The safety adviser/manager as agent of organisational change: a new challenge to expert training

There is a great need for health and safety advisers/managers to act as agents of change, both in respect to the technology of the company and the design of its workplaces, and in the organisation of the company health and safety management system. This article reports on the development of training to meet these increasing needs. The postgraduate masters course ‘Management of Safety, Health and Environment’ of the Delft University of Technology has now introduced a course-module of 1 week, addressing the issue of the learning organisation and the specific role of the safety adviser/manager. The course-module starts from the assumption that for a health and safety adviser/manager his or her personal effectiveness and ability to influence and stimulate others are qualities as important to a company as the quality of a safety and health management system. This paper will describe the development in the role of the safety adviser/manager and the mainstream thinking on change management and training. The consequence for the content and programme features of the course-module is presented as well as the results of the evaluation of its effectiveness.     

When evidence is not enough: the challenge of implementing fall prevention strategies

Problem

As the evidence-based movement has advanced in public health, changes in public health practices have lagged far behind creating a science to service gap. For example, science has produced effective falls prevention interventions for older adults. It now is clearer WHAT needs to be done to reduce injury and death related to falls. However, issues have arisen regarding HOW to assure the full and effective uses of evidence-based programs in practice.

Summary

Lessons learned from the science and practice of implementation provide guidance for how to change practices by developing new competencies, how to change organizations to support evidence-based practices, and how to change public health systems to align system functions with desired practices. The combination of practice, organization, and system change likely will produce the public health benefits that are the promise of evidence-based falls prevention interventions.

Impact on public health

For the past several decades, the emphasis has been solely on evidence-based interventions. Public health will benefit from giving equal emphasis to evidence-based implementation.

Impact on Industry

We now have over two decades of research on the effectiveness of fall prevention interventions. The quality of this research is judged by a number of credible international organizations, including the Cochrane Collaboration (http://www.cochrane.org/), the American and British Geriatrics Societies, and the Campbell Collaboration (http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/). These international bodies were formed to ponder and answer questions related to the quality and relevance of research. These developments are a good first step. However, while knowing WHAT to do (an evidence-based intervention) is critical, we also need to know HOW to effectively implement the evidence. Implementation, organization change, and system change methods produce the conditions that allow and support the full and effective use of evidence-based interventions. It is time to focus on utilization of implementation knowledge in public health. Without this focus the vast amount on new evidence being generated on the prevention of falls and related injuries among older adults will have little impact on their health and safety.     

兰州市蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As污染及累积效应研究

对兰州市蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比进行方差分析和多重比较.结果表明,同一区域土豆、西红柿、茄子、辣椒、豆角、白菜和大葱体内As质量比之间表现出极显著差异,大葱体内As质量比显著高于其他蔬菜体内As质量比,白菜体内As质量比最低;不同区域相同土豆、西红柿、茄子、辣椒、白菜和大葱体内As质量比之间表现出显著差异.豆角体内As质量比之问没有表现出差异,兰州市七里河区蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比显著高于其他各区蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比,永登县蔬菜基地蔬菜体内As质量比最低.蔬菜体内As质量比与土壤As质量比呈显著正相关性.     

Policy expectations and the use of market mechanisms for regulatory OSH certification and testing regimes

Governments strive increasingly to reduce the ‘burden of legislation’ by shifting responsibilities to private institutions, thereby making use of ‘the market’ as regulating mechanism, and striving to base the relationship with industries on trust, rather then stringent enforcement. This makes mandatory certification and testing arrangements in occupational safety and health (OSH) an attractive alternative for traditional legislation and enforcement. The functioning of such OSH market arrangements has, however, hardly been investigated so far.The research described in this paper elaborated on the same cases that were used in the twin article (Zwetsloot et al., this issue) on risk control in mandatory occupational safety and health certification and testing regimes. In this research we carried out additional analyses on the functioning of market mechanisms in (mandatory) OSH regimes.Other market interests may prevail over the OSH aspect, and the conditions for good market functioning (a well-functioning supply and demand side, independency of the agents, informedness and transparency of the agents, and the added-value of the certificate expressed in the price), are not always met. The results show that policy makers are often too optimistic in their assumptions about the functioning of the market mechanisms in mandatory certification and testing.This does not imply that mandatory certification cannot be an interesting policy option. However, there seems to be a need for a second generation of mandatory certification arrangements, whereby the limitations of the market regulation are recognised, and the consequences are digested.     

生物柴油产业链分析

生物柴油是指由植物油、动物油脂等制备得到的单烷烃酯类。它是一种环境友好、清洁排放的燃料,因此是非常理想的石油柴油替代燃料。本文从生物柴油产业链中的原料来源、生产工艺、产品应用以及其效益等方面对这种新型的清洁燃料进行了简单介绍。总之,生物柴油是一种很有发展前景的生物质燃料。     

某市区重点行业职业病危害因素现状调查研究

对某市区重点行业15家企业职业病危害因素进行检测与评价,对普查结果进行综合分析。结果表明:15家企业工作场所化学有害因素职业卫生现状情况良好,但噪声危害程度较大;在6个重点行业中,电子制造行业有害因素合格率最低,为84%,其次是纺织行业,有害因素合格率为85%,其他化学原料及化学制品、化工、木制家具、石材加工四个行业合格率均较高;市直以上企业职业卫生现状情况优于区属企业,300-2000人之间较大规模的企业职业卫生现状情况优于300人以下的企业。同时,对企业提出了职业危害现状的改进措施与建议。     

滇池疏浚底泥中重金属对蔬菜种植生态安全的影响

滇池疏浚底泥富含蔬菜需求的营养成分,农用可提高土壤保水肥能力,改良土壤的适耕性,有利于植物的生长发育,有一定的增产效果,但可能存在重金属污染问题。通过底泥试验及加入石灰钝化试验,对生菜、白菜、棒菜和萝卜4种蔬菜施用疏浚底泥作为有机肥进行种植,分析底泥农用后其重金属对蔬菜的影响,并进行风险评价。结果表明,盆栽试验中,底泥施用量控制在5%(0.05 kg/kg)内且加入石灰改良后,蔬菜中Cu和Cd含量显著降低,但对Pb、Zn效果不明显。叶菜类蔬菜(生菜、白菜、棒菜)重金属富集能力(BCF)从大到小均表现为Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu,而块茎类萝卜BCF表现为Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu。研究表明,化学致癌物Cd与非化学致癌物Pb、Zn、Cu引起的健康风险均在终身可接受风险水平。     

The productivity assessment tool: computer-based cost benefit analysis model for the economic assessment of occupational health and safety interventions in the workplace

INTRODUCTION AND MEthod: This paper describes the concepts behind cost benefit analysis in occupational health and safety and introduces the Productivity Assessment Tool, a method by which an analysis may be performed relatively easily in a service or manufacturing workplace. The advantage of using such analyses is to show the important financial role that safe and efficient workplaces play in the workplace. RESULTS: By using analytical tools, the effectiveness of an intervention (workplace change) may be estimated prior to its introduction. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This places occupational health and safety on the same financial footing as other proposed workplace changes and thus places occupational health and safety in a strong position to attract scarce resources.     

Changes in production concepts emphasize problems in work-related well-being

Recurrent changes in work life, although necessary for competitive and financial reasons, seem to increase time pressure, stress, health complaints and safety problems of workers. The dynamics of recent workplace transformations are not sufficiently understood from the perspective of everyday work, particularly by health and safety experts. In this paper, the Activity Theoretical Approach is used to reconceptualize work-related well-being in situations of rapid change. The key concepts in this paper are production and service concepts and their asynchronies. Many asynchronies were observed in the analysis of the two cases of different types of organizations. These asynchronies are a major challenge for experts on well-being, especially since continuous change has now become an inseparable part of work life.     

纺织品抗拒挥发性有机化合物沾染整理方法的研究

频繁接触挥发性有机化合物的工厂作业岗位上的工人,所穿着的服装容易粘附有害的有机物质分子,进而危害工人的健康。为解决这一问题,本文探索采用变化服装面料的织造工艺、面料织物与聚四氟乙烯微孔薄膜复合以及含氟织物整理剂整理等方法,制作具有一定抗挥发性有机化合物沾染性能的防护服面料。实验中对不同纤维原料的织物,在未经整理和进行覆膜或含氟织物整理剂整理后,分别剪取样品放置在充满有机气体的氛围中熏蒸24小时,用二硫化碳萃取布料上的有机物,并使用气相色谱分析仪分析这些物质的含量。经过比较,发现克重较低、与聚四氟乙烯膜复合以及经含氟织物整理剂整理的布料,其抗拒挥发性有机化学物质沾染的能力均有所增强。综合使用这些处理方法,有望制作出具有理想的抗有机化学物质沾染的防护工作服,用于经常接触这类物质的工厂工人的日常劳动防护。     

食用植物油油脚的资源化利用新途径

食用植物油油脚是植物油毛油精炼过程中的尉产品,来源广、数量大且价格低廉,目前还没找到很好的利用方法.为了资源化利用油脚,对其成分进行了测试.结果表明,油脚包含了有机质、蛋白质、氨基酸、糖脂、磷、钾等许多益于食用菌生长的营养成分,且不存在重金属污染问题,可替代部分价格较高的棉籽壳、麦麸等传统食用菌原材料.     

Measuring determinants of occupational health related behavior in Flemish farmers: an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

PROBLEM: Preventive interventions to reduce occupational injuries and health problems in farmers require the identification of factors that contribute to unsafe and health damaging behavior. This paper describes the development and validation of a self-report questionnaire, which measures the determinants of occupational health-related behaviors in farmers. METHOD: A representative sample of 283 Flemish farmers completed a provisional 135 item questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, measuring four behaviors related to occupational health (machinery use, animal handling, preventing falls, and pesticide use), as well as the intentions, attitudes, perceived social norms, and self-efficacy for each of these behaviors. RESULTS: The fit indices of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis turned out not to be sufficient to reproduce the dimensions of the TPB. Therefore exploratory factor analysis was use to determine the underlying dimensions. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) on the behavioral items yielded single component solutions explaining a considerable proportion of the variance for each behavior and for behavioral intentions. Principal component analyses toward an a priori three-component structure reflecting the TPB dimensions did not produce sufficient congruence for the determinants of the four behaviors. Subsequent Varimax rotations and discarding of redundant items resulted in three component solutions explaining 50% to 69% of the variance in the determinants of each behavior, corresponding with the dimensions of the TPB. Internal consistencies ranged from .25 to .89. Scale scores accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in intention and self-reported behavior. IMPACT: The study demonstrates the validity of the TPB in predicting behavior related to occupational safety and health in farmers, and provides a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure the cognitive concepts featured in this model. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Both authors share the same view on this study's impact on industry. In recent years, efforts have been made to create awareness among farmers about occupational hazards, and to encourage farmers to perform safer and healthier behavior. However, only a limited number of these interventions have proven to be successful. A possible reason for this relative lack of success is that interventions typically focus on risk analysis and raising awareness, whereas the literature on preventive health behavior change indicates that knowledge and awareness with regard to possible health risks are neither necessary nor sufficient to change behavior. To raise the effectiveness of prevention programs, other relevant determinants of behavior need to be addressed as well, such as: attitudes, perceived social norms, self efficacy, and elements of the physical environment that elicit or reinforce behavior. These determinants play a key role in psychological models of health related behavior, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior. Thus far, the use of these models within agricultural settings is fairly limited. This study demonstrates the validity of the Theory of Planned Behavior in predicting behavior related to occupational safety and health in farmers, and provides a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure the cognitive concepts featured in this model.     

太原市蔬菜中铅、铬和镉含量分析及安全性评价

笔者采用原子吸收光谱法 ,测定了太原市蔬菜批发市场的 8种蔬菜 72个样品的铅、铬、镉含量。结果表明 :在检测的 8种蔬菜中 ,有 5种蔬菜出现铅含量超标 ,铅是蔬菜中的主要污染元素 ,且污染带有普遍性 ;铬的污染仅出现在芹菜和青菜上 ,其他 6种蔬菜均无超标 ;8种蔬菜均未受到镉的污染 ,合格率为 10 0 %。参照国家食品卫生标准和蔬菜质量分级标准 ,对蔬菜的重金属污染程度进行了安全性评价。在所检测的蔬菜样品中 ,只有青菜受到重金属污染 ,其综合污染指数为 1.12 ,污染程度为轻度污染。其他蔬菜的综合污染指数均低于 0 .7,污染程度均为安全 ,污染水平均为清洁。     

菜用大豆和豌豆中腈菌唑残留动态研究

采用气相色谱法及田间试验方法研究菜用大豆、豌豆中残留腈菌唑的消解动态,并进行腈菌唑安全使用技术示范试验.结果表明,菜用大豆、豌豆中残留腈菌唑的消解动态均符合一级动力学方程,原始沉积量与施用量、施药次数密切相关.早季菜用大豆中腈菌唑的消解系数︱k︱=0 216 5±0 000 2,半衰期DT50为3 2 d,消解99%所需时间T99为21 2～21 3 d; 晚季中︱k︱=0 200 85±0 008 85,DT50为3 3～3 6 d,T99为22 0～24 0 d.豌豆中腈菌唑的消解系数︱k︱=0 195 35±0 000 75,DT50为3 5～3 6 d,T99为23 5～23 7 d.研究表明,对菜用大豆施药1次或间隔7 d连续施药2次,末次施药25 d后样品中腈菌唑最高残留量为0 013 mg/kg; 对豌豆施药1次或间隔7 d连续施药2次,末次施药20 d后样品中腈菌唑最高残留量为0 015 mg/kg,低于日本、美国及欧盟规定的MRL标准.     

Safety issues related to the maintenance operations in a vegetable oil refinery: A case study

The present work was focused on maintenance hazards related to vegetable oil refining. An incident occurred in an Italian vegetable oil refinery was presented to evidence this safety criticality. The incident took place during a maintenance shut down, and was associated to the ignition of the solid residual in a packed column. No fatalities or injuries were reported, but the column was strongly damaged and removed from the plant. A specific experimental characterization of the solid residues accumulated in the column, sampled both from the damaged and undamaged parts of the column, was carried out in order to determine the conditions leading to unwanted combustion of the residues. At the same time, samples taken from the damaged column steelwork were subjected to metallurgical analysis aimed at the thermal and mechanical characterization of the steel, obtaining information about the incident duration and temperature reached during the combustion phenomenon. The study evidenced the need of adequate maintenance procedures and safety management in the generic framework of food industry, identified as key lessons learned.     

陕西省主要蔬菜产区多菌灵农药残留分析与评价

以无公害蔬菜标准为评价标准,对陕西省10个蔬菜主产区152个蔬菜样品中的多菌灵农药残留情况进行了分析与评价.陕西省10个蔬菜主产区的152个蔬菜样品中有99个出现多菌灵超标,超标率达65.1%.超标的蔬菜种类主要以韭菜、芹菜、空心菜、茼蒿、青菜等叶菜类及菜花、青椒等为主,而瓜类蔬菜如西葫芦、黄瓜、瓠子等的多菌灵农药残留相对较轻.陕西省主要蔬菜产区多菌灵污染程度依次为宝鸡＞铜川＞西安＞咸阳＞渭南＞汉中.     

基于正则化频率变化率与神经网络的石油井架结构损伤识别

阐述结构健康监测中损伤识别的关键问题,介绍基于正则化的频率变化率的损伤定位方法,提出一套基于模态参数和神经网络的损伤识别技术。按相似理论建立了JJ160/41-K型井架实物模型,根据其基本结构和受力特点,以JJ160/41-K井架的实物模型为对象进行损伤研究。结果表明:井架模型在局部结构发生变化时整体的固有频率发生改变;将模态分析理论和神经网络方法相结合,可对已定位损伤的井架进行定量分析;通过实例运算验证了其对结构损伤诊断的有效性。     

Improving the health and safety of 911 emergency call centre agents: an evaluability assessment of a knowledge transfer strategy

A knowledge transfer (KT) strategy was implemented by the IRSST, an occupational health and safety research institute established in Québec (Canada), to improve the prevention of psychological and musculoskeletal problems among 911 emergency call centre agents. An evaluability assessment was conducted in which each aspect of the KT approach was documented systematically to determine whether the strategy had the potential to be evaluated in terms of its impact on the targeted population. A review of the literature on KT in occupational health and safety and on the evaluation of such KT programmes, along with the development of a logic model based on documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, indicated that the KT strategy was likely to have had a positive impact in the 911 emergency call centre sector. Implications for future research are discussed.