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Heat is normally generated as a result of metabolic processes taking place in the body. As a result of muscle activity, when working or exercising, a considerable amount of heat is released. The amount of heat generated is proportional to the intensity of activities. Intervention and rescue activities in special conditions can be carried out exclusively by personnel trained and authorized in this regard, personnel using individual breathing protection equipment. The decisive factor in ensuring the success of an intervention and rescue operation in toxic or chemically aggressive environments resides in the optimal and efficient design of a training process of personnel, in correlation, among others, with their testing in high temperatures and humidity environments. The current paper presents the structuring of rescuers’ physical effort during training, taking into account high temperature and humidity environments, structuring that aims to make the training process of intervention and rescue personnel in toxic / explosive / flammable environments more efficient. The paper analyses a correlation between changes in the physiological parameters of intervention and rescue personnel and different values of temperature and humidity of the training environment.

Work represents the interaction of different components such as work environment, human factor and equipment. Occupational risks assessment associated with each workplace has the role of preventing work accidents and diseases. Among occupational risks, the psychosocial ones mainly refer to stress, being greatly influenced by individual perceptions. Work related stress represents an ongoing challenge, that occupational health and safety specialists have to deal with. As any other occupational health and safety risk, stress and psychosocial risks can be effectively managed. Many experts in the filed have pointed out the need to make the issue of protecting emergency workers against occupational health and safety risks a priority. As new technologies emerge and develop, so do occupational health and safety risks resulted from new demands on personnel, including intervention and rescue personnel. The current paper will discuss work-related stress issues and how occupational stress should be managed in the context of emerging technologies in toxic / flammable / explosive environments.

In mining rescue operations, the practical training of rescue personnel plays an essential role in the selection and configuration of rescue teams that intervene in critical situations, major incidents, accidents or other events occurring in underground mining works. Practical training can be conducted through monthly scheduled practical exercises at rescue stations within a mining unit, as well as through modern training means available at INCD-INSEMEX Petroșani (virtual reality, mobile training facility for rescuers) used in the process of instruction and re-instruction of mining rescuers. Mining rescuers' training level can be quantified through both physical and mental training by their reactions in certain critical situations, which can be created using virtual reality. Furthermore, the monitoring of the rescuers' physiological parameters before, during and after performing the practical exercise is also of particular importance. This monitoring can be carried out through the equipment available in the mobile training facility. The current paper aims to establish complex training scenarios for mining rescuers to select and configure rescue teams that can act in case of explosions, mine fires or other events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important factor in ensuring success in an intervention operation in dangerous environments lays in the training process, in conditions as close as possible to real intervention situations, as well as the manner of setting up rescue teams. In order to organize the intervention process as efficiently as possible, when setting up rescue teams we must take into account work consumption and physiological parameters achieved by members of the rescue teams during practical training carried out within the mobile training facility. In case of special incidents, the rescue intervention can take place in areas with small (limited) sections, spaces with high temperature, in low visibility conditions, which would make rescuers’ intervention even more difficult. Conditions mentioned above can be easily created within the rescuers’ mobile training facility, endowment of INSEMEX Petroșani, facility that through its equipment and facilities, allows monitoring of labour consumption and physiological parameters of rescuers throughout and in all training situations. The current paper presents training methods of intervention and rescue personnel within the mobile training facility and progress of work consumption / physiological parameters of rescuers throughout these practical exercises, with the aim of preparing intervention and rescue teams for situations close to real ones.

Global development of transportation dependent on internal combustion engines, involves major increases in the consumption of fossil fuels obtained by extracting crude oil from depths by means of wells and refining it. In this context, protection of environment and groundwater quality is an increasingly difficult objective to maintain, requiring modern methods to address possible negative effects on the environment. The current research assesses the degree of eco-toxicological and environmental risk for an oil exploitation area in case of an accidental pollution scenario with crude oil. The entire risk spectrum was analysed through a set of qualitative and quantitative risk assessment tools to highlight and quantify the most important effects caused by petroleum products on biotope and biocenoses. The primary aim of the research is to identify vulnerable environmental reservoirs for accidental oil pollution and to establish the best tools to quantify the environmental and ecotoxicological risk of groundwater contamination. The results obtained from the area showed a low to medium risk of contamination of the saturated and unsaturated area with crude oil expressed as TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons) and a low risk of contamination with volatile organic compounds type BTEX associated contamination of biocenoses that can directly or indirectly interact with potentially polluted areas.

The rescuer's performance falls into the category of "hard work", in terms of effort, far exceeding the average overall labor consumption of the worker from the active fronts of work. This character, of hard work, is also imprinted by the fact that the professional effort contains several static components and large amplitude oscillations, regarding the level of maximum efforts. The longer they last, the harder is the work. Training is a process of psychophysiological preparation through which an increased performance is obtained in the professional activity of rescuers. The maximum performance is obtained by raising the functional capacity of the body to the highest degree. For this it is necessary to use the systematic and methodical exercise according to pedagogical rules. The paper presents the evolution of physiological parameters, as well as the structuring of the physical effort of rescue personnel in the process of practical training in the mobile training facility, with the aim of preparing rescue teams for situations close to real ones. The mobile training facility consists of a physical training space (endless ladder, impact device, treadmill, elliptical bike, stepper), an indoor training circuit and a control room that allows the coordination of all activities.

The previous events in the industry reflect the need to take action to stop or at least slow down the development of damage and to prevent or reduce, as far as possible, their extent. In the case of breakdowns in industrial technological processes, their management requires, in addition to plant maintenance personnel properly trained for such situations, the participation of specialized personnel for interventions in hazardous environments. To form an image, the intervention is described as a set of actions in the facilities of a technological flow in which an event out of technological control was triggered, which aims to stop the negative consequences. The systemic approach of the correlation of hazardous substances in connection with the hazardous environment, of the relationships between the hazardous environment, constructions, technological installations and personnel as well as the identification of the effects of hazardous environments allows the crystallization of a relational analysis of hazardous environments. In this context, rescuers involved in the liquidation of damage must have a high degree of practical and physical training. During the training / interventions, rescuers have the opportunity to constantly monitor their physiological parameters through wearables. This paper aims to identify quantifiable biometric parameters for rescue and rescue personnel in the context of relational analysis of hazardous environments.

The degree of success of an intervention and rescue operation in toxic / explosive / flammable environments can be most correctly quantified by the number of injured persons surprised by the event being intervened, who are identified, resuscitated and safely transported to the nearest health facility/ first aid point. Unfortunately, in most of the cases, the area where the research is carried out is more or less accessible, due to the inundation with smoke, toxic or explosive gases or the lack of visibility. For this reason, we most often witness an oversized consumption of specific rescuers' resources in an attempt to identify and locate accident victims in areas without visibility or with a dangerous atmosphere. The application of thermal imaging technology allows the location of victims of industrial events in which toxic / explosive / flammable gases are generated or in areas without visibility, with the aim of an effective rescue operation, with reduced costs and risks, both for the injured and for the rescuers who intervene in such areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents are unplanned occurrences that result in injuries, illness, death, and loss of property and/or production. While there is no way to completely eliminate accidents, there are certain plans, preparations, and actions that can be taken to reduce them. First aid is usually a critical part in the management of acute injuries and conditions. The rescuer is the first person with medical training to arrive at the scene of a medical incident and the purpose of his actions is to maintain vital functions, to prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications for the life and health of the victim, before the intervention of medical staff. Despite current concerns about infection with the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), prevention of its spread and treatment, various lesions and conditions unrelated to this virus still occur. Prompt first aid can prevent an additional burden on the health system by taking care of simple ailments at the crime scene, rather than calling the ambulance system or transporting the victim to a hospital. This paper presents first aid elements in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the manoeuvres that will be performed minimizing the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen.

One of the most important factors in the success of an intervention/rescue operation in toxic/ flammable / explosive environments is appropriate training process for rescue personnel taking part in these interventions. Intervention can take place in small (confined) spaces, in high temperature / humidity areas, with low visibility conditions, which would make rescuer’s activity even more difficult, during interventions. Training is a process of psychophysiological preparation, which produces a high (maximum) return in professional activity of rescuers. The maximum yield is obtained by increasing the body’s functional capacity to highest degree. For this purpose, it is necessary to use systematic and methodical exercise according to pedagogical rules. The current paper presents a mobile workout training facility equipped with an area of enclosed spaces with different training routes, on various degrees of difficulty, allowing for simulation of some interventions in such spaces, having the possibility of creating high temperature and humidity, low visibility, etc. environments within the training facility, with the purpose of preparing intervention and rescue teams for situations close to real ones.

The decisive factor in the process of technical verification of cylinders is conditioned by correct choice of the inspection method, in order to attentively catch possible imperfections caused by the wear and tear resulting from long term use. Emphasis is placed on safety conditions of cylinders, which include mandatory minimum technical requirements for periodic inspection of liquefied or compressed gas cylinders. Cylinders are an assembly consisting of: under pressure receptacles with a volume of 0,5 to 150 litres, serving for transport and storage of liquefied or compressed gas; the associated casing, which may be: a filling and drainage device, a security device, a pressure relief device, a measuring device, a valve coupling element, a fastening element fitted on the container, a setting and protection element and a protection to heat device. The current paper presents the optimal method of inspection and verification of cylinders for compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure gases, represented by the use of the hydraulic sample stand in accordance with international principles and practices.

The manner in which individuals deal with stressful situations depends on several variables. Personality characteristics, event circumstances, preparedness of individual, personal appraisal of events, pre-existing organizational and personal stressors are all key factors. Psychological resistance to stress can be the result of spontaneous evolution, or can be developed through special training, through programs that increase the threshold beyond which functional alterations may occur, resulting from dealing with stressful events. Psychological training can be improved by acquiring specific psychological knowledge and strategies and by indirect experiences with emergency situations and scenarios. Procedures such as stress inoculation, emotional management and stress reduction management, cognitive restructuring, relaxation techniques, problem solving and optimization of interpersonal relationships can be learned and used by individuals. Along with training in conditions as close as possible to future reality of interventions, psychological training can contribute both to the success of intervention and rescue operations and to appropriate management of emotions generated by emergency response. The current paper details issues regarding the implementation of a psychological training program for intervention and rescue personnel in toxic/flammable/explosive environments, in order to test it and to identify adjustments needed to be made for optimizing it, as well as a series of theoretical fundaments for each of the five modules of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervention and rescue activities require knowledge of the real situation in the affected area as accurately as possible. Therefore, the physical exploration of this area is at the same time necessary and risky. The use of drones from a safe distance can protect the intervention team from exposure to unknown hazards. Endowment of the drone with a suite of sensors such as high resolution cameras, thermal imaging, infrared, and gas detection equipment permits vital data to be transmitted to the base of intervention. Hazardous areas can be studied from different angles, from an altitude that provides a panoramic view, and make available rescuers information about dangers encountered, state of access routes, number of people caught by the event, and control or protective measures that need to be taken. The current paper presents the methods for use and control of drones in support of rescue actions, resulting from tests performed by the research team, trained and certified to use drones, within the National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion - NIRD INSEMEX. It was demonstrated that a drone which carries a multigas detector and a high definition video camera can help rescuers which intervene in an area with fire/toxic/flammable hazard. For such a mission, a drone must be capable to flight a long time, to carry the multigas detector and to flight secure without visual contact and without autonomous flight support in case of GPS signal lack. Flights in such conditions impose high power engines with 6-8 propellers for fine adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper functioning of the main ventilation station depends on the mining network's degree of ventilation. Also, knowledge of changes in instantaneous aerodynamic parameters offers the possibility of taking operational measures necessary to maintain optimal health and safety in the underground. The objective of the present paper is to identify a new method of monitoring the aerodynamic parameters at the main ventilation station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disasters represent a permanent threat to sustainable development and annually generate many human casualties and material losses; at the same time, the beginning of this millennium is characterized by an ever-increasing impact of human activities on Earth. It is also worth mentioning a paradox of contemporary society's attitude towards disasters: allocation of material and human resources to prevent and mitigate the effects of disasters has greatly increased, but at the same time the development of human society is a factor contributing to disasters and / or amplifying their consequences. People's health can be unexpectedly threatened both by natural disasters, whether in traffic, during leisure time or at work in different ways, either as a result of a traumatic event such as an accident at work. A quick intervention in the event of an accident can save a person's life or prevent aggravation of injuries suffered. Health, physical integrity or even the life of victims depend on how first aid is given. Everyone needs to know how to proceed to save someone's life or how to reduce the negative consequences upon injured persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is a body defensive measure, limiting the intensity and volume of effort. The intensity and volume of effort can be maintained at a high level only if the body's adaptability allows it. Measurement of fatigue is performed by measuring pulse and respiratory rate. The decisive factor in ensuring the success of an intervention and rescue operation in toxically or chemically aggressive environments resides in the optimal and efficient design of a training process for intervention personnel, correlated, amongst other things, with the evolution of pulse and oxygen saturation, which need to be monitored through an integrated system. Pulse is a physiological parameter commonly used in telemonitoring as it allows assessment of the rescuer's general condition, heart rhythm disturbances being recorded promptly and variations being easily differentiated between abnormal / normal. The parameter provides indications of cardiovascular function. Pulse sampling is performed automatically using devices that frequently use photometric plethysmography at the level of peripheral arteries as a measuring method. Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is a global indicator of blood oxygenation (the amount of oxygen bound to haemoglobin in arterial blood), being used in cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring. Within the paper, change in heart rate and blood oxygen saturation will be monitored, so as to determine the physical exertion of rescuers, using closed-circuit breathing apparatuses, as well as open-circuit breathing apparatuses, in confined spaces, ergometers, treadmill and ladders on different degrees of temperature and humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper aims to study the behavior of air-gas explosion systems, in terms of propagation speed of pressure wave and flame front, based on experimental measurements in a shock tube, in order to prevent accidental pollution with the combustion gases. The characteristic parameters of the explosion process determined using the shock tube, the velocity of propagation of the flame front, the speed of propagation of the wave of pressure, explosion pressure at various distances from the source of initiation, can be used in the preparation of explosion risk assessment studies for technological processes carried out in potentially explosive atmospheres. Taking the developed technical measures would make possible ensure both the explosion protection and the prevention of accidental pollution with combustion gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working in confined (limited) spaces represents a risk factor generating unwanted accidents or events, having an impact on human health. The success of intervention and rescue operations in toxic or chemical aggressive environments lies in optimal and efficient design of the training process for rescue personnel, which also includes rescue operations in confined spaces. The paper presents the scientific research behind designing and building a complex training facility with different training tracks, having various levels of difficulty, achieved within a research project funded by the Romanian National Agency for Scientific Research, within the “NUCLEU” program. The training facility allows for simulation of intervention activities in spaces having horizontal and vertical tracks, poor visibility, high temperature and humidity environments, and so on, with the purpose of preparing intervention and rescue teams for situations similar to real life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of main environmental components must be appropriate and useful for establishing decision-making elements regarding environment quality, the need for intervention and remediation in major cases, or improvements and development forecasting for local specific situations or subsequent climatic behaviour and composition transformation processes. In this respect, the usefulness of the information gathered from environmental analysis largely depends on how monitoring actions and environmental analysis (inspection and measurement) are planned. Pollutants discharged from use of various technological gases must be measured and analysed to avoid potential hazards and protect vital space and man against direct and indirect effects of noxae. To this end, the current paper aims to analyze certain internationally recommended methods for measuring and monitoring main gases which have negative impact upon the environment and human health, such as physicochemical analysis/evaluation/radiography of gases and dusts from the Jiu Valley urban area’s atmosphere, trying to asses the state of the environment in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a scientific study on industrial emissions based on requirements of the European Directive 2010/75/EU and Law 278/2013 referring to the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. In this context, our study was focused on the decrease (in terms of environmental protection) of gas emissions generated by an installation for thermal desorption belonging to a commercial agent by adjusting its tunings after performing emission measurements. The installation for thermal desorption where gas emissions measurements were taken is intended for burning contaminated soil from a former industrial area for its remediation and use in road construction. During 2015, monthly measurements were performed at this installation and results regarding gas concentrations significantly exceeded the limit established by the national legislation. Thus, in agreement with the commercial agent, the operating parameters of the installation were adjusted and energy efficiency was improved, contributing to a decrease of both production costs and environmental impact. In this respect, the paper presents theoretical and technical problems of the installation for users information as well as its adjustment method during gas emission measurements, so that to operate within standard parameters, and with emissions falling within legal maximum established values, thereby avoiding environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban areas, air pollution represents one of the biggest problems concerning protection of human health and natural environment. This leads to the fact that local authorities of each area set as priority objective a management system of air quality. Moreover, given the fact that environmental pollution is the consequence of the economic situation of a country or region, it is necessary that actions of prevention and protection of environment and human health to be an important issue for any company. But all this requires an assessment of possibilities for inspection and monitoring of disturbances and propagation of air pollutants in each region depending on the level of industrial development and specific topographic and climatic conditions. The paper presents monitoring of air quality in the area of a bone meal factory, it being a source of pollution for surrounding areas, as well as the impact on the environment and human health. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the importance of monitoring air pollutants, given that the breathable air pollution is a problem that concerns not only organizations and specialized agencies in this area, but also base citizens. Importance of the paper comes from the fact that prolonged exposure of population to pollution caused by dust and gas emissions leads to alterations of population health, also significantly contributing to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of certain industrial activities bring both benefits and negative effects such as pollution, occupational diseases, exposure of workers and residents of neighboring areas and high risk in case of technological failure. An undesirable effect of industrial activity which may be considered a threat to workers and residents in the immediate vicinity of industrial sites is the noise. Due to the presence of technology in all activities, is a major problem considering its nature and harmful repercussions on health. Hearing loss and deafness caused by occupational exposure to noise at work are the most common occupational diseases that occur in the European Union. The development of modern technology by increasing the power and speed of the technical equipment, contributed to diversify and increase the number of sources of noise and vibration, and thus to increase the number of people exposed. This paper analyzes the effect of noise from industrial equipment and health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trough environment protection's point of view, industry represents the most important field of anthropic activity. As a result of industrial operations, substantial quantities of carbon oxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides and mostly SO2, nitric oxides (NO/NCT), cove hydrocarbons, volatile salts (chlorides, fluorides, sulphates), water vapors and so on are released in the atmosphere. Given the importance of emission and immision levels for environment's and general population's health, it is mandatory that measurements of their levels are made by laboratories experienced and authorized in this field of activity. Considering the above, the study outlines the imperatives of the effective legislation on gas measurements, dusts and hydrocarbons and the elements that must be considered when performing determinations for quantifying environment quality in industrial areas, using efficient equipments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trough environment protection's point of view, industry represents the most important field of anthropic activity. As a result of industrial operations, substantial quantities of carbon oxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides and mostly SO2, nitric oxides (NO/NO2), cove hydrocarbons, volatile salts (chlorides, fluorides, sulphates), water vapours and so on are released in the atmosphere. Given the importance of emission and immision levels for environment's and general population's health, it is mandatory that measurements of their levels are made by laboratories experienced and authorized in this field of activity. Considering the above, the study outlines the imperatives of the effective legislation on gas measurements, dusts and hydrocarbons and the elements that must be considered when performing determinations for quantifying environment quality in industrial areas, using efficient equipments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between sustainability and business has become one of the central debates at the national and international level in both industrialized and emerging countries. A series of existing business models lack some critical aspects. The automotive industry strongly affects economic development, requiring rethinking business models in order to reduce their impact on the environment. An evaluation of the websites of the major automotive industry companies shows they have reported sustainability (through different methods) and present various practices in implementing organizational sustainability (OS). This paper aims to present a new business model for the automotive industry that takes into account the three dimensions of sustainability and emphasizes the importance of involving stakeholders in the OS approach. This model is developed based upon the literature review of three focus groups with a participation of 33 automotive industry members, of which three are highly-skilled experts of the industry. The proposed sustainable development model is scientifically relevant as it considers that all dimensions of sustainability exist and aims to increase organizational capacity for sustainable organizational development. It is also relevant from a practical point of view because it has been developed and validated by industry experts with automotive industry companies, taking into account the industrial, technical, and technological requirements for organizational sustainability assessment. The findings of this research will guide shareholders and managers in planning and developing organizational strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses the occupational health and safety and environmental management in industries with explosion and/or toxic hazard as bonding factor.