Safety

49 pages, 1625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Navigating the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Risk Management: A Comparative Analysis

by Mohammad Yazdi, Esmaeil Zarei, Sidum Adumene and Amin Beheshti

Safety 2024, 10(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020042 - 26 Apr 2024

Viewed by 167

This study presents a responsive analysis of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in risk management, contrasting traditional approaches with those augmented by AI and highlighting the challenges and opportunities that emerge. AI, intense learning methodologies such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have [...] Read more.

This study presents a responsive analysis of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in risk management, contrasting traditional approaches with those augmented by AI and highlighting the challenges and opportunities that emerge. AI, intense learning methodologies such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have been identified as pivotal in extracting meaningful insights from image data, a form of analysis that holds significant potential in identifying and managing risks across various industries. The research methodology involves a strategic selection and processing of images for analysis and introduces three case studies that serve as benchmarks for evaluation. These case studies showcase the application of AI, in place of image processing capabilities, to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and suggest control measures. The comparative evaluation focuses on the accuracy, relevance, and practicality of the AI-generated findings alongside the system’s response time and comprehensive understanding of the context. Results reveal that AI can significantly enhance risk assessment processes, offering rapid and detailed insights. However, the study also recognises the intrinsic limitations of AI in contextual interpretation, advocating for a synergy between technological and domain-specific expertise. The conclusion underscores the transformative potential of AI in risk management, supporting continued research to further integrate AI effectively into risk assessment frameworks. Full article

22 pages, 1781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Risk Assessment Framework Based on Fuzzy Logic for Automotive Systems

by Francesco Merola, Cinzia Bernardeschi and Giuseppe Lami

Safety 2024, 10(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020041 - 25 Apr 2024

Viewed by 123

Abstract

Recent advancements in the automotive field have significantly increased the level of complexity and connectivity of modern vehicles. In this context, the topic of cybersecurity becomes extremely relevant, as a successful attack can have an impact in terms of safety on the car [...] Read more.

Recent advancements in the automotive field have significantly increased the level of complexity and connectivity of modern vehicles. In this context, the topic of cybersecurity becomes extremely relevant, as a successful attack can have an impact in terms of safety on the car navigation, potentially leading to harmful behavior. Risk assessment is typically performed using discrete input and output scales, which can often lead to an identical output in terms of risk evaluation despite the inputs presenting non-negligible differences. This work presents a novel fuzzy-logic-based methodology to assess cybersecurity risks which takes attack feasibility and safety impact as input factors. This technique allows us explicitly model the uncertainty and ambiguousness of input data, which is typical of the risk assessment process, providing an output on a more detailed scale. The fuzzy inference engine is based on a set of control rules expressed in natural language, which is crucial to maintaining the interpretability and traceability of the risk calculation. The proposed framework was applied to a case study extracted from ISO/SAE 21434. The obtained results are in line with the traditional methodology, with the added benefit of also providing the scatter around the calculated value, indicating the risk trend. The proposed method is general and can be applied in the industry independently from the specific case study. Full article

13 pages, 1066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occupational Safety Assessment for Surface Mine Systems: The Case in Jordan

by Samir K. Khrais, Tamer Elia Yared, Noor Majid Saifan, Tarek H. Al-Hawari and Fikri Dweiri

Safety 2024, 10(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020040 - 25 Apr 2024

Viewed by 215

Abstract

Surface mining is one of the hazardous industries that have several risky operations, including transportation, treatment, and mineral extraction. To avoid the risk of disaster, it is important to evaluate safety procedures and determine expected hazards. The aim of this study is to [...] Read more.

Surface mining is one of the hazardous industries that have several risky operations, including transportation, treatment, and mineral extraction. To avoid the risk of disaster, it is important to evaluate safety procedures and determine expected hazards. The aim of this study is to develop a thorough safety evaluation model for the surface mining industry based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), one important multi-criteria decision-making approach. A total of 11 criteria and 36 sub-criteria that are both independent and homogeneous were involved in the decision problem. Further, a deep sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the ranking preference. The findings indicate that four out of the eleven criteria are particularly significant. To test the model’s applicability and effectiveness, a case study was conducted involving three surface mining companies located in the north of Jordan. The results demonstrate that the model is reliable, applicable, and effective in addressing real-world problems. Full article

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6 pages, 171 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Nose-Over and Nose-Down Accidents in General Aviation: Tailwheels and Aging Airplanes

by Alex de Voogt and Kayla Louteiro

Safety 2024, 10(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020039 - 13 Apr 2024

Viewed by 431

Abstract

Safety in General Aviation has been a continuous concern. About 12% of all airplane accidents in General Aviation involve nose-overs and nose-down events. A total of 134 accidents reported by the National Transportation Safety Board that include nose-overs and nose-downs were analyzed for [...] Read more.

Safety in General Aviation has been a continuous concern. About 12% of all airplane accidents in General Aviation involve nose-overs and nose-down events. A total of 134 accidents reported by the National Transportation Safety Board that include nose-overs and nose-downs were analyzed for their main causes. It was found that 35% of the defining events involved a loss of control on the ground while 58% of the total dataset involved tailwheel-type aircraft. A relatively high proportion of aircraft built before 1950 were found, which are also aircraft that have tailwheel-type landing gear, and thereby a higher propensity for ground loops and nose-overs. It is shown that the high accident rate in General Aviation, especially for accidents that did not result in a fatality, was, to an important extent, explained by tailwheel and older aircraft in the US General Aviation airplane fleet struggling with controlling the aircraft on the ground. Attention to this group of aircraft in future studies may help to more effectively address the relatively high accident rates in General Aviation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aviation Safety—Accident Investigation, Analysis and Prevention)

11 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Altered Haematological Parameters in Gasoline Station Workers Due to Benzene Exposure

by Sunisa Chaiklieng, Umakorn Tongsantia, Pornnapa Suggaravetsiri and Herman Autrup

Safety 2024, 10(2), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020038 - 12 Apr 2024

Viewed by 788

Abstract

Benzene is harmful to human health and early detection of haematological alterations is important in preventing adverse health effects. This study aimed to investigate the biomarkers of benzene exposure and its effects due to haematological alterations. Gasoline station workers with potential risks according [...] Read more.

Benzene is harmful to human health and early detection of haematological alterations is important in preventing adverse health effects. This study aimed to investigate the biomarkers of benzene exposure and its effects due to haematological alterations. Gasoline station workers with potential risks according to the biomatrix concerning benzene exposure underwent blood and urine evaluation for the biological monitoring of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA), and haematological and biochemical parameter evaluation. The results were analysed for correlations between biological and haematological effects. The tt-MA biomarker was detected in some workers and approximately 50% of workers had a blood profile that showed abnormal parameters with respect to the haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct) and white blood cell parameters, which were outside the normal range. A significant correlation was observed between the tt-MA biomarker’s level and the levels of the haematological and biochemical parameters, which were Hb, Hct, eosinophil, neutrophil, SGOT and blood creatinine. The level of urinary tt-MA as a marker of benzene exposure correlated with haematological and biochemical changes in the blood, suggesting that the gasoline station workers were affected by benzene exposure. Moreover, the current study suggests that early detection of haematological abnormalities may be possible by analysing biomarkers of their effects through regular health surveillance of workers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Occupational Health and Safety in A Changing World: Realities, Challenges and Perspectives)

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14 pages, 3777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tailored Incident Investigation Protocols: A Critically Needed Practice

by Ahmed Jalil Al-Bayati

Safety 2024, 10(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020037 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 823

Abstract

Construction scholars and practitioners have identified a repetitive pattern of direct causes leading to both fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers. Over the years, direct causes such as falls, electrocutions, and being struck have consistently represented a substantial proportion of recorded and [...] Read more.

Construction scholars and practitioners have identified a repetitive pattern of direct causes leading to both fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers. Over the years, direct causes such as falls, electrocutions, and being struck have consistently represented a substantial proportion of recorded and reported injuries in the United States. One potential factor contributing to this repetition is the absence of root cause investigations for incidents. Incident investigations should focus on system deficiencies and shortcomings instead of individual behaviors. While the identification of incident root causes provides the needed information to eliminate the direct causes, it is inherently complex. Recently, the use of tailored incident investigation protocols as a practical and systematically conducted method was suggested to uncover the root causes of incidents, subsequently assisting in reducing their recurrence. To illustrate the feasibility of such an approach, this article provides a step-by-step guide to creating a tailored investigation protocol for revealing the root causes of arc flash incidents by utilizing a panel of safety experts. In addition, this study demonstrates the feasibility of developing tailored investigation protocols for other common causes, such as falls and electrocutions. Tailored investigation protocols streamline the identification of potential root causes to a manageable number, relying on subject matter experts. Consequently, they enhance learning from incidents by mitigating investigators’ biases and potential lack of experience. Safety practitioners can use the method presented in this article to create tailored investigation protocols based on their working environment to improve learning for occupational injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety Performance Assessment and Management in Construction)

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13 pages, 833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bio-Risk Management Systems: Biosafety Assessment in COVID-19 Referral Hospitals in Indonesia

by Windri Handayani, Anom Bowolaksono, Fatma Lestari, Abdul Kadir, Saraswati Andani Satyawardhani, Duta Liana, Alyssa Zahwa Ananda and Saravanan Gunaratnam

Safety 2024, 10(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020036 - 08 Apr 2024

Viewed by 487

Abstract

Numerous hospital laboratories in Indonesia need to implement improved bio-risk management (BRM) systems. There are many potential biohazards in laboratory activities that can impact health and the environment, leading to laboratory incidents. To minimize the impact and occurrence of such incidents, it is [...] Read more.

Numerous hospital laboratories in Indonesia need to implement improved bio-risk management (BRM) systems. There are many potential biohazards in laboratory activities that can impact health and the environment, leading to laboratory incidents. To minimize the impact and occurrence of such incidents, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of BRM in every hospital laboratory that uses biological agents. This study was conducted in eight COVID-19 reference hospitals in Indonesia in the regions of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Java, which have committed to implementing BRM systems in their laboratory activities. This research employed a descriptive study design and quantitative methods, with the aim of analyzing and evaluating the implementation of BRM systems in laboratories by assessing the achievements and gap analysis obtained from each laboratory. This research utilized primary data in the form of checklist forms referencing ISO 35001:2019 for the laboratory BRM system. Then, the assessments were based on virtual interviews conducted by the researcher with laboratory personnel as the primary data. The evaluation conducted on gap analysis from the seven clauses in ISO 35001:2019 across all hospitals revealed large gaps, particularly in three clauses: leadership, support, and performance. However, the aspects concerning organization, improvement, and performance evaluation were relatively satisfactory. Hence, there is a need for further improvement in leadership, support, and performance evaluation clauses. Additionally, it is essential to highlight the importance of comprehensive performance assessment, including proactive audits and continuous enhancements to achieve optimal bio-risk management. Full article

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9 pages, 415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Occupational Radiation Dose in Radiography Students: Implications for Safety and Training

by Mohamed Abuzaid, Zarmeena Noorajan, Wiam Elshami and Manal Ibham

Safety 2024, 10(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020035 - 04 Apr 2024

Viewed by 626

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the occupational exposure of undergraduate radiography students to ionising radiation and evaluate the effectiveness of safety protocols and training in reducing radiation exposure. Methods: This study tracked undergraduate radiography students from the University of Sharjah, UAE, using [...] Read more.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the occupational exposure of undergraduate radiography students to ionising radiation and evaluate the effectiveness of safety protocols and training in reducing radiation exposure. Methods: This study tracked undergraduate radiography students from the University of Sharjah, UAE, using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) from 2015 to 2023. TLD readings were conducted every 15 weeks during 384 h of clinical placement. This study encompassed various radiographic procedures, and the TLDs were used to measure shallow (HP (0.07)) and deep doses (HP (10)). Results: A data analysis from 599 dosimeters revealed an average of 74 students annually. The average effective doses for HP (10) and HP (0.07) were 0.227 mSv and 0.222 mSv, respectively. These doses were well-below the recommended annual limits. Conclusion: This study’s results indicated that radiography students’ occupational radiation exposure during clinical training was within the safe limits, demonstrating the effectiveness of training and safety protocols. A comparison with international data corroborated the low exposure levels. Clinical training is essential for radiography students, and this study highlights the success of safety protocols in minimising occupational radiation exposure. Continuous monitoring and education are crucial to sustaining these positive outcomes. Full article

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21 pages, 2367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The BowTie as a Digital Twin: How a BowTie Looks Different from a Data Perspective

by Paul Singh, Coen van Gulijk and Neil Sunderland

Safety 2024, 10(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020034 - 31 Mar 2024

Viewed by 630

Abstract

This work follows from a research project for safety management system re-engineering that turned a safety BowTie into a digital twin. A digital twin is a model embedded in software that mirrors a specific aspect of a real system; the aspect in this [...] Read more.

This work follows from a research project for safety management system re-engineering that turned a safety BowTie into a digital twin. A digital twin is a model embedded in software that mirrors a specific aspect of a real system; the aspect in this case is the risk space associated with a process. The well-known BowTie is the model that turns out to be singularly well suited as a digital twin from the risk perspective as it maps out the risk space together with real-life controls. However, for a BowTie to be a high-fidelity digital twin of a real system, the rules and processes for designing and operating a BowTie are changed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Management in Process Industries)

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Safety, Volume 10, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 9 articles

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