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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]

Safety literature has traditionally focused on identifying and managing risk factors that lead to safety outcomes (e.g., injuries, accidents, death) at work. The current study takes a new perspective on employee safety and proposes that safety‐related experience has more general work implications. Drawing on theories of stress coping and workplace anxiety, we test a mechanism on how employees' daily experiences of safety threats are related to their work behavior via negative emotional reactions. Specifically, we focus on employees' experiences of safety violations on the way to work and at work during the ongoing struggles with COVID‐19. Our daily diary study (Level 1 N = 778, Level 2 N = 84; office workers in South Korea) shows that experiencing safety violations during the daily commute and at work is associated with increased state health anxiety at work, which then translates into work withdrawal on that day. Furthermore, we introduce organizational safety climate as an important mitigating factor of this stress‐coping process, as such a climate can emphasize management's commitment to safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

They begin to induce the flickering of fear and excitement (as circus has always done) when Zanzu begins a methodical tying process for another suspension with jute rope - but this time, around their face. This is where Zanzu (they/them) comes in. I EZ i (see Figure 1) is a circus piece with one performer, a recorded voice, and an improvising audience member. Elena Zanzu's I EZ i fits neatly into the emerging domain of "new circus" - performances that leave behind the brash ringmaster glam of the traditional circus and the Cirque du Soleil I internationale i of "contemporary circus.". [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the fifth annual webinar focused on research regarding the occupational exposure of nurses to hazardous drugs and the protective benefits of closed system transfer devices (CSTDs). Topics include research findings on occupational exposure to cytotoxic agents, implementation case studies of closed systems for systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), and recent guidance and regulations addressing the safe handling of hazardous drugs.

Nitrocellulose is a highly combustible substance that is extensively utilized in creating a variety of products, making the appropriate handling and storage of this material vital for worker safety. In our analysis, we assessed the dangers associated with nitrocellulose by both numerical and experimental research. We calculated the heat release rate, the time necessary to attain the maximum rate, and the total heat of reaction for nitrocellulose under various conditions using calorimetry and thermokinetic techniques. Our findings demonstrated that the rate of heat release and the total heat of the reaction rose as temperature and concentration increased. In addition, the addition of stabilizers and diluents to the nitrocellulose mixture reduced both the rate of heat release and the total heat of the reaction. The congruence between experimental findings and numerical simulations confirmed the validity of our modeling strategy. Overall, the results of our research give essential information for evaluating the dangers, such as the temperature and activation energy, associated with nitrocellulose and indicate viable solutions for strengthening the material's safety during handling and long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offsite construction is a major approach to promote industrialisation in construction. However, implementation of prevailing industrial solutions is often less adequate and unsatisfactory, especially in renovation projects. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to understand the reasons behind the poor performance in implementation of the industrial solutions. The specific objectives include identifying the prominent barriers and enablers of prefabricated products in renovation projects. This study employed exploratory sequential mixed method. The qualitative data were gathered via semi-structured interviews to collect experiences and perception of experts related to industrial solutions. This was followed by quantitative data collection via questionnaire survey using a seven-point Likert scale. The major barriers and enablers of industrial solutions in renovation projects have been ranked in this study. The findings reveal that immutability of heritage buildings, the tolerances of old buildings and insufficient spaces to ensure construction work ranked the top three barriers for implementing industrial solutions in renovation projects. Moreover, the study identifies the most significant enablers including shorter project schedules, quality improvement and work safety improvement. The novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive presentation of the barriers and enablers of industrial solutions in the renovation project context. Policymakers, designers, and contractors can utilize these findings as guiding principles to enhance decision-making processes and create viable solutions for the obstacles encountered in renovation projects. This study further represents a vital step towards the efficient and effective implementation of industrial solutions in renovation projects, resulting in more sustainable and cost-effective outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PEGylated PAMAM dendrimers (PEG‐PAMAM) are well‐characterized biomaterials with still unexplored applications as carriers of drugs acting via membrane receptors, such as octreotide. This work confirmed the safety and negligible internalization capacity of fourth‐generation 50%‐PEG‐PAMAM in HEK‐293 cells, to then assessed their supramolecular binding to octreotide through tryptophan quenching experiments and Gaussian‐accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations. Tryptophan quenching showed that PEG‐PAMAM binds octreotide with a Kbind of 6 × 106 M−1 and a complex stoichiometry of 1:1.4, unlike native PAMAM. GaMD simulations revealed that octreotide binds at the outer PEG shell of PEG‐PAMAM, potentially hindering the drug from proteolytic degradation and enabling its release at a membrane level. Viability experiments on HeLa, PC‐12, and HEK‐293 cells incubated with increasing concentrations of octreotide in free drug solutions and equimolar mixtures with PEG‐PAMAM confirmed that the PEGylated dendrimer acts as an efficient supramolecular carrier for octreotide and enhances the antiproliferative effects of the drug. Our findings highlight a novel facet for PEG‐PAMAM dendrimers as macromolecular vehicles for peptide or non‐peptide drugs acting via membrane receptor sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In many places in the world, workers in the meat processing industry report high incidence of injuries. Details of such injuries are not well known for Ghana or much of Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 300 workers from three major meat processing facilities in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana was carried out using a structured questionnaire from April to June 2023. The prevalence, types and outcome of injuries among workers were assessed. Test of association was established by Chi square analysis. Results: Over the prior 6 months, the prevalence of injury was 83.0%. Among the various injury types, lacerations had the highest prevalence (46.0%) followed by musculoskeletal pain (16.7%) bone fractures (14.0%), swelling (13.0%), burns and scalds (7.3%), and dislocations/sprains/strains (6.7%). More than half (58.9%) of injuries sustained were moderately severe (2–7 days of lost work) and nearly half (42.0%) required immediate medical attention. Gender, employment status, wages, availability and use of safety equipment were significantly associated with injuries among abattoir workers. Conclusions: The incidence of injuries among abattoir workers in Kumasi, Ghana demonstrates a large public health burden requiring attention and improved enforcement through occupational safety interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Background: Having traditionally received limited attention in empirical research and safety improvement agendas, issues of patient safety in mental healthcare increasingly feature in healthcare quality improvement discourses. Dominant approaches to safety stem from narrow clinical risk management perspectives, yet existing evidence points to the limitations of this characterisation. Although mental healthcare is increasingly delivered in community-based settings, narratives of safety pertain primarily to hospital-based mental healthcare. Therefore, through exploratory qualitative interviews and one focus group, we aimed to examine how service users, carers, and healthcare providers conceptualise 'patient safety' in community-based mental healthcare. Methods: Semi-structured interviews and a single focus group were conducted with users of UK community-based mental healthcare provision for adults (n = 13), their carers (n = 12), and providers (n = 18), who were diverse in characteristics and experiences. Study data were analysed in accordance with a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. Findings: Four key themes were developed, reflecting contrasting conceptualisations of safety in this care context, where participant thinking evolved throughout discussions. 'Systemic inertia: threats to safety' characterises the entrenched, systemic challenges which rendered participants powerless to advocate for or deliver safe care. 'Managing the risks service users present' equates 'safe care' to the mitigation of risks service users may pose to themselves or others when unwell, or risks from those around them. 'More than responding to risks: everyone plays a role in creating safety' recognises providers' agency in causing or proactively preventing patient harm. Finally, 'The goals of 'safety': our destination is not yet in sight' positions safety as a work in progress, calling for ambitious safety agendas, giving primacy to goals which meaningfully improve service users' lives. Conclusions: Our findings have implications for the understanding and improvement of patient safety in community-based mental healthcare settings, where improvement objectives should transcend beyond management of risks and preventing deterioration to address patient and carer-centred concerns, including practices that make people feel unsafe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time location tracking is essential for personal security in industrial scenes, e.g. monitoring worker safety in power substations. Ultra wideband (UWB) technology is suitable for indoor positioning thanks to its high penetration capability, high ranging accuracy and low power consumption. However, UWB based trilateration positioning requires high workload for field deployment of base stations. Indoor complex topology results in multipath and non-line of sight (NLOS) conditions of UWB signals, and degrades the positioning performance in terms of accuracy and reliability. This paper proposes a three-dimensional (3D) area recognition solution by integrating UWB time of flight (TOF) ranging and barometer measurements. The proposed solution utilizes a multi-tier distributed joint probabilistic inference model, which accomplishes the indoor 3D area recognition exploiting multiple clustering and prediction algorithms of machine learning. The field experiments showed that the proposed method can achieve an accuracy of 3D area recognition of more than 99.2%. The proposed method improves the computing efficiency by 93%. The errors of improved differential barometric height estimation method are less than 1 m, which means a success rate of 100% for floor identification, given a floor separation of 3–4 m. The proposed solution is suitable for personnel security applications of industrial scenes, which requires reliable real-time area information rather than just coordinates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workforce health is one of the primary and challenging issues, especially in industrialized countries. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability to predict accident-proneness among Saveh Industry workers in Iran, based on an extended Health Belief Model, that included the construct of spiritual health. Method: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2022 on 384 workers in Saveh, Iran. The study aimed to explore relationships between accident proneness behavior, spiritual health, and health beliefs. The accident-proneness questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first part included demographic questions, and the second part comprised 9 sections covering personality traits, workplace harmful factors, miscellaneous factors, musculoskeletal disorders, safety culture, safety attitudes, job stress, organization interest, and degree of risk-taking. The Health Belief Model included 31 questions, while spiritual health was measured with the 20-question Paloutzian and Ellison questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Results: In terms of accident proneness, 229 (59.6%), exhibited high levels, 148 (38.5%) had medium levels, and 7 (1.8%) showed low levels of accident-proneness. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that in the first model, variables of perceived self-efficacy, vulnerability, and severity independently predicted workers accident proneness, explaining a total of 43% of variance in accident proneness behavior. In the second step, perceived self-efficacy (β = 34%), perceived sensitivity (β = 27%), spiritual health (β = 16%), and perceived severity (β = 12%) were included, respectively, which explained a total of 46% of the variance of accident-prone behavior of workers. Conclusion: Given the high rate of accident proneness observed in this study, there is a critical need for policymakers and health planners to design policies aimed at mitigating the risks associated with occupational accidents. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential of integrating spiritual health into the Health Belief Model, as a conceptual framework for planning effective intervention programs to enhance workplace safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidental burst of hydrogen pipeline can generate highly destructive blast wave, highlighting the importance of predicting the blast wave intensity for industrial safety and protection. However, current methods for predicting overpressure fail to consider the coupling effect between the blast wave and dynamic rupture. Therefore, a fluid-structure-rupture coupling model is constructed to address this limitation. The accuracy of the model is verified through a comparison of fracture morphology, crack propagation, and internal pressure decay between the simulation and experimental results. On this basis, the effects of dynamic rupture on blast wave formation and propagation, overpressure decay histories, and peak overpressure are investigated. Results indicate that the traditional CFD method tends to overestimate the peak overpressure in the near field while underestimating it in the middle and far fields. Furthermore, it is discovered that the blast waves from bursts of hydrogen pipelines with different diameters exhibit a consistent decay law under the same burst pressure by defining dimensionless distance and peak overpressure. Accordingly, the dimensionless blast curve is proposed for predicting overpressure from hydrogen pipeline burst with diameters ranging from 250 mm to 1000 mm and burst pressures ranging from 4 MPa to 12 MPa. The results can serve as a reference for the accurate and fast evaluation of blast wave intensity from hydrogen pipeline burst. • The proposed model effectively couples the dynamic rupture and blast wave. • Propagation of blast wave from hydrogen pipeline burst is quantitatively depicted. • Previous methods underestimate the peak overpressure in the middle and far fields. • Blast curve is developed to improve the prediction accuracy of peak overpressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The construction industry has been observed to be one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work; thus, it has struggled to attract new employees and suffered from skill shortages. Another characteristic is adopting a reactive approach to preventing accidents instead of a proactive approach that implements safety-leading indicators. In contributing to achieving a safer construction industry, this study investigated the barriers to achieving a proactive approach to safety in the construction industry. Method: The study adopted a quantitative approach. Data was collected by randomly administering a well-structured questionnaire to industry professionals in South Africa. One hundred and two questionnaires were collected and used as the basis for data analysis and interpretation by the study. Result: The analysis of the collected data identified nineteen significant barriers which were clustered into two based on an exploratory factor analysis. The top three ranked significant barriers are Lack of Top management's commitment to safety, Lack of leadership training and Prioritising productivity over employee safety. The two clusters formed from the nineteen barriers through factor analysis are top management approaches to safety and Safety culture through employee-centric training and accountability. Originality: Considering the accident data from South Africa, and the inherent benefits of implementing SLI to overcome this, this study provides critical insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers. It fills a gap that has not been filled in the developing country context before now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The child protection system in Qatar is newly developed and still fragmented and lacking a comprehensive legal framework. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of social workers in civil society organizations within the Qatar Social Work Foundation to understand barriers encountered by social workers in child protection and strategies used to overcome these barriers. Findings suggest that policy makers should establish a national framework for child protection and a national referral system that supports social workers in case management. Policies for social worker safety are needed, as are permanent supervisors who are specialized in child protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate occupational factors associated with burnout among a sample of 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators (PSTs). Methods: An online survey measuring organizational factors (ie, perceived visibility and inclusion in the agency, respectful culture, leadership support, perceived gratitude, and coworker conflict); job characteristics (ie, work-life integration, overtime, salary satisfaction, and jobmeaningfulness); and burnout, demographic, and call center characteristics was emailed to a sample of PSTs. Analysis: Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to characterize the sample and investigate relationships among variables. Results: PSTs (N = 324) completed the survey. Multivariate analysis showed that poor work-life integration and coworker conflict were associated with greater PST burnout, while job meaningfulness and perceptions of greater visibility and inclusion were linked to decreased levels of burnout Conclusion: Occupational factors were associated with burnout among PSTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We developed an online training module targeting nail salon workers' knowledge of chemical exposure and safety, responding directly to the workers' expressed needs in a Midwest State. Methods: Following a needs assessment, we designed and developed the module content. Implementation and evaluation approaches were rolled out into three phases. Results: Seven workers completed the English version of the module, and 24 workers completed the Vietnamese version. The average pretest scores for those who completed the English and Vietnamese versions of the training were 81.43% and 58.33%, respectively. The average posttest score was 98.57% for English and 91.67% for Vietnamese. Conclusion: Culturally appropriate educational resources are effective facets of enhancing nail salon workers' awareness and their occupational health subsequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To pilot test the COMmunity of Practice And Safety Support for Navigating Pain (COMPASS-NP) intervention for home care workers experiencing chronic pain. Methods: Home care workers with chronic pain participated (n = 19; 2 groups) in a 10-week online group program focused on workplace safety and pain self-management. Primary outcomeswere changes in pain interference with work and life. Other outcomes related to ergonomics, pain levels, opioid misuse risk, mental health, sleep, and physical activity. Results: The intervention produced a large reduction in pain interference with life (d = -0.85) and a moderate reduction in pain interference with work time demands (d = -0.61). Secondary outcomes showed favorable effect sizes, including a substantial increase in the use of ergonomic tools and techniques (d = 1.47). Conclusion: Findings were strongly encouraging. The effectiveness of COMPASS-NP will be evaluated in a future randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We estimated associations of a rest break ordinance, implemented for construction workers in Dallas, Texas in 2016, with workplace injuries and illnesses. Methods: We used workers' compensation claims data to compare changes in rates of injuries and illnesses among Dallas County, Texas construction (ie, "treated") workers with changes in untreated workers, before (2013-2015) and after (2016-2018) a rest break ordinance was implemented. Results: Immediately after the ordinance was implemented, rates of injuries/illnesses among treated workers were modestly lower than in comparison workers (rate ratio comparing postmandate vs premandate rates, treated vs comparison workers: 0.89, 95%confidence interval: 0.72-1.11). Postordinance versus preordinance slope trends were similar in the treated versus the comparison group. Conclusions: Ten-minute rest breaks were associated with modestly lower rates of workplace injury/illnesses. More comprehensive standards may be needed for protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of radiation safety training developed for nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on a total of 144 nurses working in the neonatal and pediatric ICUs of two different hospitals. The radiation safety training developed for the nurses of the ICU for the nurses in the training group (n=62) was given face-to-face in 7 sessions in groups of 8-10 people. The data were collected through the descriptive information form and the radiation safety information form, as well as the observations made by the researcher. Results: As a result of the observations, the development of protective behaviors against ionized radiation of the nurses in the training group increased significantly both compared to the control group and pre-training case (p<0.05). It was determined that score averages of radiation safety knowledge levels of intensive care nurses in training group increased significantly. In the last observations, it was determined that there was a significant decrease in the use of some personal protective equipment by the nurses in the training group (p<0.05). Over time, a limited decrease was observed in the radiation safety knowledge levels of the nurses in the training group. Conclusion: It has been concluded that the radiation safety training applied within the scope of the research is an effective method in ensuring the radiation safety of the nurses working in the ICUs. Correct safety practices of employees in ICU units are expected to have a positive impact on patient and employee safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the integration and validation of a filtering face piece 3 (FFP3) facemask module for monitoring breathing activity in industrial environments. The key objective is to ensure accurate, real-time respiratory rate (RR) monitoring while maintaining workers' comfort. RR monitoring is conducted through temperature variations detected using temperature sensors tested in two configurations: sensor t1, integrated inside the exhalation valve and necessitating structural mask modifications, and sensor t2, mounted externally in a 3D-printed structure, thus preserving its certification as a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE). Ten healthy volunteers participated in static and dynamic tests, simulating typical daily life and industrial occupational activities while wearing the breathing activity monitoring module and a chest strap as a reference instrument. These tests were carried out in both indoor and outdoor settings. The results demonstrate comparable mean absolute error (MAE) for t1 and t2 in both indoor (i.e., 0.31 bpm and 0.34 bpm) and outdoor conditions (i.e., 0.43 bpm and 0.83 bpm). During simulated working activities, both sensors showed consistency with MAE values in static tests and were not influenced by motion artifacts, with more than 97% of RR estimated errors within ±2 bpm. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating a smart module into protective masks, enhancing occupational health monitoring by providing continuous and precise RR data without requiring additional wearable devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paradigm of Industry 5.0 pushes the transition from the traditional to a novel, smart, digital, and connected industry, where well-being is key to enhance productivity, optimize man–machine interaction and guarantee workers' safety. This work aims to conduct a systematic review of current methodologies for monitoring and analyzing physical and cognitive ergonomics. Three research questions are addressed: (1) which technologies are used to assess the physical and cognitive well-being of workers in the workplace, (2) how the acquired data are processed, and (3) what purpose this well-being is evaluated for. This way, individual factors within the holistic assessment of worker well-being are highlighted, and information is provided synthetically. The analysis was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines. From the sixty-five articles collected, the most adopted (1) technological solutions, (2) parameters, and (3) data analysis and processing were identified. Wearable inertial measurement units and RGB-D cameras are the most prevalent devices used for physical monitoring; in the cognitive ergonomics, and cardiac activity is the most adopted physiological parameter. Furthermore, insights on practical issues and future developments are provided. Future research should focus on developing multi-modal systems that combine these aspects with particular emphasis on their practical application in real industrial settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-ion batteries are the most widely used as energy storage devices in electric mobility applications. However, due to complex electrochemical processes of battery degradation, it is challenging to predict accurately the battery end-of-life (EOL) to ensure their reliability, safety, and extended usage. In this context, the introduction of machine learning techniques can provide relevant solutions based on data collection and analysis. Indeed, we compared in this study the prediction performance of numerous machine learning approaches that predict if the battery EOL bypasses a predefined threshold. Based on the variation of different indicators during the first several hundred cycles, such as charge and discharge capacity, internal resistance, and energy efficiency, extensive numerical tests have been executed and compared in terms of accuracy score, precision score, recall score, etc. All the studied machine learning approaches are trained and validated using an open-access database of 124 commercial lithium iron phosphate/graphite cells cycled under different fast-charging conditions. As a result, the classification prediction performance score reached up to 98.74% depending on the percentage of data and cycles used for training and validation as well as the predefined EOL threshold. The comparative results can be used to improve the existing health-aware energy management strategy by taking the state-of-health (SOH) of batteries into consideration. Overall, the presented research findings are relevant to battery system reliability and safety engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of mines have been closed due to resource depletion, failure to meet safety production requirements, and other reasons. To effectively ensure the safety of the ecological environment above these closed mines along with the safety of engineering construction, it is necessary to monitor the secondary deformation of closed mines. Based on TerraSAR-X, Sentinel-1A data, and InSAR technology, this study obtained high-density secondary surface deformation data on the Jiahe Coal Mine and Pangzhuang Coal Mine in the western Xuzhou area. Combining mining geological data, we analyzed the spatiotemporal variation patterns and mechanisms of secondary deformation in multi-seam mining of closed mines. It was found that when mining multiple seams involves large interlayer spacing, the secondary deformation pattern shows a "W" shape. In this situation, the deformation can be divided into five stages: subsidence, uplift, re-subsidence, re-uplift, and relative stability. This study provides technical support for the evaluation and prevention of secondary deformation hazards in closed mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three cases of outsourced facility management between national or international companies were investigated. • Safety management practices in outsourced facility management conform to those in safety critical industries. • However, the practice of review was not found, limiting learning. • Regulatory failures contribute to safety management challenges in outsourced facility management. Introduction: Outsourcing is a commonly occurring organizational activity, but one associated with negative occupational safety outcomes. Improving the management of safety in workplaces where contractors are employed is vital, but under-researched in the service sectors. The aims of this paper were to investigate both the practices and challenges of safety management in outsourced facility management (FM), an important global service sector. Method: Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with clients and contractors in three different FM outsourcing arrangements between large corporations in the UK. Data were thematically coded against frameworks derived from existing literature to identify deployed safety management practices and reveal challenges associated with safety management in these outsourced relationships. Results: Safety management practices in outsourced FM conformed to known practices clustering into four previously identified categories (planning, selecting, on-site working, and checking). A fifth category (reviewing) was not observed. Operating across national boundaries, applying national contracts locally, working with mandated KPIs, and contract specifications all created new challenges for safety management not previously reported. Other known challenges associated with economic pressure and disorganization were observed. Conclusion: Safety management practices observed in safety critical industries also apply in FM. However, the challenges of safety management in these three cases included regulatory failures that have not been routinely identified in other empirical studies of safety in outsourcing arrangements. Practical application: Adopting widely accepted safety management practices support safer working in outsourced FM and encourage cross-sector learning. New challenges for safety management noted here encourage consideration of unintended consequences of contract terms and conditions, require corporate agreement on how to ensure safety compliance when working transnationally, and a review of decision-making and processes and procedures to enable effective and safe working locally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Virtual Reality is as a viable training method for low-voltage electrical safety. • VR training demonstrates overall effectiveness in reaction, learning, and duration. • Trainees react positively, notably for engagement, intention to use, and enjoyment. • VR facilitates learning; trainees retain substantial knowledge after four weeks. • Most trainees consider the 29- to 44-minute training duration appropriate. Introduction : The widespread use and inherent risks associated with low-voltage electrical equipment require all workers to understand its hazards and how to manage them. Despite being the most commonly used method for raising safety awareness, lecture-based training often proves ineffective. Virtual reality (VR) allows the user to be immersed in a virtual environment and actively participate in practical training while maintaining their safety, which can potentially result in engaging and effective training. This paper investigates the effectiveness of using immersive VR for low-voltage (LV) electrical safety training to understand the potential benefits of VR technology for industrial safety training applications. Method: A within-group experimental design was employed with 18 participants undertaking the LV VR training. The effectiveness of the training was evaluated by measuring participants' reactions, learning, and training duration. Participants' learning was measured before, immediately after, and four weeks after the training, whereas reaction and suitability of training duration were measured after the training. Results: Participants reported highly positive reactions to the LV VR training, particularly regarding their level of engagement, intention to use the system in the future, and enjoyment. Knowledge test scores significantly improved immediately after training with high effect sizes. Although scores decreased significantly four weeks after training, they remained significantly higher compared to before training. The training duration, ranging from 29 to 44 minutes was considered suitable for the training. Conclusions: LV VR training effectively elicited positive reactions from trainees and supporting trainees to acquire and retain safety information while maintaining appropriate training duration. Practical Implications: VR emerges as a viable alternative training method worth exploring for organizations seeking to improve their safety training programs. VR combines educational and entertainment values, facilitating enjoyable learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Host organizations' safety climate can significantly affect safety climates of on-site contractor organizations. • Host organization's positive safety climate can enhance safety behaviors and decrease injuries among on-site contractor organizations. • Host organization's positive safety climate can foster positive organizational attitudes and reduce turnover intentions in on-site contractor organizations. • By setting an example and fostering positive organizational learning, host organizations can enhance safety and well-being in contractor organizations. Introduction : Despite growing concerns over safety risks associated with on-site contractors in high-risk industries, little research has examined how host organizations affect their safety. Drawing from the open systems perspective, this study investigated the influence of host organizations' safety climates on on-site contractor employees' safety and job attitudes. Method : The study used multi-level structural equation modeling (MSEM) to test hypothesized relationships among variables with survey data collected from 1,720 employees of 68 on-site contractor organizations and 3,205 employees of six host organizations. Results : At the organization-level, host organizations' safety climates were associated with their on-site contractor employees' safety behaviors, job attitudes, and injuries, and these effects were mediated by the safety climate of the on-site contractor organizations. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that the safety climates of host organizations can extend to their on-site contractor organizations. Therefore, fostering a positive safety climate not only benefits the host organizations themselves but also creates a crucial environmental cue that shapes the safety climate and outcomes of on-site contractors. Practical Applications : Leading by example and fostering a positive safety climate within the organization are effective ways for a host organization to ensure the safety of its on-site contractors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic among a sample of Italian dentists in terms of infection, strategies for infection control, organization of the dental clinic, attitude, and behavior. Material and Methods: This was a cross‐sectional survey. The sample consisted of 8000 Italian dentists selected among 63,375 using a computerized random sampling method. An electronic informed consent had to be signed. The questionnaire categories were on demographic, infection risk management, organization, and dentists' attitude and behavior. Geographic macro‐areas were used for subgroup analysis. Results: Among 8000 invited dentists, 2443 agreed to participate to the survey (30.6%). Mean age was 51.2 years, women were 34.5%. A total of 6.1% self‐reported COVID‐19 experience and higher rate of infection was reported in north Italy compared to the south (p < 0.05). FFP2/FFP3 respirators (97.1%) and visors (97.4%) were used by almost all dentists. While, natural ventilation and mouthwashes were the most frequent approaches used to reduce the infection risk. Most of the dentists reported positive attitude, nevertheless 83.6% felt an increased responsibility. Conclusion: The self‐reported COVID‐19 prevalence was 6.1% with some differences among geographic areas. COVID 19 had a deep impact on preventive strategies, dental office organization, and behavior within this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States are due to chronic diseases and treating these accounts for 86 percent of our nation's health care costs. The workplace offers an environment to implement chronic disease prevention strategies, such as worksite wellness programs, due to the large amount of time spent at the worksite daily by employees. As a result of COVID-19, many organizations began to change their workdays (i.e., working from home). This research sought to understand what, if any, implications the COVID-19 epidemic had on worksite wellness programming. Semistructured interviews were employed and recorded via Zoom conferencing to gather qualitative data. Four themes were identified: (a) relationship building among remote employees, (b) creativity in how to carry out program components, (c) increased physical activity and work-life balance, and (d) increased knowledge of health issues and mental health resources. Both challenges and successes were reported within themes. The main finding from this research indicates a mostly positive experience for worksite wellness programs during the COVID-19 epidemic. Many organizations have continued nontraditional work environments and the lessons learned from this study can both encourage and provide ideas for how to create and continue a worksite wellness program outside of the normal face-to-face working environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary students work and train in a variety of environments and are exposed to a wide range of hazards. Objectives: (1) To compare the rate of health and safety incidents and injuries between veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary students. (2) To investigate the health and safety hazard controls present in Australian veterinary workplaces. Study Design: A cross‐sectional study, using an online questionnaire. Methods: Anonymous links to the questionnaire were disseminated to Australian veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary students. Results: A total of 494 veterinarians, 484 veterinary nurses and 212 veterinary students completed the survey. Incidents and injuries were common, particularly sharps‐related injuries and animal bites. Australian veterinary nurses and veterinarians experienced the studied incidents at similar rates to each other. Veterinary students experienced some incidents and injuries at rates higher than both veterinarians and veterinary nurses, including heatstroke, hypothermia, sunburn, electric shock, loss of consciousness, being rammed or pushed over by an animal and farm equipment injuries. Of the workplace hazard controls reported, first aid boxes were most commonly present, and safety meetings occurred least commonly. Veterinary nurses received Q fever and rabies vaccines much less frequently than veterinarians and veterinary students. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that improvements need to be made to the occupational health and safety standards in the Australian veterinary sector. Veterinarians and veterinary nurses had suboptimal rates of access to many of the required and critical workplace health and safety controls. Improvements to the standard of health and safety training of veterinary students are indicated, given their higher rates of certain incidents and injury. [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]

Physical fatigue is a frequent factor in construction workplaces that threatens workers' safety. This study examines whether fatigue alters visual search patterns adopted by workers during hazard identification, thereby affecting identification performance. Subjects (n=24) were exposed to four physical activity levels (nonfatigue, low fatigue, medium fatigue, and high fatigue) and then performed hazard identification tasks in a panoramic virtual reality context, with their search patterns being reflected by eye-movement metrics. The results show that physical fatigue significantly impacted the visual search patterns, with workers allocating less attention to hazardous areas and being less engaged in searching. These visual characteristics correspond to poorer hazard identification accuracy. Further, the degree of influence increased with fatigue levels. The findings could extend the knowledge of the relationship between physical fatigue and safety. They could also uncover the reasons inherent in workers' inability to identify hazards due to physical fatigue, which could provide insight for the industry to cope with the disruptions to safety posed by physical fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on construction safety, intensifying the challenges faced by workers and exacerbating the industry's preexisting safety issues. Unlike many other sectors that could shift to virtual operations, construction heavily relies on the presence and skills of workers. While previous studies have examined the effects of COVID-19 on the construction industry, little attention has been given to how the pandemic influenced workers' safety situational awareness and safety decision-making. This research aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on construction workers' situational awareness and safety decision-making, specifically focusing on hazard recognition (HR) and safety risk perception (SRP). The results pertaining to 67 recruited construction workers showed that COVID-19 had no impact on their ability to identify hazards. However, there was a notable difference in their safety risk perception, indicating that workers who had experienced COVID-19 had a higher level of safety risk perception. This finding can be explained by the principle of reinforced learning, which suggests that behaviors are shaped by their consequences. In other words, the experience of injuries and infectious diseases, which are less visibly linked to the occupation, acts as powerful feedback that reinforces the significance of proper perception and mitigation of risks. In an ideal situation, the primary focus should be on preventing accidents. However, if accidents do occur, as the findings of this study uncover, it is important to view them as opportunities to improve safety and prevent future incidents. This perspective acknowledges that accidents and injuries, including personal life events like COVID-19, provide opportunities that can potentially offer valuable safety lessons and increase workers' situational awareness. Employers and workers can utilize these experiences to strive for a safer work environment. Sharing experiences and lessons learned among workers can foster a proactive safety culture, leading to continuous improvement in workplace safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work regulatory rules and practices should balance the social values of promoting consumer safety and workforce equity. As the two values often compete, the balancing act should be guided by empirical evidence about the effects of regulations on consumers and the workforce. Unfortunately, however, empirical studies investigating the relationships between various regulatory rules and practices and consumer safety and workforce equity are rare in the existing literature. This paper identifies critical gaps in the current knowledge base and proposes a series of future research agendas that call for empirical evidence, including detailed data on jurisdictional regulatory rules and practices, the measures of consumer safety, and licensed social workers' demographic, employment, and practice characteristics. The paper concludes by calling out to all social work stakeholders about the need for empirical evidence on the effects of social work regulatory rules and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) represent an existential occupational hazard risk to orthopaedic surgeons during their career due to the interaction with various devices, instruments and bone fragments. Consequently, NSSIs have the potential to transmit infections such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) leading to serious illness. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify the clinical settings predisposing orthopaedic surgeons to NSSIs and assess their adherence to safety protocols in the Indian context. Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of 618 orthopaedic surgeons in India, stratified by experience into two groups: under five years and with 5 years or more was undertaken. The data were collected via an expert-validated online questionnaire to evaluate demographic distribution, injury characteristics, knowledge of safety protocols, and adherence to these protocols. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, Chi-square tests assessed variable associations, and odds ratios were computed for significant variables. Ethical integrity was maintained via electronic informed consent and for confidentiality assurances. Results: The study revealed that orthopaedic surgeons with less than 5 years of clinical experience had higher risks for NSSIs as compared to those with 5 or more years of clinical practice. Conversely, the latter group was more susceptible to bone spike injuries and viral positive needlestick incidents. The analysis shows that whilst the more experienced practitioners displayed greater proficiency in the application of universal precautions and NSSI prevention, they were also less likely to report injuries, often due to discomfiture. Risk profiles were consistent across different practice settings and affiliations, regardless of experience level. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study reveals less experienced orthopaedic surgeons face higher risks of NSSIs, possibly due to inadequate education or awareness. More experienced practitioners encounter distinct risks, likely owing to long-term exposure and traditional practices. There is an immediate need to raise awareness of the potential risks of NSSIs, enhanced education, appropriate training, collaboration with the hospital risk management team and developing a culture of transparent reporting to mitigate these risks. The emphasis should be on reducing the incidence and fostering open reporting of NSSIs to protect clinicians and promote health safety. [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]

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for creating a healthy work environment based on current literature for nurses working within the US Military Health System (MHS). However, our findings would likely benefit other nursing populations and environments as well. Design: Systematic literature review. Data Sources: We conducted a systematic literature search for articles published between January 2010 until January 2024 from five databases: PubMed, Joanna Briggs, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus. Methods: Articles were screened, selected and extracted using Covidence software. Article findings were synthesized to create recommendations for the development, implementation and measurement of healthy work environments. Results: Ultimately, a total of 110 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The articles informed 13 recommendations for creating a healthy work environment. The recommendations included ensuring teamwork, mentorship, job satisfaction, supportive leadership, nurse recognition and adequate staffing and resources. Additionally, we identified strategies for implementing and measuring these recommendations. Conclusions: This thorough systematic review created actionable recommendations for the creation of a healthy work environment. Based on available evidence, implementation of these recommendations could improve nursing work environments. Impact: This study identifies methods for implementing and measuring aspects of a healthy work environment. Nurse leaders or others can implement the recommendations provided here to develop healthy work environments in their hospitals, clinics or other facilities where nurses practice. Reporting Method: PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]