Working Conditions Of Employees Research Articles

Supervision Impact on Rehabilitation Counselor Job Satisfaction and Intent-to-Quit

In the public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, recruitment and retention of rehabilitation counselors remains a persistent concern that has broad implications for employee working conditions and the capacity to effectively serve individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation counselor supervision models have commonly included clinical supervision, administrative supervision, and supervisory working alliance (SWA) variables, though there is limited empirical research exploring how these factors relate to counselor outcomes. A sample of 192 practicing rehabilitation counselors from state VR agencies were surveyed to investigate how these factors contribute to counselors’ job satisfaction and intent-to-quit. Results showed that clinical supervision practices contributed to higher job satisfaction and lower intent-to-quit, with evidence that this effect was mediated through the SWA. Administrative supervision was not a significant contributor to outcomes in multivariate models. Findings suggest that regular supervision sessions that incorporate clinical concerns and balance administrative demands may support counselor retention.

The implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program on employee working conditions in the harvesting unit of PT Sewangi Sejati Luhur

PT. Sewangi Sejati Luhur, a palm oil plantation company, manages 7,000 hectares divided into 12 divisions across 3 estates. The company primarily focuses on cultivating and processing Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), with the harvesting unit employing the most workers. This research aims to investigate the implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program within the harvesting unit at PT Sewangi Sejati Luhur, designed to prevent work accidents and occupational diseases. Conducted in Tapung Hulu Subdistrict, Kampar Regency, Riau Province, the study employs a quantitative descriptive method using the HIRARC method to assess OHS application and employee working conditions. A saturated sample of 30 harvesting employees was surveyed through interviews and documentation of the OHS program. The findings reveal that the OHS program includes periodic health exams, OHS awareness campaigns, monthly activities, and training sessions. The program's implementation has led to low accident rates and satisfactory achievement of goals. Correlation analysis shows a significant link between OHS program implementation and improved employee working conditions. Additionally, 82% of respondents reported that the OHS program significantly influenced their working conditions, while 18% cited other factors. Overall, the OHS program in PT Sewangi Sejati Luhur's harvesting unit has been effective, ensuring a low accident rate and meeting monthly targets.

ANALYSIS OF RISK MANAGEMENT TERMINOLOGY IN EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

An analysis of the main provisions and terms in accordance with domestic and international standards in the field of occupational health and safety of employees (hereinafter referred to as OSH) and risk management was carried out in order to avoid different interpretations in the draft Law on Occupational Safety and Health of Employees. To achieve this goal, the continuous sampling method, the descriptive method, the method of analyzing dictionary definitions, the method of word formation analysis, and the comparative method of component analysis were used. The study was conducted in four stages: analysis of the literature on occupational safety and health protection of workers; selection of terms for analysis; analysis of approaches to defining the concepts of "term", "terminology", analysis of lexical-semantic and structural features of terms; formation of general conclusions and prospects for further research. The justification of the change in the definitions of the main terms in OSH was carried out. It is proposed to present OSH at work as a part of the overall management system of the employer's activities, which is aimed at creating safe working conditions for employees and preserving their health by managing occupational risks. We recommend adding the concept of accident to the terms in the draft Law of Ukraine on occupational safety and health of workers, since the Procedure for Investigations and The Civil Protection Code of Ukraine defines the specified term. It is proposed to define occupational risk as a combination of the probability of occurrence of a work-related hazardous event(s) or exposure(s) and the severity of injury and health impairment that may be caused by this event(s) or exposure(s); occupational risk assessment as a process of comparing the results of occupational risk analysis with risk criteria to determine whether the occupational risk and/or its magnitude is acceptable (acceptable); occupational risk management is preventive and protective measures that reduce and/or modify (change) occupational risk to an acceptable (acceptable) level. The justification of the semantic load of the most used terms in the field of occupational safety and health protection of workers: risk, risk management, acceptable risk, dangerous event, incident was carried out for their qualitative use in the draft Law on Occupational Safety and Health of Workers. Recommendations for the description of terms and definitions for the draft Law of Ukraine on occupational safety and health of workers have been developed.

Analysis Of Factors That Influence The Performance Of Employees In Boarding And Unloading Of Ship Goods In The Port

The activity of loading and unloading ship goods at the port is one of the vital activities in the goods distribution chain. The performance of employees involved in this process has a direct impact on port efficiency and productivity as well as safety and security in its operations. However, in practice, a variety of factors might impact employee effectiveness in these activities. The aim of this research is to analyze the factors that influence the performance of employees involved in loading and unloading ship cargo activities at the port. This study0 uses quantitative research methods by collecting data through surveys using questionnaires and literature studies. The data that has been collected is then analyzed using a regression test using the SPSS program. The research results show that the factors that influence the performance of employees loading and unloading ship goods at the port include supervision, human resource competency and job security. Therefore, to improve employee performance, efforts need to be made such as strengthening the monitoring and control system for employee performance, improving employee training and competency development, and creating safe and comfortable working conditions for employees.

ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR MANAGING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISE

The purpose of the article is to study and clarify the substantive characteristics of organisational culture, to substantiate its relationship with the organisational design of enterprise. To determine the key factors of mutual influence on the formation of organisational culture and building of organisational design of a telecommunications enterprise. To assess the state of organisational culture of telecommunication enterprises and provide recommendations for its support, taking into account the functional features of its management. An analysis of the dynamics of the volume of products (services) sold by economic entities of Ukraine by type of economic activity for the period (2015, 2020, 2021, 2022) is carried out. Methodology. Economic and abstract and logical research methods were used in combination with methods of collecting sociological information: surveys and questionnaires. They made it possible to study the dynamics of development of enterprises by types of economic activity and assess the state of corporate culture of telecommunications enterprises. Results. According to the results of the analysis of statistical data, the decrease in the volume of products (services) sold by Ukrainian enterprises in the analysed period was revealed, regardless of the type of economic activity. The reasons for the deterioration of their activity have been clarified and the factors of mutual influence on the formation of the organisational culture and the construction of the organisational design of the telecommunications enterprise have been described. The state of the organisational culture of the telecommunications enterprises was assessed according to the relevant criteria within the framework of the questions. It was proved that organisational culture is an effective management tool. Practical implications. The study of the state of organisational culture of telecommunications enterprises in Ukraine proves the need to model the strategy of formation and development of organisational culture, taking into account internal opportunities and external threats that can accelerate or inhibit this development. The results of the assessment will help to make effective management decisions to improve the working environment and employee satisfaction. Value / Оriginality. It is recommended to take into account the functions of internal integration and external adaptation in the process of managing the organisational culture of a telecommunications enterprise. This is necessary to improve the working conditions of the company's employees and to establish effective interaction between the levels of management and employees.

Влияние химического фактора на безопасные условия труда машинистов дорожно-строительной техники

The article considers current issues of the impact of harmful and hazardous factors of the production environment and working process on the working conditions of employees of the road construction industry. In particular, potentially negative chemical factors at the workplace of drivers of road construction machinery have been identified; the extent of their impact on the personnel has been determined based on the special assessment of working conditions. The list of harmful substances and mixtures in the air of the working area of the drivers of road construction machinery has been established. The protocols of chemical factor measurement and assessment and the cards of special assessment of working conditions at 16 workplaces of the drivers of various road construction machinery have been analyzed. Based on the comparative analysis and its graphic visualization, specific working conditions at the workplace of drivers most exposed to the adverse impact of chemical factors have been detected. The largest emissions of harmful chemicals are primarily specific for the workplaces of drivers of highly specialized road equipment, i.e., pavers, self-propelled rollers, and motor graders. Therefore, at the workplace of a driver of a GS-1402 motor grader, the maximum permissible concentration of chemical elements is exceeded by 11 % for NO2 and СО combination. For asphalt paver drivers, when employing Vogele and DC 191.504.02 pavers, the shift-average maximum permissible concentrations of harmful substances are exceeded by 9.67 % and 4.33 % respectively for the mixture of limiting aliphatic hydrocarbons C1–C10. The study of chemical impact on road construction workers can aim at the detailed investigation of working conditions and their improvement by the development of workflow organization at all stages of motor road construction. The special assessment of working conditions can be used as a tool to develop approaches to security and occupational safety management in road construction.

Industry 4.0 Solutions as Enablers for the Sustainability of the Italian Ceramic Tiles Sector

The Italian ceramic tiles district has a long tradition but is called to face new sustainability challenges related to the profitability, the environmental impact, and the capability to offer pleasant and motivating working conditions for new young employees. New Industry 4.0 approaches are emerging to evolve the current industrial organization and are expected to enhance the overall economic, environmental, and social viability. In this context, this paper aims at demonstrating the positive correlation between the new technologies and the sustainability of the sector. It outlines the main achievements of a 4-year project financed by the Italian government, involving the entire chain made up of research centers, technology providers, and tiles producers. The presented approach is concretized in several technological innovations based on the Industry 4.0 paradigm. Furthermore, a pilot line was created to test the new systems and collect data on the process. The main results are reported in terms of improved sustainability KPIs, such as extended possibility of control of production plants, waste reduction, lower consumption of raw materials and chemical additives. Finally, a sensible increase in the operators’ digitalization level is registered, making a shift from a physical and hard working environment towards more conceptual and attractive job conditions.

Key Elements of Safety Culture

Security is one of the most important aspects in various spheres of society. In everyday life, a person is obliged to independently make certain choices in favor of his safety. But in professional activities, the employer is responsible for his safety. The employer is obliged to provide safe working conditions for employees at their workplaces and to immediately take certain measures if these conditions do not comply with safety regulations. This is stated in Article 214 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. An important element of ensuring safety in an organization is safety culture. According to the International Labor Organization, there are 340 million occupational accidents every year, and the main reasons include a poor safety culture and neglect of occupational safety and health standards.

Experimental design for sustainable tourism: a horizon 2050 paper

Purpose This paper aims to uncover the insights derived from past experimental studies in promoting sustainable tourism. It also advocates for leveraging future experimental designs to position tourism as a catalyst for positive change toward sustainable development goals. Design/methodology/approach A review of previous literature examines the contributions of experimental design in both tourist studies and employee studies within the tourism fields. Findings Previous experimental studies have explored effective methods shaping tourists’ sustainable behaviors and management strategies contributing to employees’ decent work. The importance of integrating digital technology in these interventions is highlighted. A future research agenda encompassing three dimensions – technological progress, theory development and practical implications and research design – is proposed to leverage experimental studies for fostering sustainable development within the tourism industry. Originality/value This study, through a comprehensive review, highlights the significant impacts of previous experimental studies on encouraging responsible consumption among tourists and championing improved working conditions for employees. It underscores the necessity for enhanced experimental design, which should integrate theoretical frameworks and prioritize technological innovations to address real-world challenges. These improvements are crucial for advancing the tourism industry toward greater sustainability.

Insights on emotional labour research: a topic modelling approach

Purpose Emotional labour (EL) is a complex phenomenon that has received increasing attention in recent years due to its impact on employee’s well-being and job satisfaction. For a comprehensive understanding of the evolving field of EL, it is important to extract different research trends, new developments and research directions in this domain. The study aims to reveal 13 prominent research topics based on the topic modelling analysis. Design/methodology/approach Using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) method, topic modelling is done on 1,462 journal research papers published between 1999 and 2023, extracted from the Scopus database using the keyword “EL”. Findings The analysis identifies several emerging trends in EL research, including emotional regulation training and job redesign. Similarly, the topics like EL strategies, cultural differences and EL, EL in hospitality, organizational support and EL, EL and gender and psychological well-being of nursing workers are popular research topics in this domain. Research limitations/implications The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of EL research and can provide a direction for future research as well as assist organizations to design practices aimed at improving working conditions for employees in various industries. Originality/value Topic modelling on emotional labor is done. The paper identifies specific topics or clusters related to emotional labor, quantifies these topics using topic modeling, adds empirical rigor, and allows for comparisons across different contexts.

Labor dynamics and unions: An empirical analysis through Okun's Law

The understanding between labor dynamics and unions is a topic of great interest to economists and policymakers. It is known that unions can influence the working conditions of employees, either to their benefit or detriment. Using data for the G-7 countries over the period 1980–2023, the relationship between labor dynamics and unionization is examined. The association studied partly determines the collective bargaining behavior of unions. Thus, it was determined that in some cases (Italy), unions have rather rigid positions in their negotiations (positive relationship). On the contrary, unions such as the German ones show a rather flexible position (negative relationship). In addition, it was found that unions in the USA and Canada evolve towards more flexible reforms as their membership increases (positive-negative relationship). Also, the findings show how unions in some countries (Japan and UK) move from flexibility towards rigidity as they gain presence (negative-positive relationship).

TRANSFORMATION OF SAFETY CULTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALISATION

Today, many industries across the globe are showing interest in the concept of safety culture. They consider the concept as a means to reduce the risk of accidents and disasters. However, despite the importance of the concept development, its formation and implementation have been accompanied by a significant number of complications, which arose because of the fragmentation and unsystematic nature of research on the development of safety culture and its importance for various industries. Nowadays, the situation has become more complicated due to the rapid digitalisation of industry, which has fundamentally changed the principles of operation of many industries. At the same time, safety culture is essential to ensuring an organisation’s sustainable development, requiring various activities to be coordinated and jointly implemented by the personnel who support the organisation’s smooth operation. Thus, organisations with a high risk of danger must observe the impact of digital transformation on developing a safety culture. The authors have considered and analysed the essential characteristics of safety culture to investigate the transformation of safety culture in digitalisation conditions. Based on this, we identified four types of safety culture. The analysis of culture types showed the advantages and disadvantages of introducing each culture type into an organisation’s activities. The study has established that the integral culture is the most effective. A high level of safety training for employees, attended by all employees from the lowest level to the CEO, characterises this type of culture. In addition, under this culture type, the organisation uses the most modern achievements to create safe and comfortable working conditions for all employees. Analysis of characteristics and types of safety culture has led to the conclusion that implementing a safety culture in an organisation is an effective tool for improving the working conditions of employees and, therefore, should be applied in the new digital reality. The next step was researching the transformation of safety culture in the context of digitalisation. The results revealed the advantages of digitalisation for the safety culture development of an organisation. The most significant benefits are reduced hazardous operations, improved reporting and hazard prevention effectiveness, improved team communication and collaboration, and increased regulatory compliance. Keywords: safety culture, digitalisation, employee.

Bibliographic diagnosis of green logistics: interaction or feedback in practical work

Nowadays, there are many ways to understand sustainability and sustainable development. Among researchers today, there are different perspectives on how to approach the concept of green logistics. Being one of the main components of the sustainable development concept, a systematic approach to green logistics allows consideration of all its other components. In economic terms, this means planning and managing logistics activities to achieve maximum economic benefits. Socially, we consider providing safe working conditions for company employees, as well as manufacturing safe and high-quality products and/or implementing environmentally friendly services. From an environmental point of view, we refer to the reduction of negative environmental impact by applying modern technologies. It is obvious that despite the different approaches to understanding green logistics, it has both an applicative and practical character. Green logistics is an important business differentiator as it demonstrates the company’s positioning in relation to the future of the market and the economy, as well as its commitment to consumers and the environment. Commitments to sustainable logistics deliver benefits such as a good corporate reputation, cost savings, environmental responsibility, supply chain efficiency and opportunities for new partnerships. Therefore, green logistics is a step forward that can be implemented by all companies, regardless of their segment or size.

Комплексная оценка экологической, социальной и управленческой эффективности предприятий рыбодобывающей и рыбоперерабатывающей отрасли

The purpose of the work is to form provisions for determining a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the activities of a fishing and fish processing company in the field of ecology, social responsibility and in matters of management activities. When forming this assessment, indicators are taken into account that characterize the effectiveness of environmental protection measures; improvement of working conditions of employees, organization of corporate governance. To aggregate these characteristics, methods based on the position of the theory of fuzzy sets are proposed. The computing complex itself for processing information about the state of controlled parameters is implemented in the form of a hierarchical fuzzy inference system and an additional block that is used to distribute objects of analysis by state classes. The computing complex includes fuzzy inference systems based on the Sugeno algorithm. As a result of aggregation of the estimated parameters, two estimates are formed: one allows you to rank the analyzed objects, the second – to correlate the object of analysis with a certain class of state. The simulation showed that the computing complex has a high sensitivity: if at least one of the input variables is in the range of low (bad) values, this leads to a decrease in the value of the final score. This property makes it possible to exclude the occurrence of massaging of “bad” values of individual variables with “good” values of other variables. The results of the study confirmed the ability of the complex to distribute the objects of analysis by state classes. The results can be used for the development of corporate governance systems that are oriented for use in enterprises of the fisheries industry.

Factors associated with psychological distress of workers in the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church

BackgroundThe work of church employees contains many elements causing symptoms of stress and anxiety. They can lead into psychological distress and possibly indicate the beginning of a more serious psychological state. Women seem to be more disposed to psychological stress than men. We investigated factors contributing to psychological distress among women and men in four professions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF).MethodsA link to an electronic survey was sent to the members of respective trade unions of four professions of the ELCF, and we got responses from pastors (n = 241), church musicians (n = 92), diaconal workers (n = 85) and youth workers (n = 56). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5; cut-off value ≤ 52 indicating severe distress). We used logistic regression to examine sociodemographic, health-related, and work-related factors that could potentially be associated with psychological distress.ResultsWe found severe psychological distress in all profession groups. Gender differences were scarce. Loneliness was the most important factor associated with psychological distress in both men and women (OR 14.01; 95% CI 2.68–73.25 and OR 7.84; 3.44–17.88, respectively), and among pastors and church musicians (OR 8.10; 2.83–23.16 and OR 24.36; 2.78–213.72, respectively). High mental strain of work was associated with distress in women (OR 2.45; 1.01–5.97). Good work satisfaction was a protective factor for men and women (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.01–0.40 and OR 0.61; 0.18–0.40, respectively) and for pastors and church musicians (OR 0.22; 0.08–0.73 and OR 0.06; 0.01–0.43, respectively). For women, additional protective factors were being a pastor (OR 0.26; 0.07–0.95), or youth worker (OR 0.08; 0.01–0.48), and good self-reported health (OR 0.38; 0.18–0.82).ConclusionEven though we found some protective factors, the share of workers with severe distress was higher in all profession groups of the ELCF than in the general population. Loneliness was the strongest stressor among both genders and high mental strain among women. The result may reflect unconscious mental strain or subordination to the prevailing working conditions. More attention should be paid to the mental wellbeing and work conditions of church employees.

The influence of production factors on the formation of the health of workers in the production of synthetic rubbers, preventive measures

The petrochemical industry, which includes, along with the production of basic chemicals for the production of rubber, occupies one of the leading places in terms of potential chemical hazards to the health of workers. The high prevalence of CNID among workers of petrochemical industries is an important socio-economic problem. The issues of reducing the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases, including those related to working conditions, the protection and preservation of the health of workers in petrochemical industries dictate the need to develop preventive measures. The aim of the study was to study the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in synthetic rubber production workers. Clinical and hygienic studies have been carried out in the production of synthetic rubber. Harmful production factors were assessed at 80 workplaces based on the materials of a special assessment of working conditions and production control data. The health status of 674 employees was studied according to the results of periodic medical examinations. The surveyed workers were represented by apparatchiks (33.2 %), locksmiths for the repair of technological equipment (12.8 %), machinists of pumping and compressor units (10.7 %), locksmiths of KIP and A (9.1 %). A number of clinical and laboratory, functional research methods have been used to assess the state of health. At the workplaces of the production of synthetic rubber, an adverse effect of chemicals on the worker’s body in combination with industrial noise, the severity of labor and microclimate in certain working areas has been established. The working conditions of employees of the main professions are assigned to the third class of the first-second degrees of harmfulness (classes 3.1–3.2). It was found that there were 17.3 % of practically healthy individuals. Among the identified chronic non-communicable diseases, the leading place was occupied by diseases of the musculoskeletal system (31.1 %), disorders of the autonomic nervous system (28.7 %), myopia (22.0 %), hypertension (12.2 %) hearing impairment (10.3 %). When evaluating the results of biochemical blood tests, the most pronounced changes were found in the indicators of lipid metabolism. Excess values of total cholesterol were detected in 40.9 % of employees. A complex of therapeutic and preventive measures has been developed aimed at reducing the risk of the formation of chronic non-communicable diseases, including measures of primary and secondary prevention.

Prevalence and associated factors of burnout among working adults in Southeast Asia: results from a public health assessment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the mental health crisis among employees worldwide. However, burnout research is often industry- or occupation-specific, and limited knowledge currently exists on the prevalence of burnout in the general working population of Southeast Asia. This study aims to examine the prevalence of employee burnout and its associated factors among working adults in Southeast Asia using secondary data. 4,338 full-time employees aged 18-65 years old living in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia were assessed for burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and sociodemographic characteristics as part of an online public health assessment in October 2022. The prevalence of burnout in the region was 62.91%. Burnout was highest among employees in the Philippines (70.71%) and lowest in Malaysia (58.13%). Experiencing burnout was associated with severe or extremely severe depression (AOR = 6.48 [95% CI = 5.06-8.33]), anxiety (AOR = 2.22 [1.74-2.85]), and stress (AOR = 5.51 [4.13-7.39]). Working more than 50 hours a week (AOR = 1.38 [1.04-1.82]) and being very dissatisfied with the job led to higher odds of burnout (AOR = 16.46 [8.99-30.53]). Alarmingly, more than half of working adults in the region are reporting increased levels of burnout, and improving employee mental health and work conditions may be key to improving employee burnout in the region. Findings contribute to existing research on burnout prevalence in the region and provide more comprehensive insights into understanding the factors driving employee burnout in the working population of Southeast Asia 2 years after the onset of the pandemic.

Comparative analysis of employees' work engagement and fanaticism behavior with turnover intention

This study aims to examine the relationship between individuals exhibiting a positive attitude related to work, the work with emotional, physical, and mental presence in advanced interaction, it also aims to analyze the relationship between revealing the positive energy related to the work, showing a high sensitivity to the their job and the integration with that defined as work engagement and fanaticism with the working conditions of employees they showed as a conscious decision orientation on turnover intention of the organization if they are unsatisfied. With this aim, an empirical study was conducted on 347 employees working in private bank branches, in the southeast region of Turkey. After data handling, they were used for analysis. The results of the study indicated that, according to gender, there is a significant relationship between gender and intention to leave the job in favor of men, the intention to leave a job for men was significantly lower than for women, according to educational status, the devotional work behavior of graduate higher than university. In addition, there is a moderate negative relationship between devotional work behavior and the intention to leave the job.

Improving Working Conditions in Retail During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the patterns of employees’ behaviour, especially in the retail sector, which requires continuous contact with consumers. The anti-pandemic measures based on physical distance, wearing medical and protective equipment, application of barriers, frequent disinfection of work surfaces and space, use of strict protocols, and safety standards significantly complicate working conditions. This paper aims to analyse and define incentives for upgrading work and working conditions in retail during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific importance of the paper is reflected in the fact that analytically and systematically, it defines incentives that will support the behaviour of employees during crises affecting the retail sector. Unlike existing research in trade and retail, which indicated the importance of individual incentives for improving working conditions in periods of crisis, the contribution of this paper is in the comprehensive analysis, systematization, and definition of the importance of all incentives for improving the working conditions of employees in the retail sector. In this context, empirical research was conducted on a sample of 255 employees and it tested the importance of incentives to improve working conditions such as: maintaining a safe and healthy working environment, how to treat infected workers and workers in contact, the existence of detailed instructions for employees and consumers, organizing transportation for workers, financial incentives for employees, reduction of the scope of business activities, shortening of working hours of facilities, security protocols and digitalization of work processes. The survey was conducted among employees in SMEs and large retail chains. The set hypotheses were tested using the Path Analysis or Structural Modeling (SEM) method. The correlation between the retailer size and the differences in the incentives’ impact was assessed by employing Multiple Regression Analysis. The research results showed significant deviations in the mentioned incentives depending on the size of the retailer. Based on the obtained results, a set of measures was proposed that social policymakers and retail facility management should implement to improve working conditions in retail and establish a social safety net that will support employees in times of crisis. Guidelines for future research are provided in the paper. Keywords: working conditions, work incentives, position of workers, retailing, COVID-19 pandemic.

Ensuring Safe Working Conditions under the Influence of Vibroacoustic Factors on Train Crew Workers

Introduction. The increased intensity of noise and vibration of railway traffic may become not only an urgent problem in the field of occupational safety, but also a serious environmental problem in the near future due to the constant need to increase the weight of freight trains, the speed of passenger trains and the capacity of railway lines. Recently, a lot has been done to minimize the negative effects of noise and vibration in railway transport. However, the problem of exceeding the indicators of vibration noise factors remains relevant. Reducing the harmful effects helps to improve the working conditions of train crew employees and improve the comfortable conditions of transport passengers. As a rule, the main focus of the analysis is on the external impact of vibroacoustic factors on residential areas and less attention is paid to the impact on rolling stock. However, these studies do not provide a complete picture of how noise and vibration actually affect the train in motion. The aim of the study was to obtain the result of an analysis of the impact of vibroacoustic factors on train crew workers and to propose a method of comprehensive protection based on the use of vibration damping materials.Materials and Methods. In the course of the work, regulatory documents were studied, a comprehensive analysis of relevant information on this topic was carried out, and methods for calculating vibration and vibration acceleration were used. The values of the sound pressure levels were obtained using a SPM-101 sound level meter. The object of the study was a carriage of the "reserved seat" type in the process of movement. As part of the research plan, sound pressure was measured at selected sites and a class of working conditions was determined.Results. The result of the analysis of the impact of vibroacoustic factors on train crew workers indicated the need to strengthen comprehensive measures to protect them. The obtained calculation of the vibration force became the basis of the method proposed by the authors to minimize the harmful effects of vibroacoustic factors, which was based on the use of vibration and sound insulation materials suitable for the necessary acoustic parameters in the construction of the car. In particular, it was proposed to cover the floor of the car with dense rubber and the ceiling of the car with an inorganic fiber material for sound insulation. The work also provides an economic assessment of the effectiveness of measures to minimize harmful vibration noise effects.Discussion and Conclusion. The proposed methods for minimizing noise and vibration impacts can help reduce the level of sound pressure and vibration indicators to standard values, which will significantly reduce the negative impact of vibroacoustic factors on train crew workers and railway passengers. The considered complex for minimizing vibration and noise includes a set of methods in which affordable materials based on recycled substances have found application.