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Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 12734

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. María de las Nieves González García

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Guest Editor

Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: occupational risk assessment; management of occupational risks; accident analysis; accident prevention; safety engineering; collective protections; innovation; workplace interventions; construction engineering; fall prevention and protection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. João dos Santos Baptista

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Co-Guest Editor

Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, (PROA-LAETA), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: safety engineering; risk assessment; risk management; industrial ergonomics; industrial hygiene; occupational health; accident costs; human engineering; mining project
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Antonio José Carpio de los Pinos

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Co-Guest Editor

Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: risk assessment; risk management; health and safety; risk analysis; human factors psychology; quantitative modelling; environmental risk assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Work activities bring about a large number of risks, possibly leading to serious, very serious or fatal accidents, which can generate permanent economic, material and, most importantly, human losses. In some work activities, due to their complexity, several risks can be present simultaneously and, when combined, these risks can have more severe consequences than those resulting from the sum of the effects resulting from the risks considered individually. Reducing work accidents is a priority objective in the productive, economic and, fundamentally, social spheres. Consequently, accident prevention through a risk identification and assessment is essential, as it makes it possible to plan their elimination or, at the very least, reduce their risk to acceptable levels, minimizing the damage they can cause. There are several methods of occupational risk assessments, ranging from a general analysis to a specific risk analysis. However, there are also situations where there is a combination of risks and, in these cases, the methodologies must simultaneously consider several risks of different types. Therefore, on these occasions, an analysis with a global focus is required, including different perspectives and techniques for combating risks in the fields of occupational safety, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, psychosociology or occupational medicine.

We are pleased to invite you to present works with the goal of advancing the knowledge of different methodologies for evaluating risks applicable in occupational fields.

This Special Issue aims to study existing and present newly created risk assessment methodologies, and will involve risk analyses, the design of methodologies, the definition of new user-friendly approaches (matrices or others), the adaptation and application to different areas, the verification of reliability and reproducibility and the validation of these methodologies, also accepting case studies using new global multidisciplinary risk assessment methodologies.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome, research areas including (but not limited to) the following:

Qualitative risk assessment methods;
Quantitative risk assessment methods;
Semi-quantitative risk assessment methods;
Design of risk assessment methodologies;
Adaptation of risk assessments to different areas;
Design of risk matrices;
Reliability and validation of risk assessment methodologies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. María de las Nieves González García
Dr. João dos Santos Baptista
Dr. Antonio José Carpio de los Pinos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

consistency
methodology
risk assessment
occupational safety and health
reliability
reproducibility
risk assessment matrix
stability
work accidents

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk-Based Assessment of 132 kV Electric Distribution Substations and Proximal Residential Areas in the Mangaung Metropolitan Region

by Phoka Caiphus Rathebe and Setlamorago Jackson Mbazima

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054365 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1703

Abstract

Annually, an estimate of 2.3 million workers die prematurely due to occupational injuries and illnesses. In this study, a risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the compliance of 132 kV electric distribution substations and proximal residential areas with the South African occupational health and safety Act 85 of 1993. Data were collected from 30 electric distribution substations and 30 proximal residential areas using a checklist. Distribution substations of 132 kV were assigned an overall compliance value of ≥80%, while a composite risk value of < 0.5 was assigned to individual residential areas. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check for data normality before multiple comparisons and the Bonferroni adjustment was applied. Non-compliances in electric distribution substations were as a result of poor housekeeping and inappropriate fencing conditions. Ninety-three percent of the electric distribution substations (28/30) scored < 75% compliance on housekeeping and 30% (7/30) were non-compliant (<100%) on fencing. Conversely, there was compliance in the proximal residential areas concerning the substations. Statistically significant differences were found when substation positioning and surrounding infrastructure (p < 0.00), electromagnetic field sources (p < 0.00) and maintenance/general tidiness (p < 0.00) were compared. A peak risk value of 0.6 was observed when comparing the substation positioning with proximal electromagnetic field sources in the residential area. Housekeeping and fencing in the distribution substations must be improved to prevent occupational incidents such as injuries, fire outbreaks, theft and vandalism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health)

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21 pages, 5589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Risk Assessment on Site to How to Improve Safety: An Easy “App” to Control Construction Site Conditions

by Francisco J. Forteza, José M. Carretero-Gómez, Barbara Estudillo and Albert Sesé

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3954; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053954 - 23 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1252

Abstract

A construction site has specific risks and organizational conditions requiring on-site safety inspections. Paperwork inspections have important limitations that can be overcome by substituting paper records with digital registers and using new information and communication technologies. Although academic literature has provided several tools to carry out on-site safety inspections adopting new technologies, most construction sites are not currently ready to adopt them. This paper covers this need of on-site control by providing an application that uses a simple technology accessible to most construction companies. The main objective and contribution of this paper is to design, develop, and implement a mobile device application (App), named “RisGES”. It is based on the model of risk that grounds the Construction Site Risk Assessment Tool (CONSRAT) and on the related models that connect risk with specific organizational and safety resources. This proposed application is aimed to assess the on-site risk and organizational structure by using new technologies and considering all relevant resources and material safety conditions. The paper includes practical examples of how to use RisGES in real settings. Evidence for the discriminant validity of CONSRAT is also provided. The RisGES tool is at once preventive and predictive since it yields a specific set of criteria for interventions intended to decrease the levels of risks on-site, as well as to detect improvement needs in the site structure and resources for increasing the safety levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health)

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24 pages, 1718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Framework for Integrating Productive, Contributory, and Noncontributory Work with Safe and Unsafe Acts and Conditions

by Xavier Brioso and Claudia Calderon-Hernandez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3412; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043412 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1408

Abstract

It is common for companies that are in the process of implementing the Last Planner System (LPS) journey to attempt an increase in productive work and a reduction in waste, such as contributory and noncontributory work. Even though the LPS has proven to have a synergy with the health and safety requirements, companies with deficient health and safety management systems tend to classify work involving substandard acts or conditions as standard, and then pretend to benchmark against other companies that are indeed performing safe work. The following work introduces a framework to simultaneously register and analyze productive, contributory, and noncontributory work, with the substandard acts and conditions in a construction site, allowing for the measurement of production and health & safety indicators simultaneously. In the absence of technology that automatically captures these indicators, it is proposed that simultaneous measurements be made through direct inspections and photo and video recording by means of a handheld camera. The proposed continuous improvement framework follows the steps indicated below: (1) defining the productive, contributory, and noncontributory work with surveys performed on the most representative stakeholders of the industry; (2) proposing a new classification of production and safety work; (3) assessing the level of application of the LPS in the company; (4) measuring the indicators; (5) improving the use of the LPS and performing new measurements; (6) statistically linking deadly, serious, and minor accidents, standard and substandard acts, standard and substandard conditions, and productive, contributory, and noncontributory work. This framework was applied to a case study of a building project in Lima and the results were improved simultaneous indicators, especially the health and safety indicators. Automated classification of productive and nonproductive work using technology still represents a challenge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health)

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13 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Study of Sick Building Syndrome among Healthcare Workers at Johor Primary Care Facilities

by Loganathan Salvaraji, Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin, Richard Avoi, Sahipudin Saupin, Lee Kim Sai, Surinah Binti Asan, Haidar Rizal Bin Toha and Mohammad Saffree Jeffree

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417099 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2114

Abstract

Introduction: Persistent exposure to indoor hazards in a healthcare setting poses a risk of SBS. This study determines the prevalence of and risk factors for SBS among healthcare workers in health clinics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across four health clinics from February 2022 to May 2022. As part of the study, self-administered questionnaires were completed to determine symptoms related to SBS. An indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment was conducted four times daily for fifteen minutes at five areas in each clinic (laboratory, lobby, emergency room, pharmacy, and examination room). Result: Most of the areas illustrated poor air movement (<0.15 m/s), except for the laboratory. The total bacterial count (TBC) was above the standard limit in both the lobby and emergency room (>500 CFU/m³). The prevalence of SBS was 24.84% (77) among the healthcare workers at the health clinics. A significant association with SBS was noted for those working in the examination room (COR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.31; 6.27) and those experiencing high temperature sometimes (COR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.11; 0.55), varying temperature sometimes (COR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.003), stuffy air sometimes (COR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.005; 0.64), dry air sometimes (COR = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.007; 0.64), and dust sometimes (COR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.11; 0.60) and everyday (COR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.14; 0.81). Only healthcare workers in the examination room (AOR = 3.17; 95% CI = 1.35; 7.41) were found to have a significant risk of SBS when controlling for other variables. Conclusion: SBS is prevalent among healthcare workers at health clinics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health)

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23 pages, 3385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proposal of Combined Noise and Hand-Arm Vibration Index for Occupational Exposure: Application to a Study Case in the Olive Sector

by Raquel Nieto-Álvarez, María L. de la Hoz-Torres, Antonio J. Aguilar, María Dolores Martínez-Aires and Diego P. Ruiz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14345; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114345 - 02 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1860

Abstract

In many production and industrial sectors, workers are exposed to noise and hand-arm vibrations (HAV). European directives have established the maximum limit values or exposure action values for noise and vibration independently. However, in many cases, workers who endure hand-arm vibration also receive high noise levels. This research suggests a procedure to aid the establishment of precautionary measures for workers with simultaneous exposure to both physical agents. This procedure defines a combined index based on the energy doses for both noise and HAV. From this combined index, the suggested methodology allows a recommended exposure time for workers with simultaneous noise and HAV exposure to be calculated. This methodology can be adapted to tackle the relative importance assigned to both agents according to the safety manager and new knowledge on combined health effects. To test this method, a measurement campaign under real working conditions was conducted with workers from the olive fruit-harvesting sector, where a variety of hand-held machinery is used. The results of the study case show that the suggested procedure can obtain reliable exposure time recommendations for simultaneous noise and HAV exposures and is therefore a useful tool for establishing prevention measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health)

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18 pages, 2245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Whole Body Vibration Exposure Transmitted to Drivers of Heavy Equipment Vehicles: A Comparative Case According to the Short- and Long-Term Exposure Assessment Methodologies Defined in ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5

by María L. de la Hoz-Torres, Antonio J. Aguilar, Diego P. Ruiz and Mª Dolores Martínez-Aires

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5206; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095206 - 25 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

The construction and transport sectors are the industries with the highest proportions of workers exposed to vibrations in the European Union. Heavy equipment vehicle (HEV) drivers often perform operations on different uneven surfaces and are exposed to whole body vibration (WBV) on a daily basis. Recently, a new version of ISO 2631-5 was published. However, since this new method required as input the individual exposure profile and the acceleration signals recorded on more surfaces, limited studies have been carried out to evaluate HEV operations according to this standard. The objectives of this study were to assess the WBV exposure using the methods defined in ISO 2631-1:1997 and ISO 2631-5:2018 and to compare the obtained health risk assessments between drivers with different anthropometric characteristics. For this purpose, two drivers were selected and a field measurement campaign was conducted. Regarding short-term assessment, results showed that VDV was the most restrictive method with exposure levels above the exposure action limit value, while

S_{d}^{A}

indicated that the same exposures were safe for the worker. With respect to long-term assessment, Risk Factor R^A showed that the driver with the highest body mass index was the only one who exceeded the low probability limit of adverse health effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment for Occupational Safety and Health)

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