Interview with Mr. Djankou Ndjonkou, Director of ILO Beijing Office and Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee of China International Forum on Work Safety

Question 1: Why does the ILO co-sponsor the Forum with the SAWS? Answers: OSH is an important issue in China with rapid industrialization and economic restructuring. There are many major accidents happening in China. The Forum is one of the initiatives of the SAWS for improving the situation, As you know, OSH is     

Influence of Exercise-Focused Group Activities on the Physical Activity,Functional Capacity,and Work Ability of Female Farmers—A Three-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

The objective of this randomised study was to evaluate the influence of exercise-focused group activities on female farmers’ physical activity, functional capacity, and work ability over a period of 3 years. Physical activity increased more in the intervention group (n = 62) than in the control group (n = 64) during the first year. By the third year physical activity had almost returned to the pre-intervention level. In the 3-year follow-up examination muscular endurance and cardio-respiratory fitness had improved in the intervention group, and musculoskeletal symptoms had decreased more often in the intervention group than in the control group. The index used to measure perceived work ability showed no changes over the 3-year period. It can be concluded that group activities focused on leisure-time physical activity and work habits can be recommended as health promotion measures for farmers’ occupational health services.     

Occupational Medicine—Its Contribution to Protection and Promotion of Health at Work

This article deals with the special demands on occupational medicine due to the changes of work and of tasks at workplaces. Conclusions for research in occupational medicine are drawn from these processes. They are discussed on the basis on an analysis of literature from the years 1980–1998. Focus of future research in the field of occupational medicine is developed by taking international tendencies, the interdisciplinary setting of occupational medicine, and the close relations between science and practice into consideration.     

One,two or three dimensions of work engagement? Testing the factorial validity of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale on a sample of Polish employees

Work engagement, as conceptualized by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), is a work-related positive state of mind that is characterized by vigour, dedication and absorption; however, it still remains unclear how many dimensions work engagement comprises. This study tested the factorial validity of 11 different UWES factorial models that are available in the literature using a confirmatory factor analysis approach on a large sample of multi-occupational Polish employees (N?=?1420). The two-factor UWES-6, comprising vigour and dedication, was found to be reliable and remained invariant across samples drawn from four different organizational positions. It also presented a better fit than the three-factor UWES-9, which is a scale used as a standard in contemporary research on work engagement. The findings suggest that the three-factor UWES-9 might not be an optimal measure of work engagement in Poland.     

Pooled Analysis of Two Swedish Case-Control Studies on the Use of Mobile and Cordless Telephones and the Risk of Brain Tumours Diagnosed During 1997–2003

Here we present the pooled analysis of 2 case–control studies on the association of brain tumours with mobile phone use. Use of analogue cellular phones increased the risk for acoustic neuroma by 5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2-9% per 100 hrs of use. The risk increased for astrocytoma grade III—IV with latency period with highest estimates using >10-year time period from first use of these phone types. The risk increased per one year of use of analogue phones by 10%, 95% CI = 6-14%, digital phones by 11%, 95% CI = 6-16%, and cordless phones by 8%, 95% CI = 5-12%. For all studied phone types OR for brain tumours, mainly acoustic neuroma and malignant brain tumours, increased with latency period, especially for astrocytoma grade III—IV.     

Risk and characteristics analysis of the flow-induced vibration of the dip tube in opposed multi-burner gasifier

The vibration of dip tube in multi-burner gasifier changes the stress at the connection, causing flange seal failures and high temperature gas erosions with heavy economic losses and industrial accidents. This work aims to reveal the dip tube vibration mechanism, with special focus on obtaining the effect of operational parameters on the fatigue damage and long-term stable operation of gasifiers. A three-dimensional numerical simulation of the water-scrubbing cooling chamber was conducted to obtain the excitation source in the flow field. Then a FSI (fluid-structure interaction) transient dynamics simulation was carried out to investigate the vibration characteristics. Two major flow forms were found: a vertical annular flow near the dip tube outlet in the water-scrubbing cooling chamber; and a gas-liquid coupled flow caused by the syngas entrained the liquid. These two unstable multiphase flow forms exerted an energy excitation on the dip tube, resulting in a self-excited flutter. The dip tube vibration was similar to the first mode of a cantilever beam. The peak frequency was less affected by the initial liquid level and the syngas stream inlet velocity, which was close to its own first natural frequency. Note that, the alternating load generated by vibration may cause fatigue damage, which needs to be specifically considered in the design and manufacturing process of opposed multi-burner gasifier.     

The WWDU (Work With Display Units) Conference as a Platform for Occupational Health and Safety in the Past—And as a WWCS (Work With Computer Systems) Conference in the Future

The real burden of occupational diseases, specifically work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and its impact on workers’ productivity is not known. The situation is critical in developing countries where only cases that cause workers’ disability are recorded. In this study, the incidence of MSDs in Colombia was estimated by using the age and gender specific double incidence rate of repetitive strain injuries diseases in Finland for 2002. The results showed that the estimated number of MSDs recorded in Colombia during 2005 was 23,477 cases at the rate of 11.6 cases per 10,000 workers. The estimated total cost of these MSD cases relative to workers’ productivity was US $171.7 million, representing around 0.2% of Colombia’s Gross Domestic Product for 2005. The systematic appraisal of the incidence of MSDs and their associated cost on workers’ productivity are necessary in developing countries to reduce the costly impact on productivity and to increase workers’ well-being.     

Tired of innovations? Learned helplessness and fatigue in the context of continuous streams of innovation implementation

The business environment faced by contemporary organizations is highly uncertain and constantly changing. Thus, organizations have adopted and implemented a continuous stream of innovations to achieve sustainable growth and survival. Considering the demand for additional resources to implement innovations, the present study explores organizational conditions that may lead to innovation‐targeted burnout and fatigue among employees, which impede their active participation in a subsequent innovation. To this end, we propose a theoretical framework that elucidates the effects of previous innovations on the subsequent implementation behavior of employees. We identify two dimensions of the cognitive appraisal of previous innovations (i.e., intensity and failure) that shape employees' beliefs regarding innovations, such as innovation‐targeted helplessness, which ultimately results in innovation fatigue. Data collected from 84 managers and 397 employees of Chinese and Korean organizations prove the significant role of employee perceptions of previous innovations in shaping the innovation‐targeted helplessness and fatigue of employees, which ultimately affect employee behavior toward a subsequent innovation. The present conceptual and empirical analyses suggest that given continuous streams of innovation implementation, managers should carefully consider employee's perceptions of previous innovations (i.e., intensity and failure) for successful implementation of a subsequent innovation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Working Life Across Cultures: “Work Life 2000: Quality in Work” and Occupational Health Education in Developing Countries

The article reflects on the changing world of work, and the challenges presented to both occupational health and occupational health education. We draw on the 63 preparatory workshops and the international conference in the “Work Life 2000: Quality in Work” program, an initiative of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union. The International Commission on Occupational Health is introduced, with particular concentration on a current practical project initiated by the Department of Health in South Africa, intended to lead to a set of projects, networking for occupational health education in developing countries. The practical initiatives cast light on a new set of issues that arise when occupational health and safety crosses cultural barriers, and previously separate comparative cases are linked.     

Assessment of the effect of welding fumes on welders’ cognitive failure and health-related quality of life

Introduction. This study examined whether cognitive symptoms and health-related quality of life can be affected by welding fume exposure. Method. Participants consisted of welders (n?=?40) and welder assistants (n?=?25) from welding units as the exposed group, and office workers (n?=?44) as the non-exposed group. All participants were studied using ambient air monitoring and two types of questionnaires: the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results. Welders and welder assistants were exposed to higher concentrations of all airborne metals than office employees, except for aluminum and chromium (p?p?M (SD)?=?54.84 (17.88)). The relationships between total CFQ score and the measured concentration of nickel at peak work rate was significant for welders. Conclusion. Cognitive symptoms and health-related quality of life were not related to the measures of welding fume exposure and further research should be performed to find other influencing factors.     

Ergonomics and Quality Management—Humans in Interaction With Technology,Work Environment,and Organization

Abstract

In many studies, ergonomics has been shown to influence human performance. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate imp ortan t ergonomics influences on quality in industrial production, from the perspective of interactions between humans, technology, organization, and work environment. A second aim was to elab orate on the implications of these findings for the development of quality management strategies. This paper shows that ergonomics problems in terms of adverse work environmental conditions, in appropriate design of technology, and an unsuitable org an izatio n are important causes of quality deficiencies. Problem solving aimed at improving ergonomics, quality, and productivity simultaneously is likely to obtain sup po rt from most of the interest parties of the company, and may also enhance participation. Ergonomics has the potential of becoming a driving force for the development of new quality management strategies.     

Effects of controller-pilot communication medium,flight phase and the role in the cockpit on pilots’ workload and situation awareness

This study explores the effects of communication medium, flight phase, and the role in the cockpit on pilots’ workload and situation awareness. Eight pilots with the experience of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLCs) participated in this simulated experiment. Two types of communication medium (voice and datalink), three types of flight phase (departure, cruise, and arrival), and two types of role (pilot flying and pilot non-flying) were investigated in the experiment. The results indicated that flight phase is a significant factor and cruise is the most suitable phase for datalink use on pilots’ acceptance, workload, and situation awareness performance. Both medium and role were not the significant factors. Since there is no significant difference on medium when no extra tasks and interferences involved in a normal flight, that the use of CPDLC can be justified during all phases of a no-event flight. In addition, the results of usability indicated that the simulated CPDLC with command selection functions proposed in this study provides good utility for the participants. In order to use the CPDLC for all phases of flight in the future, adding more command selection functions in place of typing messages by pilots and accommodating appropriate interfaces for different phases are recommended to enhance the usability of the CPDLC unit.     

Ergonomics and Work Organization: The Relationship Between Tayloristic Design and Workers’ Health in Banks and Credit Cards Companies

Abstract

The discussion developed in this paper is based on the results of an ergonomic work analysis carried out with attendants at call centers. Some critical issues and difficulties, like working pace, inadequate tools and workstations, and software inadequacies were detected in working situations. Operator-customer interactions are presented, attempting to put in evidence working constraints, working conditions, and their connection with health problems.

The main conclusion is that serving clients, especially when the job is to provide information, is not a simple task, as information is not always available in the computerized system and is completely fragmented. The scope of workers’ actions is very restricted and complicated and recurrent requests are redirected to others. Workers (individually or as groups) have limited possibilities to make adjustments to be able to give more adequate and personalized treatment to clients and, at the same time, to work in a less stressful environment. In periods of increased workload and work intensification, the situation is very much favorable to the incidence of health disorders, such as work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) and others. Some suggestions to improve the work situation are discussed.     

Safer and stronger together? Effects of the agglomeration on nanopowders explosion

Among the factors influencing dust explosion, the particle size distribution (PSD) is both one of the most important and complex to consider. For instance, it is commonly accepted that the explosion sensitivity increases when the particle size decreases. Such an assertion may be questionable for nano-objects which easily agglomerate. However, agglomerates can be broken during the dispersion process. Correlating the explosion parameters to the actual PSD of a dust cloud at the moment of the ignition becomes then essential. The effects of the moisture content and sieving were investigated on a nanocellulose powder and the impact of a mechanical agglomeration was evaluated using a silicon coated by carbon powder. Each sample was characterized before and after dispersion using in situ laser particle size measurement and a fast mobility particle sizer, and explosion and minimum ignition energy tests were conducted respectively in a 20 L sphere and in a modified Hartmann tube. It was observed that drying and/or sieving the nanocellulose mainly led to variations in terms of ignition sensitivity but only slightly modified the explosion severity. In contrast, the mechanical agglomeration of the silicon coated by carbon led to a great decrease in terms of ignition sensitivity, with a minimum ignition energy varying from 5 mJ for the raw powder to more than 1J for the agglomerated samples. The maximum rate of pressure rise also decreased due to modifications in the reaction kinetics, inducing a transition from St2 class to St1 class when agglomerating the dust.     

Behavioural Reactivation and Subjective Assessment of the State of Vigilance—Application to Simulated Car Driving

The frequency of some behaviour (such as self-centred gestures) increases during a task that leads to the occurrence of low-vigilance episodes. These gestures can be useful in stimulating oneself. A study carried out in 20 adults has enabled us to state that motor activity (recorded with an actimeter) increases with the duration of a monotonous driving task and sleep deprivation. The analysis of the scores recorded using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale has shown that drivers can assess the deterioration of their state of vigilance according to the actual sleep preceding the driving test. Finally, the joint analysis of the subjective and objective data revealed a co-variation of these two types of indices. We discuss the stimulatory function of the motor activity in a task leading to the occurrence of low-vigilance episodes by investigating, among other things, the use, conscious or not, of this type of activity.     

Occupationally Oriented Medical Rehabilitation and Hairdressers’ Work Techniques–A one-and-a-half-year follow-up

This study examined changes in work techniques and musculoskeletal symptoms after occupationally oriented medical rehabilitation arranged for 21 hairdressers who were experiencing neck-shoulder or back pain but were still able to work. OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysing System) analyses of working postures and questionnaire data were obtained at the beginning of the courses and one and a half years later. The participants worked with their back bent and twisted or their arms at or over shoulder level more seldom (p < .0001) at the end of the follow-up than at the beginning of the rehabilitation. Subjective work-related physical and mental strain had decreased by 45.4% (p < .001) and 27.1% (p < .05), respectively, and subjective neck and back pain by 40.0% (p < .0 1 ) and 45.3% (p < .01). respectively. This’study suggests that occupationally oriented medical rehabilitation can have significant and long-lasting effects on the rehabilitee’s work techniques and subjective well-being.     

Risk of motor vehicle accident death among 1.3 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars

Objective: We conducted a cohort study of recent wartime veterans to determine the postservice mortality risk due to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).

Methods: Veterans were identified from the Defense Manpower Data Center records. Deployment to te Iraq or Afghanistan war zone was determined from the Contingency Tracking System. Vital status of 317,581 deployed and 964,493 nondeployed veterans was followed from their discharge dates between 2001 to 2007 until earlier of date of death or December 31, 2009. Underlying causes of death were obtained from the National Death Index Plus.

Results: Based on 9,353 deaths (deployed, 1,650; nondeployed, 7,703), of which 779 were MVA deaths as drivers (166; 613), both cohorts had 25 to 24% lower mortality risk from all causes but had 44 to 45% higher risk of MVA deaths relative to the U.S. general population. The higher MVA mortality risk was not associated with deployment to the war zone. After controlling for age, sex, race, marital status, branch of service, and rank, the risk for deployed veterans was comparable to that of nondeployed veterans (hazard ratio = 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–1.09).

Conclusions: Veterans exhibit significantly higher risk of MVA deaths compared to the U.S. general population. However, deployment to the Iraq or Afghanistan war was not associated with the excess risk.     

Leading indicators of system safety – Monitoring and driving the organizational safety potential

An indicator can be considered any measure – quantitative or qualitative – that seeks to produce information on an issue of interest. Safety indicators can play a key role in providing information on organizational performance, motivating people to work on safety and increasing organizational potential for safety. We will describe the challenges of monitoring and driving system safety. Currently, the same lead indicators are used – explicitly or implicitly – for both purposes. The fact that the selection and use of safety performance indicators is always based on a certain understanding (a model) of the sociotechnical system and safety is often forgotten. We present a theoretical framework for utilizing safety performance indicators in safety–critical organizations that incorporates three types of safety performance indicators – outcome, monitor and drive indicators. We provide examples of each type of indicator and discuss the application of the framework in organizational safety management. We argue that outcome indicators are lag indicators since outcomes always follow something; they are the consequences arising from multiple other situational and contextual factors. Monitor and drive indicators are lead indicators. The main function of the drive indicators is to direct the sociotechnical activity in the organization by motivating certain safety-related activities. Monitor indicators provide a view on the dynamics of the organization: the practices, abilities, skills and motivation of the personnel – the organizational potential for safety. We conclude that organizations should better acknowledge the significance of monitor and drive indicators in safety management.     

Assessment of the thermal hazards and oxidization mechanism of coloured corn starch dust by TG–FTIR

Starch is widely used in industrial production and in every life, and an increasing number of accidents of starch dust burning and explosions are occurring and have caused serious casualties and economic losses. Previous studies on the oxidative properties and microscopic characterization of coloured corn starch dust have been less systematic than the present study. To prevent coloured corn starch dust explosion accidents more effectively, thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied to study the oxidation characteristics of coloured corn starch dust. Seven characteristic temperatures were determined from the thermogravimetric curves and derivative thermogravimetric curves of coloured corn starch dust. The entire oxidation process of coloured corn starch dust was divided into five stages, and a 60% mass loss occurred in the rapid oxidation stage. Three iso-conversion methods were used to calculate the apparent activation energy (E_a) and pre-exponential factor (A) at different oxidation stages. The value of E_a was found to be related to the difficulty of the reaction, and it had a positive correlation with lnA. Six kinds of gases were detected during the oxidation process. The oxidation mechanism was further analysed by the macro and micro characterization of the oxidation process. The findings provide a theoretical basis for preventing and controlling explosion accidents that involve coloured corn starch dust.     

German taxi drivers' experiences and expressions of driving anger: Are the driving anger scale and the driving anger expression inventory valid measures?

Objective: The objective of this article was 2-fold: firstly, we wanted to examine whether the original Driving Anger Scale (DAS) and the original Driving Anger Expression Inventory (DAX) apply to German professional taxi drivers because these scales have previously been given to professional and particularly to nonprofessional drivers in different countries. Secondly, we wanted to examine possible differences in driving anger experience and expression between professional German taxi drivers and nonprofessional German drivers.

Methods: We applied German versions of the DAS, the DAX, and the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) to a sample of 138 professional German taxi drivers. We then compared their ratings to the ratings of a sample of 1,136 nonprofessional German drivers (Oehl and Brandenburg n.d. Oehl M, Brandenburg S. Driving anger in Germany: validation of the Driving Anger Scale (DAS). Saf Sci. n.d. submitted.  [Google Scholar]).

Results: Regarding our first objective, confirmatory factor analysis shows that the model fit of the DAS is better for nonprofessional drivers than for professional drivers. The DAX applies neither to professional nor to nonprofessional German drivers properly. Consequently, we suggest modified shorter versions of both scales for professional drivers. The STAXI applies to both professional and nonprofessional drivers. With respect to our second objective, we show that professional drivers experience significantly less driving anger than nonprofessional drivers, but they express more driving anger.

Conclusions: We conclude that the STAXI can be applied to professional German taxi drivers. In contrast, for the DAS and the DAX we found particular shorter versions for professional taxi drivers. Especially for the DAX, most statements were too strong for German drivers to agree to. They do not show behaviors related to driving anger expression as they are described in the DAX. These problems with the original American DAX items are in line with several other studies in different countries. Future investigations should examine whether (professional) drivers from further countries express their anger as proposed by the DAX. In addition, professional drivers experience less driving anger (DAS) and less general trait anger (STAXI) than nonprofessional drivers, but they report more driving anger expression (DAX) and more current general state anger (STAXI). Subsequent studies should therefore focus on different types of anger within the group of professional drivers.