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The recent COVID-19 pandemic created an unpredictable environment regarding the safety operations of sport and recreation organizations. This study was designed to examine how safety climate and organizational innovativeness could promote preferred organizational behavior outcomes in college campus sport and recreation centers. A total of 227 sport and recreation employees were recruited through the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association. With the collected data, we employed structural equation modeling to assess the research hypotheses. The results indicated that safety climate and innovativeness positively influenced job engagement, therefore leading to enhanced safety compliance and employee innovativeness, which ultimately resulted in higher levels of organizational performance. Peer safety compliance was also found to be a moderator in the relationship between job engagement and safety compliance. In this study, the authors offer new insights into sport organizational performance by emphasizing safety and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the safety of workers and machinery during operations is a critical task in the construction sites. However, an inevitable circumstance in construction sites is the complex and dynamic environment, which often leads to occlusions. When detecting occluded objects in construction sites, general vision-based approaches tend to exhibit lower accuracy and may even miss detections, resulting in potential safety hazards. To handle this issue, this paper proposes a vision-based approach for detecting occluded objects in construction sites. Firstly, the proposed detection algorithm adopts the state-of-the-art YOLOv7 as its backbone. To enhance its capability in capturing contextual information of occluded objects, a novel channel attention mechanism is employed. Then, a design scheme for the detector head is provided by integrating a novel loss function Scylla-Intersection over Union (SIoU) and the non-maximum suppression (NMS) strategy. With the help of the loss function SIoU, the network can compute the loss values of occluded objects more accurately. To ensure that the network can select the right predicted box which closely aligns with the ground truth, the Euclidean distance is utilized as spatial penalty factor during the NMS stage. By implementing these two strategies, the proposed method can preserve both the category information and bounding boxes of occluded objects, which makes them possible to be detected. Finally, detailed experiments are done to verify the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method has the potential for improving the detection accuracy. Moreover, it shows a better performance in detecting occluded objects in the dynamic construction sites compared to the existing baselines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)-approved N95 respirators, the Food and Drug Administration granted an Emergency Use Authorization to allow the use of non-NIOSH approved respirators provided that these respirators must undergo tests by a protocol of TEB-APR-STP-0059, similar methods of NIOSH standard testing procedure. This initiative safeguards the quality of respirators and the effectiveness of occupational protection. The dataset of all the testing results could benefit further analysis of COVID-19 infection rates in relation to different types of N95 respirators used and identify potential correlations of various test parameters in the testing system for validation. The analysis enhances understanding of the quality, effectiveness, and performance of N95 respirators in the prevention of respiratory infectious transmission and develops improved occupational safety measures. Data description: The dataset was transformed, transcribed, and compiled from the official testing data of non-NIOSH-approved N95 respirators reported in the NIOSH website under the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. The dataset included details of 7,413 testing results of N95 respirators (manufacturer, model, and maximum and minimum filtration efficiency) and test parameters (flow rate, initial filter resistance, and initial percent leakage). Supplementary items were added to increase the availability of data analysis and enhance the interpretability of the assessments of the quality of N95 respirators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to highlight the utility of a new certificate program in Total Worker Health® (TWH) designed for health professionals in other community health settings (OCHS). Methods: Stakeholder needs assessment, priority setting, and comparison with existing core competencies in TWH approaches were performed to identify learning objectives and curricular threads in alignment with adult learning principles. Faculty-student pairings were conducted for content and assessment development. Results: A free six-module training course that prepares OCHS professionals to collaborate with occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals. Conclusions: TWH can be advanced through collaboration between OSH and OCHS professionals. In service of shared ground, OCHS professionals should articulate the influence of work on health, TWH principles, and OSH vocabulary and concepts. Such training is a necessary step toward facilitating groups for the benefit of all work and workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Safety Matters educational module offers a promising, community-based model for a one-hour introduction to workplace safety and health on which future, job-specific safety training can be built. • After receiving Safety Matters , youth participants had significantly increased scores for both workplace safety and health knowledge and importance of workplace safety and health. • Safety and health professionals can play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young workers by providing the Safety Matters program to youth. Introduction : Young workers in the United States are injured at higher rates than adults, a trend that has persisted for more than two decades. Despite known risks, young people enter the workforce with little-or-no preparation for the hazards they may face. In 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and American Industrial Hygiene Association developed Safety Matters , a one-hour educational module to raise awareness of workplace safety and health among young people. Method: A pilot project was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Safety Matters to positively change workplace safety and health knowledge and attitude scores among a sample of 283 youth in Colorado. Train-the-trainer sessions prepared volunteer safety and health professionals to deliver Safety Matters with fidelity and to conduct the assessment immediately prior to and following the program. Results: After receiving Safety Matters , participants had statistically significant (p < 0.001) increased scores for both workplace safety and health knowledge (Cohen's d = 1.12; large effect size) and importance (attitude) (Cohen's d = 0.51; medium effect size). Although univariate analyses showed knowledge and attitude scores significantly increased for all demographic groups examined, there were statistically significant differences in knowledge scores by participant age (p < 0.01), ethnicity (p < 0.05), and race (p < 0.001) and statistically significant differences in attitude scores by participant race (p < 0.001). However, when race and ethnicity were both used as predictors in a regression model, only race continued to predict statistically significant (p < 0.01) changes in knowledge and attitude. Conclusions: This project introduces a promising, community-based model for a one-hour introduction to workplace safety and health on which future, job-specific safety training can be built. Practical Applications: Safety and health professionals can play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young workers. Adapting health and safety programs to diverse youth populations may enhance program relevance and receptivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Emergency service workers are at significant risk of being fatally injured while working on high-speed roads. • This study describes the development of a program designed to optimise safety for workers when working on high-speed roads. • Data from an evaluation on the implementation of the program is presented. • Support was found for effectiveness of the program in achieving its learning outcomes. • Recommendations for roll-out of the program and suggestions for future evaluations are discussed. Introduction : Workers operating on high-speed roads (i.e., incident responders and emergency service workers) are at significant risk of being fatally injured while working. An identified gap in current prevention strategies is training focused on developing the skills of workers to effectively communicate and coordinate safety responses when operating on roads. Methods: This study discusses the development of a program designed to optimize communication and coordination of safety practices at the scene of an incident on a high-speed road. The program is referred to as 'Safety in the Grey Zone.' The goal of the study is to present the results from an evaluation on its implementation across 23 sessions involving 158 participants from 7 incident response agencies in 1 state in Australia. Results: The results of this study provide support for effectiveness in implementing the program as planned. The results also provide preliminary support for effectiveness of the program in achieving its learning outcomes as demonstrated by feedback received from participants following completion of the program. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide recommendations to consider in the program's future roll-out, as well as suggestions for future evaluations to assess the program's effectiveness in improving the safety of incident responders operating on high-speed roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lower perceived organizational support linked to more occupational accidents. • Near-miss events also showed similar results to occupational accidents. • Organizations should enhance employees' perceived organizational support. Introduction : Preventing occupational accidents is a major global challenge, and employee safety practices play a crucial role in accident prevention. Although perceived organizational support (POS) is related to safety practices, there is currently insufficient evidence supporting a relationship between POS and occupational accidents. We investigated the relationships between POS and both occupational accidents and near-miss events that can lead to accidents in the following year among workers in various industries in Japan. Method : This prospective cohort study was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 using a questionnaire survey. In total, 9916 participants who completed the follow-up survey and met our inclusion criteria were analyzed. The follow-up survey asked participants about both occupational accidents and near-miss events experienced in the year following the baseline assessment. POS was evaluated at baseline using the eight-item version of the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support. Odds ratios (ORs) for the relationships between POS and occupational accidents and near-miss events were estimated using multilevel logistic regression analyses nested by industries. Results : The ORs for self-reported occupational accidents were significantly higher for the moderate (OR = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–1.82), low (OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.18–1.89), and very low (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.61–2.56) POS groups compared with the very high group. The ORs for self-reported near-miss events were also significantly higher for the moderate (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.03–1.43), low (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.03–1.40), and very low (OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.34–1.82) groups than the very high group. Conclusions : Our findings suggest lower POS is related to a higher occurrence of occupational accidents and near-miss events in the following year. Organizations should consider enhancing employees' POS to reduce occupational accidents and near-miss events. Practical Applications : To enhance employees' POS, organizations should address identified antecedents of POS (e.g., fairness, supervisor support, rewards, favorable job conditions, and human resource practices). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the pesticide safety behaviours and related factors among cabbage farmers in Kalaw Township, Myanmar. Background: Unsafe chemical pesticide practices affect farmers' health and the environment. Understanding pesticide safety behaviours is necessary for healthcare providers to protect agriculture workers against unwanted adverse health effects. Methods: The cross‐sectional study was conducted among 195 cabbage farmers from March to May 2019. Safety behaviours and factors applied in the PRECEDE–PROCEDE model as a framework were assessed using questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify any associations. Results: Altogether, 72.1% of the farmers had a low level of safety behaviours. Goggles and masks were rarely used before and during pesticide applications. All of the farmers experienced adverse health effects after using pesticides. The attitudes toward pesticide poisoning; support from family, co‐workers and healthcare providers; and the availability of personal protective equipment were significantly associated with safety behaviours. Conclusion: Our data provide novel empirical evidence for an opportunity to design effective nursing interventions to promote pesticide safety behaviours among Myanmar agricultural workers. Nurses should pay more attention to promoting comprehensive interventions to reduce both exposure and health effects among agricultural workers through the involvement of supported stakeholders. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Farmers and agricultural workers have extensively used pesticides in all steps of cultivation and face a greater risk of pesticide exposure, which could result in adverse health effects.Owing to the lack of research on community health promotion conducted in Myanmar, the burden of the consequences and adverse effects of pesticides remains a significant health issue. What this paper adds? Findings reveal a clear framework for better understanding and assessing pesticide safety behaviours among agricultural workers and farmers in Myanmar.Findings contribute new knowledge for nursing community health promotion by enhancing understanding of multilevel factors, including international and external factors, associated with safety behaviours among agricultural workers and farmers. The implications of this paper: Nurses and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the importance of preventing adverse health effects among agricultural workers in the community and interventions aimed at promoting safety behaviours should be focused not only on individuals but also on the involvement of social supports—particularly family and co‐workers.Nursing policymakers should consider strengthening the nursing role in the recognition of pesticide risk exposure and health outcomes, management of pesticide poisoning and exposure and prevention of pesticide‐related health conditions both in nursing education and nursing practice.Local authorities and policymakers should focus their attention on health promotion and health services to promote safety behaviours when using pesticides, and treatment and extension services should be provided for cases of suspected pesticide poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work zones are crucial for maintaining and enhancing road infrastructure, but they also pose a significant risk to traffic safety. Between 2016 and 2020, work zone-related crashes in the United States increased by 13%, highlighting the pressing need for effective safety measures. This study examines the factors that influence work zone crashes, including traffic control devices, geometric configurations, traffic operations, and human factors. The study also investigates how these factors vary by work zone type, day of the week, and time of day. To explore these temporal and spatial impacts, the study utilized five years of fatal crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and applied association rules mining. The findings demonstrate that rear-end crashes and collisions with other vehicles are the primary contributing factors. Although some common patterns emerged in the association rules, the study revealed temporal instability, highlighting the importance of developing work zone-specific safety countermeasures. These findings will inform the development of targeted safety interventions and ultimately reduce the risk of work zone crashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction operations, particularly concrete formwork, pose significant risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to workers. Previous studies have examined the MSDs associated with conventional job-built formwork. In light of the growing popularity of modern ready-made formwork systems, and the claim that such systems reduce MSDs, it is imperative that researchers characterize the activities associated with the use of these systems and offer empirical insight into their relationship with MSDs. In response to this need, this study aims to assess and compare MSD risks related to different modern formwork systems. Specifically, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), a method for full-body postural ergonomic risk assessment, was used to study the ergonomic hazards of form workers during the installation and removal of horizontal modular and prefabricated or engineered formwork systems. The findings indicate that most formwork tasks and activities subject workers to medium to high MSD risks, necessitating preventive actions or imminent preventive actions. Modular formwork systems may subject workers to fewer hazardous ergonomic working conditions compared with prefabricated or engineered formwork systems. The findings provide an improved understanding of formwork activities and the MSD risks associated with ready-made formwork system construction, and provide a valuable resource for formwork designers and constructors dedicated to improving worker health and safety in formwork construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workplace-related factors are associated with the risk of depression. Despite implementation of workplace health promotion (WHP) programmes in China to promote the physical and mental well-being of workers, the relationship between WHP and depression has received limited attention. This study investigated the association between WHP service utilisation and depressive symptoms among workers. This was a cross-sectional survey. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, WHP service utilisation, and mental health status. The Lasso method was used for variable selection to achieve dimension reduction, and logistic regression was used to assess the association between WHP service utilisation and depressive symptoms. The analysis included 11,710 workers, of whom 17.0% had depressive symptoms. Lasso regression resulted in 6 of 18 WHP services showing significant negative associations with depressive symptoms, including occupational safety training, mental health services, health check-ups, sports activities, fitness rooms, and healthy canteens. The logistic regression results showed that, after adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational factors, utilisation of these six services was associated with a decreased likelihood of depressive symptoms. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73–0.96) for occupational safety training, aOR: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68–0.99) for mental health services, aOR: 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71–0.90) for health check-ups, aOR: 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57–0.80) for sports activities, aOR: 0.59 (95% CI: 0.47–0.74) for fitness rooms and aOR: 0.72 (95% CI: 0.59–0.87) for healthy canteens. Utilisation of WHP services was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. Implementation of WHP services and the provision of a supportive workplace environment should be prioritised to benefit the mental health of workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the impact of in-vehicle messages relative to roadside messages to alert drivers to events within a simulated work zone, in order to determine if these messages can improve driving performance within the work zone. Background: Safety risks in work zones are usually mitigated by design standards and clear signage to communicate work zone information to drivers. Due to distraction and other driving task demands, these signs are not always noticed by motorists, nor are they always followed when they are noticed. Method: The driving simulation tested drivers in two different types of work zones, shoulder work, and lane closure. Participants drove through these work zones three times, each with different messaging interfaces to communicate hazardous events to the driver. The interfaces included a roadside, portable changeable message sign, a smartphone presenting only auditory messages, and a smartphone presenting audio-visual messages. Results: There was significantly better driving performance on key metrics including lane deviation for the in-vehicle message conditions relative to the roadside signs. Furthermore, drivers directed visual attention toward the roadway for the in-vehicle message conditions relative to the roadside sign condition. Conclusion: The results indicate that in-vehicle messaging could provide benefits to primary task performance in driving if the message content is appropriately designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess pharmacists' mental well-being, perceptions of safety, and willingness to administer vaccines before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An electronic survey was administered to a convenient sample of practicing pharmacists working in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. The 33-item survey examined pharmacists' beliefs about the pandemic's impact on their mental well-being, their perceptions of safety in vaccine administration, and their willingness to vaccinate. Responses were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). A recruitment email with the survey link was sent to pharmacists, with periodic reminders over a 4-week period. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were utilized to evaluate survey responses. Results: A total of 387 responses were analyzed, with an estimated response rate of 3.93%. Most respondents were women (65%) and had at least 6 to 10 years of practice experience (28%). Overall, participants felt that the pandemic worsened their mental well-being, with women reporting a more negative mental well-being compared with men (P <.001). They reported having less time during workflow to apply personal protective equipment (PPE) (P =.0074) compared to before the pandemic. They also reported a decrease in willingness to vaccinate adult patients during the pandemic (P <.0001), and that concern about contracting COVID-19 prevented them from giving vaccinations (P <.0001). Conclusions: Pharmacists felt their mental well-being and willingness to vaccinate patients suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research and initiatives that focus on improving vaccination rates should also consider pharmacists' concerns and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The Covid‐19 pandemic has added a new chapter to discussions about the professional duty to care. To understand how Covid‐19 may have changed medical students' ethical attitudes towards this duty, we analysed policies written before and during the pandemic by first‐year students completing a yearly educational exercise focused on work requirement expectations for healthcare professionals during a hypothetical epidemic. Methods: Within a repeated cross‐sectional design, consensus coding was performed on policies written over 5 years (2017–2021) using a codebook based on eight questions from the educational exercise for summative content analysis. Frequencies provided summative results and comparisons across years used Fisher's exact test. Results: We analysed 142 written policies from 2017 to 2021 representing 884 first‐year students working in small groups. Students' commitment to the duty to care remained stable during the Covid‐19 pandemic, but during the pandemic, students were more likely to support exceptions to the duty to care (e.g. for healthcare professionals with medical conditions or concern for household members' health) and more likely to expect institutions to provide safe working conditions. Ethical values supporting students' policies were largely consistent before and during the pandemic, the most common being beneficence, justice, duty to care, non‐maleficence and utility. Conclusions: Our results suggest that students' support for the duty to care remained strong during the Covid‐19 pandemic. We also found that students supported exceptions to this duty to reflect the needs of healthcare professionals and their families and that they expected institutions to provide safe working conditions. These findings can help inform ethics education and future pandemic preparedness. While students' support for the duty to care remained strong during the Covid‐19 pandemic, Kaldjian et al. explain their need for safe working conditions and concerns about the health of clinicians and their families." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that informal workers in developing countries are exposed to occupational health problems (OHPs), and they work unsafely. However, little is known about how their religious beliefs influence their safety behavior at the workplace. This study explores the interaction between the automobile artisans' religious beliefs and their workplace safety behavior. Forty three male artisans (either Christian: n = 17; or Muslim: n = 26) were purposively interviewed. Even though their religious teachings are against risk-taking, the artisans took risks at their workplace. Specific programs like seminars and various outreaches for workers in religious settings influence their perception of OHP prevention. Religious organizations have a role to play in OHP prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podologists are exposed to many occupational hazards, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from insole manufacturing and noise/vibration during nail or tissue grinding. In this study, VOCs, noise, and vibration were measured in five podiatry clinics and three offices. Questionnaires were administered to 23 podologists and 19 office workers to inquire about their pain, ocular, skin and respiratory complaints. The results showed that the podologists' exposure to the total VOC concentrations was approximately twice as high as that of the office workers. The podologists' complaints regarding pain were found to be correlated with ambient noise and hand-arm vibration levels. Ocular, skin, and respiratory complaints were also found to be correlated with total VOC concentrations. These results suggest that VOCs, noise and vibration in the working environment may impair podologists' health and that they have an intensifying effect on each other, increasing the severity of health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction workers face a high risk of various occupational accidents, many of which can result in fatalities. This study aims to develop a prediction model for nine prevalent types of construction accidents, utilizing construction tasks, activities, and tools/materials as input features, through the application of machine learning-based multi-class classification algorithms. 152,867 construction accident summary reports, composed of both structured (construction task, construction activity, accident type) and unstructured data (tools/materials) were used for the study. The study employed several data processing techniques, including keyword extraction through text mining, Boruta feature selection, and SMOTE data resampling enhance model accuracy. Three performance metrics (Multi-class area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (MAUC), Multi-class Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MMCC), Geometric-mean (G-mean)) were used to compare the predictive performance of four machine learning algorithms, including Decision tree, Random forest, Naïve bayes, and XGBoost. Of the four algorithms, XGBoost showed the highest performance in predicting accident type (MAUC: 0.8603, MMCC: 0.3523, G-mean: 0.5009). Furthermore, a Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) analysis was conducted to visualize feature importance. The findings of this study make a valuable contribution to improving construction safety by presenting a prediction model for accident types derived from real-world big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leader affective presence, the tendency of leaders to consistently evoke feelings in team members, has gained prominence in the context of leadership and teamwork. However, prior research lacks a comprehensive theoretical framework, focuses on limited team processes, and relies mainly on cross sectional designs to study this construct. Building upon theories of the social functions of affect, this study examines the relationship between leaders' affective presence and team member behaviour, specifically focusing on team proactive problem prevention and examining whether this relationship is mediated by team psychological safety. Using a two‐wave panel model with 504 professionals in 134 teams, our findings revealed that positive leader affective presence, characterized by instilling enthusiasm, joy and inspiration among team members, was positively associated with perceptions of team psychological safety. In turn, team psychological safety was positively related to leaders' assessments of proactive problem prevention. Interestingly, negative leader affective presence, which triggers worry, tension and stress, was not related to team psychological safety but was positively associated with team proactive problem prevention. These results highlight the importance of leader affective presence in shaping emergent team states and team member behaviour. Researchers and practitioners should thus consider these insights when assessing and intervening in leadership and teamwork processes in organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing approaches to infrastructure management neglect the impact of infrastructure condition on safety performance, even though poorly maintained roadways can contribute to increased crash frequencies. This is perhaps because very few studies have quantified the impact of infrastructure condition on safety performance. Hence, this work develops safety performance function (SPF) models that relate pavement condition—specifically, roughness, as measured using the international roughness index (IRI)—and other roadway factors with observed crash frequencies. These SPFs are then combined with pavement roughness deterioration models to better understand how maintenance decisions can be used to improve roadway safety performance. Data from two-lane rural roadways in Pennsylvania are used for this effort. The SPF estimation results reveal that accounting for IRI in SPF development significantly improves model fit, and that IRI has a significant and positive impact on crash outcomes. The results further suggest that the IRI has a different impact on total crash frequency as compared to fatal and injury crash frequency, and rear-end crashes. This is likely due to how roughness of the roadway can impact travel speeds. Finally, the results also show that maintenance activities that reduce IRI can have significant safety benefits. This suggests that pavement management decisions should also consider the anticipated safety benefits, in addition to other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efforts to increase capacity for oncology treatment in the author's Chemotherapy Day Unit, while allowing staff to treat more patients and offer more flexibility to patients, increased strain on the Aseptic Pharmacy at the author's Trust. Therefore, the possibility of nurse-led drug preparation was explored. Aims: Nurse-led monoclonal antibody (MAb) preparation was piloted to investigate whether a reduction in reliance on Aseptic Pharmacy could co-exist with maintaining optimal treatment capacity. The effectiveness of a closed system transfer device (CSTD) to protect nurses against drug exposure was also explored. Methods: A risk assessment for MAbs considered for nurse-led preparation was created, alongside a procedure for the safe handling of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) with the use of a CSTD. Findings: The pilot resulted in an 89% reduction in the time patients had to wait for MAbs to be prepared. Seven oncology drugs were included in the new procedure without increasing the risk of exposure for nurses. Conclusion: The pilot successfully reduced demand on Aseptic Pharmacy while enabling efficient capacity use on the Chemotherapy Day Unit. The use of the CSTD minimised the risk of nurse exposure to SACT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally, community healthcare is provided by personal health budgets or personalised schemes as part of a consumer-directed care emphasis. Although the introduction of a personalised scheme in Australia has improved the lives of many, people with psychosocial disability (PSD) and their families have experienced many challenges with service integration. Six focus groups with 17 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support workers were conducted between June and November 2022. Participants were asked semistructured questions about their engagement with emergency department (ED) clinicians when presenting with a person with PSD and NDIS plan. They were also asked how they contribute to service integration to improve communication practices between the two services. A qualitative, descriptive thematic analysis approach was used. Results indicate there is a need for improved service integration pathways between the ED and NDIS services. The thematic analyses identified five main themes: the ED is harmful and not safe, but nowhere else to go; make the ED safe; further training for ED staff; improving communication across services; and alternatives to the ED. This study reports NDIS support worker's experience when supporting a person they are caring for in the ED. NDIS support workers have an understanding of the needs of the people they care for;their wisdom can contribute greatly to ED clinical responses in crisis care. Recommendations are offered to assist with service integration between the two systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the relative importance, the prevalence of workplace safety and health issues in hospital food service workers is not well studied. This study describes the epidemiology of work-related injuries and occupational diseases among hospital food service workers (FSWs) in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Methods: Using a total population sampling approach, a cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all FSWs employed at a major tertiary hospital in Singapore. Results: The response rate was 98.4% (n = 125). The overall prevalence of workplace injuries and musculoskeletal symptoms was 35% (n = 43) and 53% (n = 65) respectively. The most common workplace injuries were cuts/lacerations (35.8%), muscle strain (25.4%) and burns (19.4%). The prevalence of workplace injuries among staff performing food preparation duties was higher at 56.3% as compared to 21.6% among staff with no food preparation duties (p < 0.01). The prevalence of workplace injuries among staff performing cooking duties was also higher at 47.5%, compared to 29.3% among staff with no cooking duties (p = 0.05). Staff performing food preparation duties had a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at 66.7% as compared to 44.6% among staff with no food preparation duties (p = 0.02). Obese staff had a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at 78.9%, compared to overweight staff at 53.8% and staff with normal weight at 43.1% (p = 0.03). Conclusion: FSWs with jobs involving cooking and preparation of food, and those with obesity, are at higher risk of sustaining workplace injuries or musculoskeletal symptoms. Targeted interventions should be implemented for injury prevention and to mitigate these risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Almost all paramedics encounter workplace violence (WPV) during their careers. The most common form of WPV is verbal, and the perpetrator is usually the patient. It is known that paramedics suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems, and WPV is one of the reasons behind that. Nevertheless, little is known about the recovery processes paramedics have had after encountering WPV. The research question was: What kind of recovery processes have paramedics had after encountering WPV? Methods: A qualitative, narrative interview study was done. Data was collected in individual interviews with Finnish paramedics (n = 18). Paramedics were from different parts of Finland, and their ages varied from 24 to 49 years. They had been working in EMS for an average of 10.5 years (range 1.5 to 25 years). Interviews were conducted with a narrative approach, which enabled paramedics to narrate their experiences and speak on their own terms about the subject to the extent of their choosing. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Ten recovery process themes were identified: Strong psychological and physical reactions in a short time frame, Questioning one's profession and actions, Various support structures aided in recovery, Dysfunctional processes hindered recovery, Personal resources provided support, The support of the workcommunity as a lifeline, Left to cope alone, Permanent changes to work routines, Resulting in professional growth and Eternal crack in the shell. Conclusions: Many internal and external factors affect paramedics' recovery processes. While some receive adequate help, others struggle to get appropriate support, especially from their organization and supervisors. The findings of this study suggest that clear protocols should be established to help paramedics recover after encountering WPV and that an individual aspect should be kept in mind, as not everybody reacts in the same way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residents of long-term care facilities are particularly vulnerable to communicable diseases. Low-cost interventions to increase air exchange rates (AERs) may be useful in reducing the transmission of airborne communicable diseases between long-term care residents and staff. In this study, carbon dioxide gas was used as a tracer to evaluate the AER associated with the implementation of low-cost ventilation interventions. Under baseline conditions with the room's door closed, the mean AER was 0.67 ACH; while baseline conditions with the door open had a significantly higher mean AER of 3.87 ACH (p < 0.001). Subsequently opening a window with the door open increased mean AER by 1.49 ACH (p = 0.012) and adding a fan in the window further increased mean AER by 1.87 ACH (p < 0.001). Regression analyses indicated that the flow rate of air entering through the window, both passively and through the use of a fan, was significantly associated with an increase in AER (p < 0.001). These results indicate that low-cost interventions that pull outside air into resident rooms were effective in improving the air exchange rates in these facilities. While implementation of these interventions is dependent on facility rules and isolation requirements of residents with airborne communicable diseases, these interventions remain viable options for long-term care facilities to improve resident room ventilation without requiring costly ventilation system upgrades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to airborne disinfection by-products, especially trichloramine (TCA), could cause various occupational health effects in indoor swimming pools. However, TCA concentration measurements involve specialized analysis conducted in specific laboratories, which can result in significant costs and time constraints. As an alternative, modeling techniques for estimating exposures are promising in addressing these challenges. This study aims to predict airborne TCA concentrations in indoor swimming pools using a mathematical model, the well-mixed box model, found in the IHMOD tool, freely available on the American Industrial Hygiene Association website. The model's predictions are compared with TCA concentrations measured during various bather load scenarios. The research involved conducting 2-hr successive workplace measurements over 16- to 18-hr periods in four indoor swimming pools in Quebec, Canada. TCA concentrations were estimated using the well-mixed box model, assuming a homogeneous mixing of air within the swimming pool environment. A novel approach was developed to estimate the TCA generation rate from swimming pool water, incorporating the number of swimmers in the model. Average measured concentrations of TCA were 0.24, 0.26, 0.14, and 0.34 mg/m3 for swimming pools 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The ratio of these measured average concentrations to their corresponding predicted values ranged from 0.51 to 1.30, 0.67 to 1.04, 0.57 to 1.14, and 0.68 to 1.49 for the respective swimming pools. In a worst-case scenario simulating the swimming pool at full capacity (maximum bathers allowed), TCA concentrations were estimated as 0.23, 0.36, 0.14, and 0.37 mg/m3 for swimming pools 1, 2, 3, and 4. Recalculated concentrations by adjusting the number of swimmers so as not to exceed the recommended occupational limit concentration of 0.35 mg/m3 gives a maximum number of swimmers of 63 and 335 instead of currently 80 and 424 for swimming pools 2 and 4, respectively. Similarly, for swimming pools 1 and 3, the maximum number of swimmers could be 173 and 398 (instead of the current 160 and 225, respectively). These results demonstrated that the model could be used to estimate and anticipate airborne TCA levels in indoor swimming pools across various scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] To meet the requirements in air quality monitors for the public and industrial safety, sensors are required that can selectively detect the concentration of gaseous pollutants down to the parts per million (ppm) and ppb (parts per billion) levels. Herein, we report a remarkable NH 3 sensor using Ni-doped CeO 2 octahedral nanostructure which efficiently detects NH 3 as low as 45 ppb at room temperature. The Ni-doped CeO 2 sensor exhibits the maximum response of 42 towards 225 ppm NH 3 , which is ten-fold higher than pure CeO 2. The improved sensing performance is caused by the enhancement of oxygen vacancy, bandgap narrowing, and redox property of CeO 2 caused by Ni doping. Density functional theory confirms that O vacancy with Ni at Ce site (V O Ni Ce) augments the sensing capabilities. The Bader charge analysis predicts the amount of charge transfer (0.04 e) between the Ni-CeO 2 surface and the NH 3 molecule. As well, the high negative adsorption energy (≈750 meV) and lowest distance (1.40 Å) of the NH 3 molecule from the sensor surface lowers the detection limit. The present work enlightens the fabrication of sensing elements through defect engineering for ultra-trace detection of NH 3 to be useful further in the field of sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to climate change, the increasing frequency of hot summer days and heat waves can result in occupational heat strain, especially in non-air-conditioned workplaces. Healthcare workers (HCW) engaged in patient care are particularly affected, as they are additionally exposed to physical stress. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can aggravate heat strain in HCW. This study aimed to examine the subjective well-being of HCW when exposed to heat and PPE under controlled conditions. Methods: This study was designed as a randomized crossover trial. Participants performed standardized healthcare tasks in a climatic chamber for approximately 3.5 h at different indoor temperatures (22 °C and 27 °C) and varied working conditions (with or without PPE). The effects on participants' subjective well-being, encompassing thermal, physiological and psychological stress were assessed using a customized questionnaire. Results: Heat had a greater effect than PPE on thermal, physical and psychological stress. Conversely, PPE had a greater effect on physical demand and effort. For the majority of outcomes, combined exposure to heat and PPE resulted in the highest perceived discomfort. Furthermore, the participants reported increased sweating and other discomforts when working at elevated temperatures or with PPE. Conclusions: In this study, heat and PPE, but particularly the combination of both factors, were identified as unfavorable working environments. Although the trials were conducted in a controlled environment, the outcomes provide valuable information about the effect of heat and PPE on HCW in a real-life setting. Furthermore, the design used in this study can be beneficial in evaluating the effect of mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the need for a space security situation assessment during orbit, the multi-satellite space environmental risk prediction and early warning system is based on the detection results of the space weather payload of the Fengyun 4A and 4B satellites, as well as the prediction results of the National Space Weather Center, for the first time. By comprehensively utilizing some open-source data, it is the first time that we have achieved a 24 h advanced prediction of the space environment high-energy proton, low-energy particle, and high-energy electron risks for the safety of the Fengyun-series high-orbit satellites, and a real-time warning of satellite single-event upset, surface charging, and deep charging risks. The automation system has preliminarily achieved an intelligent space risk assessment for the safety of multiple stationary meteorological satellites, effectively improving the application efficiency of the space environmental data and the products of Fengyun-series satellites. The business status is stable in operation, and the resulting error between the predicted results of various risk indices and the measured data was less than one level. The warning accuracy was better than 90%. This article uses the system for the first time, to use Fengyun satellite data to, accurately and in a timely manner, predict and warn us about the low-energy particles and surface charging high-risk levels of the Fengyun 4A and 4B satellites during the typical space weather event on 21 April 2023, in response to the impact of complex spatial environmental factors on the safety of Fengyun-series high-orbit satellites. The construction and operation of a multi-satellite space environmental risk prediction and early warning system can provide a reference for the safety work of subsequent satellite ground system operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within this paper, a case study on the application of drone photogrammetry at the Second World War armament bunker Weingut I is presented. The aim of the project was the mapping of the preserved remains in advance to the installation of a memorial site. In particular, the preserved concrete arch and one of the ventilation shafts were mapped by this method in high quality. Therefore, even small details of the building structure as well as several damage spots needing remediation became visible. One important advantage of drone prospecting is an enhanced occupational safety and a cost and time reduction as no further manual resources are necessary. In areas without finalized clearing for Unexploded Ordnance, other manual survey method would be especially dangerous. By comparing the photogrammetric model of the bunker Weingut I with corresponding ALS Digital Surface Models (DSM) of varying resolution, the increase in information is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective measures of activity recovery performance in monotonous psychomotor task after brief episodes of daytime sleep were investigated. We used a psychomotor test in which the partially sleep-deprived subjects had to press the button 10 times with alternating left and right hands for 70 min. The task-induced short episodes of sleep, after which subjects had to resume the task. EEG of the anterior and central lead areas was studied when resuming the task after awakening from the first stage of sleep. We compared the situations of resumption of the pattern with left and right hands. The power of beta- and gamma-EEG oscillations during preparation and beginning of psychomotor activity was found to be higher when the subject starts to press the button with the left (nondominant) hand which may be a manifestation of sleep inertia. We attribute this to the fact that in this case the strategy for resuming activity interrupted by the short sleep is suboptimal and energy intensive, requiring greater cognitive activity. We also assume that this situation is preceded by a lower level of consciousness, in which the subject correctly remembers the instruction, but does reliably start with the dominant hand. However, the subject fully recovers and correctly performs the motor and synchronized cognitive account task immediately after awakening. This study contributes to an objective assessment of fluctuations in the human condition in monotonous work, which can lead to loss of concentration, reduced response time, drowsiness and negatively affect work safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to test whether a 2-week Total Worker Health (TWH) training mapped to TWH education competencies could be administered to a Mexican audience of occupational safety and health professionals and could lead to positive changes to knowledge and behaviors. Methods: This study used robust program evaluation methods collected before and after each of the nine training days and at the end of the course. Results: Overall course quality received a mean score of 4.6 (SD = 0.6) and 98.8% of participants agreed that their TWH knowledge increased. All participants intended to make at least one change to their professional practice, most frequently helping companies assess their organizational culture to support health, safety, and well-being. Conclusions: This TWH training was well received and led to positive self-reported increase in knowledge and abilities to influence workers' health, safety, and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing real-time automatic intuitive devices based on electroencephalography (EEG) to improve hazard recognition performance (HRP) is essential in construction engineering management. However, existing studies generally developed devices based on unimodal data, failing to distinguish the role played by brain activities in different visual areas and ignoring the possible existence of other psychological mechanisms. Therefore, this study aims to use multimodal data based on brain-eye synergy to predict HRP and reveal the cognitive mechanism of hazard recognition to develop intuitive hazard recognition devices. Accordingly, we designed experiments to investigate this problem: (1) 53 construction workers completed a 120-trial hazard recognition task in a laboratory environment (N=6,360), (2) an EEG recorder collected the participants' EEG activities and an eye-tracking device recorded the data of eye movement, and (3) the power spectral density (PSD) of EEG was calculated and then imported into Matlab2018a in combination with EEGLAB for analysis. The results showed that the prediction results of hazard recognition have a time-variant effect. For fall-related hazards, EEG signals within 0–320 ms after the onset were significant in predicting HRP; for electric-related and fire-related hazards, EEG signals within 560–640 ms after the starting point were the most valuable. Also, compared with fall-related hazards, it took a significantly longer time to recognize electric-related and fire-related hazards, which consumed more attentional resources. Finally, the frontal lobe requires more attentional resources to finish cognitive activities than the occipital lobe to finish visual information processing activities, and the occipital lobe needs to process visual information first, and then transmit it to the frontal lobe for analysis and judgment. For the body of knowledge, this study, finding the time-variant effect of HRP, improves the theory of construction hazard recognition from an eye-brain synergy perspective and provides guidance for developing intuitive hazard recognition devices and improving management performance. This study combined eye-movement data and EEG data to predict the performance of hazard recognition using multimodal data. Not only did this study reveal the mechanism of hazard recognition, but it also proposed suggestions for project management and device development. Managers are suggested to implement refined management and regularly monitor the physiological signals of employees. Some construction companies started to use smart devices to measure workers' arousal, emotional valence, emotional regulation ability, fatigue, workload, or safety attention level before work every day. And it is recommended to provide safety reminders to employees based on whether there are any abnormalities in their physiological indicators. In addition to project management, the results of this study can serve the development or optimization of hazard recognition equipment. Developing devices cannot only consider EEG information, but also combine EEG information with eye-movement information. Meanwhile, developers can also consider different types of hazards and different brain regions to improve device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), which is an effective tool for error prevention, has garnered considerable attention in radiotherapy. FMEA can be performed individually, by a group or committee, and online. Purpose: To meet the needs of FMEA for various purposes and improve its accessibility, we developed a simple, self‐contained, and versatile web‐based FMEA risk analysis worksheet. Methods: We developed an FMEA worksheet using Google products, such as Google Sheets, Google Forms, and Google Apps Script. The main sheet was created in Google Sheets and contained elements necessary for performing FMEA by a single person. Automated tasks were implemented using Apps Script to facilitate multiperson FMEA; these functions were built into buttons located on the main sheet. Results: The usability of the FMEA worksheet was tested in several situations. The worksheet was feasible for individual, multiperson, seminar, meeting, and online purposes. Simultaneous online editing, automated survey form creation, automatic analysis, and the ability to respond to the form from multiple devices, including mobile phones, were particularly useful for online and multiperson FMEA. Automation enabled through Google Apps Script reduced the FMEA workload. Conclusions: The FMEA worksheet is versatile and has a seamless workflow that promotes collaborative work for safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore nurse‐midwives' perceptions of safety culture in maternity hospitals. Design: A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted using focus groups and reported following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Methods: Data were obtained through two online focus group sessions in June 2022 with 13 nurse‐midwives from two maternity hospitals in the central region of Portugal. The first focus group comprised 6 nurse‐midwives, and the second comprised 7 nurse‐midwives. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Findings: Two main themes emerged from the data: (i) barriers to promoting a safety culture; (ii) safety culture promotion strategies. The first theme is supported by four categories: ineffective communication, unproductive management, instability in teams and the problem of errors in care delivery. The second theme is supported by two categories: managers' commitment to safety and the promotion of effective communication. Conclusion: The study results show that the safety culture in maternity hospitals is compromised by ineffective communication, team instability, insufficient allocation of nurse‐midwives, a prevailing punitive culture and underreporting of adverse events. These highlight the need for managers to commit to providing better working conditions, encourage training with the development of a fairer safety culture and encourage reporting and learning from mistakes. There is also a need to invest in team leaders who allow better conflict management and optimization of communication skills is essential. Impact: Disseminating these results will provide relevance to the safety culture problem, allowing greater awareness of nurse‐midwives and managers about vulnerable areas, and lead to the implementation of effective changes for safe maternal and neonatal care. Patient or Public Contribution: There was no patient or public contribution as the study only concerned service providers, that is, nurse‐midwives themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing number of older workers affects occupational safety in the context of the construction industry's aging workforce. The first step in proactively reducing safety accidents is hazard detection, which involves visual cognitive processing of preattention and attention. Prior research has shown no consensus on the role of age in hazard detection and safety performance, and few studies have attempted to empirically test how age affects visual cognitive abilities in hazard detection. Electroencephalography (EEG) fills the gap left by earlier methodological shortcomings of subjective evaluation and poor accuracy with a reliable and objective tool for cognitive measurements. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of age on early preattention and later attention in the face of three types of hazards: falling from height, struck-by, and tripping on the same level, based on EEG measurements. Results present the age-related changes in workers' preattentive and attentive abilities for hazard detection varied depending on hazard types. Without being influenced by experience, older workers engaged much stronger preattention than younger workers to fatal hazards (falling from height and struck-by). From the standpoint of preattention inhibition, older workers showed much less inattentional blindness to being struck than younger workers, but such a relationship was mediated by experience. Older workers paid substantially less attention to nonfatal hazards (tripping on the same level) than younger counterparts, and experience had no mediation on this. This study was the first attempt to investigate cognitive-based age differences in hazard detection abilities, including preattention and attention, in construction safety contexts. The effectiveness of EEG signals as indicators of visual cognitive processing in detecting hazards can be examined further. The findings can be used to develop tailored and hazard-focused safety management practices to improve the preattentional and attentional functions of construction workers of different ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural firefighters are exposed to a complex set of contaminants and combustion byproducts, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, recent studies have found structural firefighters' skin may be exposed to multiple chemical compounds via permeation or penetration of chemical byproducts through or around personal protective equipment (PPE). This mannequin-based study evaluated the effectiveness of four different PPE conditions with varying contamination control measures (incorporating PPE interface design features and particulate blocking materials) to protect against ingress of several VOCs in a smoke exposure chamber. We also investigated the effectiveness of long-sleeve base layer clothing to provide additional protection against skin contamination. Outside gear air concentrations were measured from within the smoke exposure chamber at the breathing zone, abdomen, and thigh heights. Personal air concentrations were collected from mannequins under PPE at the same general heights and under the base layer at abdomen and thigh heights. Sampled contaminants included benzene, toluene, styrene, and naphthalene. Results suggest that VOCs can readily penetrate the ensembles. Workplace protection factors (WPFs) were near one for benzene and toluene and increased with increasing molecular weight of the contaminants. WPFs were generally lower under hoods and jackets compared to under pants. For all PPE conditions, the pants appeared to provide the greatest overall protection against ingress of VOCs, but this may be due in part to the lower air concentrations toward the floor (and cuffs of pants) relative to the thigh-height outside gear concentrations used in calculating the WPFs. Providing added interface control measures and adding particulate-blocking materials appeared to provide a protective benefit against less-volatile chemicals, like naphthalene and styrene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N95 respirators are the core equipment used by healthcare workers to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. The protective effect of N95 against infection spread depends on the fit of the N95 to the wearer, which is related to the wearer's facial dimensions. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between the fit of three types of N95 and facial dimensions. A total of 305 healthcare workers from ten hospitals in Beijing were recruited for this study. Facial dimensions of workers were measured using Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435. Fit testing was conducted on three types of N95 using the TSI-8038 Porta Count Pro + Respirator Fit Tester. Possible associations between the fit test results and facial dimension data were examined. A Porta Count reading of 100 was used as the criterion for an acceptable fit. The fit of the folding respirators was positively correlated with nose length (r = 0.13, p = 0.02), nose height (r = 0.14, p = 0.02), and face width (r = 0.12, p = 0.03), whereas that of flat respirators was correlated with nose width (r = 0.16, p < 0.01), chin length (r = 0.18, p < 0.01), and pro-face width (r = 0.13, p = 0.02), and that of arched respirators was correlated with the nose length (r = 0.13, p = 0.03). The fit of N95 for wearers depends on their facial features. The results of this study can provide advice for medical workers to choose the appropriate N95. Medical staff should fully consider their facial dimensions when choosing an appropriate N95 to improve the protective efficacy of respirators and to reduce the risk of infection by respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graduates of industrial hygiene training (IH) programs must be able to meet continuously evolving health and safety needs in a wide variety of occupational settings. Therefore, academic IH graduate programs must regularly evaluate their curricula and solicit input from industry professionals to make curricular changes that will better prepare their students for professional roles in industry. The purpose of this study was to identify the training gaps that existed between industry needs and the current curriculum for a United States-accredited IH graduate training program. The research team facilitated two group interviews with the IH program advisory board, collected alumni survey data, and performed a qualitative analysis to identify skills gaps/needs for the IH Program graduates. The research team identified 3 themes from participant interviews and alumni surveys (technical, applied, and essential skills) and selected several skills within each theme that interview participants thought were necessary proficiencies for junior IH professionals. The skills identified in the qualitative interview and survey data can be incorporated into the curriculum to improve the training of IH graduate students. Additionally, by using qualitative analysis, the researchers uncovered essential skills previously unidentified in IH needs assessments, providing valuable information for all IH graduate programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 15 years, there have been numerous fatalities related to working with animal slurry. Working with cattle slurry releases toxic gases, in particular, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can cause acute central nervous system toxicity, breathing difficulties, and death if exposed to high concentrations. Real-time measurements of H2S gas were taken over distance and time, during the stirring of cattle slurry on farms. Gas was measured at eight slurry stores with differing typical configurations of indoor or outdoor stores and with or without slatted flooring. Highest H2S gas levels were measured from indoor stores under slatted floors, and generally at positions closest to the stirrer or the point of maximum stirring, with levels decreasing with distance from source. Most of the data indicate H2S gas levels increase very rapidly after stirring starts, and mostly decline to baseline levels within 30 min post start of stirring. There were, however, circumstances where gas levels remained high and only started to decline once the stirrer had stopped. H2S gas levels at all farms, at all positions measured were consistently below 10 ppm within 30 min of the stirrer being stopped. The current data highlight areas of the farm and ways of working that have the potential for workers and others to be at risk of exposure to toxic slurry gases. The area should be left to ventilate naturally for at least 30 min after the stirrer has been stopped before re-entering buildings. Influencing the design of stirring equipment and future slurry stores would likely reduce the risk of worker exposure to slurry gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study was conducted as an effort to develop a Korean construction job exposure matrix (KoConJEM) based on 60 occupations recently consolidated by the construction workers mutual aid association for use by the construction industry. Methods The probability, intensity, and prevalence of exposure to 26 hazardous agents for 60 consolidated occupations were evaluated as binary (Yes/No) or four categories (1 to 4) by 30 industrial hygiene experts. The score for risk was calculated by multiplying the exposure intensity by the prevalence of exposure. Fleiss' kappa for each hazardous agent and occupation was used to determine agreement among the 30 experts. The JEM was expressed on a heatmap and a web-based dashboard to facilitate comparison of factors affecting exposure according to each occupation and hazardous agent. Results Awkward posture, heat/cold, heavy lifting, and noise were hazardous agents regarded as exposure is probable by at least one or more experts in all occupations, while exposure to asphalt fumes was considered hazardous in the smallest number of occupations (n = 5). Based on the degree of agreement among experts, more than half of the harmful factors and most occupations showed fair to good results. The highest risk value was 16 for awkward posture for most occupations other than safety officer. Conclusions The KoConJEM provides information on the probability, intensity, and prevalence of exposure to harmful factors, including most occupations employing construction workers; therefore, it may be useful in the conduct of epidemiological studies on assessment of health risk for construction workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The dermal exposure route is expected to become increasingly significant relative to total worker exposure as inhalational exposure limits continue to decrease. However, standardization of occupational exposure assessment methods and scientific consensus are needed. This is the first scoping review mapping the literature across all dermal exposure assessment methods and their targeted substances/chemicals in occupational settings. Methods Eligibility criteria broadly included studies reporting any noninvasive dermal exposure assessment method in an occupational setting. The literature search (Web of Science and MEDLINE) was restricted to peer-reviewed, primary literature published in the last 20 years (2002–2022). Titles/abstracts were dual independently screened. Data charting was performed by a single reviewer using standard template. All stages were pilot tested. The JBI (formerly, the Joanna Briggs Institute) scoping review methods and PRISMA-ScR checklist (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) were used. Results In total, 493 articles were data charted and categorized by 4 study types: methods development (22%), exposure assessment (51%), health outcomes (21%), and controls assessment (6%). Fourteen types of dermal exposure assessment methods were charted with biomarkers (51%), dosimeters (21%), and qualitative assessments such as questionnaires or surveys (17%) most common. Seventeen different chemicals/substances were charted; pesticides (28%) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (22%) associated with crude oil products and combustion were most common. Mapping between substances and exposure assessment method categories, pesticide dosimeters (11%), and PAH biomarker studies (14%) were most reported. Literature gaps were identified for cleaning agents, hair dyes, glycol ether, N , N -dimethylformamide/ N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dioxins, and bisphenol A. Conclusions To foster scientific consensus, standardization across study reporting is needed for describing: (i) exposure assessment methods used, (ii) worker tasking/conditions, (iii) targeted substances and substance state, and (iv) targeted exposure routes. Overall, this review categorizes, maps, and defines the scope of literature for occupational dermal exposure assessment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal air monitoring using a TSI SidePak AM520 personal aerosol monitor was performed on a northern Colorado construction site during five tasks from the OSHA Table 1 : Specified Exposure Control Methods When Working With Materials Containing Crystalline Silica to estimate silica dust concentrations in real time. Photometric measurements were modified using a gravimetric correction factor and a % respirable crystalline silica adjustment. Each task was sampled once; sample time ranged from 14 min to 40 min, with a mean sample time of 27 min. The mean silica dust concentration estimates (μg/m3) (standard deviation [SD]) for the five tasks computed from the TSI SidePak AM520 respirable dust measurements were core drilling 12 μg/m3 [2.46], grinding 918 μg/m3 [1134.08], cutting with a walk-behind saw 36 μg/m3 [79.67], jackhammering 27 μg/m3 [23.24], and dowel drilling 66 μg/m3 [77.65]. Silica exposure estimates from real-time monitoring can be used to identify exposures that may be related to inadequate controls or worker behaviors that contribute to peak exposures. Respirable crystalline silica exposure estimates presented here are likely not generalizable to other construction sites or tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the vapor pressure of a substance at the relevant process temperature is a key component in conducting an exposure assessment to ascertain worker exposure. However, vapor pressure data at various temperatures relevant to the work environment is not readily available for many chemicals. The Antoine equation is a mathematical expression that relates temperature and vapor pressure. The objective of this analysis was to compare Antoine parameter data from 3 independent data sources; Hansen, Yaws, and Custom data and identify the source that generates the most accurate vapor pressure values with the least bias, relative to the referent data set from the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Temperatures predicted from 3 different Antoine sources across a range of vapor pressures for 59 chemicals are compared to the reference source. The results show that temperatures predicted using Antoine parameters from the 3 sources are not statistically significantly different, indicating that all 3 sources could be useful. However, the Yaws dataset will be used in the SDM 2.0 because the data is readily available and robust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For solving the storage and indexing problem of big data, this paper proposes a big data storage algorithm and an indexing algorithm, respectively. Simultaneously, the data classification and segmentation algorithm is given, and then, the classified data are segmented and sliced based on features of data. Moreover, the calculation of the service queue length on data slicing is given to achieve fast storage of slices in the data server. A data reconstruction method is given to index each slice of the original data and implement the data reconstruction according to the given reconstruction method. At the same time, an evaluation method for data reconstruction is also given to achieve the minimum difference between the reconstructed data and the original data. Simulation results show that the accurate rate of the data reconstruction method proposed in this paper is higher than 93%. In addition, compared with the existing data reconstruction methods, it is found that it not only has higher reconstruction accurate rate, faster reconstruction process, stronger anti-interference ability, but also lower information loss. These researches in this paper provide the powerful methods for protecting important documents, reducing losses, reducing waste of resources, and improving the convenience, speed, and safety in work, life, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) are individuals with sexual orientations, gender identities, or expressions (or a combination of these) that differ from cultural norms. Sexual and gender minorities often face workplace discrimination and report decreased physical and emotional well-being from discrimination. To explore the workplace climate of SGM athletic trainers (ATs). Sequential mixed-methods study. Web-based survey and interviews. Criterion sampling of SGM ATs (117 survey participants and 12 interview participants). We modified the LGBTQ Inclusion Assessment and the Organizational Self-Assessment for the survey and developed a semistructured interview script (scale-level content validity index = 0.94). We used means ± SDs, frequencies (%), and the consensual qualitative research tradition to characterize participant responses. Trustworthiness was established through reflexivity (researchers checking bias throughout the research process), member-checking, multianalyst triangulation, and internal and external auditing. Participants indicated their workplace was inclusive (24 [20.5%]), somewhat inclusive (29 [24.8%]), or not inclusive (14 [12.0%]) or did not indicate at all (50 [42.7%]). Respondents most often noted they were unsure of which stage of change their organizations and organizational units were in addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, pansexual, intersex, asexual, 2-spirit, and all within the community of queer and transspectrum identities (LGBTQPIA+) concerns in the workplace as well as specific actions taken for inclusion. Two domains emerged from the interview data: safety and inclusion. The safety domain represented aspects of the workplace climate that made participants feel safe and includes organizational initiatives (12/12), patient-centered policies (7/12), local and federal regulations (7/12), and signaling (12/12). The inclusion domain represented how participants felt a sense of belonging to the organization through their own experience (12/12), through the experiences of their patients (9/12), and through an infrastructure designed for inclusion (12/12). Participants expressed both affirmative and negative feelings of safety and inclusion throughout their responses. Organizations must take both structural and cultural actions to address the concerns of exclusion and lack of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Investigations about the interrelationships of nurses' safety climate, quality of care, and standard precautions (SP) adherence and compliance remain particularly scarce in the literature. Thus, we tested a model of the associations between nurses' safety climate, quality of care, and the factors influencing adherence and compliance with SPs utilizing the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Design: Cross‐sectional design complying with STROBE guidelines. Methods: Using convenience sampling, nurses (n = 730) from the Philippines were recruited. Data were collected between April and September 2022 using four validated self‐report measures. Spearman Rho, mediation and path analyses, and SEM were employed for data analysis. Results: Acceptable model fit indices were shown by the emerging model. The safety climate is positively associated with quality of care and factors influencing adherence to and compliance with SPs. Quality of care directly affected factors influencing adherence to SPs. The factors influencing adherence to SPs directly affected SP compliance. Quality of care mediated between safety climate and the factors influencing adherence to SPs. Factors influencing adherence to SPs mediated between safety climate, quality of care, and SP compliance. Conclusions: The study's variables are not distinct but overlapping nursing concepts that must be examined collectively. Nurse administrators can utilize the emerging model to formulate strategies and regulations for evaluating and enhancing nurses' safety climate, quality of care, and SP adherence and compliance. Clinical Relevance: Our findings may impact policymaking, organizational, and individual levels to improve nurses' clinical practice. Patient or Public Contribution: This study had no patient contribution or public funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The river levee settlement derived from shield tunnel excavation face instability is an anticipated safety issue. Serious engineering safety hazards may occur if it is not restricted. Thus, this study selected six influence indicators to quantify the stability level of the excavation face using the AHP-Fuzzy method. A database of the levee settlement prediction indicators containing tunneling speed, supporting pressure, grouting pressure, horizontal distance, lagging distance, and stability coefficient of excavation face was built by collecting 60 samples from a river-crossing shield tunnel project in China. Five models were carried out for predicting the levee settlement, i.e., modified Peck formula, RF, SVM, BPNN, and PSO-BPNN. Their prediction performance was verified by comparing the prediction results with the measured ones in a shield tunnel engineering application. The analytical results indicated that the PSO-BPNN model has the highest correlation coefficient, i.e., 0.8831(in training) and 0.8657(in testing) and the lowest error, i.e., RMSE = 1.901, and MAE = 0.8412, respectively. Thus the PSO-BPNN model has the best ability to capture the nonlinear relationship between the independent and dependent variables compared with the abilities of the RF, SVM, and BPNN model in this case study. The modified Peck formula performed unsatisfactory results (RMSE = 3.2588, MAE = 3.1172). The correlation analysis results of the input characteristic parameters of the model also indicate that the stability of the levee settlement is significantly related to the excavation face stability. The results indicate that the hybrid model is a very useful and powerful means to investigate the levee settlement caused by shield tunneling and can be improved by gathering more data from tunneling operations over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]