibility of the introduced approach, exhibiting improved efficiency due to use of the MTM-PC. The amplitude of the transmission coefficient (|S21|\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$|S_{21}|$$\\end{document}) has improved by 6.94 dB in the simulation, whereas the enhancement of 7.04 dB and 6.76 dB is obtained from the experimental study due to the integration of MTM-PC. As a result, the PTE of the proposed MTM-PC integrated implantable WPT system is increased significantly compared to the system without MTM-PC.

Work-related stress among nurses: a comparative cross-sectional study of two government hospitals in Ghana

BackgroundOccupational stress is increasing globally and affecting all workplaces and countries’ health professionals. Despite its significant impact on healthcare delivery, limited studies have actually compared the prevalence, causes, effects, and coping strategies of stress among nurses working in hospitals with variation in capacity and function in Ghana. We, therefore, examined and compared the prevalence, causes, effects and coping strategies of occupational stress among nurses working in a secondary care and tertiary hospital in Ghana.MethodsWe conducted a health facility-based cross-sectional study among 248 nurses from two hospitals (Volta Regional Hospital [VRH] and Ho Teaching Hospital [HTH]). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Weiman Occupational Stress Scale (WOSS) were used to measure the nurses’ stress levels and causes of occupational stress respectively. A self-reported checklist was used to measure both the effects of stress and strategies. Descriptive analyses and t-tests were performed, and statistical significance was measured at the 0.05 level.ResultsThe majority of nurses 77.8% experienced a moderate level of perceived stress. The total individual mean scores of the nurses from the two hospitals (VRH = 3.02 and HTH = 3.09) were 34% and 37% respectively higher than the established WOSS individual average of 2.25. Nursing difficult patients (t=-1.1196, p = 0.037), Unfriendly relationships with superiors, colleagues, and subordinates (t=-2.3333, p = 0.020), working with incompetent staff (t=-1.3129, p = 0.037) were the statistically significant stressors among nurses in the HTH. Whereas, long work hours (t = 2.0841, p = 0.038) and needle-stick injuries (t = 2.6669, p = 0.008) were the statistically significant stressors among nurses from the VRH. Headache (VRH = 73.8% and HTH = 97.9%), Fatigue (VRH = 68.9% and HTH = 83.5%), Frustration VRH = 50.5% and HTH = 68.3%) and Lack of Concentration (VRH = 81.6% and HTH = 80.0%) were most common effects of occupational stress reported.ConclusionThe majority of nurses reported moderate levels of stress, with the two institutions’ stressors differing. Key causes of stress were needle stick injuries, long hours, dealing with challenging patients and strained interpersonal relationships. Common side effects were headaches, exhaustion, irritability, and trouble focusing. To accelerate progress towards achieving the sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.4 of promoting mental health and well-being by 2030, the 2012 Mental Health Act of Ghana and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, should fully and effectively be implemented in health facilities across the country.

Study on Rapid, Quantitative, and Simultaneous Detection of Drug Residues and Immunoassay in Chickens.

Different levels of residual drugs can be monitored within a relatively safe range without causing harm to human health if the appropriate dosing methodology is considered and the drug withdrawal period is controlled during poultry and livestock raising. Antimicrobials are factors that can suppress the growth of microorganisms, and antibiotic residues in livestock farming have been considered as a potential cause of antimicrobial resistance in animals and humans. Antimicrobial drug resistance is associated with the capability of a microorganism to survive the inhibitory effects of the antimicrobial components. Antibiotic residue presence in chicken is a human health concern due to its negative effects on consumer health. Neglected aspects related to the application of veterinary drugs may threaten the safety of both humans and animals, as well as their environment. The detection of chemical contaminants is essential to ensure food quality. The most important antibiotic families used in veterinary medicines are β-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins), tetracyclines, chloramphenicols, macrolides, spectinomycin, lincosamide, sulphonamides, nitrofuranes, nitroimidazoles, trimethoprim, polymyxins, quinolones, and macrocyclics (glycopeptides, ansamycins, and aminoglycosides). Antibiotic residue presence is the main contributor to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is considered a chief concern for both human and animal health worldwide. The incorrect application and misuse of antibiotics carry the risk of the presence of residues in the edible tissues of the chicken, which can cause allergies and toxicity in hypersensitive consumers. The enforcement of the regulation of food safety depends on efficacious monitoring of antimicrobial residues in the foodstuff. In this review, we have explored the rapid detection of drug residues in broilers.

Sustainable purchasing supply management assessment in construction supply chains: a design science research approach

Purpose In response to multiple disruptions, the purchasing supply management (PSM) function in construction supply chain management (CSCM) has gained prominence due to stakeholder pressures, dynamic market conditions and the need to adhere to complex sustainability, safety and health regulations and standards. However, there is a noticeable absence of empirical research on measuring and mitigating PSM vulnerabilities, especially considering the distinct challenges faced by large engineer-to-order project-oriented manufacturers. To address these issues, the purpose of this study is to develop and test a novel method to assist companies in construction supply chains in assessing and managing risks associated with sustainable procuring and sourcing materials. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in the literature gaps on construction PSM and a real case supply chain, the research uses the design science research (DSR) approach to develop an integrated method for assessing PSM strategies in this sector. The method integrates three essential purchasing dimensions: supply risks, profit impact and sustainability risks of materials, supported by nine subdimensions. Empirical validation took place within a multinational European construction company based in Denmark. Findings Findings from the supplier–buyer relationships confirmed that the developed method allows for the identification of the key components that significantly impact supplier–buyer relationships, profitability and sustainability. The research further suggests that construction supply chain managers and purchasing practitioners can use the proposed method to evaluate PSM, thus enabling them to make more informed decisions. Practical implications Through the utilization of the proposed artifact, construction companies can take a more proactive approach to address PSM uncertainties, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in dynamic construction supply chains. Originality/value The research contributes to bridging the theory and practice, providing valuable assistance for construction companies assessing and managing the PSM and supply risks within global construction value chains. This paper provides original insights for the CSCM, aiding in adopting competitive PSM strategies to improve overall supply chain performance.

Short-Term Training, a Useful Approach for Sustainable Pharmacovigilance Knowledge Development in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Continuous professional development among stakeholders involved in drug safety monitoring and surveillance is imperative in strengthening pharmacovigilance (PV) systems. The "Pharmacovigilance infrastructure and post-marketing surveillance system capacity building for regional medicine regulatory harmonization in East Africa" (PROFORMA) project aims to enhance the national PV infrastructure, post-marketing surveillance systems and clinical trial regulatory capabilities in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda. To achieve this, training, including short-term training (STT) activities, at various levels is required. This article aims to describe the experiences of the authors during the development and implementation of STT in an attempt to improve the PV training landscape of these countries. To identify gaps, a baseline assessment of PV teaching and practices at the national medicines regulatory authorities (NMRAs) and medical universities was conducted. Five successive training sessions, tailored to each country's specific needs and regulatory environments, were conducted; three focusing on fundamental concepts in PV and two dedicated to training-of-trainers courses. The training targeted staff from PV units of the NMRAs and medical universities. Enabling participation from all four countries in the same training fostered cross-country learning and collaboration. The contribution of STT to university education and the operational methodologies within NMRAs are explored, showcasing the impact on knowledge transfer and skill development in each country. In conclusion, by investing strategically in STT activities and fostering partnerships with academic institutions and NMRAs, we demonstrated a sustainable approach to PV capacity strengthening in resource-limited settings. The success of this model underscores its potential for adoption and replication across the African continent, offering a valuable framework for strengthening drug safety regulation and ultimately protecting public health.

Consumer Perception of Food Safety and Valuation of Statistical Life: A Contingent Valuation Study

The value of statistical life (VSL) reflects the trade-off between money and the risk of death. It is a key indicator for conducting regulatory impact assessments. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the VSL in the field of food safety. At the same time, it investigates respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for reducing the risk of death from foodborne illnesses and explores the impact of factors such as the average household monthly income, health status, and education level on WTP. We conducted a survey using an open-ended contingent valuation method among 1307 respondents aged 18 and above to determine their WTP. Based on the WTP survey results, we calculated the VSL in the food safety sector. We used binary logit and Tobit models to analyze the influencing factors. The results of the study show that the median WTP for reducing the risk of foodborne illness is CNY 100 (USD 16), and the estimated VSL is approximately CNY 9.09 million (USD 141 million). Indicators such as the average household monthly income, health status, and education level are important factors affecting WTP. This study will help practitioners, researchers, and policymakers understand the current population’s attitudes towards food safety regulations and determine the priorities for regulatory implementation. Future research can explore the effects of different elicitation methods, cultural differences, and regional variations on WTP and VSL.

Elemental content and safety evaluation of wild-harvested Australian abalone (Haliotis spp.) viscera: Addressing safety concerns in food waste upcycling

Abalone viscera has been shown to be a valuable human nutraceutical, yet the food safety considerations of consuming whole abalone viscera have been largely overlooked. Hence, this research was conducted to investigate and evaluate elemental compositions and safety of it. The elemental data was compared to international food safety regulations and evaluated using the USEPA hazard index (HI) equation and HI-derived estimated upper limit (EDUL) equation, which EDUL allows comparison of novel foods with a large variety of similar existing products. To further demonstrate that food safety of upcycled food could be improved with simple processing, a risk mitigation trial was conducted. The results indicated that whilst heavy metal levels (mg/kg) and HI were shown to reach unsatisfactory food safety levels, this exceedance was likely caused by overestimation in daily consumption. The EDUL results supported this explanation and demonstrated that abalone viscera posed no safety concern even when eaten in quantities similar to common shellfish. The risk mitigation trial was as well successful, demonstrating up to 32 % reduction in HI. The findings identified options to evaluate and improve safety of novel food and can be a case study to evaluate, understand and overcome food safety challenges in other upcycled food.

Fostering healthy outcomes in hotels: The effects of healthy organizational resources on employees’ stress reduction, resilience, and task performance

This study aims to learn from past global health crises, encouraging industry leaders worldwide to take proactive steps in implementing extra health and safety measures for future potential crises. The research employs a quantitative approach to investigate a proposed model suggesting that hotel employees’ adherence to health and safety regulations is contingent on the availability of supportive organizational resources. An electronic questionnaire was administered to hotel employees in Egypt, resulting in 213 valid responses. The data was analyzed using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24. The findings indicate a strong connection between health and safety training, health and safety resources, and health and safety compliance. Additionally, the results reveal direct and significant links between health and safety compliance, stress reduction, improved employee resilience, and enhanced task performance. Moreover, significant indirect effects were found between health and safety training, health and safety resources, and healthy organizational outcomes, with health and safety compliance serving as a mediator. The current study provides a valuable theoretical and practical contribution on employee motivation to comply with health standards, employee-organization interactions, resilience, and crisis management to better prepare for future health crises.

Risk evaluation, spatiotemporal evolution, and driving factors of provincial food safety in China

The cross-regional transfer of food safety risks has become more prominent, bringing new challenges to the food ecosystem and food safety regulation. This study develops an evaluation index system of food safety risks based on the pressure-state-response (PSR) framework. The food safety risk indices of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 are calculated by determining the index weights using the real-coded accelerated genetic algorithm–projection pursuit model (RAGA-PP). Furthermore, this study elaborates the spatiotemporal differences and correlations of provincial food safety risks, characterizes the spatial aggregation and spatiotemporal changes of risks, and investigates driving factors affecting the spatiotemporal evolution of risks. The following findings are established. First, the overall risk value of food safety in China in 2020 decreased by approximately 5% compared with year 2010. In 2020, the national food safety environment was relatively favorable and tended toward stability. The overall trend of food safety risks in China is decreasing, although socioeconomic development has increased the risks, and the corresponding social management measures have also reduced the risks. Second, food safety risks were unevenly distributed among provinces, showing significant regional differences. Specifically, generally higher risks were observed in eastern provinces versus other regions and in coastal provinces versus inland provinces. Concentrated and superimposed risks were observed in the Yangtze River Delta, a large urban agglomeration centered on Shanghai. Lastly, population density and urbanization level were the main drivers of the evolution of regional food safety risks; whereas policy instruments used by the government to manage risks played a limited role. The results show that establishing a cross-regional collaborative governance mechanism to manage food safety risks should constitute an important component of the regional integration strategy of China.

How to define the threshold of takeover response ability of different drivers in conditional automated driving

In conditional automated driving, the takeover response ability threshold is necessary for driver qualification assessment and liability division of automated vehicle accidents. The primary objective of this study is to establish a clear and quantifiable threshold for drivers’ takeover response ability in conditional automated driving scenarios. This threshold aims to serve as a benchmark for evaluating drivers’ readiness and developing safety regulations in automated driving. We designed 18 takeover events and invited 42 drivers to participate in the driving simulation experiment, and obtained their takeover time data. First, we analyze the differences of takeover time among drivers with different attributes (gender, age, driving year). Second, based on the Peaks Over Threshold and the generalized Pareto distribution model, we use the graphic method to calculate the range of takeover time threshold for drivers with different attributes. The result shows that the difference in the threshold range of takeover time between male and female drivers is relatively tiny. There are differences in the threshold range of takeover time for different age drivers, and the threshold is negatively correlated with age. Drivers with high driving experience within a safe range are allowed to have longer takeover times. Finally, the rationality of the takeover time threshold for drivers with different attributes has been verified. The return level curves are approximately linear (R2 > 0.77), indicating that the GPD model can capture the overall trend of the return level, which is changing with the probability level. This proves that the takeover time threshold is reasonable. This study uses TTCmin to calibrate takeover safety, and the takeover time threshold has a good classification performance for takeover safety (accuracy > 85 %). The above content proves the rationality of the takeover time threshold. The contribution of this study is to calculate the takeover time threshold of drivers with different attributes, which can help regulatory authorities assess the driver’s takeover response ability and support the liability division of automated vehicle accidents.

Consumer Perception of the Performance of Online Catering Food Safety Regulations: The Case of Shanghai, China.

To protect the safety of food bought from the online catering sector, the former State Food and Drug Administration of China issued two separate regulations in 2016 and 2017. Independently, the Shanghai government formulated local regulations, including the Shanghai Online Catering Service Supervision and Management Measures, to strengthen food safety supervision in this megacity with the largest catering sector in China. This study explored factors that influence consumer perceptions of the performance of online catering food safety regulations using survey data from 1050 respondents collected in 2019. The results indicate that consumers believe that Shanghai's online catering industry has improved by varying degrees in terms of food freshness, ingredient traceability, foreign matter control, food temperature control, internal packaging hygiene and environmental protection, and satisfaction with food safety. The factors that influenced the listed features include the number and effectiveness of government-issued regulations regarding the online catering sector, effectiveness of ordering platform food safety regulations, employee training frequency, employee food safety awareness, delivery box cleanliness and courier personal hygiene, consumer trust in ordering platform services, and consumer confidence in government supervision. These factors significantly and positively affected the consumers' perceptions of the performance of food safety regulations in the online catering sector.

Automated Safety Risk Assessment Framework by Integrating Safety Regulation and 4D BIM-Based Rule Modeling

Automated Safety Risk Assessment Framework by Integrating Safety Regulation and 4D BIM-Based Rule Modeling

Seafarer competency analysis: Data-driven model in restricted waters using Bayesian networks

Despite the efforts of maritime authorities to enhance seafarer competencies through the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), human error remains a leading cause of maritime accidents. To thoroughly investigate the impact of various human errors among seafarers on accidents, this paper aims to examine the relationships between seafarer competencies and maritime accidents using a data-driven approach from the perspective of bridge resource management (BRM). Through analysis of historical maritime accident reports, the dataset of seafarer competencies associated with maritime accidents is established. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method is employed to identify the critical seafarer competencies for accident prevention. Then, a data-driven Bayesian Network (BN) model, based on a Tree Augmented Naive Bayes (TAN) method, is constructed to reveal the relationship between seafarer competencies and accident types, which are validated by sensitivity analysis and case study. The results indicate that the key seafarer competencies for all maritime accidents are ‘Maneuvers’, ‘Amend/maintain ship course’, ‘Decision making’, ‘Cognitive capacity’, ‘Information’, ‘Procedure operations’, ‘Situational awareness’ and ‘Communication’. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of leveraging lessons learned from past accidents to mitigate risks and ensure safe maritime operations. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics between seafarer competencies and accident types, unveiling the joint impact of different seafarer competencies on maritime accidents. This perspective offers valuable insights for maritime authorities in strengthening maritime safety regulations.

Health-risk assessment of mercury in main market-sold foods in the Pingliang region of Gansu province, China, from 2013 to 2021

In the present study, we analyzed mercury concentrations in 742 samples across five main food categories from 2013 to 2021 using direct mercury analysis (DMA) to understand mercury pollution in major market-sold foods in the Pingliang region of Gansu Province and assess the health risks of mercury dietary exposure in adults. Health risks of adult dietary exposure were assessed through deterministic evaluation. Total mercury content ranged from non-detectable (ND) to 0.13 mg/kg, with a detection rate of 90.70% (673/742), the highest detection rates being in fresh edible mushrooms and nuts. The overall exceedance rate was 0.13% (1/742), with one sample of fresh edible mushrooms exceeding the regulatory limit for total mercury content. Additionally, we incorporated the average mercury content and consumption levels of meat and seafood from regions geographically close to Pingliang, as reported in the Fifth National Total Diet Study, to calculate the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) by a deterministic evaluation. For adult males, the exposure was 0.120 μg/(kg BW), while for adult females, it was 0.141 μg/(kg BW). Both values are significantly lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 4 μg/(kg BW) established by JECFA in 2010, indicating that the total mercury concentration from food intake does not pose a significant health risk to the residents of the Pingliang area. These findings offer valuable scientific data to inform food safety regulations in the region and can serve as a benchmark for future mercury pollution risk assessments in other locations.

Energy consumption and dilution of toxic gases in underground infrastructures: A case study in a railway tunnel under forced ventilation

Toxic fumes are released after blasting in underground excavations. The analysis of safe re-entry times into the work areas is essential for addressing safety and productivity concerns. In this paper, a railway tunnel 2.1 km long under forced ventilation system is selected as a case study to assess the energy consumption and re-entry times after blasting under different ventilation conditions. First, three-dimensional CFD numerical models were conducted in order to predict the migration time to reduce the levels of noxious gases below the limits established in safety regulations. Field measurements were conducted to verify the accuracy of the results obtained in the simulations. Then, additional analytical models were conducted to evaluate the energy consumed by the ventilation system. The results obtained show that the accumulated re-entry time reaches 414 h for the excavation of the tunnel employing an airflow rate of 40 m3 s−1. This time increases by 33 % when the airflow rate decreases to 30 m3 s−1. However, even though the time decreases when the ventilation volume increases, energy consumption increases significantly, reaching 1,306 MWh for a ventilation volume of 40 m3 s−1 compared to 551 MWh using an airflow of 30 m3 s−1.