Working Conditions Research Articles

Precarious work on the rise

Precarious employment (PE) is non-standard employment with uncertain and unstable contract duration, low wages, and limited labour protections and rights. Research has associated PE with workers’ poor mental health and well-being; however, this association has been studied primarily using quantitative methods. This qualitative study seeks to examine the mechanisms between PE and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, it aims to address: (Benach J, Muntaner C. Precarious employment and health: developing a research agenda. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2007;61(4):276.) How do PE and working conditions impact the mental well-being of workers and members of their close families or households?; and (Kreshpaj B, Orellana C, Burström B, Davis L, Hemmingsson T, Johansson G, et al. What is precarious employment? A systematic review of definitions and operationalizations from quantitative and qualitative studies. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2020;46(3):235–47.) How has the COVID-19 pandemic shaped these relationships? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 40 individuals aged 25–55 engaged in PE during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic or whose employment was terminated due to the pandemic. Results showed that PE amplified mental health symptoms and illnesses for workers and their families. These experiences were described as chronic, where impacts were exerted on precariously employed workers through systemic discrimination and racism, colonialism, workplace hierarchies, and gendered ideologies. PE negatively impacted mental health through emotional stress about employment and income instability, insecurity, and loss; added pressure for households where both partners are engaged in PE; impacted ability to maintain or improve overall health and well-being; and barriers to social connectedness. Overall, this study characterizes multiple dimensions of PE and the consequences they have on the mental health of workers and their families.

Hygienic assessment of working conditions at workplaces of specialists with high computer load and justification of preventive measures

Hygienic assessment of working conditions at workplaces of specialists with high computer load and justification of preventive measures

Optimising design and operation of sewage source heat pump: techno-economic and environmental assessment

ABSTRACT Heat pump can be used to recover abundant thermal energy contained in the discharge of municipal wastewater treatment plants. While there are some design standards for common heat pump systems, the design of a sewage source heat pump (SSHP) system is still often based on a fixed heat load and neglects the interdependencies between the equipment sizing and operating parameters. To address the issue that previous design methods have not balanced investment and operational costs well from a global optimisation perspective, this work formulates the simultaneous optimisation of SSHP design and operation as a non-linear programming problem. The proposed model features the consideration of multiple working conditions caused by the impact of ambient temperature variation on the heat load of the SSHP system. The feasibility and potential benefits of the optimised SSHP system are also evaluated by incorporating techno-economic performances and environmental impact analyses into the mathematical framework. A case study is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The results show that the total annual cost of the optimally designed and operated SSHP in Harbin could be 9% lower than in Beijing and 39% lower than in Shanghai, suggesting that constructing and running the SSHP system in severe cold regions with great heating demands might be more economical than in less cold regions. The CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions of the SSHP could be approximately 50% less than that of coal-fired boiler heating, and 80% less than that of direct electric heating with coal-fired electricity.

An energy management strategy based on dynamic programming for fuel cell hybrid trucks in ports

The deterioration of environment and the proposal of carbon neutrality are causing the transformation of port freight transportation. Fuel cell hybrid trucks (FCHTs) may be a promising solution for port logistic with the characteristics of low speed, heavy duty and frequent start-stops. How to achieve efficient energy management for FCHTs in ports is a key issue, which is still in the initial stage. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of dynamic programming (DP) strategy on energy management of FCHTs. With the intention of calculating power demands, the FCHT structure and the models of each component are established. In the DP method, the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, the power supplied by the battery, and hydrogen fuel consumption are regarded as the state variable, the decision variable, and the objective function, respectively. The simulation results under two different typical working conditions in ports show that the proposed DP outperforms existing genetic algorithm (GA) and rule-based strategy for reducing hydrogen fuel consumption by over 10%. Moreover, a set of instances among several FCHTs with different parameters and conditions suggest different influences of key feature parameters on hydrogen fuel consumption and SOC. Nearly 50% cost reduction of the FCHT in the "quay crane-yard " (QCY) cycle compared with diesel trucks at the current price indicates wide application prospect of FCHTs. At last, the results under different conditions reconfirm that DP is an excellent strategy to tackle energy management of FCHTs in ports with frequent start-stops and heavy-load scenarios.

Subversive mythical figures and feminist resistance: On the rise of posthuman 'professionals'.

Within the context of neoliberal healthcare, nurses and other health professionals face working conditions that leave them perpetually feeling inadequate, as though they are not enough. They are consistently expected to achieve more with less resources. In such an environment, mere professionalism proves wholly insufficient, enforcing norms of altruism and kindness. Professionals must transcend this disciplinary tool and embody a 'more-than-professional' approach. This study, informed by critical posthumanism, employs three mythical archetypes-the Medusa, the Witch and the Siren-to illuminate potential avenues for resistance against prevailing trends in healthcare. Drawing on the perspectives of Hélène Cixous, Silvia Federici and Jacques Rancière, we introduce a process of resistance for healthcare professionals pushing back against the challenges of crumbling healthcare systems. Cixous' feminist reimagining of Medusa symbolizes intensified embodied sensory experiences, emphasizing the power of irony, laughter and writing in highlighting the daily struggles faced by healthcare workers. Federici's depiction of the Witch exposes clandestine alliances among healthcare workers and patients, akin to a pact with the devil, countering the individualistic, alienating approach to care provision and resisting neoliberal pressures. The Witch archetype embodies resistance grounded in creativity against the commodification of public healthcare. Finally, Rancière's 'politics of the Siren' offers a strategy for disrupting entrenched hierarchies from the underworld. Like Sirens, healthcare workers and patients can subversively transform their silence into songs of resistance, simultaneously operating from beneath the surface of accountability measures. Our intention is to showcase the emergence of posthuman 'professionals' who adapt by forging new modes of social relations in response to neoliberal constraints, straying from conventional, apolitical notions of 'professionalism'. Drawing lessons from mythical figures of resistance offers a fresh understanding of subversion as a catalyst for social and political transformation within the healthcare sector.

A novel transformer-based few-shot learning method for intelligent fault diagnosis with noisy labels under varying working conditions

Recent years have witnessed the success of Few-shot Learning (FSL) methods in equipment reliability enhancement and fault diagnosis, by virtue of learning from limited data and adapting to new operating conditions. However, due to sensor bias, manual collection, and mislabeling, label noise is inevitably introduced into the dataset, which further reduces the quality of supervised information contained in the few-shot dataset, posing significant challenges for accurate fault diagnosis. In this paper, the problem of Few-shot Fault Diagnosis with Noisy Labels (FFDNL) is studied for the first time, and a novel method named Enhanced Transformer with Asymmetric Loss Function (ETALF) is proposed. ETALF leverages the self-attention mechanism of the transformer to dynamically measure the similarity between fault samples in the support set to enhance the model's robustness against label noise, then naturally aggregates the similar samples into corresponding correct prototypes. Furthermore, an asymmetric loss function is designed, which adaptively assigns the model with larger penalties for incorrect category predictions and smaller penalties for correct category predictions, thereby enhancing fault diagnostic performance through inherent asymmetry. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on two benchmark datasets, and the compared results with representative approaches validate the effectiveness of our proposed ETALF in performing intelligent fault diagnosis using limited and noise-labeled data under varying working conditions, which achieves accuracies of 97.77% and 95.78% with 0.2 noisy-level labels during meta-training and meta-testing on the CWRU and KAIST datasets, respectively.

Seismic response of jacket-supported offshore wind turbines for different operational modes considering earthquake directionality

This study aims to analyse how jacket-supported OWTs functioning in three different operational modes (power production, emergency shutdown and parked mode) respond to seismic actions when subject to different incoming wind directions and ground motion shaking directions. To do so, the seismic response of the NREL 5MW OWT founded on the OC4 jacket substructure is simulated using an OpenFAST model that includes multi-support seismic input, soil–structure interaction and kinematic interaction. The impact of the working conditions and of the directionality of the loads on the jacket substructure is analysed and discussed. The tower top accelerations and displacements are examined for different sets of cases, and the seismic response of the jacket is studied in terms of internal forces and von Mises stresses along the different levels of the substructure. The results show, and quantify, the relevance of considering the different operational modes for a correct design of the substructure and of the foundation. The maximum structural stresses within the jacket substructure appear almost always in power production, with the exception of the top part of the legs, where higher stresses arise during emergency shutdown in several cases.

SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: LEAN ERGONOMICS ANALYSIS IN SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Ergonomics has emerged as a significant workplace issue, negatively impacting finances due to worker absence and reduced productivity. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are particularly prone to occupational accidents, contributing to over 80% of such incidents. This review delves into the perspective of lean ergonomics within SMEs. The study followed a structured review protocol,formulating research questions and systematically searching the Scopus and WoS databases. The findings reveal several key points: (1) SMEs commonly implement ergonomics principles addressing awkward postures, repetitive movements, manual material handling, hand-wrist postures, excessive reach, grip strength, and prolonged standing; (2) Lean principles such as SMED, 5S, standardized work,TPM, VSM, and kanban positively impact ergonomics; (3) Various ergonomics assessment methods, including REBA, RULA, HFE, JSI, KIM, OCRA, and Shoaf’s model, are recommended for future research and practical application; (4) Ergonomics can underpin lean transformation efforts, with Lean Manufacturing (LM) contributing to reduced ergonomics risks. However, the review identified alimitation in the scope of databases used (WoS and Scopus), suggesting that expanding the range of databases and research keywords could improve future article searches. The study's primary focus serves as a reference point for future researchers and manufacturers interested in lean ergonomics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to enhance worker safety and productivity through ergonomic and lean practices.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in Serum Using Physical Methods.

Since 2019, many studies on coronavirus disease 2019, which has caused extensive damage as a pandemic, have been ongoing on a global scale. These include serological and biochemical studies using sera from patients and animal models. Testing with these sera must be performed after inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Heat treatment, UV irradiation, and/or gamma-ray irradiation have been used to inactivate viruses in the serum. Determining the inactivation conditions that ensure the inactivation of viruses and minimize the effect on test results after inactivation is important to ensure worker safety and the accuracy of test results. In this study, serum samples containing SARS-CoV-2 were subjected to heat, UV irradiation, and gamma irradiation to determine optimal inactivation conditions. The viral titers were below the detection limit after heating at 56°C for 1 h or 60°C for 15 min, UV-B irradiation with a transilluminator for 30 min, or gamma-ray irradiation with 60 Co at 10 kGy. These results provide useful information for safe serological and biochemical experiments.

Thermal Comfort Effect of Natural Radiation: Color Factor in Industrial Safety Helmets, Human Health

This article presents the effects of helmet colors from protective clothing on the thermal protection factor under natural radiation. Thermal exposure distributions were measured using a thermal camera to determine the sun protection effectiveness of helmets under various exposure conditions. Increasing the thermal comfort of the hard hat, which is a work safety protective clothing, has become one of the biggest areas of interest of hard hat designers. Helmets protect human health by providing simple and useful protection against natural radiation rays. To identify the effect of the colors of the helmets, temperature distributions were detected using a thermal camera. White color is important for human health as it has the greatest effect on the thermal protection factor of helmets, which are protective clothing. In this study, recommendations for the engineering of hard hats, which are protective clothing with adequate thermal protection, are presented. Experimental results of white, blue and yellow colored helmets have been determined.

Identification of Potential Hazards in Hazardous Waste Disposal Using Job Safety Analysis (JSA) At Infineon Technologies Batam

Infineon is a manufacturing company that in the production process produces a lot of hazardous waste. This study aims to identify potential hazards and risks using the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) method that exist in each work sequence, as well as determine risk criteria, provide risk assessment and risk control. The stages of data processing start from sequencing work steps, identifying hazards and risks, assessing the risk of potential hazards and determining proposals for controlling potential hazards. The results of this study found that the potential hazards that can cause injuries and work accidents in hazardous waste management are mostly related to chemical spillage and manual handling. There are 10 jobs that have a risk value of 6 and 2 jobs that have a risk value of 4. Improving work safety can be done by educating especially to waste operators and equipping PPE cabinets so that they are easily accessible.

222Rn and 220Rn levels in drinking water, emanation, and exhalation assessment, and the related health implications in the U-bearing area of Poli-Cameroon.

The inherent radioactivity of radon gas presents potential exposure risks to human beings through ingestion and inhalation of its radioisotopes 222Rn (radon) and 220Rn (thoron) from water sources. Recent studies have been conducted to assess radon concentrations in different environmental matrices such as water, air, and soil, due to their detrimental impact on human health. As the main cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and an acknowledged contributor to stomach cancer when ingested, the present study aimed to preliminarily assess radon and thoron levels in the Uranium bearing area of Poli in the Faro division of Cameroon, known for its significant U-deposits. The assessment included measuring 220, 222Rn concentrations in drinking water, emanation, and exhalation, with a specific focus on evaluating the exposure of different age groups within the local population. The radon/thoron levels in water and their related exposure and cancer risk dataindicated no immediate health hazards. However, continuous monitoring and prospective measures are deemed essential due to the area's abundant U-minerals. The emanation measurements showed sparsely distributed data with a singularity at Salaki, where the equipment recorded values of 8.14 × 1012 Bqm-3 and 3.27 × 1012 Bqm-3 for radon and thoron, respectively. Moreover, radon/thoron transfer coefficients from thesoil to theair indicated levels below unity. While the calculated doses suggest minimum potential risk in line with WHO and UNSCEAR guidelines, the obtained results are expected to significantly contribute to the establishment of national standards for radon levels in drinking water, emanation, and exhalation. Furthermore, these findings can play a crucial role in monitoring radon/thoron levels to ensure public health safety.

Participatory action research: A tool to develop occupational health and safety education for new immigrant workers

Immigrant workers are a growing segment of Canada’s labour force, essential to its economy and society. Yet, they face occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges due to communication barriers, limited training, scarce resources, and workplace discrimination. This study sought to design learning resources to enhance the understanding of OHS in Canadian workplaces among new immigrant workers, drawing from their personal experiences. Through participatory action research, nine immigrant workers took part in six online sessions over three months, where they identified problems, discussed education, reflected, and decided on actions. Key issues raised included inadequate training, unawareness of OHS rights, hesitation in reporting safety concerns due to fear of backlash, and facing psychological threats like discrimination. This research illuminated the complex interplay of cultural and communication differences in OHS. Consequently, five education modules, rooted in real-world insights, were developed, emphasizing the significance of OHS, psychological risks, Canadian workplace norms, communication, and vital resources. This PAR successfully developed OHS learning modules, which not only tackle challenges and provide solutions for new immigrant workers but also craft with cultural sensitivity and lived expertise. These tools are tailored to equip new immigrant workers with the knowledge and confidence needed to enhance their OHS practices.

Job Stress from Nurses’ Working Conditions in Sabah Women and Child Hospital

Both excessive and insufficient workloads can cause stress among employees. It has been established that as tasks take longer to complete, employee happiness tends to decrease, which can significantly impact their overall health and mental well-being. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between age and working conditions concerning job stress among registered nurses in a government hospital in Sabah. The quantitative survey approach was employed, involving 60 registered nurses with a minimum of 3 years of experience. Purposive sampling was utilized to ensure a sample that would provide comprehensive insights and discoveries into the factors influencing job stress among nurses in this specific setting. The analysis indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between age, working conditions as demographics, and job stress (p = 0.499). The average stress level reported by respondents was 15.7 ± 2.32379 on a scale where higher scores indicate greater stress. This finding suggests that the observed demographic characteristics, including age and specific working conditions, did not correlate with higher or lower levels of job stress among the nurses surveyed. Based on the survey results, it can be concluded that age and the specific working conditions studied do not appear to significantly influence the experience of job stress among registered nurses at the government hospital in Sabah. This implies that other factors not explored in this study may have a more pronounced impact on job stress levels within this population. Future research could explore additional variables or consider different methodologies to further understand the complexities of job stress among healthcare professionals.

Joint ICOH-WOPS & APA-PFAW global roundtable perspectives: exploring national policy approaches for psychological health at work through the 'National Policy Index' lens.

Worker psychological health is a significant global imperative which requires national policy action and stakeholder engagement. While national policy is a critical lever for improving worker psychological health, some countries are more progressive than others in relation to policy development and/or implementation. At the Joint Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health, Scientific Committee on Work Organization and Psychosocial Factors and the Asia Pacific Academy for Psychosocial Factors Work in Tokyo (September 2023), a Global Roundtable was designed to initiate international dialogue and knowledge exchange regarding relevant national policy approaches. The Global Roundtable involved experts from diverse regions alongside an engaged audience of congress attendees and facilitators. Qualitative data were analysed against the five components of the National Policy Index tool, comprising policy priority, specific laws, nation-wide initiatives, sector-oriented initiatives, national survey and/or studies. Analysis revealed that while work-related psychological health is a policy priority across many countries, at the same time, there are global gaps in both legislation specificity and active regulation across different countries. For future policy development across countries, it will be beneficial to continue and deepen international discourse and for countries to share their approaches with others.

Evolution of research related to how a sedentary lifestyle influences the aging process: a bibliometric review

Abstract Aim The world’s population suffers greatly from sedentary lifestyles, which are becoming more common as a result of factors such as a lack of easily accessible places to exercise, a rise in sedentary work practices such as office work, and the pervasive use of television and video devices. Consequently, associated health problems are escalating. The primary goal of this study was to examine the state and features of current trends in international publications regarding the effects of sedentary behavior on the elderly. Subject and methods A bibliometric analysis spanning the years 1994–2022, identifying a total of 311 documents, was carried out using the Web of Science Core Collection. Results The findings showed an exponential increase of 79% from 1997 to the present. The most productive journal categories, authors, and countries were Geriatrics & Gerontology and Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; authors S. Amagasa, N. Fukushima, S. Inoue, and H. Kikuchi; and the United States, respectively. Considerable variation was found in the keywords; “aging” and “sedentary lifestyle” were the most frequent terms, with 97 and 37 instances, respectively. Conclusion Maximum investment in programs promoting physical activity is necessary to improve quality of life as people age. Participants’ mental health will improve as a result of these programs, and their risk of illness will decrease.

Association between menopause and occupational burnout in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT The increased proportion of women in the workplace and the labor force aging have been demanding investigations of the link between menopause and occupational health issues, especially in healthcare settings. Evidence on the association between menopause and occupational burnout in healthcare settings is still inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between menopause and burnout among clinical and non-clinical workers in different occupational health environments. A multi-center, cross-sectional study, applying the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OBI) was conducted from September 2021 to March 2023 in University Medical Center (UMC) hospitals in Astana, Kazakhstan. The study involved 125 physicians and nurses and 82 non-clinical administrative and service staff. We found that 63.9% of respondents had disengagement and 61.7% had exhaustion. The affiliated clinical setting was associated with disengagement (p = 0.034), with the highest prevalence among employees in surgical departments (76.9%), while a higher prevalence of exhaustion was found in individuals with different work experience (p = 0.023) and among those who were dissatisfied with their work environment (74.3%). While burnout was identified in almost two-thirds of respondents, the self-reported menopause status of participants was not significantly related to either disengagement (p = 0.34) or exhaustion (p = 0.73), even though a higher prevalence of both was revealed among the postmenopausal group. We propose that healthcare management should understand the importance of burnout among postmenopausal healthcare workers and facilitate open communication and a supportive work environment.

Firefighter Hose Rolling Method: Low Back Pain Risks Analysis with Full-Factorial Approach

Firefighters frequently face the risk of Low back pain (LBP) due to the strenuous nature of their duties, especially during hose rolling tasks. Prioritizing their safety and health is vital. This study aimed to evaluate and compare various hose rolling techniques to lower the LBP risk in firefighters. A full-factorial approach was employed to exhaustively examine every possible combination of three key factors: the hose rolling method (conventional, mechanical, motorized), hose condition (dry, wet, dirty), and hose length (10, 20, 30 meters). Across 27 different trials, an Industrial Lumbar Motion Monitor (iLMM) was used to assess the LBP risk, which is lift rate, average twisting velocity, maximum moment, maximum sagittal flexion, and maximum lateral velocity. The study's results indicated that conventional method had the highest LBP risk at 58.22%, with mechanical rolling at 34.33%. In contrast, the motorized hose rolling method showed a significantly lower risk, averaging at 17.44%. This denotes a 40.78% reduction in LBP risk compared to conventional hose rolling method, positioning the motorized roller as the most effective and safest option among those tested. This method's efficacy underscores its potential as a viable solution for improving firefighter safety. These findings offer important insights into occupational health and safety in firefighting. The data suggests that adopting motorized hose rolling tools could significantly alleviate the physical burdens and associated health hazards firefighters face. This advancement is a critical step towards enhancing their overall safety and well-being in the field.

Start of the Season in a Seasonal Work Context: A Better Understanding of the Difficulties Experienced by Seasonal Workers in the Food Processing Industry for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

The specific period of the start of a new working season and a return to work after the off-season seems to be a critical moment for the musculoskeletal health of seasonal workers. This study aims to identify the difficulties and working conditions encountered by seasonal workers in this particular period of the working season which may increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). An in-depth ergonomic work activity study, combined with a multiple case study of eight seasonal workers from a meat processing facility, was conducted. Various interviews (n = 24) and observations of work activity, organization, and production (n = 96 h) were held at different moments (off-season, return to work at the start of the season, and during the season). Critical work situations exposing workers to WMSD risks emerged and highlighted a diversity of difficulties, such as accomplishing work activity involving strong physical strain and a significant and underestimated mental load, and having to rapidly develop new skills or re-learn working strategies after a long off-period. The study findings have implications for developing actions to prevent WMSDs that target working conditions and support a return to work for returning seasonal workers and a start of work for new seasonal workers, and to address work disability in this context.

Underground coal gangue recognition based on composite fusion of feature and decision

Abstract The underground coal gangue separation and in-situ filling can reduce environmental pollution, promote the recycling of resources, and ensure the safe operation of mining. However, the harsh environment and abnormal working conditions are a significant challenge to the separation technology. Therefore, it is essential to develop a coal gangue classification method that is highly accurate, robust, and can handle abnormal working conditions. To address the above problems, this paper innovatively combines spectral modalities with image modalities to establish a multimodal fusion idea of composite fusion. Firstly, the feasibility of spectral-image fusion and effective fusion criterion are explored under the concat fusion strategy through various feature combinations and classification algorithms under ideal conditions to improve the performance of the model; Secondly, feature fusion is introduced into the single-layer perceptron and its potential in deep learning is explored to improve the performance of the model; Then the quantitative criteria of the judgement matrix are improved based on the analytical hierarchy method (AHP) to improve the scientificity and objectivity of decision making; Finally, the effectiveness of our method is verified by testing the bimodal dataset of simulated working conditions. The results show that the accuracy of the composite fusion of spectral and image features reaches 91.43%, and our analytical hierarchy method can be applied to all basic model scenarios, which makes the method highly applicable and feasible. The fusion of deep neural networks shows the strong potential of modal fusion in deep learning. This method can provide a new idea for intelligent separation of underground coal gangue.