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Objectives. Research literature has not given much evaluation to why the proposed noise control actions in workplaces are not being implemented. There are views of the different personnel groups in the workplace and the reasons why the possibilities for solutions have not been examined. Methods. The companies under study were a welding machine shop, an assembly plant, a heavy steel company and an art glass factory. Noise management was approached by combining the perspectives of technology, acoustics and occupational safety with the examination of sociocultural factors at the workplace level. Results. Noise was not well represented in occupational safety practices. The productivity aspect was strongly emphasized. The use of personal protective equipment created the illusion that everything possible has been done and noise controlled. Conclusion. The study developed a model in which experts in the field of acoustics and sociocultural researchers together evaluated the state and development needs of noise abatement. The results of the project show that successful noise control solutions require a process involving all staff in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Mortuary attendants in Ghana face various occupational health and safety hazards, including ergonomic and psychosocial factors, which can impact both their well-being and the quality of service provided. However, there is limited knowledge about the specific ergonomic hazards they encounter. This study aims to investigate and understand these ergonomic hazards at selected hospital mortuaries in Ghana. Methods. The study used a qualitative approach to investigate the experiences of 19 mortuary attendants, selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded digitally, and focused on participants’ demographics, work experiences, challenges and coping strategies. The collected data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results. The study found that mortuary attendants face ergonomic hazards, leading to physical discomfort, sleep problems and the need for sick leave and self-medication. Poor working conditions were a major risk factor. Conclusion. The study recommends the immediate inclusion of fundamental occupational health and safety practices into the informal apprenticeship training for mortuary attendants. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of providing necessary equipment to mortuary attendants to reduce or eliminate ergonomic hazards in their work environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruptive passenger behaviour (DPB) incidents spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic period, compromising the safety of commercial flights on a daily basis. This qualitative semi-structured interview study examined the perceived triggering factors and motivations for DPB and the subsequent impact of DPB upon cabin crew well-being and safety. Twenty-four European cabin crew disclosed experiences, subjective observations of perpetrator traits, assessment of DPB development and information regarding their well-being and perceived safety. Thematic analysis revealed that the perceived frequency of DPB had increased, driven by an accumulation of pandemic-related factors – such as enforcing mask wearing amongst intoxicated passengers. DPB was found to decrease resilience and spur maladaptive coping strategies in crew. Suggested enhancements to current DPB mitigation consisted of stricter punishment for DPB as a deterrent, alcohol bans and higher quality training. These findings can inform decision-makers’ efforts to support cabin crew well-being and create safer cabin workplaces in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-related violence exposure has been identified as one of the risk factors for social workers' turnover intention, but little is known about its underlying mechanisms. This study aims to distinguish compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue from a dual perspective and investigate the mediating effects of these two co-existing constructs in the relationship between work-related violence exposure and turnover intention. A sample of 1023 Chinese social workers in H city, China (mean age = 36.24 years, SD = 7.11) is obtained by multistage cluster random sampling. Findings demonstrate that the relationship between work-related violence exposure and turnover intention is partially mediated by compassion satisfaction (b = 0.023, 95% CI [0.007, 0.045]) and compassion fatigue (b = 0.139, 95% CI [0.093, 0.187]). The present study clarifies two influencing paths between work-related violence exposure and turnover intention, adding knowledge to the social work profession. Practical implications for reducing turnover intention are suggested in the social work setting. Practice Points: Organizations and managers are encouraged to create a safe working environment and establish a monitoring system that can respond sensitively and rapidly to violence. On the organizational level, fostering a compassionate organizational culture is especially encouraged. On the individual level, self-care programs can be introduced and implemented in China to benefit social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on examining and ascertaining the impact of various elements of industry 4.0, namely the internet of things (IoT) and -physical-cyber systems, on the human factors concerning operators in the Refinery industry. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between these variables and human factors. In this study, a quantitative approach employing partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized as the research methodology. The study sample consisted of 70 respondents who were specifically chosen from the Indonesian oil and gas sector operators. The findings of this research demonstrate a positive and significant influence of Industry 4.0 on human factors. Moreover, a significant correlation between the Internet of Things and human factors was identified. Additionally, the study also revealed a noteworthy association between the physical-cyber system and human factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although researchers have devoted great effort to explore the antecedents of altruistic behaviours (a type of organisational citizenship behaviours), the important role of technical factors (social media) remains unclear. Drawing on social comparison and organisational support theory, this study explored how social media affordances influence employees' altruistic behaviours from both positive and negative perspectives. In this study, 302 employees from organisations in China were surveyed. We found that social media affordances could facilitate employees' perceived organisational support and social comparison of ability. Perceived organisational support positively mediated the relationship between social media affordances and altruistic behaviours. Although the evidence did not support the notion that social comparison of ability could directly dampen altruistic behaviours, a post-hoc analysis found that it could dampen the positive impact of perceived organisational support on developing altruistic behaviours. This study expanded previous research focusing on only positive or negative effects of social media use in the workplace by investigating the dual effects and the interaction effect in between. Here, we discuss the results and provide practical guidance for managers and organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate all studies which used the micronucleus assay using oral cells in the attempt to understand whether such technique is efficient in evaluating genotoxicity in gas station attendants. Full manuscripts from 16 studies were carefully selected by the authors. Our results demonstrate that continuous exposure to derivatives of petroleum may lead to genotoxic effects since all studies demonstrated positive findings (16 out of 16) and 11 of them had a strong or moderate final rating. In summary, our results reveal that gas station attendants are occupationally exposed to genotoxic agents and that the micronucleus assay in oral mucosa is indeed an effective method to evaluate genotoxicity in this specific case. Such findings are very important for protecting these professionals who are continuously exposed to chemicals for long periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of firing pulverized coal in thermal power plants, enormous amounts of fly ash (FA) are produced as industrial waste. The release into the atmosphere and storage of this industrial waste remains one of the major environmental problems that threaten human health by contributing to air, water, and soil pollution. The recovery and reuse of FA in the construction industry is the only economic solution to the existing problem. In this study, the potential radiological risk caused by the usage of FA in concrete and cement production as a main component and its storage in landfill sites was evaluated for people and works by estimating radiological parameters (activity concentration and alpha index, annual effective doses, and the corresponding excess lifetime cancer risks) based on activity concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in FA. Also, the radiological risk to the workers working in the FA landfill site was evaluated using the Residual Radioactivity Onsite 7.2 code. The average activity concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in FA samples from the Tunçbilek lignite coal-fired thermal power plant at Kütahya province of Turkey were measured as 417, 156 and 454 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. When using up to 35% by mass of FA in cement and concrete, the average values of the radiological parameters revealed that they were within the recommended safety limits. However, code estimations showed that a regular worker in FA storage would be exposed to a total effective dose rate greater than 3 mSv y−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firefighter hoods must provide protection from elevated temperatures and products of combustion while simultaneously being comfortable and limiting interference with firefighting movement or completion of fireground activities. This study was to quantify the impact of hood design (traditional knit hood vs. several models of particulate-blocking hoods) on wearability measures such as range of motion, noise production and hearing threshold. Firefighters' perceptions of wearability were also collected. In a controlled laboratory environment, 24 firefighters performed movement and hearing tests. Wearing particulate-blocking hoods resulted in decreased rotational range of motion, and thicker hoods reduced hearing ability. Design, but not necessarily the number of layers, affected noise production by the hood during head movement. Practitioner summary: Particulate-blocking hoods resulted in reduced rotational range of motion relative to the traditional design and the no-hood condition. Hoods with additional layers resulted in decreased hearing ability. Noise production was increased in designs of particulate-blocking hoods with a membrane-based blocking layer independent of the number of layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With software developments and advances in display technologies substantially improved, augmented reality (AR) application has gained popularity. In this study, we discuss using classic PowerPoint and AR for two kinds of scaffolding tasks (task-lifeline assembly and hedge assembly) for users with different spatial ability. We considered both objective and subjective measures of performance, i.e., correct rate and system usability and the ITC-sense of presence inventory (ITC-SOPI) scale. The results of the study show that participants using AR achieved higher operating performance than those using PowerPoint. Furthermore, the users' learning effect was influenced by spatial ability when using PowerPoint. Participants with high spatial ability achieved higher performance than participants with low spatial ability in PowerPoint. However, participants who used AR as a training method did not show significantly different operating performance at different levels of spatial ability. Consequently, AR was believed to be a potential method for enhancing training performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Addressing the prevalent issue of size misfits in large-scale issued firefighter uniforms due to diverse and complex body morphologies, this article presents an objective method for intelligent garment sizing matching without subjective weighting. Methods. The method employs criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) and the catastrophe progression method (CPM) for more accurate and reliable sizing. Traditional methods, reliant on limited indicators such as height and chest girth and often subjectively determined by experts, are prone to reliability concerns. Matching decisions made based on our approach are evidence-based, transparent and reproducible, thus minimizing subjectivity and expert intervention. Results. A case study of 388 cases validates the method's efficacy in providing garment size recommendations, surpassing traditional experience-based approaches by reducing subjective bias. Conclusion. Despite some differences, the optimal alternatives for examinees are almost consistent across the different methods. Compared with traditional subjective weighting methods, this method has potential advantages in situations such as large-scale matching of firefighter protective clothing where individual customization or direct try-on is not feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. For several years, the so-called 'gig economy' has kept transforming urban transportation dynamics. However, the literature has often overlooked the demanding, stressful and safety-compromising conditions under which delivery riders carry out their occupational tasks. This research aimed to examine whether fatigue acts as a mediating mechanism in the complex relationships among job settings, stress-related psychosocial factors at work and the occurrence of occupational traffic crashes among two-wheeled food delivery riders. Methods. This cross-sectional study field-surveyed 248 food delivery riders operating across various platforms. Participants responded to a questionnaire on work features, psychosocial factors and occupational safety issues. The data underwent both descriptive analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results. As hypothesized, the occupational (riding) crashes of food delivery riders can be largely explained through work-related fatigue, which exerts a full mediation between job settings, stress-related factors and riding safety outcomes. Conclusions. These results highlight fatigue as a significant yet overlooked threat in this occupation, emphasizing the need to connect stress-related conditions with safety incidents, a relationship not previously explored among delivery riders. Moreover, our findings stress the necessity for policies and interventions targeting stress and fatigue management to improve occupational health and road safety in the gig economy era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most occupational hazardous agents in workplaces should be evaluated and controlled. Different methods exist for identifying, evaluating and controlling these agents, such as numerical simulation tools. Numerical simulations can help experts to improve occupational health. Due to the importance and abilities of numerical simulations, this study divided occupational hazardous agents into 10 subgroups. These subgroups included air pollution, ventilation, respiratory airways, noise and vibration, lighting, radiation, ergonomics, fire and explosion, risk assessment and personal protective equipment. Recent research studies in each subgroup were then reviewed, and the codes and software used in simulations were determined. The results show that Fluent software and k–ϵ turbulence models are the most used in occupational health studies simulations. Today, different codes and software have been developed for simulation, and we suggest their use in occupational health studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many previous cases have demonstrated that hazardous materials processing industry (HMPI) accidents always result in huge losses and HMPI companies which suffer accidents are difficult to quickly restore. This has demanded an effective way to solve the two problems. Resilience safety culture (RSC) combines conventional safety culture and resilience engineering. It aims at giving an organization the abilities of continually operating or timely recovering during or after a major unexpected event. RSC fits the safety demands of the HMPI well. The present study develops a RSC model for the HMPI. Firstly, through literature review, 12 model elements with 16 hypothesized relationships are developed. These hypothesis are then tested by 618 samples with structural equation modelling. Finally, an HMPI RSC model with 12 elements and 12 relationships is established. Model validity is verified by a comparison study on the proposed model and two existing models with the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire survey and an event-related potential (ERP) experiment were used to reveal the impact of safety attitudes on risk perception. The results revealed that during hazard identification, the N130 amplitude of subjects with negative safety attitude was significantly higher, which implied that subjects with negative safety attitude were more likely to feel confused. During risk analysis, subjects with positive safety attitude were more inclined to overestimate the probability and damage degree of risks; subjects with positive safety attitudes displayed higher P150 and late positive potential amplitudes, which indicated that subjects with positive safety attitudes devoted more attention to risks in the early stage of risk analysis and had a more intense affective response in the later period. The risk judgment ability of subjects with positive safety attitude was affected by time pressure, and they exhibited higher risk judgment accuracy only under no time pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slope failure during or immediately after slope-cutting can cause fatal accidents. This study analyses the characteristics of labour accidents caused by slope failure during slope-cutting in Japan and presents a countermeasure to prevent accidents caused by slope failure, such as the implementation of a slope guideline by MHLW. A case history conducted during slope-cutting and nailing was presented as an example of the application of the slope guideline to ensure safety. Furthermore, monitoring methods were implemented to gain a quantitative understanding of slope deformation. Geological conditions other than those assumed prior to excavation and small collapses attributed to groundwater are indications of landslide risk. The guideline's quick checklist reflects the slope condition or deformation, allowing the client, designer and contractor to discuss and agree on a quick solution to a problem. The case study confirmed the effectiveness of the slope guideline as a tool for sharing information during construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the factors influencing unsafe behaviors among decorators. The study begins with a literature review on unsafe behaviors among construction workers, compiling a checklist of factors specific to decorators. Utilizing exploratory factor analysis (EFA), a measurement scale for these factors is developed. Subsequently, stepwise regression analysis (SRA) is conducted to validate relationships and identify crucial factors. Results categorize influencing factors into three dimensions: personal, organizational and environmental. Non-compliance with safety procedures and protocols is found to correlate directly with increased unsafe behavior at an individual level. Additionally, internal safety regulations within companies are identified as having a direct negative impact on unsafe behaviors at the organizational level. This study enhances our understanding of unsafe behaviors among decorators and offers recommendations for mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the concept and results of a study on the effects of organizational trust on the safety level in an enterprise. The research results presented provide valid and reliable statistical evidence that employees' trust in management is an important factor that significantly affects safety in a company. In particular, the research findings prove that employees' trust in management affects safety outcomes indirectly (full mediation), due to the improvement in their engagement in safety citizenship behaviour (SCB); but also that better engagement in SCB should directly or indirectly contribute to the reduction of accident event occurrence through improvement in employees' health and safety (H&S) regulation compliance (partial mediation). Moreover, the research findings prove that improvement in perceived management commitment in H&S will additionally strengthen positive relationships between trust in management and SCB engagement (interaction effect). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lobstering industry workers are known to have poor overall health and low safety records, but there is still a gap in information concerning Canadian lobster fishers. This study aimed to report occupational health and safety characteristics of an Atlantic Canada community of lobster fishers and to assess differences between captains and deckhands. Twenty-eight participants (10 captains, 18 deckhands) were questioned and self-reported on lifestyle, general health status, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries. The data collected reveal both groups' high prevalence of cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health issues. Captains reported more occupational exposition and health issues, and showed poorer lifestyle habits than deckhands. Fishers reported potential solutions to reduce occupational risks, presented as three types: lifestyle, working behaviours and leadership. This study evaluated a community of Canadian lobster fishers regarding their occupational health and safety. Potential avenues for mitigating occupational risk specific to this community will nurture future implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is one of the menaces that contribute to the rising number of construction-related accidents and fatalities in projects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify several strategies that can be adopted to mitigate fatigue in construction projects. This was achieved through a quantitative study. A questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection in the quantitative study. The study revealed that frustration/depression or work pressure is one of the significant causes of fatigue in construction projects. Fatigue risk management education and bonding among workers are some of the underlying strategies that can be used to mitigate the identified causes. Depending on the nature of the fatigue causative elements, the study further established that some mitigation strategies are more effective than others. Therefore, further studies should be conducted by prospective researchers on a range of attributes that may influence the success of fatigue mitigation strategies in construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hands are the most complex organs of the body for performing various activities. Therefore, it is critical to protect them against dangers. Protective gloves can reduce or prevent injuries, but they can downgrade hand performance in various aspects, including tactile sensitivity, strength, grip force and hand dexterity. In this study, eight protective gloves with different designs and materials were made. The study investigated the influence of the number of layers and several characteristics, e.g., mass per square meter, thickness, bending stiffness and compressibility, on the gloved hand performance regarding protection ability, tactile sensitivity, strength capability and manual dexterity. The results indicated that despite the improving effects of increasing layer thickness, weight, bending energy and compressibility on protection ability, the gloves diminish tactile sensitivity, grip and pinch force, and manual dexterity. Therefore, it is necessary to select an optimum design to ensure a satisfactory trade-off between protection and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Currently, numerous studies have focused on testing or modeling to evaluate the safe service life of thermal protective clothing after thermal aging, reducing the risk to occupational personnel. However, testing will render the garment unsuitable for subsequent use and a series of input parameters for modeling are not readily available. In this study, a novel image recognition strategy was proposed to discriminate the mechanical strength of thermal protective fabric after thermal aging based on transfer learning. Methods. Data augmentation was used to overcome the shortcoming of insufficient training samples. Four pre-trained models were used to explore their performance in three sample classification modes. Results. The experimental results show that the VGG-19 model achieves the best performance in the three-classification mode (accuracy = 91%). The model was more accurate in identifying fabric samples in the early and late stages of strength decline. For fabric samples in the middle stage of strength decline, the three-classification mode was better than the four-classification and six-classification modes. Conclusions. The findings provide novel insights into the image-based mechanical strength evaluation of thermal protective fabrics after aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Although some studies have shown role stressors can lead to unsafe behaviors, it is unclear how role stressors induce delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. We found that delivery riders suffered from tremendous role stressors during the delivery process and had to conduct frequent smartphone interactions. This study aimed to explore the effects of role stressors and smartphone interactions on delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. Methods. First, a questionnaire survey (N = 326) was used to collect data, and correlation and regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between role stressors, smartphone interaction frequency and delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. Second, a scenario survey (N = 35) was conducted, and comparative analysis was used to further explore how smartphone interactions affect delivery riders' unsafe behaviors. Results. The questionnaire survey revealed that role stressors, smartphone interaction frequency and delivery riders' unsafe behaviors were positively correlated. In addition, the role stressors forced delivery riders to conduct necessary and unnecessary smartphone interactions. The scenario survey found that smartphone interactions reduced delivery riders' motion speed and motion ability, and increased their psychology, so they had a risk-taking mentality, which led to an increase in unsafe behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevant studies in the fields of fire safety, occupational health and firefighter clothing were analyzed in this study to address the high injury rate among firefighters during fire rescue and the complexity of factors affecting skin burns. The findings indicate that the degree of skin burns in firefighters is primarily influenced by the heat source (heat flux, type), firefighter clothing (fabric, pattern) and the under-clothing air gap (thickness, characteristics). Since skin burns cannot be directly measured, internal skin heat transfer and burn prediction models are commonly employed to assess the impact of external factors on skin burns. These models can predict the safe working distance or time for firefighters. Investigating the influencing factors and prediction models of skin burns among firefighters holds significant value in enhancing operating procedures, optimizing firefighter clothing design and effectively preventing skin burns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction Hazard Prevention through Design (CHPtD) is widely recognized as a key approach for preventing injuries in construction workplaces. It prioritizes the safety of construction workers by explicitly tackling potential hazards during the design development phase. This involves proactively incorporating design features aimed at minimizing the risk of workplace injuries. Despite the theoretical promise of CHPtD, practical implementation has faced significant challenges. Notably, prior research has emphasized issues such as designers' unfamiliarity with construction means and methods, along with their inability to anticipate safety hazards that may arise in the field due to their design choices. In response, proponents of CHPtD have advocated for educational interventions aimed at equipping designers with the essential skills needed for effective implementation of CHPtD. This investigation assessed the effectiveness of YouTube as an educational resource for enhancing hazard recognition in simulated CHPtD review sessions among civil engineering students. YouTube was expected to aid hazard recognition due to its extensive collection of videos featuring various construction operations and related safety hazards. The study utilized a randomized controlled experiment to evaluate treatment effects. The results indicate that YouTube can serve as a valuable tool in supporting CHPtD efforts. Furthermore, the benefits derived from using YouTube were more pronounced when examining specific building elements (e.g. interior upper-level drywall) compared to other elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet C (UV-C) light technology employs a particular wavelength within the ultraviolet spectrum to deactivate microorganisms, utilizing radiation as its method. UV-C light possesses germicidal properties, effectively disrupting the DNA of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and various pathogens, thereby impeding their ability to replicate and induce illness. Additionally, UV-C could enhance the production of phytochemicals and prevent contamination in agricultural applications. However, overexposure to UV-C can cause safety issues, especially for operators handling its utilization in germicidal or sterilization applications. This study investigated the destructive effects of UV-C light on the morphology and chlorophyll content of lettuces exposed to various durations, aiming to assess the risks associated with prolonged exposure. The results showed that prolonged UV-C exposure affects morphological and chlorophyll content changes. The most damaging effect on lettuce morphology and chlorophyll content was found in the 2 h of UV-C exposure treatment. In the 2 h of UV-C exposure treatment, lettuce length was reduced from 6.01 ± 0.80 cm on day 2 to 5.55 ± 0.78 cm on day 3. The lowest fresh weight of lettuce was also found at 2 h of UV-C exposure treatment (4.32 ± 0.94 gr). In addition, the lowest total lettuce stomata aperture was found in 2 h of UV-C treatment (41 units). Furthermore, on day 4, after 2 h of UV-C exposure treatments, the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content in lettuces were found to be 1.59 ± 0.02 mg g−1 FW, 0.93 ± 0.02 mg g−1 FW and 2.52 ± 0.04 mg g−1 FW, respectively. Therefore, the most destructive effect of UV-C was found during 2 h of UV-C exposure treatment. These findings indicate the dangers of long-term UV-C exposure to lettuce. Practically, this could also have a negative impact on humans. The knowledge gleaned from these findings is useful for safety issues in the industrial application of UV-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of Industry 5.0, there is a significant gap in addressing ergonomic risks and imprecise task times in manufacturing systems. This study aims to fill this gap by extending the ergonomic assembly line balancing problem with worker assignment. It employs a novel two-phase framework combining a constructive heuristic for feasibility with a unique ergonomic assessment method developed through a fuzzy expert system. Validated using 96 synthesized numerical instances, the proposed method addresses the scarcity of fuzzy and ergonomic-oriented data in benchmarks. Then, computational results are thoroughly analyzed to evaluate the method’s performance and identify potential areas for further research. The proposed optimization method provided high-quality solutions with a majority demonstrating low ergonomic risk and high worker safety, contributing to an overall improvement in ergonomic conditions. The integration of fuzzy expert system and advanced optimization techniques yields a robust framework for achieving a safer and more efficient manufacturing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the construction industry, most safety culture studies are limited to a single country, with minimal attention to cross-country studies. This limits creating a foundation for a robust framework and reliable safety culture scale. This study addresses this gap by studying safety culture in 10 countries, including those without previous studies. The survey instrument, completed by 311 construction employees, identified seven key factors measuring safety culture, with content and construct validity ensuring the reliability and validity of survey findings. Results indicated that work experience, education level and employment status have significant impacts on employees’ safety culture. Additionally, similarities and differences in these factors across countries were investigated, and the fatalism and optimism factor and the work pressure and priority factor are the most significant contributors to the weakening of safety culture in the construction industry. This research allows industry practitioners to systematically assess on-site safety culture, oversee practices and improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has been a widely recognized hazard in the United States for nearly 100 years, yet it continues to pose a risk to construction tradespersons, among others. RCS exposures vary widely depending on site conditions and tools and materials used. The proper use of engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE) controls can effectively reduce exposure to RCS. Historically, others have reviewed available RCS exposure data among construction trades and reported that there were considerable data gaps and variability that needed to be addressed. This current assessment aimed to synthesize available peer-reviewed exposure studies to determine potential RCS exposures during the use of common construction materials and evaluate to what extent data gaps and variability persist. Twenty-eight studies were identified that reported RCS exposure during construction tasks. After conversion to the unit of µg/m3, reported measurements from samples collected for varying durations ranged from 6.0 to 75,500 µg/m3 for work with concrete, 80 to 4,240 µg/m3 for work with brick, <59 to 10,900 µg/m3 for work with mortar, 90 to 44,370 µg/m3 for work with engineered stone, and 70 to 380 µg/m3 for work with roof tile. To better facilitate pooling data across studies, future researchers should report their sample duration, clarify how time-weighted average (TWA) exposure data are calculated, report the silica content of the material being manipulated, and specify whether samples were collected while the task was performed in isolation or on a worksite where other silica-containing materials were also actively handled. When reporting results as respirable quartz, it is important to note whether any other polymorphic forms of silica were detected. It is ultimately the employer's responsibility to train employees and monitor and control RCS exposures on construction worksites. To do this effectively, it is important to have a clear understanding of the tasks, materials, and site conditions where intervention is most urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate and design masks against viruses, especially SARS-CoV-2 associated with COVID-19. A continuum filtration model was developed where the rate of particle deposition and "sticking" on the filter fibers is a critical term in the mass transfer, together with permeation velocity, filter porosity, tortuosity, and Brownian diffusion. CFD simulations of the airflow during respiration lead to the recommendation that the filter permeability should be above 4 × 10−11 m2 to direct the airflow for effectiveness against virus particles; otherwise, low filter permeabilities cause the unfiltered air to flow preferentially through the leak gaps between the mask and the headform. Different mask filters with microstructural and geometry data from the literature are assessed via filtration simulations for breathability and filtration efficiency. The results demonstrate that a surgical mask of 25% porosity, pore size of 150 µm and permeability of 4.4 × 10−11 m2 can achieve 100% minimum efficiency while demonstrating high breathability, complying with the criteria of FFP3, N95, and surgical Class II and IIR masks. Selected cotton and synthetic cloths as well as electrospun fiber layers are predicted to comply with FFP2, N95, and surgical mask Class II and IIR standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of nitrile gloves with a minimum thickness of 5.0 ± 2.0 mil [0.127 ± 0.051 millimeters] in situations where it is suspected or known that fentanyl or other illicit drugs are present. However, there is limited data available on fentanyl permeation through gloves. Current test methods used to measure fentanyl permeation do not consider the effect of glove fit and flexion. Furthermore, first responders need to have PPE readily available in the field, and storage conditions may affect the protective performance of the gloves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of glove stretch and storage temperatures on glove durability and barrier performance against fentanyl. Nine nitrile glove models previously shown to be resistant to fentanyl permeation were selected for this investigation. These nine models were stretched 25% in one linear direction, to consider glove fit and flexion, and tested against fentanyl hydrochloride permeation. Additionally, four of the nine glove models were stored at 48 °C, 22 °C, and −20 °C, and evaluated for tensile strength, ultimate elongation, and puncture resistance after up to 16 wk of storage and fentanyl permeation after up to 8 wk of storage. At least one sample for six of the nine tested models had maximum permeation over the test method fail threshold when stretched. The tested storage temperatures showed no effect on glove tensile strength, ultimate elongation, and puncture resistance. The findings of this study can be used to inform PPE recommendations, with consideration to storage practices and proper sizing for first responders with potential exposure to fentanyl and other illicit drugs. The results of this study can be used to assess the need for new standard test methods to evaluate the barrier performance of gloves and shelf-life determination with consideration to glove fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study surveyed Asian American healthcare workers to examine the impact of discrimination on workplace stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Workplace stress was measured by utilizing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and discrimination experienced by healthcare workers was measured using the Everyday Discrimination Scale. This research reported several key findings. Healthcare workers who were not married at the time of the survey experienced the most discrimination, followed by those who worked less than five years. Those who were married experienced the least discrimination. Healthcare workers with less than five years of work experience felt the most workplace stress, followed by those who were not married, while those who were married experienced the least workplace stress. Healthcare workers who experienced greater discrimination also reported higher workplace stress. As hypothesized, workplace discrimination emerged as the most influential predictor of Asian HCWs' workplace stress during the pandemic. Feeling safe at work and being married contributed to less workplace stress among healthcare workers during the pandemic. These factors explained 25.6% of the variance in workplace stress among healthcare workers during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2017, the #MeToo movement has highlighted gender-based violence and harassment in the comedy industry, where those comedians affected have little to no workplace infrastructure to lean on. Because comedy clubs are described as venues rather than sites of work, comedy workers are not technically employees and are not protected by workplace safety laws nor supported by professional organizations or unions. We argue that the lack of a formal workplace and its related precarity exacerbates violence against women, queer, transgender, disabled, and/or workers in the Canadian and American comedy industries, pushing comedy workers to enact do-it-yourself workplace safety strategies to protect themselves and one another. We describe these protective, caring activities as akin to Brenda Parker's "double killjoy," and push our understanding of creative work into places of public resistance and life-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welding defects can pose significant safety risks in the industrial production. Accurate detection of these defects is crucial for ensuring the industrial production safety. Traditional computer vision methods rely on operator experience and knowledge and are time-consuming. In addition, manual feature extraction and classifier definition become more difficult for complex images or unknown defects. In contrast, deep learning can automatically extract features from raw data and build classifiers with higher accuracy. Additionally, deep learning models have stronger generalization ability and can identify a wider range of defects, without being limited by feature engineering. Consequently, we proposed a welding defect detection model based on multiscale feature enhancement and aggregation based on the advanced deep learning model YOLOv7. The model is composed of a wavelet multiscale attention (WMA), a parallel sampling module (PSS), and a path expansion aggregation network (PEANet). We compared the model with a variety of excellent object detection algorithms. Experiments show that the proposed model can effectively identify welding defects. Compared with the original model, the mAP has increased by approximately 1.2%, the average recall has increased by approximately 5.3%, the parameter volume has increased slightly, and the Flops has decreased by approximately 62.6%.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent extreme cold events in recent years have brought serious threats to outdoor workers and rescuers. Changes in ambient temperature are associated with altered cardiac autonomic function. The study aims to investigate heart rate variability (HRV) and its relationship to other physiological parameters under extreme cold exposures. Twelve males underwent a 30-min preconditioning phase in a neutral environment followed by a 30-min cold exposure (−5, −10, −15, and −20 °C). Time-domain indexes(meanRR, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50), frequency domain indexes [Log(HF), Log(LF), and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF)], parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) were analysed. Results showed all HRV indexes of four cold exposures were significant. The decrease in temperature was accompanied by progressive PNS activation with SNS retraction. SDNN was the most sensitive HRV index and had good linear relationships with blood pressure, pulse, and hand temperature. The results are significant for formulating safety protection strategies for workers in extremely cold environments. Practitioner Summary: This study investigated heart rate variability (HRV) in 12 males during a 30-min cold exposure (−5, −10, −15, and −20 °C). Results showed all HRV indexes of four cold exposures were significant. The decrease in temperature was accompanied by progressive PNS activation with SNS retraction. SDNN was the most sensitive HRV index and had good linear relationships with blood pressure, pulse, and hand temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Construction worker safety behavior (CWSB) may be affected by a confluence of multilevel and interrelated factors. Cultivating and maintaining CWSB is vital for improving construction safety. Current studies focus on organization-level or individual-level CWSB antecedents. However, few studies have examined the influence of psychological factors on CWSB, thereby reducing the joint effects of multilevel factors on CWSB. Methods. To determine effective strategies for strengthening CWSB, this study adopted the Bayesian network technique to explore the interrelationships between CWSB and its antecedent factors. A Bayesian belief network model was developed and trained with data collected from Chinese construction workers, which connected organizational, individual and psychological factors with CWSB. Results. According to the sensitivity analysis, safety knowledge, safety climate and psychological capital are the three most significant influencing factors for CWSB. A combined strategy that enhances safety knowledge, safety climate and communication competence simultaneously is the most effective option for strengthening CWSB. The validation and robustness of the network showed good accuracy for safety behavior judgment. Conclusion. This study proposes an alternative way to improve safety behavior by identifying its interactive causes and illustrates the importance of initiating systematic safety measures, which may help to mitigate the problem of safety plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIdentifying design requirements for new technologies is vitally important for successful uptake, yet few structured approaches exist to guide the process. Given increasing concerns regarding gig economy worker road safety, this study involved the use of Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA), alongside a participatory design process, to identify requirements for a novel, app-based incident reporting tool for gig economy workers. Study 1 involved a stakeholder workshop to refine a Work Domain Analysis model and define stakeholder requirements for the tool. Study 2 involved focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators to using the tool and a survey to inform the development of a Contextual Activity Template, in addition to identifying further barriers and facilitators. Design requirements for the tool were identified through synthesising the CWA outputs and themes identified from stakeholder and end user input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prison farms are common programs within correctional services; however, knowledge is limited regarding the agricultural prison industry. As a starting point for further study and policy development, we conducted a scoping review to map knowledge on the industry. The results show many publications focused on the agricultural prison industry were outdated, United States-based, and/or non-original research. Findings reveal agricultural positions tend to be filled by prisoners with pre-existing work skills and relatively low support needs and agricultural positions are not necessarily driven by market demands. Findings also show prisoners experience a lack of workplace protections, such as workers’ compensation, the ability to unionize, and adequate workplace safety and hazardous materials training. Yet, a purported benefit of agricultural programs was improved food security for prisoners. Other finds show there is a predominant focus on self-sufficiency and cost-savings for prisons in the face of inadequate or worsening budgets but limited available data quantifies relationship, prison farms shift from being rehabilitative-focused to profit-driven over a certain amount of acres. We conclude by identifying gaps in the literature on the agricultural prison industry and listing areas of future inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to study the interaction of the components of a complex liquid mixture on the permeation parameters of its constituents. A firearm cleaning solvent, Hoppes No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner, was selected to challenge two varieties of disposable nitrile gloves, the thinnest (Kimberly-Clark Lavender) and thickest (Kimberly-Clark Blue), using the closed-loop ASTM F739 cell without recirculation and n-decane collection followed by quantitation of the permeated compounds using capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The thicker Blue glove resisted the permeation of Hoppe's relative to the thinner Lavender glove as shown by 3.2 times more mass permeated by the Lavender glove at 60 min despite the same standardized breakthrough times (7.5 ± 2.5 min). The kerosene fraction permeated faster at a much higher rate than expected. The Kimberly-Clark disposable nitrile glove chemical resistance guide lists a breakthrough time for kerosene of 82 min for Sterling disposable nitrile glove material. However, for Hoppe's the kerosene components appeared at the standardized breakthrough time. Mixture components that were reported by the glove manufacturer to quickly permeate the disposable nitrile material, such as ethanol, did not permeate at a rate slower than expected, indicative of a possible carrier function. A semiquantitative risk assessment confirmed the unacceptability of both gloves. Persons using personal protective equipment, such as gloves, may not be afforded the expected resistance to chemical permeation when chemicals are in a suitable mixture, hence enhancing the risk of exposure. More research is needed to produce better glove testing measures to ensure the safety of workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ideally, measuring exposures to volatile organic compounds should allow for modifying sampling duration without loss in sensitivity. Traditional sorbent-based sampling can vary sampling duration, but sensitivity may be affected when capturing shorter tasks. Diaphragm and capillary flow controllers allow for a range of flow rates and sampling durations for air sampling with evacuated canisters. The goal of this study was to evaluate the extent to which commercialized capillary flow controllers satisfy the bias (±10%) and accuracy (±25%) criteria for air sampling methods as established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) using the framework of ASTM D6246 Standard Practice for Evaluating the Performance of Diffusive Samplers to compare their performance with diaphragm flow controllers in a long-term field study. Phase 1 consisted of a series of laboratory tests to evaluate capillary flow controller flow rates with respect to variations in temperature (−15–24 °C). The results demonstrated a slight increase in flow rate with lower temperatures. In Phase 2, the capillary flow controller was evaluated utilizing a matrix of parameters, including time-weighted average concentration, peak concentration (50–100× base concentration), air velocity across the sampler inlet (0.41–0.5 m/s), relative humidity (20–80%), and temperature (10–32 °C). Comparison of challenge concentrations with reference concentrations revealed the aggregate bias and overall accuracy for four tested compounds to be within the range of criteria for both NIOSH and ASTM standards. Additionally, capillary flow controllers displayed lower variability in flow rate and measured concentration (RSD: 2.4% and 4.3%, respectively) when compared with diaphragm flow controllers (RSD: 6.9% and 7.2%, respectively) for 24-hr laboratory tests. Phase 3 involved further testing of flow rate variability for both diaphragm and capillary flow controllers in a field study. The capillary flow controller displayed a lower level of variability (RSD: 5.2%) than the diaphragm flow controller (RSD: 8.0%) with respect to flow rate, while allowing for longer durations of sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional credentialing schemes based on experience and examination are used to clarify the scope and required competencies associated with the practice of a profession. National occupational hygiene (OH) credentials developed in 17 nations have been recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) to meet or exceed the requirements of a model certification program. To date, there is no credentialing or certification scheme for occupational hygienists in Spanish-speaking regions. To fill this void, a new credentialing body has been created named the Iberoamerican Board of Occupational Hygiene (JIHO). As a first step to the development of a certification exam for a profession, it is necessary to determine the interest in an occupational hygiene certification exam in Spanish and to clarify the most common work practices for those practicing the profession. To determine the proper exam weightings for occupational hygiene competencies needed to practice in Spanish-speaking regions JIHO conducted a comprehensive survey of professional practice of occupational hygiene in nations where Spanish is spoken as the primary language. Surveys were sent to 456 practicing occupational hygienists in nine different countries on a variety of topics. Results indicated that 79% of respondents felt the need for an OH certification exam in Spanish was very or extremely important. The most frequent and important technical competencies utilized in practice were (1) awareness about the health effects of hazardous agents to make decisions about workplace activities and exposures, (2) application of the hierarchy of controls, control banding, hazard communication, training of employees and other methods to reduce worker exposure and workplace risks, and (3) application of principles to recognize and control biohazards in the workplace. The study results have been used to guide the weighting and importance of various technical topics and rubrics on the JIHO exam. Data from this study can be used in the development of certification examinations, to improve international coherence in the profession, and the development of educational programs in OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational therapists entering the clinical workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced levels of uncertainty and stress. This study's aim was to explore the clinical experiences and concerns of early-career occupational therapists entering the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 27). We administered an open-ended online survey and analyzed the data using inductive thematic analysis. Resulting themes included: safety, exposure, and transmission; implementation and enforcement of safety protocols; quality of care; and impact of the pandemic on overall health highlighting the issues that need to be addressed to be more prepared for future practice in an evolving environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare providers (HP) work in high-stress situations, interacting with patients and families who are often in crisis. HPs who work in safety net clinics, which provide care to uninsured, Medicaid recipients and other vulnerable populations, interact with patients who are frequently frustrated by long wait times, extensive paperwork, short appointments, and have generally lower health literacy. Many patients have chronic conditions and substance use disorders which has been associated with higher likelihood to be perceived as verbally aggressive and/or perpetrate workplace violence (WPV). Using interviews with 26 HPs at safety net clinics, we investigated how HPs manage interactions with aggressive patients and avoid burnout. Findings are based on emotional labor constructs describing why and how workers use emotion management strategies to smooth communication and relationships with clients/patients. According to our participants, HPs perform emotional labor to de-escalate interactions, prevent WPV, and to develop relationships with patients who might become regular clinic patients. We found that HPs perceive an influence of the clinic context on patient aggression management, hold initial perceptions that shape engagement with aggressive patients, and report emotional labor and burnout that came from interacting with aggressive patients to prevent WPV. We offer implications that extend research on emotional labor and burnout, provide guidance to healthcare organizations, and offer directions for future theory and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims were to highlight noise levels on board and the health effects of noise on seafarers. Data was collected from multiple databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ebsco Host. Initially, the search resulted in a total of 197 articles, 16 were chosen. Several ships were found which most sailors had noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) (n = 6). The engine room has been defined as having the highest level of noise. In addition, noise exposure was associated with hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disturbances, communication difficulties, poor concentration, dizziness, depression, anxiety, headache, fatigue, and stress. Noise exposure is not the only factor that causes health problems: the duration of exposure while working, years of career as a maritime worker, age, lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption), and even hobbies related to loud sound (such as concert/disco attendance, listen to loud music, etc.) were associated with the adverse health effects experienced by seafarers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined factors related to perceived health risks in confined spaces (PCSHR) and their correlation with the mental workload among farmers managing agricultural wells in northern Thailand. A cross-sectional, multi-stage sample of 356 farmers was selected from four rural districts' agricultural areas. Data were collected through interviews conducted from August to December 2022, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The five-part questionnaire gathered demographic data, information on experiences and operations in agricultural wells, knowledge of confined spaces, PCSHR, and the six-dimension NASA Task Load Index (TLX) mental workload. Linear regression and multi-variable analyses were used to investigate factors associated with PCSHR, while Pearson correlations tested the association between PCSHR and mental workload variables. Most farmers were male (92.4%), worked in wells to install pumping systems (81.7%) and maintain equipment (73.3%), averaging 3.80 times per year, with an average duration of 25.81 minutes. Physical symptoms reported included difficulty breathing (72.8%), feeling swelteringly hot (55.9%), and sweating excessively (27.8%), as well as accidents such as being struck by falling soil or objects (20.2%), and falling into the well while climbing down (14.9%). Farmers' perceived risk scores were high when working while physically exhausted or unprepared and when assisting an unconscious worker without knowing the gas concentration. In addition, the maximal mental workload scores were mental demand and effort subscale. Factors significantly associated with PCSHR (adj.R2 = 60.6%, p <.05) encompassed education higher than lower secondary level, current alcohol consumption, smaller well width, assisted operations, number of physical symptoms experienced, absence of environmental accidents, and confined space knowledge, while increased PCSHR was positively associated with mental workload (Overall r = 0.711, p <.01). Comprehensive education about potential hazards can improve farmers' risk perception, potentially reducing mental workload and preventing fatal accidents. Field studies are recommended to develop community-specific work protocols and accurate measuring instruments suitable for rural settings are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korea's aquaculture sector primarily cultivates aquatic life, with fish seed production as a focus. Formalin, a parasiticide, consists of 37% formaldehyde mixed with yellow No. 4 dye. Formaldehyde vaporization poses cancer risks, classified as a carcinogen. Korea regulates formaldehyde as a hazardous substance, requiring workplace environment measurements. Few aquaculture farms have conducted these checks in recent years. In this study, we investigated actual formaldehyde exposure levels among Korean aquaculture workers, highlighting a critical safety concern. A field survey was conducted to measure formaldehyde exposure at 10 aquaculture farms in areas where Korean aquaculture is concentrated. Short-term and long-term personal samples, local samples, and direct-reading measurements were conducted. Formaldehyde exposure levels were detected in short-term personal samples from six farms and in long-term personal samples from two farms, and formaldehyde was detected in all local samples. In direct-reading measurements, a high concentration of formaldehyde was sustained for short periods. Long-term (8-hour) personal samples were mostly non-detectable, except for farms A and D, which had levels of 0.0009 ppm and 0.0017 ppm, respectively. Short-term (15-minute) samples were non-detectable in four farms, with an average of 0.0158 (±0.0130) ppm in the remaining six farms. Local samples from all farms had an average of 0.0384 (±0.0957) ppm of formaldehyde. For farms A and D, where long-term sampling detected formaldehyde, real-time measurements showed a sustained high concentration in farm A for about 48 minutes before decreasing. Farm D had no detectable formaldehyde throughout the monitoring period. According to the formaldehyde exposure level assessment, short term exposure to formaldehyde during and immediately after application of formalin nearly exceeded the ACGIH TLV STEL in one farm. However, concentration of long term samples appeared at 10% of ACGIH TLV TWA. Additional study is recommended to determine whether exposure to formaldehyde poses a health risk for aquaculture workers during application of formalin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Worker Protection Standards is the primary set of legislation aimed at protecting farmworkers from occupational pesticide exposure in the United States. Previous studies suggest that worker adoption of Pesticide Protective Behaviors (PPBs) promoted by WPS is associated with lower urinary pesticide concentrations. However, adoption of PPBs is often outside of the control of individual farmworkers and dependent on workplace factors such as employer provisioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to trainings/resources. We conducted a mixed-method study including urinary pesticide biomonitoring, surveys, and interviews with 62 Latinx farmworkers in southwestern Idaho from April to July 2022. We integrated findings across the various data sources to identify emergent themes relating to farmworkers' perceptions of workplace compliance with WPS and potential implications for their pesticide risk perceptions, protective behaviors, and urinary pesticide concentrations. Participants reported some indications of poor workplace compliance with WPS regulations, notably inconsistent access to clean handwashing stations and notification of pesticide applications. Some farmworkers, particularly pesticide applicators, viewed herbicides to be categorically safer than other classes of pesticides such as insecticides; these perceptions appeared to influence protective behaviors, such as the relatively low use of PPE while applying herbicides. These findings are underscored by the higher concentrations of biomarkers of herbicides, but not insecticides, among pesticide applicators compared with non-applicators (e.g. median 2,4-D concentrations = 1.40 µg/L among applicators and 0.69 µg/L among non-applicators). Participants further reported concerns regarding the inadequacy of pesticide safety training, pesticide drift, and the lack of communication regarding pesticide applications on and near fields where they are working. Participants' perceptions that herbicides are categorically safer than other pesticide classes is in direct conflict with WPS training, raising concerns about discrepancies between WPS instruction and other on-the-job training, as well as the inadequate provisioning of PPE during the application of certain pesticides. Our findings also suggest that current WPS regulations may not sufficiently address farmworkers' concerns, particularly in regard to pesticide drift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high variability of secondary agricultural teacher background and facility constraints, the instruction of tractor (and similar agricultural machinery) component identification, function, maintenance, and corresponding safety precautions oftentimes prove difficult and/or inconsistent. This study focused on the development and plausible application of quick response codes, commonly referred to as QR codes, placed on a demonstration tractor or machine to be used as a self-guided student learning experience for training the next generation of safe operators. This review documents a novel self-guided instruction methodology utilizing "gamification" learning theory. Content materials were derived from the nationally disseminated, open source, Gearing Up for Safety Production Agriculture Safety Training for Youth curriculum. Specifically, QR code learning modules were recommended to supplement Gearing Up for Safety, Lesson 16: Hands-On Tractor Operation of the youth worker certification component of the Pre-Operational Skills Exam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this combined study, the efficacy of different educational methods in enhancing students' agricultural biosecurity knowledge, which is vital for public health, food security, and agricultural safety, was assessed. In-person and virtual learning methods, utilizing educational content developed for the Gearing Up for Safety program, were investigated with 692 total participants. In the in-person learning method, 459 students aged 12–20 received a 50-minute in-person training session using the Gearing Up for Safety lesson on agricultural biosecurity. A 20 question pre- and post-test gauged knowledge gain. In the virtual learning method, 223 students, aged 12–20 received two, 40-minute virtual training sessions using the same content. Results of knowledge gain from the in-person method improved significantly from 55% to 77% (t(458) = -22.37, P <.001). Chi-squared analysis showed 19 out of the 20 questions significantly contributed to learning. Results of knowledge gain from the virtual method also showed a notable knowledge gain increase from 53% to 66% (t(222) = -11.86, P<.001). However, a chi-squared analysis revealed that only 10 of the 20 questions significantly contributed to learning. In-person learning effectively supported better understanding of general biosecurity. Virtual education improved general understanding but required enhanced focus on topics like vaccination, pest management, and community biosecurity preparation for comprehensive knowledge. Both in-person and virtual learning resulted in an increase in agricultural biosecurity knowledge, with in-person learning exhibiting a higher proportion of significant knowledge gains. These findings emphasize the importance of diverse educational methods in preparing future agricultural workers to ensure safety and health in agricultural settings. Results were used to enhance the curricula content being made available as part of the Gearing Up for Safety program for young and beginning workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of agricultural workers during periods of heat and wildfire smoke exposure and to support the development and implementation of protective workplace interventions. Using community-engaged research and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) framework for policy evaluation, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted with current and former agricultural workers in Central Washington (WA). Twelve participants answered semi-structured questions via interviews or by attending a focus group. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in Spanish, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English; one interview was conducted in English. Using Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis, five themes were identified among workers from various worksites: 1) Extreme weather and working conditions are becoming increasingly hazardous to worker health, 2) Employers and supervisors lack training and education on current labor laws, and health and safety rules, 3) Employers and supervisors use intimidation and retaliation to ensure productivity and to evoke feelings of replaceability among workers, 4) Workers do not trust regulatory agencies to enforce rules or hold employers accountable, 5) Solutions to climate-driven problems in the agricultural industry need to value worker health and safety, not just productivity. Participants reported experiencing adverse health symptoms related to heat and smoke exposure at work. Workers proposed solutions including improving education, training, and communication, and increased enforcement of existing and forthcoming occupational health and safety rules. The agricultural workforce is essential for ensuring a robust food supply and is facing extreme weather events due to climate change. Western states impacted by wildfires and heat are working to develop and implement occupational health and safety rules. Developing effective policies and interventions inclusive of worker perspectives is critical to adapt to a changing climate, retain a stable workforce and promote optimal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]