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Approaches to safety culture assessment may have many limits if supported exclusively by quantitative methods. Based on this, a research team developed a quantitative–qualitative approach to assess the maturity of the safety culture on an oil platform. To that end, the team sought to develop and test a method consisting of an initial ethnographic phase followed by four other distinct phases: definition of homogeneous groups; production of customized questionnaires; quantitative evaluation; and qualitative assessment. The results show the emergence of trends, from pre-defined themes in safety culture to specific levels of maturity for each of the homogeneous groups. At the same time, it was perceived that the maturity level of the groups is defined from the daily work practices developed by each one of them. This experience allowed us to propose a framework for assessing the maturity levels of safety culture for the oil and gas industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ergonomics in design is intended to close the gap between what is designed and the real work. This study discusses the creation of technical ergonomics requirements for the basic design stage of workshops on offshore platforms. OBJECTIVE: This paper intends to show how the ergonomics discipline contributes to integrating knowledge on the real work of the maintenance crew with the design. METHODS: This case study uses procedures, data collection, and analysis guided by the Ergonomics of the Activity's (EA) theoretical framework, focused on design projects. RESULTS: The results show how ergonomics contributed to a better understanding of maintenance work, as well as how this knowledge was integrated into the project design. This occurred both through the construction of a new layout and equipment list, and through the development of technical specifications. These products enable greater operational efficiency, reductions in the costs of alterations in the next stages of the project, and improvement in working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This work points to the need for new studies on platform maintenance work, in addition to studies that deepen the debate on consolidating ergonomics practice in design projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ergonomics is increasingly gaining ground in projects in the energy sector, as well as in the continuous process industry, although the discipline is still framing its space in this milieu. This issue emerges from the designers' lack of familiarity with ergonomics work, especially in engineering design projects, combined with the usual expectations of organizations regarding the participation of ergonomists and the deliverables they ought to develop throughout the project. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to report the participation of a team of ergonomists in an oil platform basic design, discussing ergonomics structuring as an emerging design discipline. METHODS: This qualitative study used participant observation as a methodology approach aligned with the theoretical framework of Activity Ergonomics (AE). The data collection occurred between October 2018 and June 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: The results show the challenges faced by the ergonomics team and strategies adopted in order to create technical specifications (TS), which will determine the work conditions in the future platforms. An evolution in relation to the practice of Ergonomics during this project can be pointed out, even though part of its scope of action remains to be better understood among the design team. CONCLUSION: Considering oil platform project contexts, this work highlights how ergonomics can help integrate the different rationalities that compose the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the optimization of the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from soybean oil using CaO-based heterogeneous catalysts. Three different catalytic promoters were evaluated: Magnesium, zinc, and potassium. The reaction has evaluated the promoter content (promoter to calcium molar ratio), catalyst load, alcohol to oil molar ratio, and temperature. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the influence of each variable on the yield of biodiesel. The addition of K2O or MgO in the catalyst has enhanced the yield in fatty acid ethyl esters, while the use of ZnO as a promoter was not successful. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Gives the background to, and describes, the suit filed against Microsoft by the US Department of Justice in October 1997. For those such as librarians, dealing with the requirements of information technology, argues that this case is important because it demonstrates the high stakes inherent in the software industry not only for the players, but also for users and purchasers of that software and the operating systems which will be used to display them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Librarians are asked to downsize, economize and streamline, while they are also, simultaneously, expected to provide the fastest, latest and most expensive hardware and software so as to make the information marketplace accessible to their patrons. What most librarians have not realized, however, is that they are also asked, whether they like it or not, to bet on which of the various technologies will supercede the others. Understanding the corporate environment in which this future is decided is crucial if librarians are to be successful in meeting all these expectations. The author explores library-related implications of the US Department of Justice's investigations into the operations of Microsoft and Intel and suggests that developing a broader understanding of information technology marketing is crucial to the short- and long-term future of libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contends that today's multicultural realities are inescapable and that together with the realities of the information age, they hold tremendous implications for public library development and mission. Proposes that public libraries build on their traditional role as agents of acculturation by moving beyond skills and language educators to prepare first- and second-generation immigrants to participate actively in democratic societies. Proposes three new roles that public libraries can perform toward that end using information resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — To preview new titles showcased at Book Expo 2007 held in June in New York City. Design/methodology/approach — The review is based on selecting for review that which was displayed by both mainstream and small presses. Findings — Some predominant themes were leadership, management and business development. Practical implications — These new titles provide a way to understand how the thinking in these areas is changing and how as a result the workplace is changing. Originality/value — This is a tool that librarians can use to update their collections in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]