The roles of garment design and scene complexity in the daytime conspicuity of high-visibility safety apparel

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the effects of high-visibility garment design on daytime pedestrian conspicuity in work zones. Factors assessed were garment color, amount of background material, pedestrian arm motion, scene complexity, and driver age. METHOD: The study was conducted in naturalistic conditions on public roads in real traffic. Drivers drove two passes on a 31-km route and indicated when they detected pedestrians outfitted in the fluorescent garments. The locations of the vehicle and the pedestrian were recorded. RESULTS: Detection distances between fluorescent yellow-green and fluorescent red-orange garments were not significantly different, nor were there any significant two-way interactions involving garment color. Pedestrians were detected at longer distances in lower complexity scenes. Arm motion significantly increased detection distances for pedestrians wearing a Class 2 vest, but had little added benefit on detection distances for pedestrians wearing a Class 2 jacket. DISCUSSION: Daytime detection distances for pedestrians wearing Class 2 or Class 3 garments are longest when the complexity of the surround is low. The more background information a driver has to search through, the longer it is likely to take the driver to locate a pedestrian--even when wearing a high-visibility garment. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: These findings will provide information to safety garment manufacturers about characteristics of high-visibility safety garments which make them effective for daytime use.     

让实验室测试值更贴近真实世界防护值——护听器的声衰减值评价方法讨论

本文介绍了护听器声衰减值的评价方法,对比了我国、ISO、欧洲EN、美国ANSI和澳大利亚新西兰AS/NZS标准中关于护听器声衰减值评价方法的差异。着重讨论在测试过程中,使用不同的受试者和护听器佩戴方式得出的检测数据与真实世界防护值的一致性情况。研究表明,使用"受试者自行佩戴"的方式测得的数据能更好地反映护听器在真实世界的防护性能。     

高可视性服装标准ISO 20471：2013简介及应对策略

高可视服装国际标准ISO 20471：2013正式生效,该标准规定了警示服的设计和材料的性能要求,以保证使用者在高风险环境中的日间夜间条件下的可视性。该标准相对于曾经执行的标准EN 471：2003＋A1：2007进行了多处修改和调整,了解这些标准中的变化对于出口欧盟等国家的成衣制造商应对服装的设计和材料的要求将有非常好的借鉴意义。     

Parallel and Serial Methods of Calculating Thermal Insulation in European Manikin Standards

Abstract

Standard No. EN 15831:2004 provides 2 methods of calculating insulation: parallel and serial. The parallel method is similar to the global one defined in Standard No. ISO 9920:2007. Standards No. EN 342:2004, EN 14058:2004 and EN 13537:2002 refer to the methods defined in Standard No. EN ISO 15831:2004 for testing cold protective clothing or equipment. However, it is necessary to consider several issues, e.g., referring to measuring human subjects, when using the serial method. With one zone, there is no serial-parallel issue as the results are the same, while more zones increase the difference in insulation value between the methods. If insulation is evenly distributed, differences between the serial and parallel method are relatively small and proportional. However, with more insulation layers overlapping in heavy cold protective ensembles, the serial method produces higher insulation values than the parallel one and human studies. Therefore, the parallel method is recommended for standard testing.     

Cultural Ergonomics in Ghana,West Africa: A Descriptive Survey of Industry and Trade Workers’ Interpretations of Safety Symbols

Globalization and technology transfer have led to the diffusion of risk communications to users from cultures that were not initially viewed as the target users. This study examined industry and trade workers’ overall impressions of symbols used to convey varying degrees of hazardousness. Six symbols, including symbols from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z535 Standard (ANSI, 1998) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 3864:1984 Standard (ISO, 1984) were selected. With the exception of the SKULL symbol, results showed wide discrepancies between users’ perceptions of the symbols and their intended meanings. Implications for cross-cultural research on warning components and risk communications are discussed.     

Validation of the abrasion resistance test protocols and performance criteria of EN13595: The probability of soft tissue injury to motorcycle riders by abrasion resistance of their clothing

IntroductionMotorcyclists represent an increasing proportion of road users globally and are increasingly represented in crash statistics. Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of injuries to crashed motorcyclists. These injuries can be prevented through the use of protective clothing designed for motorcycle use. However, the quality of such clothing is not controlled in many countries around the world. A European Standard was developed to assess the performance of clothing but as this is not mandatory, clothing certified to this Standard is difficult to obtain. Given the importance of this Standard, and that it has been validated only once, further validation work is required.MethodsIn-depth crash investigation data were used to investigate the relationship between the abrasion resistance performance of clothing and real-world injury outcome. Clothing was collected from riders who crashed on public roads in Sydney and Newcastle, Australia. This clothing was tested according to the EU Standard and the time to hole was recorded. Hospital medical records were reviewed and the association between a rider suffering a soft tissue injury and the time-to-hole for the garment was examined.ResultsThe probability of soft tissue injury for Level 1 Standard garments was between 40–60%, but more than 60% of garments tested failed to meet the minimum requirement.ConclusionsThe findings of this study provide qualified support for the Standard, with a marginal association between time-to-hole and injury being found.Practical ImplicationsThis work supports the need for improved safety performance and an increased number of high performing garments being available to motorcyclists.     

High visibility safety apparel and nighttime conspicuity of pedestrians in work zones

PROBLEM: Every year numerous occupational fatalities result from pedestrians being struck by motor vehicles intruding into work zones. METHOD: Attributes of retroreflective personal safety garments on pedestrian conspicuity at night were assessed in a field study. Using instrumented vehicles on a closed track, participants drove through simulated work zones attempting to detect pedestrians located in the work zones. RESULTS: Configuration of the retroreflective trim, trim color, placement in the work zone, and driver age significantly affected pedestrian conspicuity. Intensity and the amount of retroreflective trim did not. DISCUSSION: Personal safety garments incorporating retroreflective trim significantly improve pedestrian conspicuity in work zones. SUMMARY: The results emphasize the importance of retroreflective trim on personal safety garments, particularly if the trim is located on garment sleeves. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: We examine the design attributes that contribute to making a personal safety garment conspicuous. The results have implications regarding preferred garment designs, industry standards, and service life of personal safety garments.     

焊接防护具抗热穿透性能测试仪的研制

焊接防护具是指一种保护佩戴者免受由焊接或相关作业所产生的有害光辐射及其他特定有害因素的装置。它是从事焊接与热切割作业人员必备的个体防护装备。抗热穿透性能是表征焊接防护具产品质量和安全性能的最重要技术指标之一。然而,如何快速、便捷、节能、准确地对焊接防护具抗热穿透性能进行检测,是迫切需要解决的技术难题。本文在简要分析国内外眼面部防护标准中抗热穿透性能技术要求和测试方法的基础上,提出了一种测试焊接防护具抗热穿透性能的方法,并成功研制了焊接防护具抗热穿透性能测试仪。     

Parallel and serial methods of calculating thermal insulation in European manikin standards

Standard No. EN 15831:2004 provides 2 methods of calculating insulation: parallel and serial. The parallel method is similar to the global one defined in Standard No. ISO 9920:2007. Standards No. EN 342:2004, EN 14058:2004 and EN 13537:2002 refer to the methods defined in Standard No. EN ISO 15831:2004 for testing cold protective clothing or equipment. However, it is necessary to consider several issues, e.g., referring to measuring human subjects, when using the serial method. With one zone, there is no serial-parallel issue as the results are the same, while more zones increase the difference in insulation value between the methods. If insulation is evenly distributed, differences between the serial and parallel method are relatively small and proportional. However, with more insulation layers overlapping in heavy cold protective ensembles, the serial method produces higher insulation values than the parallel one and human studies. Therefore, the parallel method is recommended for standard testing.     

The conspicuity of first-responder safety garments

Introduction

This study compared the conspicuity of three types of first-responder safety garments (NFPA 1971-2007 turnout gear coats, and ANSI/ISEA 107 and 207 safety vests).

Method

Participants drove instrumented vehicles on a closed track during both daytime and nighttime, indicating when they could first detect pedestrians in a simulated emergency response scene. Pedestrians wore one of the safety garments and stood on either side of the emergency scene, facing or perpendicular to oncoming traffic, and either stationary or walking in place.

Results

All three garment standards provided equal levels of conspicuity, in that the distances at which the pedestrians were detected were equivalent. Time of day was a significant factor, with longer mean detection distances being observed in daytime. Pedestrian orientation was significant, with mean detection distances being longest when facing traffic. Pedestrian motion did not result in significant differences in detection distance.

Discussion

The results suggest that all three garment types studied are equivalent in making first responders conspicuous as pedestrians when working an emergency response scene in close proximity to traffic.

Impact on Industry

Whether an NFPA or ANSI/ISEA compliant is worn, first responders are equally likely to be detected by passing motorists, and as such these garments should be considered to be equivalent.     

BS EN ISO 20345：2011《个体防护装备安全鞋》标准的解析和建议

本文通过对最新的BS EN ISO 20345：2011《个体防护装备安全鞋》标准的列表介绍和概括性分析,找出了新标准检测项目仍存在的遗留问题和未考虑到的缺陷以及需要界定的术语,并提出了今后标准的再修订意见。此再修订意见的给出,为推动今后与安全鞋标准BS EN ISO 20345：2011属于同一体系的我国GB 21148-2007《个体防护装备安全鞋》标准修订提供参考意见。     

Flexible Management System for Occupational Safety and Quality

Abstract

In the 10 analysed companies it is necessary to create a management for flexible processes and a structured flexibilisation of these processes. This represents the basis for the retention of existing flexibility and occupational safety.

The strategy for a management of flexible processes leads,

? firstly, to a structuring of company procedures whilst still retaining the necessary flexibility and certification ability as laid down by standards No. DIN EN ISO 9000ff. and,

? secondly, to the keeping of the demands of an occupational safety management system.

In this article the inclusion of co-workers stands in the foreground. This will be combined with the goal to utilise their experience and their acceptance of the solutions worked out.     

Ergonomics Oriented to Processes Becomes a Tool for Continuous Improvement

Abstract

A holistic view is essential for quality initiatives such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Standard No. ISO 9001:1994 (International Organization for Standardization [ISO], 1994), Concurrent Engineering, Business Reengineering, and Business Process Improvement. The challenge is knowing how to transition from this theoretical concept to implementation. The relationship between quality interest and anergonomics program will be the focus of this discussion. An ergonomics oriented improvement program includes (a) ergonomics or fitting the job to the person; (b) integration of operations management, safety engineering, medical management, and employees as co-owners of the process; (c) the emphasis of ergonomic precepts in the engineering of new processes and improvement of current processes; and (d) the emphasis of employees taking responsibility for their own well being and the improvement of their work environment. The parallel between the continuous improvement process delineated by the quality-system requirements in Standard No. ISO 9001:1994 (ISO, 1994) and the improvement contributions of ergonomics are very revealing (Getty, Abbott, & Getty, 1995). It is the contention of this approach that if the precepts of ergonomics were applied to the work environment, it would support the objective of world class quality and productivity, resulting in improved global competitiveness of businesses.     

Investigating the nonlinear effect of ego depletion on safety compliance: The moderating role of rumination

IntroductionA general view in previous research is that employees are reluctant to follow safe work procedures when confronting the shortage of self-control resources. However, this argument is constrained by the restricted view of ego depletion. To fill this gap, this study constructs the nonlinear relationship between ego depletion and safety compliance drawing from the perspective of dual-process theory.MethodRegression analysis and hierarchical linear model are used to test our hypothesis.ResultsBy investigating 241 medical staffs, we find that the relationship between ego depletion and safety compliance is U-shaped. This U-shaped relationship is replicated through 221 daily data for 50 medical staffs. In addition, the U-shaped relationship between ego depletion and safety compliance can be enhanced by rumination.DiscussionsFindings of our study contribute to providing a nuanced explanation about the effect of ego depletion on safety compliance. Also, this study has important implications for High Reliability Organizations to motivate depleted employees to engage in safety compliance behaviors.     

Security Risk Assessment Methodology for the petroleum and petrochemical industries

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 780 Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Methodology was published in June 2013 as a U. S. standard for security risk assessments on petroleum and petrochemical facilities. The standard represents a model standard for evaluating all security risks of petroleum and petrochemical infrastructure and operations and assists industries in more thoroughly and consistently conducting SRAs. The 2013 Standard is an update from the previous API/NPRA SRA Methodology (2004) and focuses on expanding functional utility without changing the basic methodology.The methodology can be applied to a wide range of assets even beyond the typical operating facilities of the industry. This includes refining and petrochemical manufacturing operations, pipelines, and transportation operations including truck, marine, and rail, as well as worker and executive security, housing compounds, and remote operational sites. The new standard describes the most efficient and thorough approach for assessing security risks widely applicable to the types of facilities operated by the industry and the security issues they face. It is voluntary but has been adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior High Commission for Industrial Security as the mandatory security risk assessment methodology for industrial facilities.This paper examines the key elements of the ANSI/API SRA process and discusses how forward thinking organizations may use risk-based performance metrics to systematically analyze facility security postures and identify appropriately scaled and fiscally responsible countermeasures based on current and projected threats. The AcuTech Consulting Group developed the methodology under contract to the API, and the author was the project manager for the project.     

高职高专院校实验室安全管理探析

以人身安全及环境保护为前提,探析高职高专院校的实验室安全问题。分析当前高职高专院校实验室安全管理的现状、特点及存在问题,结合自己单位安全工作的具体实践,提出高职高专院校实验室的安全管理的主要措施:一是树立"以人为本,珍惜生命,安全第一,预防为主"的安全科学发展观,突出安全教育;二是健全安全管理体制,做到管理、安全工作全校"一盘棋";三是借鉴ISO质量保证体系模式,加强安全质量标准化建设。     

Validation of the principles of injury risk zones for motorcycle protective clothing

IntroductionThe distributions of motorcycle crash impacts and injuries were compared to the four impact risk zones and protective performance specified in the European Standard for motorcycle clothing (EN 13595).MethodsCrashed motorcyclists' (n = 117) injuries and clothing damage were categorized by body area into the four risk zones. Three levels of protection were defined: protective clothing with impact protection, protective clothing only and non-protective clothing.ResultsThe distribution of impact/injury sites corresponded to the predictions of EN 13595, with the proportion of all injuries decreasing from 43.9% in Zone 1, to 18.0%, 16.7%, and 11.5% in Zones 2 to 4, respectively. Protective clothing modified the distribution of injuries with substantially more injuries (OR = 2.69, 95% CL: 20.1–3.59) at unprotected impact sites.Practical applicationThese findings support an appropriate framework for determining performance specifications for the manufacture of motorcycle clothing that will effectively reduce the risk of injury in crashes.     

Safety compliance and safety climate: A repeated cross-sectional study in the oil and gas industry

IntroductionViolations of safety rules and procedures are commonly identified as a causal factor in accidents in the oil and gas industry. Extensive knowledge on effective management practices related to improved compliance with safety procedures is therefore needed. Previous studies of the causal relationship between safety climate and safety compliance demonstrate that the propensity to act in accordance with prevailing rules and procedures is influenced to a large degree by workers' safety climate. Commonly, the climate measures employed differ from one study to another and identical measures of safety climate are seldom tested repeatedly over extended periods of time. This research gap is addressed in the present study.MethodThe study is based on a survey conducted four times among sharp-end workers of the Norwegian oil and gas industry (N = 31,350). This is done by performing multiple tests (regression analysis) over a period of 7 years of the causal relationship between safety climate and safety compliance. The safety climate measure employed is identical across the 7-year period.ConclusionsTaking all periods together, the employed safety climate model explained roughly 27% of the variance in safety compliance. The causal relationship was found to be stable across the period, thereby increasing the reliability and the predictive validity of the factor structure. The safety climate factor that had the most powerful effect on safety compliance was work pressure.Practical applicationsThe factor structure employed shows high predictive validity and should therefore be relevant to organizations seeking to improve safety in the petroleum sector. The findings should also be relevant to other high-hazard industries where safety rules and procedures constitute a central part of the approach to managing safety.     

A research agenda for increasing safety belt use in the United States

On November 13-14, 2003, a symposium on high-visibility safety belt use enforcement in Raleigh, NC: (a) celebrated the 10th anniversary of North Carolina's Click It or Ticket program; (b) documented current knowledge regarding safety belt use; (c) proposed strategies to increase use further; and (d) discussed research to support these strategies.     

Employers′ knowledge of the hazard communication standard requirements and the perceived barriers to compliance

This study examined employers′ perceived knowledge of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requirements prior to the inspection in which they were cited for an HCS violation. A lack of staff available to implement the HCS program was identified as having a significant impact upon compliance (p < 01). The perceived difficulty with compliance was also examined by the violations received by the organization. Those organizations cited for failing to have a written program identified a lack of staff available to implement the HCS requirements as having a greater impact upon compliance than those not cited for written program violations (p < 05). Suggested methods for improving the overall compliance with the HCS may include using the many compliance resources available through insurance companies, safety organizations, and state programs. Areas for further research include identifying the availability, use, and effectiveness of the outside safety and health compliance resources.