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The participation of the public administration in the investigation of accidents is interconnected with the proceedings on administrative offenses regarding state regulatory requirements for occupational health and safety. In the context of these types of administrative activities, there arise issues related to the application of administrative discretion. In case of no regulation in the legislation of the Russian Federation, discretion is thoroughly investigated in scholarly papers and used by higher courts. In order to protect the rights and interests of citizens and organizations from uncontrolled discretion and ensure law enforcement, it is necessary to establish criteria of discretion, which is implemented by public administration bodies through the adoption of an administrative act. Moreover, the principles of confidence, legal certainty and proportionality are the basis for the legality of actions, their effectiveness and the protection of the constitutional rights of the observees. The purpose of the study is the administrative discretion in the implementation of the procedure for investigation and administrative investigation in cases of violations of state regulatory requirements for occupational health and safety. The paper analyzes the essence of discretion, describes the procedure for investigating industrial accidents in terms of assessing legal certainty and formalization of the procedure, subjective factors influencing the procedure, timing and results of the investigation. The paper also examines the implementation of discretion through the example of administrative investigation into violations of state regulatory requirements for occupational health and safety. The study uses formal legal method, formal logical and dialectical methods. The following conclusions are made: 1) administrative discretion is determined through the categories of "choice" and "freedom" restricted by law; 2) greater legal certainty of the investigation procedure is required; 3) it is necessary to avoid conducting and extending the terms of an administrative investigation with no just cause; 4) it is important to observe proportionality in imposing administrative penalty.

Timely forecast of atmospheric pollutants fallout due to accidental fires can provide decision-makers with useful information for effective emergency response, for planning environmental monitoring and for conveying essential alerts to the population to minimize health risks. The SAPERI project (Accelerated simulation of accidental releases in the atmosphere on heterogeneous platforms—from its Italian initials) implements a modeling chain to quickly supply evidence about the dispersion of pollutants accidentally released in the atmosphere, even in the early stages of the emergency when full knowledge of the incident details is missing. The SAPERI modeling chain relies on SPRAY-WEB, a Lagrangian particle dispersion model openly shared for research purposes, parallelized on a GPU to take advantage of local or cloud computing resources and interfaced with open meteorological forecasts made available by the Meteo Italian SupercompuTing PoRtAL (MISTRAL) consortium over Italy. The operational model provides a quantitative and qualitative estimate of the impact of the emergency event by means of a maximum ground level concentration and a footprint map. In this work, the SAPERI modeling chain is tested in a real case event that occurred in Beinasco (Torino, Italy) in December 2021, mimicking its use with limited or missing local input data as occurs when an alert message is first issued. An evaluation of the meteorology forecast is carried out by comparing the wind and temperature fields obtained from MISTRAL with observations from weather stations. The concentrations obtained from the dispersion model are then compared with the observations at three air quality monitoring stations impacted by the event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Korean government has implemented an acceptance system to promote the high-quality recycling of waste. Industrial waste generators must provide "hazardous characteristics data" to recycling operators. Nonetheless, ~80% of industrial safety accidents in South Korea occur during recycling, most involving fire or explosions. Moreover, a gap in safety management exists during 'Circular Resource' acceptance if the target substance is not regarded as waste. In this study collected data on hazardous waste characteristics. From 62 waste generators, 72 waste samples were collected, accounting for most of the resources accepted for recycling, including waste synthetic polymers, slag, dust, waste sand, and waste foundry sand. Then, the hazardous characteristics, as stated in the Ministry of Environment notifications, were assessed. Leaching toxicity was detected in one slag sample and six dust samples. The Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Hg, F, and CN levels dissatisfied the Soil Contamination Warning Standard in 31 samples. Explosivity was not detected in any sample, whereas flammability was detected in one waste synthetic polymer sample. The results revealed 15 cases of potential flammability. Flammability is legally defined as below the criteria if the combustion speed criterion is not met. However, in the case of flame ignition, which could cause large fires and safety accidents, the relevant notification should be revised. In this study, we aimed to improve the gap between the hazardous waste management systems and industrial fields through actual measurements of hazardous characteristics. By doing so, we seek to contribute to the prevention of environmental and safety accidents. By continuously accumulating data and utilizing actual measurements, we aim to revise and enhance relevant regulations, ultimately improving the hazardous characteristics of waste management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial accidents include fire, explosion, and toxic substance spread involving hazardous substances. They threaten the health of many people, cause permanent or long‐term pollution of the natural environment, cause a high degree of property damage, and require a large‐scale emergency response. Pipelines that transfer hazardous chemicals over a large area are risky for industrial accidents. In this study, we aimed to analyze the consequences of a possible industrial accident at the Edirne Ipsala compressor station in the trans‐Anatolian natural gas pipeline (TANAP). Analyses were carried out with the ALOHA software on two hypothetical scenarios: In Scenario 1, the chemical escapes from the pipe without the gas burning; and in Scenario 2, the chemical escapes from the pipe with the gas burning (jet fire). In the analysis of overpressure effects, TNT EM and TNO MEM were used besides the software. The largest effect distance (≈5000 m) was determined in the flammable area as a result of Scenario 1, and the prominent hazard property of the chemical was supported. The overpressure effects obtained with TNO MEM and the software were compatible with each other, but the values obtained with TNT EM were less severe and quite different. In the analysis of overpressure effects, it is shown that the ALOHA software provided more conservative results and that buildings would collapse and lethal effects might occur at a distance of 1000 m from the source. ALOHA produced outputs integrated with GIS by providing thermal radiation and toxic effect threat zones as well as overpressure effects. ALOHA turns out to be a more convenient and practical tool for risk assessment studies and emergency plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Marine Stewardship Council estimates that approximately 38 million people worldwide work in fisheries, and more than one-third of the global population is dependent on aquatic products for protein, highlighting the importance of sustainable fisheries. The FISH Safety Foundation reports that 300 fishers die every day. To achieve sustainable fisheries as a primary industry, the safety of human resources is of the utmost importance. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) have made efforts towards this goal, including the issuance of agreements and guidelines to reduce industrial accidents among fishing vessel workers. The criterion for applying these guidelines is usually a total ship length ≥12 m or ≥24 m. However, a vast majority of registered fishing vessels are <12 m long, and the fishers of these vessels suffer substantially more industrial accidents. Thus, we conducted a quantitative analysis of 1093 industrial accidents affecting fishers on fishing vessels <12 m in length, analyzed risk using a Bayesian network analysis (a method proposed by the Formal Safety Assessment of the IMO), and administered a questionnaire survey to a panel of experts in order to ascertain the risk for different types of industrial accidents and propose specific measures to reduce this risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triggering element of this research work consisted in the descriptive-analytical study carried out from the available specialized literature regarding the foundation and practical applicability of the current methods of human reliability analysis: the quantitative ones from the first generation, the qualitative ones from the second generation as well as the most new nonlinear dynamic methods, in correlation with recent improvements in individual phases of human reliability analysis approaches. On this basis, the authors propose the transition to a new acceptance/understanding/vision of the concept of human error, adapted to the current complex socio-technical systems, characterized by rapid and often unpredictable evolution. The need to develop methods for evaluating human reliability based on modeling and the use of tools such as Bayesian networks, Petri nets and/or fuzzy logic was argued, while also pointing out the basic requirements that must be met. Ways to approach occupational and industrial safety challenges adapted to the rigors imposed by the multiple facets of the challenges highlighted in terms of the human factor are also proposed.

Timely forecast of atmospheric pollutants fallout due to accidental fires can provide decision-makers with useful information for effective emergency response, for planning environmental monitoring and for conveying essential alerts to the population to minimize health risks. The SAPERI project (Accelerated simulation of accidental releases in the atmosphere on heterogeneous platforms—from its Italian initials) implements a modeling chain to quickly supply evidence about the dispersion of pollutants accidentally released in the atmosphere, even in the early stages of the emergency when full knowledge of the incident details is missing. The SAPERI modeling chain relies on SPRAY-WEB, a Lagrangian particle dispersion model openly shared for research purposes, parallelized on a GPU to take advantage of local or cloud computing resources and interfaced with open meteorological forecasts made available by the Meteo Italian SupercompuTing PoRtAL (MISTRAL) consortium over Italy. The operational model provides a quantitative and qualitative estimate of the impact of the emergency event by means of a maximum ground level concentration and a footprint map. In this work, the SAPERI modeling chain is tested in a real case event that occurred in Beinasco (Torino, Italy) in December 2021, mimicking its use with limited or missing local input data as occurs when an alert message is first issued. An evaluation of the meteorology forecast is carried out by comparing the wind and temperature fields obtained from MISTRAL with observations from weather stations. The concentrations obtained from the dispersion model are then compared with the observations at three air quality monitoring stations impacted by the event.

This article argues that space plays an active role in shaping collective responses to crisis situations. While it is well known that the physical features of a place affect the way industrial accidents can be managed by response and rescue teams, this article will examine another important aspect of space: its role in helping to resolve crises. We present a case study involving a French complex where a chemical cloud, emitting an odor reminiscent of household natural gas, was accidentally released. Based on interviews with key participants, as well as a variety of documents, we will explain how the physical and material features of the accident site can be used to transform a situation of great uncertainty and chaos into a well‐designed and controlled experiment, thereby aiding in crisis resolution. This article contributes to crisis literature by shedding new light on the role of space in crisis resolution using the concepts of boundaries, movement, and distance, and by contrasting the case with the Fukushima Daiichi accident. By conceptualizing space not only as a reservoir of information and evidence, but also as a tangible foundation, it becomes feasible to utilize it as a valuable resource for managing and resolving future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accident during the transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) via a tanker vehicle leads to the leakage of a flammable substance, causing devastation. In such a situation, the appropriate action with the shortest possible delay can minimize subsequent losses. However, the decision-making mechanism remains unable to detect the occurrence of an accident and evaluate its extent within the critical time. This paper proposes an automatic framework for leakage detection and its consequence prediction during the external transportation of LPG using artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). An AI model is developed to predict the probable consequences of the accident in terms of the diameter of risk contours. An IoT framework is proposed in which the developed AI model is deployed in the edge device to detect any leakage of gas during transportation, to predict its probable consequences, and to report it to the remotely located disaster management team for initiating appropriate action. A prototype of the proposed model is built and its performance is successfully tested. The proposed solution would significantly help to identify efficient disaster management techniques by allowing for quick leakage detection and the prediction of its probable consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triggering element of this research work consisted in the descriptive-analytical study carried out from the available specialized literature regarding the foundation and practical applicability of the current methods of human reliability analysis: the quantitative ones from the first generation, the qualitative ones from the second generation as well as the most new nonlinear dynamic methods, in correlation with recent improvements in individual phases of human reliability analysis approaches. On this basis, the authors propose the transition to a new acceptance/understanding/vision of the concept of human error, adapted to the current complex socio-technical systems, characterized by rapid and often unpredictable evolution. The need to develop methods for evaluating human reliability based on modeling and the use of tools such as Bayesian networks, Petri nets and/or fuzzy logic was argued, while also pointing out the basic requirements that must be met. Ways to approach occupational and industrial safety challenges adapted to the rigors imposed by the multiple facets of the challenges highlighted in terms of the human factor are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern society is confronted with emerging threats from chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) hazardous substances, which are intensively utilized in the chemical, medical, and energy industries. The atmospheric dispersion of released CBR hazardous pollutants can influence a large percentage of the population owing to their rapid process with extensive spatial coverage. It is important to comprehensively understand the behaviors of the released CBR pollutants in the atmosphere to fully evaluate the risks and protect public safety. In this study, we reviewed the advancements in the atmospheric transport of CBR pollutants, including the urban atmospheric boundary layer, unique concepts, and models for CBR pollutants. We underlined the development of innovative methodologies (e.g., inverse estimation and data assimilation methods) for the atmospheric transport of accidentally released CBR pollutants to reduce uncertainties in emissions and accumulated errors during dispersion by combining numerical models with monitoring data. Finally, we introduced progress in quantitative risk assessment, including exposure assessment and dose-response relationships for CBR hazardous pollutants. A framework, source, assimilation, fundamentals, exposure, and risk (SAFER), has been proposed to integrate the key components in the risk assessment of airborne CBR hazardous pollutants. These methods and models can contribute to effective risk preparedness, prevention, evidence-based policymaking, and emergency response to airborne CBR pollutants.

Angle grinders are one of the most dangerous and frequently used tools in industrial settings. Angle grinder injuries range from superficial cuts to deep penetrating injuries with underlying fracture‐dislocation and vascular trauma. The injuries caused by angle grinders mostly involve the head, face, or upper limbs, while the lower limb is an unusual site. The high‐speed rotating disc of the angle grinders does not respect anatomical boundaries or structures; therefore, the injuries caused may be disfiguring, permanently incapacitating, or even fatal. We report a fatal case of an angle grinder injury to the lower limb. The victim sustained a sharp cut over the left thigh while woodworking in an industrial setup. The rotating disc of an angle grinder had transected the skin, subcutaneous fat and muscles, and both the femoral vessels of the left side, which led to fatal exsanguination within 10 min of the incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examiner rétrospectivement les émotions éprouvées et la régulation émotionnelle des adolescents, collégiens et lycéens, sitôt l'incendie industriel Lubrizol, puis 9 mois plus tard. Cent soixante-dix-huit adolescents, exposés au panache de fumée (ou non), résidant à moins de 3 km (ou plus) le jour de l'incendie, ont répondu à un questionnaire en ligne en juin 2020. Ils ont rédigé ce qu'ils avaient ressenti dans les 3 jours qui ont suivi l'incendie, puis estimé rétrospectivement l'intensité de leurs émotions sitôt l'incendie. Ils ont aussi accepté ou rejeté l'énoncé de neuf stratégies de régulation émotionnelle qu'ils ont adoptées et renseigné plusieurs questions à propos de leurs conduites de protection. Ils ont enfin évalué l'intensité de leurs émotions 9 mois après l'incendie. Le lexique émotionnel des textes libres comprend 40 % de mots qui concernent la peur ou l'inquiétude ; 26 % la colère ou agressivité, 21 % la tristesse et 6 % d'expression du soulagement. L'exposition sous le nuage ou la résidence à moins de 3 km de l'incendie ne modifient pas l'usage du lexique émotionnel. L'autoévaluation de leurs émotions sitôt l'incendie indique que 50 % des adolescents ont été fortement anxieux et 33 % ont ressenti de l'animosité (colère et agressivité). L'anxiété forte est statistiquement plus fréquente chez les adolescents exposés sous le nuage (Chi2 = 4,5, ddl 1, p <.03), mais pas quand il y a proximité (<3 km) de l'incendie (Chi2 = 0,25, ddl 1, p >.6). L'atténuation des émotions 9 mois plus tard est notable chez ceux qui étaient sous le nuage (Chi2 = 24,08, ddl4, p <.001). Dans les jours post incendie, moins de 20 % des participants admettent avoir pris le temps de réfléchir avant de s'engager dans une tâche (régulation intrapersonnelle des émotions), alors que 45 % ont posé des questions pour mieux comprendre ce qui les inquiétait, 49 % des adolescents ont échangé des messages numériques avec d'autres élèves et 80 % ont discuté oralement avec des camarades (régulation émotionnelle interpersonnelle). L'incendie a produit un choc émotionnel avec anxiété et animosité. Les adolescents ont plus facilement adopté des stratégies de régulations émotionnelles interpersonnelles indépendantes du fait d'avoir été ou pas exposé sous le nuage de fumée ou de résider dans une zone proche ou éloignée de l'incendie. On note 9 mois plus tard une atténuation émotionnelle plus marquée chez ceux qui ont été exposés sous le nuage. Our objective was to retrospectively examine the emotions experienced and the emotional regulation of adolescents, from 11 to 18 years old, immediately after the Lubrizol industrial fire, then nine months later. A self-administered online questionnaire was completed by a sample of 178 participants exposed (or not) to the smoke cloud or resided at least 3 km area from the fire. An open-ended questionnaire asked participants to write down their feelings after the Lubrizol fire. The emotional intensity assessment was first referred to the three days following the fire, then nine months after the fire. The emotional regulation strategies were examined by checking yes/no for nine proposals and the adolescents answered several questions about their protective behaviors. The emotional lexicon was related to fear or worry (40%), anger or aggressiveness (26%), sadness (21%) and stress relief (6%). Such lexicon was not altered by the location of the participants (exposed under the cloud of smoke or living in an area near from the fire). The self-evaluation of emotions after the fire revealed that 50% of the participants reported being highly anxious (fear, worry) and 33% experienced animosity (aggressiveness, anger). The high anxiety scores were significantly more often observed in adolescents living under the cloud (Chi2 = 4,5, df 1, P <.03) than when in its proximity (<3 km) to the fire (Chi2 = 0.25, df 1, P >.6). The attenuation of emotions nine months later is notable in those who were under the cloud (Chi2 = 24.08, df 4, P <.001). In the three days following the fire, fewer than 20% of participants said they took the time to think before engaging in a task (intrapersonal emotional regulation), while 45% asked questions to better understand what worried them. Forty-nine percent of the participants shared their experience using virtual electronical messages and 80% of them used real physical interpersonal communication (interpersonal emotional regulation). The fire produced an emotional shock associated with anxiety and animosity. The adolescents more easily adopted interpersonal emotional regulation strategies independent of whether they had been exposed under the cloud of smoke or whether they lived in an area near or far from the fire. A more marked emotional attenuation was observed nine months later in the participants exposed to the cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accident mortality rate of major accidents (MAs) show that China is still in the bottleneck period of accident prevention and control. To further promote the MAs prevention and control, this paper presents a novel major accidents evolution model from the theoretical perspective of information processing (IP). Firstly, based on the safety science paradigm of accident prevention and the emergency management paradigm of accident control, a safety information processing (SIP) process is proposed. Secondly, established the SIP model for different stages of accident prevention and control, which involves danger information processing (DIP), potential hazard information processing (PHIP), risk information processing (RIP), and emergency information processing (EIP). Thirdly, revealed the SIP of various management subject and the failure principle of accident prevention and control, that is, MAs occur under the premise of continuous failures of DIP, PHIP, RIP, and EIP under the social-technical system. Finally, the DPRE-IP model is proposed from the whole evolution path of “danger-potential hazard-risk-accident”. To demonstrate the viability of the model, this model is applied to the “6·13” Wenling major explosion accident. The results show that the proposed DPRE-IP model can provide new ideas for the formulation of accident prevention and control measures and accident analysis.

OBJECTIVES In recent years, occupational injuries have sparked a huge social and political debate. Thus, in this study, we focused on the characteristics and trends of occupational injuries requiring hospitalization in Korea. METHODS The Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey was designed to estimate the annual number and characteristics of all injury-related hospitalizations in Korea. The annual number of hospitalizations due to occupational injuries and the age-standardized rates (ASRs) were estimated from 2006 to 2019. The annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of ASRs and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using joinpoint regression. All analyses were stratified by gender. RESULTS In men, the APC of the ASRs of all-cause occupational injuries was -3.1% (95% CI, -4.5 to -1.7) in 2006-2015. However, a non-significant upward trend was observed after 2015 (APC, 3.3%; 95% CI, -1.6 to 8.5). In women, the APC of all-cause occupational injuries was -8.6% (95% CI, -12.1 to -5.1) in 2006-2012. However, a non-significant upward trend was observed after 2012 (APC, 2.1%; 95% CI, -0.9 to 5.2). A recent upward trend in stabbing injuries was observed after 2012 (APC, 4.7%; 95% CI, -1.8 to 11.8) in women. A non-significant overall increasing trend was also observed for occupational injuries caused by exposure to extreme temperatures (AAPC, 3.7%; 95% CI, -1.1 to 8.7) in women. CONCLUSIONS A recent upward trend in all-cause injury hospitalizations and hospitalizations caused by stabbing injuries was observed. Therefore, active policy interventions are required to prevent occupational injuries.

Enhanced support for (i) post-accident job retention policies and (ii) employers that hire reemployed workers post-accident is necessary to improve job retention among workers and bridge retention gaps between those who "return to original work" and those who are "reemployed." Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how the type of return to work after an industrial accident affects job retention. Methods: Using data from the panel study of workers' compensation insurance first-third, and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for workers leaving their jobs. Results: The HR leaving their jobs were higher in the "reemployed" compared with that in the "returned to original work," with HR of 2.69 (2.33–3.10). According workers' status, the HRs leaving their jobs were higher among the "reemployed" than among those who "returned to original work." Regular and daily workers' HRs were 1.70 (1.37–2.11) and 3.55 (2.96–4.26), respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that to increase job retention rate, protection policies for reemployed workers or support for employers who hire reemployed workers should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In the literature, acute oral chromium poisoning to death was rare. • The yellow-green changes observed in multiple organs during the autopsy. • Toxicological analysis substantiated the presence of chromium in various body fluids and organs, both qualitatively and quantitatively. • The widespread toxic effects of chromium on the body showed by laboratory values, autopsy findings and histopathological examinations. Heavy metals, including chromium, are extensively employed in industrial processes, leading to human poisoning and environmental contamination. Chronic exposure to chromium commonly occurs through skin contact and inhalation of airborne particles. The bioaccumulation of chromium can result in toxicity and harm to various biological systems. However, it is quite rare to come across reports of acute fatal cases resulting from oral ingestion of chromium. Here we report a case of the accidental ingestion of electroplating water containing chromium by the female worker resulted in multiple organ failure and ultimately died. The initial symptoms of nausea and abdominal pain are consistent with chromium toxicity. The sequential impairment of various organ systems, starting with the kidneys and progressing damage to the liver, digestive system, cardiovascular system, and immune system, indicates the widespread toxic effects of chromium on the body. Interestingly, the yellow-green changes observed in multiple organs during the autopsy and it have not been previously documented in the literature. The histopathological examination further confirmed the extensive damage. Toxicological analysis substantiated the presence of chromium in various body fluids and organs, both qualitatively and quantitatively. This confirms the absorption and distribution of chromium throughout the body following oral ingestion. These findings highlight the acute and severe toxic effects of orally ingested chromium, leading to fatal consequences in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Analyzing the causes of accidents in order to control and prevent their recurrence is of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to combine the two methods of Fishbone and SCAT to analyze the root cause of the accidents, address them in details, and track them in the depth of organizational structures. Methods: This study analyzed the data about accidents using a Fishbone and SCAT Combined Method. Initially, the interface and root causes obtained by the Fishbone Method, as well as control measures were entered into SCAT cause and effect table. The results of the questionnaires were collected, and the causes of accidents were investigated using the Chi-Square test. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 24. Results: The findings indicated that the most important direct cause of the accidents was the the variable related to indoor and outdoor environment of the refinery, and the most important root cause of the accident was “unforeseen economic changes such as changing exchange rate, tax rate”, and “lack of a continuous planning for the staff's training”. Increasing the efficiency of training the staff is the most important control measure suggested. There was also a significant relationship between surface and root causes. Conclusions: According to the statistical test, a systematic connection between root causes and intermediate causes of the accident were found. The combined method presented in this study can meet the needs of different organizations regarding the causes of accidents in many cases, and is currently one of the most important methods. Therefore, it is suggested to combine the SCAT with other methods to analyze the causes of accidents in refinery plants.

Virtual reality exposure treatment (VRET) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an emerging treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of VRET in patients with PTSD due to motor vehicle or industrial accidents. Twenty-six patients with PTSD (19 motor vehicle accidents and 7 industrial accidents) and eighteen subjects without PTSD were enrolled in five VRET sessions that were conducted using a head-mounted display. The VRET was based on systematic desensitization and included psychoeducation and training for breathing and relaxation techniques. The effectiveness of VRET was evaluated using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Safety was assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and Presence Questionnaire. After controlling for age, sex, marital status, job, economic status, and body mass index, we found that the CGI-S (F = 12.76, p = 0.001), PCL-C (F = 11.87, p = 0.002), IES-R (total score; F-8.31, p = 0.007), and SDS-A (F = 7.53, p = 0.010) scores in the VRET group were lower than those in the control group. Responses to the Simulator Sickness and Presence questionnaires did not differ significantly between the VRET and control groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, for patients with PTSD due to motor vehicle accidents, VRET is a safe and potentially effective treatment method. Future randomized controlled studies are needed to provide stronger evidence for the effectiveness of VRET in patients with PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Disasters are the consequences of natural or technological hazards that affect a vulnerable society. 1 Technological disasters are divided into three groups: industrial, transport, and miscellaneous. 2,3 It is possible to determine the risks of technological disasters, to determine priorities, and to plan services by knowing this epidemiology. 4 In this study, we aimed to define the distribution and characteristics of the subtypes of technological disasters in the world according to regions and years., Methods: Our study was conducted using the international dataset at www.emdat.be/. The technological disasters between 1970 and 2020, the years they occurred, their locations (region and continent), the types of disasters, and the numbers of dead and affected were recorded., Results: We found that the greatest number of disasters occurred between 2001 and 2010. The most common type of disaster was transportation accidents. While the continent with the most frequent disasters was Asia (3 879 [45.6%]), it was followed by Africa (2 220 [26.1%]) and South and North America (1 359 [16%])., Conclusions: Transport accidents are the most common cause of technological disasters, and road accidents are the most common type of transport accident.

An accident during the transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) via a tanker vehicle leads to the leakage of a flammable substance, causing devastation. In such a situation, the appropriate action with the shortest possible delay can minimize subsequent losses. However, the decision-making mechanism remains unable to detect the occurrence of an accident and evaluate its extent within the critical time. This paper proposes an automatic framework for leakage detection and its consequence prediction during the external transportation of LPG using artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). An AI model is developed to predict the probable consequences of the accident in terms of the diameter of risk contours. An IoT framework is proposed in which the developed AI model is deployed in the edge device to detect any leakage of gas during transportation, to predict its probable consequences, and to report it to the remotely located disaster management team for initiating appropriate action. A prototype of the proposed model is built and its performance is successfully tested. The proposed solution would significantly help to identify efficient disaster management techniques by allowing for quick leakage detection and the prediction of its probable consequences.

We consider two fast mathematical models of carbon dioxide dispersion over an uneven topography. The application of these models is effective for the monitoring of the consequences of industrial accidents involving the emission of carbon dioxide from either a surface-bound or an elevated source. The application of these models is demonstrated for both emission source locations. Simulation results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The series of serious industrial accidents in recent years at contractors to large companies has highlighted risk outsourcing as a real and urgent problem. This study aims to review the difference in the degree of risk exposure and the occurrence of industrial accidents depending on the type of company relations. Among in-house contractors, the focus will be on those handling hazardous chemicals that include companies for which outsourcing requires approval. Methods: This study uses the 9th wave of the Industrial Safety and Health Survey (2018). For determining the degree of risk exposure, the occurrence of industrial accidents, and industrial accident rate, multivariate, logistic, and fractional logit, regression analyses were used, respectively. Results: First, In-house contractors’ degree of risk exposure is higher than that of the client companies. In particular, this gap is even greater for companies dealing with chemicals. Second, among only those that handle hazardous chemicals, in-house contractors do show a significantly higher rate of industrial accident occurrence. Third, In-house contractors have a significantly higher rate of industrial accidents from diseases than client companies. Conclusion: The analysis supports the intent of the legal amendment that strengthens the protection of in-house contracted workers who handle hazardous chemicals. Second, the results of this study suggest that safety and health management must go beyond legal compliance and ensure that it has substance and effectiveness. Last, there should be policy consideration is necessary to reduce attempts to hide industrial accidents.

Sandblasting injuries are uncommon with only four reports in literature. We report a patient with a sandblasting injury of the dorsum of the hand and wrist and summarise published literature on the management of such injuries. We recommend early (<24 hours) C-arm-guided debridement of embedded foreign bodies and repeated saline washouts with a soft surgical scrub brush. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the history of the development, and the reasons for the creation of the SEVESO Directive, with particular emphasis on the latest Directive 2012/18 / EU of the European Parliament and the Council. The SEVESO III directive imposes detailed requirements on the plant operators regarding their control against major accident hazards related to dangerous substances. Individual countries of the European Union apply various requirements (following SEVESO III or more rigorous ones) for industrial plants. In Poland, the requirements of the SEVESO III Directive have been implemented in the Environmental Protection Act, and its executive acts. The SEVESO III Directive requires that the citizens of a given country have access to information about high and increased-risk establishments. In Poland, this requirement is met through the website www.mapy.geoportal.gov.pl. People can find information on establishments posing a risk of a serious industrial accident. The article presents how to use the portal and what information can be obtained there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to collect and systematize data on the scale and damage (population and economic losses) due to man-made disasters in Russia in the period from 1990 to 2019 on the basis of consolidated information from various sources.

The patient presented in this study was admitted to our clinic with an uncommon injury as a result of the accidental insertion of his hand in a rope winding machine at a textile factory. A 26-year-old male patient was responsible for the control of a rope wrapping machine at a textile factory. While working, the employee's left hand was injured by making contact with the running machine. He had no problem with the dorsal aspect of his hands, but the volar examination revealed a soft-tissue defect on his wrist flexor line from the pulp level. The defect contained more than the palmar half of the hand's lateral width and all structures were amputated in the impaired manner. The patient was treated with a sensory inguinal flap and two-stage flexor tendoplasty. He is now able to perform routine daily tasks such as hand gripping, holding a pencil, buttoning buttonholes, and dressing.

Introduction: On March 6th,2020, chlorine gas leak was reported at Engro Polymer & Chemicals Plant in Karachi City, Pakistan. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients who presented to emergency department (ED) following this event. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study, evaluated the clinical features and outcomes (length of hospital stay, complications, and mechanical ventilation requirement) of patients presenting to ED of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, with history of chlorine gas exposure at the Engro Plant from 6th March to 14th March 2020. Results: 38 patients with mean age of 33.1 ± 8.1 years presented to ED with history of chlorine gas exposure (100% male). 4 (10.5%) cases had comorbid diseases. Most common presenting symptom was dyspnea, observed in 33 (86.8%) cases, followed by cough, seen in 27 (71.1%) subjects. 13.2% (5/38) patients had infiltration on chest x-ray and 33 (86.8 %) required hospitalization. 6 (15.8%) patients had repeat presentation requiring hospitalization or ED visit. 18 (47.4%) were managed with high flow oxygen therapy, 9 (23.7%) required non-invasive ventilation and one patient was intubated due to development of pneumo-mediastinum. Mean length of stay was 1.55 ± 1.58 days and no patients died. Presence of tachycardia was the only finding significantly associated with need for oxygen (p = 0.033) and non-invasive ventilation (p = 0.012). Conclusion: The majority of patients presenting with acute chlorine gas exposure showed good clinical outcomes and rapid recovery, however, a high index of suspicion and vigilance should be maintained for complications such as pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome in these patients.

To determine if institutional investors act more rationally than individual investors, we examine the stock market price drop following 173 major industrial accidents from 1959 to 2017. In most cases, this drop, generally considered excessive, rapidly reverses. Using meta-analysis techniques, we distinguish events likely to trigger a large negative mid-term market reaction (potentially destructive events) from other events. For firms with large institutional holdings, we show that the market drop following potentially destructive events (potentially nondestructive events) is significantly larger (smaller). This is consistent with the hypothesis that investors' potential irrational reaction depends on their sophistication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of management support for health and safety on workers' safety perception. Since the 1990s, Korea's national competitiveness has been rising rapidly, but efforts to prevent and cope with industrial accidents are still insufficient. Particularly there is a big movement to strengthen corporate responsibility for serious accidents in the 2020s. In this study structural equation model(SEM) was constructed and quantitatively analyzed in order to know how management's support affects the organization, system, and communication related to safety and health in the company, and ultimately how it has an effect on workers' safety perception. 4,169 questionnaires conducted by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used as observation variables, and 5 hypotheses were established and were verified in SEM. As management support increases, organization & institution for a safe workplace, communication related with safety and health within the company become more active. Finally management support has a positive effect on workers' safety perception. The results of this study imply that management needs to increase awareness of the importance of safety and health before all measures such as organizations, institutions, and communication related to safety and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees to every citizen the right to healthy and safe working conditions. The granting of this right was the result of the implementation in the national law of international fundamental acts on human and civil rights. The main provisions on the implementation of this constitutional right of employees are regulated by the law of Ukraine On Labour Protection. However, despite the sufficiently high worldwide level of guarantees for employee's rights, the actual level of compliance with labour protection legislation in Ukraine is quite low, which is directly reflected in the state of affairs with an industrial injury. The paper demonstrates the discrepancies of separate key statistical indicators of industrial injuries: the ratio of fatal accidents to their total. These measures, in contrast to the EU countries, are almost identical. These statistics indicate a high-level of accident concealment from investigation and record. The changes in the current legislation of Ukraine on investigation and record of accidents, occupational diseases, and accidents that occurred in 2019 are analyzed in the article. A comparative analysis of the current Procedure for investigation of accidents with the previous version of the document is conducted, positive and negative new laws of this regulation are established. Conclusions about significant changes in the procedure of investigation of accidents, establishment of a higher level of legal guarantees for the victims of labour injuries and their families, improvement of mechanisms of interaction of state bodies, the Social Insurance Fund and business entities in the issues of indemnification for health workers, extension of powers and enhancement of the status of the State Labour Service of Ukraine have been made. The work of the author will be useful both in carrying out procedures of investigation of accidents and occupational diseases and development of the measures, on the basis of their results, to improve a state of affairs of labour safety and also useful in the further legislative work.

The influence of working conditions on workers in the foundry production is considered. The results of the analysis of industrial injuries in foundries with different nature of production are given. It is noted that the most of accidents at the place of their incident falls on the fettler-cleaning shops, forming and melting-pouring shops of foundries, and the most traumatic professions are fettler-cleaner, former, furnace-operator, filler and repairman. Analysis of the causes of industrial injuries in foundries showed that about 74% of all industrial injuries occur due to organizational reasons, for technical reasons – about 16%, for sanitary and hygienic reasons – about 7% and for psychophysiological reasons – about 3%.

BACKGROUND: Although using forklifts in industrial sites contributes to productivity, many workers have been injured or killed owing to industrial accidents caused by forklifts. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the characteristics of forklift accidents by employment type and work process, thereby identifying the factors contributing to industrial accidents and providing recommendations to prevent accidents. METHODS: Data on 1,061 industrial forklift accidents occurring in 2018 collected from the national injury insurance compensation database were analyzed. In addition to analyzing the accident characteristics, this study performed a risk assessment per forklift work process. RESULTS: Many accidents were associated with older workers, those employed for < 6 months, and workplaces with ≤49 workers. The risk was the highest for accidents involving caught-in objects in the loading/unloading step and collision accidents in the forward- and backward-driving steps. CONCLUSIONS: Measures are needed to prevent industrial forklift accidents. First, forklift and worker movement routes must be strictly separated or controlled by a work supervisor. It is necessary to secure a time margin for workers to avoid collapsing cargo by using an appropriate tool/jig during loading/unloading. Second, guidance, inspection, and support are needed to promote employers' safety and health awareness in workplaces with < 50 workers. Lastly, intensive education and training concerning health and safety is required for workers with less than six months of experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article by Tae-Gu Kim et al. conducted elastic FE modeling, which was inappropriate for fracture of elastic-plastic chain material (11.3% of elongation). FE analysis results and the findings in the fractographic analysis did not tally but contradicted each other. The article identified “incorrect installation”/ bending forces as the root cause while FE results of the chain under bending forces showed very low stresses at fracture locations but the highest stress in the middle of shank of the chain. The article's “step-like topographies indicating the fracture due to bending moment rather than uniaxial tension” lacked scientific support. The load value carried by each chain section under bending/incorrect installation was only half of that under tension, thus the article using same load value in FE simulation comparison for bending and tension was incorrect. The real cause of the chain fracture was likely improper checking the lifted load or/and using the wrong chain with much lower safety working load.

Résumé: À travers l'analyse des trois rapports produits après l'accident de Lubrizol/NL Logistique, l'article revient sur leur rôle dans la production d'un récit dominant des causes de la crise, qui insiste sur l'absence de culture du risque, mais aussi sur leurs limites, s'agissant notamment de l'absence d'interrogation sur les raisons pour lesquelles les leçons des crises passées ne sont jamais tirées. This article analyzes the three reports published after the fire at the Lubrizol and NL Logistique plants. It examines their role in the prevailing notion blaming the incident on a lack of risk culture, and also their limitations, particularly in the failure to question why lessons are never learnt from past crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Le 26 septembre 2019, un incendie a détruit une partie des installations de stockage des sociétés Lubrizol et NL Logistique à Rouen (France, Normandie). Le présent article présente le dispositif de surveillance de la qualité de l'air et des odeurs déployé par Atmo Normandie au moment de l'incendie et les mois suivants, en l'adaptant à l'évolution de la situation. Les résultats de cette surveillance sont synthétiquement présentés et discutés. On September 26, 2019, a fire destroyed part of the storage facilities owned by the companies Lubrizol and NL Logistique in Rouen (Normandy, France). Atmo Normandie monitored air quality and odors at the time of the fire and in the months following it, adapting its methods as the situation evolved. This article presents and discusses the monitoring system and its findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial accidents involving compressed air can lead to significant colonic injuries, ranging from minor tears to complete perforations. This study investigates a case of colonic barotrauma in a 40-year-old male oil refinery worker who suffered symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort, distension, and tenderness following the application of compressed air to his anus. Diagnostic tests, including blood count, abdominal X-ray, and ultrasonography, indicated fecal impaction, dilated bowel loops, and free gas under the diaphragm. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a 4 cm x 2 cm hole in the colon at the hepatic flexure. There were also small breaks in the mucosa at the junction of the recto-sigmoid. We surgically repaired the perforation with primary closure, metrogyl lavage, and the placement of an intra-abdominal pelvic drain. Two weeks later, the patient recovered without any complications and was discharged. This case report highlights the severe risks of non-medical compressed air exposure, as well as the critical need for immediate surgical intervention and preventive safety measures in industrial settings., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Mhaske et al.)

This article presents the results of research in the area of a universal vibrodiagnostic criterion search suitable for assessing the dragline generator groups’ actual state degradation degree. This search was carried out on the vibration parameters’ comprehensive analysis basis and common diagnostic criteria use suitable for the development of complex mechanical systems state change mathematical degradation models. The analysis of the diagnostic data obtained on dragline working power-mechanical equipment allowed to classify this type equipment defects into the basic groups, to which in the aggregate correspond more than one hundred and twenty diagnostic features in the analysis of vibration parameters. In addition, these signs were formalized to ease their use when developing the complex systems automated control algorithm code based on the generated mechanical vibration parameters. The developed set of diagnostic rules for detecting defects based on the analysis of mechanical vibration parameters and the unified diagnostic criteria for estimating the state based on the mechanical vibrations parameters analysis can act as a basic platform for the implementation of the maintenance system elements according to its actual technical condition. In this article it is convincingly proved that only with the wide use of vibration diagnostics modern methods and non-destructive testing we get the opportunity for mining machines’ equipment timely defect detection and development of predictive models for their technical condition change. The scientific results obtained within the frames of the present work categorically prove the principled consistency of the new criterion being developed for assessing the dragline generator groups actual state degradation degree based on a proposed unified diagnostic criteria group complex realizing principle. The application of the new criterion in practice will improve the forecast efficiency of mine draglines’ converter units and small generator groups diagnostic parameters changing process.

Workers fatal traumatism analysis in open-cast coal mining from 2004 to 2016 is fulfilled. Fatal accidents are grouped together, and the causes of fatal injuries are analyzed in groups. It has been established that in recent years there has been a decrease in fatal injuries in the opencast mining operations. The main reason for improving work safety is the more strict control over the industrial safety situation at hazardous industrial facilities by the state. The reduction in the number of fatal injuries is also due to the use of automated production management systems. The measures taken make it possible to increase the labor discipline of personnel at opencast coal mines. The greatest number of deaths in opencast mining is due to electric shocks (24%) and during transport operations (23%). The main reasons for such incidents are unsatisfactory organization of work, shortcomings in training, violation of safety rules, low level of labor discipline.

Protocol on Civil Liability and Compensation for Damage Caused by the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents on Transboundary Waters (the Protocol) was adopted in 2003 under auspices of The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The Protocol aims to give individuals affected by transboundary impact of industrial accidents on international watercourses a legal claim for adequate and prompt compensation. The Protocol channels liability towards operators performing hazardous activity. Operators will be liable for accidents in an installation, including tailing dams, as well as accidents during transportation on the site of a hazardous activity or during off-site transportation via pipelines. The notion of damage is broadly defined and encompasses loss of life or personal injury, loss of, or damage to, property, loss of income, the cost of measures of reinstatement of the impaired transboundary waters, and the cost of response measures. The system of the Protocol is based on objective liability. However, strict liability rule is somewhat alleviated by a limited set of exemptions and by financial limits of liability depending on the risk of the activity. Liability limits are coupled with mandatory financial security requirements.

The patient presented in this study was admitted to our clinic with an uncommon injury as a result of the accidental insertion of his hand in a rope winding machine at a textile factory. A 26-year-old male patient was responsible for the control of a rope wrapping machine at a textile factory. While working, the employee's left hand was injured by making contact with the running machine. He had no problem with the dorsal aspect of his hands, but the volar examination revealed a soft-tissue defect on his wrist flexor line from the pulp level. The defect contained more than the palmar half of the hand's lateral width and all structures were amputated in the impaired manner. The patient was treated with a sensory inguinal flap and two-stage flexor tendoplasty. He is now able to perform routine daily tasks such as hand gripping, holding a pencil, buttoning buttonholes, and dressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 56‐year‐old man died following a fall resulting in complete submersion into a deep pit containing insulation material, expanded perlite. The most striking finding at autopsy was of impacted, moist pale yellow perlite that extended from the epiglottis into the main bronchi resulting in complete obstruction of the larger and smaller airways with cast formation. Perlite inhalation differs from inhalation of inert materials such as sand and wheat due to its hygroscopic properties and ability to expand forming an occlusive cast. Subsequent analyses of perlite from the worksite and within the airways indicated that hydration of perlite and adsorption of organic molecules into the perlite glass flakes had formed an interlocking, three‐dimensional structure that was likely responsible for triggering a coagulation–flocculation process causing strong cohesion between the aggregates of glass flakes. This unique mechanism was likely responsible for the formation of the plug of perlite that obstructed the upper airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl nitrite is suggested to cause methemoglobinemia by generating methemoglobin, which may be lethal when the methemoglobin concentration exceeds 70%. However, intoxication with methyl nitrite is seldom reported compared with that with other nitrites. Here, we present an industrial accident involving methyl nitrite inhalation during its synthesis process that resulted in three fatalities and one survivor. The autopsy revealed conspicuous blue‐gray discoloration in various parts of the body, including the skin, airway mucosa, vessels, brain, heart, and among other areas. The toxicological tests on the deceased showed methemoglobin concentrations in the blood over the lethal level and increased nitrite ion levels in the blood, gastric contents, liver, and lung tissue compared with those in control samples. The cause of death was determined to be methemoglobinemia‐induced hypoxia due to methyl nitrite inhalation. This report provides evidence that in methyl nitrite intoxication, exposure duration has a significant influence on the postmortem changes and likelihood of a fatal outcome may be related to the age of the victim. More attention is required regarding the industrial hazards of this substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]